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his conversion he was offered the directorship of the rabbinical college in that
city. Certainly he could not be accused of having taken the step for mercenary
reasons; if anything, it was a sacrifice on his part. It was the years of study
of Christianity which led him to his decision.
I call attention to this significant event to show the dissatisfaction of many
of the Jewish leaders with Judaism to supply the spiritual needs of its people
in an hour of crisis. This is only an example of many similar happenings.
Judaism has lost her moorings and is drifting about in a sea of doubt and
despair. Only in Christ will their anchor hold.
It would require a good size volume to record the blessings which have
attended my labors. As in former years my work has been of a twofold
nature. Since its progress depends so much on the right attitude of Christians
—for no appeal, no matter how convincing, will have any weight with the Jew
if he fails to see the love of Christ demonstrated in the life of his Christian
friend or associate—-I have sought by word of mouth and through the printed
page to secure their whole-hearted cooperation. It has been my privilege to
present the work before many gatherings such as conventions, associations, Bible
conferences, and schools of missions, as well as regular church congregations.
While the burden of my message is always Israel, I do not forget the others
for whom Christ died, and it thrills my heart and soul to see them respond to
the appeal by accepting the Saviour and dedicating their lives.
I have sought to give the message of the Saviour to the Jew through special
services, direct personal contacts, printed page and the Friends of Israel groups.
I can only cite one experience with each of these to illustrate how the Lord
has used these methods of approach.
I. Special Services
One of our pastors, conscious of the widespread Anti-Semitic feeling in his
community, and desiring to counteract it,' arranged special services in his
church. He asked me to suggest a subject for the evening service that would
arouse enough curiosity to get the people to the church, and I chose, "How to
Destroy the Jews."
Placards announcing this subject were displayed in store windows and
other public places not only in his own community, but in the neighboring
'towns as well. Needless to say, it caused considerable discussion.
Briefly, in my message I stated that according to God's Word, if anyone
would destroy the Jews, he must first destroy the sun, the moon, and the
stars. I then called attention to the curse which has rested on the nations of
the world who have sought to destroy these people, pointing to Germany as the
latest example.
Upon my return to the office some days later I was informed that one of
the prominent Jews in the city was anxious for an interview with me; and
when we met I was surprised to find another man with him who represented
one of the leading Jewish organizations in America.
To come to the point, one of the men took from his pocket a photostatic
copy of the placard, stating that it had caused no little commotion among the
Jewish citizens in that community, and that some of them had gone to hear
me with fear and trembling, thinking that another Hitler sympathizer was in
their midst. However, he went on to say, they were greatly pleased with the
message and the fine spirit in which it was delivered. They said that without
doubt it accomplished much good.
What the two men were concerned about, however, was the reaction of the
anti-Semites who did not hear it, who no doubt got the impression that the
speaker was in sympathy with Hitler's program. I expressed my regret at this
reaction to my effort to counteract Anti-Semitism and assured the men that in
the future I would be more cautious.
I went on to make it clear that ever since I had accepted Christ as Israel's
true Messiah and the world's only Saviour and hope, the conviction has grown
upon me that He is the only solution to the eternal Jewish problem, and that my
whole life has been dedicated to His service. I told them that I have felt
keenly the suffering of my people to the extent that.I am unable to relax day
or night and that there is nothing I would not do to help end it, notwithstanding
the hostile attitude of my people who were wont to ridicule and ostracize one
of their own taking such a position. I reminded one of these leaders that some
that they twenty ever I expected must refrain years exercise ago from the tolerance when sending that I tolerance mailed any for which more. him toward they some I emphasized others.
have literature, been the crying he fact wrote through that me if our and the people years, asked