2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
Boldly and neatly penned two page letter in the hand of JOHN BELTON O’NEALL with fine autograph signature from Springfield, South Carolina August 8, 1848 addressed “To Mr. Isaac Leeser, editor of the Occident.” O’Neall opens: “Two of the July numbers of your periodical have been sent to me, I suppose [in order that] I might be apprized of the great courtesy and liberality of an American Jew. To him, I have no answer to make ! It seems however, that some of your people, the Jews, have taken offense at an observation, in my opinion, in the case of the City Council v.s. Benjamin, that I know ‘no other standard of good morals’ then Christianity. To them, I would say, that the thought of offending them, or depreciating their religion never entered my mind ! The Bible is a part, and a large part of Christianity. In assisting Christianity to be the only standard of good morals, the Bible was of course, as much that standard as the New Testament. To Gentiles the Bible was made the standard of good morals, as well as a message of salvation, by the mission and teaching of Jesus Christ ! How I, not born a Jew could say otherwise then that Christianity was the only standard known to one of good morals it is hard to conceive ! I love, honor and reverence the Bible too much to do, or say aught, which would cause it to be supposed that I did not regard it as a standard of good morals.” Back sheet acts as cover with address to Leeser in Philadelphia. Light aging. Exc. With two fine bio sketches of O’Neall (1793-1863) who had a very distinguished career rising to chief judge; was also president of the Southern Baptist convention 1858-1863; active in S.C. militia he rose major general and Photostats from “Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism” (1995) With details of the incident and Leeser’s involvement
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