The Washington times., 1894-10-02
BEGINNING A NEW YEAR.
Imposing Service atthe Eighth Street Syn
acknowledgement Sermon of Rabbi

Vi
Stern-Serviccs at Adas Israel.
Impressive New Year services were held
yesterday morning at the synagogue of the
Washington Hebrew Congregation, on
church was crowded to its fullest capacity,
and as the audience gathered and departed
the New Year greetings were many and cor
dial
The services opened at $50 with the read
ing OF morning prayer. A portion OF the
Psalms was intoned by Rabbi Stern. with re-
sponses by both choir and congregation.
Komberg's beautiful anthem, ''How Lovely
Is Zion" was sung by the choir, with the
solo parts taken by Miss Mae Whitesell. Mrs.
Marin, and Messrs. MacFarand and Nolan.
DR.. W. q. Walter presided at the organ.
Amid grand chorus by the choir the
| scrolls OF the law, wrapped in their sacred
coverings, were brought out by the elders
and read by Rabbi Stern. This was followed
by Davids prayer of thanksgiving, MY
heart reioiceth in the Lord, and this again
| by the blessing of the rams horn. Three
blasts OF the horn were blown three times,
with interludes by organ and choir. The
return of the scrolls to the sanctuary was fol-
lowed by a grand hallelujah chorus by the
choir and hymn by the congregation.
Y. "
OF the lessons of the day He said:
Our solemn festival comes to us at sea-
son when the scorching heat of summer has
given way TO the crisp air and invigorating
breezes of autumn, which invite renewed ac-
tlyity in every phase OF life. 1t comes. too,
with timely and pertinent call 10 renewed
work and activity in the religious life We
cross the threshold of the new year into the
unknown future gropingly and blindly much
a bliniman'G
But we know that infinite love surrounds us
and lniinltc wisdom is our safeguard. We
may not look into the future. but we may
work for IT.. SO let us begin this new year
with Il determination TO live in accord with
the teaching of God in Proverbs Xv:26-"To
the intelligent the way of life leadeth up
ward :"
II learn from these words that there is no
middle ground On which We may stand. Fail
ure to ascend the moral scale means retro
gression The upward road may be rough
and narrow and steep, beset with temptations
and bessrewn with trials, but it imparts new
health and yigor to the souls of those that
travel therein, ard wiGens into the fields OF
never ending Joy before the throne of God
The downward path may be broad and
pleasant in the beginning, but it gets broader
| and sleeper. and is slippery as glass. Its joys
do not satisfy, but lead always 10 new desires
which are always disappointed. and ut last
leads down 10 degradation, darkness and de-
spair. Both ways are open 10 you to-day.
Which way will you choose? Earth is con-
nected with heaven by faith and prayer. and
as by these two we approach nearer to God
so in truth TO the intelligent the way of life
leadeth upward.
The modern apostle of agnosticsm. the
teacher and exponent Of the doctrine Of mega
| tion recently made utterances commendatory
OF those who, too cowarlly or incapable 10
meet the trials OF this world, go by their own
! hand into the next This is :he natural
sequence OF lifeless. soulless. Goddess doc
trine, that does not recognize the divine pre-
cept that the way of life leadelh upward, bUt
| consoles itself with shallow philosophy and
! glittering rhetoric that attracts for "A time but
/ turns TO ashes in the heart AT the end.
"Letus enter into the New Year determined
TO keep our ideals up TO the highest standard
and 10 do our whole duty by our God, our
( country and ourselves, knowing that for us
the only way OF life leadeth upwards, and
that God will surely bless our efforts"
! At Adas Israel Synagogue Mr.. Isadore Sam
uels read the ritual for the day. and made
an address appropriate to the occasion in the
morning. Afternoon and evening services
were also held. ana will be continued to-day.
at a. m. and 4 p. m. The services at the
Orthodox Synagogue are the same as at the
Reform Congregation with the exception that
there is no music. though certain parts Of the
service are intoned by the reader, with
chanted responses by the congregation