The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-19
PENTECosT.
CELEBRATION OF TIE JEWISH FESTIVAL IN THIS
clTY-sERvIcxs IN THE VARIOUS TEMPLES

CELEBRATION OF THE JEWISH FESTIVAL IN THIS
ClTY-sERvIcxs IN THE VARIOUS TEMPLES
AND sYNAaooUEs.
The Jewish festival Of Pentecost celebrated at
the various temples and synagogues IN this city yes'er
day with unusual fervor and floral display The rito
OF confirmation conferred many of the
younger members OF various congregations The sun
day schools Distinguishing feature Of the cele-
bration, while tho sermons directed generally TO
the immediate subject of the ceremonies.
WHAT THE Feast coMMENoRATEs.
Pontecost is OF the three principal festivals Of
the Jews, called in Greek and modern languages be-
cause celebrated on the aftieth day after the
feast Of the Passover originally called the feast
Of weeks Tor the feast of weeks because was
celebrated seven weeks alter the sixteenth day Of
the first month OF the Mosaic calendar (Nisanl
1t the feast OF the first fruits OF the harvest and
stood as the elimination OF the consecrated season,
ana was characterized by hospitable ibcrality and
remembrance of the poor Its distinguishing rite was
the Offering OF two oavos OF eavencd bread from the
crop In foreign countries, since the captivity tho
Jews have prolonged the festival 10 two days (modi-
fed In this CITY its being celebrated day by the
temples and two days by the synagogues). In later
times 1t has been kept the 'coDmcmoraton of the
law Sinai, OF which IL Is the anniversary. The day
Is also kept festival in the Christian Church, and
among Latin and Greek Christians ranks next after
Easter. II commentaries the day when, related in
Acts H., the Holy Ghost descended upon the apostles
and bestowed upon Thorn tho gift oftongues The festi
val the early ages OF the avorte for
administering baptism; and those who received 1t
clothed In white TO symbolic the spiritual purity
which baptism conlers, the day acquired the name OF
pleasing sight TO the various jewish places oil
worship SO many young aspirants, answering ques-
faith aud discipline and then receiving tho
certificate OF confirmation.
1t being the anniversary of the founding OF jewish
that point Dr.. Gouheii preached in the Temple
Emanuel, DR.. Hucbsch in Temple Ahawatch Chosed,
Dr. Ennorn IN Temple Beth 81 Dr. Msndss IN the
fourth Street Synagogue and Dr. Henry 7. Mendes IN
tho Portuguese Synagogue. West Nineteenth street and
THE PORTUGUESE SYNAGOGUE
One OF the interesting features Of the occasion was
the first appearance OF Dr. Henry r. Mendes brother
OF Dr. Mendes, Of Fortyfourth Street Synagorue who
but recently this city from Manchester, Eng
land and has been PROBATIONARY appointed preacher Of
the congregation. Much curiosity was excited among
Hebrew people to listen to the newcomer. and the
synagogue presented an unusually brilliant display
both regards costly jcwery anu toilets and exquisite
floral decorations The following is an abstract OF the
gcntlcman's rcmarks:-
The text was from Proverbs, vi, 23-"rhe CON-
mandment is lamp, and the law is light" Having
referred the Joyous nature OF the festival he said
that man created and lett 10 tho guidance of his own
Intellect fell from the high estate wherewith
he was endowed The Flood swept the degraded
from of the fair face of the earth,
sadly deied, and all humanity except one small
family found common grave beneath the dclusc OF
waters Thus the lesson OF the Flood teaches US that
the human mind left to itself is incapable OF fulfilling
the high duties ntrusted to It, It, therefore, needs
guide. What this guido Is our text said DIR. Mendcs,
briefly but emphaticaly tolls US Before tho dawn OF
revelation all was spiritual darkness but the tat was
gwen, "Let thero be light" and there was light
poured upon the earth to dispe its mantle Of black
ness with o flood OF glorious sunshine. This event,
memorable forever, took place nearly one hundred
generations ago and is celebrated this day And how
idolatry had the nations fallen The lecturer
then portrayed the history and practices of
pagan nations, including Egypt early saxons,
East and West and compared them with the doctrine
tho Bible, as elucdaled by Genesis, KY, l5 KING
David. Job and tho Talmud treatise Modekaton. But
what Is the commandment, he asked, which the
text says is lamp The word denotes the practical
prccept the observance Of the Sabbath aud lcsvals
tho abstinence IRON forbidden food the actions of love,
help and charity deeds Of pety and veneration the
iumont OF all those ethical principles TO which mon
can lind the equal nowhere olse
The word "iaw' III Hebrew tordh, Is derived from
the ITO show, "to teach" Thus the word tordh
means steducationthe education OF the world which
began Sinai by the development OF the laws ord-
nances tho education OF ourselves by the practco oil It's
precepls, the education OF children by thu ncuca
lion Of It's doctrines Having referred to the education
OF the world and tho part played IN u ny the Hebrew
New Testament and tho Mohammedan Koran, the
preacher dilatcd upon the education OF he Hebrews
which was to be accomplished by continually striving
alter the perfection held forth III the tordi.
HOME EXAMPLE EVERYTHING.
He earnestly advocated tho religious education OF
children being the sure means OF successfully CON-
batting the naIeriaIiss, e.hicaurists ct hoe genus
0mne-and as being the only means OF pro-
example everything. II It DO the mother
who kindies the light of the law in the mind Of
the child II be the school that strengthens It, 1t Is
the home example that supplies the very oil, the life
OF the light of the law. Thus the commandment the
lamp and the law - tho light which ut once light up
path OF life here and the mysterious walks beyond
the grave Lot then be cheercd by their radiance,
or ~ e
Tor the righteous and the joy for tho upright OF heart