The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-09-26
sTAUNToN. VIRGINIA. SEPTEMBER 26. 1875

just as the audience were growing impatien
three loud and solemn raps we're heard
the ante-room, followed by the chanting il
Hebrew of the words, 'Open to me, tn
gates OF prayer, will 20 into them an,
will praise the Lord.'' A very fine choir
composed of Jews and Gentiles, accom-
panied by an organ, responded, and then tn
doors were opened and the procession entere,
This comprised the Cantor or reader, tn
Rabbi, wearing close fitting cape and fowin
satin robe, the three scroll bearers carrying
the parchments in elegantly embroided case
OF satin and velvet, and the officers of th
congregation all wearing their hats. TIL
ceremonies which followed, consisting o
various chants, reading from the scripture
in Hebrew, singing by the choir, etc., bort
much general resemblance to the services O
the Catholic and Episcopal churches. which
] presume were copied with modification!
from the Jewish model. The most impress
sive portion Of the service, all solemn an6
interesting, was depositing the scrolls in the
Ark, when the Rabbi, man Of noble pres
ence, standing with back to the audience
with appraised arms. recited in most sono
rous voice, "Return unto thy resting place
and reside in the Temple, for every mouth
and tongue shall ascribe glory and honor
unto thy Kingdom p And when the Ark
rested he said, Restore, Oh Lord, tranquility
to the many thousandof Israel, cause us,
Oh Lord. to return unto thee, and we shall
return. Renew our days as Of old, Amen
Before the sermon. prayer was offered by
the Rabbi, a fervent and eloquent thanksgiv-
| ing for the blessings Of religious liberty, and
the ability for Israel to worship God accord
ing to their ancient faith, an earnest petition
for the Hebrews in every land. whether I'M
der s'Oriental despotism or western clviliza-
tion,' closing with entreaties for blessings
political, commercial and domestic'' upon
every habitation within this good city Of
Lynchbprg, that all might abound with peace
and prosperity, that the feeling Of the BROTH
erhood of man might increase among all our
people, our hearts might be softened to all
the sorrows of humanity, and freely opened
now to the cry of anguish coming to us from
less fortunate communities"
After this the perpetual lamp" was light
ed, symbolical ssof the undying fire upon
Gods ancient altar, and of the intelligence
ever to be maintained among men by the
preservation of the Jewish faith.
The Rabbi, DR.. Jacobs, Of Philadelphia,
then read from manuscript sermon re-
markably interesting and impressive in style,
and displaying great learning, research and
liberality of mind.
After abiding in touching terms to the
desolations of war, with which he had found
our people environed on his first visit to the
city. fifteen years ago, and the pleasure Of
seeing the land once more peaceful and pros
porous, the Rabbi congratulated the ocngre-
cation, though few in numbers and limited,
In means, upon having at length secured a
place Of worship, and urged them to use it
faithfully, Sabbath after Sabbath" He
recited in earnest and persuasive tones the
great advantages to be attained by man in
the cultivation and practice of religion and
in the services of the sanctuary, in
struction of the young, the Solace OF the sick
and sorrowing, the comfort and hope OF the
aged-for all of every age and condition the
place of prayer, sthat mighty pinion on
which the soul Of man essays to rise to his |
Creator" The learned Rabbi referred to the
creation of the first tabernacle in the wilder
ness, the building of Solomon's temple and
its dedication, the faith and long religion,
which led the Hebrews to rebuild it after its
destruction. Then taking broader ground
the speaker gave most instructive sketch
of Hebrew history. With evident pride of
lace, the eloquent old man recited the glo-
ries of the Jewish past, the wonderful man
ner in which their race have been preserved
as distinct people, and the overthrow, al
most humiliation, of every nation, (which had
in turn striven to Cypress and destroy the
chosen people. There was something indies
eribable, combining patl1os and pride In the f
manner in which he spoke OF his race as SIS +
rael." In thrilling tones he asked where is
the grandeur Of Egypt, Assyria, Persia:
Rome, recounting in succession the fall OF
those once mighty powers, and abiding
with bitter emphasis to the 'sapostate daugh-
ter Of the Jewish faith, who, although deriv-
ing all the elements of strength and truth
she possessed from the Hebrew system, had
but too often turned upon her mother, with
cruelty, ingratitude and oppression" In
feeling terms he referred to the late treaty
at Berlin, which had at length secured for
the Israeltes Of Europe equal rights as citi-
zens and religious federation.
In conclusion he paid glowing tributes to
america, the land which had first relieved
the Hebrews from restrictive legislation, and
although the youngest of the nations, had
sons of liberty and federation towards all"
Then followed a eulogy upon Virginia, ''who
had of old given to the world Washington
and Jefferson, and in later days Maury, Lee
and Jackson The sermon WAS very fine
indeed, and deeply res ret my inability to
do Justice to it, especially to the magnificent
peroration upon the teachings for all man.
kind to be derived from the great law-giver
Of Israel. fg
With most of the discourse Of the worthy
Rabbi, 1 was greatly charmed, but could
hardly follow him when he claimed for the
Jewish system the principle of religious toll
Grafton. 1t may be so, but 1t never struck
me that the way the children OF Israel clear
ed out the idolatrous Ammonites, Hittites
and Penalties from the land of Canaan sa-
vored much of liberality, and Christendom
will shudder till the end of time at the cru
cifxion OF the s'Son of Man, by jewish
hands. After the sermon, the choir rem
dered ssGude me o Thou great jehovah
most tremendously, and the Rabbi dismissed
the congregation with a fervent benediction.
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