Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-20
AN INTERESTING CEREMONY.
Conversion of a Christian Maiden 10
Observation-Disclosures of the Young
Lady 10 an Israelfte-

t to Judaism is nearly, if not quite
+ as unusual an occurrence as the con
version of a Jew to Christianity
The tenacity with which each
clings to the peculiar tenets of The
Church with which he or she il
connected, having from childhood
been accustomed to worship accord.
ing to prescribed form laid down
by their ancestors, renders the task
Of training the mind to run in O
totally different and contrary chan.
mel to which it has been habituated
one of extreme difficulty, almost
invariably resulting in disappoint.
meut and vexation. The strongest
arguments falling, as it were, upon
unwilling hearers, fail to produce
any impression whatever, and, il
any one is induced to renounce his
faith, it is generally due to out
side influences. The converts to
Judaism thus far, at least in this
city, have been women, and the fact
that there was a man ready to re-
ceive them and call them wife as
soon as they crossed the line, has
induced them to abjure Christian
ity, desert Christ and depart from
the paths in which they mad been
instructed to walk. They probably
feel justified in so doing, evidently
interpreting the saying of the
Apostle Paul, that a woman should
leave her father and mother and
cling to her husband, as including
Christ also. The power of Cupid
is wonderful, and when a woman
devotedly loves a man she will sac
ritice herself for his sake, for it
matters not with what particular
religious sect she becomes identi-
fed, so long as her belief is sincere
and her faith unfaltering.
The second instance of Chicago
Christian adopting the Jewish faith,
and being admitted to member
ship Of that church, is that of Miss
Mary Gilmore, formerly of Detroit,
Michigan. Particular interest is
attached to this case, from the fact
that she was a Catholic, it being
generally conceded that the Romish
Church has q stronger hold on its
members than any other denomina-
ton Of Christians. As in the other
instance, prospective husband was
the paramount reason for desiring
conversion.
The ceremonies were held in the
Brothers of Peace Synagogue,
located on the corner of Third
avenue and Harrison street, yester-
day morning. Our reporter entered
the church and walked up one of
the side aisles, hat in hand, being
unfamiliar with the customs Of the
Israelites. As he approached the
altar several gentlemen requested
him to don his chapeau, as it was
contrary to the Jewish law for a
man to uncover in a place of wor-
ship. The head covering was re-
stored to its place, and he seated
himself to await developments.
There were no decorations, and no
more than ordinary interest was
manifested on the part of those
present in the rare event which was
to take place.
About ten minutes after II the
convert came up the main aisle, &C
companied by Mrs. Julia Barnett
and Mrs. Sarah Sneider, taking u
seat TO the left of the altar. She
was attired in neat fitting white
carleton dress, within ornament ex-
cept white silk scarf, which en-
circled her neck. She wore Gre
clan Bend hat, trimmed with blue,
with large white feather in front.
Miss Gilmore is decidedly good
looking, and unquestionabIy will
make Mr.. Berney Berlyn, the gen
tleman whom she has elected as a
life partner, happy.
The advent of the Rabbi, the Rev.
DIR. Messing, was looked for with
anxiety. He entered the church
dressed in his robes, in a short time,
and took position in front of the
altar There were now about 300
persons present. Miss Gilmore was
conducted to the altar by the sex
ton, Mr.. Louis Bacharach, when the
following colloquy took place, the
young lady answering the questions
in a clear and distinct voice, the
audience maintaining the strictest
silence during the exercises:
Rabbi-Miss Mary Gilmore, as
you present yourself with the in
tention Of joining the Jewish faith,
are you ready to answer me, in the
presonceof these people, the follow
ing questions?
Miss Gilmore.-I am.
Rabbi.-Then please answer
them. Do you freely and of your
own accord, join the Jewish faith ?
Miss Gilmore do, in the pres
sence of all these people, in this
house of the Lord, and in the pres
ence Of the Almighty, declare my
purpose to join the Jewish nation
and recognize the unity Of God.
Rabbi.-Are you acquainted with
the articles of faith Of our nation ?
Miss Gilmore.--I am acquainted
with them, and hereby do declare
them. She then declared the thir-
teen articles of faith of the Jewish
nation as follows
/. / believe, with a perfect faith,
that God blessed be His name) is
the Creator and Governor of all
created beings, and that He alone
has made, and ever will make, every
production
>. | believe, with perfect faith,
that God blessed be His name) is
the only God, and that there is no
unity whatever like unto Him; and
that He alone is our God, who was,
who is, and who will be eternally.
,. l believe, with a perfect faith,
that the Creator blessed be His
nance is incorporeal that He is
not subject to any Of the chances
incident to matter, and that He has
not any simiIitude whatever.
T. / believe, with a perfect faith,
that the Creator blessed be His
namc) is both the first and the last
Of all things
3. believe, with a perfect faith,
/ 4 L He