The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-06-22
Ceremony of Confirmation at the
Hebrew Temple,
Donaldsonyille, Friday, June 7, 1878.
(Siyan s, $685..
FESTIVAL OF PENTECosT.
ADDRESS OF REV. DIR. soPHAR
TO THE CONFIRMED.
Continued from last ,ceek.J
Who is useful to soeietY .

Who is useful to society,"
1ou Will also see people that try to de-
ceive human soclety-but men do not suffer
themselves to be deceived, though there are
many that wish and believe to do so. Who
soeyer advances common welfare only as
long as he can depend upon some profit
who observes fidelity and honesty only as
long as it does not require sacrifice who
is charitable whenever it can be seen who
associates with men to make use of them,
but not to be of any use to them, he may
always be smiling and friendly towards
everybody he meets, but he will never gain
the respect and love of men. But if you
now try to advance the welfare of your
fellow men because you are inspired by the
holy task performed if you practice probi-
ty because it is natural TO you; If you zeal
ously cover your good work, and only come
in contact with men to foster their advance
meut, then you prove that you are possessed
of the wondelf full charm of to-day's gift.
Who finally lives a life pleasing in the
eyes of God
Men even try to deceive God, and we meet
many that wish and believe to do so. You
will see people whose hearts are full of sim
full desires, in whose eyes the enjoyment of
pleasure is of higher value than humility
and modesty. Gain allures them quicker
than rectitude and honesty, influence and
wealth are their supports and not the conf
denee in the giver of all things; their would
be wisdom and superficial knowledge are
their guides and not the reasonable religion
of their fathers. You will find men eagerly
preserving the appearance of piety--but
never believe that divine approval is gained
by deceit.
Be uprightly resolved to live virtuously
live in probity, modesty and humility rather
than in pleasure sacrifice material gain
rather than violate the reasonable law
bent character and not weak tools of waver-
ing public opinion. Do not lose your belief
in this treasure by overrating your own
knowledge. And since it is my holy duty
particularly to confirm in you an mistaken
will rightly to perform Your religious obi
cations, never forget, my beloved children,
the advice which one of our best divines has
laid down for you, and which | give and
recommend to you in this august moment.
Behold, the best coreligionists consider
the confirmed as the future standard bear
ers of our racial honors and our sacred faith
in this country. Your seniors have come
hither from distant lands to find homes,
liberty and means of livelihood they had,
therefore, no time to work for anything
| loftier. Their antiquated notions of spiritual
matters, which they brought along with
them, are foreign to the healthy and bloom
| ing life which you enjoy; and those who
| brought no notions along, were apt to mis-
understand the significance of life altogether.
Some obnoxious usages which they dimly
remember from their old homes, they take as
| the sum and substance of cur holy profes.
| sion. They can not be yonr teachers in re
| ligious matters for your ripper age, they can
not be examples for y on, to follow principles
by which you shall afterwards erect your
selves in the ineessant troubles of life
Whether they call themselves orthodox or
/ reform, eonsel vatire or radical, they Sc.
/ lected ideas which suited their taste best
/ their profession seems good only for them
selves and not for you to adapt without iaa-
I ture consideration. You have, therefore
/ your own mission. as you have your own
/ future before You. and the best way TO fol
/ low it up seems to be this:
/ Have respect for whatever kind of work
! ings you see performed /; never condemn q
ceremony which you perhaps have never
seen before and the reason of which you dc
not know. As soon as possible take part il