Samuel Untermeyer had a lifelong interest in Zionism. He and the leaders of the Jewish Theological Seminary wanted to inject their beliefs into Christianity in America. But had they attempted to introduce their ideas into the dominant protestant culture of 1900, they would have been ignored.

Subtlety was required, deception. They needed a front man, a protestant theologian of distinction through whom they could inject their beliefs gradually. Of course there was no one that met this description. He would have to be created. Through some shadowy network, perhaps through contacts of the Secret Six in Boston, Untermeyer found a man in Kansas.

In 1901, through Untermeyer's influence, Scofield was admitted into a sophisticated men's club in New York. The Lotus Club promoted social intercourse among friends of literature and fine arts. Joseph Canfield believes that the selection of Scofield for membership "strengthens the suspicion that someone was directing his career at this time." 1

Untermeyer introduced Scofield to numerous Zionist and socialist leaders, including Samuel Gompers, Fiorello LaGuardia, Abraham Straus, Bernard Baruch and Jacob Schiff. 2 Scofield had a shady past, a criminal record, had just gotten out of jail and had never been to seminary. But this was no problem. With their control of the press, some public relations work and their international network he was quickly transformed into one of America's leading theologians.

Untermeyer did more than introduce Scofield to his wealthy and influential Zionist circle in New York. Soon the Kansas con man was off on a lavish tour of Europe including an important visit to Oxford University where plans were made for the publication of his new reference Bible. Untermeyer's network extended from Kansas to Europe and seemingly could open doors anywhere.