The Immigrant Tide, Its Ebb and FlowSteiner, Edward Alfred
History
The Immigrant Tide, Its Ebb and Flow
Steiner, Edward Alfred
United States -- Emigration and immigration
What then shall we attempt? To impress upon them the spirit of the
Gospel by living alongside them as Christians should: this first
and chiefly. Let us do this in the hope that as their old-world
superstitions and narrowness yield to the light of America, they
will thus choose the Gospel instead of infidelity. Many of them are
already choosing the latter.
How shall we begin? By treating the Jew as we want to be treated.
In other words, by treating him not as a Jew, but _as a man_, each
on his own merits. Recognize always that there are both good Jews
and bad Jews, as well as good Yankees and bad Yankees. Make the
acquaintance of both men and women: and of their children too. Give
them a fair chance to show their quality. They are neighbours. They
are interested in our schools. They are fellow citizens. These
common interests give opportunity to know them and, if we will,
their homes also.
Our government by its franchise and its schools welcomes them to an
equal opportunity to show and to develop their character. The
churches have not shown a like spirit. Shall the state be more
Christian than the church?
This proposal of course includes our attitude towards the Italians
and all other foreigners among us. I speak especially of the Jews
because they are far the most numerous and most difficult to reach.
If a score or even a dozen of us should undertake to show them the
spirit of brotherhood that is our Christian boast, and should seek
to get our other church-members to do the same, it would not be a
month before they would be feeling and speaking of our good will
towards them. Meanwhile we can be watchful for opportunity for some
special ministry to them or their children, a ministry which shall
be welcome both to them and us. The habit of Christian
neighbourliness outlined above will lay the foundation of mutual
confidence and knowledge necessary for such a special ministry.
Have you faith and patience for such a long campaign? Will you
quietly enlist for it and try to persuade others to do the same? If
so, will you kindly tell me of it? We will undertake to keep one
another informed of any news of progress.
You will understand why this letter and your talks with others
about this subject should be confidential.
In the name of Him who was a Jew,
YOUR PASTOR.
The Presbyterian church has given proof of the spirit of its intent by
putting the department of Immigration in charge of Rev. Charles Stelzle,
a splendid champion of the rights of labouring men, a man with the
broadest social and religious outlook and a stranger to Pharisaic cant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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