The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-19
Be not in fright:
Nigh Is He e'er -
To the contrite:
Children in prayer
Are his delight.
Confrmands.
Make us victorious
While here we strive
TIL at that glorious.
Throne We arrive.

This was followed by prayer by the con-
~ THE SERMON. I, ~ i...'
Then the Introductory sermon OF the
rabbi to the congregation was delivered in
Honored Parents and Ffiends,-A beau
tiiul hour has approached. 4 solemn action
is about to be performed; and thank my
God sincerely for letting me live to see this
hour; to celebrate the confirmation in your
midst, in this venerable house Of God,
which appears adorned with the ornaments
Of spring surpassed in, beauty only by the
| lovely charm Of the living and breathing
flowers before us. This is q celebration for
which we are Indebted to the so-often-
abused Reform.
In old Jewish ground it took root, but
REFORM has elected the blossoms, and l
hope to God that it viii also bring blessing
to our Temple, as in this hour God sends
us an angel-an angel Of peace, who leads
the hearts Of the parents to the children,
the hearts OF the children to the parents.
But before addressing the children turn
to you, my worthyA congregation, to give
YOU an account OF what confirmation signi-
ties-of What importance is the contirma-
ton to our Israeites, but in particular, first
to the parents; second, to the children; third,
to the congregation. "The Lord made with
us covenant on Horeb. Not with our
foreiathers did the Lord make this
! covenant, but with ourselves who are
here all alive this day." This is the
text. These words constitute one OF
the most beautiful sayings OF Moses.
Around him were then gathered, as in this
holy place, men and women, age and youth
| Ali Israel is, as 20 man. And Moses spoke
unto the aged and the children from those
he transferred the duties of the covenant to
these, and solemnly fixed the remembrance
OF the revelation intbe hearts of!those whom
he educated to serve the Lord and whom he
lovingly led to the boundary OF the pro-
missed. land This is the signiheation OF
confirming the children. To-day they enter
new stage Of life-that Of YOUTH. They
should now clearly recognize their duty as
men and Israelites, and know that from this
hour they are responsible for their every
action, since now they enter the congrega-
tion OF Israel.
we are here all alive this day, surround
ing these children as a protecting wall.
May God grant us life, that we may ever
surround them thus. And the father
will furthermore ,wateh1over the youth to
whom, his guiding hGndfis a necessity, while
the loving mother will guide the daughter,
that she may be modest as the lily OF the
field, not as the snowy tulip, which pleases
only when viewed from distance. To-day
the present, past, and future of parents and
children 60 hand-in-hand. -
In conclusion he said: ,-i-l:'i :. ToI jf. .
5000 should be secured in the hearts OF
the children fer all time. And so may we
rejoice to-day in looking at our sons and
daughters who are about to! receives the
sanction OF religion in their youthful hearts.
Our venerable synagogue, IN its double or
nament OF spring, calls to them. 4 As the
fathers and mothers yeare mincsye. young
sons and daughters OF Israel, and ! bring
them to your congregation on this day
of First Fruits. II have taught them the
holy religion. of iour fathers rs far rs was in
! my power n May they become an honor to
.ttheir parents and the.Whoie congregation Of
Israel, afTod od. d"gfant this n BIS mercy.
Il Amen, s.4 .i,,, H. -yilfg u ~ ,is!tr Tffsi3S i
- ~ ADDRESS TO THE cosFnsJaSns.. ~ ls 10 |
.nAfter the singing Of. Psalm No. 80 the
Rabbi addressed the con6rmands. "NoW''
1sad he, ssI turn to you, my dear children,
I TO direct your attention to the value OF this
hour. To You it is Of the greatest imp ortance.
You heard that you have now left harmless
childhood and entered into the ripper age OF
youth, in which you are ansWerable ior
Iyolfr every action. AS before the lsraelites
4 to whom Moses spoke, SO lies before you the
beautiful land OF youth-a land which 70
pure heart faitfiiulto Its, God flows with mix
md honey. Behind you lies no desert. No;
/ cbildhood,s foriti hr,d,s In which you could