The morning times., 1896-03-30
FEAST OF THE PASSOVER
Jewish Festival Observed With
Special Services.
SERMON BY RABBI STERN
He Explained the Mistakes of Other
Sects Regarding the Church of
Judea and Charitably Ascribed
Them TO Ignorance Rather Than
Decentralization Musical Service

The festival of The passover. or the feast
OF the unleayened bread, which commenced
yesterday, was observed with appropriate
ceremonies by the ewish congregations of
this city.
AT the Synagogue of the Hebrew con-
gregatlon of Washington, Eighth street, be-
tween II and / streets, the services were
conducted by Rabbi L. Stern, who delivered
an exceedingly Interesting sermon and an
elaborate musical program was rendered
Rabbi Stern took his text from the cxiv
Psalm, when Israel went forth out of.
Egypt the house of Jacob from the peopIe
OF strange language, judah became his
sanctuary and Israel his dominion" Be-
fore entering on the discussion OF the text
Rabbi Stern extended a hearty welcome to
those who had gathered 10 celebrate the
day. He then referred TO the mercy OF the
Master, who led them from darkness 10
light, from sorrow to happiness.
ORIGIN OF THE PASSOVER.
Next he explained that passover was first
observed after the death OF the first born OF
the Egyptians and the escape OF the first
born of the Isrealites.
1t is unfortunate, he said, that the Jews
and Judeaism are, even at this late day OF
enlightmento ofthe world, solittleun derstoud.
were not the people of any particular at ion
or nationality, but of a religious sect. He
did not ascrbe this mistake to designs on
the part OF those who made it, but rather
attributed it to the want of information
on the subject
1t was only day or two ago he said that
he sa an article, in which IN speaking OF a
man said 'he looked like Jew, but was
an American
One might as well, nspea king ofthe n,em-
bers OF any other denomination, say he look
ed like Methodist or Ba ptist but reall was
an Englishman. The Jews are religious
sect, and will endure until the sublimity OF
Judeiasm extends TO the human race.
JEW AS A PATRIOT.
Rabbi Stern next spoke of the civil and
religious liberty guaranteed to all Ameri-
cans by the constitution. This, he said,
was inspired by or taken from the book
which was thousands of years older than
the American government, and il might be
noticed that when any attempt is made TO
lessen or infringe upon this privilege the
Jews are always found in the front ranks
defending the principles OF the constitution.
They are always ready and anxious To be-
stow on even the smallest minority their
God-given rights.
In conclusion, with reference to the con-
duct OF the Jews to others, he admOniShed
all 10 treat others as they would be treated,
never To lose their self-respect and in SO
doing they would always command the
highest respect from others. ITO rule,
he said, 1--WE must first learn TO obey, for
the reverse will only endanger the happiness
aud liberty Of our children. We can't
hinder some OF our young people from being
flippant. but for this all should not suffer
aud the best way to avoid this is by showing
that you are individually worthy of the
highest respect aud consideration"
The music for the service was by Jewish
composers and was rendered by the regular
choir under the direction or Rabbi stern
with Professor walker at the organ. The
leading parts were sustained by Mr.. Nolan
and Miss Mae Whitsell.