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In our last we briefly announced, under the head
of News Items, our intention of being present at the opening of the new
house of prayer, just finished for the congregation under the pastoral
charge of the Reverend Mr. Isaacs, a gentleman whose merits are too well
known to our readers that we need not now speak in his praise. We
accordingly journeyed to New York the day before the consecration was to
take place, and it was not long after our arrival before we went to
obtain a view of the Synagogue, which was at the time undergoing the
finishing process, under the superintendence of several members of the
congregation, preparatory to the initiatory ceremonies of the following
day. We found the building almost fully responding to the description of
the plan given at the time of laying the corner stone in our
August
number of last year (Vol. iv. No. 5, pp. 239, 240), to which we refer.
The only departure therefrom which we could perceive was the absence of
some of the architectural decorations, and the contemplated floor of
Italian marble for the steps of the ark: instead of the latter, a neat
carpet had been substituted, which, to our apprehension, answered just
as well, and in truth we approve the change, for by avoiding the useless
ornaments at first designed, the congregation were enabled to finish
their building at about the original estimate of thirty thousand
dollars, which otherwise would have been impracticable. As it is, we may
safely say, that it is by far the finest Synagogue in America, though
this does not say that that it is the best adapted for the purpose for
which it is designed. We should judge that ordinarily it will require
much exertion in the minister to be distinctly heard all over the
building, owing to the great height in the centre, and the declivity of
the galleries, together with the many angles in the ceiling. In fact,
the style of building is so new to us, and so little idea had we of the
interior arrangements, that we have not as yet been able to make up our
mind, whether to approve it for a Synagogue or not. But there can be no
question that it is a beautiful structure, and highly creditable to the
architect who designed it, and equally so to the members of the
congregation, who, though few in number, had a sufficient strong sense
of what is due to the sanctity of religion to erect so expensive and
well-appointed a house of prayer, as now greets the devout traveller in
the far-famed commercial metropolis of the western world. It proves
that, however some may have quitted the communion of Israel, our march
has been onward, and that there is ample hope that we shall continue to
progress in this country, despite of the early struggles to which we are
now subject.
It is now about twenty-three years ago, since first
we arrived at the city where we now sojourn, called hither by an aged
and honoured relation of our sainted mother. His residence was at
Richmond in Virginia, where we remained under his roof more than five
years. During the greater part of this time there were but six
organized congregations in the United States, one at New York, two in
Philadelphia, one in Richmond, one at Charleston, and one at Savannah.
There were at the same time but five officiating ministers duly elected,
one at New York, two at Philadelphia, one at Richmond, and the last at
Charleston, whilst at Savannah they had only occasional service by
persons not elected officiating for them. It was about twenty years ago
that the Elm Street congregation at New York separated from the
Portuguese Kahal, then worshipping in Mill, but now in Crosby Street. It
was at the time thought that the separation had better been avoided, as
there was ample room in the old Synagogue for all the worshippers in the
city. But mark the change of things; there are now ten Synagogues,
having room for about four to five thousand worshippers, and we say
nothing out of the range of probability in maintaining that in less than
five years from this the space will be too limited, and more ample
accommodation will have to be supplied. And even without any additional
immigration from abroad, which, circumstanced as our brothers are in
Europe, must become more and more necessary in the simple course of
events, the natural increase of the Israelites already there, will
require more places of worship; for as it is, should all now residing in
New York belong to one or the other Synagogue, there would be too few
seats, if the population is at all in the neighbourhood of twelve
thousand, as is asserted by those who profess to know something of the
statistics of the place. Of course we cannot speak on the subject with
certainty, our visits to New York being too far apart, and of too short
duration to enable us to form judgment; but still our impression is that
the estimate is too high, if we may form any opinion from the numbers
who attend public worship.
But we are leaving our subject; we were to speak of
the consecration, and not of our prospects. So let us leave the building
and its associate thoughts for a future time; perhaps an opportunity may
be given us of recurring to it again; and let us transport our readers
to the new house of prayer on the afternoon of the 11th of Tamuz, 5607.
It was half-past two in the afternoon, and notwithstanding the heat of
the summer solstice, we found many wending their way to the place where
the ark for the law had been erected, and being conducted to the
basement, which is to be used as a temporary Synagogue, and is
immediately beneath the main one, we were greeted by the presence of
the various gentlemen who were to take part in the ceremonies,
consisting of the officers of the congregation and others, together with
the following officiating ministers: the Rev. S. M. Isaacs, the Rev. J.
J. Lyons, of the congregation Shearith Israel, of New York, Rev. Ellis
Lyons, of the congregation Beth Shalome, of Richmond, Virginia, the Rev.
Messrs. Merzbach, Hecht, Heilner, and Danziger, of the respective
congregations Emmanuel, Anshay Chased, Rodef Sholem and Shaar Hashamayim
of New York, affording a pleasing contrast to the paucity of ministers
not more than fifteen years ago; notwithstanding there were absent a
great many others belonging to the various Kehilloth of
New York, amongst whom we particularly regretted Rev. Dr. Lilienthal and
the Rev. Mr. Leo. But as it was, it was a gratifying spectacle to see
assembled so many who were selected to address the throne of grace in
behalf of the sons of Israel, who came from various places to be present
at the dedication of the new sanctuary, and no doubt this simple
spectacle must not have been without its effect on many who had
knowledge of past times, when they for a moment compared them with what
happened that day under their own eyes. The afternoon service having
been read, the law books were decorated with the various ornaments, some
of them the presents of persons belonging to the Kahal, given to
commemorate the joyful occasion, and handed to those who had been
honoured with bearing them into the new dwelling prepared for them.
Whilst these preparations were going forward, the symphony for the
consecration, composed by Mr. E. Woolf, an Israelite (as is also one of
the architects, Mr. Eidlitz,) was commenced, by a powerful and
well-trained band, and when this and the opening chorus were finished,
the bearers of the Sepharim having been gradually properly marshalled in
the vestibule, the procession entered the Synagogue in the manner
described by our correspondent in the subjoined article, whilst the
choir and orchestra gave with excellent effect the
אודך from the conclusion of Psalm 118.
And then, when the eye ranged over the assembled multitude, consisting
of Israelites of different congregations, together with many strangers
who had joined them on the occasion, it was indeed a cause for
thankfulness to all that “they had been spared alive, and permitted to
enjoy that season” of sacred joy, in the accomplishment of a goodly
work. The manner of conducting the remainder of the ceremony is
correctly described by our correspondent, and differed little from that
usually adopted on similar occasions, and all we need therefore add is,
that all was done so as to give satisfaction, to the assembly, and to
those who had so indefatigably laboured to bring the work to so happy a
consummation. We have to regret that, having to take part in the
ceremonies, and being, during the performance of the symphony, not in
the main building, we were not in a favourable position to enjoy the
psalmody and music as much as we could have desired, and therefore lost
a great deal of the effect which otherwise they would halve produced on
us. But all the spectators with whom we have conversed expressed
themselves in the highest terms of approbation.
The number of tickets of admission was limited to
the capacity of the building, and it would have been crowded in every
part, had it not been that the President of the United States happened
just to arrive at New York about the same time, which compelled many
official persons to be absent on their attendance upon the chief
magistrate of the republic. But the attendance was nevertheless very
great, and many temporary seats were provided and occupied, over and
above the usual ones.
After the seven circuits had been performed, the
minister of the congregation delivered a stirring appeal to the
audience, and expatiated on the uses of the Synagogue, that it was to
raise the heart to heaven, and to promote peace and good-will among men,
especially those who are followers of the same creed, and he quoted
aptly the words from Isaiah 32:17, והיה מעשה
הצדקה שלום “And the work of righteousness shall be peace,” which
words are upon the corner stone, which has been presented to the
congregation by Mr. Simon Content, an aged native of Holland, as we
learn from one of our correspondents. We are sorry that our position did
not permit us to follow the reverend orator in his speech, and that so
much escaped us, as we could not take any notes. He concluded with a
request that those present should endow liberally the treasury of the
Synagogue, and it is truly gratifying that so much was collected towards
defraying the expenses incurred. Although the result of the collection
was so favourable, we could not help regretting that it was resorted to.
At two previous consecrations which we attended, those at Savannah and
Baltimore, it was not done at all, and at Philadelphia. persons inclined
to give wrote the amount inclined on printed blanks, which were not
opened till the service was over. In our apprehension, the time consumed
in reading of a long list of offerings interrupts the service
unpleasantly, and in the present instance we saw several, nay, many
persons, quitting the Synagogue, although the service was by no means
over. But we confess that this is a mere matter of taste, and though we
cannot approve, we cannot condemn others for differing from us.
The collections being over, various prayers and
Psalms were recited, when the Sepharim, not yet deposited, were carried
back to the ark, whilst the choir sung Psalm 29.; after which followed
in good style and similarly given Psalm 150., finished by a beautiful
Hallelujah. Then succeeded a poem, recited by Mr. Henry Morrison, a
young lawyer, and the little we could hear distinctly in the position we
stood, gave us quite a favourable opinion of its merits. Mr. Morrison is
evidently not yet used to public speaking, and not fully appreciating
the capacity of the building for sound, he spoke in too low a tone of
voice to be heard at a distance, and we had no opportunity to read the
piece after the consecration. The whole service was concluded at
halfpast six, by singing the beautiful hymn
אדון עולם “Lord of the Universe,” which ended the labours of the
choir and orchestra for the occasion, which will be long remembered by
all present. The evening service was read after an intermission of half
an hour, by the Rev. Mr. Hecht, of the Henry Street Synagogue. The
following day, Sabbath morning, a large number, of course not so
numerous as the preceding evening, attended, and we were gratified in
observing that the Mitzvote were not sold, but were distributed by the
Parnass of the congregation pretty much as practised by the Portuguese
Jews. Having been honoured by the trustees with an invitation to address
the congregation at the conclusion of the service, we complied with the
request, and have to thank all for the kind manner with which we were
listened to.
We have given thus a brief, and, we are conscious,
an imperfect account of what we saw and heard; but our correspondent has
supplied many things which we have omitted above. In conclusion, we have
to express the hope that the work thus happily begun (for the completion
of the Synagogue is but the commencement of the work of godliness) may
lead to the best results, and that the law may thereby be widely
diffused, and peace be promoted among Israel. |
