Bible Treasury, 2nd Edition, Volume 1, June 1857.
(1st. Edition, June [01 1857 212])
[01 1857 209]
The Jewish Chronicle of this month (May) affords melancholy evidence of the dissolving process going on among the Jews, as elsewhere. Far be the thought from us that the Christian Church is aught but a wreck! It is not, therefore to excuse our own sin and shame that we extract sentiments sanctioned by the highest Jewish authorities in this country, — sentiments which the humblest person could eschew, who abides a Jew. "We will not dispute the desirability of maintaining the legislature Christian. To maintain it Christian means to maintain it Jewish. Christian morality is Jewish morality, and Jewish morality is Christian morality. The morality of Jesus is the reflex of that of Moses." Nor is it limited to moral questions. The writer is showing why Jews do not seek, as he says, to make proselytes. "The Jews believe that the salvation of Gentile depends upon the practice of the morality taught in the law and the prophets, and that the observance of the ceremonial part, although binding upon Jews, has no reference whatever to those from without the pale of Judaism." Alas! is not this shutting God out of the matter? Is faith in Jesus a mere "ceremonial" thing? Is it not fatal to refuse Him if He is the true Messiah and Son of God? Is it not idolatry of the worst dye to worship Him if He be not? What did Moses say should be the portion of a false prophet and his adherents? (Deut. 13) What did Moses say should become of those who hearken not to the words of the true Prophet, "like unto him." (Deut. 18) The claims, the testimony of Jesus cannot be said, by a "conscientious Jew," to be innocuous if untrue. It is a poor morality which begins with ignoring the sin of blasphemy and imposture in the holy things of God. And if the confession of Jesus is not falsehood but the truth, where are the Jews, and what their morality? "Father, forgive them." "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."