HISTORICAL NOTICES OF THE MISSIONS OF THE SOCIETY.

EAST PRUSSIA.

Danzig.

"THIS district comprises the provinces of East and West Prussia, and part of Pomerania, with a Jewish population of at least 26,000. In West Prussia there are about 5,600 Jews; and in Danzig about 500 Jewish families, consisting of 2,500 individuals. They are divided into five congregations, and have five synagogues, where there are daily morning and evening prayers; commonly, however, they are not attended by above ten persons. The Jews of Danzig have, until recently, been esteemed by their brethren strict adherents of the old school. But since the political changes of the last few years, divisions have taken place in their community, and in the autumn of 1849, it was finally decided to pension their old orthodox rabbi, and to appoint in his place a doctor of philosophy, who shall preach every Sabbath in the German language. In proportion as rabbinism is losing ground, the prejudices against Christianity appear to diminish. It is nothing unusual now to

see descendants of Abraham attend Christian Churches. Danzig, being situated near the mouth of the Vistula, is visited during the summer by numbers of Jews from different parts of Poland and Galicia, who are frequently employed as agents in carrying on the trade in corn, and have the charge of the vessels in which it is brought to Danzig from the different parts of the inte

rior. When therefore the state of the Jews in the town itself did not offer great encouragement to the missionary, he had many opportunities of preaching Christ to the strangers above referred to, who in their own homes had, in many cases, never been visited by a missionary.

Danzig has been frequently visited by the Society's missionaries, during the last twentythree years, and a school for Jewish children was established there in 1828 by the Rev. W. Ayerst, and his fellow-labourer, the Rev. M. S. Alexander. This school continued to flourish for several years, and was at one time attended by ninety-four Jewish children, but at length it met with great opposition from the influence of a few individuals who were incessant in their endeavours to prevent its usefulness. After the removal of Mr. Alexander (in 1830) and Mr. Ayerst (in the following year), this station remained unoccupied until 1840, when it became the station of Mr. J. C. Moritz, until 1843; and in July, 1844, the Rev. H. Lawrence entered upon it as his field of labour, being joined soon. after by the Rev. E. M. Tartakover. On September 1st, 1849, Mrs. Lawrence was removed by death, from cholera; an event which elicited very general manifestations of sympathy with the bereaved husband.

"Several of the Jews of Danzig have shown a very friendly disposition, and on the Lord's Day they have been seen attentively listening to the public preaching of the Gospel. The prejudice against the missionary, which, in a great majority of instances, at one time, formed an insuperable barrier to religious conversation, appears to be much on the decline. The synagogue

service is losing its hold on the minds of many, according to their own confession, and is felt to be devoid of life, instruction, and comfort; while the conviction is spreading among them, that the missionaries are their real friends, and anxious for their welfare.

"The missionary journeys undertaken every year have afforded abundant opportunities for usefulness, and proved increasingly interesting. Respecting their travels in 1849, the missionaries report that more than three times the number of Bibles were sold than had been the case on any former journey; and could a sufficient supply have been obtained, it is impossible to say how many more would have found grateful purchasers. It is remarkable that there appeared on these last journeys to be no desire or necessity for concealment on the part of the Jews; in not a few instances the publications received were read to little groups standing in the market-place, or in front of their houses. Another interesting feature was the kindness with which the missionaries were - received at the places where they were already known; their former visit seemed to have prepared the way for a more ready and friendly access. And at other places where hostility was expected, and on former occasions no Jew called on the missionaries, they were now occupied either in discussions or the distributions of books. the greater part of the day. In referring to these circumstances, Mr. Lawrence writes: • God's ways and times are not always ours: it is good to be practically reminded that the work we sometimes speak of as ours, is in reality His, and that His servants must ascribe all their success to Him; of this we also, in some instances,

received an impressive lesson. I am aware of but two occasions, when either the Jews visited, or our numerous visitors, behaved unbecomingly, or said anything calculated to offend a Christian's ear, during our discussions; and of the two individuals, who had in this respect rather committed themselves, one called afterwards with an apology, and the other was induced to send his son and beg the favour of a New Testament and the "Old Paths.'

999

"The Rev. C. Noesgen has recently joined Mr. Lawrence, and a German service for Jews is about to be established in the English chapel at at Danzig.

66

Three Israelites have been baptized at Danzig by Messrs. Lawrence and Tartakover; two other baptisms of Jewish converts took place in that town during 1849. Five were brought to a knowledge of the truth through the instrumentality of Mr. Moritz, during his residence there. Many Jews have arrived from the Russian dominions, who would gladly have stayed and received Christian instruction, could they have received permission from the local authorities. The missionaries have met on their journeys with several converts resident in their district, and have heard of others; but have as yet been unable to ascertain their numbers with any degree of certainty."

THE DIOCESAN SCHOOL AT JERUSALEM.

THE late Bishop Alexander felt the importance of attempting to educate the rising generation in his diocese, but the efforts which he made to

realize this object were suspended by his sudden removal. Bishop Gobat, however, soon after his arrival in the Holy City resolved to carry out the attempt which had thus been made, to establish a Diocesan School for the education of the children of the congregation, and of such native Christians and unconverted Jews, as would avail themselves of it.

For this purpose a small house was taken at once, and fitted up for a Day School, in the first instance, and for the accommodation of a schoolmistress, who had been sent for from England, and who arrived there in November, 1847. The children of the congregation, chiefly of converts, formed the commencement, with a few Jewish children, at first some orphans, who had been left at the Hospital, and afterwards some whose parents inclined towards Christianity. Applications were soon made for the admission of children from a distance; and with a view of admitting such also, as well as orphans, and neglected children of Jerusalem, a Boarding School for boys as well as girls became necessary. As soon, therefore, as a larger house could be found, it was engaged and fitted up for that purpose. This establishment was opened in 1848. A schoolmaster had already been engaged, and a female assistant to the mistress was obtained from England.

The expenses were thus much increased; but in consideration of the important bearing of the school on the well-being of the Mission, the London Society voted a liberal annual allowance for the expenses of the children of converts and of unconverted Jews, thus brought under Christian education and training.

The Institution continued to prosper, and the