|
 In
my last number I told thee, kind reader, that it was
my intention to be present at the dedication of the
new house of God, which was to be opened for prayer
in New Orleans. Of course this long journey occupied
a considerable time, and hence it was out of my
power to meet thee as usual at the beginning of the
current month. But it has pleased a beneficent
Providence to permit me to return to my post, and I
now sit down to give thee some account of what was
done on the occasion referred to. I left
Philadelphia late on the evening of the 29th of
April, and owing to the intervention of two
Sabbaths, I was detained on the route till the 13th
of May, when I arrived early in the morning at my
place of destination. Elsewhere I may state some
particulars of the journey, but at present I wish to
confine myself to the business which induced me to
travel. The Reverend Mr. Nathan, the minister
elect, had arrived only on Friday morning from
Jamaica, his former place of residence, and the
consecration was therefore postponed till Tuesday
the 14th, although at first fixed for the 13th.
Everything had been prepared before our arrival, and
the arrangements made by our friend Gershom
Kursheedt, the president of the congregation, were
all admirable and in excellent taste. Wherefore it
required but the presence of the minister to proceed
with the holy work, and this being secured, no delay
was needed. In the afternoon of the 13th, therefore,
we proceeded to make the final arrangements and to
place the Sepha‑<<110>>rim in due order, and to fit
appropriately the silken mantles and the silver
ornaments, which had been made in Philadelphia by
order of the kind-hearted donor of the building and
its appurtenances, the venerable Judah Touro; and it
was a source of great gratification to find that
almost everything was approved of by the few persons
present, as it was an earnest that the public at
large would not greatly condemn the taste of the
persons who had the superintendence thereof.
The next morning was then appointed for the
depositing of a memorial stone on the way to the
main entrance in the building, which had originally
been erected and employed as a place of worship of
the Protestant Episcopalian Society, and been
purchased by Mr. Touro, and afterwards presented to
the congregation as a free gift by him, when they
erected a new church not far from their former
location. In order to perpetuate this transfer, a
stone was prepared with the following inscription:
עד הגל הזה ועדה חמצבה
שבית התפילה הזה נדבה
לק״ק נפוצות יהודה
בעד הישיש הנכבד יהודה טורו
בשנת שמע ה׳ קול יהודה ואל עמו תביאנו לפ״ק
“This building was at first erected and used as a
place of worship for non-Israelites, but through the
liberality of Judah Touro (a son of Israel; it was
purchased and donated to the Portuguese Hebrew
Congregation of the Dispersed of Judah; as a place
of prayer to the MOST HIGH GOD, the sole LORD and
CREATOR, to whom be praise everlastingly. In
testimony of which this stone is solemnly deposited
beneath the portals through which the faithful are
to enter to praise the Lord.
“New Orleans, 3d Sivan, 14th May, 5610,
the 74th year of the independence of America.”
 Owing to the well-known character of Mr. T., who is
averse to all ostentation, the number present on
this interesting occasion was limited to about ten
persons, who had all more or less to do with the
matter in hand, when it would have been an easy
thing <<111>>to have had a numerous attendance to
witness the final and solemn transfer of all the
highly valuable property constituting the Synagogue
and its appurtenances, for the use of the
congregation, by the donor.
About half past ten of the above date, everything
being in readiness, Mr. Touro, with his own hands,
applied the requisite mortar beneath the memorial
stone, and when it was
properly adjusted, it was covered over with a slate
slab, and the flooring was then replaced over all.
It was to me a deeply affecting sight to behold this
ancient Israelite, who for nearly half a century had
been living at New Orleans, far from any
congregation of his people, devoting in his 75th
year so noble a portion of his wealth to the service
of his Maker, and doing this without any parade
whatever, feeling in truth that he gave for the sake
of God what He had given him.
Mr. T. himself was greatly moved. It was a glorious
day in his life, a bright hour, too, on which he
might reflect with pleasure and gratification to the
latest moment of his earthly existence. Many there
are who are blessed with wealth and ample
possessions; but few who have the heart to dispose
of it in their lifetime; they clutch their gold as
the dearest thing on earth, and cannot think of
distributing it till after death has closed their
career. But here was a man who had toiled as hard as
any of them, who knew as well as any the value of
gold and lands; and yet he could part with a large
portion freely and cheerfully, not, regretting the
diminished productiveness of his estate, rejoicing
that he was enabled to signalize the last days of
his life by an act every way worthy of him and the
religion which he professes.
No
doubt Mr. T. felt all this at the moment; such and
other thoughts must have come over his mind; and
hence his evident emotion when he saw that the work
was at length accomplished, and that his pious
intentions, which he had so long indulged, had at
last been carried into effect. The bystanders
congratulated him, and wished him many happy years
to see the good effects of his pious deed, and when
Mr. Nathan repeated the conclusion of the 90th
Psalm, “And may the beauty of the Lord our God be
upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands
upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou
it,” all present sincerely responded to it, and
there can be no question that the same wish is
repeated by all <<112>>who agree with us in
sentiment.
Mr. Nathan also addressed Mr. T. in some pretty
language of congratulation; but I confess to the
truth, that I was too much affected to recollect any
words that were then spoken. A deed was done that
deserves to be long recalled to mind; it spoke more
eloquently than all mere words, however beautiful;
and so these passed away whilst the other will
remain fresh in the memory as a green spot in the
desert sands, the water and the fruit of which
having refreshed the weary traveller, are blessed
for the remainder of life, as a gift for which no
gratitude can be too great.
About half past five o’clock, P. M., the ceremony of
solemnly dedicating the house to the service of God
took place in the presence of a very numerous
audience of Jews and gentiles, who came together to
honour the great occasion, the first of the kind
which was ever witnessed in the southwestern section
of the Union. It was at the same time truly
gratifying to witness the perfect good understanding
subsisting between the Israelites and their
fellow-citizens of other persuasions, and the
general sympathy which was felt in the work before
them, which proved clearly that not by neglecting,
but by upholding their religion, can the Jews obtain
the respect of other persuasions; since here was
exhibited the first public dedication of a building
entirely. devoted to the God of Israel, and many
gentiles attended with far other motives than mere
curiosity. As the ceremonies were as usual, the
reader is merely presented with a brief account
given the day following by the “Bulletin” newspaper
in the following words, merely amended in several
slight particulars.
Dedication of the Jewish Synagogue
We
yesterday witnessed the imposing and highly
interesting ceremony of dedicating the Jewish
Synagogue Nefutsoth Jeduah, on Canal Street.
The ceremonies were conducted under the Rev. Mr.
Nathan, the resident minister, the Rev. Mr. Leeser,
of Philadelphia, who came expressly for the purpose,
and the Rev. Mr. Gutheim, of the other Jewish
Synagogue in this city. The building, which formerly
belonged to the Episcopal Church, has been entirely
renovated inside and out, in the most complete and
beautiful, manner, by our esteemed fellow-citizen,
<<113>>Judah Touro, Esq., he having purchased the,
ground and house, and after making all the extensive
and costly alterations, has most liberally presented
the whole to the congregation. The pulpit is near
the door of entrance—before it, in the middle of the
spacious floor, is the platform containing the
reading desk, and beyond it, in the rear, is the ark
for the reception of the books of the law. The
arrangements for the accommodation of the audience
were made by G. Kursheedt, Esq., and were highly
satisfactory and complete; every seat was numbered,
and each person had a corresponding ticket, so that
every one was accommodated without confusion or
inconvenience, and every seat was occupied.
The congregation and audience being all assembled,
the minister, standing outside, knocked at the door,
saying:
“Open the gates of righteousness for us, that we may
enter through them to praise the Lord.”
And the doors being opened by the Rev. Mr. Leeser
and the Rev. Mr. Gutheim, the procession entered,
consisting of the Rev. Mr. Nathan and five members
of the congregation, each of the latter bearing one
a the Books of the Law, and the following response
was chanted:
“This is the gate of the Lord, into which the
righteous shall enter.”
The procession moved to the steps of the Ark, while
the choir sang:
“Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord. We
bless ye from the house of the Lord.”
Having rested a moment at the Ark, the procession
ascended the platform, and surrounded the reader’s
desk, whilst the minister said:
“Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the
universe, who has preserved us alive, sustained us,
and brought us to enjoy this season,”
Followed by the response of Amen. One of the
Books of the Law was then unfolded and displayed to
the congregation, by Mr. Leeser, and when, it was
closed, the choir sung the following, from the 91st
Psalm:
“On the fierce lion and asp shalt thou tread: the
young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under
foot. ‘Because he hath fixed his desire upon me,
therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on
high, because he hath known my name. When he calls
upon me, I will answer him: I will be with him in
trouble, I will deliver him, and grant him honour.
With length of days will I satisfy him, and grant
him my salvation.’”
The procession continued the circuits, whilst this
was singing, and the ministers recited alternately
the 30th and the 122d Psalm.
The procession then halted at the steps of the
platform, from whence <<114>>they moved to the Ark,
where they deposited the Books of the Law, and
closed the doors upon them, whilst the choir sang:
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be lifted up,
ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall
come in.”
After the deposit, Mr. Gutheim said:
“And when the Ark rested, he said, Restore
tranquillity to the many thousands of Israel. Arise,
O Lord, unto thy dwelling-place, Thou and the Ark
thy help. Thy priests shall be clothed with
righteousness, and thy saints shall sing praises.
For the sake of thy servant David, turn not back the
face of thine anointed. For I have given you a good
purchase, forsake ye not my law. It is a tree of
life to those who strengthen themselves therein, and
those who support it are made happy. Her ways are
pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. Turn us,
O Lord! unto thee, then we shall be turned. Renew
our days as in former times.”
The ministers then return to the platform, where the
Rev. Mr. Nathan made a very appropriate prayer for
the congregation, and a prayer for the government,
as follows:
Almighty God! Possessor of Heaven and earth; who
swayest the sceptre of dominion, and holdest the
scales of justice, who alone exaltest nations and
castest them down for their crimes; who bestowest
blessings on countries, and withdrawest them if
abused; sole and indivisible Governor of the
universe, most earnestly do we entreat Thee, most
imploringly beseech Thee to regard with especial
benevolence and favour the United States of America,
and protect its executive, legislative, and
judicial authorities. May this great republic, the
asylum or the oppressed and destitute, increase in
renown; may the helm of state be piloted with
judgment and foresight; may wisdom resound in the
halls of legislation, and peace, harmony, and
obedience to the laws prevail among the people; may
religion and virtue, trade and commerce,
civilization and letters, science and art, continue
to advance and progress; may its noble institutions,
so favourable to civil and religious liberty, never
cease to prosper, and strike out their roots far and
wide, until they displace in the new world every
trace and relic of that foul misgovernment planted
by tyranny, bigotry, and superstition. With fervour
do we also crave the benediction for the state of
Louisiana, for its people, laws, and government. May
thy gracious countenance smile on its soil, and make
it fertile and productive ; and may riches and
contentment, enjoyment and happiness, be the
portion of its inhabitants. Amen!
The choir then sang the 150th Psalm, after which the
Rev. Mr. Nathan ascended into the pulpit, and after
an exordium, took for his text the 2d verse of the
118th Psalm—“This is the gate of the Lord, into
which the righteous shall enter”—and delivered
one of the most practical, excellent, and eloquent
sermons which it has been our good fortune ever to
hear, and which gave great and general
<<115>>satisfaction to the highly intelligent
audience to whom it was addressed.
The choir then chanted:
“There is none like our God; there is none like our
Lord; there is none like our King; there is none
like our Saviour. Who is like our God? Who is like
our Lord? Who is like our King? Who is like our
Saviour? We will give thanks unto our God; we will
give thanks unto our Lord; we will give thanks unto
our King: we will give thanks unto our
Saviour.—Blessed be our God; blessed be our Lord;
blessed be our King; blessed be our Saviour. Thou
art our God! Thou art our Lord! Thou art our King!
Thou art our Saviour! Thou wilt save us; Thou wilt
arise, and have mercy on Zion; for the time to
favour her, yea, the appointed time approaches.’”
The minister then read the following:
“It is peculiarly our duty to praise the Lord of
all; to ascribe greatness to him who formed the
world in the beginning; since he hath not made us
like the nations of the different countries, nor
placed us like other families of the earth; neither
hath he appointed our portion like theirs, nor our
lot like their multitude, who worship vanity and
emptiness, and make supplication to a god who cannot
save. But we prostrate ourselves before the Supreme
King of kings! the holy and blessed One! who
stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations
of the earth: the residence of whose glory is in the
heavens above, and the divine majesty of whose
power, is in the highest heavens. He is our God, and
there is no other. Our King is truth, and there is
none beside him: as it is written in the law, ‘Know,
therefore, this day, and reflect in thy heart that
the Lord he is God, in heaven above, and on the
earth beneath, there is none else.’”
This was followed by the evening service, read by
Mr. Leeser, which closed the highly interesting
ceremony.
Mr. Nathan’s sermon will be found in this number of
the Occident; and I am certain that the verdict of
the audience will be confirmed by the public voice,
that it is an elegant production and well worthy the
occasion. Mr. Nathan’s elocution is also remarkable
for its distinctness; he pronounces his words fully
and clearly, and the only thing to be regretted was
that he had pitched his voice, remarkable for its
depth and volume, rather too low, which compelled
several to be particularly attentive, always a
painful thing in an audience, as otherwise much must
have escaped, owing to the large size and the
crowded state of the building. This is not said in
the spirit of fault-finding, but only as an
expression of what struck me at the moment; and
surely Mr. N. will be satisfied with the fact, that
his beautiful performance only lacked this little
to make it almost unexceptionable.
<<116>>
Every one present, who had an opinion to offer,
expressed his satisfaction, and it was indeed a
triumph for our religion, that it gained admirers at
the first public proclamation of its principles in
the southwestern emporium. There need be no fear of
its living, no dread of its decay; let us but be
true to ourselves and united in principles and
actions, and exhibit a consistent course of conduct,
and all the trials and temptations to which we are
exposed will fall harmlessly to the ground, and our
faith will stand unscathed and unshaken. Even in the
case before us, I hazard little in saving that
several were awakened to the importance of Judaism,
and one may freely hope that many will before long
endeavour to learn What is their duty, and having
learned it, follow in the path of religion to make
that sacrifice which their God demands of them.
The reader can hardly form a conception of how
great the difficulty was to organize a congregation
on a proper footing in that great mart of commerce.
People came thither from all parts of the world to
amass a fortune. The Christian population itself was
but little given to religious observances, and
formerly a degree of freedom in living was indulged
in but little promotive of the growth of piety.
Those who are conversant with the decay of religious
observance will, therefore, not wonder that the Jews
in New Orleans were no better than their Christian
neighbours, and that, moreover, owing to the paucity
of Jewish young women, many intermarriages had taken
place with other persuasions. This state of things
naturally produced a great estrangement to our
faith, and the children of the mixed marriages are,
in many instances, entirely lost to Israel.
But nothing has been able to repress the elasticity
of Judaism, and for several years it has been
struggling upward, and there can be but little
danger in asserting that ere long religion will be
as faithfully observed in New Orleans as in any
other city in the country. There are unmistakeable
tokens of an earnest awakening in every direction,
and the evident desire to hear the word of God
preached in the language of the country, proves that
people are at least anxious to hear; and when this
desire is earnest, no doubt can be felt that a
correspondence in actions must soon ensue. If we
then compare the position of the Jews in the
southwest with what it was even six years ago, the
<<117>>result is both surprising and highly
gratifying, much as there is yet to be done before
the sincere believer can be satisfied with the
result before him.
At
least, there are now three organized bodies in New
Orleans, and there are people and means enough to
make them all flourishing and respectable, and I
trust that the will may not be absent. The
Portuguese Kahal has been fortunate in obtaining the
first permanent place of worship; but the two others
will not be long behind in the race, especially as
the German, worshipping in Rampart Street, has
resolved to erect a suitable house, large enough to
contain the numerous worshippers belonging to the
same. The Lafayette congregation, however, was but
lately organized, and of course it will require some
time to give it a proper firmness and consistence,
before it would be advisable to erect a Synagogue.
The Synagogue building is situated on the corner of
Canal and Bourbon Streets, in one of the greatest
thoroughfares of the city. It is ornamented with six
Ionic columns and a portico; the ark is surrounded
with a colonnade of the Corinthian Order, of solid
mahogany, and the gallery is supported by columns of
a composite order. There is an organ in the western
side; it was played during the consecration; but was
not used afterwards during the festival and Sabbath
services. In giving the whole building and
furniture, Mr. Touro reserved this instrument to
himself, and it was left there where it originally
stood merely on deposit, to be removed at pleasure.
This fact is stated only to Satisfy any inquiries
which may be made.
The Tebah is in excellent keeping with the whole
building; behind it is the pulpit, a beautiful one
of the kind, and ornamented with pretty carving out
of solid mahogany. The gas chandelier which gives
light to the gallery was constructed in Philadelphia
by the Messrs. Cornelius, so well known for their
skill in this kind of work. It has three rows of
lights, and is blue and gilt, and the ornaments are
all chaste and arabesque. In addition to this, there
are side-brackets for gas, and six candlesticks
corresponding with the chandeliers, and manufactured
by the same house.
The seats in the Synagogue are covered with black
hair-seating. The Tebah and Hechal
steps and platform are covered with fine, and the
main floor with common carpeting. The win<<118>>dows,
four, I think, on each side, are lofty, and
furnished with Venetian shutters, so as to regulate
the light and ventilation. A handsome pair of marble
tables, containing the ten commandments in gilt
letters, surmount the ark; and the ceiling is indeed
remarkable for its beauty and simplicity. They have
now about one hundred and seventy seats in the men’s
Synagogue; but there is room enough to put three
hundred more without crowding too much. There is a
screen before the front seats,—an excellent
arrangement, though not very usual in Synagogues.
Want of knowledge of architecture prevents me from
giving a more graphic description of the building;
but should one be furnished hereafter by a competent
hand, it shall be communicated to the reader.
The singing was performed by a voluntary choir of
six ladies and six gentlemen, under the lead, I
think, as was everything else, of Mr. G. Kursheedt,
who had thus a double duty to perform, and the
public sentiment was unanimous that he had done all
well, to the satisfaction of all. Mr. K. had not an
ordinary labour to perform; he had to attend to the
business of the congregation, which withdrew him
many hours from his own private affairs, besides
getting up the choir to add beauty to the simple
ceremony of the consecration, and his feelings must
have been enviable when he returned home, after all
was over, to reflect that everything had worked so
beautifully and harmoniously, there being nothing
too much or too little.
The organist struck me as rather defective in his
execution, which to my mind, rather marred the
harmony of the vocal performers. To me, however,
nothing is so beautiful in worship as the human
voice, and I could gladly dispense with all
accompaniments of instrumental music, especially as
we should meet to worship God, not to please our
fancy. Perhaps I may be adjudged somewhat barbarous
for this opinion; nevertheless, I present, for what
it is worth, my own unbiassed judgment. I have been
present at several consecrations, and uniformly,
with but one exception, the instrumental drowned the
vocal part, or was too prominent with my notions of
worship.
I
fear there is a great deal of affectation with many
in their pretended elevation of feeling produced by
instrumental music, who, would they but confess the
truth, would acknowledge that it makes but little
difference with them whether they listen to the
finest symphonies or a popular band. However, this
is not the opportunity to discuss the question;
wherefore it must be dropped where it stands.
The congregation was dismissed about eight o’clock,
every one gratified with that had been witnessed,
and those of the true faith rejoicing that another
house stood devoted to the God of their fathers,
whose name be praised to everlasting. |
