Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-27
A CORPORATION WITH A SOUL
This the Theme of n Prnctfc"i
mon by Rabbi Caifsch.

HaDDl II. ". tallscn hpOhc '
at Beth Ahaba on the subject, wi
poration with n Soul" taking ms 'eA'
from Deuteronomy. xxxiiL, 4. lie S"''
In part. that popular sentiment io"a'"
corporations had crystallized III III,
phrase that Corporations had no SOUS.
He wished to speak. however, OF one ,nae
had SOUL and. II IL did not IL hau ~
right to existence. That corporation wac
a congregation.
A modern congregation, he continued
is n corporation formed for the purposo
of maintaining house OF prayer ""
all the accessories of public worship
such as preacher, organist, cholr' seA'o"
janitor, etc. The shareholders az
members. who are assessed according 10
the financial needs Of the lhstl.u,ion
either in proportion to the value each Is
supposed TO receive or is willing to con-
tribute The executive power Is us"
~ vested I'm board OF directors, OF man
ayers, or vestrymen, who togetner WI"
such officers as may be necessary TRANS
act the routine business OF the corpoia
tion, and see that the adjuncts ana pdia
phernalia. both animate ana lnahi'iid'e,
of the worship are up TO the To-
standard. The board and officers are
elected at the meetings OF such smart
holders as have inclination, OF mteie9.'
or convenience. TO attend. TINS uelliil-
ton applies with more or less accuracy
to all congregations.
SKELETON FOR LIVING FLESH
1t was the skeleton upon which the Nv
ing flesh of service was to be hung, anu
within which the spirit was to dwell anu
send forth the vivifying force OF its be
nign influence. Every congregation
ought to see to it that it stood for some
|, thing more than mere routine WORK
something more than the perfunctory
performance of its organization. "A soul
should dwell within the framework OF or
ganizatlon, regenerating influence. coming
| forth from it, and making Tor righteous
| ness and morality.
The true purpose of congregational eX-
| istence is so often misunderstood ana as
! often moderated. The reports OF oihcers
should show something more than
| financial statement or mere question
| of increase or decrease. The question Is,
| How is the soul Of the corporate exist
/ ence making itself felt? Does the con-
gr6gation uplift its members bring theHh
more closely together. drive away wrong
and hate and envy. help the weak, en-
| courage the despondent. cheer the de-
spairing. and make the prosperous reve-
| rent and grateful? These ought TO be
the dividends which a congregation de-
clares. and never year should go by
i'm which this dividend was passed or
reserved.
The speaker then touched upon real
! and quasi-members; the real MEMBER De-
ing such as makes the congregation u
| corporation with soul, sendlhs its
spirftual influence to bless and enrich the
| life of every member. making II fertile
with holy purpose and fruitful OF nopie
deeds. The quasi-member was one VINO
regards the congregation as a GOOD IN
stitution for others but who contribute
towards it's maintenance as SORT Oh
social necessity being one of the demands
which organized society makes upon Its
individuals.
HAS a DOUBLE DUTY.
Speaking directly 10 his congregation,
he said that a Jewish congregation mao
a double duty, for it was expected OF
Israel to lead In righteousness. He urged
| his members 10 be true TO the genuine
and soul purpose of a congregation Inc
worst piece Of money you can have Is an
! excellent counterfeit. congregation
! without sincerity and conviction Is a
| dangerous counterfeit, a fair frame, but
a hollow mockery. a barren OF true re-
suits. Beth Ahaba shall stand for some
thing that is full Of the life Spiritual; fol
that which is noble. splendid, and in
keeping with Jewish teaching; for patriot
ism and humanity, proclaimng love
of truth. love OF honor, love of country
and love of God.
The Rabbi referred TO his well-de-
fined position on the subject OF taxation
and denied the right of the State to give
subsidies to the various churches, which
exemption from taxation, really was. lie
closed by saying that each house oil
prayer dedicated to God, should be con-
secrated by the life Of its members giving
forth a Spiritual power felt in the wider