The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-15
TEMPLE MIcKvA ISRAEL.
Rabbi Mendes Comments Upon Its
Seventeenth Anniversary.

Seventeenth Anniversary.
To-day is the last day of the Jewish
feast Of the passover. Rev. I. p. Mendes
delivered an excellent sermon at the syn
agogue last night upon the subject Then
and Now" The reference conveyed by
the subject was to the occasion of the
seventeenth anniversary Of the consecra-
ton Of the Temple Micllva Israel, which
occurred on April Il. 1878.
MIR. Mendes referred very appropriately
and feelingly to the occasion, which oc-
CURED shortly after he assumed the pas
torate Of the Savannah congregation. Mr..
Mendes brought out very interesting
line Of thought in speaking Of the estab-
hshment Of sanctuaries He said:
The idea of establishing a sanctuary
or house of worship in every place where
there is a sufficient number OF followers
Of certain faith is among the Oldest in
the experience Of the world. It's birthplace
though given as the wilderness OF Sinai,
is I'm reality of far more distant lands,
and it is indeed most interesting to notice
how remarkable has been the development
Of this necessary and praisworthy prac-
tice in all civilized lands and among all
civilized religions. From the single altar
of Abel. erected outside of the Gates of
Paradise, to the grand and magnificent
temples of the present day, all seem to
have had the one great end in view, the
ardent desire to fulfill the command Of
God, I'm every place where 1 hear my
name mentioned l will come unto thee
and bless thee" This intention Of seeking
to deserve the blessing of a higher power,
encouraged not only a disposition 10 cul-
tivate the necessity of submission and
allegiance to God. but also served to
show that there was TO be at least one
common assembly ground where all, re-
CARELESS of position, wealth, or previous
condition, could mingle together and thus
enjoy the Almightys guardianship and
protection We know from experience
that this wise precaution of declaring all
men eQCal in the sight of God has been
the only thing that has kept re-
hand down traditions and teachings
from generation TO generation. Nay
more we can aver, that Vt is from the more
humble and the poorer classes of soci-
ETY. that true religion derives its greatest
inspiratio and It's most powerful exam
pies OF supporting all Of its institutions
which are dependent upon II for their
success. We ind double Illustrations OF
this in nearly every congregation, both
Jewish and Christian, ana to my mind ]
tnlnK IL Idther an hOnor than reprOach
that II should be So for the harder the
lot and the more numerous the calls upon
us the greater the necessity for self
sacrifice to meet the many requirements
of ones religion The history OF this old
and respected congregation affords a most
striking evidence of this truth, for its mos.
humble commencement could never have
developed into the present magnificent
success, had it not have been for this
very allegiance devotion and self-sacri-
flee of your predecessors, who IN the out
side walks of the world We're mighty
lighters in the battle of every day life
Coming 10 Savannah, in 1888 pilgrims
from other and distant lands, imbued
with all the feelings of love and devo-
ton for their ancient faith and for their
Omnipotent Cod they raised as a monu-
ment of their gratitude the modest shell
ter which they dignified with the name of
'Mickva Israel Hope Of Israel, and
every step forward they took in lifes
successful struggle they carried their
House of God with them, so that from
a small room they advanced to the dig
nifty of a small but well appointed syn
agOgue, which many of you remember
and many a brick Of which, could II
have spoken would have said Il have
been placed here by loving hands TO re-
for the homer of God and the good of
mankind"
Mr.. Mendes took advantage Of the oc-
casion to call the attention of his conCre-
cation to the present condition of the
building and its need of renovatton and
improvement He suggested the forma ton
of temple guild, the members of which
should agree to contribute q stated sum
monthly for the purpose of accommodating
fund to be used for the Improvement
Of the building, and which should also
give entertainments to raise money for
the same object.
Mr.. Mendes has recently concluded a
very interesting series of lectures at the
synagogue, among the most prominent
subjects dealt with being 'Ingersollism"
the a. p. A. and the Pew and the Pull