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Dear
Sir,—
Animated
by a desire to promote, as far as possible, the prosperity of an
invaluable institution, I am induced to request the insertion of this
hasty sketch of the anniversary of the Hebrew Society for the
Instruction of Jewish Youth.
The sixth anniversary of this society was
celebrated in the Tabernacle, Hasell Street, on Sunday the 7th April, by
the members of the congregation “Beth
Elohim,” and presented to the admiring throng that gathered for the
occasion, a spectacle cheering and animated. This society was formed in
our city in 1839, by the ladies of the congregation, under the most
favourable auspices; it was modelled after the school of Philadelphia,
the directress of that institution kindly facilitating its progress. The
members constituted quite a numerous body of accomplished and
intellectual females; its pupils varied in number for four consecutive
years from fifty to seventy-five. Unfortunately, the storm which burst
over the heads of our local family of Israel, and threatened in its
relentless fury to immolate the highly esteemed changes effected in our
worship, did not leave this
noble institution entirely unscathed; its numerical strength was
diminished, and the sphere of usefulness contracted by resignations. It
is not our purpose to pursue this theme, or trace out the causes which
led to this untoward event, but feel infinitely more pleasure in
recording its effects, which were soon evidenced by the establishment of
another school under a separate organization, which, while it enlarged
the facilities of instruction, furnished proof of the high appreciation
in which these primitive founts of truth are held, and the devoted
spirits which cherish them. The school (of which we write), at present
numbers about fifty pupils, whose youthful countenances, beaming with
delight and intelligence, attended the annual examination before their
parents and guardians, whose anxiety well attested the deep interest
felt.
They
were divided into five classes, and seated upon benches elevated for the
occasion, and placed under the immediate control of the ladies who had
officiated as teachers for the last year and jointly under the
superintendence of the directress, Miss Simpson. The proceedings were
opened in prayer by the Rev. G. Poznanski, whose diction, chaste and
appropriate, was graced with his usual eloquence and fervour. The
exercises of the day were commenced, and the classes were examined by
their teachers in the studies of the year. Among the many volumes were
found, Cahen’s, Nathan’s, and Leeser’s
Catechisms, Pike’s Scriptural Questions, Instruction in Mosaic
Religion, and Peixotto’s Introduction to Scripture, works held in high
esteem by the instructors of youth. The classes, having gone through
their various lessons, a novel and interesting feature was then
introduced, by the recitation of miscellaneous pieces, selected and
written for the occasion, varied by soliloquy and dialogue. This really
important addition proved a source of variable instruction; for it
familiarizes the mind with the heroic deeds of the past, while it
cultivates the taste and improves proves the heart. The distribution of
prizes formed not the least interesting interesting portion of the day,
and the encomiums passed upon the most deserving of the scholars seemed
really the word of promise. A hymn indicative of the value of
“religion in early life” was sung by the youthful choristers with
much taste, and closed the exercises of the day.
Connected with this institution is a society for
the relief of the distressed, and the combination renders it one of the
most active and benevolent of its kind. The kindred objects to which it is devoted, of ministering to the physical and moral wants,
secure for it a place in the hearts of all; the recipients of its bounty
regard it for the fostering palm which it extends over objects, of
worth, and Israel view in its prosperity the germ of another era in
their religious education.
To
the ladies of this school a deep sense of gratitude is felt for their
untiring industry and devotion, to the spiritual interests of our young
members. The proficiency exhibited on this occasion by their scholars,
is the purest evidence they could give of their earnest efforts; every
Israelite present felt the glow of enthusiasm kindled in his heart, and
made a firm resolve to cherish by his support and confidence this
regenerator of the age; for moral and sublime truths forcibly impressed
upon the youthful mind; seldom fail in suppressing the dangerous
impulses which corrupt the heart, and pervert the divine gift of reason
from the lofty purposes designed by the Creator; our only safeguards lie
in a judicious system of religious education, and upon this we may
safely invoke the smiles of a merciful Providence; and, abiding in his
protection, our youth will find a shield of adamant against the
seductive notes of pleasure, and vice stripped of all allurements, will
no longer enthral its victim, but, subdued and prostrate, reveal its
hideous proportions.
The
school will be continued under the direction of Miss Peninna Moïse,
whose genius and talent, so well known, are the happiest augury which
could he afforded us of its further success. We can only say to the fair
daughters of Israel, “May God speed them in their labours,” hallowed
as they are by the most important consequences which can result from
human undertaking.
M.
M. S. |
