Letter from Moses N. Nathan to Isaac Leeser;September 03, 1849

Title: Letter from Moses N. Nathan to Isaac Leeser;September 03, 1849
Author: Moses N. Nathan
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 3 September 1849
Location(s): Kingston; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 3 page(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English; Hebrew
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3891271d/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3891271d
Physical Characteristics: Unlined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: Kingston Jamaica Sept 3rd 5609.
My dear friend
In making my bow to you through the medium of Miss DeCordova, the Bearer of this letter, I beg you not to bear hand upon me for not visiting since my residence here, having had enough to occupy both my time and attention in establishing a school as a means of support, in which I have been (I E) tolerably successful. No doubt you expected to hear from me via New Orleans, but setting aside my dislike of the climate of that place, and the repugnance of my wife to being again separated from her family, there are other reasons which I may confide to you, as a fellow labourer in the vineyard of the Lord, though to an Hebrew I would not reveal them. They are simply these. Having failed, despite my utmost efforts, in giving satisfaction to two congregations, Kingston & St. Thomas, and, instead of kind treatment, having been exposed to insult by both, I dread the idea of incurring it a third time; and therefore prefer the toilsome and humble situation of a teacher to the dignified one of a Jewish minister. Perhaps my own temper and disposition are to blame; but, if so, is it not preferable to retire into private life and live in peace, than have them again excited by the disagreeabilities of a Jewish Congregation? In St. Thomas, I even offered to serve them gratuitously, as salary was the bone of contention among the members, provided they would be at peace with each other. This, the party in power would not suffer; and subsequently I accepted a very trifling

salary, which was generally 3 quarters in amount, and was content to receive it in any manner, taking whatever was offered me, which was not unfrequently 20 dollars at a time! But it was useless. An angel from Heaven would not satisfy them, and I, who possess no angelic quality of course found it beyond my capability. To enumerate the indignities I suffered would fill a volume; and I endured them patiently till threatened with personal violence. It was time to resign; and as St. Thomas presented less advantages than Kingston, behold me here again, welcomed with an intensity of feeling I was unprepared for, and what is more, with expressions of profound regret that I ever left. My impression always was, that neither by preparatory study nor habits, inclination, or temper was I ever intended or capacitated to minister before the Lord; circumstances forced the situation on me; and now, having, without the needful qualifications, gained a reputation I am unwilling to damage it by continuing in a profession where there are so many candidates better adapted to supply vacancies than myself. I am not ignorant that the Congregation in N. O. give me the preference to any other; this is flattering to my feelings, an unction to my vanity if you like, but for my own part, the course I have pursued in declining the appointment, must, after this candid avowal, be deemed satisfactory by you. I have now unbosomed myself, and shall be glad to hear your opinion, as I always set the highest value, on whatever emanated from you.
I need not say how delighted I shall be to hear from Miss DeCordova her estimate of my obt friend

Leeser. You will find her a young person of fine mind, great strength of character, intelligent and feeling. I beg you will, in concert with all my good friends in Philadelphia, endeavour to render her stay, which is likely to be of some continuance, as agreeable as possible. She is exceedingly dear to every member of our family, and the attention shown her will be valued as if it were paid to ourselves. I have prepared her to be pleased with you and your conversation and being persuaded that you have lost none of your powers of amusing and instructing, she expects to glean much information, and derive great pleasure from your society.
There are some small pecuniary matters to be settled between us, which would have been arranged ere I quitted St. Thomas, had your agent there Mr. M B Simmonds furnished me with the accot. in time. I will see to it and shortly forward you the amot.
Enough for this time, so with prayers to the searcher of Hearts that your entreaties on behalf of yourself and Congregation may be heard and favourably received, and that you may all be inscribed in His eternal registers for long life, salvation, and pardon; and with the best wishes of Mrs. N. and myself to you and all friends
I am
your friend & well wisher
M N Nathan
Revd Isaac Leeser
Philadelphia
Identifier: LSDCBx1FF6_59
Date: 1849-09-03

Part of Letter from Moses N. Nathan to Isaac Leeser;September 03, 1849

Moses N. Nathan, “Letter from Moses N. Nathan to Isaac Leeser;September 03, 1849”, 1849-09-03, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69253