Religion: Pathological Addiction

Than Stephen Samuel Wise there is no more famed rabbi in the U. S. He has a son, James Waterman Wise. Son Wise is 27. Preparing for the Jewish ministry, in which the preceding seven Wise generations have been engaged, he suddenly recanted after studies at Columbia University and Cambridge.

In the book entitled Jews Are Like That young Wise discussed Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis of the U. S. Supreme Court, Nathan Straus, philanthropist, and seven others, including his father. Of Rabbi Wise, young Wise wrote:

“He has an almost pathological addiction to antitheses, a delight in epigrams which borders on the abnormal, and when conscious of himself and of his flawless oratorical manner he is at his worst. It is only when, forgetting the polished phrases and impressive periods which he has designed, he suddenly loses himself in the deep fervor of his belief, in the white heat of his emotion, that his eloquence rises to really lofty heights.”

Not with the author’s real name, however, was this book published. It was signed with the nom de plume “Analyticus.” Demands by men written up in it moved the publisher, Brentano, last week to draw aside the veil of anonymity.