The Zionist Forum
TO THE MACCABÆAN : —
I need not say that I shall read with great in- terest'all that you have to say on a subject which seems to me of a vital importance not only to your own people but through them, for the whole world, long before it had its name of Zionism given to it. I mean that of your own headquarters without which you cannot (through mere money influence) protect your brethren suffering from the wretched bigotry still rampant in so many so-called Christian countries. For my own part, I believe that the outcome of it all will be religious headquarters at Jerusalem and mercantile and political at the Dardanelles ; but I am aware that "solid men" consider that a wild dream.
[The above is a quotation from a letter by a Christian Zionist. We publish it to indicate in some measure the growth of the Zionist idea among certain of our gentile neighbors. While we disagree in part with the remarks of our correspondent, we think his interest in the movement deserves notice. He is not only a subscriber, but has secured a number of friends who have also receiving copies of The Maccabæan.]
TO THE MACCABÆAN : —
It may not be known to you that many others outside of Judaism are looking with ardent longing for the consummation of that event [the realization of the hope of The Maccabæan] and watch with increasing delight every step in the development of the movement. For we believe the time to be approaching of which Moses spoke: "Then the Lord thy God shall turn thy captivity and have compassion upon thee and will return and gather thee from all the nations whither the Lord thy God has scattered thee." Deut. 30: 3. We rejoice to believe that the words of Isaiah the prophet will be fulfilled in you not
many years hence. Permit me to thank you for the encouragement you give to our faith by your efforts in the furtherance of the fulfilment of this and many like prophecies and for the assurance it gives us in the statement which the Lord made concerning Israel : "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed," etc. I am prompted to write these few lines by the hope that they may possibly afford a little encouragement to you in your efforts to bring about so great a consummation, notwithstanding they do not come from one whom you may see eye to eye, but from one who believes that what hastens Israel's glory uplifts the world.
Yours for the hope of Israel.
GILBERT M. SMITH.
[Our reverend friend is of a type of orthodox Christians who see in the efforts of Zionists the fulfilment of prophecy. Whatever the basis of belief in the return of Israel to Palestine, the upbuilding of the Jewish nation, we are not concerned. But whoever believes in the cause, let him unite with the organized force which is purposeful in the direction of Israel's striking off the chains that bind so many of its people.]
MR. A. A. GREENBERG of Bangor Me. suggests that the Federation of American Zionists send out speakers to spread the knowledge of Zionism throughout the country. He would have a national organizer and nominates a well-known gentlemen for the position. It is true that an organizer who is both an English and Yiddish speaker could do much to increase interest in the movement, but our correspondent forgets the expense, which the Federation is unable at present to bear. A much better method of propaganda we would ask Mr. Greenberg to consider, and that is the circulation of The Maccabæan. In The Maccabæan will be found articles of special interest to Zionists, propaganda and news matter, in addition to matter which should arouse interest in Jewish thought. If Zionists throughout the country would first create an interest in The Maccabæan, perhaps in the near future an organizer might be sent out with some prospect of success.