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Seixas, Gershom Mendes : A RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE: THANKSGIVING DAY SERMON, NOVEMBER 26, 1789

New York; Jewish Historical Society Of New York, 1977

[1789] Original illustrated paper wrappers. 8vo. XVI, 16 pages. 23 cm. Introduction by Isidore S. Meyer, followed by a photostatic reproduction of the 1789 edition of the sermon given by Gershom Mendes Seixas, original title: “A religious discourse delivered in the synagogue in this city, on Thursday the 26th November, 1789. Agreeable to the proclamation of the president of the United States of America, to be observed as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. ” “Printed by Archibald M'Lean, at Franklin's Head no. 41, Hanover-Square. ” Introduction outlines contemporaneous historical background, with reference and bibliographic notes. Sermon delivered by “Gershom Mendez Seixas. American rabbi and patriot; born in New York city Jan. 14, 1745; died there July 2, 1816; son of Isaac Mendez Seixas (1708-80) and Rachel Levy, daughter of Moses Levy, an early New York merchant. Seixas became the minister of Shearith Israel, the Spanish and Portuguese congregation of his native city, in 1766, and occupied the rabbinate for about half a century. At the outbreak of the American Revolution he at once espoused the Patriot cause, though many of the Christian ministers of the city sympathized with the Tories. … After the war Seixas returned to New York (March 23, 1784) and resumed his former position as rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel. He was one of the first ministers to preach a regular Thanks-giving Day sermon (see ‘Daily Gazette, ’ Dec. 23, 1789) , and was also one of the fourteen clergymen participating in the ceremony of the inauguration of George Washington as first president of the United States. In 1787 he became a trustee of Columbia College in the city of New York, and held that office continuously to 1815, being the only Jew ever so honored. When the college was incorporated, Seixas' name appeared in the charter as one of the incorporators. ” (1906 Jewish Encyclopedia) . Publications of the Jewish Historical Society of New York; number 2. Subjects: American Jewish Historical Society, New York. Congregation Shearith Israel, New York. Jewish sermons, American. Thanksgiving Day addresses. Fine condition. A very important document, and increasingly difficult to find. (AMR-43-1) x+

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