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New York, April 9th, 5606.
The above examination took place on Sunday, the 29th of March, in the
presence of a talented, select, and discriminating audience. We noticed
particularly, the Rev. Dr. Lilienthal, Rev. S. M. Isaacs, and Rev. J. J.
Lyons, seated together in a place most suitable for examining the pupils.
Previous to the regular exercises, the young ladies sang in the most
correct tune and time, the 29th Psalm, אין
כאלהינו
מזמור לדוד
and אדון
עולם which, to say the least of, could not
have been excelled by the best trained choir. The ten commandments were
then recited in English and Hebrew; after which, they said the thirteen
articles of faith also in Hebrew and English. What was particularly
interesting in the last, was, that every article was substantiated by a
proof from the Pentateuch. They were then questioned about the different
feasts, fasts, and ceremonies, observed by our people, and they answered
in the most satisfactory manner, stating the objects of the different
observances, together with the history which gave rise to them. The
teachers then made each child read a portion of the daily prayers. Those
belonging to the Portuguese Synagogue, according to the Portuguese
pronunciation, and those belonging to the other congregations, according
to the Polish and German pronunciation. This is an advantage possessed by
this school which few persons were hitherto aware of, and we must do the
Misses Palache the justice to state, that their manner of teaching Hebrew
reading is unexceptionable; in fact, we were little prepared to hear
such correct reading from such young children.
Then came the most interesting part, viz., the examination in biblical
history. It is impossible to do justice to the teachers, nor to the
scholars, in the brief space of a report. Suffice it when we state, that
the interrogatories and answers embraced the whole sacred history, from
the creation down to the Babylonian captivity. The promptness and
unhesitating manner in which they replied to the various questions put to
them, proved beyond a doubt, that they were perfectly au fait in
the contents of the Bible. The audience seemed highly delighted, and your
reporter among the number. Each young lady answered in her own ingenious
way, giving her own version, which showed that she did not acquire this
knowledge by any mechanical process. We understand that the Misses P. are
in the habit of reading one or two chapters of the Bible every morning,
giving, at the same time, such explanations (interspersed sometimes with
tradition) as the capacity of their pupils will allow. It is by such means
that they succeed in making a lasting impression on the children's minds.
French and English declamation followed next. Here again we must observe
that the pronunciation of the first is much better than we have been in
the habit of hearing at most other schools, owing to the Misses P. having
engaged the services of the best French teachers in the city. Geography
and history were the last branches in which the children were examined,
the result of which was as gratifying as the rest. In short, every one
present felt that nothing was left to be desired. One vied with the other,
in showering encomiums upon the teachers and scholars.
After the conclusion of the exercises, יגדל
was chaunted by the children in the most admirable style.
The Rev. S. M. Isaacs then made a very eloquent impromptu address to
the pupils, thanking them for the gratification they had afforded him that
day, and stimulating them to farther exertions. He exhorted them very
affectionately to listen to the kind advice and wholesome principles of
their teachers, to be implicitly obedient to their parents, and to look
upon the sacred book, with the contents of which they appeared to be so
familiar, as their only safeguard against the evils incidental to human
nature. He compared men's life to the four seasons of the year. If they
will sow their seed in spring with care, they will reap an abundant
harvest, and their winter (their old age) will pass in peace and
happiness. The reverend gentleman impressed strongly on their minds, that
the present generation looks to them for their hopes in the future welfare
of Israel, and judging from the proceedings of that day, he felt confident
these hopes will be realized.
We cannot conclude without tendering our sincere thanks to the Misses
Palache for their share in contributing towards the elevation of Israel.
They have had many obstacles and difficulties to overcome before they
could succeed in establishing their school permanently. Even now we
observed that the school might, be more numerously attended, especially by
children from the German congregations, although we have no doubt that
this very examination will induce many persons who were present, to avail
themselves of the advantages held out to them. It may, perhaps, not be
improper to remark here, that there appears to be an indifference, or
rather a total carelessness, in regard to the religious education of
females, even amongst persons who are otherwise religiously inclined. Why
such a state of things should exist, we cannot even conjecture. Is a woman
a less responsible being than a man? Is it not the mother from whom the
child receives its first ideas, thoughts, and impressions? Parents,
beware! how you trifle with the felicity of your daughters. Let them be
taught to be at home in the Synagogue, as well as in the drawing-room, and
then (but not till then) you will have done your duty שקר
החן והבל
היפי אשה
יראת ה' היא
תתהלל "Grace is an illusion,
beauty is vanity. The woman who feareth the Lord, she alone is
praiseworthy."
שבע
רצון
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