Letter from Julius Eckman to Isaac Leeser;May 13, 1851 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Julius Eckman to Isaac Leeser;May 13, 1851

Author

Julius Eckman

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Date Created

13 May 1851

Location(s)

Charleston

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3h75z/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3h75z

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Isaac Leeser Collection

content

Beth Elohim Congregation of Charleston
send proof on galley
? / To the Editor of the Occident
My dear Sir!
Fain charged by you in your last Occi„dent with inconsistency.
For myself, I am regardless of the said such an accusation, being full satisfied, being with the Purity and Rectitude of my Intentions, and as my position at present, with the Congre„gation Beth Elohim of Charleston in which among whom I have the honor to teach, would render it improper and undignified to enter into a full exposition of my principles, so long after my election.
I must therefore respectfully request, that you will suspend your Opinion in relation to my Course, until the period shall arrive, when it may become necessary, that I should appear before my Brethern under my own name in defence of Truth, Justice, and the Holy Word of God.
Sincerity and Candor, are certainly Virtues which we great„ly admire; but we should be careful, how we pass sentence, before we are full possessed of facts and circumstances con„nected with the subject upon which we are about to decide.
For your satisfaction, however, I would state, that my views were fully and plainly expressed to those members of the Congregation who presented themselves for that purpose, previous to my election and, nevertheless, I was elected contrary to my expectations, by an almost unanimous Vote—I believe only one In„dividual having voted against me in the negative, who has since become one of my warmest friends and supporters

While I regard my humble acquiescence to the requi„sitions of the Circular, of the Congregation Beth Elohim of Charleston, as admissible according to the letter of strict Judaism, I have never hesitated on all occasions, after the I have earliest period of my arrival „to oppose any thing that encroached upon the principles of ancient Judaism, as that might have the ten„dency to wound the feelings of the pious and con„scientious Israelite, whose sincere attachments and affections claim our highest Respect and Attention.
That the Almighty God blessed be He, may enable His humble servant, and the most trying circumstances to effect some little good among his people, in his is the most fervent and ardent Prayer.
Yours respectfully
Julius Eckman
Charleston May 13. 5611
L Prim
Note by the Editor It is indeed painful in the extreme for one like us to be called upon to insert communications as in the last number of our magazine wherein the merits of opposite opinions are discussed, and upon which we are in a measure called upon to pass our opinion, for to say nothing when grave measures of principle are at stake would at once show that we are unworthy to occupy the editorial supervision of a Jewish periodical the ?

of which it is to speak out boldly on all matters affecting Judaisia. We were called upon to print a piece depracatory of some remarks about Mr Poznanski which he had inserted, and which had appeared solely because Mr P. stood as the representative of certain ideas against which we have always protested and against which we have preached & written for a number of years. We had therefor no injustice to that gentleman to let an intelligent correspondent who is himself a liberal altho' ? writer disturb Mr P. in his retirement, especially since we are assured that he has still a strong party devoted to him and his principles. At the same time another friend forwarded to us the a commendation of the course of Mr P.'s successor in office, a gentleman highly praised for his learning and zeal, and the powerful and disintersted efforts he is making to bring his flock back to a proper mode of thinking on religious matters. We are perfectly willing to let the Occident speak on behalf of such laudable efforts, and we wish with all our heart that they may be successful to the fullest extent. But can any one assert that we should not at the same time protest against the propriety of any gentleman's taking office where he is brought forward as the defender of opinions which we must condemn? Can it be asked of us that we should by our silence endorse a course of proceeding which we would never have adopted? We leave it to Dr Eckman himself and our valued friends who find fault with our notice of last month, whether we could have acted otherwise. We know full well that Dr. E's position is a faithful one in the extreme; to stand as the mediator between two opinions and endeavour honestly to execute? there, is a task which the greatest minds may fail under; we admire his courage to defy so powerful an opponent as Mr Poznanski who both from his connexions & talents is an opponent of no one ?;

but all this does not reach our first objection, which is that the Dr. Eckman should have hesitated before he assured ? in full of danger & difficulties. We should deeply regret that our remarks should have thrown in his way the least obstacle, as have the best to diminish his usefulness. But if so it was entirely unavoidable; we belong to no school of of reformers, we know of no one here living in Europe whose footsteps we could safely follow; and let our teachers in this country place themselves on the platform of Scripture & tradition, and they may depend on our support little as this is just now, and nothing that we can affect shall be left undone to assist them in their labours.
We are perfectly aware that Dr. E. cannot of his own accord revive? the organ or restore religion in Charleston; and that all he can do in his present position is to bring matters in train? for a future restoration to the ancient standard. But we only ask of him that he should declare against all that has been done, openly and unequivocally; let there be no reservation of mind, nothing be left for any doubt, and then can we speak as approvingly on our personal friends so now of the Reverend Doctor. Let us again repeat that we attack no man's motives; but surely we have an undoubted right to say that these men of Israel who feel a deep interest in the maintenance of a uniformity in religion have a claim on all who profess to teach to speak without disguise and to labour without fear, without regarding whom their word may indite?. Let us beware of that most dangeris enemy to truth flattery; let our teachers also guard against self-deception, and let the people see that they support these most who show the worst consistency; and all will be well. We have for our fault no wrongs to revenge against any of our public men in the country, and what we say of them is the simple expression? of our honest contribution We know well enough that this does not bring us many friends; but it at least proves that we speak what we believe the truth.
Now as respects Dr. E. we are pleased to record that his views were known before his election; and let us therefore hope that all who now differ from him may speedily be come his sincere friends, and give him their aid and countenance in

Identifier

LSKAP0202

Date

1851-05-13