Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative. Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval–Editor.] Says Religious Discrimination Still Exists in Statutes of Maryland

That religious discrimination against the Jews and members of other non-Christian faiths still exists in the statues of the state of Maryland, is the fact brought out by B. H. Hartogensis in a recent issue of the “Evening Sun” of Baltimore, wherein we read in part:

“Office-holding is still ‘on the faith of a Christian’ (Code, Article 70, Section 9). The oath need not be administered, but still is in the counties, where a Bradlaugh (a non-believer) could not be sworn in, as he was in the British House of Commons. Jews are expected to announce their religious belief here in Maryland, just as they were compelled to do in ‘Darkest Russia.’ in Czarist days But if they proudly do so, they must express belief in a future state of rewards and punishment. citizens of many creeds and without creed in the State, many cannot qualify hereunder.

“It is merely rubbing it in, to seek refuge in the last sentence of the law, land it shall be presumed that an officer who has taken and subscribed the oath did make at the same time such declaration,’ i,e., cither in his belief in the Christian religion, or that he professes himself to be a Jew believing in Heaven and hell. This law in practice excludes expressly Christians not believing in the Christian religion, including the Trinity and the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ on Sunday; also Moslems, Buddhists, Confucianists and non believers.

“Finally there is no authority vested by the State of Maryland to any other person or religious minister (Quakers excepted) to perform marriage ceremonies, thus making for illicit marriages and children, Moreover, by Code 27, Section 361, it is illegal for Marylanders to go out of the State to marry without having such a marriage license addressed to a minister of the Gospel (of Jesus Christ); penalty for each Marylander, $100.”

The National Jewish Community Center at Washington, D. C., launched the National Jewish Forum with the presentation of the first of the series of Jewish speakers of national prominence with an address by Rabbi Jonah B. Wise of New York City. The subject of lecture was “Woman in a Man’s World.” Among others scheduled to appear before the National Forum are Max D. Steuer, Sophie Irene Loeb, Frederic William Wile, Rebecca Kohut, Joseph Barondess, Irma Lindheim, Nathan Straus, Jr. and Sidney Nyburg.

The President of the Jewish Community Center is Harry Kings.

The cornerstone laying of the new Ohev Sholom Synagogue centre in Chester, Pa., was held last Sunday. A. W. Wolson, chairman of the building committee and of the drive committee which raised $70,000 to exect the building, presided.