The times., 1898-09-18


ing's celebration at the Temple of the
Congregation Beth Elohim was char
aeterIzed by a solemnity appropriate
to one Of the most important festivals
Of the Jewish Church.
The sacred edifice was crowded al
most TO suffocation by the throngs who
were anxious TO participate in the sery-
ices The principal features of the ex-
ercises were the blowing of the shofar,
or the rams horn, and the address OF
the rabbi.
The services We're conducted in strict
accordance with the Jewish ritual. and
peculiar solennity was impaired by the
reading OF selections from the Scrip
lures from the torah or scroll, which
was taken from the ark by the rabbi.
The selections We're taken from Gene
sis, chapter xxi. After this followed
readings from the Haphtarah. l Sam
uel, ii:l-11, and Nehemiah. chapter viii.
After the reading of each OF the Sc
Iections the shefar was sounded twice
by young man who stood by the side
OF the rabbi. The returning OF the
scroll to the ark was accompanied by
the chanting Of the words 20 magnify
the Lord with me, and let US exalt His
name together"
Then followed the alteration, the ka-
desh or prayers for tke dead and the
Arvices closed with the final hymn by
Ffhe -ola0iT~anrl the benediction.
Z Rabbi Stern then delivered his i'm
pressive annual address. in the course
Of which ne feelingly referred to the
recent assassination Of the, Empress OF
Austria and the fortitude with which
her afflicted consort has borne his
grieyous bereavement
He also made reference to the Drey-
fus trial at considerable length, and
the calmness with which the unfortu-
nate and presumably innocent prisoner
of Devils Island is enduring his unmer-
ited punishment. The address was
listened to with much interest and was
marked by frequent applause. 1t fol-
lows:
Rabbi Stern's Address.
The soImenity and Importance that US
ualIy attaches to the great and holy DAY
We celebrate, is enhanced by the happy
Circumstance foremost in every mind
that we greet the new year in our new,
beautiful place of worship. with the SOL
emn echoes Of the inspiring dedicatory.
exercises still reverberating within our
hearts.
Each new years morn. the hour that at
once separates and connects past and
future, arouses us TO reflections. and
awakens within Us emotions from which
even the most callous cannot altogether
escape. The events of q whole year pass
il review before US, Happy those who
may recall them with joy and pleasure
limited is their number Many have been
our mistakes and shortcomings. our sor-
rows and disappointments. our griefs and
heartacEes. our losses and bereayements,
And facing the unknown future Vainly
e1deaVOIiEg TO penetrate its mystery. W.
are made 10 realize the limitation OF hu-
man knowledge, wisdom. and power.
And as individually. SO also collectively.
banded together as a congregation, a
community, or a nation, We view tie
past with feelings Of pleasure or regret
and gaze at the great enigma called fu-
ture wiz wondering eyes, our hearts
trembling between hope and fear. moved
by happy or gloomy anucipations
If such are sentiments peculiar To the
solemn feast that annually summons ali
Israel TO the courts OF our God they
come 10 Us this year with increased force
and intensity.
:.
As citizens of this great land. 4 shed
with recent victory and success. we dare
not close our eyes to the fact that we are
confronted with new issues and new
problems, on the proper treatment and
wise solution Of which depends our ma
lions veal and woe.
Likewise. as a congregatio we are en-
tering upon q new era; we recognize that
the completion Of our Temple-to one and
poses upon US new and weightier duties
new and increased responsibilities. duties
and responsibilities which 70 shirk would
prove disastrous to our future as q re-
lisiOUs community.
Thus standing at the threshold OF a
new year in this newly consecratei
house of God-as individuals. as members
OF q common faith and as citizens of 2
common country-with hearts swayeG by
hope and fear. confidence and doubt. W,
feel the want Of q word OF reinsurance
OF hope and good cheer; of a motto that
We might adopt as our own in this SOL
emn hour, 10 sustain and guide US in tha
future. AS such ] would submit the sim
PIE, touching words Of the 9th Psalm:
The Lord is my light and my salvation, wh1a
! fear;
The Lord Is the strength OF my life, Of WHOM
shall ] be afraid.
Precious Heirloom.
Would that thus we all could speak:
that we could make these sentiments our
own amidst the doubts and fears, and
perplexities Of life, But TO make them
our own does not mean merely to repeat
them mechanically or istlessly; not
merely To grasp and understand their
meaning and realize their truth The all
important question is: Have we a rfght
TO say: The Lord is my light and my
salvation, whom shall / fear: the Lord is
the strength Of my life Of whom shall
be afraid2' Does our character and
conduct justify Us TO make so bold a
claim? Have we right to consider our
selves worthy Of the divine love and pro
lection amidst the dangers that beset on.
pathway
He who coined and first uttere< .hese
words, as precious heirloom To untold
generations, was David. the Royal Psalm
list and sweet singer in Israel But even
Dayid-Our wise men remark-could thus
confidently pray only before he sinned
After he had committed a grave offens1
il is said OF him that he was weary and
weak handed Joseph. conscious of his
innocence, remained cheerful and con-
hdent even in the dungeon, while his
guilty brethren, when in trouble. were
crestfallen and disheartened in the con-
sciousness of their guiit, unable to say:
The Lord is my light, and my salvation
whom shall 1 fear?"
Nor has human nature changed since
those days of remote antiquity All
hearts turn today in pity and compassion
TO Joseph Of modern days the good and
IL