Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-12

spoke-s name. But his neighbor fred at
| it into instant animation.
II understand, observed the elder man
| Importantly, 81 am told on good authority
that he will address the congregation to-
day."
"From whom did you learn this?'' asked
the other; he had an expression which might
indicate either real surprise or feigned ignor-
ance; it was not easy to say which.
81 have it In confidence from no less than
the Chauan," nodded the Pharisee. ST am
often consulted upon matters of the syna-
gogue. It appears that my opinion has
value. I was asked il could recommend
the young rabbi"
"And what answer gave you?" inquired
his neighbor with q reticent smile.
"Oh, did my best for him, I did nv
best. I said I thought him worthy young
man, deserving of hearing, at all events
for the present am not sure of his doc
trine myself; it Is free-free. He does not
hold himself in fealty to the law, it is said /;
nor yet fear to the oral tradition. He NAV
prove dangerous fellow. But am lib
eral man. I said: Give him fair play.
Give him hearing"
Doubtless he of whom you speak feeleth
under obligations to you" returned the
other, gravely.
"Of course" said Malachi; naturally I
should suppose be would"
He glanced at his companion's fine face:
he could make nothing Of it; he had the
vague discomfort of dull self-suhiciency
which feels itself criticised, but cannot per-
ceive how or why.
The synagogue service at that time in the
history of the singular people with whom
our story deals might be called the main
amusement as it was the chief religious ex-
eycise of the populace. What the games
were to the Romans, worship was to the
the Jews-the popular entertainment.
the thing to do, the opportunity of seeing
ones neighbors. Ancient life did not differ
SO much from the modern in this respect.
The congregation went to the service from
mixed motives, as we 60 to the prayer meet
ing in country parishes.
Now the jews being always thrifty peo-
pie, set high value upon industry; a man
usually taught his son the fathers trade;
and each trade was held in honor of Its own
to such extent that synagogues were erected
for the particular accommodation OF classes
of mechanics. The stonecutters, the copper
smiths, the tentmakers, had their places of
worship. The building Of which we speak
was known as the Synagogue of Carpenters.
It was plain building, constructed of
stone, with Greek portico held by scanty
pillars. A certain resemblance to the great
orthodox temple might be detected in the
modest dissenting house of worship. What
ever his theology, every Jew adored the
temple alter all.
The women were already seated when the
men Of our little party entered the syna-
gogue, The sexes were separated strictly.
A wall or railing ran between them. Que
could just comfortably look over its edge.
The exclusion of women from the svna-
gogue or the crowding Of them behind
screens and in galleries is q custom of late
invention.
The synagogue was cool and calm. The
women sat like hooded flowers, mute and
sweet in their meek places. They turned
their faces humbly toward the upper end of
the building, where the law lay in sacred
chest in imitation Of the ark of the temple.
In the middle Of the audience room, on a
raised platform, the speaker of the day-he
whom they called the Sheliach-was already
vigorously reciting the Shema. He was an
old man with waving white beard; one of
the most familiar and least interesting Of
the preachers in the Synagogue Of the Car !
penters.
The young rabbi was not to be seen.
"He will come" whispered Malachi the
Pharisee, II have been informed that he Is
expected. But it i'll becomes him to be
tardy."
Now it was one Of the excellent customs
in the Jewish Church law, that ten
men were Professionally employed to start
number the law could not be read. With
this quorum, services might begin at the ap- |
pointed hour; and SO neither were the too |
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