Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-11
JEWISH SERVICES.

Ff1e Initial Sermon of the Rabbi at the
Synagogue Yesterday.-His Views of Re
ligious Duty.
The Rev. D. J. Wethser, of New Haven.
Conn, has succeeded DR.. Cohen rabbi OF
Mound Zion synagogue. He comes amongst his
people here with the fame of his former sue
cesses preceding him. The sermon which he
preached yesterday impressed his hearers most
favOrably, and after the service was over they
congratulated themselves that they had found
80 able successor to DR.. Cohen. After review
ing his past labors in other fields and express
ing the hope that he may win the hearts of his
congregation here, he stated his views at length
as follows
In order to acquaint you with my views,
which shall guide me in the discharge of my
duties I shall, in the best manner possible, ex-
zpIain to you my platform, and in precise terms
state to you what consider to be the duties of
a faithful minister in Israel, and then also de-
clare before you what duties the congregation
must perform to make the ministry success.
The prophet speaks of the ideal teacher in
Israel to have lived thus: ''The law of truth
was in his mouth and no wrong was found on
his lips; in peace and rectitude he walked be-
fore us, and many he has converted to the cause
of righteousness"
Truth il, then, my friends, the first great
principle by which the true teacher IN
Israel must be actuated. Truth is, as our
@ages have explained, the truth of God.
How careful must the teacher in Israel be
at this age to discern between fiction and truth.
this is age of progress and advancement,
and Israel's religion being based upon reason
and understanding, must never shun the light,
and full investigation. The prophet ex-
claimed centuries ago, Come, house of Israel,
let ak in the light of the Lord" We have
ON the side, to battle against every sort of
unbelief materiallsm and scepticism, and on
the other side, must oppose an irrational re-
fIOj in fNrma n
as the essence of religion.
We must be the advance guard to proclaim
boldly and frankly before the world that Juda-
ism is pre-eminently the religion Of progress,
Of humanity, which favors kindness and chart
ty to all. The pulpit must be the place to ex-
pound the lofty principles of our holy religion
and promise you that Sabbath after Sabbath
this shall be done according to my best ability
End shall speak frankly and sincerely to
young and old, small and large, what needs
are at this hour, and to win your hearts that
you may be Jealous and faithful in the procla-
NATION of truth.
All wrongs must be exposed in the pulpit;
all shortcomings, no matter wherever percepti-
ble must be pointed out by the faithful min
lister in Israel. While it is the duty of any
minister to please as much as possible his con-
gregation whenever and wherever the sacred
word of God is expounded, there must be no
ouch word as to please the congregation by
high sounding words of praise when it is not
.demand by honest and faithful work. 1t Is
the minister's duty to take an interest In all
matters pertaining to the general interest OF
society, socially morally and politically, for a
good and faithful Israelite must be good
spouse, good citizen and useful to the com
nnnity at large.
I shall ever make it my duty to state to you
Sabbath after Sabbath, what consider not &C
cep; able in the eyes OF God, but shall ever give
you credit for every noble deed which you may
practice.
1t is not so much the minister's preaching IL
our day, which according to my opinion consti
;tutes the true teacher in Israel but the life of
minister must be pure and what he breaches
AS true he must practice. In short he must b.
the living example to teach the young and ole
that it is not in vain to serve the Lord. H
must walk in peace and rectitude before tn
congregation. He must seek to unite the diff
ferent factions which may here and there exis
in the Jewish congregation. There must be nj
nationality known in Judaism. The wore
t'Israelite'' must unite us as one people, havin.
one aim and one destiny.
The true teacher in Israel must convert man,
TO the cause of righteousness. In this connec
lion there is great work for the Jewish Rabbi
1t is strange, but nevertheless it is true ano
therefore to be de deplored, that we have man,
1sraelites who take no interest in the welfar.
of our congregations They live with us
minge freely with us, but carry not with u
our burdens, but are quite willing to enjoy GU
blessings. Judaism more than any other re
lgien, has common history. Our yictorie
deeply concern all, and our calamities whicl
have befallen us have been felt by all.
1t is therefore difficult to explain why il
many communities so much indifference ant
iukewarmness prevails; why not every Israelit
considers it his hottest duty to become an activ
snember of the congregation and thus to ad
vance our holy cause? Let me tell you tina
the cause of humanity and if we true t,
our duty, will here accomplish noble work
The rabbi stated then the duties of the con
a,regation toward their minister: The congrt
cation must assist the minister, never thinkin
for one moment that all would work we'll,
only the minister were actually engaged in hi
work. But 1T was the duty of the congregatiO
to support him, to be active co-laborers, t
make his ministry success. All efforts of tn
minister will prove fruitless if the congregu
ton remains inactive. Divine service
especially, must be well ATTENDED
1t is no luxury for any minister, and surel.
will be none for me, to preach to empt,
benches. l shall demand your presence a
often as the portals of this house of worshi
are opened. | could never content myself i
this was not the case, no matter what Othe
Inducements you offer. L mean earnest an
active work, and you must be the faithful
workmen to carry out my plans and sugges
tions. This much is required of this congregs
stion if it shall assume grand position. Yc
must always honor and respect the Office whit
L hold, and whatever faults you may find wit
the man who is engaged in this sacred vocatio
1T must never interfere to injure the great eau
for which the ministry is working.
Uphold the Sabbath school; remember tt
progress of Judaism depends upon the risil
generation. Then let educate CHI
.dren that they may become an honor to o
religion.
After the service large number of the co
gregation called upon the reverend gentlem
at his residence, on Canada street, and spe
several hours in social and most enjoyable
ttercourse.
The Great Summer Nights Festival.
The event which has been talked abo1
and looked for, and longed for more tn
any one thing or half-dozen big things
even excepting the big fairs Col. Knauf
grand summer nights festival at La
Como. AT last the gorgeous pageant is
be produced which will be remembered a
talked of till the crack of doom. The VIII,
lake will be illuminated, and sevel
Thousand lanterns will sdorn the trees a
form festoons of light softer than t