The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-19
FORTY.rOURTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.

Rev. MIR. Isaacs' Septennial Birthday
Talk-A Review of the Past and q
Hope for the Future.
The disagreeable weather yesterday deferred
people from turning out to the synagogue and the
attendance of worshippers was consequently very
small indeed Less than half Q dozen ladies
ventured out to FOrty-fourthr street and these
doubtless, were as much attracted by the fact that
yesterday was the SEVENTEEN birthday of their
minister Rev. s. M. Isaacs. Mr.. Isaacs is an ex-
ceedingg well preserved gentleman for his years
and by action and looks he might be adjudged good
for twenty years more. That he may have long
and useful life is and must be the prayer OF all who
know him. In recurring to the event yesterday
Mr.. Isaacs was visibly afrecHd. There moments,
he said, when the spiritual teacher and guide OF
congregation Is perplexed to know what
to do or what to say. Instead of exporting
his hearers he would have to exhort himself to-
day, he remarked And as basis for this exhor.
tation he read Psalm xc., 0, 1O-"For all our days
are passed away: = we spend our years as a
tale that u told The days OF our years are three
arrived at this age, and thank God that have
lived to see this day. But how, he asked, could
yearsY He would endeavor to do so, he said, by
acts and words OF Kindness and love in the future
PROGRESS OF JUDAISM IN NEW YORK.
Thirty-nve years ago, he remarked, he landed on
the shores of the New World. There were then
but three synagOgues in this city. But small and
feeble as the Jews were then the need Of an Eng
lish preacher was felt, and the Congregation
Shaaray Tehla called him to he their minister. The
taken place in New York within these thirty live
years were then referred to-, when Mr..
lsaacs remarked that In those days Israel was one
family. The people had not begun to follow novel
ties But now they are divided. He traced the
progress OF the society to which he has ministered
street, Franklin street, Thrty-sixth, and finally IN
their beautiful edhce erected at great expense, IN
Fourty-fourth street.
HAPPY MARRTAGEs-NoT MIXED.
During his ministry he had married So couples.
but he had never oficiated at mixed marriage
ceremony. He had also married the children OF
some parents whom he had married years ago.
Last week he performed one such ceremony and
ceremony. He was glad to be able to say that not
one OF those couples whom he had married had
been divorced. He had also consecrated thirty
eight synagogues In different parts OF the United
states, including the first one ever built in the
state OF Illinois He had also attended the funerals
OF MANY great men, including that OF the late
President Lincoln, in company with many Christian
minister's His people could therefore readily I'M
derstand that he had not been idle during those
thrty-hve years OF ministerial life. And his
humble labors have been sought and appreciated
by others than his own co-regioniss as well as by
them also. During all those years among them in
the words OF the prophet Samuel, he asked whose
OK had he stolen and whom had he deiraudedY
Let him now present his claim and he Qsaacs) will
restore him four-old. He had endeavored to do
his duty throughout his ministry in the past. But
what should he say OF the present9 There is no
What e OF T he night G the As The
congregation had In. their service opened new
volume to-day lExodus) so had he opened new
volume in his life. He could not tell whether he
would i've TO complete 1t or not. He would like to
STAY LITTLE LONGER HERE,
put II GOD pleases to call him he will trust TO be
ready. He may be sinful, to be sure, there Is no
man who ivcth and sinneth not; but the mercies OF
God are great, ana he hoped in His mercy. He
away from them, God would send the people q true
man after HIS own heart, who should guide them