The herald., 1895-09-20
THE JEWISH NEW YEAR
Observed With Ancient and Orthodox
Ceremonies
An EIsquent Sermon Which He Brings to a
Close With an Apostrephe to
the New Year

Tie Moses Montefiore congregation met
at 1863 South Spring street Yesterday
morning at o clock to celebrate the first
day of the new year, $685..
Israel Schulman read the opening
prayer, part of which was in English and
part in Hebrew. M. Morris. president OF
the congregation, presided ct the serTiaes.
Scrolls of the ancient Jewish law were
taken out from their resting place and
portions appropriate to the beginning OF
the new year read in concert by the con-
gregation. The old orthodox form of blow
ing the rams horn formed part of the
ceremony.
The Rev. DR.. Edelman delivered the
New Years sermon, the subject being
What 1T Means to Be lew. He spoke
in part as follows:
MY friends, we are Assem- bled at this
sacred moment to celebrate tnat impress
sive and solemn occasion, the first day OF
the new year. We stand at the grave of
year that is dead and at its very side
stands the cradle of year that is just
born. This day sees another of time s
offspring. and we are touched at the
thought of the uncertainty of human
life and are bowed in sadness as there
comes stealing over us the memory OF the
dear ones who have gone with that de-
parted year.
1--WE also realize more fully today than
on any other day that we stand before the
tribunal of the Most High God that we
are IN the presence Of our Heavenly
Father; that we are the children OF the
one and only God; bearers of the ban
ner of Monotheism, and messengers
bearing a message of peace and love to
all the children of men. Yes, my friends
the old year has passed away. A new
child of Time is born.
with the beginning of the dawn comes
also the sunlight of bright hope. and we
cross ths threshold of the new year, firm
in the faith, with unburdened hearts and
with resolutions formed to make the COM
ing wear one of noble effort and of pure
endeavor.
"a little less than nine months ago we
celebrated the civil year OF 1896. The
world shared with us in that celebration
and we, though conscious of its existence
were not moved thereby as we are by this
New ear, 5656. That new year was a
time of looking over the pages of the
ledger of business. This new year is
ptrioL OF looking over the pages of our
lives. That other new year Was year
for the acquirment of the head and hand.
And this present new year is sacred to
the mind and heart"
DIR. Edelman dwelt at length uron the
history OF the Jewish people and their
struggles through all Time up 10 tne pres
ent day when they stand among the fore
most Of the earth in all that goes to make
a highly civilized ana powerful people.
He spoke in deprecatory terms of tn e
neglect of the ancient rites and customs
which were bequeathed 20 the race as a
sacred inheritance.
The doctor concluded his New Year
discourse with the following eloquent pe-
roration:
welcome, thou young ard hopeful
newssyear Mayst thou. unlike tiny pred
ecessor, bring to the world nothing but
cheer and comfort, brightness and happi-
ness. Mayst thou bless our homes, unite
onr families. strengthen our industrial
and commercial Undertakings, inspire
confidence in our laboring classes, raise
our national flag. and establish peace,
happiness, success and contentment in
every quarter of this happy country and
in every corner of the world"