The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-02-21
THANKED HIS PEOPLE.
REV. I. Il. MENDES' ADDRESS To
MICKVA ISRAEL CONGREGATION.
LED TO THE TEMPLE PULPIT
AND GAVE THE CONGREGATION
HIS BLESSING.

Asked who Is to BE His Assistant.
No Minister, He Snid, Could Accept
the Place without His Approval
and Not Violate Ethics of the
Calling. But He Assured the Con-
grcEation That Its Choice should
BE His Choice is Strong and
Hopeful in Spirit and Wants to
Continue His WOrk-Prayed For
All who Have Been Kind to Him.
Received Congratulations of Con-
EreRatiOn.
Rev. DR.. I. p. Mendes, pastor of the
Congregation Mickva Israel, attended
services yesterday afternoon for the
first time since he was stricken with
the loss of his eyesight, the latter part
of December. 1t was known that he
would make the visit, and there was an
unusually large congregation present.
The services were conducted by Mr..
Joseph Rosenheim, president of the
Board Of Adjunta of the temple. When
these were practically concluded, he led
DR.. Mendes from the seat he occupied
on the pulpit platform to the pulpit,
from which for more than twenty-five
years he has addressed the congrega-
ton.
DR.. Mendes repeated the XIII
Psalm. There are moments in a per-
sons life" he said, when it is almost
impossible to express in words the feel
ings and emotions of the heart. and
such moment is this to me. as 1 recall
the last time I stood in this holy and
sacred spot, and think of your sweet
faces lifted up to me full of the warmth
of affection and well tried love, and
think of how my soul was lifted up 10
God and of my happiness, almost COM
plete.
81 have been through weeks of trial,
and the struggle of battle, but like the
sweet zephyr of the south wind, your
words of love and your devotion and
sympathy have cheered me. There are
no words in the English language that
can express the gratitude of my heart.
Christian Friends Kind.
my Christian brothers regardless of
faith, creed and denomination have
stood at my bedside and showered
me with words of sympathy. And
you who love me so well-you and
know what you have done for me.
Would / had the power to say in fit
ting language what l wish. Brothers,
sisters. servants of God, regardless of
the way we go to God, an humble serv-
ant of God returns his thanks"
DR.. Mendes called attention to the
length of his pastorate with the con-
gregation. For more than a quarter
of century, he said, he had been
bound to it by the closest ties; he had
taken in his arms the tender infants
| had prepared the boys for their en-
trance into mans estate the girls for
! confirmation; welded the young people
and buried the dead.
After such service for so long a
| time shall l think, oh, my people," he
| asked, that you would have me close
an active career; that you would have
your minister of more than a quarter
of century spend the rest of his
days in idleness. !. l do not despair; |
am strong and firm in heart for you.
| my people, and for the community
| where my home has been for so many
years.
Asked About Assistant,
81 am not unreasonable in my de-
| sire to continue my work. 1 know that
| my usefulness I as been curtailed. but
it is not my fault. Who shall be the
assistant, KNIT 10 me by ties of love;
who shall take the position on my right
hand: my help, my associate and my
| brother? You can answer that question
for the choice rests with you. No min
lister with respect for the ethics of
| his calling can come without your
minister's approval. Yet your choice
shall be mine; he shall be as my
| younger brother and | will do what |
can for him. l am ready to work, and
| if you will have me in your midst l
| will work. At my silver jubilee, on the
| 9th of May you gave me your hands
| and promised to stand by me when l
should need it. You will not fail in
your promise and l will not fail in
mine."
DR.. Mendes closed the service with
prayer in which he invoked blessings
on all who had shown him kindnesses
during his affection. He closed with:
Father into thy hands / commend my
spirit, strong and hopeful, to work in
thy vineyard"
| At the close of the service many
members of the congregation congrat-
ulated DR.. Mendes on the improve
ment in mis- health that allowed him
| to he among them gain