Copy of a recommendation of Wm. R. Weeks, D. D., Pastor of one of the Presbyterian Churches in Newark, N. J. Having read, with great pleasure, an essay on the Restoration and Conversion of the Jews, by Mr. Origen Bacheler, I would cordially recommend it to all who wish to see what the scriptures teach on that subject. I think I have never seen the arguments so well presented, so clear, so brief, and yet so convincing. Its extensive circulation would, as I think, greatly promote a correct understanding of the prophe-. cies relating to the latter days. WM. R. WEEKS. Newark, N. J., July 28, 1843. Copy of a letter from the senior Editor of the New York Evangelist. Boston, 1st Aug. A. D. 1843. Dear sir :-For some cause I did not receive your pamphlet until Friday of last week, since which I have given it a careful perusal. The doctrine of the restoration of the Jews to Palestine, I have long considered as an important truth, founded on the sure word of prophecy. Neither any recent variety of exposition, nor any indications of Providence, have shaken A my confidence. I consider it a conservative truth in the best-sense of the word, and look forward to its fulfillment as to a resplendent monument of the wisdom of God, which all surrounding nations will behold and admire. Your argument appears to me to be forcibly stated, and the discussion managed in such a manner as will be instructive to the reader. Yours affectionately, N. E. JOHNSON. MR. ORIGEN BACHELER. Copy of a letter from the Pastor of the Pine Street or Second Baptist Church, Providence, R. L. MR. ORIGEN BACHELER: Dear sir:-I thank you for the pleasure afforded in the perusal of the proof sheets of your valuable little work on the restoration and conversion of the Jews. As you request my opinion of the performance, I have no hesitation in saying, that I regard it as a succinct, valuable, and eminently scriptural treatise on the prophe. cies relating to the future destiny of God's ancient people, the Jews. I think you have proved most conclusively, that the various passages predicting the restora tion of the children of Israel from " Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Shinar, Hamath, the isl ands of the sea, the north country, and the four corners of the earth," are prophecies yet to be fulfilled, and that it is the very acme of absurdity to understand them in any other sense, than applying to the literal Israel. I am not at all surprised that a person who can seriously give such an exposition of the "bones of the hosts of Gog," as you have quoted in your 81st and 82d pages, should undertake to allegorize and spiritualize the various passages which you have brought together relative to the restoration and conversion of the literal Israel, so as to explain away their evident meaning, and make them signify any thing that his rude fancy may suggest; but 1 cannot help expressing my astonishment, that among people of common sense, such views should gain adherents, and that in the NINETEENTH CENTURY. I am happy to perceive the plan you propose in your introductory remarks. Millerism proper, or, as it might be termed, eighteen hundred and forty-three-ism, is already sinking into that contempt which it deserves. It is even now sick unto death, and will soon be written among the things that were. There can be no doubt, however, that the people who have succeeded in in troducing divisions and dissensions in the church. es of Christ, and drawing away disciples after them, will strive to maintain an existence as a sect, instead of honestly confessing they were mistaken, and seeking to repair the mischief they have produced, even when the expiration of the present year shall have convicted them of their presumption and folly in settling the times and seasons, which Jesus said "it is not for you to know." For this reason, I shall rejoice in the multiplication and circulation of works such as the series you propose, adapted for popular reading, upon the prophecies which foretell the glories of the latter day, when "the Jews shall be gathered in with the fullness of the Gentiles," and the "knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the waters do the sea." Of course this recommendation is intended only for the present work, the first of the series. Should the others be characterized by the same sound argument, and common sense view of scriptural prophecy, I have no hesitation in saying, that they will be a valuable present to the Christian public, and eminently adapted to do JOHN DOWLING, good. Pastor of Pine St. Church, Providence. Providence, July 28th, 1843. |