Letter from Moses N. Nathan to Isaac Leeser;July 03, 1864 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Moses N. Nathan to Isaac Leeser;July 03, 1864

Author

Moses N. Nathan

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Date Created

3 July 1864

Location(s)

Saint Thomas

Philadelphia

Format

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

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3862bz00/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3862bz00

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Jesselson Family Collection of Isaac Leeser Material

content

St. Thomas 3rd July 1864 (5624)
Revd. Isaac Leeser
Philadelphia
My dear Mr. Leeser
I am in receipt of your various favors and also June Occident with my sermon on the “Citizen King.” Your heading it thus is no misnomer, and is satisfactory. It is very exactly reprinted, and afforded, let me hope, pleasure to your numerous readers. I am glad you have spoken out plainly on the subject of a “personal messiah.” The events of the past, and those looming out of the future do not present anything so favorable to the Jewish mind that it should adopt the opinions of Maunheimer and Horwitz on the subject. I, for one, am undesirous of abandoning the rich hopes of Israel's return to Palestine, and the universal belief in monotheism among the families of the earth, together with the reign of absolute peace throughout the world, and all the priceless blessings attendant thereon, for the vague ideas and generalities of Jewish neologists. I am for Hebrew content to die hopefully Hebrew
What say you to the “Powenir? party of Curaçao issuing their shameless caliency? against their brethren! It is very painful to find Jews thus venting their spite, in the heat of local dissension, to the detriment and perhaps future evil of all Israel. I allude to their publishing the libel that Hebrew is directed against Christians. May the consequences of disseminating this falsehood not recoil on themselves. The pastoral letter of Rabbi Chumaceiro you must have seen by this time, as well as the “dingy sheet” containing the slander. You surely will not suffer your pen to be idle in this emergency, we all expect to see a scathing answer from you on the whole question. I had already in the pulpit exposed, in part, its other falsity; and intend going on till the subject be exhausted. The head and front of the party was here a week ago, but I declined meeting him or extending him any courtesy. I told his friends that

with to his and party's views on the subject of synagogal and other reforms I would not have attacked, but when he and they issued a slanderous impretation? against their own flesh and blood, it was time, since it affected the reputations of every individual Israelite, that their ignorance and malevolence should be exposed. His name is Abraham Cohen Henriques. His chief collaborators and his brother Solomon Cohen Henriques, his brother in law Augel Jessuron?, a Doctor Henriques and a Doctor Senior. These are the Hebrew. A. C. H. writes in Dutch. His effusions are then translated into French by Dr. H, and Augel Jessuron then puts the precious ideas into Spanish. But the filtration does not purify the feculent matter which gutters? from their pens. It is said that A. C. H. came on here on a speculative trip to obtain subscribers to the party, and contributions to their new proposed new Synagogue, the worship in which is, sans doute, to eclipse, in its bold departure from the ancient standards of practice, and that the German and American Reformers have hitherto established. I do not think he gained either subscribers or subscriptions and as his attack on the Jews was generally denounced in no unmeasured terms by even nominal Israelites, he could not have gone home rejoicing.
My post here is not an easy one, but I am disposed to accept the difficulties it presents. Fortunately the By Laws which stipulate that the worship shall be according to that followed by the Spa. & Portug. Jews, and the power the Laws invest me with of directing and conducting the whole economy of public worship, is are obstacles to any sudden or ill considered changes in the ritual or worship. I can take my stand on these protecting defenses, and refuse to sanction what the majority of Israel disapproves of. Quietness however reigns at present, yet the time may not be so distant for the outbreak of disturbances. But I do not apprehend such violence as the Porrenir? party have exhibited.
We have had some little display of irreligion not withstanding. Your old

correspondent M B. Simmonds, now poor no longer, but rich in worldly goods, has been staggered by Colenso, and openly declares himself a Unitarian!! ? his disbelief in the Bible! On my election, people were taxed more highly to pay my salary, among others himself. To get rid of this demand of the Synagogue, he applied to be admitted a member of the Lutheran church; they authorities consented to take his money, taxed him $32 ? allotted him a seat in church &c, but the Govermt. told him he must pay his finta? to the Synagogue also, unless he became a Christian. Of course if Colenso unsettled his belief as a Jew, he did not predispose him to to take up xleavity? instead, so at the present moment he contributed to Shool and Church, and belongs to neither. Another German Shofel likewise refused to pay the whole of his tax and sent a letter to the representatives that if they did not reduce it to half he would apostatise. They sent him no answer, but recorded a strong resolution on their minutes condemnatory of his conduct. He went to the Moravians, and applied to become a member; but on being told that he must learn certain test books by heart, and he examined on them in open assembly prior to being baptised, he withdrew in disgust. So you see I do not repose on a bed of roses
I inclose herewith the receipt of the Captn. of the Responsible and your Invoice Amtg to $78.50 The books have not come to hand, they must have been amongst that part of the cargo condemned and sold at Bermuda. I want the small Bibles and Roads to Faith badly, and Prayer Books too. I wrote all about them in the letter I gave my brother, and which I suppose he has handed you.
Well the Great General Grant perhaps may not turn out a Ulysses after all, and the south may yet conquer a peace. I fervently hope and pray they may, and tho' I would be loth to see any part of the Federal territory ravaged and despoiled as the Union soldiery treated the Confederate territory, yet little commiseration would be felt if northern soil were made to feel what it is to be trodden by the armed

heel of the invader. Down to date the southerners appear to have the best of it. The deserve success, for they have sacrificed their own lives to achieve it, and not hired mercenaries to fight their battles. My brother has frightful northern proclivities. His opinion of northern honor and political honesty is lofty and grand. We are widely different in our Estimate of the result, and the ability as well as inclination of the Federal states to pay the public creditor. I hope he will not be one of the sufferers; I have urged him till I am weary to sell out, and have nothing to do with Greenbacks and 5/20s, and on the finely engraved promises to pay of Mr. Chase, but all my entreaties have been of no avail.
I will write you soon again. I delivered your message to Mr. Osorio about the £14. The Revd. Dr. Myers of Kingston Ja has received notice that his services will not be required after his term of engagement expires, this time next year. Mrs. Nathan and her mother send their kind regards to you and all old friends. Mayor Wolff's golden wedding will take place on 31st August, Grand preparations are being made for the event. I will write you all about it when it comes off. Chamacero is coming over for the occasion.
God bless and protect you prays
yours sincerely
M N Nathan
The heat is dreadful. It is really a great effort to write a long letter, and I am sure you will appreciate it. Tell my brother, if with you, that I will write soon Hebrew

Identifier

LSTCAT_item34

Date

1864-07-03