minister. Those parasites spoil the ministry. They have no independence because [they have] no substance.”14
However true this may have been, it was not likely to have pleased members of Congregation B’nai Israel to see it in the city newspaper because it revealed an unseemly aspect of Jewish communal behavior. Nevertheless, no repercussions arose. Shortly after it appeared, a reconciliation took place between Browne and Heiman, who then hosted an elaborate “peace banquet” to celebrate. The Israelite’s Evansville correspondent, reluctant to blame either contender for the unseemly brouhaha, reported, “By some inexplicable way, one of our most respected members allowed himself to be influenced by a malignant party to avenge an imaginary insult....” Presumably the “malignant party” did not live in Evansville.15
Such was the temper of the times. It was not unusual, especially in small communities such as Evansville, for rabbis to be treated as mere employees. In many cases they were not allowed to sermonize without their president’s permission, and one minister was fired because he preached against playing poker.16
Meanwhile, Browne tendered his resignation. The congregation refused to accept it, notifying the Israelite, “we could not afford to part with the man, whom, all artifices of two or three parties notwithstanding, we reelected almost unanimously.” The report also mentioned that the New York-based, Jewish Times, edited by Moritz Ellinger about whom more will be seen subsequently, had published the story “in an aggravated form by a unanimous [sic.] correspondent,” but that it would probably be the last such libel “for our rabbi is not to be trifled with, being a lawyer himself, it is easy for him to file a complaint.... ”17
Nonetheless, the slander continued, although it is unclear whether the next attack–part of the continuing battle between rabbinic factions of the East and West—was intended as a personal thrust against Browne or a statement opposing Darwinism and biblical criticism. Wise’s Evansville correspondent had previously reported seeing Wise cited in the Jewish Times as author of a pamphlet entitled “Attila” that argued against the traditional view of creation as revealed in Genesis. More recently the paper carried a half-page statement identifying the author of the pamphlet as “a western rabbi, not residing in Cincinnati.” Then Browne read in the Jewish Times that “a Hungarian western rabbi whose initials are E.B.M.B.” had written “a scurrilous pamphlet” of the same description.18
Wise debunked the accusation, saying that he had seen the pamphlet three years before, read a favorable review of it in the esteemed London Saturday Review, and found nothing wrong with it. He believed that the letter was an attempt to keep Browne from getting the recently vacated post of English preacher at New York’s prestigious Temple Emanu-El. There was no indication that Browne was seeking any new position. He was still in Evansville and despite the incident with Heiman, ostensibly very happy there. Referencing the ongoing struggle between East and West, Wise observed, “There seems to be a secret purpose hidden in that attack on Dr. Browne.... ” Citing the vacancy at Temple Emanu-El, he argued that, since the press had praised Browne as an extemporaneous and successful English preacher, “somebody might have the idea this young orator could be engaged in the Emanuel Temple... and must therefore be abused in advance so that the hierarchical fraternity of the metropolis be not disturbed by an independent link in the chain forged on the New York reform congregations.”19
The strength of that chain would affect Browne in the not-so-distant future. At this time, however, Wise was actually addressing his own agenda, as he continued,
We know to a certainty that the Jewish Times has abused us beyond measure, by order of the New York hierarchs, because it was rumored one day [that] we might be a candidate for some New York pulpit and, we are told, it is abusing us now, and we suppose also Browne, because it fears, by order of course, he or we might have such an idea now. We can assure those terrified gentlemen that we are no candidate for any office, ecclesiastical or political, and in regard to Dr. Browne we can add that he is well situated in Evansville. It is not necessary on this ground that the Times should continue in unprincipled meanness to attack, especially as we never condescend to make a reply to a sheet enslaved by its taskmasters and conducted by a man without honor or integrity.20
The man was Wise’s rival, Rabbi David Einhorn, and it was not the last time that his newspaper libeled Browne. Within a few months Browne informed Wise of further abuse, but indicated that he would not sue because “the Times is not worth one cent, hence a suit would only incur to my loss.” 2211
Wise responded:
“while it is acceded that slander is contemptible, no matter who the parties concerned are, we believe the crime is greatly increased when it aims at the honor of a young man. We old ones can stand a great deal without being hurt, but as regards a young man some people will believe something, let it come from any source.”22
Still the attacks continued. Someone launched a rumor about Browne in Quincy, Illinois, apparently in an attempt to limit attendance at a lecture that he was scheduled to give there. Officers and trustees of the Evansville congregation rose to his defense, responding with a signed declaration in the Israelite:
“Having heard that slanderous reports and letters have been sent to Quincy, Illinois, aiming at the character of Rev. Dr. Browne, member of the B’nai Israel Congregation, we, the undersigned, therefore declare that as a minister and as a gentleman Dr. Browne has always met with the fullest approval of the congregation, and the outsiders thereof. Several parties, though, on account of petty personal affairs, started up trouble in said congregation, still no one can or dare question that as a preacher, as a teacher in his Sunday-school, which was a model of order and decorum, and in all his duties, Dr. Browne stands as pure as any minister in this or in any other country. The slanderer who attempts to blacken the fair reputation of an honest and upright public man like Dr. Browne, deserves his unqualified contempt of every one.”23
Even after moving to another city Browne could not relinquish anger over his treatment by Heiman. Almost a year later he revived the unseemly controversy in his journal, the Jewish Independent. The article, entitled “Why I Left Evansville,” drew vitriolic response from Evansvillians who reversed their previous opinion and sent resolutions to the Israelite calling him “Meanest liar in creation,” “Most contemptible, self conceited fool,” and “Most abominable hypocrite.” Wise published them, but “with the utmost regret... not only because the words used... are unbecoming this journal and any religious community, but also we admire the talent and ability of Dr. Browne as an eminent pulpit orator, and know that he is no hypocrite, and there is no wickedness in him.” That said, Wise conceded that he did “sincerely mourn over the follies of our young friend, who possesses all the gifts to make his mark in the pulpit, and yet mistakes notoriety for reputation, and transient sensation for fame.”24
The incident, in addition to revealing Browne’s impetuous nature and unbending pride, reflects both the naïveté and the mercurial temper of the average congregation. While Browne unquestionably invited reproof, considering his previous strong support by the congregation, the vindictive tone of the Evansville resolution suggests that it was written by members not formerly in control. Such behavior, traceable to changes in the congregation’s lay leadership, was also often affected by financial problems. A sidelight worth noting is the fact that although the Evansville congregation engaged Browne at a generous $3000 a year, it offered only $1000 for his successor and was required to double that figure when no one acceptable applied. This suggests economic concerns as well as contention within the ranks of leadership.25
Although Wise defended Browne publicly, he was not blind to behavioral flaws in his young friend that might have added to his problems. In a personal letter written while Browne was still in Evansville, his mentor began with a sad report on Mrs. Wise’s health and then admonished in these words:
“Allow me to tell, if I had had four places in five years or so, and gone away quarreling from either, beyond a doubt, I would have come to the conclusion
