The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-07

thusasm and love for God and interest
 in humanity guided them through the
 wilderness of Encouragement to the final
 execution of this holy duty. After the
 first services at the Simon home on
 that misty day of the past, the second
 step in the formation of this congre-
 gation was followed by the formation ot
 religious organization. That meeting
 was held in the old First National bank
 building, at the corner of First avenue
 and Twentieth street. Ike Hochstadter.
 a young man, unmarried and imbued
 with a rightful appreciation of religion and filled with that fire of duty towards
 man, was leader in the movement which
 culminated on June B, 1882, in the for
 nation of this congregation.
 "The late Capt. Frank P. O'Brien is authority for the statement that at tine meeting held in the structure where the Brown Max now stands were the fol- lowing: Samuel Marx. Ike Hochstadtcr Ben NJ Jacobs, Abe Wise, B. Wellman Al Hochstadter, H. Lazarus H. simon B. Fox, I. Fortt, Ike Adler. Sam Rich. Joe Beiderman, IT. Schuester, Robert Jacobs and Monroe Hochstadter. The first officers elected were Abe Wise president; Ben M. Jacobs, secretary. Ike Hochstadter. treasurer. with probably H. Lazarus, vice president. and E. RubeI, secretary. 1ne Ul1nR or the 1ncOrnnra- tion papers follows:
 "The first public services held by the infant temple was in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. corner Fifth ave nue and Eighteenth street and here may say the affection that was there created between the worshipers at Teple Emanu-E1 and the Presbyterian church at that initial meeting was con tinued until this good hour to the glory of Cn1 -ton I,.JI tember, 1882, preceding New Year and the services throughout holy week were conducted by the Rev. Joseph Stolz, then student at the He- brew Union college.
 O'Brien Arranged Music
 ''The late Capt. Frank O'Brien ar ranged the music for that service and the choir was composed of the follow ing: Mrs. George R. Ward, mother of Hon. George B. Ward, president of the city commission; the beloved Mrs. Rob- ert H. Pearson, Miss Nellie Cobb. later to become the charming wife of pr J. H. Phillips of our schools Mr. Gus field, Captain O'Brien and Prof. Fred erick Grambs at the organ. As an ex- ample of the cooperation of the various sects of this community that existed then and continues to the present it may be here noted that the choir was composed of one Hebrew, one Roman Catholic, one Baptist and two Episco- palians.
 Tn 1883 the Rev. MT. Holz returned for the first confirmation exercises which were conducted with all impressiveness on Atonement day. The first class was com posed of Hannah Wellman CMrs. I. Le- bolD, Hattie lazarus (Mrs. Nose SabeD, Nose Lazarus, Eugene Fies, and Julie Silverman (Mrs. M. Lowenstein).
 'The forward movement has at this time begun. It was found necessary in 1884 to secure larger quarters. Therefore the congregation purchased a site from the Elyton Land company, corner Fifth avenue and Seventeenth street, where the first Jewish church building of this section was erected and dedicated in 1SS9 just 25 years ago. The cornerstone of that church was laid July 13, 1886, the services being conducted by Rabbi Isaac M. Wise of Cincinnati.
 Dr. Newfield Came in 1895
 During the B years of the life of this congregation the work has gone steadily onward The congregation called several young ministers to direct the work here ending in the attachment of Dr. New field in 1895. His work has been constant and with deep sense of his great respon- sibility to this church. In the old days he labored without ceasing and has con tinued through all the years of his min istry to serve God first and humanity with all the fervor of his being. The result is that he has done a great work and is one of the best beloved ministers of God in this southland. I consider this especially fortunate in his and his work will stand the tests of ages for it's uplifting influence and the perpeuation of the holy religion of Judaism.
 During the transtory period of this from it's beginning to the present there has been many wonderful workers tireless and unafraid. One, how ever. stands out pre-eminent and that is Dr. Samuel Ullman. who was, the first l;iymen to have charge of the religious services. Over his protest and unani- mously he was elected to lead the religi- ous service and was one of the foremost Rabbi's in the south. Fe has been hon. ored by his own people, by his city and state as few men and it must be to him a great source of pride to witness the dedication of this magnificent work dedi- oated to God after having witnessed the beginning based upon nothing ex- cept faith in God and the fervor of the young Hebrews of this Magic City. This church belongs to God. His servants have made it possible. It is monument to the men and women of this community that have unselfishly devoted their talent and money to its erection. The history of this congregation is inspiration. It is history that should be an ambition to all the younger people. It's monu- ment to the right manner of living with ones fellowman and will endure for ages as testimonial of the religion and unity of the Jews of this community.
 ''As it was in the beginning it is now and ever shall be house of God where his children can find surcease from sor- row and balm for their troubled lives"
 " ' Not sati