The times., 1898-09-10

Of the Washington Hebrew Congregation
We're begun yesterday afternoon at 4
O'Clock.
The ceremonies attending the celebra-
tion-which IS notable one, not only to
The Israelites of this city, but also to all
other citizens, marking. as it does, the
deserved advancement to architectural
prominence of a sect which has ever DEM
onstrated its worth and title to the high
est respect and regard of all-were SOL
smn as well as interesting
The synagogue, which is located On
Eighth Street. between II and / Streets
northwest, was crowded to the doors, ad-
mission being by ticket, and the congre-
cation being comprised, in addition to
the members of the denomination, repre-
sentatives from all the religious societies
of the city. well many persons from
outside of the city, who were anxious to
witness the exercises.
The building was topped with an i'm
mense American flag, between the two
towers, while upon the inside there was
literal glare of red, white, and blue
glory, which was pleasing TO the eye, as
well as satisfactory to the patriotism.
The program attending the event was
begun with the Introduction and anthem,
after which the Tooth Psalm, "Horiu,' -
Goldstein, was sung.
Then there came the procession of the
ministers participating. scroll-bearers,
officers of the congregation, building COM
mittee, key bearers, and past presidents,
after which was sung ''Sh'ma Yisroel.'
The Key Delivered.
The delivery of the key to the chair
man of the building committee was ac-
cOmplished by Miss Ray Hahn, assisted
by the Misses Sondheimcr and Harris,
and then the building was formally pre-
sented by William Hahn as chairman of
the committee in a few words, in which
he referred to the gladness with which
everyone had labored toward the end
which all so devoutly had desired-the
possession of a church nome in which
they. as well as everyone else in the city.
might well take pride.
The speech of acceptance was made by
Isaac /. Blout, as president of the con-
gregation. He was glad that il had fall
en- TO him TO accept so noble an edifice,
and he thanked the committee for its in
defatigable efforts on behalf of the con-
gregation.
Between the singing of selection,
Isaiah 20 and Psalms iv:7-10, Past Presi-
dent B. Gusdorf lighted the perpetual
light at the rear of the altar. and the sa-
cred scrolls were deposited in the recep-
tacle which had been prepared for them.
The Rev. DR.. Abram S. Isaacs, of New
York, then read from the Scriptures. !
Kings viii:22-53, after which Mrs. Nellie
Wilson Shir-Clin sang with marked ex-
preston and In excellent voice an aria by
Handel
DIR. Stern's Invocation.
The invocation and address by DR.. Stern
follow:
Lord, open Thou my lips. that my
mouth may proclaim Thy praise! Let our
first and primary thought be of Thee, of
Thy great power and love, and the fore
most sentiment of our hearts a prayer of
praise and thanksgiving for the bestowal
of Thy boundless mercy. Successfully
completed is the work of our hands fin
ished the sanctuary in which Thy name
is to be proclaimed and glorified. Humbly
and sincerely wa think Thee that Thou
hast prospered our undertaking, and gra-
ciously guarded from danger and mishap
those engaged in the erection of this
sanctua-y Gathered here today for the
.-e5nsecration of this house TO Thy service
we would in contemplation of its beauty
and grandeur, jubilantly exclaim with the
seer of old: How beautiful are Thy tents,
o Jacob. Thy tabernacles, o Israeli
But not in a spirit of empty boasting
and vainglory do We rejoice in our
achievement. Rather would we pray.
humbly and devoutly, with Jacob: How
awe-inspiring is this place; this is none
other but the house of God, and this Is
the gate of heaven This is the house of
God. Though heaven is Thy throne, and
earth Thy footstool, and the wide i'm
measurable space cannot contain Thee,
yet we know that Thou dwellest with the
meek and lowly, and that in every place
where Thy name is mentioned, humble
though il be, Thou wilt come TO US and
bless us. And this is the gate Of heaven.
May in silent contemplation of these lofty
halls our spirits ever rise 10 high and no.
BILE ideals. and the beauty and loveliness
Of this sanctuary impress us with the
beauty of Thy service, and elevate and
inspire US with what is beautiful, good,
and true.
Until these mighty walls shall crumble
into dust may all who enter these portals
realize and enjoy the solace and peace
that come to US in the quiet of Thy
sanctuary, and the inestimable blessings
of prayerful communion with Thee, Au-
thor of life and death, wise and benefi-
cent Dispenser of veal and woe, joy and
sorrow.
"As from Zion went forth the law, and
Thy word, o Lord, from Jerusalem, so
may this sanctuary of our modern Jerusa-
lem prove a worthy factor for the
strengthening of religion, the dissemina-
tion OF truth, justice, and righteousness,
and the promotion of love of human kind.
home, and country.
Bless with Thy choicest blessings our
beloved Republic, and grant that the in
crease Of its material strength and pres
tige among the nations of the world may
tend 10 widen and deepen its influence for
good, for the furtherance of liberty and
peace, justice, and humanity, at home and
abroad
BLESS Thy servant. the noble and be-
loved President of this nation, the Vice
President and all associated with them
in the Government our Capital City and
municipal authorities. Bless our congre-
cation, its officers, and members, and al
those who so faithfully labored in and for
the erection of this sanctuary. cheerfully
devoting TO it their talent, time, and
means. Bless all assembled here this
evening; bless Israel. bless the whole hu-
man race. Ameni"
The Address.
There are moments when in contem-
plation OF the sublimely beautiful in ma
ture or in art, or overwhelmed with emo
tions that stir the heart to its very depths
we realize the difficulty of adequately ex-
pressing what so deeply and profoundly
moves the soul. Such a moment is this
to you as well as to me. What would