Letter from George S. Chambers and R. E. Thompson to Isaac Leeser;July 26, 1865

Title: Letter from George S. Chambers and R. E. Thompson to Isaac Leeser;July 26, 1865
Author: George S. Chambers | R. E. Thompson
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 26 July 1865
Location(s): Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 3 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p39s1m25v/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p39s1m25v
Physical Characteristics: Unlined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: Philada. July 26. 1865
Rev. Isaac Leeser
Philada.
Dear Sir.
It may possibly be known to you that a controversy has arisen in the Christian Church regarding the use in public worship of hymns of praise, which are not found in the canon of Sacred Scripture. The example of the ancient Jew-ish “church” has been claimed as a precedent a=gainst their use. As this controversy has arisen in days when Talmudic and cognate studies are less zealously pursued among Christian Scholars, than in the days of Lightfoot and Gill, the subject is one which we must refer to those whose peculiar studies fit them to solve the difficulty. Your wide and eminent reputation as a scholar has led us to trouble you with the following inquiries your kind attention to which will much oblige a large number of your fellow citizens.
I—Were there any other hymns of praise than the psalms of David, sued in the ancient-temple or synagogue service of the Jewish “church” prior to the final destruction of

the Holy City by Titus?
II—If so, were these other hymns of praise taken exclusively from the canonical scrip-tures or not?
III—Does the three-fold distinction laid down by Paul in his Epistle to Colossians II. 16. and to the Ephesians V.19. refer to any recog-nized division or arrangement of the Book of Psalms, or is it a general description of the species of sacred poetry in current use at that time?
IV. If there were in use hymns of praise not to be found in the canonical scriptures are they still extant, and can you refer us to any work easily obtained which contains either them, or any information on the subject.
V. Was the entire Book of Psalms used in the ancient temple or synagogue service and if not, what part was used?
We are very sorry to trouble you with such a long list of queries, but hope that you will have it in your power to give us an answer at an early

day, without putting yourself to any in-convenience
Yours very Truly
George S. Chambers
R. E. Thompson
Address us—Box 901—Philada. Post Office
Identifier: LSDCBx2FF12_24
Date: 1865-07-26

Part of Letter from George S. Chambers and R. E. Thompson to Isaac Leeser;July 26, 1865

George S. Chambers | R. E. Thompson, “Letter from George S. Chambers and R. E. Thompson to Isaac Leeser;July 26, 1865”, 1865-07-26, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69382