The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-17
CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL.

us exempfy It by other deeds and good works which
shall secure for us crown OF Immortality.
CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL.
Twenty-Anh Anniversary Celebration
OF Its neutrality-suspicious. by Rcvs. 5.
M. Isaacs and Isaac G. Moot.
Yesterday was the twenty fifth anniversary OF the
organization B'nai Israel Congregation OF Israeli
ties, and the members celebrated the event in
sort OF holiday fashion. 1t was mixture of the
grave and the gay, the solemn and the ludicr0us.
Piety and pleasure, prayers aud pie-crusts songs
and cigars joined hands to make the occasion
to be remembered. The programme as arranged
by the committee called for prelude by the choir
"Behold, how good and pleasant a thing 1t is for
brethren to dwell together in unity.n Then fol-
lowed prayer by the minister OF the congregation,
Rev. !. Q. Moot whose father, twenty-five years
ago, held the same relation to the congregation and
dedicated their first synagogue Mr.. NJ. S. Cohen
then read brief history OF the congregation, from
which it appeared that their first meeting was held
at 25s William street in the year 1928, and that for
many years they worshipped IN private room
there. Being almost wholly natives OF Holland
they had some trouble in finding suitable chazans,
but they ultimately succeeded They were then
THE THIRD JEWISH CONGREGATION
In the city. After many years OF 1uctuatin9 exist
lied, and NJ. l.. Gozelin was elected It's first Presl-
dent, and sos was collected toward the building
fund OF a house OF worship. At the second meet
ing sl25 was raised. In May following this meeting
the other officers of the congregation were elected
and they removed from william street to PEARL
near Chatham street, and thence, few years
later, they removed TO 81 Chrystie, where they re-
manned until August, 1860, when they purchased
their present edihce, corner Of Forsyth and STAN
ton streets, from Presbyterian congregation, for
$11, 900, and rededicated it as synagogue. The
congregation has had but eleven Presidents In
those twenty-five years. and Mr. Cohen is filing his
third year as such officer Their property has in
creased fOurfold since $780, and the congregation is
now in better condition, financially and numer-
cally, than 1t has ever been After another anthem
had been sung by the choir Mr.. Fellman the Oldest
member OF the congregation, opened the ark and
took out one of the sacred scrolls. He followed
by a half dozen other old members carrying scrolls
also. At the reading desk the bearers ranged them
selves around while the choir chanted an anthem OF
praise to God for giving them the law, &c. The
minister also prayed for the municipal, State and
federal governments, officers, magistrates, &C., to
which the choir and congregation responded. The
scrolls were then returned psalm was sung, and
Rev. S. M. Isaacs OF the Forty-ourth street syna-
gogue, addressed the audience. lie was glad, for
several reasons, to be with them. He remembered
an years n ago ss @ was
faces and weli-tried friends OF the congregation,
and to them he would address few words OF en-
couragement. God has said that He would dwell
In the midst OF the sons OF Israel.
WHAT A SPLENDID Ideal
What has Israel DONE he asked to merit this
honorg Nothing at all We have our pleasures,
said he, but not without alloy. We are not all the
best men. We may be well and comfortable but
many others OF our corelgionists are not Look at
what Israel has suffered, and yet the Lord is in His
holy temple, and we may ask, Why does He allow
tons OF the jews and see what the Lord is doing.
The great Powers OF Europe haver isen up to say,
suey he Lord Still dwe Tie Is midst OF the
Of Israel. Mr.. lsaacs then expressed the pride
and pleasure he had in meeting with SO many oil his
own country people, though it he many years since
he LETT the Netherlands. Bnt he regretted that
many lsraclites are to-day ashamed OF their
country. and their religion. He urged them to
The choir again sang an anthem, "There is none
like unto Thee, Lord &c, with halelujah chorus,
after which the Rev. Mr.. Moot delivered the closing
address. He was glad that he stood in his fathers
place, but he recalled to mind the great changes
that have taken place since this congregation was
organized twenty-five years ago, and he ascribed to
God alone, the source OF all their joy, the praise due
to his name. He thanked God also that in the midst
OF all those changes the congregation had made
change in the ritual OF their service They might
deplore but they could not deny the fact that their
religion has somewhat changed but the name of
Jew is yet NOBLE and the past twenty five years have
shown that he is still alive and is opposed TO bgotry
and anatcism.
TIE DARK NIGHT OF OPPRESSION
Is replaced by the day of liberty, and he reoiced to
be permitted TO cleavc to his religion and his
try and Its laws, and TO the blessed compact made
upon Sinai with their fathers. He closed with
fervent prayer for the continued prosperity OF the
congregation and Gods blessing upon 1t.
The choir then wound up with the "Jigdal,n after
which al invitation was extended to the congrega-
ton and friends TO go To the basement below and
enjoy themselves. Then ensued scene which
would have set the old Puritan Fathers wild with
rage and sorrow. Cigars were lighted and smoked
by The men before they had time 10 get down stairs,
and were carried about in the mouth by others up
stairs: boys threw their hats about and kicked and
cufled each other; men and women iosted their way
into the basement room, and utterly regardless OF
the simplest etiquette or gallantry, rushed pell-
nell for the tables and helped themselves as best
they could to the wines, and cakes, and fruits, and
MOWERS that were spread on the tables. The COM
mitteemen tried TO give the women and children
the first chance intending that when they had been
served the men should take their places and few
short responses TO toasts should be made by Judge
Joachimsen, Rev. Mr. Isaacs, Mr.. cohen and others.
But nobody could get control Of the crowd, which
in "a few moments had been transformed from
fused hats, bonnets and voices. No better evidence
could be needed OF the difference between a reli-
gion OF the heart and religion OF the head.
CANE CLOAK AND CAP Presented.
Two incidents OF interest took place M stairs.
Before the service proper began Mrs. Morris j. Leon
presented the Rev. Mr.. Moot with clerical robe,
and gentleman Of the congregation gave him u
rabbinica elk cap TO match. After the service Mr..
Cohen, on behalf Of the Board OF Trustees, gave
Rev. Mr. 1saacs beautiful ebony cane, richly
mounted and carved In gold, and appropriately
inscribed. to help him on the downward road OF
life. Mr.. Tsaacs, in accepting 1t, spoke very feel
ingly OF his years and services in the cause OF
Judaism here, and said that in few months more,
II he lived, he should celebrate his SEVENTEEN birth
day anniversary, and he invited the congregation
come and see him then, and though he would not
promise them old-headed canes he would give
them plenty 70 drink. tapplause.)
THE sWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH.
The Spiritual House Not Made With