Letter from Moses N. Nathan to Isaac Leeser;January 11, 1857 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Moses N. Nathan to Isaac Leeser;January 11, 1857

Author

Moses N. Nathan

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Date Created

11 January 1857

Location(s)

Kingston

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 3 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).

Letter

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p30863r61/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p30863r61

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries

content

Kingston Jam: 11th Jany. 5617.
Revd. Isaac Leeser
My dear friend.
Your friendly and consoling letters have remained too long unanswered, and the delay is not so much attributable to want of time as to depression of spirit which grows daily upon me from a variety of causes, among which may be briefly enumerated the state of my wife's health (she is now a confirmed invalid) the unpromising state of my affairs, and isolation from all society. It grieves me to write in so dolorous a strain, and yet it is a relief to unto? myself to one who knew me in happier days, and who can sympathize in my distresses. You have so much to endure that I am almost ashamed to make your heart ache with the recital of my troubles. God's will be done! A wise, merciful and loving Father watches over us; He knows what is good for us. Therefore while acknowledging with fortitude Hebrew—my watchword in the conflict with the world and adverse circumstances is Hebrew. This upholds me; and the thought that if I suffer in this life, there will be less to undergo hereafter gives me cheerfulness in the darkest moments.
I am truly thankful for your counsel, and cheered by the hopes you hold out that I may yet do something in the states should I determine on quitting this place. This year will solve the problem whether I remain or not. My wife's state of health will, unless she can be cured in another country which I doubt, under her incapable of superintending a boarding school, and a daily one is, with the accesibility of Jewish children to the American schools, free, gratis, for nothing, out of question. There remains then the ancient precedent; but our people have in the Psalmists words Hebrew Hebrew. Their ideas are that the Jewish ministry should be hierarchi-cal, and even should any congregation satisfied with my antecedents not object to engaging me, my age, for remember I am now 50 might be an obstacle. I am also rusty from disuse, having now been 4 years away from the desk and pulpit. A little hard study might again revive my latent powers, and sage experience and calm reasoning supply the void caused by the loss of imagination, which nevertheless delights popular assemblies whether lay or clerical. There is stuff in me yet. For the present, however, I must suspend all action; but will let you

know as the time approaches for decision. Meanwhile your warm and affectionate interest in Mrs. N and me is a source of great comfort in my tribulation Hebrew.
Before quitting the subject of myself it is as well to tell you that my duties have become onerous since the death of my brother in law. His mother is now under my care; she has no living relative but her daughter, and should any thing happen to me, neither of them has, in this wide world one from whom they could morally and socially claim as a guardian or protector. This country is fallen and falling, and I apprehend, should there be no amendment, that numbers, particularly of one creed will quit. I have also obligations to discharge to the orphans and widow of the deceased; and it is my earnest hope and constant prayer that I may live to educate the former in a civilized and religious community. Having never been blessed with children, how tranquil and peaceful would be my last moments if, after having trained these dear ones in the ways of piety and holiness, I could depart this world with the consciousness of having done my utmost to discharge faithfully the truth reposed in me.
Let me devote the remaining portion of the sheet to you. You write and think in a tone of dejection and almost bitterness which is foreign to your heart as an Israelite, to your feelings as a God-fearing God serving man. As it always was and always will be till Hebrew Hebrew; each thinks his burden the heaviest. Yours has not been light. Ill treatment, malevolence and ? have spirited their renown on your name and reputation. Your sensitive spirit has winced under the attacks of ignorance, prejudice, and jealousy. You have manfully fought and reasoned with your enemies; have worked hard to remove the injustice ascribed to your motives and actions, sometimes successfully, most frequently not. Envy has bela? and will never cease to buffet you. It has cried and still exclaims as Korah spoke to Moses & Aaron Hebrew “You take too much upon you.” For, bear in mind, you have exposed abuses, you have cried down irreligion, you have unveiled vicious practices in Hebrew. I believe and ever shall that singliness of heart prompted all you have spoken, written and done. There are many who think with me in both Hemispheres and in the Hebrew, In our opinion your detractors may rail, congregations both orthodox and reformed may turn a deaf ear to your suggestions,

decry your efforts, refuse your advice as a guide—but they cannot gainsay? the truth that for upwards of a quarter of a century you have defended and instructed Israel on the wide field of the United States, that your sermons, translations of Prayers and Bible, Catechisms &c have enlightened old and young American Jews owe you a large debt of gratitude. But they won't acknowledge it say you. “There's the rub” Friend Leeser! Our people are eminently conservative. They like the old land ? when these are not in the way of their interests, their passion, and worldly progress. They can plead precidents derived from Holy write for treating you as they do. Their ancestors did the same to Legislator and King and Prophet. The character of Moses has outlived the foul assersions of a Korah, Datban & ?; David's memory is now the worse for the rituperation? of shrines, nor is Jeremiah less venerated for having been thrust in the stocks and dungeon. You must bear patiently for the score of years you may yet live Posterity will do you justice, and the name and fame of Isaac Leeser will be the theme of a future Jewish historian. It will rank you as the hardy pioneer of Israel, whom no danger deterred, no peril dismayed. I am a man as feeble in words as deficient in influence, and my ? cannot benefit you here or hereafter. But Hebrew I most conscientiously and truly believe that you have insured your reward already in another and a better world. You may rest on your ? without being chargeable with sloth and indolence if your arms ache with toil; and throw for the winds whatever may tend to exasperate your heart and feelings. After all this I write Hebrew
I have sold the copies of the Quarto Bible you sent me, the morocco bound small ones, except I believe, a single copy, and one or two of the others. The money shall be collected and remitted you by next steamer if possible. I feel all the better after writing this long ?. The exercise has done me good the reading of it may or may not pare a like effect in you, especially my Hebrew. Of one thing however be assured that I have not abated one jot in my sincere feeling towards you, nor my honest appreciation of your merits.
The news of Jacob De la Motta's death gave me a great shock. He was only the acquaintance of a single day, and yet I esteemed him a friend. Savannah loses a good citizen

and our people there one whom they could ill spare. Our old Shammash Joseph Joseph has gone to rest. He had served the congregation in and out of office for twenty five years. His age was about 70
I often entertain the desire of writing Miss Gratz but am uncertain whether I should do so after having ceased corresponding for so many years. Please remember me and Mrs N affectionately to her and all inquiring friends. Long ere this you will have met with Mis Peixotto to whom name us kindly. When will your new weekly publication appear? I will try whether I cannot obtain subscribers. The Jewish Community here is rapidly degenerating not a particle of spirit about them; tho' the sabbath continues to be observed by the Greater number of the German Congregation. The Revd Mr Davis is a good Chazan, and is improving in his sermons.
May the almighty grant you health happiness and prosperity always.
Your friend and well wisher
Hebrew
M N Nathan

Identifier

LSDCBx2FF4_2

Date

1857-01-11