The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-04-05

II gives me pleasuse to write something about
my old friend Rev. M. j. MICHELBACHER,a ana
you, dear Dtspatch. win certainly endorse every
word say, as youlnou. the reverend gentleman
oy bis public actions better than the writer Of shis
does.
he came TO this city quarter of . centrryago
ana look pastoral charge Of the German Hebrew
congregation, atthat time worshipping in sman
place on Marshall, nesr eth street. Mr.. NJ Syas
hardly here eighteen months when he aroused his
congregation, which was then very small and the
majority OF the members also poor, to buy a lot
70 build synagogue thereon The members of the
congregation exerted themselves In the most laud-
able manner, and they succeeded. They purchased
building lot on llth, near Marshall street, and
ana with the assistance OF their fellow citizens
they were enabled to build the synagogue but
they remained heavily in debt, which debts, how
ever. have been paid since that Under the paste.
raj guidance Of Mr.. NJ. the congregation Increased
10 Numbers so that they were compelled twice to
enlarge their place OF worshtp, and now It has
room for about 900 persona.
AS the congregation was not able to give large
salary, Mr.. 81. was bound to keep school to ens
large his income to support his family. He kept
this school uninterrupted for tmenty-three years,
ana during the last ten years he had always from
eighty to one hundred pupils, Of all religious de.
nominations, but he was assisted by two or three
teschsrs. BY his superintendent of the school
and by his teachings he raised a generation that
Is and will become an honor to themselves and an
ornament Of society. know many Of The former
pupils, who are now men and women, who never
attended any other school, and, may say, they
are well educated gentlemen and ladies, prepared
for all duties Of life. -e.4
AS Mr.. III. worked bard during twenty-three
years as minister Of his congregation and as teach.
err, unit about two years ago, on Sabbath day,
during service, he was struck down by an epleptic
it, which, as his physicians said, was the conse.
quence OF his hard mental labors and exertions
he was very sick for some time, could not attend
to any of his duties for months, was therefore
compelled to give up his school, and the congresal
lion, whose faithful servant he was for so many
years, was obliged to elect some one to supersede
him. But IL gives me pleasure to say, and his
friends will rejoice to hear, that he enjoys good
health again he teaches and oficiates as before,
as reader at the synagogue. !
AS public man he Is well known L may say
among all denomin atoms here. During the war
he worked hard in behalf Of the Door; and his
congregation supplied him literally with money,
so tnat ne brought very often meat bread, gar.
meuts money, and medicine to the needy of this
city. he was daily seen in the hospitals and In
tue prisons, administering assistance to the friend
and to the foe-to the Jew and to the Christian.
May he live many years yet, and may he enjoy
Ill his old age the fruits of his labor. ..s !
Iwlll not close this without saying something
ABOUT the congregation House of Love ''--with
"hich the past life Of Rev. NJ. .Michelbacher is
50 much interviewer. This congregation is In a
SOUND and nourishlng condition. NJ. MilIhtser.
ESQ., Is the president, Rev. DIR. Bethlehem the
preacher, and Rev. NJ. j. Michelbacher the tenn.
| porary reader thereof. The service OF the syna-
gogue, which attend often, Is always solemn, and
| the choir CHI .llepses any other in the city.
| a SON OF THE CONGREGATION,