^(p72)

CHAPTER VII

GOD WORKS IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

1. While I was losing my grip on Judaism all this time, I believed the Bible was the word of God, and that I must not cast it entirely aside. Being thrown among Gentiles much of the time, I felt that I must not let them know that I was a Jew, for they would hate me bitterly, and then I could not get any work. But in my inner conscience, I felt that Moses and the prophets were still true, and if God would help me, I would some time return to the fold and be a good Jew. Then if I were wealthy, I would give liberally to charitable purposes, and thus would make up what I had lost. (a)

2. I would occasionally go to a synagogue on the most important holidays, and in this way I kept the light burning, even though it were barely flickering. But God was about to bring me into conditions that were entirely to change my life, and do it in a mysterious way, still in a way to bring me to Himself and convince me that God was true.

3. My impression of the Christian religion had not been improved by contact with these people. I had seen nothing about them that was very attractive, from the fact that I had been to a church but once, and had mingled only with such kind of Christians as work in factories.

The reader must remember that to a Jew every one is a Christian who is not a Jew or a Mohammedan. ^(p73) It makes no difference how vile a person may be, a blasphemer, a drunkard, or one of the baser sort; he is a Christian, (b) It is the Christian religion, to the Jew, that makes just this kind of people. All the people with whom I mingled were of the class that did not make anything of religion, and so I concluded that I would keep to myself as far as I could, and have nothing whatever to do with religion.

4. In this way I continued for some months in Massachusetts till one day I secured a position in ———— Massachusetts. It had always been my desire to live in private families as far as possible, as then I should not be ridiculed very much, even though the people did regard me as a Jew. Though I tried to hide the fact, people often would accuse me of being a Jew. So I made it a point to live in places where there were but few people.

5. While trying to find such a place, I came across a young man who told me that he thought he knew of a place where I could live with a nice family. He informed me that they were Christian people, too, and were good people. I thought to myself, those statements do not harmonize very well, — a person be a Christian and at the same time a good person! But thinking he was right, I accepted his version of it. He continued, however, to inform me that they were rather peculiar people, different from most Christian people, because they were not at home on Saturdays. The man would not work on Saturday, and with his family would go to church. He told me that they were people who believed in the Bible, did not eat pork, and believed various things that seemed so peculiar and striking to me, that I made up my mind that I would like to meet such a people.

^(p76) 6. He had left me but a few minutes, when I received an impression, yes, a conviction, that I wished to go and live with the Fiske family. There was something left on my mind from what he told me that made an impression. What could it mean? Was he really sane? Christian people who were good people, who did not eat pork, who kept the Sabbath, Saturday, the same day the Jews kept, believed in the Bible, and all such things? These things were revolving in my mind, and I could not throw off the feeling that I must make an effort to live with them. It seemed as though it would be a curiosity at least to become acquainted with such people.

I finally called to see Mr. Fiske, and stated my case. He treated me very coolly, and informed me that his house was not a boarding-house. I told him that I was not looking for a boarding-house, but for just such a nice family as he had. He made many excuses, and it seemed for a time that I was to be disappointed. I pressed my case, pleading health and other things. He told me that they were not at home on Saturday, but went to church on that day, and I would have to eat cold food. I told him that I would do almost anything if I could only live with him.

8. Having made all the excuses he possibly could, he told me that he should have to see his wife, and then he would let me know. Those hours of waiting are fresh in memory. It seemed to me as though I could see but one thing, - and could think of but one thing, the strange, peculiar characteristics of this family. ^(p77) He finally informed me that his wife had agreed to let me come and try it for a time, and we could determine later whether I could stay. I felt that it was going to be a good place, and decided to do what I could to merit their favor, so that they would be willing to keep me.

9. But I made up my mind that I would watch. Having been taught of the deceitfulness of the Russian so-called Christians, I decided that while I would do nothing to make myself obnoxious to them, I would do a little detective work, and see what took place in their home. I was now going to have a chance to see Christian people, and such peculiar Christian people. Of course, I never told them that I was a Jew, as that would be against me; and I knew that all Christians hated Jews, so I would keep quiet on that point.

10. After I had been there a day or two, I began to feel at home. They seemed different from any other Christian people that I had ever seen or even heard of. They were so kind and so interested in my welfare that I could not explain to myself what it meant.

11. When I reached the house on Friday evening, I was literally dumfounded. I was told that it was the beginning of the Sabbath. They believed in the Bible, in God, in Jesus, and they kept the seventh-day Sabbath. They went on to tell me something of what they believed, and while I listened attentively to what they were saying, I was passing through an experience and a struggle that I shall never forget. What did it all mean? Was it really true, or was I dreaming? The house was all in order, and all work was put aside, and the Sabbath was being observed!

^(p78) 12. I said within myself, Now this is strange, and more than strange. What could I say? Here were Gentiles, people who knew nothing about God and the Bible, from my standpoint, keeping the Sabbath that belongs to the Jews; and here was I, a Jew, working on the Sabbath, and acting like a Gentile. I could not explain it, and I seemed confounded. It was simply beyond expression to me. I mused and I pondered. I did not dare ask any questions, for fear I might betray myself, and then all would be gone, as far as I was concerned. I made up my mind that I would see what these people did on the Sabbath and how they kept it.

13. But I was not to be let alone with this thing. I soon learned that they had their beans on Friday night and Saturday, instead of on Saturday night and Sunday, and, furthermore, they did not use any pork in the beans. They did not use this unlawful food, as they did not think it right to eat such an unclean animal. (c) My confusion was becoming inexplicable, and I could not say a word. Surely, I had fallen into a peculiar situation. I felt condemned, and how strange the feelings were that came over me. I was unhappy, but was puzzled. I had never heard about such a religion, for it was not Christian, and I was sure that it was not Jewish.

14. After thinking it all over soberly and seriously, I decided to just say nothing, and watch what these people did. I should soon learn something, and then I could better determine what this thing meant. I found, however, that they acted differently from Jews; for they ate meat and milk together at the same table, and mixed the two. ^(p79) But the Jews did not believe in mixing them. This was considered a great sin among the Jews. Then I found many other things that they did which were not like the Jews, while I knew they did not act like most of the Christians about whom I had heard. (d)

15. Then the people began to take a personal interest in me, and made me feel as though I were in my own family. Certainly their kindness and Christian love were a treat to me, as it was something I had not been accustomed to enjoy at the hands of people who called themselves believers in Jesus of Nazareth. I found that my relish for Judaism was waning considerably, and I felt that if the religion of this people were for sale, if I ever could secure money sufficient to purchase some of it, I would be glad and willing to invest. Truly, there is a flavor to the life of a sincere Christian.[1]

16. I soon learned that they believed in the Old Testament as well as in the New. They used to study their Sabbath-school lessons, and much of their teaching was from the Old Testament. I thought, What right have these people with the Old Testament? They call themselves Christians, but the Old Testament belongs to the Jews, and the Christians have no use for it. So I concluded that I would stay in another room, and hear what they had to say about the Old Testament, and what they did when they read it. It was such a novel experience through which I was passing.

^(p80) 17. I well remember one Friday evening while they were studying the book of Kings, a question arose that did not seem very clear to their minds. I listened with much interest and thought to myself, These poor people, what do they know about the Old Testament? I could tell them considerable about it. I sat there, listening for a few minutes, and while I was musing, the fire was burning. Ere I was aware of it, I entered the parlor where they were sitting, and began to expound to them the Old Testament Scriptures. I never stopped to think of the effect it would have upon them, as I had not told them that I was a Jew, and never thought how they might wonder where I had learned about the Old Testament, if I were a Gentile. But in hearing them study the Bible, the love of it came back to me, and I could not help going there and telling them something about it that would make it plainer to them.

18. Occasionally they invited me to attend church with them. At first I went reluctantly, not knowing whether I should find a man dressed in the same manner as I had found the preacher when I was at Ventnor, in the Isle of Wight. To my surprise, I heard the minister read from the Old Testament as freely as from the New Testament, though I had not yet read the New Testament. My prejudices were still strong against Christianity, and I made up my mind that I would hear rather than investigate. I had not yet decided what there was to this religion. The minister seemed like a nice man, and he made the Bible very clear and simple. It seemed very strange to me to hear a man who was a Christian minister talk about the Old Testament in a way as though he had a right to. ^(p81) By degrees the name of Jesus did not sound so hateful, and at their invitation I would now and then attend a service when there was a minister in attendance.

19. Their kindness to me not only continued, but it increased. Everything that could be done for one’s own, was done for me. There seemed to be an inner consciousness telling me that this religion was different from what I had ever seen. Everywhere that I went in the house, I would find religious reading. Occasionally they would talk with me about the Bible, though I would say very little, as I wished ever to be on my guard, and not let my speech betray me. I read some of the papers and books, and pondered what I read. It seemed to me, more and more, that I had come in contact with something that was having an influence over my life. What it was I did not know, and I could not explain.

20. After I had been with this family about eighteen months, I was taken suddenly ill. At midnight I hastened down-stairs, burning with fever, and begged Mr. Fiske to do something for me. As soon as he looked at me, he hurried me back to bed, telling me that I had the scarlet fever. The doctor was called, and I supposed that I should be taken to the hospital. Instead, these dear people said, “No,” they would take care of me, and do all they could for my comfort. This was indeed a surprise to me. I had no money to offer them to take care of me, and should be out of employment for a number of weeks. Nevertheless, they said they would care for me, and nurse me all through my illness. 

^(p82) 21. This was not all. The very day that I was taken sick I had their little four-year-old girl on my lap, and was amusing her as I had often done. I then said,

“But how about the little girl? Why, she will be sick with fever, too.”

It seemed sad to me to think that I had not only caused them this trouble, to have to care for me, but they would also have the sorrow of their little girl’s being sick. Almost immediately the lady replied,

“She is not going to have the scarlet fever, I am sure of that.”

I thought to myself such an answer was indeed strange. The doctors claim that the scarlet fever is very contagious, so much so that the authorities demand a card shall be placed on the door, that people may not spread the disease. And here Mrs. Fiske said the child was not going to be sick. She remarked it with such emphasis that I was led to wonder how she knew the child would not have it. She said,

“I have prayed about it, and I know the Lord will not allow it to come.”

Certainly this was a strange thing to me. She prayed to the Lord, and she knew the Lord would not let the child have the fever. I thought and pondered much over this answer. In fact, the next three weeks I did scarcely anything but to ponder. It seemed to me some of the time as though I certainly should die, and what an awful thing it would be to lose my hope in, and hold on, Judaism.

22. At the same time God was working on my mind in a mysterious way, yet I was not conscious of it. Though I was almost at death’s door, still God had a care for me, and I was being impressed all the time with the kindness of these people. ^(p83) It seemed to me that I never saw such kind treatment in my life. Through the many weeks that I lay in that bed, every want was so abundantly supplied, whether by day or by night, that I felt that more could not be done for me, even were I in my own house. Often these thoughts would come to me: This is the Christian religion. This is what Christian people are doing. These people know they will receive no pay for this, as they know I have nothing; yet they gladly toil by day and wait upon me by night, and all without any thought or expectation of remuneration. May it not be possible that I have been deceived in my teaching concerning Christianity? May it not be possible that the Christian religion is not what I supposed it to be? May it not be possible that there is more than one kind of Christian religion, and that the Christian religion here is different from what I have been taught? These people are Christian people, they seem to take delight in their religion, and yet they claim to be followers of this Jesus. (e)

23. Then these thoughts would come: My parents and my rabbis have told me those awful things about Christianity and about Jesus of Nazareth. I certainly could not disbelieve my parents, for the Bible says, Honor thy father and thy mother. Many an hour they had spent in telling me of the awful massacres and barbarities done in the name of Jesus, and in the name of this Christian religion. How could these two views of the same religion be harmonized, There was something mysterious passing through my life. I was brought through the crisis of illness, and after eleven weeks was able to resume my work again. ^(p84) The gratitude I felt in my heart for these people was abundant, and I really believed that now I had found some friends among the Christians. God had been using them as a means to show me something of the reality of the Christian religion, and had given me some time to think that possibly I was mistaken. There might be something in the Christian religion that I had never known.

On to chapter eight

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

PARAGRAPH 1 (a). — The reader should remember that the Jew is taught, what he loses in piety he can make up in charity, or almsgiving. It may not be generally understood that the word charity now in so common use among the Jews, originally meant “righteousness.” See Matthew 6:1, margin. So the rabbis teach that “Repentance, prayer, and almsgiving [or righteousness] will annul the evil decree.” — Prayers for the Day of Atonement.  Back

PAR. 3 (b). — While I was conducting a service one evening at a mission for Jews in Boston, an intoxicated Gentile entered the place of worship. One of the Jews in the audience remarked in Yiddish: “Mr. Missionary, here is one of your good Christians,” pointing to the drunken man. It is not at all unusual for the professed Christian in Russia, I mean the Greek Catholic, to leave the church service on Sunday, or on some other holy day, and drink vodka, the Russian national beer intoxicant, till he becomes intoxicated. This is considered a part of his religion. Back

PAR. 13 (c). — The reader should bear in mind that to the masses of the orthodox Jews, the Christian religion consists of several ideas, chief among them being the observance of the first day as the Sabbath, and the eating of swine’s flesh. ^(p85) I here give a selection or two from a long letter written to me by a Jew who sought to express sympathy for some literature which was written to convince the Jews that Christ is the Messiah. He says:

“Now to begin with, I said I would show you that we did not need the kind of sympathy you speak of, but that you need it; i.e., that we are right in not accepting Christ, and that you are wrong. . . . Was Christ really God’s messenger? What do these words suggest to you? To me they suggest this: A messenger sent from God would help His people, or humanity at large, and not persecute them. . . . Do Christians practice everything that God commands in His Bible? You cannot say yes, for you violate the Sabbath and eat food which the Bible says is forbidden. If He was God’s messenger, He would not violate these laws.” Back

PAR. 14 (d). — There are several scriptures in the Bible which read like this: “Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.” Ex. 23:19; 34:26; Deut. 14:21. From these texts the rabbis have taught that meat and milk should not be eaten at the same time under any consideration, neither is a person allowed to cook any food containing animal fat of the fleshy substance with milk, cream, or animal fat of milky substance. Voluminous matter has been presented to the Jews from these scriptures, and a pious person is obliged to wait at least five hours after he has eaten any food with flesh till he can partake of any food with milk. Furthermore, as a result of this tradition, the housekeeper is obliged to maintain two sets of dishes, one for flesh foods, the other for the foods cooked with milk. Should a mistake be made in using any utensil of the one kind in the place of the other kind, the food would be forbidden, and the dishes either be cleansed or cast aside. The tradition is very forcible. Back

PAR. 22 (e). — The Christian sects are an added stumbling-block to the Jewish people. They will often ask, “Which part of the Christian religion shall I believe in? There are so many kinds of Christianity that the religion itself is divided and broken up.” Back

INDEX