Schapiro, B. ?A. ?M. The Aim of the Hebrew-Christian Publication Society. New York: The Hebrew-Christian Publication Society [, 1920].
Pass It On to Others
THE AIM OF THE Hebrew-Christian Publication Society
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PUBLISHED BY THE Hebrew-Christian Publication Society (INCORPORATED) (Non-Sectarian)
83 BIBLE HOUSE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
Issued for free distribution among Christians
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HEBREW-CHRISTIAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY
Publishers and Free Distributers of Christian Literature Adopted to the Judaic mind.
OFFICERS
RT. REV. CHAS. S. BURCH, D.D., L.H.D., LL.D. President COL. ALEX S. BACON Vice-President WM. W. McALPIN Treasurer REV. KENNETH MACKENZIE, Secretary B. ?A. ?M. SCHAPIRO, Managing Director
DIRECTORS
Anson W. Anderson, M.D. Col. Alex. S. Bacon Thomas P. Browne, Jr. Rt. Rev. Chas. S. Burch, D.D., L.H.D., LL.D. Rev. David James Burrell, D.D., LL.D. Rev. Canon John Cornell Rev. Lewis B. Chamberlain, M.A. Frederick L. Dochtermann Allan C. Emery Rev. Chas. L. Goodell, D.D. Prof. W. Brenton Greene, Jr., D.D. Rev. St. Clair Hester, D.D. Wm. F. Irwin Willis Fletcher Johnson, A.M., L.H.D. A. N. Lewis Wm. W. McAlpin Rev. Kenneth Mackenzie Dr. H. C. Millar Rev. W. H. Morgan, D.D. Ambrose S. Murray, Jr. Mr. Wm. B. Oliver Rev. James Palmer, Ph.D. William T. Rich B. ?A. ?M. Schapiro Rev. Geo. E. Sehlbrede, D.D. Rev. Floyd W. Tomkins, D.D. Rev. H. E. Woolever, D.D. James Wood
Address all communications
B. ?A. ?M. SCHAPIRO, Managing Director, 83 Bible House, New York, N. Y.
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The Object of the Society
By B. ?A. ?M. Schapiro. (Extract from the Certificate of Incorporation.)
“To publish Christian literature in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, and other languages; to arouse a spirit of inquiry among the Jewish population in America and in Palestine and in other countries where such literature may be of service; to support missionaries; to establish, in Jewish population centers, missions and clubrooms where shall be presented the Gospel of Christ to the Jewish people; to issue books, pamphlets, papers, etc., for free distribution, both among Jews and Christians, which shall serve to aid in a better understanding and mutual respect each towards the other; to establish lectureships and send out lectures and literature to communities where only few Jews dwell, in order to interest them in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to stimulate them to attend the churches in their communities, and where no mission can be established; to instruct the people by means of the public platform and the lecturer; to inaugurate in the various churches and communities, conferences, which will have for their object the awakening of a kindly feeling and a beneficial sympathy among Christian people towards Jews, and their spiritual needs; and to do all things that may be convenient or necessary in conducting a benevolent, missionary nonstock association, having for its primary object the conversion of the Jews to Christianity; also to break down the barriers now existing between Jews and Gentiles, and to combat anti-Semitism, and all race prejudice and oppression against the Jews, and to gain for them everywhere all the right and privileges extended to others.”
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The above is a quotation from “The Certificate of Incorporation” of the Society which was signed by some thirty members of the Directors of the Society and for which the right of incorporation has been granted under the laws of the State of New York.
To amplify and to make clear to our readers the objects of our work, we wish to set forth what is beyond question the best method of attaining the object for which this Society is pledged, the preaching of the Gospel through the printed page.
While a similar method of spreading the Gospel is used very extensively by Gentiles, both at home and in foreign field, practically none of that literature is intended especially for the Jew. And yet we may quote an authority as high as the Scriptures themselves to justify the existence of the Hebrew-Christian Publication Society which actually dates back to the time of the Apostles. The Gospel of Matthew, for instance, and the Epistle to the Hebrews, were written especially for the Jews, with the object of spreading the Gospel of Christ among those who could not be reached by oral preaching, they being scattered
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throughout Europe, Asia and Africa; as well as to strengthen those who had already found in Jesus the Christ their personal Saviour. Their example is a precedent for us, whose aim is to build “upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ, Himself, being the chief corner-stone,” and to preach the Gospel through the printed pages to the scattered members of the House of Israel.
Public speaking and teaching have their place, but they present difficulties as far as the Jews are concerned. It is well-nigh impossible to get any considerable audience of Jews assembled to hear the Gospel message, and granted that a number of Jews could be reached with the Gospel, the preacher may not have the magnetism to attract his hearers, without which quality so much fine public speaking fails of its object. Or, again, even though he be a Chrysostom the golden-mouthed, those who listen may only do so in order to refute his arguments, and not that they may be convinced. A single statement to which the listener objects may cause him to turn a deaf ear to the rest of the sermon
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or lecture. But even if preaching were the best way of conveying Gospel truth, still we must not forget the small and inadequate number of Christian workers among the Jews. Even in Greater New York, with a Jewish population of over a million, there are only three mission stations. What about the small and relatively important towns and cities where thousands or hundreds of Jews are living?
In preaching through the printed page, there can not be the same disposition to dispute as when listening to an oral discourse. For the Jews have been prone to entangling argumentation even since they quibbled in all sorts of matter with Jesus Himself. And then Socrates tells us that the advantage of writing lays in the fact that, “letters preserve a solemn silence, and have no word to say or answer for themselves.” And aside from this the message of the printed page may be read over and over again and pondered, while a verbal statement, which if heard but once is not apt to be. And, whereas an oral address may be heard by a few hundred or even thousands of people, the
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printed page may reach innumerable individuals—”A drop of ink makes millions think.” There is probably no people who are greater readers than the Jews. Then let us remember that many of them are not able to follow satisfactorily an English address or sermon because they do not understand Christian terminology. And psychologically we know that it is much easier to assimilate the message we read than the one we hear, as when we hear, only one of our senses (the ear) is active, and in reading two (the eye and ear), for as a rule Jews read aloud.
In “The Continent” of January 17, 1918, appeared an article concerning the work of our Society, entitled “Being an Evangelist in Print.” We reprint it verbatim:
BEING AN EVANGELIST IN PRINT (From “The Continent” of Jan. 17th, 1918.)
“Comfort lies in the discovery of any person in these talkative days who still has confidence in the power of the printed page to change men's beliefs and their lives. Nearly everybody seems to think that nothing persuades anybody but a speech. However, if there is any fraction of America's conglomerate population which more than another can be expected to respond to things said in a book, it is the Jewish element in the great cities. In all cities where
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the Russian Jews abound the public libraries acknowledge much greater dealings with them than with native Americans and in a more sturdy sort of books, too. It is natural, therefore, that this rare faith in the value of printed argument and enlightenment should characterize one who appeals to Jews.
“The editor of the Hebrew-Christian Literature Society, B. ?A. ?M. Schapiro, of New York, for years has been prosecuting an evangelistic campaign which has held perhaps not one public meeting. It is all done in writing—constant writing—one tract after another. Of course, there is no opportunity to `count `trail hitters'; nobody knows really whether converts won to Christ are few or many. But it is a singularly faithful obedience of the command to sow beside all waters. And since the sowing is good seed laden with the good news of Israel's Messiah, it must have fruitage worthy of the endeavor. Mr. Schapiro's work is doubly satisfactory as an eager Christian effort to win the Jews, and as an example of the use of pen and printing press for evangelistic instruments. In both aspects it deserves both encouragement and imitation.”
Another ground for the circulation of Hebrew-Christian literature lies in the fact that there is a great and insurmountable obstacle to be overcome, a gap over which the missionary bridge can never be thrown. The worker among the Jews is almost invariably obliged to confine his efforts to the poorer classes, the “downtown Jews,” while the educated and cultured, the
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so-called “uptown Jews,” cannot be induced to enter a poor mission hall, and are never reached by the Christian missionary, because there are no means by which a Christian worker can enter their homes; therefore they are left perforce, severely alone.
The United States mail, being always a welcome visitor to the home of both Jew and Gentile, rich and poor alike, proves an effective means to missionary work, spreading the Gospel through the circulation of Hebrew-Christian literature.
The chief purpose of such literature should be to make an earnest appeal to those otherwise unreached Jews—humble, unpretentious offers of free salvation, our magazine, THE PEOPLE, THE LAND AND THE BOOK, or our tracts, a number of which have already been published enter many a home and with their glorious message to those whose ears are closed to the voice of the preacher or teacher. These are the means by which we introduce into Jewish homes clear, concise statements concerning the blessed faith. In our articles, tracts and pamphlets, we show that materialism
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alone does not bring real satisfaction, that physical well-being and social eminence are not happiness in the true sense of the word, but that Christianity, as taught by Christ and practiced by his faithful followers, comprises all the essentials of true joy.
Such literature may also be put into the hands of Christians who are interested in the welfare of Israel, but who are unable to overcome by word of mouth the very subtle objections and arguments of the Jew against Christianity, because the average Christian is not acquainted with it, and therefore is not prepared to meet the objections that are raised by the orthodox and reformed Jews alike, against Christianity. Those who are qualified to judge aright tell us that our articles and tracts contain satisfactory answers to such questions, and that their logic is clear and convincing.
We avoid any antagonism toward our Jewish brethren whom we dearly love. At the same time we compare Judaism, as taught in the Old Testament, with Christianity as taught in the New Testament, so as to prove
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that the former is the type and figure of the latter, and finds its fulfillment in the religion proclaimed by the Lord Jesus and His Apostles, and therefore Christianity is the only God-promised successor to Judaism. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son.”
Let us therefore reason with God's ancient people in the manner and spirit of Him who died for us all, and let us pray that our reasoning may bring forth blessed fruit.
In our appeals to our Jewish brethren, we endeavor not only to convince the mind of the truth of Christianity, but to speak at all times “some clear winning word of love” to draw the hearts of our readers to the One, Who is the Messiah, indeed: “The Chief among ten thousand and the One altogether lovely.”
St. Paul, in his letter to the Phillippians, recounted to them his Jewish ancestry, leading them step by step through his life of Jewish practices and customs before his conversion up to the “high calling of God” (the God
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of the Jew), but also as he had come to apprehend Him. “God in Christ Jesus.”
So we, speaking through these pages, speak as a Jew believing all that they believe, but finding fulfillment of all our beliefs, foretold by the God of our fathers, in Christ Jesus.
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BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!
We are in great need of books especially of a reference nature. If any of the friends have such books and could spare them we could make good use of them in our work. If any such books are donated to us they will be acknowledged in the next number of the Magazine.
Address them to: B. ?A. ?M. Schapiro, 83 Bible House, New York City.
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B. ?A. ?M. SCHAPIRO
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A PERSONAL STATEMENT
In view of the “Remarks” appearing below, I wish to say I have known Mr. Schapiro for more than five years, and have been closely associated with him for more than three years, and have always found him affable, courteous, gentlemanly, and above all filled with Holy Zeal for the Evangelization of the Jews.
Mr. Schapiro, whose photo appears on the preceding page, has the full confidence of the Directors of the Hebrew-Christian Publication Society, who bespeak for him the kindly consideration of those to whom he may desire to present the cause of Israel which is so dear to his heart: and in order to give the readers of this pamphlet a more comprehensive idea of his message and mission to his kinsmen this address of Mr. Schapiro delivered some months ago in the Parlors of the Church House of the University Place Presbyterian Church, Rev. George Alexander, Pastor, is given below.
A goodly number of people were present upon that occasion, among whom were many of the Directors. The speakers who preceded Mr.
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Schapiro were the Rt. Rev. Charles S. Burch, D.D., L.H.D., LL.D., President of the Association; the Rev. David James Burrell, D.D., Pastor of the Marble Collegiate Reform Church and former President of the Society; Rev. Kenneth Mackenzie, the Secretary; Col. Alexander Bacon, and Mr. William T. Hornaday.
GEO. E. SEHLBREDE.
REMARKS BY MR. SCHAPIRO
I had intended to be a silent factor in this gathering. But some one has made the remark that it would be like “Hamlet, with Hamlet left out.” Standing as I have for so many years, at times almost alone, it would seem that my own personality must have impressed upon the work and given rise to the words I have quoted. And yet I trust fervently that the personal factor may be ultimately lost in the greatness of the endeavor for which this meeting is a plea.
New beatitudes are constantly coming to the fore these days, and one that now seems to call for attention is “Blessed is he that does not blow his own horn, but allows others to do it for him.” The speakers who have preceded me have graciously been fulfilling this happy estate for me. And I hope I shall ever prove worthy of the kindly commendation.
The lateness of the hour compels the strictest brevity, so I shall not detain you
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with much that I would like to say. One thing I promise you, and that is that in publishing in our magazine a report of the meeting I shall diligently use my editorial scissors, where complimentary things are said of me.
I am fond of fundamentals. I think that tendency goes with the race from which I spring. I am not ashamed of it. It carries me back to that New Testament day when St. Paul, the great Hebrew-Christian, stood on Mars Hill and gave his memorable testimony to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. And the first fundamental to which I wish to make reference is that all wisdom, judgment, tact, or prudence by which I have been at all enabled to conduct this work has come from the recognition of the divine behest. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.” I pray for more and more. For the problem of presenting the Jewish question before the Gentile community is most complex. The perspective and point of contact are so diverse. With Christians, their religion is a settled fact. They are so accustomed to the terminology of their faith, with the round of their practice, that they cannot understand how utterly new to the Jewish mind is the Christian concept. So I stand between the two classes. I am a Jew by birth and Christian by re-birth. But many Christians regard the Jewish brother as still in some measure alien to the Christian commonwealth; while it is exceedingly hard for the Jew to understand how one
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like myself could ever renounce the traditions of the Fathers. Hence I need wisdom and I pray you will ask it for me in larger measure.
Then I think you, dear Christians, should not forget that your blessed estate is not a matter of mere chance of birth or inheritance. You are what you are because the Jews, to whom our Lord came, refused to accept what has become your portion. And while they grope in darkness, you are dwelling in the light. Well may we echo the Apostle's exhortation, “Be not high-minded but fear.” The very fact of the most wonderful miracle of history, that a Jew is worshipped by Christendom as the Son of God, should inspire us all to glory only in the Cross. May we cease, if we have done it, to hold towards God's ancient people a superior and arrogant attitude.
Dr. Hornaday has urged that the Jew needs Americanization. True. And he needs not the Americanization of the present day, with its worldliness and godlessness, its graft and greed, its spiritual bluff and love for pleasure. He needs that Americanism which came over in the Mayflower, a sturdy faith in God, a cherishing of the Holy Scriptures and a life that accords with the confession of the Lord Jesus Christ as supreme. Our high schools have turned out a multitude of Jews, but not all have proven themselves ideal Americans. Alas! some have paid the highest penalty of the law, for the most heinous crimes. Allowing that the same is true of professing Christians, we still must insist
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that the only remedy for the disease of Bolshevism, of which so many Jews are afflicted, is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It alone can bring God into the heart and life, and Americanism without God is but a polished heathenism. Acknowledging with all consideration that social settlements have improved the young foreigners, we have yet to plead that a love for flowers and animals, the study of literature and science, the cultivation of social forms that accord with received standards of correctness, may leave the heart still prone to evil and crime. A personal acceptance prayerfully lived out, will bring all this but more. We know this surely.
What Jews, as well as Gentiles need, is the restraining influence of the Gospel. Let me repeat and emphasize. The Jewish gangster whom an officer of this church, as District Attorney, prosecuted and caused to pay the penalty of their crime with their lives, were all Americanized, and some of them high school graduates. So you see that Americanization alone does not solve the problem. What have the three R's to do with a pure heart? And how can you transform man except by the power of the Gospel? For it is the Gospel and it alone, that puts the policeman inside the man. Have the Social Settlements over which our Society people have gone into ecstasies, improved the moral character or social condition of the young foreigner? Have flowers and Italian novels improved conditions and taught them to appreciate the soul of America? Have these things not
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been the means of turning out a lot of Highbrow Parlor Socialists? The ability to play billiards and the skill to get a ball into a certain pocket may be a fine accomplishment to teach our poor young men, but it is not conducive to good citizenship, or fine manners, or good morals.
I am certain I could have been a narrow-minded, bigoted Jew, possibly a wild-eyed soap box orator haranguing a crowd on Madison Square to prove that there is no God. And what Christ has done for me he can and will do for others. We must teach them to.—Matt. 6:33—”But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Our Needs
By B. ?A. ?M. Schapiro
The demands upon us for tracts from all over the country have been very heavy in the last few months. We shall have to reprint shortly two of them, “Saul, the Pharisee, and Paul, the Christian,” also “Jesus and His Kinsmen.”
The tract on the “Origin and Significance of Sacrifices,” an edition of 25,000, has been exhausted. There is a considerable demand for this tract. To give our readers an idea in what high regard this treatise is held by the most learned. We quote from a letter of the Rev. Robert
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D. Wilson, Ph.D., D.D., Professor of Semitic Languages and Old Testament Criticism at Princeton Theological Seminary, who, writing to the Society about this tract, says:
“I have just read Mr. Schapiro's tract on the `Origin and Significance of Sacrifices.' I believe it is one of the best treatises ever written on the subject.
“His Hebrew and Talmudical texts are well translated and his argument seems to me very convincing. God grant that it may bring salvation and peace to many of his despairing race.”
The late Rev. David Gregg, D.D., LL.D., President of Western Theological Seminary, wrote the introduction.
“I deem it a privilege to be permitted to write a brief preface to this Treatise of Mr. Schapiro on the `Origin of Sacrifices.' I have known him for twenty years. These years bear testimony to an unsullied manhood. They reveal also an incessant research, a growing scholarship, and a painstaking accuracy, which should secure acceptance and give value to every product of his able pen. This tract is the expression of loyalty to the one living and true God. It is the voice of a true Israelite, crying, `Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.'
“The reader can feel the thrill of the Covenant of Grace in it. It magnifies the richfulness of the Old Testament Scriptures, and sets
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into light how its Harp and Altar, its symbols and types, its sparkling gems and flashing colors, its Tables of Stone and its prophetic rolls are veritable Gospels full of the Promise of Redemption.
“A careful and prayerful reading of the Tract should lead everyone to this faith—the Prophetic Christ has become the Historic Christ; also—the Jewish religion finds itself fulfilled and perfected and made an eternal Glory in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mr. Schapiro has consecrated his pen to a great and needed work.
“Let the Church of God pray that it may be made a great power for good.”
“The Mission of Israel” an edition of 10,000 has been distributed. This tract has been reprinted in the Magazine and is completed in this number. The type of the same has not been destroyed but will be published with a Yiddish translation, made by the Rev. E. S. Greenbaum, the head of the Presbyterian work in Newark, N. J. This tract is calculated to do much good among those who are carried away with the idea of Bolshevism.
In our opinion an idea cannot be destroyed by deportation or a policeman's club, it must be fought with a better idea. Bolshevism is making its propaganda through the printed page and should be fought with the same weapons. To overcome
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the inroads that Bolshevism is making among a certain class of our people, we must have the tools to work with.
Other tracts are ready for publication, both in Yiddish and English, one appeared as an article in the June Number (1919) entitled “Without Him We Can Do Nothing.” The other “Our People's Sin—Its Remedy,” appeared in the October Number (1919). These articles are very suitable for distribution and we have translated them into Yiddish and which we desire to publish in tract form.
We need also a man who would distribute our literature in Greater New York and elsewhere. We know of such a suitable man, a Hebrew-Christian of many years standing, zealous for the salvation of his brethren. We shall need $1,500 a year to maintain him and his family. He is not jobless, he is making more now than he would get from us, but he is willing to make the sacrifice for the cause of Christ. We are stating these facts that those who cannot aid may pray for us.
AN OPEN LETTER BY THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE OF THE HEBREW PUBLICATION SOCIETY.
Dear Friends:—
The Ways and Means Committee of the Hebrew-Christian Publication society seeks the privilege of addressing you this open letter:
The times have ripened into a great possibility for
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the accomplishment of the work to which this Society is pledged. The Great War has disclosed to Christianity the immense importance of the Jewish problem. Many of the ancient race are eagerly looking forward to the establishment of a Jewish state in the land of Palestine. Many Jews, otherwise, are more ready for the Gospel of our Lord and theirs, than ever since the tragedy of Calvary. They are reading our New Testament with open minds; they are asking sober questions as to the Messiahship of our Christ.
There was a time when the Gentile world was without hope, without faith, without God. The Jews felt themselves debtors to it. The great Apostle, in whose every vein flowed loyal Jewish blood, contemplated the nations about him with such heart-yearning that he cried, “Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel.”
Now the situation is reversed. The Christian world looks with apathy upon the Jewish race. Is there not a challenge in this contradictory attitude? Can we stand with our St. Paul and in prayer and purpose give by any means possible the Word of God to the ancient people, “Whose are the promises, of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came?”
This Society possesses in the person of Mr. Benjamin A. M. Schapiro, one eminently qualified to prepare the kind of literature of which they stand in need. His scholarship in the original tongue; his keen perception of the divine plan of redemption; his acumen for presenting truth directly and forcibly; his intensity of conviction carry his message into the hearts of all who hear him or read his writings.
Our Society occupies the unique position of issuing literature adapted to the Judaic mind, without cost to those who wish to use it. The means for the accomplishment of this work are voluntarily offered by those “whose hearts God has touched” with a sympathy for Israel.
We are very anxious to extend the work in every possible manner. To this end the Society has been incorporated.
We would be grateful if you should be moved to contribute to the work of the Society so that we may have the means at hand to push the enterprise to the limit of its evidently divine call.
Any contribution will be gratefully acknowledged by the Treasurer of the Society and also will be reported in the next issue of “The People, the Land and the Book.”
Yours very truly, KENNETH MACKENZIE, WILLIAM W. McALPIN, AMBROSE S. MURRAY, JR., JAMES WOOD.
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Extracts from commendatory notices that appeared in the Religious Press concerning “The People, The Land and The Book,” published quarterly. Pocket edition, 3-1/2 x 6, and containing 96 pages. Contributors to the funds of the Society are entitled to the Magazine.
Address B. ?A. ?M. Schapiro, Editor, 83 Bible House, New York, N. Y.
It is a timely, well-edited and useful magazine.—Methodist Protestant. _________________________________
The magazine is well worth reading for the information it contains—The Desert News. _________________________________
The journal will be interesting to Christian Students, as well as to Jews.—Our Bible Teacher. _________________________________
It has a clear field of its own. It has an originality of its own.—Associate Presbyterian. _________________________________
Such a magazine should be useful not only to Hebraists, but to thoughtful Churchmen as well.—The Churchman. _________________________________
The contestants are quite good. There seems to be a field for this new magazine.—The Sunday School Journal. _________________________________
The field would seem to be one that might yield interesting results in periodical literature.—The Brooklyn Eagle. _________________________________
The magazine is well gotten up and will be of great interest to Hebraists and Bible Students.—The Restitution. _________________________________
From a literary and scholastic standpoint the publication is up to the highest standard.—The Oskaloosa Times. _________________________________
Its aim is to commend Christianity to the Jews, and its spirit praiseworthy, courteous and conciliatory.—The Brooklyn Citizen. _________________________________
A novel magazine has just reached our sanctum, and should meet with a hearty response at the hands of all Christians.—The Southern Evangelist. _________________________________
There is a deep prejudice between Jews and Christians and by the means of this literary magazine a better understanding may be reached.—The Watchword. _________________________________
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The Service of this kind of periodical may be regarded as timely and useful, as well as unique, occupying a place unfilled hitherto in popular Christian reading.—Ocean Grove Times. _________________________________
“THE PEOPLE, THE LAND AND THE BOOK” promises to be popular among Bible Students, Scholars, and all who would know more of the people who stand as monuments to the truth of Old Testament Scripture.—Journal and Messenger. _________________________________
A knowledge of the People and the Land is needful to the comprehension of the Book. This magazine appears to be admirably edited, and that by a Jewish disciple of Christ of long standing.—Sabbath Recorder. _________________________________
We believe that it is a worthy cause and are positive that it gives a literary and historical value; we therefore heartily recommend this magazine to our readers as an enterprise worthy of their support.—The Kansas Evangelist. _________________________________
It has a field of its own at the present time when there is a revival of interest in the people of Israel and the relation of prophecy to them and theirs. It really meets a need, and this “THE PEOPLE, THE LAND AND THE BOOK” promises to do.—The Free Baptist. _________________________________
Mr. Schapiro is well qualified by birth and education to conduct this magazine…he avoids everything like mawkish sentimentality, treats its subjects from the standpoint of facts. There is a spirit of inquiry abroad. We believe that it is a most auspicious time for a publication of this character.—The Christian Work. _________________________________
“Not another magazine” you say! Yes, but this is indeed new. The title is “THE PEOPLE, THE LAND AND THE BOOK.” It is a magazine you would like to read yourself, and, what is more, you would like to put it into the hands of your Jewish friends.—The Silver Cross. _________________________________
The present is peculiarly the age of specialties; the physician is no longer expected to treat each and every disease to which the human flesh is heir; each teacher has a definite sphere of educational work. This applies to our religious, scientific, or literary magazines—each is in a certain sense a specialty.
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The new Hebrew-Christian Quarterly, “THE PEOPLE, THE LAND AND THE BOOK” furnishes an excellent illustration of this statement. Its contents are in strict accord with its title. The Jews, Palestine and the Bible—these three subjects, presented in a chaste literary style, occupy its pages. It is unique in every detail, even to its cover.
This Quarterly has a double purpose; it aims to give a correct idea of the religious life and character of the Jew, and to correct the erroneous notions prevalent among the Jew and Christian alike, regarding one another.
The editor and publisher, Mr. B. ?A. ?M. Schapiro, is peculiarly adapted for the task he has undertaken. Educated in the strictest school of Orthodox Judaism, converted to Christianity in early youth, he knows whereof he speaks.—The Standard. _________________________________
We have before called attention to this Hebrew-Christian Quarterly which treats of Judaism and Christianity from an historical, biographical, Messianic-Prophetical and literary standpoint, but the publication is one of such important character, so unique, and so different in many respects from all other publications, that our readers will pardon us for again calling their attention to it. To those engaged in Sunday School teaching especially will “THE PEOPLE, THE LAND AND THE BOOK” prove invaluable. The average scholar, and too often the teacher, is totally ignorant of the former history and of the present position of the Jew. The few isolated passages concerning them which he may have learned, leave on his mind a distorted, unnatural picture of God's ancient people. So too, the average Sunday School scholar is woefully ignorant of the historical events of the Bible, and the disconnected verses which under the existing methods of instruction are used to illustrate the lessons afford but an imperfect conception of the story of Christ's birth, life and passion. This publication gives them just the line of instruction needed, and shows them how to apply it most effectively. It should be the aim of every Christian that such a publication should not only be sustained, but disseminated as widely as possible. It still needs, to this end, at least one thousand more subscribers, and we believe that it needs only to have its value known to insure this number at once. The subscription is only one dollar a year. Address B. ?A. ?M. Schapiro, 83 Bible House, New York City.—The Christian Work. |
