Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-11

law, and that the charities Of life are
greater than all things else. Master Syl-
van Luchs In Behalf of the Glass;" spoke
"of the pleasant duty assigned him Of
spiritual education" He told of the graft
tude of the class for their minister, and
that they could best reward him by follow
ing as he had pointed. He thanked the
Sunday school teachers for their good and
faithful services, and also the gentlemen Of
the school committee. Prayer was offered
by Miss Irene Solomon. and the closing
prayer of the service by Miss Della FtsheL
The Closing Address.
Rabbi Stern. in his address. said that this
occasion was a refreshing spot in the arid
desert Of life. 1t spoke to them Of the high
err and nobler things which were. and 1t
lifted them from the drudgery Of their daily
being to the realms Of the IDEAL the true
the beautiful, the sublime. 1t was an occa-
sion which turned the heart Of the parent
toward the child. and that Of the child to-
ward the parent Where was the heart that
did not turn toward these childrenf 1t
turned our own memories back to child
hood, the sweet memories Of which had
never deserted them: turned their memories
back to the time when fond mothers guided
their footsteps with loving care. Was not
the experience of the parents also to be the
experience of the children? The lives Of
these little ones could not always be sun
shine; they would have their trials and
troubles and cares, and all that the parent
dehce might defend them. This solemn oc-
casion was eminently appropriate to turn
the hearts Of the children to their God. No
other Jewish service throughout the year
had SO strong an influence on their religious
life. The truths OF Judaism had lost none
OF their luster In the light Of modern civili-
zation. Rabbi Stern referred hopefully to
the recent efforts made toward effecting q
nj IA HAA hat I,.Ao
ism was the noblest and best Of religions.
The impress Of this confirma ton service
would be lasting and would lift the con-
nrmants to higher plane OF life. He ap-
pealed TO the parents to uphold the confir-
nation service, which was a comparatively
new ceremony with the Jews, but which,
despite this, had taken deep hold on the
race. He addressed some kindly and WELL
meant advice to the children, referred to
the day as the turning point In their lives
and indicated many Of the things which
they should avoid. Above all. they should
not neglect their secular education. The
er. and they must also be Jews in this par
ticular. The solemnity Of the occasion had
been increasing at each moment as the
ceremonial progressed. and hundreds of
eyes were wet with tears as Rabbi Stern
turned directly to the little ones and said:
Draw near to your parents with a PRAYER
on your lips that their lives may be pre-
served. and with deep sense Of regret for
~Ay "a ohiiSSioi WHICH you may nave
committed. and with a solemn VOW always
10 devote to them your filial love and to re-
meet honor and credit. on them, on your
selves and on your religion. Prove your
selves worthy of their blessing, and Gods
blessing shall be your reward" The choir
chimed In with q soft melody and the chill
dren retired from the platform. found their
parents In the vast audience, and, with
tears and sobs. kissed them and their kim
dred and were lovingly kissed IN return.
AT the proper time the class reformed and
reascended the platform. They faced the
temple and In chorus. to the accompani-
ment OF music. recited their confession of
taith. Rabbi Stern prayed: May He keep
and preserve You in your going out and II,
your coming home. now and forever
Amen. The certificates Of confirmation
were handed the candidates, who thus be-
came members Of the Washington Hebrew
Congregation. Benediction and music closed
the solemnitics and the congregation filed
out. The choir sang as few choirs In Wash
instoa do. and the work Of Organist Walter,
Mr.. Nolan (basso). Mrs. Mary Nolan Mar
tin (soprano) and Miss May whitesel, go
pranol was artistic.