Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-01
UNION SERVICES HELD
ORTHODOX AND REFORM JEWS
UNITE IN GIVING THANKS
Rabbi Simon Delivered Stirring Ad-
dress-Rabbis Stern and Loeb Con-
duct Ritualistic Exercises.

The Joint Thanksgiving service of the
congregations of the Adath Israel and
Washington Hebrew congregations was held
in the Temple on Sth street yesterday after
noon al o'clock. and was attended by a
gathering that comfort ably, filled the edi-
fee The beautiful service prescribed by
the Hebrew rituals for Thanksgiving cere-
monies was conducted by Rev. DIR. Louis
Stern and Rev. DR.. Loeb conducted the
religious exercises.
The quartet OF the Temple sang the an<
thems and hymns appropriate to the day In
an exquisite manner.
At the close of the religious exercises
the Rev. DR.. Abram Simon OF the Sth street
synagogue delivered the address of the day.
DIR. Simon said
MY lines have fallen In pleasant places
yea l have goodly heritage. So sang
the pilgrim Jew he reached the happy
and sacred soil of Jerusalem once again.
The exile was forgotten in the intense joy
of the new home. Gratitude washed away
the lines of grief and seems OF suffering. In
similar words. the pilgrim fathers sang
their psalm of praise when their feet trod
the free soil at Plymouth. The ocean was
behind them-fnrgotten, for while. were
the tyranny and persecution, and thanksgiv-
ing for reaching and winning the new land
became pivotal of their entire future career.
The sense of gratitude became d matter of
record and of custom and of law.
Sentiment of Gratitude.
Gratitude Is the falrest blossom which
springs from the soul Man never rises so
high in the spiritual scale as when he bends
low in humility and appreciation 10 the
source of ali blessings. No true or brave
man ever loses his independence by ascrlb
ing or feeling his dependence upon God.
ON the contrary, such a feeling becomes a
n int md inN-i
ing energy. ambition and character. 1t
alone saves man from the cutters of base
ingIatitude and impudent insolence and I'M
brIdlGd :. !hShueSS 1t gives wings to the
soul, and bases the struggle for the ma
teriaI things of life upon an idealistic
foundation. Let not man say, My strength
and The power of mine arm hath gotten me
this wealth. Prosperity oft blunts the keen
edge of appreciation and induces a false
pride and a stultif!ing and stunning con-
science.
Since nation is but an individual writ
large, gratitude becomes a part of civic life
and responsibility. Our lines have fallen
in pleasant places and We have goodly
heritage IS signally true of our country
and history. If by comparison the sense
OF appreciation becomes whetted, the Ameri-
can ought to be the most grateful indi-
vidual under the sun. The Thanksgiving
day comes with an annual and steadily IN
CreaSlnE reason for gratitude.
Lack of National Conscience.
Our trouble lies In a lamentable lack of
national conscience. We have lost our
moral sensitiveness. We forget that spec
ulauon is peculation. We are suffering
from the bad citizenship Of good men. The
ones whose lines have fallen in pleasant
places and have goodly heritage are the
most guilty. They have kept away from
the pOliceman's club, have practiced a neg
alive morality and saved themselves from
being caught. But the poorer man. whose
lines have fallen in the cutters and whose
heritage is one of depravity and disease,
for which he cannot be blamed is usually
the unfortunate man who crowds the pris-
ons and swells the inmates of the peniten-
tarles.
oh. our cowardicc and our slow justice
and our blunt conscience! Where is the
patriotism OF daily honesty and of common
Gecency? Where is the courage to do right?
Our patriotism is fireworks, either Of the
skyrocket or spit-devl character! Yet
even here we have reasons for gratitude.
The year has witnessed remarkable DEM
onstration Of the contag ion of fine example.
The President has set in motion concentric
circles of widening reform and enthu-
siasm. Young men have felt the touch of
his strong hand and felt the fame of his
burning soul The triumph of the people
last month was the most splendid proof
that the heart of American manhood is
sound and whole.
The honor for having forced Russia and
Japan TO an amicaDle settlement furnishes
lea has won the fear and the respect OF the
world She has become the peacemaker
and the apostle OF justice to the nations.
Yet our JOY is not unallOyed. The voice
Of our brothers in Russia whose lives have
not fallen in pleasant places Is a grief and
a pang to our souls. What opportunity
was placed in the hands of our government
that has all along torn TO sireds the
sophistry of diplomacy and the red tape
of political enlargement! How proud We
would have become, with what additiolp.
joy We would have sung our psalm OF
gratitude could our nation. through its
President, have said to Russia. Thus far
shalt thou come and here shall the proud
waves of thy bigotry be stayed!' But 1t
was not 10 be. European nations can
threaten Turkey into submission where
paltry few dollars was In question, but
where thousands of lives were under con-
sideration the DOGGY Of international policy
was forced forward.
Not a Jewish Question.
"The world must understand that the
persecution of the Jew In Russia has
ceased being a Jewish question. 1t is a
problem in Christian morals. 1t is uni
versal question. Christianity cannot be
asked to shoulder responsibility for those
who rise not equal to her teachings. but
her voice ought to be heard authoritatiyely
through Rome and the constituted authori-
ties Of Protestant Europe.
AT any rate. the voice of our brothers
cries unto US Lee our prosperity not tilil
our hearts. Let us give-give freely. We
have a gOodly heritage of financial pros
perlty, social happiness and political
peace Each year brings increased recog-
milton and Justification for this great ma
tional feast. May its blessings develop
corresponding duties and intensity our ma
tional conscience. Praise and glory unto
God. the giver of all good. Our heritage
forever"
The address listened to with close
attention, and at its conclusion Rabbi Loeb
offered prayer. America was sung by
the congrega ton. and the service closed
with benediction by Rev DIR. Stern. Seated
in front of the altar during the services, In
addition TO the officiating rabbits, were Mr..
Simon Oppenhelmer, secretary OF the Adath
Israel Congregation; Mr.. l. S. Blout, presi-
dent of the Washington Congregation, and
Mr.. Fishel, vice president OF the Washing
ton Congregation.