Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-17

in the languarge of the divine Psalmist of
Israel.
In turn, DR.. Wechsler had words of ad-
monition to extend to the candidates, fol-
lowing which they were examined in the
law and scriptures, to convince the congre-
cation that they were eligible candidates for
the solemn duties they wished to assume,
The six boys and daughter" were put through
q catechizing, extended and severe, from
which ordeal they emerged with credit. Not
one missed in answer, and the explanation
of the offices of the order and duties of the
members were given at length
with frequent scriptural quotations
in illustration. Again DR.. Wechsler gave
words of advice, and encouraged his pupils.
Besides being an important day to the can
didates, the day was an important one in the
order. 1t was the anniversary of that day
when, amid the thunder's roll and the blind
ing flash of lightning, God gave unto Moses
the commandments on Mount Sinai. While
the law had been given to Gods chosen peo-
pie, it had been q revelation which had bless
ed all mankind. The traditions, the unity
of the church of Israel and its divine origin
were commented upon, and impressed upon
the children as the church, the congregation,
into which they we're entering as full fell
lows.
The candidates then made their declaration
of faith, in unison and individually. Adhe-
renee to the faith fof their fathers, and
promise to discharge duties incumbent upon
them as members of the church, az citizens
and as men, were solemnly pledged.
At this juncture the most affecting part of
the ceremony began. Each candidate in
turn returned thanks to the Almighty for the
blessings bestowed, and most feelingly were
thanks returned to their parents. These
addresses were SO feelingly spoken and each
speech was SO fulllof heartfelt utterances
of gratitude, that parents wept and the con-
gregation sympathizing with them in the
Joy of their sons and daughters, added their
tears. This feeling was Intensified when
the children were dismissed from the dais to
seek the blessings of parents. Descending
to the congregation, each candidate ap-
preached father and mother, and they,
rising, folded them in their arms,
uttered silent prayers, and placed
the seal of their benediction with kiss
upon their children's foreheads. The con-
gregation, Jew and Christian, were visibly
affected.
Returning to the dais, the candidates were
allowed to perform their first religious duty.
The doors of the ark were thrown open to
hymnal music, and the law-the scriptures
in the original Hebrew-were brought
forth, each candidate spostrophizing
tho banner of the Lord, which
shrouded and enveloped His word, given by
His hand into the hands of Moses. The
scriptures were stripped of their covering,
and written in Hebrew characters on vellum
were unrolled for each candidate to read in
turn in the original and then translate the
word of God. After praise, and a restora-
ton of the law to the keeping of the ark,
certificates of confirmation were handed to
tina following candidates:
Phillip Wechsler, Joseph Sattler, Phillip
Rose, Albert Rose, Maurice Goodkind, Louis
Plechner and Carrie lsaacs.
The certificates are on parchment, in
scibed at the head in half circle with the
words Certificate of Confirmation" under
meath is an engraving of class seated
upon dais about the ark re-
ceiving the rite. Underneath follows
the uame of the candidate, his place of resi-
dence and the date, which, in these cases,
was the 18th day of May, or the 9Th day of
the month Sirvan, $40 according to the
Hebraic calendar. Following this was q
"motto," being an appropriate scriptural
selection for each candidate.
After the certificates were delivered, the
bestowal of the rabbits benediction followed,
and the confirmation was pronounced at an
end. In concluding the services, DR.. Wechs-
Ter expressed qualification at seeing 80 many
Christians present, and urged them to make
their visits oftener, 80 that they might be-
come batter acquainted with the Jews and
their religion, which he declared was en-
bodied in the one sentiment; "Do unto others
as you would be done by" He
asked some friend among the
Christians or some one of the
parents of the children just admitted to full
fellowship to say something.
10 response Mr.. L. Isaacs made few ap-
propriate remarks. He gave q short re-
view of the Jewish religion, holding that
in its freedom to individual and congrega-
ton, though united and consistent in belief,
the Jews had been the means of preserving
and advancing intellectual enlight nment.
He disabused the minds of some of his
hearers by declaring that the Jew did not
believe in the restoration of Jerusalem, or
at least such belief was not obligatory, but
Jerusalem was everywhere. Mr.. Isaacs con-
cluded with thanks to God for his merciful
and just rule, His guidance and for the
privilege of witnessing the ceremony OF Con-
firmstion. ~
Mr.. N. W. Willis and Hon. w. P. Clough
being called upon made brief delicious
remarks. Both enlarging upon the fnct
that Jew or Catholic, or Presbyterian
could alike worship unhindered and
untroubled by persecution or eppo.
sition, and this Revision of opinion and
liberty of action had been brought about
within the period of $50 years. The con-
gregation was then dismissed. The above is
the merest synopsis of the ceremony, which
was both beautiful as to ritual and solemnly
impressive in obligation, and especially when
the blessing of parent was whispered
and that of God invoked. Altogether
the ceremony was one which commends it
self in its simple beauty, impressive solemn
ty, and the tribute paid by the candidates to
parents for their kindness and care. Just
here the home life of the Isrselite, the loving
kindness of parent, and the dutiful and low
ing obedience of child was shown, and shown
to be q part of the law. A good Jew is
good son, and a good son is good citizen.
Circumstances Alter Cases.