Of
the Pupils of the Hebrew School of the Congregation Rodef Sholem of Philadelphia
Mr. Editor:—I feel myself induced to report to you
the interesting proceedings of a Confirmation held
in the Julianna Street Synagogue of this city. I
might say, few religious occurrences have taken
place in this city that have elicited greater
encomiums than the confirmation of the pupils of the
above-mentioned Hebrew school, which took place
yesterday, the second day of Shabuoth. After the
morning prayer (Shacharith), and before the reading
of the law (Keriath Hattorah), the pupils (six girls
and two boys) entered the House of God. At the same
time a beautiful hymn was chaunted by the choir of
the Synagogue. The pupils placed themselves in front
of their esteemed teacher, Mr. Bachman, who stood
before the ark, which was very handsomely ornamented
with wreaths of roses and other flowers and above
the confirmants hung a splendidly brilliant
chandelier, especially lighted for the occasion.
The view was delightful. The greatest solemnity and
silence prevailed when Mr. Bachman offered a prayer
adapted to the occasion, and then delivered an able
and effective address, after which he proceeded to
examine the pupils, and upon every question there
followed a ready answer. The pupils next made their
confession of faith, and, taking hold of their
teacher’s hand, promised to follow the doctrines of
our holy religion, as worthy descendants of our
forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The pupils
then offered a prayer to the Lord for his support in
the task to which they had devoted themselves. They
thanked their heavenly Father for the grace and
mercy with which they had been favoured up to the
present time, and besought Him for His future
favours. The two boys, one of whom was fatherless
and the other motherless, referred in their prayer
to their loss in such an affecting manner, that
tears flowed in abundance from most of the audience.
After this followed another hymn by the choir. Mr.
Bachman then addressed the pupils, and told them
that, as they had publicly proclaimed their love for
their religion, he exhorted them that, as they had
now entered the days of responsibility, they should
not neglect their religious duty, and he entreated
them always to be armed against temptations, and not
to sell their precious eternal happiness for
earthly possessions. Thereupon Psalm cxi. was
chaunted <<225>> by the choir, and, finally, the
Rev. Mr. Frankel addressed the pupils. The whole
proceeding gave great satisfaction, as it proved the
ability of the teacher and the progress of the
school, which was started but two years since. At
the same time, I inform you of the flourishing state
of this congregation under the guidance of their
esteemed President and Vice-President, Messrs. S.
Adler and J. Mayer, who were lately serenaded for
their devotion to the welfare of the congregation.
An
Observer
Philadelphia, June 8th, 1851. |
