Letter from O. to Isaac Leeser;January 03, 1847 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from O. to Isaac Leeser;January 03, 1847

Author

O.

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

London

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 4 page(s).

Type

Letter

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p35m62x2x/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p35m62x2x

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries

content

London; 3 Jany 1847 (5607)
Sir Moses Montefire has consented to sit for his portrait in compliance with a requisition from the Portuguese Elders conserning which I informed you in my last. Sir Hart Esqr R A, a Jewish painter, who has raised himself to considerable distinction by his numerous successful per-formances has been very appropriately selected as artist for this under-taking.–A similar compliment to Lady Montefire has been suggested in recognition of the eminent share which she is known to have taken in all the noble enterprises of her distinguished partner In the last No but one of the "Voice of Jacob" this subject has been ar--gued very warmly. but I do not learn as yet that it has been -suitably responded to by the Jewish public generally.–
Her Majesty has been pleased to confer the title of Baronet on another eminent member of our faith, the Baron Anthony de Roth-schild as announced a few days ago in the official Gazette–A Metropolitan Evening journal announces the name of the Baron Lionel de Rothschild among the list of liberal candi-dates for the next general election for the city. I am not aware if this announcement has any foundation in truth, (it has not been as yet contradicted), but as it is contemplated to make a [?] movement in favor of the complete emancipation of the Jews of this country, there is little doubt but that ? this great city will take the initiative in the [?] of so important a question.–the consessions to Jewish political The "removal of the Jew's disabilities bill" which was passed in the last session has already led to the election of a Jewish citizen of London., B Phillips Esqr of Newgate St. to the municipal office of Common Councilman for one of the most extensive and pop-ulous wards of the city, this gentleman who is much and deserved--ly respected obtained his appointment by a very large majority. The fact that this is being the first Jew returned to a municipal office in this city renders the circumstance one of great interest and importance to both Jew & Christian.
The West London synagogue of British Jews in Burten St has at length been recognized as a religious

place of worship, and is now therefore duly registered ? as a building wherein marriages can in future be legally solemnized The following very interesting extracts are taken from a number of the "Free Mason's Quarterly review" being part of a letter from the Rt Hon the Earl of Zetland Grand Master of the Freemasons of Great Britain to the Grand Master of Prussia, on account of the Jewish Free masons being excluded from visiting any of the Lodges in that country notwithstanding they may be possessed of authentic certificates from the Grand Lodge of England–"the letter proceeds to say–"The M W. Grand Master of England the Rt Hon the Earl of Zetland, received with the deepest feelings of grief the reply made by the R W brother Bier the Grand secretary, on behalf of the Grand L R Y of friendship Berlin to the communications of his Lordship of the 15th Decb last in as much as that reply announces, that by the existing laws of the Gr L R Y of Prussia none but Christians and duly legitimated brethren of recognized Lodges are allowed access to the labors–To this law, it appears that all subordinate Lodges are bound to confirm, and to include as visitation brethren of the Jewish faith, notwithstanding such brothers may take with them the certificate of the G L of England, and be in every respect, as to character unenceptimable[?]; the religious creed being alone the ground of refusal. The G L of England, by the earliest history and tradition [?] always declared and observed the universality of Freemasonry, ma-king no distinctions or exclusions on the score of religious faith, a matter into which she never enquires, beyond the point in which all men agree. It is for this reason that she does not sanction or recognise meeting which in some places are holden by assemblies of particular religionists. With these the G L of E does not interfere but she strictly guards by her laws and her practice against the introduction into her lodges of any emblems or decorations which are indicative of particular creeds deeming them liable to be taken as offensive demonstrations at variance with the true spirit of Free Masonry x x x But when members of English Lodges, lawfully admitted and bearing diplomas from the Gr Lodge of England duly authenticated under her ([)seal are not recognised and on the contrary are rejected merely on account of their particular faith, it becomes the imperative duly of the Gr Master to vindicate the nights the honor and the integrity of the body

over which he has been called to preside whose branches extend to every quarter of the habitable globe.–In the discharge of that duty then the grand Master of England protest against the refusal which has been made to acknowledge the legitimate children of a lawfully constituted En-glish Lodge. and at the same time is constrained to recall from his post the R W mother the Chev Esser as the representative of England in the G L R Y of Russia at Berlin x x x x x x The Grand Master com-mands me to add that he has communicated to the G L the sentiments here conveyed, as well as the cause he felt compelled to adopt and that the G L with one record declared its full accents x x x x x he laments the occurrences which for a time, unfortu-nately impede the wanted intercourse x x x x dated London 4 Sept 1846 ([)The periodical from which the above is extracted among other very liberal and pertinent remarks in this noble letter and the Berlin reply observes "The letter itself" (meaning the Berlin reply) "occupying 4 Loges is not worth recording and we have no wish to plase upon record that it promulgate so unmasonic a record document, nor do we wish to place upon record that which we know the Prussian Freemasons are ashamed of "x x x x In the meantime it it affords us great pleasure to be able to state that the members of the Pilgrim Lodge of London No 289 which works in the German Language and of which the late Prussian representative brother Hebeler was master have since the publicity given to the anti--masonic Prussian doctrine altered their mode of initiation and do not now compel the candidate to make a declaration of his religion previously to his being admitted, we were surprised at its not being altered before, considering the immediate P G R of England is a mem-ber of the Lodge.–The Most Worshipful Master's determined conduct has already produced a good effect. All honor to him, as well as to brother Henry Faudel the stalwart champion of the Jewish Free-masons"–([)It is proper to add that this gentleman, (Henry Faudel) is himself a Jew partner & brotherinlaw to the Mr B Phillips the recently elected common Council man of whose appointment I have furnished you with an account above. The
The Great Synagogue Dukes place has had the liberality and good taste to vote the ? an increase of the salary to the Chief Rabbi, & the other German synagogues are expected to contribute in their due proportions.–It is proposed also to augment

the present inadequate stipends of the Dayanim who considering the dignity and importance of their respective duties have hitherto–been but very indifferently hard.–The "Jewish Chronicle" gives a very ample and interesting report of an very important meeting held at Liverpool to celebrate the anniversary of the "Hebrew Philanthropic Society" at which some very eloquent speeches men made on the subject of Jewish Emancipation by the Revd Dr Raphael of Birmingham, H I Atkinson Esquire an eminent Barrister & several other distinguished Jews & Christians. the great length to which I have already entered this communication precludes the possible of my making any extract but as I presume you regularly re-ceive the Anglo Jewish periodicals I beg to call your attention to this report as contained in the "Jewish Chronicle."–
The committee of the Jews & General Literary & Scientific Institution have put forth a very tempting programme for their anniversary fete which will come off on the 20th Inst. I shall endeavour to give you some account of it in my next. The Portuguese Beth Holim Hospital Ball will take place the night succeeding they are both deserving objects–and will I trust meet with the best encouragement.–This is also the season for holiding the anniversaries of several other Jewish Institutions namely the Blind Asylum, Infant School & Orphan Asylum each of which is celebrated by a grand Public Ball.–I shall refer more particularly to some of these Charities in my future cor-respondence also.
O.

The above text refers to Occident Volume 4 No. 10 pages 515 through 516. Click here to view.

Identifier

LSDCBx1FF5_1

Date

1847-01-03