THE JEWS IN RUSSIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 181, 1 August 1881, Page 4

THE JEWS IN RUSSIA.

The Russia Consul-General, M. de Berp, afiended on May 18, at the German synagogue, in New Broad-street, London, to receive the Russian subjects who are temporarily in this country, and had been invited by advertisement to teke the oath of allegiance to the Emperor Alexander 111. " The Rev D? Hercnacn Alder, representing the Chief Rabbi, first addressed from the pulpit those present, at Ihe request of the Russian Ambassador, and dwelt on the gravity of the solemnity. The learne Rabbi expleined the obligations of the oath, and added that evec without it the da y of Jews to preserve loyally and allegianca to their country was p an. That was enforced in nsany passages of Holy Writ; and the prophet Jeremiah, in writing to their ancestors in captivity, said, " Seek the welfare of the ci*y whither I have cauned you to be carried awsy captives, and pray unto the Lord for it, for in the pease thereof ehall ye have peace." Centuries ago the rule was laid down that the laws of i the land must bind them. They saw with deep anxiety that outrages had been and were being committed upon their coreligionists io Southern Russia, but he had been assured that His Imperial Majesty viewed those outrages and excesses with detestation, and that bis Imperial Government were doing all in their power to quell and repress these unhappy disturbances. The Prcchief Bfibbi certified under his hand that a list of 80 or 90 Russian Jewe who signed or made their marks after tbe osth was that of persons who had duly sworn according to the Jewish religion. The following is a translation of the oath. The original is in Gatman, tho language almost everywhere Bpoken by the Russian Jews: — "I promise and awear by Almighty God that 1 will faithfully and sincerely serve His Imperial Mbjeaty Alexander Alexßndrovitch, and tbe heir-ap-parent of His Imperial Majesty, His Imperial Highneßs the Czarewitcb and Grand Duke Nicholai AlexaDdrovitch ; that I will obey hios in all matters and carry cut the decress that he may m^ke at at any time, carrying out his bidding, even to the shedding of my blood; that I will promote everything that may further tbe faithful service of His Imperial Majesty an.' the welfare of the Empire ; tbM I will discover as soon as I am informed anything (bat may lead to the injury cr prejudice of Hie Imperial Majesty ; that I will conceal every secret matter intrusted to ma ; that I will administer and keep according (o my conscience any office that may be delegated to me, or any msJructions, regulations, or ukases that may be given and published from time to time in tbe name ol Hiß Imperial Mbjesty by the officer appoiuted over me; that I will never traDsprfse, either from self-interest or on account of relati risbip or friendship or eDEiity, the obligations and duties imposed upon me by my osth ; and that I will cocduc; and behave myself in each a manner as beseems a faiihfu'. subject of His Imperial Majesty, even as I shall have to account for the same in tbe presence of my GoJ and Hia etrict judgment, co help me God, soul and toijvAmen." The Psalms ami tbe Russian Hymn were sucg, Tbe synagogue was decorated with the Russian and English flags. The Jewish Chronicle understands that Lord Grasville will, in pursuance of a unanimous vole by tbe committees of the AngloJetvieh Association and the Bo*rd° of Deputiee, over which Baron H. De Worms, M.P., and Mr Arthur Cohen, QC, M.P., pre»ided, be requested to receive a deputation on the subject of the Jews in Russia. For tbe immediste alleviation of the distress among tbe piilaged and houseless Jens in the South Messrs Rothechild have sent £1010 sad Mr Lionel Cohen £100 and ;i)th'fT donations are being colieeted. limes.