102 RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS 



that new efforts should be made to resuscitate their congre- 

 gation ; and accordingly Mr. Mordecai Sheftall, a gentleman 

 strongly attached to his religion, fitted up, at his own expense, 

 a room in his house for the accommodation of the people, and 

 worship was regularly observed until the American Revolu- 

 tion, when again the congregation was temporarily dissolved. 



In 1786 the Jews met, and resolved to re-establish their 

 congregation of K. K. Mickva Israel. A house was hired in 

 St. James's Square, and the heads of the congregation chosen. 

 For many years, service was performed regularly on the Sab- 

 bath and holydays, but a combination of causes again produced 

 a suspension of public worship. 



For a long period there was no place for religious worship; 

 but in 1820 a neat synagogue was consecrated, and which was 

 accidentally destroyed by fire in 1829. 



After this event, Dr. Moses Sheftall, who was then Presi- 

 dent of the congregation, was very active in devising plans by 

 which money could be raised to build another synagogue. 

 Subscriptions were liberally made not only by the Jews, but 

 by Christians of every denomination ; and in a short time 

 another synagogue of brick was erected, and afterwards conse- 

 crated. 



At present no services are performed, but it is expected that 

 the period will not be long before a gentleman of ability will 

 be engaged to perform the duties of minister. The Syna- 

 gogue in Savannah is the only one in Georgia. 



Disciples of Christ, or Christians. — There are nume- 

 rous congregations in Georgia, particularly in Chatham, 

 Cass, Richmond, Walton, Fayette, Merriwether, and Walker. 

 The distinguishing peculiarities of the disciples are, " that 

 they acknowledge no ecclesiastical authority but that of 

 Christ, and hold that the instructions He has given us, are full, 

 perfect, and complete. The Bible, therefore, is their sole guide 

 in discipline and piety. Guided by it, they require sinners to 

 know God, and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, in order to 

 their introduction into the knowledge of God's grace and faith. 

 Repentance, confession of the Lord, and burial with him in 

 baptism, are the evidences of this knowledge and obedience. 

 The saints are expected, and required, to add to the faith, 



