Letter from David Meldola to Isaac Leeser;February 21, 1851

Title: Letter from David Meldola to Isaac Leeser;February 21, 1851
Author: David Meldola
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 21 February 1851
Location(s): London; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English; Hebrew
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3t43jp2h/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3t43jp2h
Physical Characteristics: Unlined Paper; Wax Seal; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: London 19th Adar 5611
21st Feby 1851
Revd and Dear Sir,
In compliance with your request and indeed I consider it no more than a duty on my part towards you to acquaint you that on Monday afternoon last I received yr. Packet a letter from Mr. H. Feby 5th: I have very little time left on my hands now, I must most fervently pray and entreat you to excuse haste and writing, as I have been so very busy this day; in other duties and replying to Mr. H. that it is approaching to Hebrew but I will give you some little extracts of his letter for your guidance Trusting to your honor and integrity that you will not make use of my name neither in this case, or in the other of M. for heaven be my witness that there is no harm? but dont wish my name in question since we have all some good friends always on the look out. therefore my Dr. friend let it be Hebrew the information is for your guidance at the same time I assure you from the 1st syllable to the last there is not one disrespectful to you, on the contrary he speaks high—where I said to him in my letter he replies that none should be revered unless for high moral & religious diligency" "a man in holy office should be raised & not lowered—he replies, "no removal has taken place—that nothing has been done to lower our former Hazan in the estimation of the world indeed—and so Mr. H goes on replying on my remarks—than he goes on informing me I may say, almost the same as you did in your first letter. I will go on now with fewer traits "In the first place not a person in the whole congregation says or can say aught against Mr. Leeser's reputation."—I flattered myself that I was and that Mr Leeser also considered me his friend—
I feel satisfied that the congregation will not again find a person combining all the qualities of a Hazan and lecturer and possessing the talents of Mr. Leeser and no one desires or can detract from his merits he has done more for the Jews in America than any other

Hazan in these United States and a testimonial &c &c "but I fear he has gone too far to heal the asperity of feeling with which he has spoken of so many of the members since he has ceased to be our Hazan." so far for the extracts I replied to his obliging letter on every point that I would not arrogate on me the office of a Judge, and indeed was I asked to form a just intimate of the subject I should hear both sides Hebrew I was an advocate for moderation & a reconciliation that I considered you an honor to the house of Israel at large not only in America and you have been Hebrew and that after 20 years in office that the misunderstanding between you and the congregation should be within a nut shell (as he expresses it) I could not but regard not only with regret but as a calamity I entertained the hope that he would continue his kind regards towards you and so on. I must shorten my letter but I think you have enough of it, it appears that they are exasperated at your exposing them in the Occident, I hope it will all be peace yet. Let me once more as a brother, friend, reccomend you give in a little and hope you will be restored which will be the happiest news you will give me. Again let me request your secrecy particularly what I might have wrote of M. as it is only true, but still as he is a friend and a good young man I dont wish him to know that nay thing about him was utterd by me Hebrew I also must acquaint you that Mr. H. knows nothing of your having informed me all in your first letter so let it stand as it is, please to favor me with your reply and that matters have taken a favorable change. M. sets off on Saturday next from Liverpool you will please to let

know if you have seen Mr. H. I must confess that his letter is of a ? and that his feelings are respectful towards you. Wishing you every success
I remain
yours most truly
D Meldola
I must add that I wrote to Mr. H. that as "since my first reading your works I entertaind the highest respect for your name" the greatest esteem". I believe I did my duty towards you as much as a father, now you must do the same towards me as a son take my advice dont be too hard get Mr. H. your friend again, give in a little, and dont allow your opponents to have their way, I wish I was there to impress all this on your mind for it is only Hebrew abandon this for a while Hebrew Hebrew

Revd. Isaac Leeser
Philadelphia
America
Identifier: LSDCBx1FF8_22
Date: 1851-02-21

Part of Letter from David Meldola to Isaac Leeser;February 21, 1851

David Meldola, “Letter from David Meldola to Isaac Leeser;February 21, 1851”, 1851-02-21, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/66735