|
By N. L.
(continued
from issue #7)
In the year 1791, the congregation having increased
to fifty-three families, numbering upwards of 400 souls, were desirous
of procuring an act of incorporation, and to secure this object the
following petition was presented to the legislature:
"The
petition of the wardens and elders of the Jewish Congregation in
Charleston, called
בית אלהים (or house of
God) on behalf of the said congregation, humbly showeth:
"That
the said congregation conceive that it will be conducive to the decent
and regular exercise of their religion and public worship of the
Almighty God, Ruler of the universe, to the proper maintenance of the
poor, and to the support and education of the orphans of their society,
as well as to other pious purposes, to have the said congregation
legally incorporated, and with privileges and powers similar to those
which have been heretofore granted to other religious sects. That as by
the first section of the eighth article of our new constitution, it is
declared that 'The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession
and worship, with discrimination or preference, shall hereafter be
allowed within this state to all members, provided that the liberty of
conscience thereby ordained shall not be so construed as to excuse acts
of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and
safety of the state, they therefore humbly pray this honourable house to
grant that they may be legally incorporated, with privileges and powers
as above-mentioned, and they hope, that their religious and political
conduct will tend to exemplify the true wisdom, genuine charity, and
sound policy of the said article of the constitution, which entitles
them, as they presume, to that equal participation of religious freedom
and immunities.
"And
as in duty bound, they will ever pray," &c.
The congregation was incorporated in February 5551
[1791], being the fifteenth year of the American Independence. The seal
of the corporation is a representation of their Synagogue, with its
corporate name in Hebrew characters surrounding it. The liberal and
charitable feelings of the congregation, which were extended to all
denominations, are manifested by the following circumstance. The city
authorities projected a plan for erecting an orphan asylum, to nurture
and educate destitute orphans. The different religious denominations
were called upon to aid this laudable and praiseworthy undertaking. The
congregation complied with this request, and on the 21st
August, 1791, an invitation was extended to the city authorities, the
commissioners, and children of the Orphan House, and to the citizens, to
attend at the Synagogue. After divine service by the Rev. Abraham
Azubee, an excellent discourse was delivered by Mr. Joseph Myers, and
the following communication will show the result:
"To
the Vestry of the Jewish Congregation.
"Gentlemen,—I am directed by the
commissioners of the Orphan House to present you their warmest
acknowledgements for the very excellent discourse delivered this morning
in behalf of their infant institution, and which will contribute much
towards forwarding that benevolent design, (the sum collected amounting
to £58 5s.,) also for the very polite and agreeable reception
they met with, and for the handsome donation presented by you. I have
embraced the earliest moment to fulfil my duty, by enclosing you their
unanimous vote of thanks, and which I entreat you to believe is done
with sincere pleasure, and a grateful heart. With every sentiment of
respect and esteem, I have the honour to be your most humble servant,
"A.
Vanderhost.
"Resolved, unanimously, that the warmest
thanks of the commissioners of the Orphan House be tendered to the Rev.
Mr. Azubee, Mr. Joseph Myers, and the rest of the gentlemen who compose
the vestry and wardens of the Hebrew Congregation, for the very
excellent discourse delivered this day in behalf of their infant
institution, for the very polite and agreeable reception the board
received from them, and for the handsome donation presented by them
towards erecting an Orphan House; and that the chairman transmit the
same.
"A.
Vanderhost."
In January 1792, the Synagogue being too small to
contain the increased number of members, the congregation purchased the
adjoining lot from the heirs of Nicholas Trott, former chief justice of
the province, and determined to erect a larger and more suitable place
of worship. A subscription was opened for this purpose, to which the
members most liberally subscribed. The necessary amount was soon raised,
proposals issued, and the contract made with Messrs. Steedman and
Horlback. The building, with the ornamental work and cupola, cost
$20,000. The committee who raised the subscription and superintended the
building of the Synagogue, were Messrs. Jacob Cohen, Gershom Cohen, and
Philip Hart. To the active and indefatigable exertions of these
gentlemen, who frequently advanced large sums of money from their
individual purses, and to their untiring diligence and prudence, was the
congregation indebted for the beautiful building they afterwards
possessed. Friday, the 14th day of September, 1792, was the
day appointed for the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the sacred
edifice they were about to erect. On that day the congregation assembled
in the "old Synagogue," and after solemn prayers had been
offered up to the Most High, they proceeded in procession to the spot
where the new building was to be erected. Eight marble stones were laid;
one at each corner of the building, and one at each corner of the porch.
Each stone bore the name of the person laying it, also the date and an
appropriate inscription in Hebrew and English. The first stone was
placed towards the east by Mr. Israel Joseph; the second placed in a
westerly direction by Mr. Philip Hart. These two gentlemen having
contributed largely towards the building, the congregation awarded to
them this honour. The privilege of laying the other six was disposed of
at auction privately, and were secured by the following gentlemen at the
annexed prices: Mr. Lyon Moses, the third, £15; Mr. Isaac Moses, the
fourth, £13; Mr. Emanuel Abrahams, the fifth, £18; Mr. Mark Tongues,
the sixth, £9 6s.; the seventh, Mr. Hart Moses, £8 10s.;
and the eighth, Mr. Abraham Moses, Senr., £5 7s. Messrs. Daniel
Hart, Gershom Cohen, and Moses C. Levy, were the committee of
arrangements at this ceremony, which must have been highly imposing, as
those gentlemen in their report to the vestry speak of it in glowing
terms, as having been conducted "by the rules and regulations of
the ancient and honourable fraternity of Freemasons."
In 1794 the Synagogue was completed, and on Friday,
the 19th of September of that year, the consecration too
place, at which solemn ceremony his excellency, Governor Moultrie, the
lieutenant-governor, the civil and military officers of the state, the
municipal authorities, the reverend clergy and citizens generally
attended, and expressed themselves highly delighted and edified. At the
consecration, and at every succeeding anniversary, the highest honours
were paid to Israel Joseph and Philip Hart, as the principal benefactors
in promoting the building; to Lyon Moses, for presenting a set of brass
chandeliers in behalf of himself and family; and to Mr. Jacob Cohen and
Gershom Cohen, for their zeal and energy in superintending the business
until its completion. A "Kaaren Kayamet," or permanent fund,
was now established, by offerings, donations, and bequests for that
especial purpose, the principal of which was ever to be regarded as
permanent and sacred, and the interest only to be used in cases of
emergency. Mr. Moses C. Levy, who contributed very liberally to this
fund, was elected first treasurer, and under his stewardship a very
large amount was realized. This gentleman was remarkable for his piety
and learning, and was afterwards president of the congregation. In 1799
the congregation, at the suggestion of Mr. David Lopez, opened a
subscription for the purpose of erecting a היכל;
the amount was soon realized, and a chaste and beautiful ark erected,
the material and construction of which, with its rich and graceful
drapery, added greatly to the general beauty of the Synagogue. The
ceremony of the erection of the ark was similar to that of laying the
corner stones of the building. Eight stones were deposited, one under
each column of the ark. The one under the southwest column contained the
following inscription:
"This
marble was laid under the S. W. column of the Achal of 'Bet Elohim,' on
the 9th of Elul, 5559, by David Lopez, member of the Adjunta,
and one of the committee under whose superintendence this Achal and
platform were planned, built, and erected, by the liberal contribution
of the members. In perpetuam rei memoriam."
In 1802 the congregation received from General
Gadsden two very valuable works in the Hebrew language, accompanied with
the following letter:
"General
Gadsden presents his respectful compliments to Mr. David Lopez, and the
members of the Hebrew Congregation of Charleston, for whom he has long
had a particular regard, and begs their acceptance of the five valuable
books mentioned at the foot hereof, long since out of print, and
difficult to be obtained. Should he live to see this day month, he will
then enter his 79th year, the next door to fourscore, a
period that cannot be far distant from that which is allotted for us all
sooner or later to come to. What he intended to offer by will, he feels
himself happier in having so favourable an opportunity, by his son, to
present while living.
"Leges
Mishnace, 3 vols.; Moses Maimonides, 2 vols.
"January
27th, 1802."
The following reply was addressed to the liberal
donor for his valuable gift:
Respected
Sir—I had the pleasure of laying before the congregation, at their
late meeting, your esteemed letter of the 27th inst, together
with the ancient and valuable books which accompanied the same; and now
feel myself particularly happy, in obedience to their commands, to
transmit you herewith a copy of their resolutions, entered on their
records, and to express to you the high esteem and consideration of one
to whom the congregation confess themselves particularly indebted in
repeated instances, and for whom they will ever retain the most lively
respect and veneration. Be pleased, worthy sir, to receive through this
medium the unfeigned and hearty thanks of the vestry and congregation of
"Beth Elohim," who unite in a respectful tender of their
sincere esteem, and a supplication to that God whom they all adore, that
your days may be with happiness uninterruptedly extended to the limits
conceded to man; and when that eventful period arrives beyond which no
man can pass, that you, like the patriarchs of ancient days, may be
translated with peace and in fulness of years, to partake in the
mansions of the just, those tranquil enjoyments allotted as the reward
of all, whose lives, like yours, have been employed in deeds of virtue
and charity. Permit me, venerable sir, to offer you the tribute of my
personal acknowledgements, and subscribe myself with sentiments of
respect, your obedient servant.
DAVID LOPEZ,
President of the Congregation K. K. B. E.
The complimentary resolutions passed at a general
meeting of the congregation were enclosed in the above letter, which
called forth the following reply from General Gadsden:
MR.
DAVID LOPEZ,
Dear
Sir—Your much esteemed favour, enclosing a copy of the respectable and
worthy vestry of "Beth Elohim," in behalf of the congregation,
I received yesterday. The very kind acceptance and honourable notice of
so small an offering of the great and real respect I have long
entertained for the Congregation of "Beth Elohim" cannot but
occasion the most pleasing and heartfelt sensations. The very feeling
and polite manner in which you have, good sir, transferred their
resolutions, is also extremely obliging and acceptable. May the
Almighty, the all-merciful God of the universe, bless, protect, and
prosper the Congregation of Beth Elohim, is the sincere prayer of your
most obedient servant,
CHRISTOPHER GADSDEN.
In February 1805, the congregation sustained a
severe loss by the death of the Rev. Abraham Azubee, who had officiated
as Hazan of this congregation for nearly twenty years with great ability
and satisfaction. Every mark of respect was paid to the memory of their
beloved and much lamented "Saliach Zibbure," and in order to
testify still more their grateful feelings to his memory, they provided
for the future comfort and support of his widow. The same salary that
had been paid to their late worthy Hazan was tendered to his widow, with
the free rent of the house she lived in, until after a permanent Hazan
should be elected, after which election she received an annual sum of
$300, and the free rent of the house. This conduct shows that the
feelings of the congregation have ever been characterized by benevolence
and humanity; that their philanthropy always prompted them to dry the
weeping eye of the widow, and to comfort and protect the fatherless.
The congregation having been deprived of their
revered pastor, felt his loss the more sensibly, as there was no one
among them qualified to assume this important station. In this emergency
they resolved to write to Europe for a Hazan, and addressed a letter to
the "Mahamad" of the congregation "Shaar Ashamaim"
of London. Our congregation then stood first in this country in point of
numbers, and on the score of talent and respectability inferior to none.
They possessed a large and elegant place of worship, were made a
corporate body by the legislature of the state, and therefore felt
anxious of obtaining a fit person to fill the dignified office of Hazan.
They looked for a man of respectability and approved morals, a finished
Hebrew and classical scholar.
They use the following language in their letter
addressed to the congregation in London:
"In
a free and independent country like America, where civil and religious
freedom go hand in hand, where no distinctions exist between the clergy
of different denominations, where we are incorporated and known in law;
freely tolerated; where, in short, we enjoy all the blessings of freedom
in common with our fellow-citizens, you may readily conceive we pride
ourselves under the happy situation which makes us feel that we are men,
susceptible of that dignity which belongs to human nature, by
participating in all the rights and blessings of this happy country; to
which nothing could add more than having a Hazan of merit and classical
education, who would reflect honour on himself and stamp an additional
degree of dignity and respectability upon our congregation."
The "Mahamad" to whom this letter was
addressed was empowered to select a suitable person for the vacant
situation. They elected and sent out Mr. Benjamin Cohen D'Azavedo, son
of the Portuguese חכם of
London, who, after having arrived here, was found incompetent to fulfil
the duties of Hazan from a physical debility, and not possessing the
necessary qualifications. Mr. D'Azavedo was very liberally remunerated
for the trouble and expense he had incurred, and returned to Europe.
During the time that the congregation were deprived of the services of a
regular Hazan, Mr. Emanuel Delamotta, Mr. Ralph Musqueta, Mr. Moses C.
Levy, and Mr. Jacob Suares, kindly volunteered their services; the
latter gentleman was elected permanent Hazan, and officiated until March
1811, when the Rev. Emanuel Nunez Carvalho succeeded him.
(To
be Continued.) |
