THE MONTEFIORE COMMEMORATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3367, 18 January 1884, Page 2

THE MONTEFIORE COMMEMORATION.

November 8, atEamsgate, was a day looked forward to anxiously by thousands. The Bth of Chesvan, Sir Moses Montefiore’s birthday by the Hebrew calendar, dawned inauspiciously, but the day turned out bright and sunny. The first telegram which was passed over the wires, was a message from the Queen to Sir Moses Montefiore, conveying Her Majesty’s congratulations to the venerable owner of East Cliff Lodge. The words of Her Majesty’s telegram were :—“ I congratulate you sincerely on your entry upon the hundredth year of your honorable and most useful life.” A similar telegram was also received from the Duke of. Edinburgh. When Her Majesty’s telegram arrived at Past Cliff Lodge a Hebrew choir composed of Mr Tritsch’s Jewish school and Mr Aloof’s choristers, who had been serenading Sir Moses by chanting the Psalms in Hebrew, concluded by chanting the National Anthem. The whole of the sea front from the East Cliff to the end of the West Cliff—from the coastguard station beyond the Granville Hotel to the cliff overlooking the bay to Deal—bad been made gay with flags. All business was dismissed for the day. At the railway station there was a plentiful display of bunting. At the seaside station of the London, Chathan and Dover railway a salute of fog signals welcomed the first visitors from London, including deputations from Hebrew and Christian communities.

There was early service in the synagogue, conducted by the Rev. H. Shandel, and after the midday hour a second service was held, at which the Eev. P. Myers and the Rev. H, Shandel ofßciated. It was hoped that Sir Moses Montefiore would be able to attend the service held after the noonday hour, and indeed he urgently desired himself to attend, but his medical attendant, Dr Woodman, forbade him, and a service was then held in his own room. Sir Moses put on a new “ prayer scarf.” woven especially for him by Mrs Israel, the daughter of the Chief Eabbi. It was touching to all who were near, to mark the fervor with which the venerable baronet recited the blessing prescribed in the service, “ Blessed art Thou, 0 Lord, our God, who has preserved me and kept me alive, and permitted me to reach this day.” The Eev Dr Hermann Alder, the son of the Chief Eabbi then recited the psalm Ixxi. (“ In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion”) and at the end of each passage, in which the Psalmist declares that God is bis hope, and prays that his mouth may be filled with “ Thy praise and Thy honor all the day,” Sir Moes responded with a fervent “ Amen.” A special prayer, composed by the venerable Chief Eabbi was then read. Sir Moses was deeply affected by the reference in the prayer to Judith, Lady Montefiore, the faithful partner of more than half a century of his life. The service ended with a recital of Psalm cxi. (“ Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”) At the midday service held in the synagogue,the same prayers were given, and the Eev. Dr Hermann Adler read the special prayer, which was heard with deep interest and emotion. Sir Moses, it may be observed, had requested that the service in the syna-

gogue should precede any festivities. At the presentation of addresses which followed, Sir Moses Montefiore, in a voice trembling with emotion, said his luck of power prevented him from ex. pressing his deep appreciation of all the kindnesses which had been showered upon him. [Here some of his friends said, “ Sit down, Sir Moses ;’’ and the venerable gentleman replied, “ I cannot sit down while my friends aro standing.”] Sir Moses then asked that the address should be read to him, and the words were read over to the attentive listener by the Rev, Shirley Woolrner, the rector of St George’s, Sir Moses in reply said he lamented his lack of eloquence, but if he could boast that he possessed all the eloquence in the world, he would be unable to express half his deep feelings. Sir Moses sent the following letter to the “ Times ” Sir,—May I ask the privilege of expressing through the mail my heartfelt thanks, towards the very large number of friends and public bodies who have so considerately offered me their esteemed congratulations on the occasion of roy entering this day upon my 100th year. Grateful to Providenco for the merciful protection vouchsafed to me during my long life, and I rejoice in the reflection that any feeble efforts I may have made to advance the happiness and welfare of my fellow creature have been so kindly judged. With a fervent prayer for the health and long life of our gracious Queen, whose beneficent sway over this great and free country baa caused so much happiness to all classes of her subjects, reiterating my thanks to my numerous friends, and acknowledging your own courteous and flattering remarks.—l have the honor to remain, yours most faithfully, Moses MonteFIOEE.