Letter from M. Mayer to Isaac Leeser;August 12, 1853
- Title
- Letter from M. Mayer to Isaac Leeser;August 12, 1853
- Author
- M. Mayer
- Contributor
- Isaac Leeser
- Format
- Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).
- Letter
- Type
- Letter
- Language(s)
- English
- Physical Characteristics
- Manuscript
- content
-
Charleston, S. C. 12 Elul 5613.
Rev. I. Leeser, Philadelphia.
Dear Sir! Your kind letter of the 6th inst. was duly received, and my answer to it must be a apology, for not having sent, as yet, the conclusion of the article 'On the philosophy &c. Suffering, for nearly 3 weeks, with ulcers, so much so, that I was confined to my bed, and could not even attend to my ministerial duties, I was utterly unable, to finish the translation of the little work. Were it worth the while to publish a portion of the balance, I would do send you that part: A portion would not do, and the whole a I could not finish,—in as much as,—besides my sickness, I am so much occupied in my preparations for the holidays, that it is impossible to me, to accommodate you this month. Being as you well know, but one year in the ministry, and this, too, in a Portuguese Congr., I have to study all chaunts for the coming holidays, and to prepare no less than 11 sermons for one month,—besides all this— my approaching marriage occupies also somewhat my mind. Still, for the Nov. Number of your Occ. you shall have the paper, as I work at it by fits & starts.
Your requests, expressed in your last, shall be most faithfully complied with.
Things are going on here in the old smooth way, but I would inform you of the following facts, relative to
the NOrleans sufferers.—
As soon as an appeal was made here by the papers, the members of my Congregation contributed to the general fund, “handsomely & liberally,” without being induced by a Charity sermon, which I do not approve of, as previous observations have taught me, that they never result in the wished for success, unless, we adopt— as Dr. Raphall has done, lately, the plan of calling the names of every one present, and thus causing him, to proclaim loudly the amount he is willing to contribute,—a process most improper, illiberal & uncharitable. Rev. Jacobs adopted the delivery of a Charity Sermon, and failed, for the contribution amounted only to $81, which was afterward increased by private subscription, to the round sum of $100. But, instead of remitting this sum to the our distressed fellow Israelites, these orthodox men sent it to the newspaper-Office, as “a first collection,” for which, of course, they received a sublime puff. We acted otherwise. As soon as the appeal from the Jews reached us, Col. Jacobs & my humble self, although sick went about on Friday the 25 ult., after returning from a funeral, and within two hours time we had collected the amount of $115. Had we not thought it proper to send the money forthwith, according to the rule: “give cito dat, bis dat,” and were not so many of my Congr. absent, or had we received the appeal 8 days before, the sum would at least have been 5 times larger. Rev. Jacobs, not wishing to remained behind me, again delivered, last Sunday, a Charity Sermon, which had been advertised during the whole week, in all city-papers, and the amount collected, reached only about $60. it must also be remarked, that at least 2/3 of both the collections at Rev J's. Synagogue, were contributed by members of my Congr. Present at the Occassion—He following
letter was received on the 6th Sept.
New Orleans Sept. 1. 1853.
Col. Meyer Jacobs, Charleston S. C.
Kind & Respected Sir! I have the pleasure to acknowledge, through the hands of our esteemed mutual friend, Mr. Columbus Moise, the receipt of a draft for $114.43, in-tended for the relief of suffering Israelites, during the dreadful epidemic now prevailing. This evidence, that our un-fortunate brethren are sympathized with, nerves and enables us to continue our exertions for their speedy relief, and al-though we feel humiliated & humbled at the necessity that existed for appeal to our kindhearted friends abroad, a double gratification is the result in the exhibition of fraternal love, and noble generosity on your part, and the visible & cheering benefits, arising from your assistance in relieving the distressed who are in want.
Please make to those, who contributed so promptly, our kindest acknowledgement, and for yourself be pleased to receive our special thanks for the pains you have been put to, in making the necessary arrangements, so punctually to trans-mit it.I am very truly,
Your obt servt
David C. Labatt.
On Sept. 9. we read in the Charleston Courier:
We were gratified also, to perceive from New- Orleans, that the amount of $115, less the exchange, had been remitted to that city for the relief of the suffering Israelites there on the 25 ult. by the members of Hasell Str. Synagogue of this city; (The congr. of Reformed Israelites.) which fact had
not been communicated to us, otherwise we should at once have done them the justice, of chronicling their prompt action on the occasion, more especially as the members of this con-gregation had already contributed so handsomely, through us to the Howard association”—
I communicate to you these facts & papers, in order to do justice any Congr. & myself,—and hope, you will give notice of them in due time.—
I conveyed your respects to Miss Rachel, and she requested me to return them to you, as she knows you very well. Our marriage will take place on Hebrew 26 Oct. next. According to our time-hallowed custom I wish you Hebrew
remain truly yours
Dr M Mayer - Identifier
- LSDCBx1FF10_53
- Date
- 1853-08-12
Part of Letter from M. Mayer to Isaac Leeser;August 12, 1853
M. Mayer, “Letter from M. Mayer to Isaac Leeser;August 12, 1853”, 1853-08-12, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69387