MEETING IN AID OF THE PERSECUTED JEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2597, 3 August 1882, Page 3

MEETING IN AID OF THE PERSECUTED JEWS.

A largely attended meeting was held last evening, in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, to express sympathy with the persecuted Jews in Russia. His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch presided. On the platform' were the Most Bev. the Primate, the Very Bev, the Dean of Christchurch, Revs. Father Ginaty, O. Fraser, I .Zaohariah, and W. Tinsley, Messrs W. Ohrystall, W. Pratt, H. R. Webb, John Anderson, D. Caro, T. 8. Lambert, F. B. Wright, M. Harris, W. J. W. Hamilton, W. H. Hargreaves, A O. Wilson, O. Louiaaon, J. H. Twontyman, and othei s.

The Chairman having read the advertisement convening the meeting, stated that it gave him great pleasure to preside at the meeting, because its object was to express sympathy with and to assist fellow creatures in distress. Those present must have learnt from the newspapers the fearful treatment to which the Jews had been subjected in Russia, where they were driven'from bouse and home with loss of everything except their bare lives. Such treatment was quits revolting, and bad caused him to shudder whilst reading it. He thought it was hardly to be credited that in this, the nineteenth century, men could exist who claim to belong to the human race who could commit such cruel, foul deeds, because whatever might be the cause or the differences such revolting treatment is unwarrantable. He asked the sympathy and help of this meeting for these poor unfortunate people. The Lord Mayor of Loudon had started a fond, which he believed had received liberal support, and he now solicited their contributions to supplement that fund. He would now call upon the Most Rev. the Primate of New Zealand to reeve the first resolution. Tho Primate said the resolution he had to propose was an expression of the indignation felt by this meeting at the treatment of the Jews in Bnssia, It was certain there was same foundation for the reports of these outrages, as they had been unfortunately confirmed, and these unfortunate people had been treated with unparalleled cruelty. He would read an extract from a Home paper which showed tho persecution was very wide spread. [Read] And what made matters worse, the conduct of the Russian guards was very reprehensible. He thought the resolution ho held in his hand hardly went far enough, as he could hardly consider the perpetrators as civilised beings, therefore he thought they may be regarded as a scandal and a disgrace to human nature. There was a certain amennt of the brute in all men, and whan it was manifested by soldiery in the sack of cities, or the carnage on a field of battle, it might be palliated somewhat ; but there was no excuse for these atrocities in cold blood, unchecked by religion, or law, or human nature. It was sickening to read of these atrocities, bat those present would pronounce a verdict upon the Russian Empire, and that verdict would swell public opinion, and people in command wore sometimes checked and restrained when they thought of what tho world thought of them. It was unpleasant to pass judgment upon any one, but these acts called for condemnation. He would move—“ That this meeting has learned with indignation of the atrocious cruelties recently perpetrated upon the Jews in many parts of the Russian Empire, and regard them as a scandal and a disgrace to civilisation.” Mr J. H. Tirontyman was glad to stand before them that night. He oculd not adequately express his burning sense of the wrong suffered by the poor Jews of Russia, which, if we did not condemn, we should be guilty of acts of complicity. Ho would read an extract of what had be:n done, which they must multiply a hundred fold, and then he felt their blood would burn at tho revolting atrocities that had been committed. [Read.] The poopla who were receiving this hursh treatment at tho hands of Russia—what were they ? not malefactors, but a peaceful, lawabiding people, before whoso generosity they had to bow their heads. Therefore ho felt it doubly wrong that they should bo eo persecuted, Some of the magazines bad tried to justify the tyranny by saying tho Jews must have done this or must have done that, but he supposed they wore no worse than the people in whoso midst they lived ; but ha believed they were better than the debased Christians amongst whom they lived, and whilst ho said that ho was considering a vile travestie of tho Christian religion. Even supposing the Jewish man had done wrong, being deserving of all they suffered, what, then, about the women and children ? If they had broken any law, they should have been brought to the proper tribunal and receive any punishment due to them, but he indignantly repudiated the assumption, and ho said emphatically tiny endured these hardships through no fault of theirs, but the ill-judged notion* of that country. In the name of that common freedom which we here enjoyed, he denounced this atrocity, and on the ground of common humanity. But he would appeel yet higher, as everything we value in the higher life flows through Israel, and on that account he protested against the atrocities to which Israel had been subjected. He heartily seconded the resolution. [Cheers.] Tho resolution was carried unanimously. The Mayor then read letters of apology from various clergymen and gentlemen unable to be present. The Rev. Father Qinaty moved—“ That a fund be promoted to be applied in mitigation of tne sufferings of the Jews in Russia, and that such fund be conjoined with the Mansion House Relief Fund.” He rejoiced that they could all stand together on the broad platform of humanity. During the few years he had been in Christchurch he had seen the good works of Jew and Gentile commingled. These atrocities in Russia were only paralleled by the acts of Nero end Diocletian. Ho objected to tyranny and oppression, and he spoke as one sprung from a persecuted raoa, and this he said in the name of tho two hundred millions who worshipped with him at the same altar. It was the Jew to-day ; it might be the Gentile tomorrow.

Mr W. Ohryatall seconded the motion, which was also carried unanimously. The Rev. O. Fraser moved —•“ That tho clergy and ministers of all denominations be requeated to have collections at their respective places of worship in aid of the Mansion House Belief Fund,” and spoke at some length in its support. Mr John Anderson briefly seconded the resolution, which was also unanimously agreed to. The Bev. W. Tinsley moved "That his Worship tho Mayor be requested to forward a copy of tho above resolutions to the Bight Honorable the Lord Mayor of London, in the desire that the opinion of this meeting may add to the widespread expression of sympathy thronghont the civilised world." He wished to let those in Russia know that there were hearts here who looked over nationality or color, that would do all possible to alleviate this distress. Mr A. O. Wilson briefly seconded the resolution, which was unanimously affirmed. Tho .Primate proposed, and tho Rev. I. Zaohariah seconded, a vote of thanks to the choir, which bis Worship duly acknowledged, and tho meeting terminated.