Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-09-10 00:00:00

CONSECRATION

OF THE

JEWISH SYNAGOGUE

IN HOPE PLACE.

The dedication -of a temple devoted to the ser-
vice an .4 praise of the Omnipotent, is at all times,
in any place; and under any circumstance a mattsr
of the deepest inters's,. But when the consecra-
tion is to set apart a place where the Hebrew faith is to
be solemnized in its en+ety, the scene Is unusually
attractive. Tee Jews are a persecuted race, their name,
unfortunately, a passport for ridicule. Still, if we but
looked at their religious ceremonies, the performing of
sheir worship,and the liberal sentiments of the pastors, we
taould not think harshly of this interesticg people.
Not to digress, we may say that yesterday's pro-
ceeditip•,s, at the new synagogue, taught us a
lesson of liberality and Caristiaa forbearance, we thought
we did not require. Yesterday we noticed the structure
of the new erection in Hope-street, and have now merely
to say that abut half-past twelve the ceremony of con-
secration commenced. At that hour a most influential
congreßation assomb'ed.
The Minister, followed by the Wardens and other
honorary officers of the c. ngregation, brought the rolls of
the Law to the door of the synagogue, where, standing
under a canopy, the Minister exclaimed—" Opsa unto
me the gates of righteousuess; I will enter them, and
praise the Lord !"
'rue doors being opened, the Miohter and the rest.
entered io procession, with the rolls in their arms, and the
Realer sang—" ho.v goodly are thy ten's, 0 Jic)b ! thy
tilse-nee!es, 0 Israel !" " 0 Lord, I have ever loved the
habitation of thy house, and the dwelling-place of thy
glory." "We will come int ) thy tabernacles, and worship
at thy footstool."
The procession then proceeded un'il it arrived at the
ark, during which the Readers and Choristers sang—
" Blessed be be who oometh in the name of the Lord we
bless you from the house of the Lord." " Eater into his
gates wi.h thaeksgiving, into his courts with praise.
Come, let us worship and bow olowl ; let us bind the knee
before the Lord our msker. W,rsh:p the Lord wile
gladness; come into his pes:nee with exalting. song."
The procession then walked mend the synagogue even
times. Daring each circuit a Psalm was c!taurited by the
Reader and Choristers.

This having been performed, the last, in the procession
placed Ws roll in the ark, followed by the rest, who
returned to their seats, dining which ths Reader chaunted
the 29th Psalm.

The consecration sermon was then delivered by the Rev

D. M. Tsaeo;.

SBRMON.

The Rev... Mr. Isaacs then ascended the pulpit, and toak
for his text the 16:h verse of the 11th chapter of Ezekiel ;
and commenced by stating that he had a great want for
their sympathy on the present occasion. The duty they
had met to discharge was solemn and important. They had
erected a sanctuary to the Great Jehovah, and it became
them to consider to what uses that sanctuary was to be
devoted. After many disappointments, said the reverend
gentlersan, the day had arrived far which they had so
ardently longed. Difficalties had been overcame, and at
length they were met, by the grace of Almighty Gad, to
celebrate that, to-them, most important day; in the court
of their God, the God of Israel,. whonthrough the mouth
of his prophet Ezekiel, said, " I will be to them a minor
sanctuary in the land of their dispersion." Bat God hail
not forsaken Israel.. Their grand temple at Jerusalem
had been hurled down, and the glaries of Jerusalem La/
become the spoils of the Babylonians; but the ritual that
maintained its secendeney in that temple raised by
Solomon—that, God be praised, was still in the
midst of Israel in spirit. " I will, be to them a minor
sanctuary"—God hag been, from the earliest time, their
habitation: 'Before the world wee epeken into
being; the Almighty God existed, sole and divine, as they
acknowledged Him creation's creator ; and He, in- His
unspeakable condescension, had cemmandel their grea t
legislator, Moses, to make a sanctuary, and Moses was
shown the pattern of the sanctuary on the Mount ("El-ludas,
19 c.)' Bat, continued the rev. gentleman, they were not
to understand that the tabernacle er sanctuary was for
God—the tabernacle or sanctuary was the Heuse. of God.
He next proceeded to•enforce the necessity of peace—of
peace in their ministry, and peace in their congregations.
Tolerance was also one of their principles. They did not
strive to make converts. It was inconsistent with% the
Jewish principle to make such effer.s. Every good man
was, he conceived, as much as they were, under a superin•
tending providence—every man who performed his duty
in his sphere, to himself and to his neighbour, no matter
what his creed, was a good man. And the principle- was
easily solvable according to their tenets, that such a man
would be as acceptable in the sight of heaven as the best of
Jews. It was with this feeling they had asked their brethren
of. an opposite faith to be present at the cierecra'ion Of
their synagogue ;. because there, nothing would be heard
to shock the feelings of such parties. Jews would never
go out of their way to thrust their peculiar tenets upon
the minds or judgmeets of others. And not only would
they thus forbear in regard of these who differed from
them, but they could love and pray for Meat. In
the Temple as it stood at Jerusalem there were sierifices
mode, and c:fferings presented, for the nations. The prin-
ciple of Jadaisan wee still. the earns; all they had to do
was not to, be in a hurry. They had that day opened a
house where the landmarks of Julaien woleld ever be
observed, and consecrated in the only true way of conse-
cration, by the law of Gel bring brought into and de-
posited in the Temple. This solemn dedication required
net gifted ora'ory.. In the house of God they had no
colossalestatues, as in other places ; around them there was
a studied simplicty. Instead of a fares syna,rop_:uo they
wanted to get large hearts, for they shanld not forget the
maeirn that wherever there was love there vs:s
sufficient room, The reverend gentleman then proceeded-
to compliment these who had been the chief instruments
in rearing the edifice. It would he invidious he salt!,
to partieularise individuals where all were so zealous,
hut still be felt •7t to be his bounden duty a< it was his
delight in offer a tweed of approbation where it was pre-
eminently due. and he sail advi;eliy and without any
esitatiod whinever, that only for the zeal displayed
by the chiec-warder, Soiteasveasky, they would not
be in that building on that occasion. There were many
other benefactors, some had given much ani others -
less. There was a progress he was glad to obseve in
zeal and enlightenment, and if the Hebrew were only
true to themselves the day was not remote when
all nations wit-bone creed 0151111 ackn ewledge the one Ged,
and where the sacred name of the Al nighty would be felt
in all its holiness through the rem stmt. isles of ocean, and.
whirs a blessing would fall upon the peeples re-nnited by
this grace. The rev. genCernan neein cengratul tel his
hearers on the ceneummatien of their wishes, but ex-
pressed the neceseity, at the same time, of not forgetting
the responsibility they had imposed of themselves in
building that place. If the e:didce were as large as the
Neeropelis—]f that place were to *extend as math as
Solomon's Temple inolf, they should remember that God
looked not upon a house of stone, but looked rather upon
the heart; and the llehrewa, who were enrolled and en-
listed under the banner which they had that day unfurled,
should remember that the ohj tewes their own salvation,
and the glory of the God of Israel. Every Israelite was,
therefore, bound to maintain a position, not of hostility—
God terhid—but a position of defeere to preserve thattaorer,
They knew the danger in battle who-, the banner became
lost—they knew what confusion enened. They were all
soldiers of the truth, and they ehr ul 1 rot put down their ar-
mour. They should be true to their calling. Israel was
to be redeemed —that Israel which had in all ages been
a break-water spinet infidelity. History woul4 tell them

of this. Turn over its pages, and they would find man/
of the annals defiled with Jewish blood, spilt for the glori-
fication of God's name. And if their fathers had not been
true to their cause, they would not have bean there on
that day. They had, in spite of all, bell up the law of
God and preserved it; and there it was, oa that day, de-
posited in the ark—not a word of it lost—every letter
counted, What, he would ask, could the nations of the
world hale done without their laws ? Could any civilised
government be carried en that had not derived the utmost
adventege from these lave in cementing the brotherhood
of nations, nod is defence of the privileges and rights of
man. Oh, if the nations of the world paid the debt they
owed to the Jews, the time would come when ten nos
would think it an honour to take hold of the skirts of the
garment of one Jew; for the Jews never forgot, and never
falsified the Covenant. Tee rev. gentleman oontiened et
some length to enforce the neee,:lity of practical reli-
gion, and concla!ed by invoking a blessing on the temple
that day inaugurated.
After the delivery of the sermon, the choir struck up a
beautiful anthem, at the conclusion of which the Ref.
Mr. Isaacs delivered the following,

PRAYER.

Thou bounteous Setae?, or Life, whose mighty han4
sustains all being; in thy superintending gers nothing i 5
hilden ; gnat and small alike revealed, bespeak thy pro-
vidence, regardirr; each atom as a world, while the
entire world is but an atom to the totality of thy created
domains. Wrapt in thy spirit and robed bounteonS
grandear, proclaim thee eupremely perfect. Eternal
cause 1 the starry chart, which night to night unfolds, and'
the resplendent orb, which day by day blazons forth the
unity of purpose, spread throagh the universe a knowledge
of the all-wise God. Thy residence is in the pavilion of
infi ; all space thy temple. Beyond the grasp end
ken of the most elevated thought the archangels them-
selves ministrants at thy throne, with veiled feeoi
tremblingly enquire for the local.n of thy glerye
grim, then, ehsll the child of time, so frail,
unblamed, presume to utter the stupendous works
of thine all-embreeng greatness? Vet, in condescen-
sion boundless, thou hast drawn us by the bonds of
ive to reek and find the bleseful repose under the covert
of thy wing ; for in all ages thou west our habitation.
Thus, by wisdent led, inei, ed to do thy will; we have
raised this edifice, consecrated to the glorification of thy
name, within whose sacred portals our children might be
early trained in the doctrines of truth, while yet the mind,
docile and unvidated, may ba indelibly impressed with the
admonition to remember their Creator in the days of their
youth. Nurtured by the dews of thy invigorating grace?
may they flourish in all` the beauty of holiness ; and, whole
among the numerous and humble suppliants that shall'
crowd these courts, he, laden with years, with stooping '
gait and tottering knac, shall come to seek thy divine'
presence, anticipate him with thine aid never intermitted..
0 t leave him not in old age, but mercifully alleviate his'
burden nod the infirmity of years drawing to their close.
And when we beseech thee for the poor sufferer whoe,
languishing in sickness, cannot come himself to ask*
of thee what he most needs, let our prayer in'
behalf of the afflicted meet ready acceptance amidst
the prayers of Israel, and ascend to thine open-
ear, to which the gentlest whisper is ever audible,'
Be it also Thy gracious design to shed abundant blessings
on our most beloved Queen, the benevolent Sovereign of
these realms, under whose paternal sway ounpeople, amidst
the other etebjeots of this Heaver-favoured land, repose in
sefey. On the Prince Wnsort and, the illustrious scions
of the royel.house, speed Thy benign favours ; endow the
counsellors of this coun:ry with the swrieg spirit of
heavenly wisilom ; that, by their sage advice, every good
criality may be roused, promotive of the general good and •
humanity, ley,generous exploits, achieve its 7ic tones over
error and v ice.

Father of• mercies, cause all those who hare laboured'
and given of their store to raie-this stracauve to reap tha;
fruition of their pious seeds in the evaberance of
continued kindness. Increase our ardour, we right ad"
nestly impiors Tnee, to worship more adequately, more,_
punctually to fulfil our duties, thus, progressing towards
perfection, we may approximate that period spoken of bY
Thy prophets; when Thou, 0 Lord, "shall be recognised
as One, and Thy name as One," in mutuality of lore and
tenderness, all ferocity shall cease. Truth, virtue;
liberty shall oonsummate the purest felicities of mankind ;
then, in the accents of purity, all shall serve Tbee with ,
one coneent,.nad all nations be brought under the har"
monising agencies of peace and light. Amen.

The other formulas of the consecration wore F:ocezded
with, and Vac congregation separated.

1U DTICLIER.

In the evening, the members of the congragation and
their frLnds-met at dinner, in tho school-room attached t 0
the synagogue. There wa a strong IT eqtti.• of wealthy and
irfloentialgenTlerneu. The room was ~-.stefully decorated,
aid a blevet of a most excellent character provided,-
After dokg juvica to the good things set before conv
patty, the cloth was removed, when
The Chairman said t!-!at it was entirely owing to the,
kindness of Mr. Schaw, that he vas in the present position. •
HI accepted the houour reaJily and with thankfulness.'
He hoped, however, that they would grant him their indul"
nud also to the untlemen who viould address them-
They had to adjlarn to Fnother place, whore they were to
meet the Fair D iughtere of Israel ;" so that it would be
unpardonable to prolong his remlrkF. Oa occasions of the
kind, it was their custom ;03:1 privilege to toast the, Queell
and give ex?reesioa to their loyalty to the government and
the illustrious lady who occupied he throne. Israelitee-
they were bound, to ;clatteviledge their gratitude to the.
Q-teen. She had cast aside all prtjAiet3, and would ba•
hat too glad to give her rcydasstut to the biftfor realer".
jug the disllilities of the dem.. (Cheers.)
Drank with applause.
Air—" God Save the Queen."
The Chairman then proposed the henith of " Prince

Albert and the Royal Family."
Mr. M. Defiles, of London , then rose, and. in a 'yea
appropri;te speech proposed the heal:.ll of Dr. Adler, the
chief rabbi, and eulogised the learning and piety of the
Ras,. which was received:w:th much eclat.

The Rev. Mr. Isaacs then rose End proposed the "Nov
Clogregation,"-and in. a very not and elaborato speech
:p the exhortation to perseverance and, earnestness
on the part of his congregation,, which he- had omitted in
his sermon. Ills rem-Irks were not only practicable, but
showed that ho was desirous. of leaving no stone unturned
io proniotelha religions objects which he held dear a'
sacred.

A. variety of other toasts were proposed, including I 1 r
Juzephs, the president, the secretary, treasurer, archit!ot°
builder, &C, The meeting was of the most agreeable
character, and altogether the proceedings passed off wltl3
eelat.

Mr, INTERNATIONAL STATIST (CAT. CONGRESS.--At rue
last meeting of the International Statistical Congress 9
which was on the sth of September at Vienna, Pt.
Farr, the representative of Great -Britain, moved that the
commission for making future arrangements should nsoie
the place and time for holding the next congress. V°
motion was imanimiusly adopted ; and, therefore, Dr.
Farr expressed a hope that the commission would be•
pleased to name London as the meeting place of the
fourth congress. The proceedings of the congress Were
wound up with a cheer for the Emperor of AuatriA,