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of culture by its musical standard. A Jew will frequently travel many miles to hear a good "Chazan.”

Chatskel's joyful anticipation of hearing the enchanting melodies of the "Chazan," who had been described to him as a great singer with a voice pleasing and sweet, would beggar all descriptions. After he had completed his toilet by arranging himself in his Sabbath surtout, he looked in the eyes of his Esther and Malkeh as the living picture of the Lord's creation, and their approving smile expressed more than words could say. Wife and daughter insisted he should partake of a bun and a little broth, for they feared he might get too weak were he to wait until after "Shool" and, nolens volens, he had to submit.

Light hearted and with refreshed body and mind, Chatskel Shimanowski, accompanied by little Simche, proceeded to the

house of worship. On their way a fruit peddler passed and Simche asked his charge for a penny with which to purchase some huckleberries, the first of the season. Not complying with the demand, for Chatskel never carried money with him on the Sabbath, the guide avenged himself by leaving the perplexed stranger to his fate. But, thanks to Jehovah, many of those faithful ones who receive the Sabbath early and dismiss it late were already on their way to "Shool" whom Chatskel joined.

In the mean time Esther, assisted by Malkeh, put forth strenuous efforts to "make Sabbath" by not only using remarkable discretion in her purchases (for, all told, including five cents which she dropped in the charity-box for the poor of Jerusalem, and three cents she gave to a poor man who knocked at the door, she spent fifty-seven cents), but in devising to replace some missing kitchen utensils.

For instance, not having a rolling-pin to make noodles she used a bottle instead; for candle-sticks she used two big potatoes, and so on. Before sunset all was complete to receive the holy Sabbath. She dressed herself in her queenly attire, consisting of a brand new calico dress, an apron and a bonnet with broad ribbons, said the prayer over the candles, and awaited her Chatskel - her "Balbos" (head of the house) her lord - her king. Holy Sabbath reigned as I. G. Asher sings in his “Friday Night,"

"The air is still, the lamp is lit,

With blessings for this hallowed eve,
All cares are hushed, and shadows flit
In every grateful prayer we weave,
And over all is shed the light

Of love, to welcome Friday night."

At the vestibule to the first holy edifice in America which Chatskel visited his heart throbbed, he was bewildered and saw

in his fantasy the gates of the heavens through which the prayers and wishes of his people went up to the King of kings, and he prayed:

"How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob! thy tabernacles, O Israel! And in the greatness of thy benevolence, will I enter thy house, in reverence of thee will I bow down towards the temple of thy holiness, O Lord! I love the habitation of thy house and the dwelling place of thy glory. I therefore will prostrate myself, bow down, and bend the knee before the Lord, my Maker. And I will offer my prayer unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time, in thy abundant mercy, O God, answer me in the truth of thy salvation."

With great reverence he then entered the temple, read all prayers preparatory to the reception of the holy Sabbath, and the "Chazan " Chazan" sang:

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Come let us proceed to meet the Sab

bath, for it is the source of blessing appointed of old, even at the creation, though last in execution, it was first in design." Chatskel eagerly and with mighty voice joined the congregation in the refrain:

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Come, my beloved, to meet the bride." (The poet has compared the Sabbath to a bride, bringing joy and happiness to Israel, to whom she has been united by the Eternal.) "Let us welcome the presence of the Sabbath." To praise the name of the Lord as it is written: "All my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like unto thee? Who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, the poor and the needy from the oppressor?" Chatskel not only sang, but jumped and swayed his whole body as the wind does the branches of a willow-tree. His enthusiasm grew stronger and mightier with every verse, so that he was in a sort of catalepsy from which he did not awaken until the "Cha

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