Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-06-18
A JEWISH CONFIRMATION.
DIR. Pritchard of the Baptist Church,
Wilmington, Says it is the Most Inn
posing Ceremony he ever Witnessed.


posing Ceremony he ever Witnessed.
From the Biblical Recorder.
l was much interested in confr-
nation service which I recently at
tended at the Jewish Synagogue of
Wilmington. At the beginning of the
exercises the persons to be confirmed,
in this case four youths from thirteen
to eighteen years of age, took their
seats on the pulpit platform. The
services were quite extended, continu-
ing for more than two hours, aRd
nearly half of the time was devoted to
music, which was of superior excel.
lenca; an organ, a Aute, two cornets
joining in harmony with several we'll
trained voices and producing q fine
effect. Now and then the service was
in Hebrew, but most of the lessons of
Scripture and the prayers were in En-
glish. The pastor, Rabbi Mendelsohn,
gave us a good sermon on the priest
hood of Israel, showing that all Gods
children are priests, as temples of the
spirit of God, as teachers of piety and
also to offer sacrifice TO God. The
Rabbi has fine voice, which he man.
ages we'll, but better in speaking than
reading-though a German, his pro-
nunciation is good and his command
of excellent English surprising. AL
together should regard him, judging
by this effort, as fluent, forciblc and
even eloquent extemporaneous speak
er, and he is said to be man Of con
siderable learning. Chapel Hill gave
him the title of Doctor of Laws a
year or two ago.
After the sermon, the largest one of
the boys came forward and delivered
an address to the Diety in most rev.
erent manner, then smaller boy re-
peated the eighty-fourth Pslam. The
four boys then rolled back the folding
doors which concealed the Ark Of tae
Covenant in the rear of the pulpit,
and in concert paid their vows to the
Lord. The Rabbi Immediately step
between them and the Ark and deliv-
cred an elaborate address, in which
with much earnestness he set forth the
duties they owed to God and their
fellowmen. At this stage of the pro-
ceedings the boys left the rostrum, and
went into the congregation and kissed
their parents and brothers aud sisters,
the whole congregation being much
affected, and many moved to tears
After their return to the pulpit plat.
form, the other large boy advanced to
the front and delivered another ad
dress TO the Deity, which was also in
good taste, and very appropriate to
the circumstances. During the whole
service the Rabbi wore a dark velvet
cap, and when he sat down he did sc
with his profile to the people. I was
told that this synagogue belongs to the
order of Liberal Jews, and that the
ritual of this service differs in some
particulars from that of the orthodox
faith. In the old style nearly all the
services are in Hebrew and in other
points the ceremonies are not the same
l came away from this service i'm
pressed with the richness of the Jewish
ritual. l have witnessed more than
once confirmation services in the Epis
copal church. 1 have also seen some
imposing ceremonies in the Lutheran
and Romish churches, but | never saw
anything of the kind that could com
pare with this in beauty and solemnity