The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-15
Dedication M the Temple Of Bnai Eel l., st
Louis.

ll
The first Hebrew temple erected in the Mississippi Val
ley aed in This city, last Friday afternoon ia
members of the ancient Iraeliist family and others Of
our citizens
The incident gives rise to 50 many reae ons that
deem 1t proper to chronicle the event somewhat in
6ota
The building is erected the east side Of Sixth street.
lust south of erre and octagonal in form with dome
sCme fifty feet high all substantially and neatly built
and finished and capable OF seating eight hundred
Iersons. The whole presents most unique appearance
The circular centre IL twelve inches below
tie floor Of the main entrance through this from door
to altar place. main aisle With seats either
sde surrounding this IL gallery the level OF tho
main entrance, with aisle next The wall all round
and seats extending towards the centre Above another
gallery extending nearly all around the building in the
west end Of which over the main entrance are the
and choir the balance occupied with seats. The eastern
part OF tho building in front Of the main entrance is
and iaed three steps above the floor of the lower
gallery what may be TERMED pirit behind which, in
recess in the wall, l. built ''Ihe Ark
The front door Of tho Ark is covered with rich pur
pie velvet, beautifully embossed in silver and goi
aiming he ide some significant Hebrew character and
tmblems, a crown, very hand omcly wrought upon the
yeet All this has been wrought by ladies of the
pgegationsstes, we learn, of L. Block and Brothers
and exhibits great degree OF skill and taste well
Ierseyeing industry. Above the Ark is tablet to the
memory oil judah Truro, the patron friend whose liberal
beques has chiefly effected the erection OF the building
Sin above this i likeness of the great Jewish Law
CIV Moses with the two tables % the law handsomely
Uought in worsted 10y two other ladies of the congrega
IL n Over the altar hangs the sacred lamp, which IL 10
bu continually while either side the gol len
destick, lin this instance beautifully g) each with its
lights m &C on each prong Nth one in each centre
tn either SIDE OF the Ark is raised wooden column fine
~ carved surinouned each by bouquet Of various
fowcls while each side OF the columns the al
We do not intend to specify all Of the ceremonies Of the
occasion; as many Of them were nor understood by
sree 1t to sag, that tire door opened by the rei
dent, ard the ministers and elders brought in the law,
and del ostcd the same in the Ark.
there We're four copies, each Of parchment which
written in Hebrew the whole Of the Old re.anent,
lightning with Genesis and Terminating with Malachi,
the last Of the 'ninor prophets" These parchments
done up in ancient orm upon rolls each there il
a handsome metallic finger that the line and word
may be pointed out to the reader who goes from right to
en theancient form These books very carefully pre
copy taken is carefully colated written, thai
change takes place, in the form of letter. and
thus change the sense
Zach was enclosed in purple bag with Hebrew cha.
Iaciers wrought in gold after the book had
fully bound with a white linen bandage.
After The books were Deposited the officiating minister
took ore Of them, when the elders removed the velvet
covering and then The linen banf age ana laid it the
Scriptures suitable the OCCASION lie then took the
motac finger and pointed ont the portions 10 be read
willie sundry persons forward fcom the congfega
ton sinRly 10 the number OF twenty, and the scrip
lures read. Each 81 these coming to the desk hal
placed across his shoulders vestment or scarf; he
touched or Kissed the book made remark and then
made an Offering to the temple OF whatever he chose
this done he was dyested Of the scarf which then
placed upon another.
After these octings the ministers aud elders took The
sacred books, aud times made solemn circuit II he
house, through its vatious aisles below
This done, tie Rev. DIR. 1lloway delivered deicatory
address and prayer in German which atentively lis
tened 10 by the large audience and by those who under
stood IT, pronounced very eloquent, appropriate aud
affecting
Next was address in English by Mr.. Isadore Bush
one OF the most Efficient members in getting this |. npie
built. lie spoogised for want Of knowledge Of the
.orguc in which he spoke suitably to express his emo
tons ON this occasion faught with much in,eres,-ic
sci bcd their dculticsreiufned thanks those friends
Of religious liberation who had aided them in their effort
spoke feelngly Of the happiness Of their condition
this great republic, where they had found home free
from their observation-disclosures the memory OF judah
Ttouro who had given their various congregations such
efficient aidthapked the ladies for the aid they had given
in ming the Temple with their handwok the labor
Of their needcrspoke ofthcr Efforts TO restore their
worship its ancient musical interest when David with
harp and tmbfel and song, praised God and varied in.
suments introduced in worship and hoped although
this practice had fallen into disnse that Ii might now
be restored to Israel and in this connec he paid well
deserved compliment TO the amateur musicians and W.
chsts who had voluntarily 10 their aid and rad
heightened the interests oi this festive occasion by their
admirable performance
Mr.. Bush spoke freely and with much feeling and hi
cuIogium the choir happy and well deserved f,r
they performed their interesting parts much the salts
faction of the audience closing with beautiful anthem
the services which had begun with another from Israeli
Royal Psalmist