Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-05
HEBREW NEW YEAR
Solemn Services Commemorative OF
the Anniversary.
RABBI STBRN'S SERMON 70 Ills PEOPLE
Reference to the Trial of Dreyfus
at Rennes.
ADAS ISRAEL CONG REG ALTON

ADAS ISRAEL CONG REG ALTON
| The Jewish new year. Rosh Hashapa. was
ushered in at suns ct la.t even ng by ay-
ers and solemn meditation AMI the eX-
| change of gifts and good wishes all over
the world by those who follow t., faith o.
Abraham and Moses. In the homes O. the
| orthodox and reformed Hebrews alike the e
| We're family observances in VIII CHI young
| and old Joined. and in the synagog es
everywhere there were great gatherings of
! the faithful.
In Washington the services were con-
| Quoted at three temples. that of the Wash
! ngton Hebrew Congregation, on Sth street
| between II and 1 streets: the Adas Israel
Congregation, Sth and streets northwest,
and the Avas Shoben Congregation, in Ma
| tional Rifles Armory Hall. There was a
large attendance at each and the services
were mos; impressive.
At the Eighth Street Temple they began
at Z 30 o'clock last evening with a song by
the choir. consisting of Mrs. Nellie Wilson
Shircliff. Mrs Marguerite Nolan-Martin, Mr..
William ID. Mcfarland and Mr.. John II.
Nolan. Prof. Waters was the organst.
President 1. l.. Blout and Vice President
Philip Peyser of the congregation were on
the rostrum with Rabbi Stern.
Vie SOi.S flcDDl stern uel.N6TcO
prayer. The solo Into the Tomb of
Ages Past was rendered by Mr.. Nolan
and an extemporaneous prayer. full of
eloquent feeling. was delivered by the
and benediction.
At the Adas Israel Congregation Temple
services began at oc-ock last night and
continued this morning at 6 o'clock and
pm. today. There will be also services
at o'clock this evening and again at &
am. tomorrow.
The Avas Shoben congregation held SER
vices at the same hours, and will continue
also at the same hours, today and tomor-
row.
The services held in the Eighth Stree.
Synagogue at 10 o'clock this morning were
largely attended and the exercises very in
terest:ng. The musical program by the
quartet choir named in the foregoing. was
unusually fine and the organ numbers by
Professor Geo. w. Walters were impress
Sve
Rev. Mr.. Sterns sermon was thoughtful
and scholarly effort, and was follows:
Rabbi Stern's Discourse.
THE Scriptural portion just read psalm
Mild is the fervent outpouring of God
fearing soul. pierced by pangs Of bitter
Woe and sorrow. Its authorship is attrib
uted to a distinguished Jewish exile in
Babyionian lands. presumably the captive
king Jehoiachin. Despoiled of freedom and
independence. and every vestige of former
guage, gives vent to the feelings of his
anguished heart All seems darkness
around him. with not the faintest ray of
hope to penetrate it. And yet observe how
the plaintiVe strains of melancholy and
despair change to cheerful accents of self
consolation and hope: Why art ,nou cast
down, Oh. my soul? and why art thou
Disputed within me? Hope. then in God,
for shall yet thank Him, the salvation of
my countenance and my God
And this transition from utter despond-
ence to a more hopeful outlook is brought
about by what may be considered the CEN
trail thought of our psalm expressed in
these words: Send out Thy light and Thy
truth, these shall guide me! The present.
full of trouble and trbulation; the future
wrapt in gloom and darkness, he turns to
the past for Inspiration. for comfort and
for peace. remembering how, times with
out number. amidst threatening danger,
the God of his fortress had wrought sal
walton. Indeed. a true son Of a Cod
fearing people he could not abandon him
self to hopelessness anG despair
Many reasons have been advanced for
the wonderful preservation of the Jew
throughout ages fraught with dangers and
prosecutions unparalleled in the annals Of
history. Among them 1t would appear
that not sufficient stress is laid upon that
one great factor of misrepresentation that
upheld the exiled king in his calamity,
and all the children of his race in former
and subsequent generations; a hopeful,
huoyant spirit. a truStfui heart, wonder
fu! optimism the power to endure and to
pray at all times: SEND out Thy light and
Thy truth. these shall guide me, leading
me through the shadowy valley of suffer
ing and tears to the sunny heights OF hap
piness and peace"
New Year Opens.
my friends, today the portals of a new
year are opening before US. How strangely
our hearts are moved in the solemn hours
divi,. ng what has been from what is to be.
Behind us the year that is past, with it's
memories joyous or sad, encouraging or
distressing; before us void. a blank, dark
ness most complete, mystery profound.
How are we to enter? Oh, my friends,
whatever may have been our experiences
of the past. whatever be our outlook in o
the future, let US, in the spirit of our text,
as strong men and brave women, as true
children of sturdy, Godfearing race,
cross the threshold hopefully, praying with
well the meaning of the phrase. Send ont
Thy light and Thy truth; there shall guide
well the meaning of the phrase. Send out
Thy light and Thy truth For a safe
guidance in an unknown future we need
that light; that truth that has its source in
God, the essence of light and truth. The
light that leads away from God is false, a
snare to cur feet. The truth. s,-calle1,
that conflicts with Gods truth is spurious
and deceiv!ng, pitfall to both body and
soul.
THE Shofar's solemn sound is 10 impress
upon us this great less n, according to the
understand the awakening sound Of the
cornet they walk Lord. in the light of
Thy countenance.' Rosh Hashanah comes
to us to teach the great fundamental
truth, God reigneth'-not blind chance. In
Him. our Heavenly Father. we must place
our trust to Him alone, and none other. d }
we owe homage and alteration. 1t comes
| to teach that the fatherhood Of God m
plies the brotherhood of man, EMO ming up
on ore and all the duty Of love AMI justice
charity and benevolence, kindness and un-
&c. fish fpl mo
Have these simple. ancient truths found
due recognition in our boosted modern age
with its fierce struggle for existence, its
grinding competition. its frequent out
bursts of violence and bridled passion, its
gross matcralism? DaZzled by what We
fondly, yet falsely, call the light of progress
do we not often permit the divine light
within to burn low. or to become wholly
oxtinguished? What. If an enlightened head
means an impoverished heart, if increase
! in knowledge and education is no. coupled