Sydney Arnheim was a Jew. I say was, because he has thrown off the yoke
of the Jewish faith, and this little story will tell you how it all
came about.
Sydney is an only child; his parents are rich; his father, a famous
Wall Street broker, is a power among his kind; his mother also belongs
to a wealthy Hebrew family, and her refined taste and education show
clearly in her surroundings. Anything that appeals to her exquisite
judgment is purchased, so that Sydney’s home shows everywhere the touch
of elegance, as well as the fitness of perfection. Sydney’s own room
bears the print of her careful taste, and yet prominent among the rich
hangings and delicate furnishing you see a Winchester rifle, a trout
pole, also a buck’s antlers, a blue crane, a kingfisher, and several
other well-known birds, all so skilfully prepared by the taxidermist
that you could scarcely be blamed if you thought them yet alive. Yes,
Sydney is a regular boy, and loves to keep trophies of his sport in
sight, as well as his gun and trout pole. He says at times, “It makes
it seem as if I’m in the Adirondack woods whenever I look at them,
and simply lifting my rod recalls some experiences with papa in the
boat with our guide, or else wading the streams with my tutor and
drawing out big fish.” So Sydney’s mother, knowing the comfort these
recollections bring, allows her son to place his sporting equipments
just where and as he pleases. Thus the room has an odd, menagerie style
of appearance. And thus the home of this Israelitish family everywhere
tells of comfort and luxury.
Sydney, from his babyhood, was carefully trained in the customs
and belief of his people. His mother, so frequently his companion,
constantly talked about the greatness of his lineage, and told him of
the patriarchs, legislators, warriors, singers and prophets which were
among the Hebrew people. She also told him of Abraham and Moses, and of
the covenant with Abraham at Jehovah-jireh, “In thy seed shall all the
nations of the earth be blessed,” and also what the Lord said to Jacob
at Bethel, “The land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and
to thy seed.” And she daily urged her son to walk in the footsteps and
keep the covenants of his people, and always to serve the Lord God of
Israel. The rabbi also would frequently visit their home, and Sydney
was accustomed to talk to him, as well as to receive the old man’s
instruction and blessing. Sydney loved to hear from him the stories of
Moses, Aaron and Joshua; of the Tishbite and his servant Elisha; of
Solomon and the temple; of the son of Jesse, David, the sweet singer,
and of the promise of the Messiah to come.
And so it was when Sydney had attained his seventeenth year that when
asked what he would most like for his birthday-gift he replied, “The
education that will fit me the most thoroughly to preach, not alone to
my people, but to win many erring ones, believers in the ‘false Christ’
to turn to the true faith.” He was at this time, therefore, and for
seven anxious, wearisome months afterwards, the _Jewest_ of all Jews, a
devoted follower of Moses, but not of the Lamb.
About the time of the birthday above alluded to, there came for a visit
of three months a cousin of Sydney, a little girl about three years his
junior. She, young as she was, however, was a Christian, and had the
Easter previous publicly confessed Christ, and united with the same
church her parents had long attended.
The question might readily be asked, “Since she was Sydney’s cousin,
how was it that she was not also a believer in the Hebrew faith?” The
reason is this. Her mother was Sydney’s father’s sister, and when very
young, only seventeen years of age, had surprised and grieved her
family by stating she was about to marry a gentleman who was not of
her religion. Many words regarding the matter were exchanged at the
time, but they were useless in preventing the marriage, and a year
later she saddened her parents yet more by renouncing her Hebrew faith,
and connecting herself with the church of her husband. He was a most
exemplary gentleman, however, and, notwithstanding his religion, his
wife’s people could not fail to have a most profound respect for him.
So, in time, the families visited back and forth, but the topic of
religion was never introduced. Sydney’s father would sometimes sigh
wearily, when talking of his sister, and say his hope was that she
would yet return to the belief of her forefathers, and that in time all
must be well.
So now the little Edith was to spend many weeks with her Jewish
relations, but she had been told to be careful about her attendance at
church, and ever watchful of her conduct, indeed to act in every way
as the child of the dear Christ whom she loved so well. Her mother,
however, before consigning her to her brother’s care, simply said to
her, “I will pray for you, dear, that your faith fail not,” and “Have
no fear, mamma,” was the sweet reply. “Jesus will be with me in Uncle
Nathan’s home, as well as in my own. Perhaps He will even have work
for me to do there. You know Dr. M—— last Sabbath morning talked to us
on the subject of missions, and said there were many kinds, and while
we should pray and work for the foreign and domestic fields, we must
also remember those of our own household, indeed, all everywhere, who
do not love the Saviour.” So Edith’s mother had no fear for her child,
and into the uncle’s home there came a blessing, the measure of which
cannot be counted by any earthly rule or computation, for who can
measure the joy of even one soul turned to the Saviour?
Edith and Sydney were now great friends, for while they had known each
other always, the constant companionship led to the warmest friendship,
and they were therefore as good comrades as a boy and girl cousin
could well be. Neither religion nor any topic bearing on it was ever
discussed before Edith. She never attended their church, nor they hers.
When the Sabbath came she would always be accompanied to the church
door, and when the service was out some member of the family would be
found without waiting to walk home with her, and during her entire
visit neither by word or action was she allowed to feel she stood
apart from her Jewish relations, and therefore the time passed all too
rapidly onward. She remembered her promise to her mother, and most
earnestly she prayed to God to direct and help her. She also prayed for
her uncle and aunt, imploring the Father in heaven to lead them into
the light; but particularly she prayed for her cousin Sydney. They were
such comrades, so nearly of an age, and yet she felt there was a great
gulf fixed, and therefore she constantly plead that he might learn of
the Christ, the Saviour.
One day, just after a most fervent prayer for Sydney, her cousin
approached her unobserved while she was reading from the New Testament.
He exclaimed, on seeing the title, “Why, Edith, I never had a copy of
that book in my hands. I should like to read yours sometime, if you
don’t mind.”
“Mind! why no, Sydney. Take it along with you now.”
And he did. When her cousin left, Edith prayed as she never had before,
beseeching the Father to let the scales drop from his eyes and show
unto him the Christ. And God did open the boy’s eyes. He did not read
through a glass darkly, but with clearest vision. The brightest light
fell on the divine Word, the light which later led to his giving up his
old Hebrew faith, and his acceptance of Jesus.
All did not come at once. At the first reading he was troubled,
anxious, but not satisfied. He had many old questions to settle; he had
much pride to put aside; he spent many hours, and at times away into
the night in prayer. But peace at last came, the peace which he feels
will endure until the day when he will see the King in His beauty.
And now Sydney longs for the conversion of his parents, and of all of
his people. His wish is to preach Christ, and so do all in his power
to lead his brethren, the Jews, unto the everlasting joy of the New
Jerusalem.