Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-19
WITH APPROPRIATE CEREMoNIEs,

Laying the Corner Stone of the Nex
Jewish TemPIe-Addresses NV Re-
DIR. Aaiisii, Rev. DIR Wise. Ex.Presi.
dent johnson and GOV. RroxnA
large Attendance and impressive
Ceremonies.
Yesterday was day long to be remem.
bered by our Jewish fellow citizens. as il
witnessed the laying Of the corner store al
their new temple on Vine street.-the first
Jewish Synagosus erected in Nashville.
The attendance was very large, and the
exercises were Of an impressive character.
THE PROCESSION.
At 4:3O p. NJ, Cumberland Lodge No. &
the Oldest Masonic lodge in the city, head
ed by GibSon's Rock City Band.w escort
ed by the Marshals Of the day from Masonic
Hall to to the Synagogue on Market street.
where the procession was Immediately Or
ganized.
In front were Chief Marshal ID. We |
and his assistants, Charles Sulzbacher. ).
S,einan and Henry Reddlesheimer.
Next in order came GibsOn's Rock CITY
Band, followed By Cumberland Lodge No.
8. with Thomas o. Morris as Marshal
Next came members Of the congregation on
foot, followed by long line Of carriages
containing the officers Ofthe synagogue, the
distinguished visitors, the members of the
Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent Association
and the lady members Of the congrega-
ton.
Ia the 6rst carriage were ex-President
| Andrew johnson, Rabbi I. NJ. Wise, of
Cincinnati, Rabbi IsadOr Kalisch, and J.
Bloom stein.
1 sa,nr,l 4
Master j. ID. Richardson, acting Senior
| Grand Warden, C.. &. Giers, DIR. II. II.
Freeman, acting Deputy Grand Warden,
and NJ. b. Pitcher, acting Grand Chaplain.
Gov. John T.. Brown, Gen. James Hick-
man, Col. Jno. G. Burch aud John Friz-
zell, Esq, were in the third carriage
In the next carriage were Judge S. A.
Duling, II. III. Thompson, Esq, Judge
John C.. Fer.iSs, and W. ID. Haynes, Esq.
Then followed carriages containing the
members of the City Council.
The column moved through Market
street, across the Square, through Market
to Union, through Union to Cherry, out
Cherry to Church, up Church to Vine, and
down Vine to the building site, between
Church and Broad, which il reached at 5
O'Clock y. n.
Upon the procession being brought
TO halt, the occupants Of the carriages,
headed by eX-President johnson and DIR.
Wise, assembled TO a spacious and comfort
able platform which had been erected on
the joists laid down for the first floor of the
building. The band took position near
this platform, and gave pleasing variety to
the exercises, with a choice selection ofap-
prOpriate music.
The cornerstone was raised from the
ground to its position on the foundation
walls and firmly fixed. Rev. DR.. Isador
Kalish was then introduced by j. Bloom
stein, and spoke follows:
ADDRESS OF DIR. KALIsH.
Ladies and Conference.-The are assem-
bled here to sOlemnize the ceremony OF
laying the cornerstone of Jewish house
of worship. These last mOmentous words
| afford us ample scope for inquiry and create
in US on such a solemn occasion senti
menis and feelings which are so over
whelming that it IS hardly possible TO give
them expression.
1t is not because such an event is some
thing extraordinary and happens very sell
dom in Israel, but the great weight and
the true feature of the present moment
oCcAAlS ~ lltn " NC HCN4A44l III TIC
history of this congregation.
After two years pastoral care and guild
ance of this congregation, Ohavay ShalOm,
1t is my firm conviction that il will not
only become, in regard to its membership,
as large as any Jewish congregation Of this
or any neighbOring State, but can also rank
among the first concerning culture and
/ spiritual endeayOrs, and that its members
know very well the spirit Of the age and
the beneicent demands Of our times and
of our country. And, nevertheless, il IS
the first time during its existence that the
| laying of a corner stone of Jewish tenn
pie takes place in this city.
II is the first time that Israelites residing
here endeayOr to build a house for devO-
ton, religious instruction and ADVANCEMENT
OF truth, true piety and morality; house
which is and should be the focus Of an
active cOngre gatiOnal life. And indeed, a
Jewish congregation in the capital of our
State, the natural center of il, should not
be backward 10 those of other denOmina-
tons which are all nObly and hOnOrably
represented.
This was generally felt, but there were
always many difficulties that smOthered
this feeling and piOus wish, and could
therefore not be realized by facts.
In the year 1852, a Jewish congregation
was organized in this city, which rented a
hall and fixed it up for place Of worship.
The congregation slowly increasing in
membership, has then shown an earnest
desire TO erect house Of worship Of its
own by the fact, thai q lot was purchased
for that purpose, which was afterwards eX-
changed for that on which we are about TO
lay the corner stone OF a temple.
But for many years some objected against
the erection Of a synagogue; because they
said, like the cOtempOraries of the Prophet
Haggai concerning the building of the Sec
Ond temple. 'sThe time is not leone, the
time that the Lords house should be
built" (Haggai, /, p
The reason Of such an opinion was, be-
cause the Israelites of this city were not
united, aud consequently they thought that
their meaus would no. be adequate TO their
task. Yes, the spirit Of concord and broth
erly fellowship was disturbed. Some de-
manded a few Improvements in the mode
of worship, aud Others were strongly OPP
posed 10 them. They were torn in fac
lions aud organized themselves finally into
two congregations, namely, orthodox and
reform. Every party tried theoretically to
realize their opinions, but they failed 10
accomplish anything on solid basis. The
reform congregation, forCed by eircum-
stances, had TO give up their place of wOr-
ship, which was rented and is still occupied
by this congregation.
Experience taught all these men Of diff
ferent religious opinions, the strong and
the weak, the advanced and the conserya-
tive, in fine all these sO-called orthodox
and retOmerz, that thore was and is no
room here for two respectable Jewish con-
gregations, if each Of them should fulfill
truly its duties.
acknowledgement TO the advanced school,
the principles Of which have advocated
for many ysarS by my published works, es-
says and lectures, as well as by my preach
ing in nearly all eminent Jewish cOngrega-
tions in the Union, and having been en-
gagged and authorized by this formerly or
thcdox congregation TO introduce reforms
moderately, endeavOred to perform my
sniritual work by degrees. We tried to make
every step Of progression with gentleneSs,
patience and fOrbearance. The intelligent,
truly pious and jealous working officers
and members of this congregation, assisted
me undauntedly and faithfully.
Thus they have arisen in unison and
succeeded in uniting nearly all true and
conscientious Israelites Of this city for
erecting a dignifed house Of worship, the
oornar Stone of which shall now be laid