The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-25

OF the Stock Exchange, and eventually
established q banking house in Lom-
bard Street. In 1894, on being created
a baronet he obtained the license of
the crown to ,nee his name TO Mon
tagu, and In Z he was raised TO the
peerage as Lord Swaythling, both
hereditary honors being conferred upon
him in recognition of his very large
contributions to the Liberal party
funds.
The late Lord Swaythling was the
greatest Hebrew philanthropist in the
United Kingdom. and probably In all
Europe, during the closing years of
his life. giving away each year sums
! without parallel since the death OF
Baron Hirsch. He was extremely or
thodoY In his religious views. and two
years before his death became in
volved In religious controversy with
the members OF the Jewish Religious
Education Board In England. on the
ssbject Of the Balaam miracle episode.
The miracle Is discredited by Claude
Joseph Goldschmid Monteiore. author
OF Origin and Development OF the Re
ligion OF the Ancient Hebrews" and by
Israel Abranams. editor OF the Jew
ish Quarterly Review and professor
OF Talmudic literature at the Univer
sity OF Cambridge that Is TO say. the
two greatest authorities on the Hcbraic
! Scriptures Lord Swaythling Insisted
that unless these two men retired from
the Jewish Religious Education Board.
he would not only quit the organizu-
ton. but would also transfer his lib
crafty to some other body. which he
could depend upon TO teach nothing
but the orthodox doctrines OF the faith
or course, the Balaam episode was
| not the only point on which Lord
Swaythling differed from the two lead
! crs of Jewish thought Just mentioned
/ But IL was the one around which the
/ battle most hcrcely RACED. and although
! the two plndits were sustained by Lord
] Rothschild and his brothers. yet In the
| end they were Obliged to give way,
and Lord Swaythling carried the day.
/ 1t Is not only among the Jews that
}hlaam has been source Of contro-
Vcrsy The Very Rev. j. Armitage
Robinson, who still holds the Office OF
! lord high almoner. bestowed upon him
| by King Edward. and who is now dean
OF Wells, publicly proclaimed some
years ago. while dean of Westminster
Abbey. his disbelief in the scriptural
story TO the effect that Balaam's ass
on memorable occasion became en-
lowed with powers of speech This
excited an Immense amount OF Criti-
cism In religious circles. and the dean
was openly charged with heresy. Pc
ward VII. as supreme head of the
established Church of England. to de-
Drive Dr.. Robinson of his deanery OF
Westminster Abbey.
The late King. however. turned a
GEAR ear TO these clamorings. and a
~" weeks afterwards appointed DR..
Robinson TO the ancient and honorable.
ONCE OF lord high almoner--an office
usually held by bishop. Edward VII.
may. therefore. be regarded as having
G'Ven ms approval to the views OF the
dean and also of the Rothschilds. on
me much discussed subject Of BALKAN.
Lord Caledon. who has just sold for
sl5oooo. lioibein's celebrated portrait
OF Thomas Cromwell. Earl OF Essex.
Tor disposal In the United States. Ia
tho NTH earl OF his line. and as he is
rich. there is good deal OF resent
ment feit TINT no should have per.
; United 90 valuable an art trsasure,