Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-21
CONSIDERATION OF. THE JEWISH sly
NAGOGUE,
In THE CRY orNEw YoRK, JUNE 10, 1884.
To the Editor ofthe Boston Courier.

Yesterday had the pleasure, by invitation,
ofattending the opening and conservation ofthe
Jewish Synagogue, recently erected in Crosby
street 1t is beautiful structure, perhaps OF Sc
venty feet in length and fifty in width, Of plain
exterior, but finished in the inside in style of
simple and remarkable elegance There is an
open gallery extending round three sides of it;
and the other side is prepared for the deposte
of the sacred books and rolls, presenting a large
closet or ark, of semi-circuar form, projecting
into a room, to which you ascend by several
steps, enclosed by sliding mahogany doors; and
the interior lined with crimson velvet and da
mask curtains; the platform and ark is sur
mounted or covered with an elegant portico,
supported by Corinthian pillars, and decorated
by various Hebrew inscriptions, in raised glded
letters, the whole constructed in admirable
taste. In the centre fthe Synagogue is a rails
ed platform or stage, about twelve feet square
and two feet in height, enclosed by mahogany
balustrade on which is placed the reading desk.
covered with crimson damask, and seats for the
readers or ministers. Seats for the worshppers
are arranged lengthwise of the house, under the
galleries. on an inclined plane. The men sit
below; the Jewesses, and all females who may
attend, in the galleries.
The services, with the exception Of the ad-
dress, were in the Hebrew language. They
commenced by loud knocking at the outer
door, when the minister inquired who demand
ed admission; and a beautiful selection from the
Psalms, with the responses, was recited:
MAKE lofty your heights, o ye gates, and fly
back, ye everlasting doors, for the Hing Of Glory
to enter IN.
JVho is the Hing Of Glory2
g The Lord Of Hosts; he is the King Of Glory"
&c. &c.
The doors were then opened; and process
sion, carrying the sacred rolls, and preceded
and followed by the officers of the Synagogue,
,(n1f hn, ,I-fEN I,l.n
sacred books upon the reading-desk. The sa-
cred rolls contain the Pentateuch and other wri-
tings of the Old Testament, written on parch-
ment, wrapped round with crimson velvet CO.
vered with nantes Of silk and figured velvet Of
the richest description, and adorned on the top
with silver and gold crowns and ornaments, re-
sembng somewhat, in shape, a Chinese pago-
da, and decorated with great many small gold
and silver bells. Passages of the Psalms, or les
sons for the occasion, were then recited; and
the books several times, at intervals, carried in
procession round the platform, descending on
one side and mounting on the other while the
choir of singers IN the front gallery chanted the
psalms. After this service, which occupied
nearly two hours, the books were carried in
procession and placed in the ark. The bearers
of the rolls wore silk scarfs loosely thrown over
the shoulders; and likewise the other officers Of
the Synagogue. When this was done, M. M.
Noah, by appointment assembled the platform,
and from the reading desk pronounced an ad-
dress. Itoccuped about an hour, and was writ
ten with elegance and force. He gave some &C
count of the establishment of the synagogue
worship in this country, and its extension and
present condition. He recommended to the
children of Israel to be strict in the observance
Of their religious institutions. He spoke of the
Turkish Sultan having surrendered the Holy
Land to the Viceroy of Egypt, and the possibi-
lily of now purchasing it for an inconslderable
sum, and ofits coming again into the possession
of the Jews; though he apprehended the condi-
ton ofthe Jews, in respect tolmprOvement, was
not at present such as to induce them to avail
themselves Of these advantages. He descanted
upon the burdenSome nature of some of their
ceremonies, founded upon the traditions Of the
Elders and abbins, in which he hoped for some
ameoraton of their code; and mentioned that
sect of Jews had arisen in Germany, who al
ready had affected such improvements in their
synagogue worship. He said it was extremely
desirable that their worship should be conduct
ed in the language Of the country where they
were situated; that there ought to be public dis
courses, explaining and indicating their doc
trines and ceremonies, especially for the benefit
Of the Younger members of their sect; and re-
commended strongly the Introduction Of music
into their public services; pronouncing it sin
guar fact that people so distinguished in ear
ly times for their music in their temple worship
should, for a long time, have wholly renowned
1t. he spoke OF the power OF female lnnuence
and character in favor Of religion, and referred
with great beauty and pathos to the illustrious
Jewesses Of ancient times He expressed the
gratitude of his people for the tolerant spirit Of
the age and country in which they lived; and
called upon the Jews to meet it with a cores
ponding temper and conduct. He charged them
to practice good morals, to exercise universal
charity; and to look forward continually, with
daily strengthening hopes: to the fufilment ofthe
great and animating predictions of their reli-
gion, concerning the coming and universal
reign of their Messiah. This is very imper-
feet sketch of this interesting performance.
The service was then closed by the reception
of offerings for the Synagogue, which were &C
knowledged in Hebrew except where they were
given by those not Of the Synagogue, and then
they were named in English; and the further
recitation and chanting of prayers and hymns.
The whole services, though in language in
teligible to but few persons, were upon the whole
highly interesting from the many associations,
which would naturally spring up in an intelli
gent and thoughtful mind. There was an ap-
parent absence of all strong feeling and enthu
siasm, indeed carelessness and Indifference,
which were rather offensive to serious mind;
and the Simnle IA IF the whole service on tha