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Rev. Dr. Eckman at Augusta.

 

Dr. Eckman lately went to Augusta, Georgia, by the special invitation of the Israelites residing there, to deliver a series of lectures; and we have been requested to give publicity to the following proceedings, which will speak for themselves.

“At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Congregation B’nai-Israel, of Augusta, Georgia, on February 23d, 1852, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously passed:

“Whereas, the Rev. Dr. Julius Eckman has accepted the special invitation of this congregation, and delivered a series of Lectures, long <<93>> to be remembered with feelings of admiration, and whereas, this congregation have found in the Rev. Dr. a truly pious man, a profound scholar, and a gentleman,

“Resolved, That a proper and suitable token, expressive of our feel­ings, be purchased.

“A committee being appointed for its selection, they reported at a meeting of the congregation, on the 28th of February, that Lewis Levy and Samuel Levy, Esqs., had purchased a silver goblet as directed, and that this goblet and the sum of fifty dollars be presented to the reverend gentleman; the committee farther reported, that they had selected Henry Morrison, Esq., to present the same. At a meeting of the congregation, on the 29th of March, it was

“Resolved, That a committee be appointed to return the thanks of this congregation to H. Morrison, Esq., for his able address delivered at the presentation; and that H. Morrison, Esq., and the Rev. Dr. Eckman be respectfully requested to furnish the committee with a copy of their respective addresses.

“Resolved, That the whole of these proceedings be published in the Asmonean and Occident.”

After the Rev. Dr. Eckman had delivered his last lecture, on Sunday, March 7th, Mr. Morrison arose and addressed him as follows:

“Reverend and esteemed Sir:—I am deputed by the Congregation B’nai Israel to present this goblet and contents as a token of their esteem and admiration. You, Sir, have been long known by reputation to the members of this congregation, and they have been among the many of your fellow-men and coreligionists, who have honoured and esteemed you for your zeal, piety, and ability, in maintaining the religion of Israelites, in all its truth and purity, in opposition to a man who had become faithless to his mission, and a part of your late congregation who have been misled by false doctrines. Sir, I congratulate you on your victory; for you have proved to all good men the integrity, piety, truth, and independence of your position, and every good and conscientious Israelite should be indeed gratefully proud of truth’s champion.

“Reverend Sir, I am pleased and proud to convey to you the unanimous sentiments of this congregation, many who, as I said before, until this period have only known you by reputation. You have <<94>> deceived us, but Sir, that deception has been one of the most pleasing kind; in the Rev. Dr, Julius Eckman, we expected to find a man of piety and ability; you, Sir, have more than sustained this reputation, and be assured, that this congregation appreciates you much better than I can express, and all exclaim with one accord, ‘This is indeed a great and good man.’

“Esteemed Sir, I beg your acceptance of this goblet and contents, and I am most particularly instructed to say, that at all times and seasons you will find a welcome in the homes and hearts of the Augusta Congregation. Take this, not Sir as a mere compliment, but come again soon among us, and instruct us, by your precepts and example, our duty to God, ourselves, and our fellow-men, and be assured, we shall not be unmindful or ungrateful. The Congregation B’nai Israel rejoice in privileges that many of our coreligionists do not in other lands; many of us claim the proud distinction of being American citizens, and all rejoice in living in a land famous among nations for its religious liberty. May its bright example soon be followed by other nations, for here we all can exclaim, ‘The Lord is with me, and I will not fear.’ I therefore beg of you, come again in our midst, and should it be at the approaching Passover, you will not come as the destroying angel did to the Egyptians, but as our own guardian angel, administering to us religion, consolation, and I doubt not, union* in our congregation. Reverend and esteemed Sir, with the assurance of the united desire and prayers of this congregation, for your future prosperity, happiness, and a continuation of a long and useful life, I say to you in their name, God speed you.’”

* Alluding to an anticipated wedding.

DR. ECKMAN'S REPLY.

“My worthy Friend:—I tender you my heartfelt thanks for your kind and sincere address delivered in behalf of the Congregation B’nai Israel; I am too embarrassed to express my feelings. You have called me Doctor, Reverend Sir, and Esteemed Sir. I disclaim these titles. I am only desirous to appear among you as your friend, the friend of all our coreligionists, and the friend of true religion. I thank you for your kind invitation to appear among you, that enabled me to lay before you, in a number of addresses, the principles of pure Judaism, drawn from the most pure and original sources; I have finished my task with the twelfth lecture, delivered this evening, and <<95>> in attestation of your approbation, you have presented me with this elegant silver goblet and contents. I must respectfully and gratefully accept these gifts from your hands, as an ostensible mark of respect and reverence shown to religion; you have assured me of it by the undivided attention paid to my teaching; you have fully displayed it by your kindness and attention paid me during my stay here, in which all of you took so active a part, considerably beyond my anticipations. I cannot deny the pleasure of telling you the beneficial effect it must have on myself. It does well for a sensitive mind, after a hard struggle against the whirlpool of unprincipled irreligion and the eddy of irreligious principles, flowing in a frigid and refrigerant channel—it does well for such a soul again to land in the fertile and verdant shores of religion, and there to live and to enjoy the genial warmth and beneficent rays of brotherly love, emanating and flowing from the hearts in which the voice of God is yet heard and listened to.

“My dear brethren, accept my thanks and unfeigned assurance of love and respect to all of you; and may the principles laid before you in my discourses deeply root in your hearts; you then will enjoy temporal and the ethereal blessings of heaven, the approbation of your conscience, and the love and esteem of all good men. Let us therefore love all that is good, and live in harmony with all around us, till one bond of brotherhood embrace us all, and unite us in God’s name. Amen.”

S. Levy,
Jacob J. Jacobus,
M. Jacobs.
Committee.