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GOODFELLOWSNew Mark SetGood Felaudience which the endeavors of his colleague had drawn together that night. Such a gathering, he said,could not be duplicated in any of the capitals of Europe or Asia because of the religious prejudices which exist there. Only in America, he said, could such a thing be accomplished.The speaking closed with the address of Rev. Peter Langendorff, of St. Paul’s Episcopal church. He had been asked to express a ‘few de-Jew, Protestant and Catholic Meet I tached thoughts on religion and thelowship at Dedication •f Beth-El, Hammondon Same Platform—Program Closes With “America”A new mark in fellowship was setin Hammond Tuesday evening.Protestant ministers, a Catholic priest, Jewish rabbis, a director of community service, the mayor and laymen addressed an assemblage of many creeds and exchanged greetingsin a Jewish synagogue.It was Interdenominational Fellowship Evening, the closing feature ofthe dedicatory program marking the opening of the beautiful new Beth-El temple, and community center at Mason and Hohman streets. The assembly room was crowded to capacity.Arthur Weiss acted as chairman ofthe evening and following the invocation by Rev. Benjamin Rist, of the First Methodist church, he delivered the address of welcome. He told of the growth of the congregation in Hammond and the aspiration for a synagogue which would rank with other houses of worship. For the broader conception of a temple and community house which should be a social and intellectual center for all he gave credit to Rabbi Max Bretton whom he characterized as an idealist. Mr. Weiss took the occasion to extend a welcome and invitation to the public to make the community center a place of frequent visit.W. C. Belman responded to Mr. Weiss. He referred to the histories of the various Protestant denominations and the Catholic faith and showed how comparatively young even the oldest were when placed alongside the Jewish religion. He compared the Jewish faith to the Gulf stream in its course across theAtlantic.Mayor Dan Brown extended greetings on behalf of the city of Hammond. He traced the growth of Beth-El congregation during the years he had known its members in Hammond and congratulated the membership on the beautiful temple, its location and the work which has been planned.Rabbi Bretton spoke briefly, thanking the people for the splendid spirit shown.The fellowship meeting, he said, exemplified the assertion that there is infinitely more that binds peoples together than separates them. He holds on the other hand that these differences are good for the world and points out how monotonous existence would be if all persons were alike, did the same things in the same way and at the same time. He used the symphony orchestra as an example in which many different instruments lend their parts to the harmonious whole. It is the blending of all these differences in peoples into harmonjpus union that leads to things that areworth while.Rev. J. C. Oranger, pastor of the First Baptist church, and president of the Hammond Ministerial association, brought greetings from the association. He said it was the only time,except once, in his experience, when he participated in a meeting with representatives of other faiths. The exception was at Rock Island, 111., when arangements were being made for a Go-to-Church Sunday a number of years ago. He predicted that last night’s meeting would stand out as a great event.Rev. Felix T. Seroczynski, of St. Casimor’s church, was in his usual interesting vein. He spoke on the necessity of God and said there is not enough serious thinking. One of the big dangers to America today, he said, is the “moral parasite.” Moral parasites, he explained, were persons who share in the benefits of a country founded on religious principles but who do not themselves aid in the religious unlift but rather retard it. The Sunday golfer who neglects hischurch was rapped because he is ofsufficient prominence to be an example in the community and his religious neglect destroys the faith of simple people whom religion keeps in line.Charles Clark, director of community service, showed the great possibilities of the new temple and urged in closing that the promoters in their planning should not neglect the boys and girls.It was an evening of particular pleasure for Rabbi Joseph L. Barron, of Davenport, la., who next on the program. He has long been a person-a 1 friend of Rabbi Bretton and a year ago he performed the weddingceremony for Mr. and Mrs. Bretton. e was particularly impressed by theworld. He touched upon the remarks of his predecessors, and in general summed up the evening’s program.The evening was interspersed with musical numbers. Mrs. Arthur Weiss furnished piano selections. Mrs. MaxBrettongavenumbers and Arthurtwo beautiful vocalDunham rendered the Twenty-third Psalm and “Eanfare” on the organ. The meeting closed with the audience singing “America.”Following the session in the assembly room a reception was held in the social center of the temple.Lake County Times.
Newspaper Details
Calumet City Pointer
Calumet City, Illinois, US
Fri, Sep 26, 1924
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Aaron G.
USA 25 Jul 2022
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