The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-05-31
Frort the ". o. Picayune.
Conservation of the New Synagogue
in New Orleans,


pal Church, at the corner of Bourbon and Canal
streets-which has been bestowed on the Jew
ish congregation Nefutsoth Jehudah ('the dis
persed of Judah. by the munificence OF the ven
cradle Judah Touro, was yesterday consecra-
ted as house of divine worship, with all the
rites OF the Hebrew faith. The novelty and high
interest of the occasion drew together large
number of auditors, but the excellent arrange
Dents for their reception provided every person
with a comfortable place. Tickets were previ-
ousy issued, each emitting the bearer to seat
designated by member No more were given
out than the house could accommodate with
ease, and at half-past the doors were closed
and no more admitted. BY that time the galleries
were filled with ladies', and the space on the
lower floor assigned for the other sex was also
full. In the synagogue the sexes do not sit TO-
gether. All was feminine above and masculine
below. The daughters of Judah were there IN
the magniicence of their beauty, and the gal
leries were radient with the brightness OF their
eyes.
Below, the congregation and visitors were all
placed beneath the galleries. The whole area
between was clear Of seats, and occupied with
the furniture for the ceremonial, and the fixtures
used in the holy services. 1t was entirely car
peted-the pulpit, Of solid Mahogany stood near
the entrance. A few steps onwards was raised
platform, rallied in and reached by few steps,
richly carpeted, and containing the readers desk
aud seats handsomely stuffed for the rabbls and
their assistants Beyond this was superb sat
in damask canopy, sustained by temporary sup
ports, to be borne by four of the congregation
during the ceremonial. Still further onward at
the extremity Of the space reached by flight
OF steps, also elegantly carpeted, rose the SEMI
circular dome, supported by four pillars and TWO
pilasters of solid mahogany, beneath which res
ted, within an enclosure. shut up by sliding
circular doors, the Ark-the holy depository OF
the books of the law. Over all magnificent
chandelier, made in Philadelphia, at cost, as
We hear of a thousand dollars, blazing with gas
lights, sent its brilliancy 10 every corner oil the
building. while along the galleries, and around
the buildings, profusion OF lamps win GROUND
glass shades aided to continue the light OF day,
after the evening darkness had come down Win
out But we have no space to-day to give a
minute description Of the building, and all the
novelties which it contained for our unpractlced
eyes. We must hurry to brlet account ol Inc
ceremonial
| After the congregation were assembled and
seated, the grand organ-one OF the finest orna'
ments of the bnildng-commenced playing q
| symphony, when the minister, the Rev. Mr.. N
Nathan, standing outside, gave three distinct
knocks, saving in Hebrew, "Open the gates Q
Righteousness to US, that we may enter through
them TO praise the Lord The doors were
opened, and the procession entered to the solemn
response chanied by the full choir, "lhis is The
gate Of the Lord, into which the righteous shal
enter" The procession was composed OF lh'
Rev. Mr.. Nathan, the preacher OF the congre
CATION, which is the Portuguese Hebrew Con
| gregatioiI, assisted BY the Rev. Isnek Leeser, Q
Philadelphia, editor of the Jewish magazine
The Occident, and the Rev. Jas. X. Guthelm
OF the German Hebrew Congregation, OF TIN
city, and the following acted as bearers OF tn'
books, or sacred scrolls OF the law: A. /. EZek
el, Dan'l Goodman, e. Sampson, Jacob Prett
and Judah Barrett These were relieved OF
the second circuit by Alex Marks, Joseph DE
PASS. S. p. Solomon, Edward Jacobs and Z
Labatt. Each of these five was the bearer G
the roll Of one of the books of the Pentateucf
superbIv draperied in satin coverings OF VarIou
rich coors and ornamented with clusters OF 81
yer bells. The procession, after entering tn
church moved amidst the chanting OF psalm;
in Hebrew, to the canopy, which was llite
; and sustained by Messrs. l.. J. Harris, b. I
Hart, Lewis Florance and Charles Emanue
After passing under the canopy, and before IN
ark tie procession moved round the platform
while the choir continued to give forth its lott
strains. They then ascended the platform, wher
Mr. Nathan read another portion Of the psalm
and one OF the books of the law was disrobe
of numerous and costly coverings, unrolled an
i 6 tbo
the whole procession again descended and mao
!, their circuits, marching with slow and reverer
steps around the church, while the ministers r
cited in alternate verses the 30th and the ~
Psalms At the close the procession marcht
: : to the foot of the altar, and the sacred oooi
, were deposited in the ark, while the choir cha
q ted. "Lift up your heads oh! ye gates; and be
t lifted up, We everlasting doors. and the King
: Glory shall come in"
: The books being deposited, the ministers
!. turned to the platform, and from the reader
! desk Mr. Nathan offered powerful and e.
r ouent prayer for the congregation, and for Il
:, government and institutions of the country.
the conclusion of this, the choir sung the l5O
G Psalm.
v The Rev. Mr.. Nathan then ascended the pl
If pit, ard delivered an exceedingly approprla
Q discourse on the text: "This is the gate OF I
: Lord, into which the righteous shall enter,
psalm 1l8, verse 2O) 1t was very carei
4 and lucid exposition Of the religious obligation
y the moral advantages, the blessings and |
le profits Of public worship. He preceded the 81
1t mon by rapid summary OF the arguments
W favor of the divine character OF Judaism, Ora,
II from the history Of the remarkable preservatl
), of the identity of the race under all cifcumsts
i ces of time and place. however scattered a
= apparently denationalised, through so many g
= = erations.
is The ceremonial was still further contlnr
n by other PRAYERS, and the execution OF pieces
le sacred music by the choir, but our engageme
,ir forced US to leave at this point, deeply impress
- with the elevated tone of solemnity and fer
- piety which pervaded the whole rite, and
% perlectness Of the arrangements for the order
Ia5 Of the ceremonies and the reception OF vlsltt
most Of which we believe was under the sup
intendence of our good friend, q. Kurshet
n Esq, who is president of the congregation.
of We noticed among the visitors several cler
W. men os other denominations, who seemed TO t
- lively interest in watching the proceedi
- Among them were Father Mullon, OF the Ca
io' olc Church, the Rev. Mr.. Clapp, MIR. Twltc
IN and Mr.. McTier.
ce We must not close, however, without m
) it tiouing the volunteer choir, which sung the
ed cred chants with so much effect. They "
IN twelve in number--sa ladies and six gentien
W. bsua hoan furnished vrith list of d