Evening star., 1898-09-10

In words what so deeply and profoundly
moves the soul. SUCH a moment is this
to convey as nearlJl as possible. and yet
in language terse Snd Simple, the sent-
ments now uppermost in every heart, the
Royal Psalmst expresses in these words:
1 was glad when they said unto me, let
us go into the house CT the Lord. Ops.
122.1).
"Gladness, joy. qualification at the final
realization of a long cherished hope. the
eminently sucessfub completion of un-
dertaking AS stupepdnus- as it is laudable,
are sentiments naturally 'predominanng IN
this hour. 81
II know you will bear with me, friends,
and not consider it presumptUous if, as one
who for twenty-six bong wears has taken a
profound interest and active part in the al
fairs of this congregation and all that con-
Germs its welfare | would, in the flrSt place,
voice the JOY that that fills my own heart
to overflowing in this proud and happy mo-
ment.
Truly, l was glad when they said unto
me, let us go into the house of the Lord
when at last the hour had come for the
conservation of this magnificent SHRINE,
the result of much faithful labor and
self-sacrifice. For in it we may behold the
evidence not only of material progress, but
of religious growth and spiritual enlarge
ment. growth hat.eXtending over quar-
ter of a century of congregational iife. had
found its outward expression at two former
occasions similar to our present celehra-
ton; at the enlargement of our old place or
"oESlIp, HESI III lStt ana again ltIi SS'llS
la ter. These three events, each marking
distinct advance in our history as a reli-
gious community, in their successive occur
renee could not but lend sweet encourage
ment to my soul. drawing closer ana closer
the ties of love and affection for congre-
cation that has honored and cheered me
by it's continuous cOnlidence-'and a three
fold cord is not easily broken.
Dedicated Anew.
Indeed, the thought of the three dedica-
tory services on this hallowed spot, and of
my participation therein-by the grace OF
God-as youc minister. prompts me in this
solemn moment to dedicate anew he art and
soul, and the best endeavors L am capable
of, to you ard the sacred cause | have cs-
poused in your midst, in the language OIL
the threefoId covenant Of old: BE thou be
trothed unto me forever; be thou betrothed
unto me in righteousness and justice, in
love and kindness; be thou betrothed unto
me In faithfulness, that thou mayeat hho"
the Lord
But amidst the juhilant manifestations
of the JOY and gladness of the hour, WnlIe
the eye dwelIs enraptured on the 2nchant-
ing spectacle before US, and the ear, IN
eager ecstasy, lends itself to the cnaffn OF
swelling anthems and sweet, mclodiouS har-
mony. we should not. We cannot, be forget
full of those whose presence we mss TO-DAY.
We name them in our hearts. in which they
are enshrined for everlasting remembrance.
Faithfully they have aided IN the DulldlhS
up Of the congregation and prepared the
way for the erection of tins sanctuary
Like Moses they were destined to leave the
scenes Of their activity ere the work was
completed. But standing on the summit ol
the Nebo of their achievements, the VISION
of the land of promise filled their partlh5
spirits with the sweet assurance that their
Iabors had not been in vain, that others
would lake them up and bring them to d
successful completion. May their memory
rather than It'll our hearts with mcIan-
choly sadness at this festive occasion-be
insT on a
in their footsteps.
And you, friends, who through COO
mercy have been preserved to witness TINS
glorious day, may indeed Joyfuily eAclalm:
1 was glad when they SAID unto me, let US
go into the house Of the Lord
Monument of Eiberaiity.
LAS Jewish citizens of our nations cap
ital you have long felt the need of sucl. a
sanctuary. And it is rdoubly to ycur credit
that what perhaps ought to have been at
tainad through the combfned efforts Of our
co-religionists of the United State1, you
have accomplished single handed, despite
seemingly insurmountable obstacles CON
fronting you, So that this beautiful temple
stands today monument to your lDeral-
ity, sef-sacriice and harmonious cO-opera-
ton, and, as by its erection you have en-
riched the architectural neauty OF our love-
ly capital city, monument to your public
SpiritedneSS and patriotism.
But, remember, our text does not speak
of this house a beautiful monument. 1t
reads: / was glad when they said unto me,
let us go into the house Of ths Lord Jacob
said upon awaking from his sleep: This
stone which l have set up for memorial
shall become house of God. Even 40 this
imposing monumental structure will become
house of God only according to your will
ngness, now and in future, 10 make it a
house of prayer and worship, a center of
religious education for both young and old.
Therefore, speaking in the language of
"a
me, viii go into the house of the Lord,
we will erdeavor to visit these sacred pre-
cincts regularly, even after the echoes Of
this inspiring celebration will have died
eway.
Furthermore, our sladness and grati.ica-
ton upon taking possession of this itauti-
ful ediiice should in no wise be lessened or
disturbed by criticism-not even by the con-
tention that so handsome a structure should
have been erected in "a more desirable 10
cality.' Without a thought of ope ming an
untimeiy and unDroftabie discussion of a
settled question, | merely desire TO empha-
size that il regard this ediice as what
in the light of our text it really is and
stands fora house of God and center of
religious education and INSTRUMENTATION its
close proximity to your homes and places of
business does not only appear Uracticable
but peculiarly suggestive of the necessity of
a close relation between synagogue and
nome and of the sanctifying, ennohling in
huences the former should exert uoon the
ties you cannot divorce your Judaism from
your homes and business centers. nor con-
fine ii within the narrow limits of the syn
agogue. Religion Is not luxury, to be en-
Joyed for an hour or two each week. in
some fashionable shrine in a fashionable
neIehbor hood, by a limited few, but rather
a living force, a moral discipline to infiu-
ence, direct and shape our every thought
word and deed at home and abroad, in pub
tic mart and private Office.
Pleasant Relations with Others
Again, we are glad today to go into our
new place of worship, as close neighbors to
our friends of Calvary Church, to continue
the pleasant relations that have existed be-
tween us for thirtysiX years. We recall
with pleasure that their worthy pastor at
the cornerstone laying of this temple invok-
ed Gods blessings upon us and our under
taking, and that our congregation, while
temporarily without Il place of worship,
during our great holidays year ago enjoy
ed the hospitality of Congregational
Church. whose spiritual representative we
are glad to have with us to participate in
the exercises of this day.
Nor should these facts be regarded as
rare or unusual evidences of good will be-
tween Jew and Gentle. They have oc-