Letter from Solomon Nunes Carvalho to Isaac Leeser;May 26, 1852
- Title
- Letter from Solomon Nunes Carvalho to Isaac Leeser;May 26, 1852
- Author
- Solomon Nunes Carvalho
- Contributor
- Isaac Leeser
- Date Created
- 26 May 1852
- Format
- Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).
- Type
- Letter
- Language(s)
- English
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3c24qs6h/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3c24qs6h
- Physical Characteristics
- Unlined Paper
- Manuscript
- content
-
Charleston May 26 1852
My dear Sir
Since I wrote you last, there has been a Board meeting of Trustees who referenced Mr Lyons letter to the Congregation which was convened on Sunday 23d met at 11 ock when the Pastoral letter of Rev E. Lyons excommunicating Dr. E. and denouncing the congregation for acting inconsistently and forfeiting all claim to orthodoxy &c and also to his approbation._.was laid before the meeting, its reading created commingled feelings of mirth, indignation, and pity, for the ignorance Our visible faculties could not but be excited at the high f?ed nonsense in which it was couched, indignation at his impertinence in excommunicating Dr. E. and Taking exception at the action of the whole congregation, and leaving them suddenly without any one to officiate on Sabbath (the Synagogue was without service on that day) The resignation was accordingly accepted by a close vote, altho there was none who would have opposed it if it had not have been for his family, however principle prevailed against pity and misplaced pity, and his resignation was accepted and the proceedings of the primary meeting endorsed by this,—immediately followed a resolution, repudiating Mr Lyons ‚charge‚ that the congregation had acted inconsistently or had departed from their principles which way passed unanimously,—this having been done and Dr. E. position sustained by the congregation. The Secretary produced a letter from Dr. E. requesting the Congregation to excuse him from delivering the lecture on the day appointed,—this letter called
forth a resolution from Sam Hart Jr. appreciating the delicate motives which induced Dr. E to decline, and endorsing his character in a proper manner. A Resolution was also offered insiting Mr Lyons to declaring the office vacant and empowering the Trustees to advertise for a Hazan & lecturer at such salary at the option of the Trustees, which will be I expect $1000.
Mr Lyons was also invited to perform officiate during the Hollidays and as long after as suits his convenience—this was done to prevent the Synagogue from being closed, a Gentleman present was instructed to say Mr Lyons would do so, thus ended the meeting. Mr Lyons played a deep game, but the wrong color bring came up tramps?, & he lost the game it.
You can appreciate this act of Mr Lyons—when I tell you he has said since, that he would not have made objection if he had been consulted but it seems his pride was touched, he was elected he says in his letter as the Spiritual adviser of the congregation, (he was only elected only as reader) the minutes of the election were referred to at the meeting to prove it), he told Mr Sam Hart, that the congregation should have asked him to deliver a lecture—and not another,—he was amazed at your? officiating when here, and expressed himself so, but he was afraid of you therefore he did not boldly come forward, then, but the B E Minister? was a fine chance for him, and he greedily swallowed the bait hook and all and now hangs suspended, displaying to the world not his religion nor any of its attributes, Dr. E. & a poor man whom he Lyons told me had acted upon correct principles, which he approved of,—an opportunity was made to introduce him into the Mobile Synagogue by the recognition of the Shrileth? Conn. and instructed of assisting him, (by silence if even he thought
it was not consonant with his ideas of Orthodox principles, he denounces, excommunicates, and anathemizes, not only Dr E— but the whole congregation for countenancing him, and resigns his situation giving this as his reason, when in reality the man is devoid of principle and it was done from sheer spite because he could not shine along side of a brighter constellation
I am called off and must conclude—kind regards to all friends—Mr Valentine will send you official extracts from the minutes of the congregation.
I heard Rev M Myer on Saturday.
Friday yesterday I recd your letter, I have set the ball in motion and I am sure that some effort will be at once made to call a public meeting and take the sense of the congregation on the subject,
If elected—Could you not come on for Rossanna & Kippur and then get leave of absence for a couple of months after to finish your business.— Valentine intends to write you and send in resolutions of last meeting.
There is only one objection in the way,—which you would have to remove yourself. Our constitution provides that no Minister shall be elected for a longer period than two years,—The constitution might be attend but this would require time and if you were once elected and accepted, the congregation would be only too glad to keep you, I see no reason why they should prevent your accepting.
Yours Truly J. N. Carvalho - Identifier
- LSKAP0196
- Date
- 1852-05-26
Part of Letter from Solomon Nunes Carvalho to Isaac Leeser;May 26, 1852
Solomon Nunes Carvalho, “Letter from Solomon Nunes Carvalho to Isaac Leeser;May 26, 1852”, 1852-05-26, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/68534