The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-15
A POPULAR RABBI.
A Personal Sketch of Rev. Mayer Messing and
His Career as Hebrew Priest

Few would guess Rev. Mayer Messing as be-
ing of the ministry. He is rather proud OF his
uncierical street appearance, and is battered
when reference is made to that fact But he Is,
say his flock, preacher in the pulpit, which is
much better and certainly more satisfactory to
those of his congregation thsu il he were only
this city in 1867. He had been in this country
but two months, and could speak no English
when he took charge of the Market-street Tenn
pie, as the jewish Synagogue is called His
English now is almost classical in its purity and
construction, though he has never been quite
able to divest it of a slight German accent
He studied for the priesthood in Europe,
and before coming to this country, young as he
then was. had held pastorate at Gross Glogau
Mecklenburg. His father before him was a
rabbi, and few years ago-a custom among
pious Jews-went to the holy city of Jerusalem
to die there, Rabbi Messing has TWO brothers
in the Hebrew ministry, one at ST. Louis and
one at San Francisco.
Rabbi Messing is a rather handsome man,
being slightly above the medium height with
brown hair aud curling brown beard, his COM
plexion being rich olive. with the student light
upon it.
He came here when the indianapolis Hebrew
congregation was in its infancy, and when the
Market-street Temple was scarcely completed.
There are now eighty male members, nearly all
heads of families, and the entire congregation,
men, women and children numbers nearly
400 souls There are 100 children in
the Sunday-school The congregation here al
ways had orthodox tendencies. but soon after
Rah tnNR cd ste
forward. It has continued to advance, and the
members OF his pastorate are now IN the front
rank Of progressive and reform Jews Mr..
Messing is not exactly a leader, but he has
always encouraged the progressive spirit of his
congregation, and moved forward with it, which
is, perhaps, better than attempting to lead, and
getting SO far in advance of the flock that the
pastor and his congregation never are together.
He is of an even, placid temper, disikes disturb
ances, and adroitiy manages to smooth them out
when by chance any come into his congregation.
Aside from his preaching he IS active in works
OF charity and mercy, and no people are more
closely looked after in sickness and in poverty than
the members of his flock or than those of his co.
reigionists who need his good offices. He is in
great demand socially. and there is not social
event among the Hebrews of this city that, is
considered complete without the presence of that
delightful guest, Rabbi Messing, who is charm
ing talker, famous as q story-teller and can
laugh as heartily at good joke as any one. His
popularity with the ladies is shown by the fact
that he has been secretary Of the Hebrew Ladies
Relief Society from the time he came to
the city-nearly twenty years Though only
forty three years old he begins to feel quite
patriarchal as he looks over his charge. having
performed the marriage ceremony for those born
into the flock since his coming, and is now bap-
tizing their children. The rabbi likes a good
cigar and quiet game of pinn0chle.
In accordance with old Jewish CUSTOM he con-
tinues to preach with his hat on, but ma
jority Of the progressive churches of the He
brew faith have gone from the custom, it is not
likely to continue here much longer. AS he is
the principal and best known rabbi in Indiana
he is in request for marriages ard other cere-
monies everywhere within a radius OF about
seventy-fivo miles. He is famed as an expert in
the peculiar ecclesiastical surgery of his church,
and his rabbinical scalpel and scissors are in fire.
Quent demand.
. 1t was mainly through his efforts. through
money collected by him, that the Jewish ceme-
terry, south of the city, has been beautifed.
There lie the Jewish dead, the Catholic GENE
terry, with slight dividing fence, alongside.
Rabbi Messing is one Of the best Hebrew
scholars in the West, and possesses avaluable
library of the lore of that ancient tongue. He
formerly preached in German altogether, but
now alternately in German and English, quoting
which is understood by many OF his
congregation, and afterwards translatipg
it into German or English. Whether
ne breaches in one or the other Of these
languages, the notes or his sermon are always
written in Hebrew. One day, special occasion,
Journal reporter went to hear him preach. It
was upon the death of Sir Moses Monte6ore, the
great Jewish, philanthropist AS the Rabbi fire.
quently referred to manuscript while delivering
his discourse, which was in English, the reporter
put his notebook aside, confident in being able
to possess himself of the Rabbits manuscript.
When the services were over the reporter went
forward and asked Mr.. Messing for his notes.
with pleasure" said the Rabbi. There was but
a single page of it. This was tracked over by
the strange wriggling hieroglyphs that Moses
used Upon his tables the oldest written language
now employed to express thought and still con-
sidered essential part OF an Israelite's educa-
ton. The reporter did not read it.