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Died, at Charleston on the 12th inst., in the 61st
year of his age, Abraham Ottolengui, Esq.,
President of the Hebrew Congregation of Beth Elohim.
The subject of this notice was a native of
Charleston. At an early age he was removed to
England, where he received an education for the
Hebrew Ministry. On his return to the city, having
scarcely <<579>>reached manhood, he would have been
chosen permanent pastor of the Synagogue Beth Elohim, the only place of Hebrew worship then in
Charleston, but from a scruple of delicacy on his
part, one member only having expressed a doubt as to
the propriety of electing a Minister who had not yet
reached the age of maturity. He subsequently engaged
in mercantile life, and withdrew some years since
from its more active and engrossing cares. His
knowledge, however of commercial pursuits, his sound
judgment, and systematic habits of business, led to
his election as a Director of the Union Bank, of
this place, to which post he had been re-elected for
several years, and continued a director until the
period of his death.
Mr. Ottolengui had also largely participated in the
administration of the affairs of the Hebrew
Synagogue, Beth Elohim of this city, having served
as Trustee for nearly thirty years and its President
for an uninterrupted term of twelve years.
He
was a remarkable illustration of the solidity of the
domestic virtues. His family affection flowed from a
deep source and in a tranquil current. They were
cultivated, not with a view to self-indulgence and
parental pride, but to that principle of restraint
which looks on the paternal relation as one of high
duty—of solemn obligation. This was beautifully
exemplified at nearly the last moment which closed
his mortal career. Three days before his death he
summoned his family around him, and addressing each
according to his or her age, capacity, and degree of
merit or of frailty, expatiated on their several
duties in a strain that might be called, at the
scene of a death-bed, an example of the moral
sublime, so discriminating were the counsels and
exhortations from the lips of that dying parent—so
instructive—so calm and collected in the hour of
death—so elevated was the spirit of resignation—so
rich were the lessons of an unshaken fortitude and a
tranquil philosophy. In that one moment was
exemplified all the relations of husband, father,
friend. In it was concentrated all the excellencies
or his well-disciplined nature, in that outpouring
of the heart and intellect. As he had in his own
case exhibited a rare example of filial piety,
having, when but a youth, given sympathy and support
to a blind and aged mother, so in that higher
relation of parent he evinced the deepest
solicitude, bringing his whole domestic life into
perfect unison. This death-bed scene, like the
parting of Jacob with his sons, was no less than
that, beautiful in exhortation, rich in parental
monition—if not more touchingly pathetic, closing
the scene with his paternal blessing.
In
the social sphere the subject of our notice
manifested the qualities <<580>>that win respect and
command confidence. Possessed of large wealth,
acquired by steady industry he was without
ostentation. himself, as he disliked parade in
others—the simplicity of his habits was in just
correspondence with the even tenor of life and his
amenities of temper. Urbane in manners, he sought no
distinction that was founded on a sacrifice of
personal independence. The practical turn of his
mind, and the rectitude of his judgment, would have
given value to his services, as his integrity would
have illustrated, civil station; but if he did not
shun, he did not seek the glare of a public career,
satisfied that his experience and advice should be
felt within those more limited spheres which he
occupied and embellished.
His zeal for religion was unadulterated with
bigotry, as his piety had no taint of intolerance.
Educated in the principles of an ancient faith, that
looked suspiciously on change, while he threw the
mantle of charity over all who dissented from him on
points of religious belief, he claimed for himself
the largest liberty—the highest independence. His
sole end here was truth, liberal inquiry, honest
belief, sincere conviction. In his religious
relations he was a model for universal imitation. As
he understood and practised the golden rule of life,
“do unto others as you would they should do unto
you,” so were all the traits of his character,
social, domestic, and religious, in harmony with
that precept.
Such was the life and such the death of a truly good
and pious man, fully justifying the exclamation, “O
let me die the death of the righteous, and let my
last end be like his.”
C.
At
a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Kahl Beth
Elohim, or Hasel Street Congregation held at the
Vestry Room, Sunday, the 15th December, 1850 or
5611, the following Preamble and Resolutions were
offered, and unanimously adopted:
Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to remove from
among us our esteemed and respected President, the
late Abraham Ottolengui, Esq., who has for
many years presided over our congregation, and whose
conduct has been marked by urbanity, kindness, and a
sincere desire to promote its welfare—therefore,
Resolved, That we deeply deplore the loss we
have sustained, as well in his official capacity as
in the relation of friend and brother.
Resolved, That as a mark of respect for the
memory of the deceased, our place of worship be
clothed with suitable badges of mourning for the
space of thirty days.
Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions be
sent to the family of the deceased; and that the
same be published in the papers of the city. M.
Jacobs, Sec’y. & Treas. K. B. E. |
