Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-16

l. L. Blout.
been its honored president for eight years.
He came to this country fifty-one years
ago. having been born in Cassel, Germany.
For about forty-seven years he has con-
Quoted business on 18th street northwest.
Mr.. Blout is a man noted for his modest
manner and retiring disposition, and his
long years of quiet and transformations
charity and benevolences referred to
as but characteristic traits of his char
acter. For twelve years he has been at
the head of the United Hebrew Charities,
and for forty-three years has been the
honored secretary of the Rebecca Lodge.
having organized that body himself in or
der to take care of the wounded during
the civil war.
Seldom. if ever do so many honors come
to private citizen as were Showered upon
Mr., Blout last evening. Ii was a magnif-
cent series of ovationS, testifying TO the
high degree of esteem in which he is he'd
by the entire Jewish population of Wash
ington.
Program of Exercises
The following was the program of the
evenings exercises:
Coronation March, DIR. G.. w. Walters;
quartet, 80 God, Who is Like Unto Thee"
with tenor solo by Mr. VIM. d. Mcfarland;
prayer and address of welcome, Rabbi Louis
Stern; tribute of friendship from Simon
Wolf, read by Mr.. J. Eisenmann; violin
solo "Reverie." Prof. Sol. Minister; presen-
tation for Washington Hebrew Congrega-
ton, by Rabbi Abram Simon, a beautiful
tea and coffee set, appropriately inscribed;
congratulations in behalf of United Hebrew
Charities by Mr.. Marcus Notes the reSo-
lutions being handsomely bound in leather
and inscribed; presentation for Rebecca
Lodge, by Mrs. S. Guggenheim, three richly
carved mahogany chairs; presentation for
Council of Jewish Women, by Mrs. ChaS.
A Goldsmith a fine leather travelling bag,
containing everything for the gentleman's
toilet; soprano solo Il Will EXtol Thee"
Mrs Nallia Wilson Shjr-( Cliff
ton flor Ladies Auxiliary Society, by Mrs.
Abram Simon, a sherbet set of exquisite
glass; congratulations, by children of the
Sabbath school, one Of the striking features
of the occasion. Fully seventy. little girls,
dressed in white. marched upon the plat
form and each presented Mr.. Blout a rose.
1t was scene that touched the heart, and
Mr.. Blout was visibly affected by this little
token of love from the little ones of the
congregation.
Rabbi Simon's Address.
In making the presentation on behalf of
the congregation Rabbi Abram Simon said
Mr.. Blout, this is extra. 1t is
our publication to the world of our method
Of honorng a man whose entire career has
been a sanctification of Gods name. This
gathering tonight is love feast, pure and
simple 1t is a spontaneous outburst of af-
lection. The great of the earth might well
envy you. You are not a millionaire but
you have a golden heart of love, and own
the affection of thousands of greatful
souls.
while others will speak in behalf of
their respective organizations, permit me to
present the Gains and the Fluctuations of
our beloved congregation. What the Wash
ington Hebrew Congregation owes you is
debt so great that your accustomed hu-
mility will blush to accede it, You repre-
sent in yourself the history of this COM
munity. You came here in it's infancy
You saw its steady growth. You behold
f,,1
When forty-seven years ago you came
here you made your membership therein
noticeable, effective, inspirting. With
your intense love for music you were the
first Music Master of this congregation.
You created its choir and some of the
sheets still bear the finger marks rather
the ear marks of your determination to
cast the old Jewish and traditional har-
monies modern molds. Through four
decades of our steadily advancing march
your counsel was never wanting, and the
inspiration of your soulful leadership car
ried conviction to the younger men.
When, eight years ago. the corner
stone of this majestic building was to be
laid and the then president was, alas,
stricken down just on the very merid-
ian of his hopes, you were called upon
to finish the great task begun by Mr.. Henry
King, sr., 1t was a battle between intellect
and duty. The former said ''No'-your
heart out. Our congregation is here
to thank you for the success which that
decision has brought to us. We have
grown to stately proportions. Your age
has not robbed you of the fires of youth.
You are seventy and yet you are the most
progressive man in the congregation. This
splendid celebration is a handsome rebuke
to all the foolish criticism which your pol
Icy may have created. They love you all
the more and their spontaneous felicita-
lions bespeak the joy of their error.
In their name permit me to ask your
acceptance of a gift. 1t is this beautiful
silver service. True their silence of ad-
miration all along has been golden: their
speech now is silvery. This token is elo-
quent of service, of your unselfish devotion
and of your answering fidelity. Let me
interpret this gift in the language of your
friends.
This superb tray upon which every