The New York herald., 1876-03-05
SYNAGOGUE WORSHIP.
pINAOOuUL WOAOIlII.
DEAI JEsHURUN CoNoREGATIoS's NEW MINIS
TER-THE MUTUAL RELATIONS AND REsPoN-

D'EAI JEsHURUN CoNoREGATIoSs NEW MINIS
TER-THE MUTUAL RELATIONS AND REsPoN-
sIBILIrIEs OF PREACHER AND PEOPLE
For three years the Jewish congregation Worship
ping in West Thiry-ourth have sought earnestly
but In vain, for n successor their late rabbi DR..
Vidaver now Of San Francisco. Europe. America aud
Australasia searched, but could be found
answering all tho requirements OF tho case. The
gregation contained within itself two parties-one
tending toward moderate reform and the other cingng
closely TO its inherited ccrcmoniaism. Or. Vidaver
favored reform, though not radicasm and under his
ministry an attempt made TO introduce female
singers into tho choir. An organ would
doubedly have followed had this movement been
successful But the conservatives became enrnged and
unceremonously dismissed tho female singers and put
veto any iurthor Efforts In tho line of reform. The
petty chickering's that subsequently between the
two parties had much TO do with the resignation OF Dr.
Nldnvcr and the subsequently long continued vacancy
OF the pulpit But ''reormations mover 60 backward,
and tins was no exception. Alter much ecclesiastical
and legal wrangling the reform party gained the
cendancy In congregational affairs, and the synagogue
was made more slightly, convenicut and com orable
Tor worship, an organ introduced and female singers
added, and now It's vacant pulpit has received one Of
the most gifted ministers OF Jewish faith in the city.
Yesterday the Rev Henry 5. Jacobs lately minister Of
the congregation in Nineteenth street, Filth
nue. assumed charge OF the Thirty fourth
gregatlon and altcr hc hsd been introduced by Mr.
Dnkelspie, president of the society, preached
mon on the mutual relations and
RESPONSIBILITIES OF 4 PREACHER
and his congregation Tho basis OF his remarks
Gods covenant of lie and peace with Levi and with
Israo and which, he remarked indicates the nature of
the duties that belong to the teacher and the taught
In treating OF the blessing OF life, Mr. Jacobs remarked
that IL II be threatened how the heart throbs
ously and rushes back TO its sanctuary He gave an
illustration of bark laundering ut What conserna
ton would be created among the passengers awakened
perhaps from their slumbers, and nndng themselves
almost in the jaws Of DEATH Loud cries for help rise
above the and din or tho ocean, but whence or
from what quarter shall help come There is hand
reached out to aid, and the vessel rolls and sinks into
the doep below Such n scene is terrible; but the
morning dawns and with II comes the aid earnestly
prayed for, but how few saved by Gods merccs
IRON such an untimcly death Cannot we then,
eMpo0' ees who ns hss aa HIS s%el eoyenan, %b
his people, the covenant of feg Another illustration
OF the value OF life was drawn by Mr. Jacobs from the
babe. How weary the day drags along! VIII II never
end WIN the day never come and bring with II life
Applying these illustrations, Mr. Jacobs asked II The
blessing of lie and health OF much importance in
individual affairs should IL not be in our eccesias
tical and spiritual aairs Then the great question for
us is how TO preserve this life in ngregations.
Answering his question: the preacher said the life
OF the congregation will be best conserved by the
spread OF knowledge and truth while he pleaded for
historic Judaism he thought 1t would be madness 10
expect bring that Judaism TO the standard of today
And yet II can be done by making our houses OF
ship what they are designed 70 be, living temples
OF the living Goa houses OF prayer where the beauty
OF holiness in right good earnest may be soen. II we
want this blessing he said, must labor Tor II aud
make the synagogue the place OF devotion appeal
the hoart and the conscience This is the question
before and abors should be directed toward this
end Then shall our congregational activity DO the
best evidence OF our congregational life
TfK COVENANT or PEACE.
The other element In this covenant between God and
His people is pcace-the elimination OF every other
blessing. Without peace religion never thrives This
remarked Mr Jacobs, you try for yourselves both
the synagogue and out in tho temple of God and in
the sanctuary Of home Peace was what God cove
nancd TO the Aaronc priesthood and through them
all the house of Israclthe Lord lit upon you the light
OF HIS COuntenance and grant Pence. then
is the goal that must have IN view IL we desire
the best interests OF Israel Peace must be
the object which will suggest itself most desirable
to us and man, woman and child must labor
for this. IL IS 10 be obtained by your
good will, he remarked, and with this we
build up this congregation and win for IL the
respect OF young and old and increase educational
resources. Peace outshnes all else beside. Life and
peace then the elements OF the covenant
between God and Israel OF which are 10 be the
bearers 90 the world And In this mission, in which
botn priest and people engaged the preacher
be foremost In bringing the truth before his flock aud
must labor fervently aud anxionsly To secure these
results he must devote his mind and heart TO tho
truths thus committed TO him. realizing tho vastness
OF the obligations which rest upon him. Then shall
have service which will be profitable to all who may
come within the mnistrations OF this house. JUDAISM
Will become then not merely object of veneraton,
but OF observance also, and we shall have
RELIGIOUS VITALITY AND NOT DRY Journalism,
which produces congregational disturbances aud death
This covenant, which Is to exist between the minister
and the congregation is of twofold IN It's
and Each Is TO recognize and respect
the other-the Instructor and instructed Mr. Jacobs
then said that he came to the congregation Il mai
Jeshurun determined do his whole duty the best
OF his ability without any regard to social distinctions
or age among them. And he considered his duty not
confined merely 20 teaching IN the synagogue; much
must be zone outside Nor would he content himself
simply with one class OF duties, but would sweep
around among ALL especially Interesting himself the
instruction and guidance OF the young-a matter which
many Jewish congregations neglect He urged his
hearers TO unto with him in making this congregation
the representative fJudaism in tnis community.