The Washington herald., 1909-02-03
DIR. SIMON STAYS
In CAPITAL CITY
Sends Letter Declining Call
to San Francisco.
CHEERS GREET his DECISION
At the Close Of His Address on Abrs-
ham Lincoln in the Church Of Our
Father, Last Night, He Makes An
nouneement After DIR. Van Schaiek
Presses ISsue-Rabbf Needed.

Rabbi Abram Simon. Of the Washing
ton Hebrew congregation. Is TO stay
among his people After a month of
meditation, he has definitely declined the
call from the Golden Gate. believing his
field OF highest usefulness is IN the Cap
itsl OF the nation.
He had not intended 70 make public
his decision for several days; but last
night be yielded to a temptation which
few would have been able 70 resist At
the close OF a stirring address upon
Abraham Lincoln in the Church OF Our
Father he was rendered little address
Of thanks and eongratulation frcn the
pastor, Rev. Dr.. Van Schaick-
I trust It viii not be taken as an inter
ference IN the affairs OF another congre-
cation" said Dr.. Van Schsick. but I
feel called upon to say this 70 the Wash
ington Hebrew Congregation; Do not let
Rabbi Simon slip away from you on any
consideration whatsoever. I say this not
merely on the score Of personal friend
ship. but on behalf Of the people OF my
church, and, in a larger sense. in behalf
OF the people OF Washington"
Rabbi Needed Here.
The meeting interrupted the divine to
manifest its approval Of his remarks, and
then Dr.. Van Schaick continued:
Rabbi Simon. 1 charge you not TO
leave Washington You are needed here
II all matters pertaining to the civic
progress Of this city. we cannot afford TO
lose you. The Pacific Coast would ike to
have your aid IN solving its pressing
problems, civic, moral, and political, but
we are selfish enough TO want 10 have you
sn 70 ourselves. and to couch our plea
almost IN the terms OF a command"
again the applause butressed the i'm
passioned words OF the speaker. and RaO-
bi Simon bent forward earnestly and
pIucked at Dr. Van Schaick's sleeve.
Just one hour before I came here to-
night" he said. I mailed my letter of
declinetion to San Francisco"
The announcement caused the greatest
enthusiasm IN the audience, among whom
were many OF Rabbi Sim0n's people. The
rabbi later made a statement OF MS posi-
ton to a few personal friends. saying, in
effect. he was never able 70 convince him
self that either duty OF inclination point
( ed his footsteps westward
''Appreciative as I was Of the call that
! came 70 ne" he SAID, 7 felt that my real
work lay here in the city which know
( best Mere money viii never be able TO
/ tempt me away from washington I viii
have TO be allured by something else. So
have sent my final answer TO San Fran
| cisco"
LineOIn's Glowing Faith.
Lincoln as the Nan Of Optimism formed
the foundation upon which the eloquent
Jewish orator reared a splendid tribute
on the occasion Of q centenary observ-
snce-
His optimism" he declared. was rot
Of the sleepily supine sort which calls
upon God to do the work q man Nor
was he cursed with the pessiIuisn which
laments because man cannot 90 TIE work
OF God. Ia his face, which seems the
very embodiment Of brooding sorrow,
there dwells deep and abiding faith in
human nature and in tha final good.
Z have often thought Of hts face as
suggestion OF the Great Stone Face in
Hawthorne's story OF that name. It is
/ q great. strong oountenance. craven with
melancholy ard lined with care. sInos;
prophetic Of the naartyrdous that was te
come It is almost vision. an inspira-
ton.
.sTruIy there was much to embitter
/ him lie came TO Washington. to this
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