New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-02-09
Mr.. HUGHESTO VS.
HONOR FOR DIR. WISE.
Speakers Unite an Praising
Race at Annirersaru.

Men prominent in official life, in educa-
ton, in church and In finance were the
speakers last night at the dinner in cele-
bration of the third anniversary of the
founding Of the Free Synagogue held at the
Hotel Astor. Some five hundred men and
women. representing the best element of
the Judaism of this city at the same time
received their congratulations and appre-
Citations Of the institutions great progress
and usefulness. Also with marked pleas
ure and satisfaction they listened TO the
glowing tributes paid to the Rev. Stephen
S. Wise founder and rabbi of the Free
Synagogue. In fact the dinner served the
second purpose of public godspeed TO Dr.
Wise who soon IS &c sail for Europe.
Those who contributed their friendly ex-
pressions to the occasion were Governor
Hughes, Senator George E. Chamberlain.
from Oregon: Jacob H. Schiff DR.. Nicholas
Murray Butler, the Rev. ]. Leonard Levy,
OF Pittsburg: the Rev. Newell Dwight Hills
and Abram l. Elkus, DR.. Wise, speaking
at the end of long evening of speechmak-
ing on the future of the Free Synagogue
Henry Morgenthau presided.
Governor Hughes, whose theme was "Re-
ligion and Good Citizenship" was in a
happy mood, as well might be after
such reception as the guests gave him.
He came to the dinner from the Peary
testimonial at the Metropolitan Opera
House and he remarked that it was rare
privilege even for the Governor of this
state to visit 1.-The North Pole and a Free
Synagogue in one evening" little later
Governor Hughes caused much laughter
by remarking that in these days every
man in public life reads Epictetus. The
Governor also added:
IF he Is wise he reads the Hebrew
prophets We shall never outlive the ne
cessty of reading with studious and care
full attention the words of the great
prophets of Israel. They comprehended all
our experience. What they say is of direct
application co conditions In their vivid
words we read our own problems. 1t may
not seem lrreverent, l may say, that my
attention was called the other day to the
fact that they were fully aware Of the dan
gers and the pleasures and the splendors
of the automobile. In the Prophet Naham'
I believe, you will find these words; The
chariots rage in the streets They jostle
one against another in the broad way
They seem like torches. They run like the
lightning.
The state executive expressed himself
forcibly on the usefulness OF a minister
of the Gospel in the political activities or
the community but disapproved OF the
church or religion in politics. He said:
I find it fortunate that no matter what
the particular organization may be, or the
creed or system of beliefs to which II may
adhere. when l am before an American au.
dience I stand upon the sure platform OF
civil and religious liberty, and am sure OF
a cordial response to the presentation OF
those fundamental principles, which. what
ever our church. we unitedly accept. am
here tonight to express appreciation Of
the work of the Free Synagogue am
here to say how much | realize our IN
debtedness 20 the strong and write minis s.
try of your leader. We need such men IN
New York. We need their message, thelr
fire their capacity to communicate en-
| thusiasm. their ability to generate moral
resolution, their devotion to good work
and their sincere desire to be OF real Dene-
| fit to their fellow citizens
! Governor Hughes said that religious doc
| trines cannot and should not be taught in
public schools but that there should be
| power houses where moral power Is gen
| Grated, and where the people may learn the
| sober truths of duty.
| He paid high tribute TO the Jewish race
| for it's contributions to the varied under
| takings of the countrys complex lie. Con-
| tinuing, the Governor said:
We crowd upon our men in great exec
utive and administrative offices burden
! almost too great for any man 10 pear
|
! mand leadership requiring not only acCu-
| racy of thought. but splendid powers pg
| which the mind can actually work. an mo
| the body can work under conditions when
| seem 10 require more than human capacity
| can possibly stand. In these clrcun,
| stances the fundamental moral question
| becomes the more important
Mr.. Schiff, who Is not q member OF the
| Free Synagogue spoke on The Jew in
| America" saying that Judaism is big and
| wide enough to accommodate all Jews. re-
| CARELESS of their shades of belief
| Mr. schiT said that he did not know
| v.bether the proverb rich as a Jew" ever
| had any justification. If so, he added. II
WAS different in this generation and IN this
| metropolis.
| II have said IL before continued the
| sneaker. land repeat it now without fear
of contradiction, no part If any, OF the PEG
! nile of this metropolis has done more dur
| ing the last quarter of a century to make
| New York commercially great, none has
| belDed in a larger degree to add TO tbs
| taxabIe wealth of greater New York thar
the so oft raligned Russian Jew"
! Mr. Schiff warned DR.. Wise not to go too
| nesr tho brink of the abyss of liberalism
! for. he said, unless care was exercised
J those who go too near the brink might be
lost. The margin between liberalism and
ynarchisrn becomes sometimes too mar
now" the financier added
| 0r Butler said that as he read human
history he had been struck by three
tbings-First, the religious instinct; sec
| ond. the instinct for social and politica
Justice. and, third. the instinct and aspira-
| ton for knowledge, the desire to know; &c
| solve problems of this universe.