CONSECRATION OF the SYNAGOGUE.

Evening Post, Volume V, Issue 288, 17 January 1870, Page 2

CONSECRATION OF the SYNAGOGUE.

Tlie new Synagogue recently erected on Wellington Terrace, was consecrated yesterday afternoon with the nsual ceremonies. The building is an exceedingly handsome one, the interior especially being finished in a style of tasteful elegance, equal, if not superior to any other place of worship in this city ; but as a full and correct description of it appeared in the columns of our contemporary a few days ago, we need not advert to it. Before three o'clock, the hour fixed for the commencement of the ceremony, a large number of ladies and gentlemen, not only of the Hebrew persuasion, but including miuiy of the principal Christian inhabitants of the city, had arrived. Some difficulty was experienced in providing seats for the assemblage, while at the same time leaving a clear passage for the procession, but at last it was accomplished, and the choir entered and took their places in the rtadiug desk, where a seraphon was placed. A canopy, supported by four youths, was then brought and held in front of the folding doors, which were closed. A three-branch candlestick containing lighted candles was at each side of the Ark, or representaion of the ancient Sheckinah, and lighted candles were also placed round the reading desk. When all was prepared, a voice was heard outside the doors chaunting in Hebrew :—: — Open unto me the gxtes of righteousness ; I will enter them, and praise the Lord ! The choir immediately responded, an« 3 the doors being opened, the officiating Minister, Mr. Isaacs, in his robes of office, and the Wardens, Messrs. Nathan and Moss, entered the Synagogue in procession, bearing the rolls of the law in their arms, and tlio choir sang :—: — How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob ! thy tabernacles, O Israel. O Lord ! I have ever loved the habitation of Thy house, and the dwelling-place of Thy glory. We will come into Thy tabernacles, and worship at Thy foutstool. The procession proceeded until it arrived at the Ark (to the front of which the canopy had been shifted), the reader and choristers singing :— .Biesoed be he who comefch in the name of the Lord ; wo bless you for the house of the Loicl. Cnter into His gates with thanksgiving, into His courts with praise. Come, let us worship and bow down ; let us bend the knee before the Lord oar Maker. Worship the L^rd with gladness ; come into irlis presence with exulting song. The procession then walked round the Synagogue seven times, during each circxiit a psalm being chaunted by the reader and choristers, and at its conclusion the following verse by the choir : — Thanks to Thee, 0 Lord, we render, Let Thy grace accept our lay ; Words are all we now can tender, All the homage man can pay. The minister then proceeded to the Ark, and chaunted a number of verses and a psalm, the choir responding, after which the scrolls of the law were placed in the Ark, and the curtains drawn. The afternoon service being said, the Minister ascended the reading-desk and chaunted a prayer for the Queen and Royal Family, after which, standing on the steps of the Ark, he delivered a very appropriate sermon, in which he congratulated the congregation on the completion of the Synagogue, pointed out the importance of public worship and the religious duties incumbent upon the congregation, and vindicated the forms of the Jewish worship from the charge of being unsuitable to the present state of the Jewish people. He spoke with confidence of their future restoration and reunion, according to prophecies, some of which had already been fulfilled, and expressed sympathy with those of their brethren who were yet uufortunatel3 r suffering persecution. Other prayers then followed, and the chaunting of a psalm by the choir and minister concluded the proceedings. The ceremony was deeply interesting and impressive throughout, the choristers sang remarkably well, and a universal feeling of pleasure and satisfaction seemed to be experienced by the visitors. Many persons have expressed to the committee their desire of contributing towards the Building Fund, and having stated that they expected a collection would have been ntada on this occasion, we have been requested b}~ the coirmittee to state that it is usual that offerings should be received on the d?.y of consecration, and this course would have been adopted, but that the committee felt that they had received so liberal a support from their Chiistian neighbours, that it would have been taxing too far the generosity of those who had already subscribed to the Build'ng Fund ; but the committee will be only too glad to receive any subscripts is for the Building Fund from, those who desire to contribute. The Building Committee are — Messrs.

Jacob Joseph, J. E. Xathan, Lipman Levy, Lewis Moss. Solomon Levy. The architect was Julius Toxward, Esq. ; builder, Mr. James Lockie ; decorator, Mr. Garton ; plasterer, Mr. Jenkins. The curtain for the Holy Ark and the cover for the reading deok were presented by Mrs. Jacob Joseph. The whole cost, including land, is between £1500 and £1600. The coininitfcee have collected £700— the balance has been advanced to the congregation by some members of the Building Committee. The music for the choir was composed and arranged since the arrival of Mr. Isaacs from Kelson, and the Choristers only had the short space of one week to pra ctise it.