The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-07
Conservation of Building and Lighting of Perpetual
 Lights Impressive
SERMON PREACHED
 BY RABBI PHILLIPSON
Music Is One of Most Enjoyable Fea- tures-key to Building Presented Joseph-Services Will Continue
 Today and Tomorrow
Fly ELLIS C. HOLLUMs

An immense crowd stood last night on the steps of Temple Emanu- Fl, on the sidewalk and even backed down into the street from 7:15 until o'clock waiting for the doors to open that they might enter the temple and wit ness the services of dedication. The services were extremely simple and their very simplicity but added to the impressiveness of the event. Perhaps the most impressive features of last nights services were the conservation of the whole temple and of the con eregat.on to the Lord and humanity, the lighting of the perpetual lights by Miss Marjorie Adler, and the pre- sentation of the key to NJ. " Joseph. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rabbi David Phillipson of Cincn- nati.
 Of especial interest was the music. Mrs. William Gussen had been train ing the choir of 40 voices for several weeks and Mir. Gussen last night di- rected it. Mrs. Gussen was at the or gan and when the first strains Of Costa Shellev's "Triumphal March from the huge instrument began to float out from the choir loft and the immense volume of beautiful harmony filled the church. the congregation was visibly affected. The voices in the choir showed the effect of good training and the ensemble was near to perfect. Per haps the most beautiful of the songs was Eather in Heaven,' solo by Freder4k Gunster His rich baritone voice r8ached the farthermost corners of the tSmple and filled it with melody of surpaNSirE tenderness.
 Following the invocation by Rabbi Leo M. Franklin of Detroit came the lighting of the perpetual light. Miss Marjorie, a young girl just in her teens, with her hair hanging down her back, came forth to the altar and lighted the wick that is to burn so long as the temple stands.
 A beautiful anthem by the choir com pleted the ceremony and Samuel Adler then made a speech of presentation as he gave to NJ. V. Joseph the key to the church.
 Rabbi David Marx of Atlanta then read the Sabbath eve service with re- sponses by the congregation. Follow ing this Frederick Gunster sang Han dels Father in Heaven"
 The consecration of the church by Rabbi Newfield followed and it was perhaps the most impressive part of the entire ceremony. His speech was at once simple and beautiful. He did not delve into the hidden mysteries of Webster's latest edition, but said what he had to say in the simplest of terms. He dedicated the organ the altar, the pews, the carpets. the whole church building and its entire congre- gation to the service of God and hu- manity.
 q consecrate this beauteous house to the worship of God and his sphere, said Rabbi Newfield. May this house be a place of light and truth; a house of comfort and inspiration to every man, even unto the stranger who comes within His gates. May the cheerless be gladdened; may they feel that they have a Father in this place who will whole house and the whole congrga- ton to tn worship of tn living God and humanity. May this place add grace and glory to God. Here may all men find a house of prayer. May you who have built this house hand it down to your children with the beau tiful assurance that our God has lift ed up his countenance upon us today"
 Following a duet by Mrs. Chandler and Mir. Farley, Rabbi David Phillip son preached the sermon of dedication. He expressed his joy at being able to see the beautiful temple and referred to the heroic work on the part of those in charge of the building that had made 1t possible. He referred to the Hebrew church as the Americans Judaism, and said that the Jew in America had found a place of absolute freedom and that he was being judged from a more equitable basis than ever before He dedicated the church and It's congre- gation to the worship of God and the service and love of humanity.
 The choir sang Sing to the Lord" by Haydn and Rabbi B. c. Ehreneich of Montgomery read the adoration and Kaddish with responses by the choir and congregation.
 Rabbi Alfred c. Moses of Mobile pro- nounced a singularly beautiful bene- diction and as the congregation silent ly filed out of the church the organ played "Hallelniah," by Handel.
 The Temple EmanuEl congregation last night was perhaps one of the most representatitve seen for sometime. The serv'ces will continue this morning and tomorrow and large congregations are expected to attend all services.