"House of Commons, 27th May 1880.
"Dear Sir Moses,—Amongst the many kind letters I have received, congratulating me on my first attempt in the House, none has so deeply touched me as yours, coming from one whose name is a household word, not only in our own community, but throughout that civilised world where true philanthropy and real religion are recognised and appreciated. Your letter has made a lasting impression on me, and in the struggles of political life, praise and encouragement are not alone the rewards of success: they are the incentives to deserve and attain it.
"As soon as you return to London, I shall do myself the pleasure of calling upon you.—I am, dear Sir Moses, very truly yours,
"H. de Worms."
June 13th.—He was informed by Baron von Bleichröder of Berlin, of the anti-Semitic movement in that city, upon which he expressed his views in the following letter, dated June 13th:
"Dear Baron von Bleichröder,—Your communications referring to recent Sectarian movements and Anti-Semitic Leagues in your own country and other parts of Europe present a cause of serious consideration. I entertain, however, the hope that by prudence and discretion on our part, and increased enlightenment based on principles of humanity among non-Israelites, an improvement in the condition of our brethren will ultimately be effected. In the meanwhile we must not relax our earnest activity, and, when occasion requires it, hold up high the banner of our religion, for we must always bear in mind that 'it is not by might nor by power that Israel prevails, but by the Spirit of God, the Lord of Hosts.'"
In the month of July he felt unable to address letters to his friends in his own handwriting, and on the occasion of sending the Archbishop a contribution of £100 towards the Sunday School Fund he was compelled to address His Grace through his secretary.
For the same reason he declined re-election as Vice-President of the Jews College.
"The unsatisfactory state of my health, induced by a very severe attack of bronchitis," he writes to the Secretary of the College, "precludes almost the possibility of my attending the meetings, &c.; and as I cannot do so, I consider it my duty, in the interests of the institution, to withdraw my name from the Council." He addressed a similar letter to the Secretary of the Board of the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews, in which, for the same reasons, he resigned his honorary membership of the Board.
The Jews at Bach Kali, in the Vilayet of Van, Asia Minor, whose unfortunate position required his immediate intercession, made him, however, forget his resolution to withdraw from the sphere of communal work, and we find that in the same month he addressed Lord Tenterden on that subject in eloquent and powerful language.
His Lordship having transmitted to him a letter from the Hebrew community of that place, Sir Moses writes to Lord Tenterden: "I will not fail to give its contents my earliest and best consideration. I have a vivid and grateful recollection of your Lordship's kindness to me when I had occasion some years ago to seek the powerful aid of the Foreign Office in behalf of my suffering co-religionists in Persia."
In the month of October he was deeply grieved by the sudden death, whilst almost in the prime of life, of his nephew, Mr Joseph Meyer Montefiore, who had succeeded him as President of the Board of Deputies.