of God, and of their own consciences, as sinners, yet by the deeds of the law they still hope to be justified before God. The punishment of sin, if admitted at all, is supposed to extend only to this life, or at most to a future purgatory, in which personal suffering is to commute for transgression, and to make atonement for crime. In vain do we look in their religious rites for that warm and devotional spirit which characterized the worship of their pious fathers. It is said, and we believe they have not been slandered, that their religious exercises are scarcely conducted with the form, much less with the spirit, of devotion. The female character among them holds a station far inferior to that which it was intended to occupy by the God of nature and of providence; and their children, where semblance of regard is still preserved for ancient institutions, are in many instances taught to contemn and to blaspheme that worthy name which is connected with all that is valuable in life or cheering in death. Are the eyes of any of them partially opened to the truth? Do they discover a disposition to fly to the banners of the despised Nazarene? What contempt do they not experience? What opposition do they not encounter from their associates? What strong appeals are made, not to their reason, nor to the Scriptures, but to the love of kindred, to early attachments, and to their fears? These appeals, followed by corresponding acts, are certainly cal culated in ordinary cases to arrest further inquiry, and to blast in its first appearance the very germ of hope. In this description of the Jews it will be remembered that we are speaking in general terms. We do not by any means intend to say, that all which is here stated will apply to every individual and family among them; -we still hope better things of some of them, and especially of that part of the nation which is resident in this country. We be lieve, however, as a general statement, that what has been said of them is strictly correct. Under these awful circumstances generation after generation are descending to the tomb, and entering the eternal world. How thick, how strong, how dreadful is the veil that is upon their hearts! and shall no effort be made by us to rend it? Shall they be suffered to perish before our eyes, and no attempt made to pluck them from the burning? Is not their situation calculated to excite our sympathy and call forth our exertions? And shall we slumber in apathy over their tremendous misery? Can we behold a Jew without emotions of compassion, or contemplate his situation without pain? If so, how can we flatter ourselves that we possess the spirit of our Master, or of the friends of our Master? Do we remember how he, the Lord Jesus, laboured among them? Do we remember his prayer for them on the Cross? Have we buried in oblivion the transactions of the day of Pentecost? Thousands on that memorable day, whose hands. were yet reeking with his blood, were made the monuments of his mercy. What ardent zeal was manifested by the Apostle Paul in behalf of his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh? Did not that zeal pervade the whole college of the Apostles, and where or when has it been extinguished among the Disciples of the Lord? We hope that none will object to the work of attempting their salvation. What reasonable objection to it can be made? Is it their attachment to their ancient worship? Is it their hatred of Christianity? Is it the hardness of their hearts-their unwillingness to receive instruction-or their malevolence toward those who labour in their cause? Ah, if the Apostles of the Lord had reasoned in this manner, we might have been to this day like the Jews, without hope and without God in the world. No objection of this kind will apply to them which would not have equally applied to the Gentiles of other times, as well as to the Gentiles of the present hour. But let it be remembered that the weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 2 Cor. x. 4. They have been found so in all former ages, and time has neither diminished their value nor impaired their strength. But will not a public attempt of this kind alarm the fears of Israel? Will it not strengthen their prejudices, call forth their resentment, or lead to the adoption of extraordinary measures on their part to counteract it? Such objections have occurred to our minds, but why should we anticipate them? Duty belongs to us, consequences to God. The better informed among that people will undoubtedly take the lead in these matters; and why should we expect from characters of that description any opposition to a temperate and fair discussion of topics which involve their everlasting interests? But admitting for a moment that such opposition should be made, we are still treading in the footsteps of Christ and the Apostles. What could be more public than their intention to evangelize the Jews? Or what resistance have we to expect equal to that which they were called to encounter? Yet in the face of resistance they were successful. The reasons are obvious: The Redeemer lives, and great is the power of truth. When to these considerations we add the success of our brethren in Europe, and the general opinion of the Christian world, that the time of Israel's restoration is at hand, it is humbly conceived, that we are not only justified in praying for it, but that we are also urged to prompt and vigorous exertions to effect it. With the accomplishment of this object, brethren, is connected the glory of God-the honour of the Redeemer- the prosperity of Zion and the diffusion and establishment of the faith once delivered to the saints. Let it not be forgotten that the restoration of the Jews is to be a signal for the conversion of the great body of the Gentiles. It is more than probable that through their instru mentality as Missionaries of the Cross, those Scriptures will be fulfilled which relate to the general conversion of the Gentiles. For such a work, from the spirit that will be poured out upon them, and from their intimate acquaintance with the customs and languages of the nations among whom they have resided, they will be peculiarly well qualified. The Millennial period may therefore be considered as indissolubly connected with their conversion. See Zech. 8. 23, and Rom. 11, 12, 15. When that great event will take place in its full extent is a secret with God. It may not occur in one day. But are we then justified in doing nothing for its accomplishment? The times in which we live are extraordinary. Never perhaps since the days of the Apostles have so great. exertions been made, as are now making for the propagation of the Gospel. Our efforts in this cause will correspond with those of all other associations for the promotion of truth and righteousness. Should the great Head of the Church see fit to crown our labour with success, what cause will it present of joy in heaven, and gratitude on earth; and may we not hope even in the case of a supposed eventual failure of our object, that the spirit which governs us will be excited or promoted in other parts of Christendom, and that a foundation will be laid for future and more success. ful exertions in this glorious cause. "Should present attempts," said a late writer on this subject, "be premature and wholly ineffectual, yet they will be remembered with unutterable delight in those happy abodes where "the works of the righteous do follow them," and the thought of the heart is not forgotten that we have done what we could, when God shall say to us, as he did to David, "thou didst well, in that it was in thine heart." 2 Chron. 6, 8. To conclude-As final prosperity in this measure must depend on the Almighty co-operation of a redeeming Saviour, we entreat all those who have the hope of an interest at the throne of grace, to offer, both in public and in private, more particular, more extensive, and more fervent prayer to God, than has been usual, for that people in general, and for the success of this object in our own eity in particular. By order, PHILIP MILLEDOLER, President. The Society hope for and calculate on the aid of Auxiliary Institutions, and of individuals in different parts of the United States, who may be friendly to the promotion of this interesting object. NEW-YORK FEMALE SUNDAY SCHOOLS. The Female Union Society for the promotion of Sabbath Schools, held their fourth Quarterly Meeting in Mr. Spring's Church, in Beekman-street, on Wednesday the 8th of January. The Directresses, Treasurer, Secretaries, Visiting Committee, and upwards of 250 Teachers, with a numerous assembly of Ladies, attended. The Rev. Mr. Soale made a short but suitable address to the Society, and offered up a prayer in their behalf; after which the Society proceeded to the business of the day. 266 scholars for punctual attendance and uniform good conduct received rewards from the hands of the Directresses.* Each class, preceded by its teacher, advanced up the middle aisle, and passed down the side aisle. The attention of the Society was then called to the reading of reports of the most encouraging description, from twenty-three schools. Two schools sent no reports, but we understand they are increasing in numbers, and the scholars generally improving. The extraordinary instances of improvement in the pupils, and resolutions on the part of the teachers to persevere in the good work, far surpass any thing heretofore reported to the Society. From the statements exhibited, there appear to be 3000 scholars nominally in the schools, of whom a large proportion regularly attend. The schools are amply supplied with teachers; and when vacancies occcur, they are immediately filled by others, who eagerly embrace the opportunity of sharing in this labour of love. To enumerate the many cases of uncommon progress in learning to read the Scriptures, and wonderful powers of memory exhibited by the scholars, would trespass on the proper limits of this Report. The Committee will therefore pass over these, and call upon their Christian brethren and sisters, and fellow labourers in Sabbath Schools, to rejoice with them in the prospect of an abundant harvest from the seed sown during the year 1816, some of which they humbly trust, has already ripened, and by the Lord of the Harvest been separated from the tares, and gathered into the heavenly garner. Extract 1st. In presenting the Fourth Report, which closes the first year of our existence as a Sabbath School, the Superintendant, and Teachers, cannot refrain from expressing their gratitude to God, for his goodness to them during the past year. They entered upon their duties with fear and trembling, sensible of their own weakness, and of the great importance of the work they had undertaken. They looked for assistance to HIM who had graciously pro * In addition to the above number, 160 in the Methodist School, which is kept in Free School, No. 1, were rewarded by their Teachers, from the funds of a Cent Society, formed among themselves for that purpose. mised strength equal to their day, and they think they can say, they have not looked in vain. During the year, but one scholar has been removed by death; and the circumstances attending this case are so interesting as to render it important that they should be given to the Society. Ann Fentine, a female of colour, died Nov. 18th, 1816, aged 13 years 5 months. She entered the school in April, and attended regularly, until July, when she was confined to her room and bed, with symptoms of consumption. Being early apprised of the probability that she would not recover, her mind became convicted of the importance of obtaining an interest in that Redeemer whom she had so much disregarded-so often rejected. She often attempted to pray, and frequently requested the privilege of conversing with pious people; but still the fear of death, and the consciousness of sin, seemed the predominant exercises of her mind. On Sabbath evening, as far as can be determined, (about five of six weeks before she died) we have reason to believe that she became a child of God. Her exercises assumed an entirely different character;—she began to converse and to pray with an interest unknown before the fear appeared utterly extinguished she greatly rejoiced in hope of the glory of God," During her subsequent illness, her confidence was unwavering. Sometimes, indeed, she complained of the temptations of Satan, and sometimes she lamented the severity of her bodily pain, but never in language that would leave a doubt of the reality of her faith. On the contrary, a total indifference to this world, together with a "desire to depart and to be with Christ," seemed in a great measure to predominate during the last weeks of her lingering life-so that pious persons, of various denominations, who visited her frequently, could not but be impressed with a conviction, unusually strong, that she had become a child of God. They were surprised at the greatness of the change, that had evidently taken place they were affected with the frequent and solemn appeals which she made to her impenitent friends and acquaintance-and they could not but rejoice in what might be thought the untimely death of one so weak in body and yet so strong in spirit; so young in years, and yet so old in grace." Do not tell me,' said she in her last moments," that I am dying:-I am only going home to my Father's house-the angels stand ready to convey me home!-Go," continued she," and tell my Jesus, I am coming to behold his beauty!-There he is!" raising her hands for the last time, she exclaimed, "Redeem me— -Redeem me," and expired! What an interesting and solemn warning is conveyed by this remarkable death to all, but especially to the young! And what a high encouragement does it afford to those, upon whom rest the responsibilities of gratuitous instruction, not to be "weary in well-doing." "They that be wise, shall shine as the brightness |