San Francisco, March 15, 1855

S. N. Carvalho

My dear Sir!

By this you will have resumed some post to carry on The warfare that this life imposes on
The children of man. The struggle is real and continual; The distant trophies held up by The
arm of hope in the skies, vanish in the clouds, and leave disappointment behind them.
Happy The man who, for the bare means of life, fully confides in The bounty of The
Dispenser of life – his bread shall be given him, and water shall not fail.

I expect, please god, to receive soon a few lines stating your safe arrival home, and the
health of yourself and family.

Here we have had excited times, bankrupcies, reverses; we do not know who is involved,
and how matters will end – The return of protested drafts will open a scene to which the
failure of bankers was but The prelude. Many sufferers are obliged to keep their wounds
covered carefully – The very picture of life. Labor, speculations, accumulations,
botheration, we at last imagine our deposit safe, ourselves rich the last failure - awakens us
from our madness in raving after riches, which, when acquired, we did not know, where
we deposit them and how to apply them for our use.

But to come to ourselves: Col Freemont has left for the states: his suit is to come up at
Washington soon.

Mr. Friedlander has appealed to the supreme court. results unknown yet.

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The late excitement has put all religious affairs into the shade all is dormant. We can get no
ear for lectures, and no persons for attendance: a few stereotype edition appear every
Saturday. Since four weeks there was not even a disposition shown to hear a lecture: The
last time such was shown, the Parnas invited the people to stay and the ladies to come
down. But on his going to the vestibule to invite them into the interior, he learned that the
Steamer had come in, and so he came up to me and apologized “for himself and the house
‫"[ בעדו ובעד ביתו‬about him, and about his house," Job 1:10] like the priest of old in the
holy of holies.

There is a strange mode gaining countenance here of celebrating wedding banquets – the
feast takes place in some public locality – of course ‫"[ טרפה‬non-Kosher food"] at the
soirees, and even the Ball on the dedication of the Synag to which they invited Dr Wise
(this was in a Christian establishment). After the last ‫"[ חופה‬wedding canopy," i.e.,
wedding] in the Synag, the Parnas invited “the Ladies and Gentlemen to the
“Shepherds” (Mentioning even the name) You perhaps know the german Beer house on
corner of Stockton at Jackson. The house has several inscriptions whereby you may have
noticed it as Shepherds Brewery, Saloon, Yeast sold here etc. The invitation was called out
in the Syn: the room was crowded the people got in spirit four Ladies fell headlong to the
ground in the room. In charity I will not ascribe it the mismanagement of the Parnas of the
Syn, who was the manager of the affair. Jewish weddings feast in Beer houses? without
grace, without a blessing: how beautif are the passages Exod. 18:9-12/ Sam 9: 12-13.

[“Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in
rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued
you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the
hand from the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other
gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” Then Jethro, Moses’
father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all
the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.” Exodus
18: 9-12]

[“‘He is,’ they answered. ‘He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town
today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. As soon as you enter the town, you
will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating
until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will
eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time.’” (Samuel 9: 12-13]

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As for the insertion in the Occid, after mature consideration I think it better declined for the
present. I do not think it will influence them any towards improvement. The only object that
I could gain would be that it would be known why at the expiration of my term I shall have
to return to the states. Well, perhaps a few lines hinting at affairs here would be sufficient,
and the best would be to give briefly something like the following lines

San Francisco. We are sorry to hear that both Synag: of that city labor under pecuniary
difficulties. The revenue of the Polish Syn: is just sufficient to cover the interest which they
have to pay on a mortgage, so they will not be able to engage either Hazan Lecturer or even
Teacher for their youth for some years to come. Nor are the finances of the Syn. Emanuel
in a better state: a heavy debt on The building of about 18,000 on scrips at 6% per annum;
besides about 1500 a year interest on mortgages absorb nearly the whole revenue accruing
from the monthly contribution of 110 to 130 member two dollars from about 120 members.
However, we are happy to learn that laudable efforts are making to remedy the evil by
raising the contribution from two to four dollars monthly for till the expiration the term of
Dr. Eckman’s engagement, which will close in the fall next automn. We are also glad to
hear that the children of the School for R rel instruction under the direction of Dr Eckman
are improving considerably, and that the children attend regularly.

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The Portuguese Syn: at San Francisco has only enjoyed only an ephemeral existence: it
continued only for about one or two months So has the debating Society ceased to exist
above nine months ago.

“Laudable efforts” is said above in irony. The object is about 14 dollars a member. They
had one plenary meeting at which about 50 ayes; and six no’s. But when it came to pay
they retracted so they had another meeting last Sunday a fortnight and not coming to a
conclusion, the meeting was continued last Sunday a week when it was at last adopted, by
the majority. Upon which 16 sent in their resignation, so that ‫[ שמש‬the synagogue janitor]
order to take 4 dollars when he can get it, if not to be satisfied with two and not accept
resignation.
The above content in the Occid would help me out. I will pay for it. and it is quite enough
for the present. It admits of curtailment or alteration or perhaps some remarks
etc. The last Crisis has given the last blow.

Let me soon hear your respectful Julius Eckman

Do most kindly remember me to Mrs Carvalho to the children, to Mr. Leeser. David must
be a little man by this.