Isaiah and Daniel speak of Christ; but of what use is this, if he does not know himself?" It is scarcely necessary to add, that the Encouragement of Education must continue to form a prominent object of -attention. In many places, the Jews discover great readiness to send their children to Christian Schools: this dis- position must be encouraged. Even should the children be instructed in the Jewish Scriptures only, much good may, by the Divine Blessing, be expected to result. Patriarchs and Prophets preach Christ the Law, properly explained and enforced, teaches the Gospel: to understand the Old Testament rightly is to understand the New. Thus have your Committee endeavoured to discharge the duty which the return of this day has imposed upon them. It remains only that they entreat the Members of this Society to unite in fervent prayers to Almighty God, for His continued blessing on the work in which they are engaged. From HIM, alone, come both the will and the ability to do good. He only can incline the hearts of Christians toward the Jews, and of the Jews toward their Saviour. May the Holy Spirit work effectually in both; disposing the one to impart, and the other to receive, the Gospel of Peace! May His sacred influence enlighten, warm, and purify all who are seeking the salvation of Israel; that, with simplicity of motive, fervency of zeal, and perseverance in action, they may labour in this holy cause! And, above all, may a spirit of earnest supplication be poured forth on Jews and Gentiles! Then, and not till then, may we expect that God will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and bring back the dispersed of Judah. Then, and not before, may we hope, that the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, and that the Lord shall be King over all the earth: whilst Jews and Gentiles join in one chorus of praise, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began! To Him be glory, and praise, and dominion, for ever and ever!-Hallelujah, Amen! Continent. JEWS SOCIETY. We shall, in this article, digest under appropriate heads the various details, which are given in the Fourteenth Report of the Society and its Appendix, in reference to the Continental Jews. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY'S REPRESENTATIVES, AND EXERTIONS OF ITS FRIENDS. Holland. The objects of the Society are steadily pursued by the Rev. Mr. Thelwall, its While representative at Amsterdam. he adopts every practicable measure for promoting Christianity among the numerous Jewish Inhabitants of that large city, he is also assiduously engaged in endeavours to excite amongst Christians an enlightened interest in behalf of their Jewish Brethren. Much good, in this respect, has been effected through the medium of the Tract Society. Mr. Thelwall has opened channels, by means of several men of learning and piety, for the distribution of the Society's publications: many of the Dutch Clergy cordially concur in its views. An Institution has been formed, under the joint management of Jews and Christians, for the purpose of educating the Children of the poorer part of the Jewish Population: the intention is, to give them general instruction, and to teach them to read their own Scriptures in the Hebrew Language. As a proof of the attention with which the Society's efforts are observed by the Jews themselves in Holland, it may be mentioned, that an application has been made, by the Directors of the Jewish Synagogue in Rotterdam, for copies of every one of the Tracts published by the London Society, especially those in which it is proved that Jesus is the Messiah. Can we desire a more favour. able symptom, on the part of our Jewish Brethren, than a spontaneous determination calmly to investigate for themselves the evidences of our holy religion? May God, of His infinite mercy, guide and bless the inquiries of the Jews of Rotterdam, and of every place where a similar disposition to inquiry, may have been excited! In reference to the Society's pro, spects of usefulness in Holland, whilst Ma Thelwall states his conviction that now is the time of patience, prayer, and diligent observation and inquiry, he writes to the Committee My hopes of something being eventually done in this country, of great importance to the Jewish Cause, are gaining strength daily. The 'stir among the Jews is increasing, and the many baptisms rouse them powerfully. The news of the existence of our Society spreads more and more abroad, and many are thereby encouraged to come forward. Mr. Marc mentions several instances of this kind, by no means confined to one class of society-some of them Teachers-some, men of opulenceothers, who had given up lucrative situations; and, notwithstanding the earnest solicitations and tempting offers of their friends, persevered in their determina. ticn to embrace Christianity. Mr. M'Caul, who spent some time in Frankfort, in his way to Warsaw, speaks in high terms of the humility and sincerity of some of these teachers; and of their promising qualifications as Missionaries among their countrymen, in which ser, vice they were anxious to be engaged. Mr. Marc mentions the formation, in a place with which he corresponded, of a Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews, supported by many persons of respectability in the neighbourhood-the admission into the Chris tian Church, of some individuals, and the preparation for baptism of others, whose Scriptural attainments and devotedness of character afforded great hopes of their future usefulness among their countrymen-and the baptism of an entire Jewish Family, consisting of ten members, and highly respected in their neighbourhood. Of the important opening made, by the providence of God, for the Society's operations at Leipsic-of the cordiality with which its cause had been espoused by Mr. Tauchnitz, a pious inhabitant of the place of the eagerness with which our publications were caught up by the Jews, who attended the fairand of the designation of Mr. Smith as a Missionary to that city, mention was .made in the last Report. Feb. 1823. 97 Your Committee have been enabled to occupy another Missionary Station, ness, in that part of Germany, viz. at with encouraging prospects of usefulDresden. Having determined, on mature consideration, to appoint to this Station Mr. Goldberg, the converted Jewish Schoolmaster, whose baptism of the consistency of whose conduct the was mentioned in your last Report, and most decisive testimonies continued to be received, the Committee directed Mr. Smith to accompany him thither, from Leipsic, and to assist in his establishment. Mr. Smith, in a Letter from Dresden, expresses his sanguine hopes of the usefulness of Mr. Goldberg's la bours in that city, where he will, he the town, or rather in the nation. He says, be protected by the first men in commenced school with six Jewish Children; whose Mother, having been educated herself in a Christian School, had been much persecuted, and at length forsaken by her Husband, for giving Christian Instruction to her family. Prussia From Berlin, the Committee still receive the most gratifying assurances of the progress which the Jewish Cause is making in that quarter. The Society continues to enjoy the counsel and patronage of Sir George Rose; and its objects are promoted with unwearied zeal by Mr. Elsier. A Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews has been established at Berlin, under the express sanction of His Prussian Majesty. Major-General Witzleben, its President, writes We have formed ourselves into a body, with a view, to pursue, systematically and assiduously, the promotion of Christianity among the Jews, as a duty most sacred, important, and highly imperaCrucified Redeemer. We feel deeply, how great tive on all those, who look for salvation through a an obligation is due from all, who have the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the welfare of the Ancient People of God at heart, to the Society, which was the first, after the cessation of the Callenberg Institution, to hold out the light of the Gospel to the benighted Israelites. We beg your Society to accept the assurances of sincere respect and regard, offered by those, who with it pray, that our Heavenly Father may be pleased to bless, for His Son Jesus Christ's sake, the humble efforts mak ing to bring his brethren in the flesh, to glorify his name, and to tread in the paths of salvation through his blood-to build up anew the walls of Zion. Your Committee will also read a short extract from the Address of the Berlin Society; as it will disclose the just and enlightened views, by which the authors of this important measure are guided in their undertaking. Pious Christians in Germany have, to their grief. seen themselves almost excluded from the work of converting the Heathen, to whom seafearing nations only have an immediate access. May they be of good cheer, in turning their eyes to the millions of the Ancient People of God, who live among them, or in their immediate vicinity!" There is no nation provided with so effective means, now to begin the work of conversion, as Protestant Germany: to this country, the most glorious and sacred harvest appears to be reserved, which ever has offered itself to pous activity. Det us then clear ourselves from the blame, nay, from the crime, of having these millions living among us, or near our gates, without having ever made any well-regulated attempt to lead them to that Cross, upon which their fathers sacrificed the Messiah. - This field is our own: it only requires labourers, According to our best information of its state, we have no doubt but the soil will readily receive the seed of the Divine Word. The news which we receive from Poland is quite decisive in that respect: the Jews there seem to be convinced that some im portant change in their condition is preparing, and to be ready to offer their hands for co-operation.; Poland. Mr. Alexander M'Caul, having been left at Amsterdam, as before stated, by Mr. Solomon, at the end of May, proceeded forward alone, to their destination at Warsaw: he was here joined, on Christmas Day, by Mr. W. F. Becker, who had been for some time resident in the Seminary at Stansted, and had approved himself worthy of confidence. Mr. M'Caul had been steadily prosecuting his work among the Jewish Inhabitants of Warsaw, who are very numerous; having found, immediately on his arrival, ample opportunities of commencing the business of his Mission. As soon as it was known that he had Tracts to distribute, numbers of Jews came successively to his lodging, to ask for them; many of them asking for the New Testament also. By these visits, occasions were afforded him of entering into conversation with the applicants, which he failed not to improve. Mr. M'Caul having proposed to visit other parts of Poland, in company with Mr. Becker, your Committee fully approved of the intention; and have since received a most gratifying account of the encouragement which they met with on their excursion. The first place which they had visited was Posen, in Prussian Poland; where having, without difficulty, obtained the sanction of the Prussian Governinent accompanied with the expression of a "wish for good success to their undertaking," they began to distribute books-with what effect, the following extract from their Letter vill shew: We gave Tracts to some Jews who were passing y: they began to read them before the window: is attracted other Jews, who came in to request some for themselves: tna few minutes, there were about thirty Jews satisfied. Now the news spread among them like fire in less than ten minutes after we began, our room was completely filled, or rather crammed, the ball the same; and a great crowd before the house, clamorously asking for Tracts: we gave away about a hundred. The crowd then became so great, that, in self-defence, we were obliged to stop. On Monday it would have been the same, had not the Government kindly sent up a Gendarme, through whose aid we were enabled to keep up order, letting come a few only into our room at once: this lasted from half-past eight in the morning till twelve. Tuesday, the concourse of Jews was nearly as great as the day before; and, of Christians, still greater. About 300 Tracts, at least, and upward of 30 Testaments, have been distributed to Jews, and nearly 200-Sermons on the conversion of the Jews to Christianity-most of the respectable people in Posen sending for copies; among them, the Archbishop. Your Committee cannot forbear quot ing the words of one of your Vice-Presidents, now abroad; who, in commu nicating this intelligence remarks Their account would, a very few years past, have been incredible. Strange Christian Missionaries go into a place full of Jews, to whom they are unknown: but they proclaim the Gospel; and are shortly, in consequence, obliged to obtain military aid of the civil power, for their protection -every one will suppose, to save them from the fury of the enraged and bigotted Israelites. No! it is that they may not be trodden down by the crowd of the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, rushing on them for the tidings of Salvation, through that Messiah whom their Fathers rejected! This joyful intelligence," he adds, "must afford to our Society, large recompence for its exertions in the peculiarly hallowed cause, which, however. was but little felt and understood. Subsequent communications increase the hope of success among the Jews in this quarter. In reference to this subject, the Committee say The information received from Mr. M'Caul and Mr. Becker has fully confirmed the views, expressed by your Committee in former Reports, of the importance of strenuous exertions in behalf of the Polish Jews: they hope soon to send out two more Missionaries thither from the Seminary; and they will most gladly send forth an additional supply of Labourers to assist in cultivating that extensive field, as soon as requisite means shall be afforded them. Of the necessity of augmented efforts in that quarter, they received the most urgent representations from Dr. Pinkerton, during his late visit to this country. He stated, that, in a district comprehending Russian and Austrian Poland and a part of Turkey, there were at least three millions of Jews, among whom there is an unusual spirit of inquiry on the subject of Christianity; and a readiness to receive the New Tes tament, which surpasses expectation. As he himself travelled through their towns, they would often exclaim, Here comes the Bible Man, and he will give us Hebrew New Testament's.” In confirmation of this statement, the Committee quote those of Drs. Henderson and Paterson relative to the Jews at Berditchef and Lusk, which will be found at pp. 453 and 454 of our Volume for 1821. They then add Your Committee cannot quit this part of the subject without noticing a fact, which, in its results, will be peculiarly favourable to the efforts of the Society among the Jews in Poland. This is, the abolition, in the early part of the present year, by an edict of his Imperial Majesty, of the Kahals, or Rabbinical Institutions, which have long operated as a barrier to the progress of the Jews in civilization and knowledge. This event was communicated to the Committee in a Letter, of which the following is an extract: I believe I told you lately, that the Emperor of Russia has issued an edict, breaking up the Kahals, or Rabbinical Institutions, in Poland; and that I am informed this will destroy the Rabbinical Yoke, which has weighed so cruelly on the neck of Israel, and been the main impediment to their conversion to the faith of Christ-an event, at this moment, deserving of all attention and admiration. Denmark. Very pleasing intelligence respecting the state of the Jews in Denmark, has been communicated through the medium of your Foreign Secretary; who visited that and the adjacent territories of Sweden and Norway, during last summer, in the joint service of this Society and the British and Foreign Bible Society. He found the Jewish inhabitants, in Holstein and Denmark, not only protected by the Government, but enjoying the benefit of a very liberal administration in their favour. Several measures had been adopted, tending to their moral and civil improvement. Some new arrangements, also, affecting the state of religion among them, which had been introduced by the Government, had not only not been opposed by the Jews, but had met with their cordial concurrence. The Secretary justly regards these and other circumstances which engaged his attention, as indicating general tendency among that people toward a great change of their religious state." 66 a On his way to those northern kingdoms, Mr. Treschow made some stay at Hamburg, where he had an opportunity of exciting a lively interest in favour of the Jewish Cause; as an evidence of which, the evening before he left Hamburgh, a Committee for Jewish Affairs was formed, comprising some of the most zealous Christians in the place. South of France, and Italy. individuals of that nation, and by setting FAVOURABLE DISPOSITION OF THE JEWS. Evidence of such a disposition has been adduced under the preceding head: we shall collect from the Report and Appendix some further testimonies to the readiness with which, in various places, they receive Christian Books and listen to instruction. 1 observed, with thankfulness, how they read, thought upon, and conversed with one another over the histories of the New Testament. Germany. Mr. Marc states, that a correspondent had found, that, in a certain country of Germany, the Jews were very eager in reading the publications of the Society, and were encouraged to do so by their own Rabbi. The same correspondent had informed Mr. Marc, that a friend of his, to whom he had sent a parcel of books, had received applications for them from 20 to 30 Jews daily. From others he learnt, that a respectable Jew had set on foot a negociation with the Frank fort Jews, for the establishment of a Bible Society; and that many Jews, who read with attention, not only the publications of the Society, but likewise other Christian Books, openly avowed their belief, that the Messiah would appear for the SECOND time. After mentioning other facts of a similar complexion, Mr. Marc concludes The work of the Lord among the Jews appears to me now to glide gently, like a rivalet; but, when the Lord shall speak the word, it will become a mighty torrent. A Christian Jew, who is labouring among his countrymen, writesWherever the good seed is sown by disseminating New Testaments or Tracts, it takes root, and affords hope of maturing to fruit. I am astonished at the blessing, which the Lord in mercy grants to my labour. Wherever I come, New Testaments and Tracts are readily received, both in Hebrew and JewishGerman. Many of the most respect ableJewish Families invite me into their houses, to converse with me about religion. In a neighbouring village, I gave to Jews Testaments and Tracts; and a Christian assured me afterwards, that now the Jews meet every evening, when one of them reads publickly the Testament or a Tract, and all the others listen to it attentively. What great blessings have attended the Frankfort Society is well known to -you. Since the last Spring, Fifteen Jews from the city and adjacent places have embraced Christianity. The Committee state, respecting the journey of Mr. Smith and Mr. Goldberg from Leipsic to Dresden On their way, Mr. Smith was gratified by hearing from many Jews, that they read the books of the Society in secret, and that they were fully con vinced of the truth of Christianity; they even added, that they worshipped Christ as the Messiah promised to their Fathers; but that, as many of them were partly, others totally, dependent upon the Jews, they durst not make an open confession of their faith. On this subject it is remarkeddifficulty of forming a decided judgment Your Committee feel sensibly the on such cases as these. Were ONE OR Two such instances only reported to them, they might be apt to suspect strongly the genuineness of the convic tions stated to have been wrought upon the minds of the individuals concerned: but hearing, as they do, from almost all parts with which they carry on correspondence, and from persons of unques tionable authority, that MANY SUCH in they are constrained to suspend, at least, stances are brought to their knowledge, their judgment-and to encourage the hope, strongly entertained by many of their correspondents abroad, that a REAL CONVICTION of the truth of Christianity among the Jews in different parts; and is silently and in secret, gaining ground that thus the Great Head of the Church may be making ready a people prepared for the Lord, to be brought to light in the day of His power. To these testimonies respecting the German Jews are added the following: Leander Van Ess will always be ac knowledged a credible witness by assemblies of British Christians. Your Committee, therefore, gladly cite his authority, in confirmation of the preceding statements. He thus writes, May 7, 1821 : Very frequent and direct applications are made to me on the part of the Jews, for the Hebrew. German Testament, of which no copies have as yet reached me; and I therefore earnestly request you will favour me with an adequate supply. My stock of Hebrew Testaments will soon be exhausted. It is a most pleasing phænomenon of our times, that an almost general stir is observable among the Jews; and, although we cannot expect that many will immediately make a public profession of Chris tianity, yet the Lord seems to be preparing their minds, by a slow but certain progress, for their reception of the Gospel. I have lately had several most gratifying conversations with Jews, who called upon me for Hebrew Testaments, on their way to the Frankfort Fair. Nor is the testimony of Mr. Senator Von Meyer, of Frankfort, less decisiye on this point: |