News Items

Philadelphia.—Two of the gentlemen elected as officers of the Hebrew Education Society have resigned; viz., Mr. Z. A. Davis, the Secretary, and Mr. A. T. Jones. Mr. M. A. Dropsie was subsequently elected by the Board at its first meeting as Secretary, and Messrs. Isidore Binswanger and Solomon N. Carvalho were elected to fill the vacancies thus resulting. The following persons were chosen the School Committee, as directed by the Constitution, M. A. Dropsie, A. Hart, Isaac Leeser, Solomon Solis, and A. S. Wolf.—A report has reached us that an effort will soon be made by many Jewish merchants to close their places of business by general consent on the holy Sabbath. Such a combination to honour our religion would indeed redound to their increased respectability, whilst in doing their duty as Jews no actual loss would accrue to them in their business. But even suppose this should be so, what ought that to weigh against a matter of high principle and duty? We trust, therefore, that the movement may speedily be made, and effectually carried into execution.

Richmond, Va.—From an advertisement in our advertiser for this month, it will be perceived that the Portuguese Congregation of the capital of Virginia are anxious to engage a proper person as their minister and teacher. From our knowledge of the place and the people, we are sure that a competent individual whose expectations of a salary are not very extravagant, will find the situation one every way desirable; and we hope that the people may speedily meet with one in whom they can place their confidence.

Montreal.—It gives us great satisfaction to be able to announce the honourable distinction conferred on the Rev. A. De Sola of Montreal, by his election to the Professorship of Hebrew and Rabbinical Literature of M’Gill College of that city. It is the first time in our recollection that a Jewish minister has obtained a public appointment in any town in America, and it is the more to the credit of both the appointing power and the appointed that the most worthy was chosen without regard to his creed. Our readers can form their own judgment of the merits of the new professor from his contributions to our magazine, and they no doubt will with us wish him long life to enjoy his honours for an extended series of years. We copy from the Tran<<308>>script: “We learn, with much pleasure, that the Caput of M’Gill College have determined to establish a chair for Hebrew and Rabbinical  Literature; and farther, that they have elected the Rev. A. De Sola, the Minister of the Synagogue of this city, as the first professor. We are glad of this on two accounts: first, we are glad of this addition to an educational establishment, which we hope one day to see fulfilling important uses; next, we are happy to have this farther pledge given to a numerous and highly respectable class of our fellow-citizens, that all prejudices of class and creed have ceased among us. Mr. De Sola enjoys a high reputation for learning, as well as for attention to the spiritual interests of his flock. We could wish him a better appointment; but we hope that, at least, he may have the gratification of seeing his acquirements turned to some valuable account.”—Herald.

Union of Israelites.—We had the pleasure a few days ago of conversing with Mr. A. A. Lindo, now of Cincinnati, on the subject of forming a Chamber of Deputies of American Israelites on a plan similar to the Chamber of Deputies of British Jews now existing in England. He has laid his plan before the New York Congregations, who have promised to take it into consideration, and we hope that they will enter into it with a right goodwill. As New York city contains the largest number of Israelites of any place in America, it is but fitting that all measures looking to a general union should proceed from there, since co-operation from smaller communities can be easily invited after the larger one shall have proposed its views for general acceptance. We forbear for the present to say more on the Subject.

Obituary

Died, at the island of Curaçoa, on the 10th of June, Mrs. Eliza Brandon Da Costa, wife of Mr. O. M. Da Costa, of the above island, and daughter of Mr. Jacob De Fonseca Brandon, of Hackney, near London, England. Mrs. Da Costa was born on the 28th of February, 1804, and was married in New York at the house of her brother, Mr. Joseph Brandon, on the 25th of December, 1833. She died much regretted by a large circle of friends whom her kindness of heart had gained her, leaving an only daughter, thirteen years old. May her bereaved husband and child meet with the consolation from above which their loss demands.