THE ZIONIST RESTORATION.
By Christian Work
Our Zionist friends have held their congress at Basel for re-establishing the Hebrew commonwealth in Palestine, and have adjourned. The congress asks for $50,000,000 for their object. More than one Jewish firm could draw its check for the amount. But these are the very ones who will not "draw;" very likely they will not even contribute. The fact is, it is the law of economics that has converted the Jew from being an agriculturist to becoming a merchant, a manufacturer, and a banker. Where the stores and the factories and the banks are, there he lives with his wife and children; why should he change? Some transformations there may be. The poor Jews of Russia, of Austria and Bohemia, may be glad to find a home in Palestine, stake out their farms, and go to work. The colony may even be a success; it may buy its right—or wealthy Jews may purchase it for them—to self-government. But it will only be a small affair—a shadow and a dream of the old theocracy. Besides, not more silent was the voice of prophecy from Malachi to Christ than is the voice of prophecy now, and will continue to be, among those Judean hills and Galilean mountains. And what would a Jewish Palestine be with the prophets silent and no visions? No, there can not be another Jewish Palestine; the Shekinah has dimmed, the glory has departed; shall we not say that Shiloh has come? Nor is even a Hebrew commercial Palestine a possibility if we may read the signs of the times. When you can turn on the instant a mercantile and manufacturing people into agriculturists, and so reverse the law of progression, it may be found possible to induce our Jewish citizens to give up their homes in this city and take up with the spade and hoe in Palestine—the prospect whereof is as dim as the Martian canals.—Christian Work.