Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-25
PENTECOST.
The Great Hebrew Festivai-COn-
ftmatIon at Mtckva Israel.

The great Jewish festival Of Pentecost
was observed Yesterday. This festival takes
place on the sixth day Of the Hebrew month
Swan, corresponding this year with the oath
of Nav. and Is inaugurated. like sll Jewish
festivals, at the beginning Of the preced-
ing night. Originally this festival had no
other significance than that Of celebrating
with religious solemnities and rejoicing the
conclusion OF the harvest, which generally
lasted fully seven weeks in Palestine.
Numbers 2S, 20 J For this reason it was
also called Feast Of Weeks" Il is identi-
cal with the. feast commended in Leviticus
., Is, and Deut. 10, 9.
In latter times a historical Renaissance
was brought into connection with this festi-
va. The memory OF the revelation on
Mount Sinai snd the proclamation Of the
ssTen Words which took place about this
time OF the year, IN the third month
Exodus l9, - are also celebrated on this
day.
crowded az the morning service, many
Christians being present is anticipation Of
the beautiful ceremony OF Confirmation,
which was announced 70 take place at the
close OF the regular exercises. The elegant
eiifca was made even more attractive with
Z 5raI decorations tsstefully arranged.
The confirmation ceremony was opened
by the choir singing the CXFIII. Psalm. As
TIE strains filed the edifcs the main door
opened. aud the candidstes-Nisses Henri
etts Lippman, Henrietta Frank, Miriam
Kohn and Carrie Epstein and Master Alfred
5. Kohr-6led slowly down the centre aisle,
the youth in advance. The young ladies
were srrsyed In white, and carried elegant
bouquets. The confrmsnts paused mo-
ment in front Of the altar. and then fling
around ascended on either side to the plat
form, where they stood IN line in front Of
the reading desk, aud facing the Ark. Here
in unison they gave utterance to their in
tentiOn, ard then separated and took the
seats arranged for them.
After brief introductory remarks by the
minister, n explanation OF the rite about to
/ be performed, Miss Henrietta L.ppman rose,
/ and facing the audience, invoked the aid Of
/ the Most High in q ferVent and eloquent
/ PRAYER, remarkable for its devout sentimen' s
and purity Of dictiOn. The cOnfrmants
/ were then subjected tc religious examins-
I ton, the responses TO the questions being
\ admirably delivered. Then followed the
/ hymn, Happy Ye Whom Nature Mould
/ eth" Next succeeded the confrmsnts' &C
/ eeptsnce Of the law Of God by Master KOhn
and the class.
/ The choir then gave the confirmation
| hymn, Teachings Of the Lord. Miss Hen
/ rietta Frank then offered the closing prayer
for the divine blessing and support Of her
| self and her associates In the performance
| Of the duties they had assumed.
The rector, Rabbi Mendes. then delivered
q brief address, setting forth the trials and
/ triumpns Of Judaism, and enforcing its
claim as the original depository Of the law,
whence Christianity in all its forms derives
its essence, and urging the great importance
| OF moral training OF the Young and the duty
o. parents 10 this connection. He alluded
with pride TO bis work IN Savannah during
his i've years pastOrate, and urged all 70 be
| present at the Sabbath school examination
10 order 10 learn Of the progress Of the
Young Of his flock In the walks OF religion
The solemn ceremony Of blessing the con.
fTmants succeeded, followed by the "Halle.
lujah" psalm CT J, and the exercises closed
with the benediction.
The ceremony enlisted the profound IN
terest OF the audience, and the bearing OF
the candidates was admirable throughout
| Their delivery was composed and distinct
and all Of them showed that they fully
recognized the importance OF the step they
] were taking. The music rendered by the
chC!r. assisted by Mrs. Cleveland, Miss Gross
/ aud Professor Mallette, was of q high order
/ and rendered with spirit and finish.