San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-05-16

ing at Temple Beth Ella Glass
of Seven Embrace the
Jewish Faith.
Temple Beth Ell was the scene OF one
Of the most solemn Of Jewish festivities
this morning, the confirmation rite being
administered to five little boys and two
little girls. The feast of PenteoOst was
appropriately chosen as the day to
Welcome these youthful disciples OF the
divine law into the sacred society of the
elect, and the large edifice was filled
with q congregation betting the day.
The altar was beautifully decorated
with ferns, Spanish moses and rare
flowers and the lighted chande-
At 10 O'Clock the excellent choir began
their hymns Of praise as the seven oele-
brants entered, bearing floral offerings.
Their names were Hattie Deutsch and
Minnie Blum, Henry Half, Mamie
Cohen, Moses Frank, Sam Rosenfield
and Hugo Goodman. After the intro
duotory by the choir the Rev. DR.. Lew
enthal, rabbi, began the reading Of the
service followed by chants, responses
and readings and responses. Then fol-
lowed reading In Hebrew and English
and the choir responded In praise. The
sacred SCROLLS were produced and read
from In turn by the class Of
communicates in Hebrew and
each child offered up prayer.
Offerings of flowers were then
presented at the alter and each paid
their reverenoes to the ark, and Rev.
Lewenthsl delivered short sermon on
the occasion and its bearing to the Jew
ism religion. He said 1--WE oommemo.
rate today an ancient custom that
reaches back more than 5000 years. 1t
Is Of great import. The whole world is
invited to commemorate with US this
glorious day; as the whole world enjoys
the sunlight, 80 should they enjoy the
light that descended from Sinai. Praise
the Lord, all ye nations. The Jewish
religion was not given US to be hidden,
but is for all All superstitions are fad
ing away. Judea Is the priest and the
whole world is the congregation. Secret
societies boast of their benevolence, but
they hide away their benefits and only
members are accorded them. The Lords
light is free and the law was first pro-
mulgated in the wilderness where all
had equal right to hear, indicating that
Israel had no right to exclude
any one from its influence. Is
the religion Of Israel such as can
become the property of all nations?
can answer In the affirmative. He
dwelt upon the history of Judaism and
its strength. He then gave some sound
advice to the parents Of these children
and to all parents, and put the class
through q rigid examination Of the Jew.
ish faith, which they stood maryelously
we'll, making not the slightest mistake.
After this he Instructed them and gave
them excellent advice, which they will
always remember. Their solemn VOWS
were then paid before the ark, and as
Mrs. Bessie Browns beautiful soprano
solo with violin obligato swelled forth
the Rabbi blessed the young celebrants
and the closing services took place.
This afternoon and tonight the parents
Of these happy children will celebrate
the occasion with great festivity at their
homes.
The choir this morning was composed
OF Mr.. Otto Becker and Mr.. Better,
basso; Miss Maria Lacoste, alto; Mrs.
Bessie Bell Brown and Mrs. Freeborn,
soprano; and Prof. johnson Morris,
tenor; organist-J. M. Steinfeldt.
| Accidental Shooting in Galveston.
GALVESTON, Tex, May 16.-As the city
awoke from It's slumbers this morning,
news Of sorrowful accident began to
travel from lip to lip, and by O'Clock
the story of the death Of Will FL. Willis,
at his residence this morning, by an
accidental discharge Of pistol in his
own hands, was known even beyond the
confines OF the CITY. Naturally there
were any. number of reports Of how
the awful accident occurred.
From his most intimate friends and
relatives who have heard the grief
stricken wife's sad recital, it ia learned
that soon after midnight Mr.. Willis was
aroused from his slumbers by noise In
the lower portion OF the house. He got
up, took his pistol, and cooking it,
started down stairs. A few moments
later the household was alarmed
by the report OF pistol, followed by a
heavy fall on the stairway. Two other
shots followed in quick succession,
members Of the family rushed to the
scene and found Mr.. Willis lying on the
stairway with q horrible wound In the
back Of his head. A physician was
promptly summoned and relatives
and family were called by telephone,
from different portions of the city, but
neither skill Of the physicians, nor min
istrations OF friends could avert the ap-
preaching end. The unfortunate man
fingered until about q. m. when his
spirit took its flight. No trace of
burglars was found. A banana peel was
found on the steps, on which he
probably slipped and fell, making the
gun explode.
HOTEL ARRIVALS,
Butler, Houston; Joe Means, Gainesville; G H
Craig, Beeville; John Templeton and wife,