Letter from "A Looker-on" to Isaac Leeser;December 09, 1866 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from "A Looker-on" to Isaac Leeser;December 09, 1866

Author

"A Looker-on"

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

Saint Thomas

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 5 page(s) on 5 sheet(s).

Letter

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries

content

Jewish Ministry
Revd. Isaac Leeser
Editor of the Occident
Dear Sir
If ever I have felt enhanced the interest with which I peruse the pages of the “Occident”it was on successeively reading the leaders in your isseues of June July & August & I feel how very inadequately I am permitted to applaud you for thus con-vincingly demonstrating the necessity of a Jewish Theological high school whence may come forth men earnest in the cause of God to teach the unlettered & thus contribute their portion to the welfare of their fellow creatures. I may in the way of preface remark — altho' by the bye preambles are not part of my habits, on the contrary, I am known to introduce myself unawares even at the risk of meeting an unwelcome, in the way of preface however, I must say that altho' I entirely coincide with you in the basis of your dissertation there are points commented upon by you in which there is an honest difference in our views.
It would be affectation to attempt if even a mild insinuation that Judaism does not feel the want of pious teachers, men who will undertake to instruct the people the tenets of their faith as held by our father Abraham of blessed memory, - we are happily not with-out a few such but as unfortunately the number is small, there is a pressing a demand to afford the means that their ? is ? it may increase I wish not to be understood as speaking dis-paragingly of those who have sacrificed their time to the cause of their faith, on the contrary they are the bright specks? on which the mind loves to reflect & the only regret which the reflections bring forth is that the entire ministry is not so well composed.
The mission of the Minister is not fully applied by those who undertake it & thus it is that the love of gain, a prevailing defect let us admit it, & the ambi--tion

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of being at the head of a congregation, thereby recuring? a respec-table position, sometimes for life time have brought forth as God's messengers men, who not being of the right stamp have com-pletely failed in the work, where in piety & sincerity were upper-most a perfect success would have been the consequence. You rightly observe Sir “if he wishes to do his whole duty” & here is the hinge of a great many of the differences & dissensions which we so often experience in the ranks of religion. A minister's duties! how varied they are, to what material benefit they would tend if piously fulfilled, how honorable the profession if sincerity was made the leading trait & of what blessings it would prove if rightly practised.
Let us suppose Sir — but no, it is not supposition the writer of this has such a personal experience — that a minister in private conversation repeatedly admits a certain principle which he thinks practicable & recommends the means to attain the deside-ratum & when the parties thus instructed are preparing them-selves for the task, their guide ascends the pulpit & there, where no hu-man voice can contradict him he advances notions diametri-cally opposed to what he had agreed upon & emits the thunders of his vatican on those who believe & are prepared to act in the man-ner which he impressed on them to be his belief & his readiness to act. Now Sir, can any genuine honor he attached to such a host & can the man who thus deceives lay claim to that deference which ennobles him who knows to whom to grant it? I know your reuse of right & I imagine I see you shuddering at the state-ment I have made I imagine hearing you exclaim Oh! That such pretended advocates of Truth could be laid aside & if for the glory of our religion they cannot reform, could they be made to be quiet whilst they are among the people & holding there an exal-ted office. Whether the words which escape the lips of

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such an individual be the choicest, or whether he be versed in rhe-toric & knows all the mimics particular to oratory, it is imposseible for his exhortations to have the desired effect on those who know that the lips beguile the heart true! There may be some who imagine that their favorite preacher is the personification of truth, he is all that can be desired, he may even be supposed to be unlike his specie, frail & erring. But of course such conclusions are not the result of calm & deliberate reflection & they are only mentioned here as forming a connecting link to the moral weakness which is so general. There is perhaps no occupation in life from which more honor & satisfaction could be attained than the ministry, but of course it has its solemn respon-sibilites & if there are sacrifices it is but natural to picture that shame & disgrace will ensue. The Jewish minister's chief aim should be to establish peace in his congregation & by no means should he be found fanning the flame which may unfortunately exist, but always holding the olive branch, it is his mission to propagate peace & be the medium of reconciling those who are divided, he should make his flock one large family of which he is appointed to act as father, counsellor & guide, he is to be their judge & with the scale of Justice weighing in equal poise he is to arrange what-ever differences arise. Oh what an opportunity for a faithful & sincere heart to manifest its throbbings, of what high importance would such a chief be in truth could it be said of him that his value exceedeth that of rubies. Identifying him-self with the being of his flock, he is to partake of their pleasures & mourn with them over their sorrows, a true friend, he proves him-self as such in the time of need. With satisfaction he joins them in the events when gladness pervades their home, & with

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the experiences which should naturally characterize his post he warns them of the uncertainty of the duration of earthly pleasures in kindress it behoves him to say to them “boast not of to-day” and likewise when the ills of life from which none are excluded embitter their existence it is the spiritual guide whose office again becomes necessary & whilst he condoles with them in their be-reavement he kindly offers a balm to the blow over which they weep, he soothes their sorrows & removes every impression which might heighten affliction & how unlike his high calling would be the minister who performs not this duty, how base in him to increase their afflictions with allusions foreign to the circumstances. It is indeed in the hours of distress when sickness prostrates us & when the work of death has cast gloom & desolation in our homes that the faith-ful friend, such as the pastor is expected to be, mediates with kindness & endeavors to relieve the overburdened heart of its griefs. There is no circumstance to justify his absence from the house of mourning, nothing to extenuate such an utter neglect of the minister's most solemn privilege. But it is not to be expected that the compact between Pastor & flock imposes obligations on the former only, - no the Congregation has also its share of duties equally high & impor-tant, & at the door of such as discard them blame must inevitably be attached, the minister's love & kindness must find their coun-terpart among his people & cheerfully should they return the treat-ment which he extends to them. The world's history points to times when priesthood as a mass have been a curse to hu-manity when they have stained their mission by their vices, their ignorance & tyranny, the prospects are that such such time are not to return, still however it is our duty to check the growth of evil where-ever it shows itself. The entire ministry is not yet what it should be, still no one will deny its necessity & that its influence can be made most beneficial.

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I therefore heartily approve of the suggestions cast forth by you of establishing a Theological high school, & whenever the work is undertaken I offer to contribute my mite towards its proper establishment, being convinced that it would prove of the highest benefit to our religion & finally be the means of adding pious & sincere ministers of the small number that we never have among us. I trust not to have encroached on your valuable space & that my remarks hastily sketched will meet your approval, in fact I know sufficient of you to be convinced that in your estimation I have not overacted the duties of spiritual guide.
With my renewed wishes for your welfare
I am yours
Very Sincerely
A. Looker-on.
St. Thomas W I
9th December 1866
Postscript
The foregoing was written about two months ago, but owing to indisposition I could not before then, attend to its forwar-ding.

Identifier

LSDCBx3FF1_52

Date

1866-12-09