The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-10
FAST in The FAITH.
TIE RITE OF CONFIRMATION AD-
MUSTERED BY THE RABBI
At the Jewish Temple to Glass
Of Twelve Boys and
Girls.

The rite of confirmation was sdmiu.
i.tered at the new Jewish temple yes
terdav morniug TO twelve children of
the Hebrew faith, eight girls and four
boys. The temple was we'll filed with
members Of the congregation, quite a
number OF Gentiles, whom Rabbi
Samfield always makes welcome, oc-
cupying conspicuous seats The in
terror OF the church was handsomely
decorated for the festal service. About
the vestibule a few luxurisnt flower
ing plants were placed, giving to those
who entered an earnest OF what was
within. Baskets filed with delicate
flowers aud trailing WINS depended
from the chandeliers on either side.
THE DECORATION
of the main altar was elaborate and
very beautiful. Around the edge of
the platform luxuriant pains were
disposed. In trout, over the center,
rose a slender arch Of evergreen
trimmed with magnolia. Similar but
smaller arches appeared on either side,
and were so placed that those ascend
ing the pla' form were obliged TO pass
under them. The choir was strength
ened and supported by several mem
beers OF Prof. Arnold's Band. The
musical service was superb, surpsss
ing in significance and grandeur any
similar services at the Temple in the
pact.
THE SERVICE
began shortly before 10 O'Clock, the
way being prepared by degrees for the
entrance OF the confirmants. A little
after 10 o'clock they appeared, march
ing down the central aisle toward the
altar. They were preceded by little
boy aud little girl, who strewei
their pathway with flowers from bas-
kets carried on their arms. The con-
firmants walked in pairs with meas
ured tread, keeping time with the
grand march which pealed from the
choir loft. The boys vera neatly
dressed in black with white gloves,
the girls in pue white with flowing
wells OF tulle and sprays OF orange
Il overs in their hsir--a juvenile wed.
ding party in appearance. They all
carried bouquets OF exquisite flowers
in their hand. Separating in
FRONT OF THE ALTAR
half of them tlok seats upon o5e side
and half upon the other. The Rabbi
after delivering brief address to the
class took his seat, aud for nearly two
hours the ceremony was carried Out
without prompting, by the con6rmantt
individually and in concert. They
displayed the keenest intelligence
cal eful and admirable training and
self possession, repeating maxim aftel
maxim in Hebrew aud English, in M
instance hesitsting or faltering for
single moment. The beauty Of thu
service was enhanced by the concerted
singing OF q class OF about fifty little
children. This gave q sweetness ant
charm to the ceremony impossible Z
describe. TIE last lite concluded
the Rabbi
MADE AN ADDRESS
to them upon their duties as member
OF the congregation of Israel. Thirty
FIVE hundred years ago, whe
their foIefathers on Mount Sina
we're asked for a pledge that the
would keep the cir solemn covenant the
had declared tha. their children shout
be theirpledge'. Nwasaglorious priv
ilege and one which could not be to
. highly estimated. Now those VIII
are born within the fold are not reccj
J nizad az Hebrews until they hay
. been confirmed in the faith. For
long time, continued the Rabbi, nor
except boys were admitted. Cir
were a. present, however, OF equ
power with them in the cOngregalioI
and it was fortunate for religion ever
where that this wa, true.
! THE WOMEN FILLED THE CHURCHES.
: To his regret, he noticed that Il
! men Of Israel were becominglax in II
> di charge of their religious duties. /
!. coniured those who had Just be
I coufirmed to enter jealousy into u
work they had go we'll beguu, tn
1 they might do honor t. him, to the
y rarsnts, to God and to themselv
= They were fortunate in having bee
q trained and educated in a religic
n which did not oblige them, like
: Others, TO believe in things which we
o Inconsistent with reason. At the co
clusion Of his remarks he sent the
n to search out their parents in q
. audience, receive their blessing and !
D turn to him for his. There W
scarcely a dry eye in the audien
when they arose from their seats
obey his behest. The congregatiC
was soon afterwards dismissed. III
names Of thole confirmed are Miss
o Rosa Fuld, Fannie Wolf, Hattie Col
a baum, Mabel Dreyius, Flora Samt'
Q Carrie Bauer, Florence Schloss, f OF
It Leopld, and Moses Hirsch, Leon Nj
D ris, Henry Lerner, Edward Msus.