Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY. JULY 10. IS93-SIXTEEN PAGES.
WHAT REFORM JUDAISM IS
EOT. Lee M. Franklin Defines It as the Bo-
ligion of the Prophets ,
PUCES THE SPIRIT BEFORE THE WORD
An Intelligent Kipoaltlon of Modern Jucln-
Urn AililriiMecl to the Nebrnikit Ohnn.
tnuqnn at irritmntit Their
ot the Itlble.
A Tory IntorostlnR discourse ) on "Tho Mod
crn Jew and Hit Belief" was road by HOT
Leo M. Franklin of the Cor.Rrcgatlon of I-
raol of Omaha , last Thursday , before the
Nebraska Chautautjua at Fremont , a brief
mention of which appeared In Friday's
dispatches- The following Is a copy of the
lecture as It was delivered :
Ladles and Gentlemen : It Is with no small
degree of pleasure that I rlso to address you
tills afternoon , not only because I must fully
and most heartily appreciate the rnro dis
tinction that Is mine to speak before nn audl-
once such ns this , but also because the sub
ject that has been assigned to mo for discus
sion la ono of which iny heart Is full j one to
uprcad the knowledge of which It Is my
mission nud my duty ; and ono for
which I hope to have enlisted your
interest and your sympathy ore I shall have
spoken many minutes.
If In the dally life of men and women there
bo ono thing that Is eminently essential and
prerequisite for their happiness and well be
ing , It Is the sympathy and follow fooling of
these about them , without sympathy .with
out love , without manifested friendship ,
man's life becomes liken flower deprived of
rain and sunshine , that soon fades away and
loses all Its loveliness. And if this is so of
the individual , it is pre-eminently true of
the mass of Individuals , the people , tribe ,
community or nation.
If in the pages of history you seek for an
'example that shall bo an apt and fitting
illustration of the truth of what wo say ,
turn to the story of outcast Judahto the
trials and tribulations of that "tribe of wan
dering foot , " and you shall 11 nd that cast out
through envy , malice , hatred , from the high
ways and the byways of the nations , its very
resistance to annihilation became in
the oycs of its accusers a now cause for
hatred , prejudice and malediction. And has
this prejudice spent its force and energies
through declining centuries } Lot the perse
cution of the .Tows in that hotbed of tyranny ,
Hussln , give answer to this question ; lot the
acts of the bigoted nntl-Scinitcs in Austria
and Germany give answer to this question ;
aye , let the inequalities In politics and In so
ciety in this our own beloved country give
answer to this question , and I doubt not that
you will want no fuller answer.
It Is not my purpose at this time and place ,
my hearers , to enter upon n tlrado against
these who in the past and present feel it
their mission to annihilate the children of
the stubborn trlbo of Judah , for that would
bo entirely out of place and at best not at
all in accordance with my wont ; I
have prefaced this paper with the remarks
already quoted , because I believe most
llrmly and most truly that nil dark fanati
cism is the result ot Ignorance and lack of
knowledge , and I believe that the oppor
tunity accorded mo today to speak before
you on "Tho Modern Jew and Ills Belief"
will tend to spread true knowledge on a sub
ject that has been nil too long misconceived ,
and that -wlth-tho new light that shall bo
spread there shall come greater tolerance ,
greater forbearance , greater liberality ,
greater equality for a people to whom
throughout the centuries the words of the
poet have been applicable :
"The wild dove Imtli her nest ;
The fox his cave ;
Mankind tlioir country-
Israel , but the gruvu. "
Product of Cniiturlr * of jUovdopment.
And now , without further digression , let
us turn to our subject. Thut which is known
as modern Judaism is , as its name Implies ,
of recent birth. It is not , how-
'ovor , the spontaneous outburst of
the present hour , but ttio gradual
growth , development' and fruition of
'conditions that have been forming for
ivoll nigh a century past. Nor Is ic the re
sult of a creed formulated In conclave erin
in conference , but it is the necessary and in
evitable result of circumstances and condi
tions brought about by natural causes.
"While in the older countries and in the early
centuries the Jo ITS were deprived of all the
privileges that were accorded to their gen
tile neighbors , when they wore -shut up in
the narrow plibtto of Russia and of Italy or
confined within the "Judongasso" of
Germany ; when they were harrowed
by the unspeakable and indescribable
tortures of the Spanish inquisition ,
thcro was but ono hope , ono ray of
light that broke through the Impenetrable
darkness , and that was the consciousness
that of the religion of tholr fathers there
was no power strong enough to deprive
them. Peeling.that this was their only hope ,
their only support , they clung to it with a
ttniacity that words cannot dscrlbo ; aye , so
fearful wcro they that they should not fulfill
its every mandate that they became slaves
to the very letter of the law , and in many in
stances sacrificed the spirit to the letter.
.As times changed , however , and
the Jew acquired an equal footing and
position with his Christian neighbor , the at
titude that ho assumed toward his religion
underwent a change. Ills love , his zeal , his
fervor for the faith of his fathers experi
enced no diminution ; qulto the roversowhen
there was granted to him freedom of thought
and of speech lie loved oven more fervently
than before , if such were possible , the re
ligion for which ho had suffered so much.
But his love was manifested in a , different
way. Instead of clinging to it with a blind
adoration as something fearful , something
unapproachable , his eyes became oponc.iltmd
ho lovea hisTolIglon for us own sake , for
the povrcr it gave him to soar to spiritual
heights and to reach the Tory
pinnacle of human perfection and
of God. Ana in this place it may bo well to
emphasize a thought that cannot bo too oft
repeated. The tendency established at this
time to look upon religion as it is , and to
vloir it in the light of progress and of
thought , has survived all the manifold
changes that tlmo in its remorseless lllght
has brought. Judaism today tolerates no
blind faith , or unreasonable belief ; it asks
of its devotees to bollcvo naught save that
which can bo tested in the crucial lire of
reason. Progress is Its motto , reason its
guide , truth its hope , God its only stay and
support. .
Deed , Not Creed ,
With the change In nttitudo toward his
religion that moroliberal trcatmcntaucordcd
to the Jew , it was but natural that there
should coma a change in the manner of
observing the mandates of his religion. In-
ulead ot clinging tenaciously to the literal
moaning , ho took refuge in the observation
of the spirit of the law. This necessarily
carried with it an abrogation of ritual core-
monies. The passage in the holy writs or
daining that the words which God had
spoken should "bo bound upon the hand ami
become as frontlutn bcforo the oycs , " and
which ID antiquity had given rlso to the cus
'
tom'of binding uhilactcrcs or according to
the Hebrew name "Tiillln" upon the head
and amis , recolvod a grander moaning In its
allegorical sen o , that the words of God
should be over present to direct the eyes to
the abode ot slckuuss mid of sutTcriug and to
guide the hand to the support of the weary
and the dowtitrodduu of the earth. This is
but one'example of the hundreds that might
bo quoted did llmo permit , of Jho abrogation , "
of the ceremony for ttio grander lesson of
morality that the observation of the spirit
teaches.
With this change in the Interpretation of
scriptural writings , or uioro propeily
as ono of the necessary condition *
thereof , there entered Into the
religious life of the Jewish people
k mora progressive spirit , a broader
liberality and the dcslro to not and live In
accordance with the spirit of the age , and {
coucommltant ttioroto as might naturally be
expected an openness to reason und to
thought before undreamed of. And thus -wo l
nro prepared to sum up in a word the char
acteristics that stamp reform Judaism of
today ns individualistic and as distinct In |
mauy senses from the 3udaUm of the early
days. Its distinguishing marks are these
which wo have already enumerated ; first ,
| U progressive and liberal spirit ; second , 1U :
opeunuss to reason , and third , its abrogation
of unmeaning cereu.oulcs.
If our Sbadm of li ilef.
But leit wo mnko ourielvoa liable to mU-
laMrpreUllou we inutt lu till * place offer a
word of explanation. Judnlsm recognize *
no sect within Itsolfj no line * of division
bounded by tlmo or place ; the Judaism of
today I * In all Its essential elements tlio
Judaism of 3,000 year * ago ; the Judaism of
Uussla , Germany and Franco Is practically *
In Its fundamental principles , ttio Judaism
of America. Of this wo shall sty moro nt n
later stage of our discourse , but for the
present lot this sufllco. I have thrown
out these remarks simply ns n key
note to what I shall now put boIs
fore you. While It is true that
Judaism recognizes no division Into
sects , It Is not no fortunate ns not to have
represented within llsolf different similes of
bollof , known by the different names which
wo shall hero enumerate : First , orthodoxy ;
second , conservatism ; third , reform , nnd
fourth , radicalism. As already stated , in
the essential elements and in their funda
mental principles , thcso four divisions nrc
practically the same , The most orthodox ,
as well as the most radical Jew , believes
ilrnily and unflinchingly in the oneness of
the Creator , nnd In his worship the ono
cries out with as much zeal nnd
fervor ns the other the words
that have become the watchword of Israel ,
"Hoar , O Israel , God Is our Lord , God Is
ono I" Iloth believe sincerely and earnestly
In the Immortality of the human soul ami In
the divine mltslon of man to strive to reach
human perfection. It Is only In the nontl
essentials that they differ. Thus the orthop
dox Jew lays stress upon the letter of the
taw , while his reform brother pays moro attention -
tontion to the observation ot its spirit. The
conservative Jew worships his God tun id
many forms and ceremonies ; the reformer
and radical care for no ceremony that doe *
not suggest to the mind and heart some
nobler sentiment or higher thought.
But reform Judaism is what wo generally
moan when wo speak ol modern Judaism ,
and in this sense wo shall use that term this
afternoonfor in truth reform Judaism is the
Judaism of today , especially In our own boI
loved homo , America , and wo have n right
to hope that as the shackles of ignorance
nnd the fetters of social Inequality shall bo
removed from our poor brethren across the
waters that It shall bccomo the universal
Judaism , for it appeals to that which In man
is most dlvlno his mind nnd heart.
Klomontu of tlio Itellglori.
But In Its striking outlines reform Juda
ism is not the offspring of n recent hour. As
a'matter of fact it it essentially the religion
of the prophets. Like unto the religion of
Isaiah and Joromlah , of Micah aud the other
prophets , ours today Is a religion of deed and
not of creed of notion , not of words. But
whtlo this Is especially true of reform Juda
ism of today , wo are not the first to recognize
this truth. It is related in the Midrash that
once a heathen approached the wlio sago
Hlllol , ono of the most learned teachers of
the first Christian century , and thinking to
taunt him addressed him as follows : ' 'If you
teach mo all the tenets of Judaism while
standing on ono foot , then will 1 ,
too , bccomo a Jow. " Hlllol , nothing
daunted by the fellow's impudence , nt
once replied : "Truly , my friend , I can do
as you dcslro. All the tenets of Judaism are
bound up in the Hlnglo maxim : 'Thou shall
love thy neighbor as thyself. ' This is the
law all the rest Is commentary thereto. "
Thus oven In the early days these of ad
vanced thought recognized , ns do WG of the
relorm school today , that true religion does
not consist in rite nnd ceremony , in form and
dogma , but rather in deeds and actions that
will edify the race ol man. Turn to the
books of the prophets aud read what there
is written : "Behold , to obey is bettor than
to sacrifice , " aro' the words that the
aged Samuel speaks to Saul. And these uro
the words that Isaiuh with prophetic inspi
ration addresses to the wicked people of
Jerusalem : "When you spread forth your
bauds I will withdraw mine eyes from you
yea , when you make many prayers I will not
hearken unto you , for your hands nrc full of
blood : rather wash yourselves , make your
selves clean , put away the evil of your acods
from mine eyes cease to do evil ; learn to do
good. " And thus speaks the prophet Micah :
"Ho hath told thee , O man , what is good
and what the Eternal requlroth of thee ;
nothing but to do Justice ; to love
righteousness and to walk humbly
with thy God. " Thus it must bo
clear to all who hear mo that with us the
command is not so urgent to bohovo much
ns to do mucht Still , lot it not bo imagined
that thcro aroTiot fundamental doctrines to
bo observed in Judaism as in other religions
of the world. Ours is not an ethical culture
scheme in which man is Jho > center of the
universe and his infinite mind the directing
nnd governing power that sways the destiny
of men and nations. Our beliefs , though
few in number , nro fundamental , it scorns ,
to all religious thought , and , modified in ouo
way or another , mav bo found existent at
the basis of all religious progress in the
civilized world today. A rough outline
of the creed as wo teach it to
our children may servo most aptly In this
place to bring out the leading ideas in this
connection.
What U nclkovoil and T.uiclit.
First Wo bellovo in the absolute oneness
and perfection of God. With us God is not
to bo divided into elements , parts or persons ,
but in His oneness Ho is absoluto. Ho is
perfect in that "all moral excellencies Hud
their highest expression in Him. " Man is
gifted with the desire and nlillty to become
Godlike , and thus to rise to the pinnacle ot
human perfection.
Seond "Wo bellovo in a future oxlst-
once of the soul in which God shall deal
with it according to His justice ,
power nnd mercy. Wo do not
Know how the future life is con
stituted , but wo' glory in the teaching of our
religion that all good and moral men , no
matter what their religion bo , will share In
the blessings of the future life. " The Jew
ish heaven , I bog leave to add In this place ,
Is not a place of definite size und posltio.n
where the souls of the Just bask In the sun
light of eternal beatitude , but it is the state
of the soul , satisfied with itself , happy in
tlio consciousness of duty well performed , of
a mission well fulfilled. Hell , according to
the Jews , is not the place of fire and brim
stone , but the state of the soul out of har
mony with itself and its environment. Such
heaven is the brightest , grandest and most
heavenly heaven such hell is the darkest ,
blackest and most gruesome hell.
But to pass ou to thu other articles of the
creed.
Third Wo believe In the absolute su
premacy of tlio bible as the source of
spiritual truth.
Fourth Wo believe that love of fellow
man Is man's highes ; and grandest obliga
tion.
tion.Fifth
Fifth We believe that there Is no per
sonal Messiah to redeem man from his sins ,
but that the only mediator between God
nnd man Is a life of righteousness. The so-
called time of the Messiah , according to the
Jews , is only that tlmo when all men will
unite in the worship of the ono God and live ,
together lu brotherly love , peace und har
mony.
Sixth And last , though by no means
least , of our. beliefs Is that of the father
J hood of God , nnd the equality and brother
hood of man ,
In these six articles are contained the gist
nud essence of all doctrinal teachings in
Judaism , but the views expressed , which to
some may appear an being extremely radical ,
must undoubtedly suggest to the minds of
many of you who hear uio a question of no
moan importance "How does the modern
Jew regard the bible ! " To treat this' sub )
ject exhaustively would demand a lecture
for Itself , aud as our tiaiu Is limited , wo
must content ourselves with tlio merest t
outlines.
There i : perhaps no other subject so nearly
related to the daily life of men , that is so
wrapped about with the dark cloak of Ignor
ance , as Is the bible. Other works of litora-
tuns men read nnd study carefully lu regard
to the tlmo and circumstances under which
they were written and compiled before they
attempt to spouk of thorn ; but of the bible
mon steeped In Ignorance speak as though
trey Knew all about it , its authors and its
history.
To some of our good friends it may seem
straneo and uvon audacious on my part to >
hint even for ono moment that they do not
know all about the bible. Hut such is un-
doubtedly the case. But the fewest , and
they who have u comprehensive view of
biblical literature , aud those individuals are
but the strangest exceptions , have a
dnfinlta idea of the tlmo and circumstances
to which the various books of the bible were
written. To most persons the terra bible is
expressive of avery vague and indell-
nito idea. They have an ill do-
tined notion that it is a book writ-
ten at one tlmo and by ono author !
and perhaps they have oven hoard from
their fathers ( and consequently bellovo it to
bo true ) that that author was inspired ,
though of what inspiration moans they have
Unot uveu the remotest conception.
Titota who luiajfluo. that they Uavo a right
to talk of the bible may lx ) thrown Into sev
eral classes , but a few of which wo shall
hero cnumor.tto. In the llrst piano there is
the Ignorant critic , who knows least about
the bible , but imagine * that ho has solved
all Us mysteries and knotty problems ;
then there is the literal critic who would
have ovary word Interpreted according to
Its very letter ; opposed to him stands the
mythical critlo who would find no truth At
al in the wrltingsotscriptures ; again tlioro
Is the so-called scientific critic who argues
constantly that the bible Is opposed to
science and hence must hoof 11 ttio value ;
and then there arc u host of other critics ,
each ; of whom hat some unique theory of
his own , nnd which Is necessarily in oppo
sition l to that of his next door neighbor.
Itoforin Judnlim nnil the lllblo.
Now all these theories cannot bo correct. |
Either the bible 1s Inspired or It is uuln
spired | ; cither ono class of critics works on
a falsa premise or the criticism of the other
must fall to the ground. And thn question
arises which is the correct vlowt From
the standpoint of a meek theologian , re
presenting the Ideas-of reform Judaism , wo
shall In a measure try to scatter the doubts ,
that llko clouds have gathered together and
obscure the brilliant rays from the sun of
reason and of thought.
How do wo of reform Judlasm look upon
the blblol Before answering the question
proper it may bo well to say a word in re
gard to the manner In which wo do not look
upon this worn.
The bible is not , as many suppose , the
product of ono tlmo or of ono pen. It covers
in Its production a period extending over
many centuries nnd boars upon its face the
indubitable marks of various authors. Not
nil of the books of the bible are of the same
historical } \ Import , nnd some of them must ; not
bo regarded in sources of history In any
aonsn. The bible is not all history , nor all
allegory , nor oven all of a prophetic nature.
Its twenty-four books contain a substratum
of each of these elements , though each book
lias i Its own individuality and Us own defi
nite purpose.
It is commonly supposed by the ignorant
masses that the outiro bible is the product
of revelation , though oven the'most orthodox
has claimed this distinction only for the five
books of Moses ; but oven when applied to
these five books the masses fall into the most
deplorable errors. Many , in picturing to
themselves that majestic scene at Sinai's
height , when , above the battling of the ele
ments , the volco oi God was hoard , proclaim
ing to the terror stricken people the heaven-
written law , Imagine thu Deity llttlo else
than a gigantic mini , before whom ordinary
men appeared as pigmies. Because their ig-
uoranco or their narrow-mindedness makes
it impossible to conceive a Deity who the
very center of the spiritual universe ( a 'con
ception that base minds cannot reach ) , they
are forced to the very depths of sensuous
materialism , nnd their God becomes llko
unto themselves , a man , only larger and per
haps mightier. If , as I have done , you ask
the masses to describe their God , you
will find this to bo the caso.
Gnnlus U Inspiration.
With such an understanding of Deity , how
utterly erroneous must bo tholr view of in
spiration 1 Need wo say that they imagine
that the fountain of inspiration ceased forever -
over to How when the last prophet quenched
hi * thirst In their refreshing waters ? Need
wo say that thov suppose that none save the
biblical teachers , however much they longed
for them , could taste of these most precious
waters ? Well do you know this to bo the
caso. And yet no impression could bo moro
thoroughly opposed to the doctrines of mod
ern Judaism than this one. According to
our conception ana that of all advocates
of reform Judaism today , tbo
sources of inspiration will never
dry up as long as thcro remains a spring of
human genius to feed tholr hungry streams.
Wo believe that'overy man of genius is in
spired. We bellovo that every mau who de
votes himself unto the good of others is in
spired ; wobeliovo that every man whoso
thoughts nro liberal and heart is pure and
unselfish is inspired. A Homer , a Virgil , a
Dante and a Milton , a Spencer , a Stewart
Mill , a Morse nnd nn Edison are as truly in
spired with a missloiiifrom on high as over was
a Moses , a D.ivid or an Elijah. That wo admit
this docs not curtail our admiration for
thcso characters of ancient lore ; theirs was
a noble destiny and well did they fulfill it.
They wcro the first upon whom fell , the ,
mantle of inspiration , but they have handed
it down to future generations.
But when % vo grant this , friends , wa seem
to hear you ask as did ono of the children in
my Sabbath school but recently. If inspira
tion continues why can wo not , after the ex
perience of all thcso centuries , form a now
and bolter bible than at first ? ' The question
at first seems a plausible ono , but none the
less may bo easily disposed of. When wo
any that the biblical writings are inspired ,
or that tholr authors were wrapped in the
robes of inspiration , wo do not moan that the
words themselves of holy writ are in
spired , for .vords are words and are ot human
fabrication. What wo mean to say is that
the ideas , the principles laid down therein ,
are the product of inspiration , and the prin
ciples laid down being comprehensive in
their scope aye , allombracing no mind can
overreach beyondthem and therefore the
bible shall remain ever and unchangeably
the samo.
Wag Wrlttou for the People.
To the scientific rritio who would find con
tradictions between the words of holy writ
and the text books of his sciences wo would
say , that no makes a great mistake in seek
ing scientific truth in a book of pure moral
ity. The story of creation as recounted in
the opening chapters of Genesis was never
meant to bo accepted as litoiully true , but
that the people might comprehend the idea
of a creative power , the story was couched
in language that would bo intelligible to the
masses. Indeed , in the very fact that the
bible teams to ovorllowing with thoailegori-
calllcs its undying power. Each man may
find some new truth in every allegory , and
the oftener ho reads it the grander will bo
its revelation to him. Were the bible writ
ten in a language whoso meaning lay on tbo
surface , it would soon become barren of use
fulness and instead of giving to man now
fervor with each repetition it would soon become
como a tiresome monotony devoid of.any
virtue.
In this sense , and in this sense alone , tbo
language of the bible is inspired. But What
is moro far-reaching In its influence than
language , the fundamont.il principles , nro
the offspring of mlmla fired with the spark
of genius and sot aglow with the bright light
' "
of moral power tliby are the jporo 'truly"in'
spired and the fruits of their inspiration
shall continue to ripen in the minds and
hearts of generations even yet Unborn ,
Such then is the point of vlow from which
i the modern Jew regard * the bible as a-book
of moral law written by men inspired from
on high with genius unsurpassed and with
moral power unequaled In the ages pastor
these which are to como. '
Concerning Other Ilollglout.
Trusting Unit wo have succeeded at lonst
in a meusuro in making this subject.clear ,
wo hasten to another tliemo that wo trust
will bo as Interesting to you as it is oml-
nently important for us that
it should bo properly ami fully
understood. The subject referred to is :
"Tho relation Miat the Jew boars to his
neighbor of different religious convictions. "
The charge has often been placed against
the Jew that ho is exclusive- ; that ho shuts
himself up among his own kith and kin and
will have naught to do with these who differ
from him In religious faith. If in the ages
past thcro boa been some small measure of
truth in this accusation It has been only as a
result of continuous persecution and mat-
treatment. Shall the slave fawn upon his
rmaster and try to mliiglo in his company ?
iShall the ono held down by the strong
arm of the oppressed kiss the
hand that holds him down ? Shall the poor
victim of persecution sing the praises of tbo
tyrant that oppresses him ? If not , how then
could the poor Jew of till the centuries gene
by bo expected to amalgamate aud associate
with those who looked upon him only to scoil
and to scorn him , who touched him not with
the baud of gcnUonesn aud of caress , but
with the strong arm of tbo tyrant and1 op-
nprussorj who spoke to bun not with words uf
courage and of oncer , but with the harsh
volco of command and Insolence ?
But thank God , as that look , that hand ,
that volco has become milder , gpntlor ,
softer , the Jew has become mora trustful ,
so that today In the fullness of his heart ho
would bo one with all men in all that makes
IIfor hotter , higher , purer llfo. And hero let
0mo emphasize a fact that cannot bo too oft
1repeated. . In books and periodicals wo read
constantly ofjtho Hebrew race. Now lot mo
toll you , friends , there U 119 Hebrew nice ,
The Jew does not represent such a distlnc-
tlon as is connoted by the word "race1' : bo
represents solely and simply a religious
community striving for the establish went
of a grand religious conviction , the oacucis
of the Creator ; In all else ho Is ono ot the
masses nnd as uclf Zfiilms recognition.
I.ojnl ntiil Lmr Abiding.
As citizens wo nWftmerlMns , Joy.il to the
flac ol freedom , ifflilt thlnK that 1 can Any It
without boasting that your Judges will tell
you that of nil the riUions ot this grand nnd
most beloved country thcro is none who Is
more peaceful and more law-abiding than
tho.Tow. Wo look upon these who differ
from us , not , as mntij' supposoas our natural
enemies , but wo ragara tnem ns having ns
full n right lo thole convictions ns the best
of us may claim. Ilavo wo not nil ono i
Father , hath Sftr. Go.il created all of |
us ! " wo cry oUl In the beauti
ful words of 'ttlio prophet. Putting
aside prejudice of qv > * ry kind , wo Jews of
today rocognlzo tlmiflll truth has not fallen
to our lot , but thai it has been scattered
broadcast o'er the lands , and all people may
have gathered somo'of It. Wo recognize the
fact that sectarianism Is not rollcion , that
bleotry Is not belief , but that-humanlty Is a
grander unit than the sect or creed and that
therefore for the welfare of humanity , It Is
our duty to do and to dare unflinchingly. Wo
look not only to our own salvation , but to
whatever is grand , elevating , ennobling nnd
inspiring In the religions of the world ; wo
nro willing to take unto ourselves and to
admit it as part nnd parcel of Judaism , for
what concerns the welfare of the race concerns -
corns ns well the welfare of the Jew for It
is our absolute conviction that In order to bo
a good , honorable , upright Jew ono must
flrst become a good , honorable , upright man.
Manhood comes first , religion afterward.
As I stand hero , friends , explaining to you ,
facts , the correct knowledge of which , I am
sure , will tend to reduce prejudice to a mini
mum , now points crowd upon my mind that
I would fain explain 10 you. But tlmo
presses nnd I fear that I have already over
taxed your too iudulgcnt patlonco. Hut ono
moro point I shall briefly touch upon before
concluding this discourse. How do the
Jews regard the Habbl of Galilee , the
founder of the Christian faith ? I
shall not tnko tlmo on this. occa
sion to explain to you why wo do not
accept Jesus as the son of God nor grant to
him divinity but this I shall say , that upon
Jesus the reform Jews of todayJoolt with the
greatest respect and reverence , for in him
they recognlzo a man who battled for the
truth ; nav , ono who mot the martyr's death
in lighting for conviction's sako. Wo rccbg-
nizo In him a great reformer a man great
and pnod. who lived in advance ot his age ,
nnd without whom civilization would not
have reached its present height , for ho has
proved to bo ono of its most potent nnd im-
portantjactors.
Ono In 1'urposo.
Thus , friends , I hope that I have this
afternoon brought cJoarly before you the
modern Jew and a knowledge of his princi
pal beliefs. I hope that I have succeeded in
interesting you in the subject of which , ns I
told you at the outset , my heart is full , and I
trust that if you have heard anything today
ot which you did not know before to the
credit ol the Jew , that in your cbarlty of
thought and generosity of heart you may
cancel au equivalent of prejudice against
him if , In your hearts , you fostered any.
And now a word in conclusion. You will
admit with meaf tor what you have heard this
afternoon , that though the outward garb of
form and ceremony may divide us , In our
hearts wo nro ono ; striving for the samn
grand object the elevation of the human
race to higher planes , to nobler thoughts , to
purer lives. You will admit that the object
of , all church work , , is the same though the
means employed thereto bo different : and
If such bo tho/ lease why not Join
hands and hearts together and one in spirit ,
ono In humanity , vyorli together for the at
tainment of our objects , forgetful of the
errors and predjudicos of the past. If wo do
this , then shall religion bo us it is meant to
bo , the means of rafs wing mon nearer to
each other and nearer to the God of all
humanity ; then shall'It ' como to-pass as was
recently written , ' ( that all religious concur
in a humanity , which is the vestibule to the
portal of God. " "
/1T /
co.vsr ejwrA r.zriEs.
Line all bolls wedding bolls also are dis
tinguished by the ring'
"Why Is It , Bl'lly , 'yo'ii once jilted Miss
Brown , "but you mnnjvfeo to find some excuse
to pass her house orovy night ; tho'bld spark
rekindled ? " ' "Oh , no , " replied Billy ; "but
her cold and chilling glances ardipositively
refreshing this hot weather , "
"Ah , me , " said a six-months bride to her
confidante , " .I'.m afraid William does not
love mo any moro. Invariably when ho
comes homo In the evening now , instead of
telling mo hoxr much no loves mo ho wants
to know how soon supper will bo ready. "
"It was a wise provision on the part of the
persons who wrote the marriage ceremony , "
observed Bounder Just after the wedding of
his friend Rounder , "that there is no call
for some ono to glvo the groom away. I
could give some things away about
Houndor. "
The addresses of a'ybung man having been
declined by a young lady , ho paid court to
her sister. "How much you resemble 'your '
sister , " said ho , the evening of his first call.
"You have the sumo hair , the same fore
head and the sumo 0 2. " "And the
same noes , " she added quickly.
The date of the marriage of Miss Emily
Rogers to Hov. Dr. Nnucredo , assistant
rector of the American chapel at Home , has
not been set , but It is said the wedding will
take place In the American chapel during
September. It will bo qulto a fashionable
wedding , as Miss Rogers is the daughter of
the Into Airs. Kearney Rogers and a sister of
Mrs. Louis BIddlo. of Philadelphia.
Those young ladles of Chicago who enter
tain matrimonial designs on his highness the
mahnrajah of Kapurthalo , may as well
abandon thorn unless they care to share con
nubial bliss with eighty other wives , the
number credited to the potentate. Ho is
now headed for the World's fair and is said
to have nn assortment of his youngest und
best-looking bettor Halves or bettor
eightieths , with him. .
Moses Williams , colored , lives on a farm
about five miles east of Fayetteville , Tex.
Ho is 05 years old , out no ouo would tuko
him to bo moro than about 50. Ho was mar
ried twice nnd had born to him forty-five
children. By the tirst wife ho had twonty-
three children tliroo boys and twenty girls
and by the second twenty < two children
two boys and twenty girls. Ho says ho has.
about forty grandchildren.
Ono of the nowcst Ideas for carrying flow
ers for bridesmaids are the green wickerwork -
work watering pots , filled with lilies of the
valley or any other bloom suitable to the
drosses. They have this advantage , that
they uro so placed that they appear as If'
they wore growing , and the handles of the
watering pots are tied with colored ribbons.
This is oven pro t tier" than the high-heeled
shoes filled with ( lowers which used to bo
slung from the armi Other novelties are
ribbon chatelaines , with , small bouquet *
hanging from the oiji i of gibbonsand brace
lets of fiowura to coja'ijspond ,
Is Miss Helen Gould .engaged to bo mar
ried ? According tcfhjflVy prevalent rumor
tbo daughter of Jajujbuld will soon marry
a young mau of lar&Hwealth , whoso name
often appears in tUo Jiiowspapors. A Chicago
cage paper carao oirtvlist week with "an
authorized statement1' ' t'iut ' Miss Gould had
secured the unanimous-consent of the other
heirs to Joy Gould's lujjjions , which is re
quired by her father 3\viU | , to be married in
a year. Miss Helen ubuld Is a young lady
with an unusual glfj ortfood , womanly com
mon sense. The position of Miss Gould
would turn many i'QWW ladles' heads , but
In the management ol her part of the estate
and in the general Supervision of a largo
household Miss Gould has shown the cool
ness and foruthouglitiATluch characterized
her fat her. cj
Anulo Thomas is , It ho only woman In
Kamanla county. stiRo ; ) ! Washington. She
is a squatter und lives in Rattlesnake Hills ,
Thuro bus of late been a great strife for her
hand in marriage among- the rough settlers
of that region , liutlk Monloy and Jerry
Woods seemed to bo the highest in her
favor , nnd so it was finally agreed that
thcso two .11011 should settle the question
between them by a duel with bowlo knives.
After a desperate light in which both were
wounded the battle was declared u draw.
It was then agreed that tbo matrimonial
question should bo settled by a gauao of
sovoa-up. The fortune of cards favored Mon
loy , and ho was declared the winner of the
tquattor brldo. A parson was called in to
assure him his prko. 'Tho llcklo Annln had
a long talk with tlio parson , und , though
she had uovor seen him before , she at lust
announced her intention of marrying the
parson himself and not Monloy. In vain
did the hero of the bmvlc knlfo duel and the
victor In thn game 'of sovca-up object to this
proceeding. The woman was firm in her
Intention , and the upshot of the matter was
j that thu par&oa got thu woman
HOW CHARLEY FOUND HIS COURAGE
It" It , Orxlnohiim In Short Slories.
Joseph Simpson awoopcd down on the
rnngo country , built himself n little
shnck in the bottom of nn nrroyjx where
bubbled a spring , nnd then started in
the cnUlo business. Ho Imd ono poor
Ilon-bHlon prillowny ftnd on ° broncho.
The broncho was n pinto , watch-oyed
and sprunR-knccd , nnd nil down his
ritrht sldo wcro the brands ot Ma previous
. .
vious owners , with tholr counter brands ,
reaching from his onrs to his
lly-dlsturbor , ami nil ever his loft
slilo wore numerous mathematical
calculations , with nti occasional sign of
the : zodiac burned in by way of variety.
The galloway cow looked BO lonesome ,
nntl the pony was so dejected , * that Joseph -
soph Simpson did the bust ho could tbo
next spring rustled around before the
regular round-up started , nnd the result
was n numerous progeny for tbo friendless -
loss ( cow nnd the dojcotod pinto. Joseph
Simpson's success only served to wbot
bis ambition , nnd so bo went on Increas
ing bis cow nnd borso herds ; but ,
strange ns it may appear , ns tbo blank
page of Joseph Simpson's increase books
were rapidly filling , bis neighbors noted
corresponding falling off in tbo census
of their respective herds.
The following win tor the gullownygot
nipped in n blizzard and the pinto also
sunk to rest under his wolgfit of years , .
The next spring Joseph Simpson formed
n onttlo trust. The capital stock com
prised the now numerous relics of tbo
Into galloway nnd pinto , nnd ono corpo
rate seal. There were no certificates ,
so the seal was boated red hot and im
pressed on tbo stock itself. Sometimes
it was impressed ever the brands of tbo
loiral owners , but most of tbo time it
only cnmo in contnct with mavericks.
CnUlo mon were opposed to tbo move
ment , but 11 flourished nevertheless , and
tbo property of tbo trust wont on in
creasing to an extent almost startling ,
"lltistlor Joe , " as. the president , vice
president , edcrotnfy nnd range foreman
of the cattle trust was now known , was of
such an impulsive , sensitive nature that
people hesitated to take the initiative
nnd convurtto with him on the subject.
Ono man did mention tbo matter , nnd
the way that Rustler Joe handled bis
nickol-plnted , self-cocking articles of in
corporation caused such coolness to
spring up that the man never spoke of
tbo trust again. In fact , ho never spoke
at all.
Then Joe took to himself a partner.
Whore Hint-partner ctimo from nobody
know , but thcro lie was tall , bnndsomo ,
long dark curling hair nnd mustache ,
bo was certainly an ideal of physical
munliood. And , then , bis spurs were of
solid silver nnd had little silver bells
hanging from them ; bis sombrero was
of tbo iincst make and tbo crown was
encircled by a bullion band ; his re
volvers were bilvor-pluted and
pearl-handled , and his saddle was
silver mounted , with gold em
bossed on the top of tbo born. People
looked wise and said that mosses were
being said for tbo boul of tbo Mexican
that bad owned' that saddle , but tbcy
wore careful not to talk too loud. Tbo
partner was known as Charley. While
Joe was the possessor of nn unlimited
amount of "sand , " it did not take people
long to ascertain that Charley possessed
a very limited quantity of that very do-
sjrablo commodity , and when a diminu
tive Mexican first insulted and then ,
while under the influence of mescal , as
saulted Charley unpunished , ho lost
prestige entirely.
The Mexican disappeared not
long afterward , but as it was
only a case of missing grcasor , it did not
attract much attention.
It- was now hearing tbo third spring
since "Rustlor Joo" had settled in that
section , and bis neighbors nodded to
eacb other , grinned and remarked that
tbo riders of the "Spudo Bar Slooj/mg
S" band were aut to got "contentious"
when Joe and Charley started in , and
that there was going to bo some fun.
The outfit referred to was just in from
Texas , and the boys in it had a reputa
tion for being able to "smoke" n man at
the dropping of a bat. But this cir
cumstance did not appear to phase the
partners at all , for they kept on at tlioir
work of increasing the size of their
corrals and making all preparations for
a very busy season ,
The evening nftor the roundup bad
begun , ana while the young and old
cnttlo were nil well Duncbod , .Too
nnd Charley started out. All nature -
turo had taken on its brightest hues.
The now grass was of tbo most dolicuto
green , the cactus clumps were nblazo
with blooms of yellow , orange , pink nnd
whit2 , tbo sky was faintly tinted with
the rosento colors of the coming sunset ,
and. tbo snowy range glinted and glis
tened as though crusted with diamonds ,
and the near hogback foothills begun in
blue nnd gradually faded into -soft gray
in the distance. A low insects listlessly
chirped and hummed , while from hero
and there came the shrill bark of a prairie -
rio dog or tbo dismal hoot of the com
panion of lilfc burrow , tbo owl. But the
two mon paid no attention to tbo beau
ties before them. They were on a
mission ; they were oui to "pinch" some
promising mavericks or some equally
promising calves , tho.v did not euro
which. Wljilp the mavbriok was con
sidered common property by every cat
tle thief in tbo country , the calf still belonged -
longed to the brand that owned the
mother cow.
A few rods off grazed a cow with a
calf at lior aido. The cow bore the brand
of'the Toxas'outtit. The calf had not
boon branded "as yet , and the partners
dropped a lariat over the neck of the
little animal , which gave ono frightened -
onod snort , a faint bellow , and then
foil , half choked by the rope around its
nock.
' Tie her up , " said Joe , and Charley
took a few pieces of rope from his sad
dle pockets and tied the four feet of the
calf togothor.
"Guess I'll tnko a band in this yore
jack-pot ! " called out a cheery voice , and
the next instant a knlfo hud cut the
ropes and the frightened calf scurried
oil after its mother. Ono of the Texas
cowboys had como up unseen nnd had ,
with unequalled effrontery , intruded hi
presence on the cattle trust.
Charley visibly paled , Joe changed
not n muscle , but there w 4 n hardening
of tbo lines of hi * fnco und hi ? lower
jnw protruded slightly.
"Reckon you know thot mnvorick belongs -
longs to us , " said ho. "Wo roped It nn1
claim it. "
"Thot calf goes with its mother , " snld
the Texan , "nn1 I'm yore to look after
tbo interests of my company. "
"Yor beard what I said,1' replied .Too
menacingly , ns ho in ado u motion to pass
the young man.
A slight move of the hand toward that
snnkcskln bolt , where glistod n-14 , then
a crack from Charley' : } pearl handled six-
shooter , and the cowboy sprang into tbo
nlr , cnmo down on tbo high hctils of ills
riding boots , pitched back upon his
shoulders nnd the "
"Spado-Bar-Sleop-
ing S" outfit was ono man short.
Before tbo report had died away , be
fore the smoking ring from the greased
barrel had broken , the little clump of
cottonwoods at the loft resounded with
shouts nnd cowboy yells , horses plunged
and whinnoyed , nnd , in nn instant , moro
tbnn n dozen rnngo riders came tearing
ever tbo prnlrio toward < the two men ,
tholr sombreros flapping , tholr rawhide
rcatns tmd. snddlo laces rattling , nnd
flourishing tlioir "irons" in n way that
caused n hnrd light to come into the
eyes of Rustler Joo.
"Pull your freight , " shouted Chnrloy ,
and in a mlnuto bo was galloping ncross
tbo sun-baked prnlrio straight for tbo
foothills , with Joe close behind him ,
little pulls of dust jumping up near thorn
as bullets from tlioir porsuors dropped
around nnd between the legs of their
horses. But the trust were well
mounted , and the little bronchos of the
cowboys were no match for the long-
limbed , clean-cut a tales horses , and the
distance between the two parties rap
idly increased.
The foothills were quite close when
Charley's horse stuck his foot into n
badger hole , throwing bis rider , tbo
horse turning completely ever nnd land
ing on tbo horn of tbo saddle , which
was driven full length into the bard
onrtb. The line bay rolled ever , made
a few attempts to regain bis foot
and then sank back witli n groan. His
leg was broken. Joe by this time had
ridden back and dismounted to assist
his partner. A faint cheer came to his
cars ncross tbo prnlrio from his pur
suers , who were now lashing their
ponies with tlioir quirts , having soon
the horse go down. Joe ground bis
tcoth and loosed his bolt from which
bung his weapons , cast a look at the
groaning bay. glared at the crowd of
rapidly approaching cowboys , from
whom ho neither expected nor desired
mercy , and then down nt the sitting
form of Charley , from whoso forehead
trickled a tiny stream of blood.
"We're hnrd put to it , " lie muttered.
"Guess this yero boy's ' got moro to live
for tbnn I bcv nn1 the two can't ride ono
boss. I'll take my turn at it. "
The pursuers were quite near now ,
and again their pistols began to crack
and tear up the earth n few yards from
him. llo seized Charley around the
waist , lifted him high with
muscular arm and dropped him
into liis own saddle on the
back of his beloved gray War Eagle.
Charley faintly expostulated , and for
the first time Joe had a slight feeling of
disgust as ho looked at the drawn face ,
these wild eyes aud quivering limbs , all
bespeaking an emotion to him almost
unknown fear. Tlio feeling was gene
in an instant , and ns soon as Charley hnd
gathered up the reins , Joe brought bis
band down with n resounding smack on
the horso's quarter and tlio noble animal
responded by a few bounds and then
broke into a furious gallop , heading di
rectly for a little canon in the hills.
Charley , cursing his cowardice , in a
frenzy of despair at the fate awaiting
his friend , who bud not a word to say
even at tlio last against him whoso cow
ard shot had brought this trouble on ,
still lacked the courage , the will to turn
his horso's head and go back and
fight with that friend and so
bo urged War Eagle on , on
on through tlio few short moments
that scorned an eternity , and then
turned in the saddle nnd looked behind.
Ho saw Joe stagger und fall limply to
the earth , two of tlio range riders' pitch
from tlioir saddles nnd two bronchos
rush riderless from the mass of mon and
horses , and then came tbo reports of pis
tols faintly to his ears. Ho cried 'aloud ,
ho again cursed himself the day ho was
born , shook his clenched fist at the blue
and gold arch overhead nnd then then
ho stuck his spurs in his horso's flanks
und the beautiful animal again sprung
forward. Ho was very near the mouth
of the canon. If ho could gain that lie
might escape into the mountains , and
some day ho would como back when
this affair had qniotod down
when ho had found his courago.
Uo again looked back. God above !
how these Texans heldon. , They had
again taken up the chase. The gray
was breathing heavily and Charley
know that , while on the plains nothing
could approach him , once in tlio moun
tains tlio weight of his horse would bo
against htm and' that ho would bo no
tuatyh for these tough little bronchos.
In between the walls of red sandstone
thundered the gray and Charley felt a
chill at tb'o short interval of time be
tween liis passage and tbo echoes of his
pursuers as they also entered. The
canon was dark nnd gloomy , the dusk
was rapidly coming on and from the
mountains bo/ond came the faint rumb
lings of a storm.
It was now two miles slnco
the walla of the canon had been
otnerod and every foot of the
way up tlio bed of tlio dry
creek the walls on either hand seemed
to grow moro precipitous. The sound of
tlio mountain storm increased , and with
it came a faint swishing that caused
War Eagle to throw his head in the air
and snort. This sound increased.
Charley looked back , und through the
shadows of the canon could HOC the Texas
boys scrambling up tlio sides where it
wn < i less stoop than horo. while tholr
ponies , standing in A clrcio with heads
down nnd buncnnd , huddled closer nnd
closer. Wlmt hnd caused these cowboys
to leave their saddles ?
Chnrloy was in tlio bottom of the basin.
Ho would rldo to the upper rim nnd see
what hnd nlfirmod bis pursuers. Tlioro
was A ripping , roaring , grinding , that
cnoli moment bocftnio Joudor , while tlio
lightning's llnsh cnmo near nnd nearer ;
trees were rent , nnd tholr 'splintering
nddcd to the din ; hugo bowlders were
torn from their bnsoi nnd came tearing
nnd rumbling down ,
Clinrloy gained tbo upper rim of tlio
basin. His blood froze In his veins ; the
gray gnvo n bound that unseated the
rider ami throw him to the earth.
Charley partially nroso nnd then ngnln
looked up tlio canon. Oh hcnvonl It
was n cloudburst ! A black wall of
water , foam crested , wns oven now
speeding toward him , Ho must fly.
Tlio walls of the cannon were so stoop
that it soainod Impossible to gnin n foot-
bold. Ho sprang nt them. Ho toro
with his nails at the hard rook until his
hands wcro lacerated and his flngor-tips
shredded to tlio bone. At last ho
gained ! Ho was going upl Ho caught
nt the twisted bough of n gnarled moun
tain plno ; ho gave it his weight.
The treacherous bough groaned ,
then snapped , Charley staggered ,
clutched wildly at a limb just out of
roncli nnd pitched headlong over tlio
twenty-foot wall bo had gained , striking
on his loft shoulder. Ho lay stunned
for ono brief moment , then sprang to
his feet , his left nrm hanging limp nnd
motionless. Ho glanced wildly nftor
bis horho , whom ho could distinctly see
stumbling ever tlio loose rocks of tlio
dry wntor course toward tlio little bunch
of bronchos. Ho looked up at tlio ridge
of tlio hogback where ho foil , rather
than saw , his putstiors. Then ho
thought of Joo.
Ho turned toward the wall of water ,
his head erect and features composed ,
and slowly laid his hand upon hid
breast.
Charley hnd found his courago.
Some Chinese coins are of but ono-twon-
tioth of thu value of an American cent. Tlio
celestial kingdom has many unthusiastlo
coin collectors. In ono notable collection
there are moro than 150,000 variotles'of cash ,
the oldest of which date back us far as
2,300 11. CI.
DO HOT GO ELSEWHERE
But come to our studio for
your photographs as we are
sure to satisfy you , as our desire - '
sire is to obtain your relatives
and friends patronage by th
parfect likeness wo will make j
of you.
At 1'opulnr Prlcoi
313-315-317 , S.lSti Stroot.
Oninlm , Noli ,
DOCTOR
OK. F. r , . rtl-A.m-i , Coiisultln : Snr : > > )
Ornduato ot Itiiah Mo Haul Uolluo. ( OO.V
bUiTATluN IfilKK.l l'"or ' the troatmuiit eWe
Wo onro Catarrh , AU Dlso.ino > of the
Nose , ' Tlirout. Choit , Stouiao& . iJowoli
nnd Iiivor.
Blood. Skin nnl Kidney Dlionioi ,
Fomnlo Woakiion.10 * CURED.
PlliKH , FISTULA. KISSIJUK. pornmiiautlr curol ,
without tlui iisi ] of knlfo. IK-.Uunj ur c lUHtU- .
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Call on ur aildrcmt , .with Btuiup , for Circular I ,
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A. Full SB3T
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untctMl.
It Hi . .
lint I'liHtc.
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Itttlt itinl I'nrmifii Htroot ,
Klcvulur on lUUi Street. 'IVIupliono 10) * .
1IU1NG THIH WITH VOU.
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Industries
By purchasing goods made at the following Nebraska
Factories. H you cannot find what you want , communicate with
the manufacturers as to what dealers handle their goods ,
AWNINGS. I FURNITURE.
Omaha Tent-Awning Chas.SiMcUCo
COM TAN r.
Klazi. baumock * . oil rurnltar * . oarpetaond
nd rubber olotaloK. draporlet.
tead lor cutalogut. lilt
Karaam at. 1)08 Fitrnam aC
BREWERS.
Fred Krng Brewing | Omaha Brewing Assn
COMl'ANY.
Oar toltlvtl Cabinet Onaraatewl to equal
boar dellftjtixl to nr ouulile Druida. Vienna
part of tb * cUr , 17 export bottlud be r a -
Jaction M. Ui r 4 to fuulllM.
IRON" WORKS.
Paxton Industrial Iron Works.
1UOXVOUK3. . .Munafucturlof and r -
Wrought anil call Iron pairing ot all alnda of
wulldlo ? work , a Lai , uincMiurTll.ji Ulfc
voik , te.