Mission to Damascus, informed Sir
Moses that he had been elected President of the London Committee of
Deputies of the British Jews. On the 16th of that month he attended an
important meeting of the Elders of his Synagogue, at which a motion
was brought forward respecting a reform movement in the community.
Four days later he presided over a meeting of the Board of Deputies
held at his own house for the same purpose, at which every member of
the Board, with only one exception, attended. The debate was warm, but
not personal. Sir Moses, nevertheless, apprehended great agitation in
the community, and felt much anxiety as to the result. He entertained
the most liberal principles in matters of religion; although himself a
staunch supporter of the time-honoured usages of his religion, he did
not interfere with the opinions or acts of those who differed from him
unless compelled to do so by actual duty. But when, as President of
the Board of Deputies, or of any other institution, he had to give
his opinion on religious matters, he invariably referred to the
Spiritual Head of the community for guidance; he regarded a word from
him as decisive, and obeyed its injunctions at whatever cost to
himself.

There was never any doubt in his mind as to the spirit which should
prevail in their deliberations on the intended reform in the
community; and he maintained that the religious tenets of Israel, as
revealed in the Code of Sinai, would invariably stand the test of
reason.

"They are," he would add in the words of Scripture, "to show our
wisdom and understanding in the sight of nations;" and he did not
consider that he would be acting in accordance with the dictates of
truth and justice if he were to accept laymen, however learned they
might be, as authorities on religious subjects for the guidance of the
whole community.

Some of his colleagues at the Board, however, did not acknowledge the
authority of the Ecclesiastical Chief of the community, and relying
entirely on their own judgment, would not accept the dictates of the
ancient teachers by whose decisions and interpretations of the sacred
text Hebrew communities had been guided for thousands of years. The
result was that the debates at their meetings became very heated, and
bore evidence of the fervour displayed in a cause they had so deeply
at heart, thus foreshadowing a struggle which threatened to extend
beyond the confines of the Board.

_May 21st._--Sir Moses and Lady