The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-25

be but a fitting tribute to present him with
a home upon the twenty-fifth anniversary
of the commencement of bis services with
the congregation. The suggestion was
taken up and it was decided TO consult
with his friends with q view TO The form
ing of q committee To execute the purpose.
In pursuance of this course an executive
committee was named, consisting of
the following w~ell-known gentlemen:
FL. Hamburger. Ed Ducas, NJ. En-
Joseph Haas. Leon Kahn. s.. S.
Kiser. S. Z. Rauh, NJ. Reinheimer, M. Solo
mon and Abe Weller. The committee sent
ont circulars setting forth their cause in a
responded TO with q liberality that ex-
ceeded the most sanguine ex expectations of
the committee, and the browning of their
work came yesterday afternoon, when the
Market-street Temple was owd to the
doors with Jewish ~worshipers to witness
the presentation.
An elaborate programme was prepared
and carried through In q very impressive
msnner After the prelude by Professor
Babr. the choir sang oh, BE Joyful" Mr..
Bamberger delivered a short Introductory
address calling TO mind the two-fold
object of the assembling of the Jewish
people in this temple at that time. The
Rev. III. j. Messing. of ST. Louis. q brother
of RABBI Mayer Messing, then offered mp a
fervent prayer. which was followed by
singing by the choir. Mr.. Leon Kahn de-
livered the address of the day, speaking at
length upon the life and services of the
rabbi. Mr.. kahns speech set forth these
facts:
Rabbi Messing was born in the town of
Genivkowa, Last Prussia. Nov. 2, 1912,
where his father held the position of rabbi.
The position OF the father gave bent to the
career of the son, and at an early day he
became a student of the Talmud. At the
early age of ten years he was placed under
the tutelage of the learned Rabbi Spira,
- -
period of three years. In the meantime.
his father having accepted a call from
the larger congregation at GostyD. Prussia,
the younger Messing returned to
his home and continued his studies
of his father and Prof. Filler.
At the end of that period he was sen to
Rabbi Gutmacher, the most celebrated
rabbi of his time. Having completed his
studies in 1860. he accepted the position of
cantor and religious teacher, which posi-
tion he held for one year. when he was
elected rabbi of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
which position he held for a period of four
years. and then succeeded his father in the
position of rabbi of Gostyn. When the
Austro-Prussian war broke out he was
drafted in the army. but secured, with
great difficulty, the privilege of Cross
ing, the Atlantic: and landed In New
short time after his arrival in this country
he officiated as rabbi in New York and
Boston. In November of the same year he
received a call from the congregation that
be now represents. and accepted It, Ar
irving in this city on Thursday, the 21st
day, he oticIated at the services the follow
ing evening and has since continued as the
minister of the congregation which was,
at the time of his arrival. but O mere hand
ful of faithful worshipers. At the con-
clusion of each term of five years he
has been reelected and at the election
last spring was again reelected for another
term of five years, beginning with October
OF this year. during his ministry BIO has
seen the gradual growth of the congregn-
ton from the plane of insigniticance TO one
of the first Importance. The growth has
been gradual but continuous. until az the
present time the congregation numbers six
hundred souls. During the period of his
ministry he has been closely drawn to an
exceedingly large number of his flock.
either as q comforter In affection or
as the harbinger of pleasure. The
and their sorrows his sorrows. He has
soiemnized 237 marriages. has confirmed
210 children and otiicIated Mt 254 funerals.
The year following his acceptance of the
position of rabbi here he was elected sec
rotary of the Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent
Society, aud has continued to hold the
position up To date. During the time he
has occupied the position he has been IN
strumental in furnishing assistance to
$500 persons. His services have not
been confined TO this city alone.
and not infrequently does he re-
celve calls from various parts of the
State. and there is scarcely n burg or ham
let In the State in which he has not nc
some time or other acted in his Official
capacity. In his work he has been a minis
ter in spirit and in truth; never faltering
nj the cali of duty. however Irksome or
disagreeable the tas k TO perform may have
been. he has always entered upon its per-
formancc with n readiness and cheerful.
ness that ut once banished any thought of
disagreeable duty. The best years of his
life he has spent IN minister
ing to the spiritual and material
wants of the congregation here, and there
Is. perhaps. at the present time. no more
popular representative of the Hebrew race
in the State of Indiana. Rabbi Messing
has two brothers occupying positions in
tho ministry in this country. Dr. A. j.
Messing. the eldest, presides over
one of the largest congregations In
Chicago; the other. Rev. III. j. Mes
sing, Is rabbi of the United Hebrew
Congregation of ST. Louis" AT the conclu-
sion OF his talk Mr.. Kahn handed the
rabbi o certificate of deposit for $500.
The recipient responded very briefly. aud
his voice was choked with emotion as he
endeavored to give expression to the feel