“Criticism from Dr. Mendes.” “Says the Charges Are Silly.” New York Times, April 23, 1893, p. 10.

CRITICISM FROM DR. MENDES

HIS STRONG WORDS ON THE JEWISH SIDE OF THE QUESTION.

Pointed Comments on the Effort to Bring Jews Into the Christian Fold and to Ostracize Them in Social Organizations — Resentment Should be Made Felt — Travesty of Religious Ceremonials Denounced — The Rev. D. M. Stearns's Letter on the Opposite Side.

Having sold its synagogue in West Forty-fourth Street, the congregation Shaaray Tefila yesterday started on a year of worship in Carnegie Hall. Before the expiration of the twelve-month it is expected that the new temple, for which ground has been purchased in West Eighty-second Street, will be ready for occupancy, most of its interior fittings and adornments being transferred from the down-town edifice, in which the congregation had been sheltered for twenty-four years.

The Rev. F. De Sola Mendes, rabbi of Shaaray Tefila, signalized yesterday's opening of the temporary house of prayer with some pointed comments on what he described as the dual or parallel efforts to bring Jews into the Christian fold and to ostracize them in social organizations dominated by Christians. He said:

“Content with making a few annual—if what I hear be true I might almost say perennial—converts of no standing or importance to speak of, they have hitherto gone on their way unharmed by us, unimpeded, uncriticised save by an occasional puzzled smile, which asked how long they would delude themselves. But when it comes to public travesty of our religious ceremonials in their churches, and to elaborate burlesques of our religious rites in their shrines, dedicated to the Jew who gave those very rites a peculiar sanctity even to them; and when this public derision, (as if we had no rights to be respected,) next and naturally vents itself in social ostracism, as who should say that a cultured gentleman of Hebrew race is no associate for latter-day descendants of Teutons or Celts, it is opportune that we make our resentment felt and teach our religion by the graphic process of religiously punishing the mocker and the hypocrite. I think our community has the means and the method of asserting itself until the true and nobler American spirit of the real leaders of our social commonwealth shall have spoken forth in no uncertain terms in disavowal and denunciation. For the present, we may rely upon it, this will be forthcoming; but not, I hope, before it has been sharply and enduringly expressed how we Jews abhor such importation of mock religion into daily life and social relations.”

At the close of the services a NEW-YORK TIMES reporter asked Rabbi Mendes whether any specific measures had been prepared or were under consideration for punishing those persons designated as mockers and hypocrites.

“I do not care to particularize just now,” he replied. “The NEW-YORK TIMES has done an excellent work in agitating this subject, and its disclosures may open the eyes of many earnest but deluded persons. If a man sincerely and out of honest conviction wishes to change his religion, I have no word of blame for him, but it is a horrible thing to trifle with conscience or seek to stifle it with mercenary arguments. If you can take a Jew and make him a better citizen by converting him to Christianity, well and good, but I do not think it can be proved that such is the general result.

“In the kindliest spirit I would venture to say that the funds subscribed for this proselyting crusade might be devoted more profitably to the spiritual and temporal improvement of hosts of unfortunate persons classified as Christian.

“I do not believe,” continued Rabbi Mendes, “that educated and sensible members of any denomination approve of the travesties upon Hebrew rites and ceremonies presented by some of these `converts.' What would be thought of us if we could be foolish enough or bigoted enough to burlesque Christianity in a similar fashion? Yet there are many estimable persons who are impressed by such theatrical exhibitions, and unloose their purses to maintain them. I agree with the Pope's recent sentiment, `Mundus vult decipi—The world likes to be deceived.'“

Interest in mission work for the conversion of Jews to Christianity finds wider expression daily. There seems no doubt now that the wish of those behind the work that the methods employed shall be fully ventilated will be gratified. This wish is shared also in the synagogues. The most orthodox of that faith now feel that the facts ought to come out, as a means of devising effective counteracting agencies, should any be needed.

Evidences are growing also that the criticisms of Rabbi Silverman and the replies of the missionaries and their church friends are exciting a controversy in which the powers of each faith may become involved.

The Rev. D. M. Stearns, pastor of the Church of the Atonement, (Reformed Episcopal,) at Germantown, Philadelphia, has written a letter to THE NEW-YORK TIMES, in which he defends and sustains the mission work. Mr. Stearns has always been interested in missions for the Jews, and has imparted to his parishioners much of his own zeal in this cause. Both at Easton, Penn., where he was formerly located, and at Germantown, his congregations have given liberally to this work in special collections for that purpose. His Germantown church recently sent a purse to assist the mission at Kischenef, Russia, which is conducted by Mr. Rabinowitz. This is what Mr. Stearns writes:

“Having read in your issue of yesterday the article entitled `Work Among the Hebrews,' and being greatly interested in this work in Jerusalem, in Kischenef, South Russia, in London, as well as the work in New-York through the Rev. Jacob Freshman and the Rev. Hermann Warszaniak, I am surprised to know that there are men of intelligence who question the fact of there being sincere converts to Christianity from among the Jews.

“The names of Dr. Franz Delitzsch of Germany, prince of commentators and greatest of Hebrew scholars, and of the Rev. Adolph Saphir of London, devoted student of the Scriptures, (both now with Christ in glory,) need only to be mentioned to cause every devout heart to bow in reverence to Jesus of Nazareth, whom they so devoutly loved and worshipped.

“Among living Jews who have suffered everything for Jesus, who would dare question the sincerity of such men as Rabinowitz of Kischenef, Lichtenstein of Hungary, Ben Oliel of Jerusalem, who are only leaders of the many hundreds who to-day truly trust in and worship the Lord Jesus Christ, only Saviour of sinners, Israel's long-rejected but soon-coming Messiah, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

“It is not, however, surprising that unbelieving Jews should hate those who receive Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus Himself was hated by His brethren, the Jews, and by their instrumentality handed over to the Romans to be crucified. Stephen was by them stoned to death, and they earnestly sought to kill Saul of Tarsus.

“This only proves that the natural man, whether in a Jew, Mohammedan, Brahman, Turk, or Christian, hates the true God and His Son Jesus Christ.

“Let not Mr. Warszaviako or any of those who through him receive Jesus be the least moved or dismayed by the rage of the adversary, whether manifest through Jew or Gentile, but calmly and faithfully go on doing what the moon does when the dogs bark at it, keep on shining, and Jesus will see to all adversaries and be the avenger of all such as say a word against or lay a finger upon the very least who trust in him.

“Let all such, however, know that notwithstanding their hatred of Jesus and His followers, He loves them, is sorry for them, and ready to save them if they will only accept him.”

Rabbi Silverman's declaration that in spite of all the missions have done there is not one genuine converted Jew has brought out a reply from Simon Goodheart of 241 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn. This is what Mr. Goodheart says:

“Having read the articles in your paper concerning the `Jewish Missions' in this city, I was struck by the expression of Rabbi J. Silverman, `A converted Jew? Bah! There is not one genuine converted Jew in New-York to-day.'

“It is indeed strange to hear such an utterance as that from such an intelligent man as Dr. Silverman. I do not intend in these lines to speak of the many converted Israelites whom I know to be sincere and devout Christians, but I will put myself as the `genuine converted Jew' of which the rabbi thinks none has ever existed.

“I was brought up a very strict orthodox Jew and believed in all I was instructed and taught by my Jewish teachers and rabbis, and with this belief I arrived in this country in 1889.

“A year afterward I happened to receive an invitation to a mission in Rivington Street, to which I and a friend of mine went the following evening. I was at the outset greatly touched by what the missionary, a Mr. Hermann Warszawiak, preached.

“With no intention whatever of becoming an adherent to the missionary's faith, but with a desire to know the truth, I decided to attend the next meeting. I became so much interested I then attended regularly every meeting, and after I had heard all the arguments from our own Scriptures and learned what Jesus of Nazareth did for a lost world I became convinced that if I wanted to be free from sin and saved to eternity I needed to accept him as my personal Saviour and Redeemer.

“Thus, after a hard struggle, knowing that I would have to give up everything dear to my heart, the Lord Jesus won the victory, and accordingly on the 25th of October, 1891, I was publicly baptized with three other Hebrew brethren of the same mind in the same mission of the De Witt Memorial Church, 280 Rivington Street, and was received as a member in this congregation by the Rev. T. Leonhard.

“And now I want to say that since then I am very, very happy, and my soul is deeply satisfied with the glorious faith I was found worthy to enter. I love my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, with all my heart and soul, and hope that He recognizes me as a `genuine converted Jew,' though the dear rabbi does not.”

SAYS THE CHARGES ARE SILLY.

Mr. Warszawiak Declares that Jews Are Not Paid to be Converts.

Hermann Warszawiak, the missionary to the Jews on the east side, preached yesterday afternoon in German to a large number of Jews in the De Witt Memorial Church at 280 Rivington Street. Before the sermon a choir of young Jewish girls dressed in blue frocks with white sleeves and blue hoods sang Christian hymns.

Mr. Warszawiak selected for his text the words, “It is written,” and undertook to prove to his hearers that the divine origin, mission and sufferings, and atonement of Christ had been foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

Immediately after the sermon Mr. Warszawiak referred to the charges made by the Rev. Dr. Silverman of Temple Emanu-El, that Christian clergymen and missionaries paid Jews to profess conversion to Christianity. He said:

“We have been charged with corrupting Jews with money to become Christians. It is strange to hear such untrue and silly charges made by men who ought to know better. No one who comes here and sees this gathering of inquirers after truths could say that you had come here from corrupt motives. There are many thousands of Jews in New-York, and if Christians had intentions of buying them up it would take millions of dollars. The charges are silly on their face.”

Mr. Warszawiak invited all those who were earnestly in search after Christian truths to follow him into the lecture room and hold a meeting of prayer and song, while others were asked to withdraw. About half of the assemblage went into the lecture room.