The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-03-13
AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY
CONGREGATION MISHKAN ISRAEL
DEDICITES IT'S NEW TEMPLE.

roIihhi transfer OF Iehlpie tO the SOuSfe-
gation-Dedicatory Address by Rev. DIR.
acknowledgment Address by Rev.
DIR. Hirsch of fChicago-Beautlful Jewish
Ritual-Music Highly Commended.
Congregation Mishllan Israel dedicat-
ed its magnificent new temple on Or
ange street yesterday afternoon with
highly impressive ceremonies.
The key of the temple was presented
to the president Of the congregation on
behalf of the building committee, the
scrolls containing the old Mosaic law
We're brought into the temple by four
white haired elders and deposited in
the ark at the rear of the altar, while
all the congregation reverently stood,
The pendant lamp before the doors of
the ark was lighted with the perpetual
flame by the oldest eX-president of the
congregation, where it win be kept
constantly burning, a symbol of watch
fulness as long as the Congregation
Mishkan Israel shall worship in the
temple.
If anything else had been wanting to
add to the impressiveness of the occa-
sion besides these ancient rites of one
of the oldest existing religious faiths in
the world it was supplied by the read
ing of sublime passages from Jewish
psalms and history. sacred music by
the choir beautifully adapted to the
time and place, and the eloquent and
inspiring address of Rev. DR.. Emil G.
Hirsch of Chicago, a veritable prophet
of the Israelitish people of to-day.
The doors of the temple were opened
at o'clock and by the time the services
began at 4:30 every seat in the capa-
cious audience room was occupied.
Thanks to the excellent arrangements
of the committee in charge there was
no crowding, as admission was by tick
ct only, the number of tickets being
limited to the seating capacity of the
temple.
Thirty ushers under the direction of
Mr. Isaac Ullman performed efficient
service. and everyone secured seat
without any delay. confusion or crowd
ing. The guests of the occasion We're
seated in the pews along the center
aisles. and the other seats We're occu-
pied by the congregation,
The guests included many of the
prominent men of the city, among them
being observed Lieutenant Governor j.
D. Dewell, Lieutenant Governor S.
e. Merwin, Rev. DR.. W. L. Phillips.
Rev w. F. Diekerman, Rev. DR., w. w
McLane. Rev, F. A. Scoield, Rev. DR..
Samuel Harris of Yale, Hon Lynde
Harrison, Mr. j. d. Plunkett, Rev. Mr..
Meserve. Rev. Mr.. Poteat, Rev. Mr..
Mosinann, Rev DR. Munger and many
others.
The decorations of the temple were
simple, but well adapted to the inter-
ior of the building. They consisted Of
palms and potted plants placed around
the pulpit, while the front of the bal
cony was partly concealed by large
loops of evergreen and white lilies.
The services were opened by an or
San prelude, a march from Gounod,
and during the music a procession
composed of the speakers and partici-
pants of the dedication, marched up the
center aisle to the altar rail.
Ascending the platform the key of
dent OF the congregation by Mr. Lewis
Osterweis on behalf of the committee.
Mr. Osterweis said: "In 1894 our
congregation voted to build a new tenn
pie and to-day, on behalf of the build
ing committee, ] take pleasure in say
ing that the work has been satisfac-
torily accomplished
Il express the sincere wish that this
key may be the true symbol of the
opening of prosperity to this congrega-
ton
President Moritz Spier responded as
follows: 1t is with heartfelt thanks
that I accept this key on behalf of the
Congregation Mlshkan Israel, and it is
with the highest appreciation of your
labors and that of your committee, who
have labored untiringly to your task
II can but express to you the thanks
of a grateful congregation, its members
and friends. Fifty years ago our con-
gregation was formed by a humble
body of German Jews. As the con-
gregation prospered it changed it's
humble place of worship for better un-
til to-day we dedicate this magnificent
temple.
with our entry into this new tenn
pie may we enter upon an era of in
creased religious hope and prosperity
and may we look forward to the future
with firmer faith in God Almighty
I'm the name of the Congregation
Mishkan Israel now declare this house
ready for worship according to the pre-
cepts of the congregation"
A very beautiful part of the cere-
mony was the bringing of the scrolls
into the temple and placing them in the
ark. The scrolls were borne by four of
the oldest members of the congregation
Messrs. Simon Goodman, Abraham Ull-
man. Lewis Asher and Edward Engel.
As these bearers of the sacred manu-
script advanced slowly up the center
aisle the entire congregation rose and
remained standing and the doors of the
ark were thrown open, revealing a
transparent crimson background,
through which shone a mellow light,
making a very beautiful sight.
S'u Sb'orim, Psalm XVI. 40. was
rendered by the choir and the pastor
while the bearers stood about the al
tar.
Raise your heads. o ye gates, yea
lift them up We everlasting doors. and
the King of Glory shall enter Who is
this King of Glory? The Lord of
Hosts. He is the King of Glory"
Hear. o Israel, The Eternal is our
God. the Eternal is one"