Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-06
INAUGURAL SERMON.
REV. EDWARD N. cALlscH TO THE
CONGREGATION OF BETH AtiABA.
4 Large Assssnbiase--H's A''us'cns TO HE
rrcdccessor-Fears, Hopes,
and Purposes

Nhss been many days since such con- |
srecAtion was present at the Synagogue |
peth Ahaba ~ yesterday greeted the Rev.
Edward N. Calisch upon the occasion OF |
the delivery Of his inaugural sermon. |
The house Of worship was thoroughly !
renovated during the summer. 1t had |
been repainted throughout, new plush |
chairs have been placed in the pulpit, and |
the gallery has been greatly improved by |
the putting IN Of cushioned pews.
For the first time IN several months the |
choir-Mrs Reinhardt and Mrs. Knowles, |
6essrs. Nav and Shaw--were IN their sta
lions. MIR. Reinhsrdt is the organist.
Divine services began at 10 A. NJ, and
by little after that hour nearly every pew
was occupied.
gown nor cap usually worn by Jewish
Nereymen. He was attired IN a street suit
Of black and SILK hat.
No changes whatever were made in the
form OF services. although Mr.. Calisch has
already expressed his intention of making
some slight alterations, and practically
said as much In his sermon.
After the regular morning services and
the reading Of the weekly section from
18th chapter Of Numbers. followed by
PRAYER and the singing of hymn by the
choir. the Few m,nistor began his sermon,
which was delivered eloquently and en-
tirely extemporaneously, no notes or refer
ences of any kind being used. His text
was from Malachi H.. 7: For the priests
lips should keep knowledge. and they
should seek the law at his mouth. for he ID
the messenger of the Lord OF hosts"
INFERENCE TO HIS PREDECESSOR.
Mr.. Calisch opened by stating that Eve
4 l. Il -. .l...4
candidate, he experienced feelings of fear
and trepidation. He felt that he was IN
the pulpit but short time before occu-
p,ed by man whose learning. talent.
noble rnd blamelcss life had rendered
him dear TO the entire congregation Now.
when called upon 10 take the place and
Vtand nj the post OF HIM whose NE was
there Welded mp 10 bis Master, he must
again speak Of the hopes and fears he felt
IN attempting TO Ill his place acceptably.
He could feel, though, that nc was in the
presence OF friends who wished hun well.
and whose good VIII he hoped to deserve.
DIFFERENT CONDITIONS.
The conditions confronting the occu-
pants of the pulpi. to-day are much differ
emit from what they formerly were. In the
time of Lew the priests were set aside
from other men aud took no interest IN
common affairs of the people. They lived
among their books and dealt with the past
rather than their own times. They were
occupied in teaching people how to die
well rather than 10 live well. This condl-
ton of things was sought To be corrected by
the prophet Malachi when he wrote the
words of the text
Men now recognize that the pulpit occu-
pants are human as themselves and have
interests identical with them. The time
has come when the halo formerly sur
rounding the priest has Disappeared.
6scerdotalism is d wing out. The once no
longer upholds the mau; the man must
uphold the Office. The minister IL re-
spected so long as his life is consistent
with hls teachings. HIS character, not his
Office, is his title to the respect OF men.
A DUAL DEMAND.
There are two classes in the average con-
eregation, which makes the duty OF the
pastor double labor. The minister Is no
longer the oracle. There are IN ms con,
eregation those who are equally az Wen
read and intelligent as himself, and VINO
NAV differ with him. The minister is no
longer expected to do all the thinking.
There are others who cannot bear TO
hear dull or prosy sermon from the, best
of men. With them a good sermon hides
the defects of the lecturer, and the mo- |
rality of the pulpit is OF small conse- |
quence.
This dual demand is Just one and never
was II more freely met than by his lamented |
and loved predecessor. 1t was proper |
that every teacher should be practical IN |
his ethics.
CO-oIE8ATIOS NECESSARY.
The. leader Of war has hosts OF mon at
his command; the architect and engineer
have artisans 10 do their bidding; the pro-
fessof and teacher have a. olars subservi-
ent TO their will But the pulpit is not al
WAYS 30 fortunate. Often the pews Will
give murnurs instead of Obedience. A
Crent deal Of the minister's work Is un-
recognized by the pews. They see the
full-blown flower. but often do not think
of the WORK and conditions necessary to
bring II TO it's perfection. The co-opera-
tion of the pews is necessary. No effective
blow can be struck at empty space. Ihere
must be willing hearts and hands to nur-
ture the seed into life.
Visible cooperation and appreciation
were what he appealed for. He would try
and follow the precepis as LAID down by
Malachi. With the help of the Lord and
the congregation he hoped TO make the
Synagogue in truth what it is in name-a
House of Love. 1t would be his endeayor
10 BE- living exponent OF living faith,
and as its representative he would not
finch from the test of reason; lie would
try 10 exuound a religion which was truth
Itself and be loyal to the grand old faith
for which their fathers suffered and died.
No religion that is true religion need quail
before the truth.
SURFACE CHANGES.
The superfuties may be altered but the
groundwork is interchangeable. Religion IS
Ike the ocean-it has top, bottom, and
depth. Its surface, is exposed TO various
influences, but. the depths will remain
unalterable and unchanged until the
worlds shall clash together.
Whatever the changes may be, he said,
truth and truth alone would be expound-
ed from his pulpit-the same grand old
truths transmitted bv his fathers. He
stood before them as comparative
stranger. but his life and theirs would
soon be blended by virtue OF their COM
mon faith and his Office. He would be
with them IL their homes. at the altar, and
the grave. Wherever duty called, there
would he be. and might they never In vain
seek the law from his lips.
SABBATH VISION.
Mr.. Calisch said there appeared before
his ewes vision OF the fateful and lovely
Sabbath, when after a useful and holy life
good man gave up his life.
Concluding, he said As Jacob said
Surely God il in this place. hear Him
peeially sacred. As stand at this post
pray God that my efforts in this city may
prove successful. Hand in hand as we
Journey through life l shall try to make
this house OF love place of peace, happi-
ness, and eontentment. May God on
High render me a messenger TO you IN
grief and prosperity. May He bless you
and grant you peace and happiness.
Amen"
Mr. Cslisch's sermon was eloqueutly
and forcibly delivered. His comparisons
aud figures of spSech were extraordinarily