BELIEF OF PERSECUTED JEWS IN RUSSIA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2917, 1 August 1882, Page 2

BELIEF OF PERSECUTED JEWS IN RUSSIA.

A meeting, convened by the Jewish residents, was held last night in the Theatre, for the purpose of enlisting sympathy on behalf of the persecuted Jews in Southern Russia. There were betwee fifty and sixty persons present ) and Mr B. Wakefield took the chair. Apologies were read for non-attendance from the Rev. Father Kean, Mr H. LeCren, Mr A. Jameson and Rev. Mr Sharp (Primitive Methodist). The W.M. of St. John’s Lodge of Freemasons enclosed a cheque for £5 ss, the gift of the Lodge. The Chairman said a large meeting had not been expected, and he thought those present would be able to arrange matters quite as effectively as it could have been done by a much larger gathering. He referred to the persecution of the Jews in Russia, and stated that, though these atrocities were not actually ordered by the Government, they were yetpremitted to go on, and this was chargeable to the culpable negligence of the authorities. He felt sure the object of this meeting would commend itself to every right thinking person. Before calling upon the speakers who were to address the meeting, he desired to read a few letters containing messages of sympathy and substantial tokens thereof. He then called upon the Yen. Archdeacon Harper to move the first resolution.

Archdeacon Harper moved—“ That this meeting cordially sympathise with the distressed Jews in Russia, and are anxious to promote the movement for affording them relief, “He felt shame and sorrow that in any European country such atrocities as those of the story of which the papers have lately been full, could possibly occur. It was unnecessary to do more than refer to them. So far he had spoken in the name of common humanity, but he thought Christians could never forget that they were themselves spiritually descended from the ancient people of God. He would like to mention some accounts received by mail, of recent atrocities. The outbreak first occurred at Kherson. In that’town in one week, five hundred Jewish houses and one hundred shops were wrecked, and every sort of violence, and murder bad taken place. The same thing had occurred at Kiel, and it was repeated with every circumstance of premeditation in various parts of Russia. With* out charging the Government with these outrages directly, the strange fact remained that the people appeared to have it all their own way. The Government was so far to blame that they had found out some disused and wellnigh forgotten laws, which bore heavily on the Jewish people in Russia, and acting on these laws, the Government had cruelly said in effect, “If these Jews give us so much trouble let us get rid of them altogether,” and they had actually turned hundreds of them out into the world, penniless and homeless, and bade them leave the country. He desired that, though not wealthy, the people of this community would do their utmost to show substantial sympathy with the poor persecuted ones. (Loud applause). Mr J. Granger seconded the motion, and on being put, it was carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr Gillies rose to move the second resolution—“ That a Committee be appointed to collect subscriptions in pursuance of the object of this meeting, the amount collected to be forwarded to the Mansion House Relief Fund, the Committee to be formed of the folio wing gentlemen : The Chairman (Mr Wakefield), Messrs M. Jonas, H. Friedlander, J. Levien, J. Granger, J. Jackson, Wm. Jones, H. J. LeOren, and the clergymen of the various denominations, with power to add to their number." He thought no one who had read the accounts that had reached ns, and had listened to the additional particulars supplied by the Archdeacon, would fail to sympathise with the resolution, or withold substantial aid. He would certainly have liked a larger meeting. He desired that sympathy might not evaporate in words, bnt take the form of deeds, hearty and voluntary; for this was a case calling pre-eminently for deeds, not words. He agreed with the Archdeacon that the Christian owed to the Jews much of his spiritual life. Could they (the Jews) not fairly claim, therefore, in their hour of distress, something of our carnal abandonee P The Jews everywhere, were good citizens and good members of the State, and they had now asked for sympathy. He then read an extract from the “ Times," which stated that a tremendous exodus was taking place, that the poor flying Jews were being plundered and maltreated by the Cossacks, and pointed out that this exodus would in the long run, prove most injurious to Russia, for it had now assumed gigantic proportions. The rev. gentleman thus concluded a very telling speech amid applause* The Rev. Mr Sharp, (Congregational), rose to second the motion, and urged the people of Timaru to give just what their means would allow them to bestow, be it much or little. The motion was carried unanimously. The Chairman remarked that this was all the business; but he desired to state that a subscription list was on the table which persons so disposed might now add their names to.

With regard to the disposal of the money, he bad satisfied himself that the Mansion Honse Fund had under the excellent management of the officers of the Fund, been administered with wonderful economy and prudence, so much so, that for something like £6OO, 1014 Jews had been relieved. At an expenditure of about £5 per family, numbers of homeless families had been placed in a way of making a living. It should encourage Timaru donors to reflect that every £5 given would be instrumental in placing a man and bis family beyond the reach of persecution and want. (Loud applause.) Mr Moss Jonas, on behalf of the Jewish residents, then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman and speakers, and to those present who had testified their sympathy by attending on this occasion.

The motion was seconded by Rev. Mr Johnstone (Baptist), who expressed his conviction that the cause was one that appealed to the sympathies of persons of every shade of belief, The motion was carried by acclamation. The proceedings then terminated. It was stated that the sum of £SO had already been promised.