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to Jerusalem, where God placed His name; but now says the Saviour, "Ye shall neither on this mountain nor at Jerusalem worship the Father." "Look He also said, "I that speak to thee am He." As if He had said, away from places and forms; look to me, listen to me, receive from me; and thus learn to worship God in spirit and truth in every place. I am every thing that you need for salvation, communion, and service. I am the way, the truth, the life, the light of life; the resurrection, the very image and sent One of God." Let us aim to show the Jew whose heart still turns towards Jerusalem, that it is a Person and not a place that he needs to make him truly happy. Man may be miserable in any place, but he can be happy in any situation with the right person. Lost and destitute man wants a deliverer, a friend, and a portion. He wants one who can heal him, help him, love him, guide him. If he wanders over ever so many places inquiring for good, he will only hear the echo of his own voice, and remain solitary and miserable; but when he "calls on the name of the Lord," then comes an answer of peace. "But how shall they call on Him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher, and how shall they preach except they be sent ?" Christians, see your deep responsibility as regards Israel!

Jerusalem was once the centre of God's providential actings, and it may be so again, "when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled;" but our great triumph now is, that Jesus is the centre of all God's gracious actings. To Jerusalem of old "the tribes went up;" "To HIM shall the gathering of the people be " (Ephes. i. 10; John x. 16). At Jerusalem God displayed His glory; there "He was known (Ps. lxxvi. 1); but Jesus could say, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." At Jerusalem God's name was recorded, and there He accepted His people and their services. God's name is in Christ, and they are accepted in Him who is the beloved. Jerusalem was in some degree a fountain of truth and blessing; but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." From Jerusalem these and many other blessings have departed; "Ichabod" has long since been written on her gates; but all fulness dwells in Jesus, and that without measure, and for evermore.

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Before the Saviour came personally to Jerusalem, He was manifested there in types; "His goings forth" in this respect in this place were "of old." There, most probably, Melchizedek, the priestly king, that wondrous type of Him, ministered and reigned, (Gen. xiv.) There, it is generally considered, Abraham offered up Isaac, and saw Christ the day when he received him as from the dead, sacrificed the ram in his stead, and heard the approving voice of God. But this spot, so famed of old, was held by the Jebusite until the time of David, when it yielded to his victorious arms, teaching us that the anti-typical David must conquer for us, before we can enter on our inheritance. When David had received the order, and Solomon had builded the temple, what a glorious typical display was there on Moriah of "the goings forth" of the Saviour! The bleeding Victim pointed to His sacrifice; the priests, in their "garments of beauty and glory," set forth His wondrous person and gracious offices; the ark, with its blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, showed Him as the great propitiatory, and the meeting place with God; while the shew-bread, the candlestick, Aaron's rod, and the pot of manna, all exhibited some beauty that dwelt in Him, or some blessing that flowed from Him.

Thus age after age the prophets heralded His coming, and the types

pointed out His excellencies. At length angel voices were heard, proclaiming that He had arrived; and soon wise men came from the East to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" The King was indeed born, but was not yet come to His royal city. Let us go with the adoring shepherds, and "see this great thing that is come to pass." Let us bow before Immanuel, God with us; so shall we be prepared to trace His future path, and to rejoice in Him "who came into the world to save sinners."

T. C.

Notices of Books.

History of the Jewish Nation after the Destruction of Jerusalem under Titus. By the Rev. A. EDERSHEIM, Ph. D. Edinburgh, Constable; London, Hamilton. Pp. 580.

THE extracts we have already given from this work have, we trust, induced many of our readers to possess themselves of it; and if so, we are sure that they, with us, anticipate the second volume with no small interest. Dr. Edersheim has supplied us with information, the result of deep study and research, of which no one but a Christian Ísraelite could dispose so advantageously, selecting the true from the apocryphal, and presenting the whole with all the freshness of feeling to be expected of one who, in reciting the history of the most distinguished nation on the earth, is conscious that he writes the history of his own people-a people in whose veins flows the blood of earliest patriarchs, and of most renowned warriors and statesmen-a history which links the first shadowings of a nation's existence with its destined glory as the people whom Jehovah hath formed to show forth His praise. Dr. Edersheim has done his task well, and approves himself one of the large band of literary Israelites who put to shame the neglect with which the race has been treated.

The volume, besides its historic details, supplies invaluable information on the social condition of Palestine, the progress of arts and science among the Hebrews, theological science and religious belief in Palestine, and on other subjects becoming every day of increasing concern to the Christian public, as the true position of the Jews in relation to society, and to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, is ascertained.

We are glad to have the errors of Judaism exposed to pity, not to ridicule, and to have it from the pen of a Jew, who mourns while he discloses the shame of his fathers. To all who really desire to know the Jew historically, philosophically, and religiously, we strenuously recommend the purchase and use of this volume as one of authentic reference, and suggestive of the highest spiritual instruction.

We close this brief notice with an extract on the destruction of Jerusalem :

"Thus perished the proud and beautiful city, which would not have this man reign over it.' With it perished the last remainder of the typical dispensation, and of the Jewish state. A new era now commences. Israel is again cast forth as a wanderer, but this time without a home in viewwithout a tabernacle in which to worship-and without the cloud by day, or the guiding pillar of fire by night. Yet can we learn many a lesson as

we trace their footmarks in the sand of time. And these footmarks they have left on every shore, as they have inscribed their name on every page of history. A nation without a country-a religion which, historically speaking, belongs to the past, and has become impossible in the presenta people persecuted, yet not exterminated; driven from every place, yet always reappearing; and who, without having a present, bear in their past the seed of future greatness-such is the picture now presented to us. Israel can be neither transformed nor subdued by the hand of man. They belong to God. Since the destruction of Jerusalem a continual miracle, kept as a testimony to the God of the Bible before the eyes of an unbelieving world, and as the harbinger of future blessings in the prayers of an expectant Church, both they and their history are unaccountable by any ordinary mode of reasoning, and can only be understood when viewed in the light of scriptural statement and prediction."

Groom's Publications, as adopted and circulated by the Book Society, No. 12, Paternoster Row.

A PACKET of these has been handed to us for our opinion on their merits and probable usefulness. That opinion we cheerfully render, after a careful inspection. Some of them are peculiarly adapted to interest the very young by their contents, enfolded as they are in most attractive covers. But there are others not unworthy of a place in the waistcoat pocket, or on the parlour table of those in more advanced age. We confess to have felt appeals to conscience, and convictions of sin and duty, while reading them, which have stamped them with peculiar value, and induced the wish that others too may share in the word of seasonable reproof, consolation, or excitement, which these miniature tablets present. But what have we, as labourers among Jews, to do with them? Just this-that as we know that Christian books are read by Jewish families, and often in preference to those addressed to Jews, we are indebted to the Religious Tract Society and to the Book Society for silent messengers so stimulant of curiosity, and so pertinent and earnest in the exhibition of saving truth. If there are any points of rivalry between the two societies, it is one conducted in love, and supplying Christian agents with the glorious truths of the Gospel in most attractive and various forms. We earnestly entreat the friends of Israel to supply themselves with the publications of the sister institutions, and to introduce them where it is possible among the young of Israel, and properly enveloped and directed to Jewish families. Let them at least see by the light of these little gems what our principles are, and how they act upon character, sustain under affliction, and transform the dread angel of death into the messenger of mercy and the harbinger of eternal day. Accompanied by prayer, they may dispel prejudice, awaken inquiry, and prove a precious addition to the very scanty supply of Jewish works adapted to the growing intelligence of Jewish minds. True, they are small; but this may the more easily induce a perusal, and prepare the mind for those of more important pretensions.

We need hardly add, that we cordially commend these leaflets of truth for general diffusion. Let prayer go with them. The winds of heaven may carry them far away, or they may work in some private apartment. The day will declare it. What would our pious forefathers have given for such means at hand when they went forth to the holy war?

We could particularise some in the miscellany, of peculiar excellence; but of all, we believe, appropriate use may be made, and at a price that yields to all the opportunity of aiding to sow Gospel seeds on the field of the world.

We very much recommend to our friends an Address, delivered to Jews and Gentiles, in the Flemish Evangelical Chapel, Brussels, by the Rev. A. Panchaud. It is entitled, "A Conference on the Dispersion of the Jews," and we shall be glad to give copious extracts from a translated copy as opportunity occurs.

Missionary Intelligence, &c.

MULHOUSE.

Mr. GINSBURG Supplies encouraging notices of a recent missionary journey taken by him and a brother missionary :

The first place I started for was Thann, where I met my fellow traveller at the station. This little town has some three to four hundred Hebrew souls. Having no Jewish acquaintance here, we went into the grocery shop of Mr. L—, the first Jew on our way. Informing us of the number of Jews, that there was no rabbi, where the schochet (slaughterer) and the chason (officiating minister) and other learned Jews resided, he invited us to be seated.

As it was just after the fasting day of the 17th of Tamus, and before that of the 9th of Ab, the commemoration of the day of the destruction of the temple and the commencement of the present exile, we had ample scope for conversation, and excellent opportunity to introduce Him, the rejection of whom has been the cause of their banishment, their protracted misery, and by whose reception alone they might turn their fasts into feasts, be restored to their land, king, and temple, and be saved. Before we had been there half an hour, we found ourselves surrounded by many Jews and Jewesses who, passing by, heard the religious character of our conversation, and unceremoniously walked in. stopped there a couple of hours, showing them the uselessness of the numerous unmeaning ceremonies and forms of the synagogue, their fatal tendency, their contradictory character, and recommending to them the Word of God, where in His light they may see light-the fountain of life, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah of Israel. There was little opposition to the Gospel,

We

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and the queries put to us had the appearance of an inquiring character, and they were all remarkably friendly and attentive. Thence we directed our steps towards the chason, but seeing another Jewish warehouse in our passage, we walked in. Mr. L engaged at the counter, received us rather indifferently. In conversation his apparent coolness was soon changed into friendliness. In a short time his wife and family came in, and the Jews who had met us in the first house, having apprised their neighbours of their rencounter, again we saw ourselves in the midst of a crowd. Men, women, and young people were constantly coming and leaving. The time passed on speedily, and it was dinner-time. Many of the Jews left, my missionary brother left too; but Mr. L—, his wife, and a few other Jewish friends remaining, wished me to relate the history of my conversion. When parting, they thanked and invited me very heartily to come and see them again. In the afternoon, we went to see Mr. S-, formerly a rabbi, and now a leather seller. He and his wife received us very kindly, and gladly entered on the subject of religion. He immediately sent for his Tanach. He asked why we assumed the name of Christians, and why there are so many divisions among us? According to Genesis xv. 10, the name and unity of Israel is to stand for ever. This doctrine he (in fact, Torah's) established on the fact that Abraham severed the heifer, the goat, and the ram, and not the birds. In his commentary on this passage Torah asserts that the nations

are compared to animals, and Israel to birds, and that this text typifies the constant division of the nations and the everlasting unity of Israel. It required little to convince him of the absurdity of such an interpretation, and the insignificance of his objection. As there was one heifer, one goat, and one ram, division was required, that the contracting or covenanting parties might, according to custom, pass through them; but as there were two birds no division was requisite, one being put on one side and the other on the other. However, we had hard work, as he was a Talmudist, and constantly brought forward trifling questions and objections. We could, nevertheless, preach Christ and Him crucified to Mr. S and his wife, and others who were present. As the heat was excessive, we ended here our day's work, and walked on; quietly praising our Lord for every entrance and utterance He granted us; but our quiet was soon disturbed by one of the wandering sheep of the Lord's flock, to whom we could freely impart what he stood most in need of. This Jew promised to consider well the dangerous position of his immortal soul, and to visit me in Mulhouse. Seeing the stir our visit had caused in this little town, and that the message we delivered was the object of much conversation, we thought it better to leave it and go for a day to the next places. We went, then, to the villages, Wessorling, Hürsorin, and Felloring. In the first two we met with little encouragement, but in the last we met the whole community in one house. When addressed, seeing the importance of our mission, the landlord asked if we would remain until they had sent for one of their congregation lacking. We waited, and Mr. W, the son of the rabbi at Sarrived. Not only were now all the male members of the synagogue present, but several Jewesses were also there. Three hours and a half they had been listening to us, some of them standing the whole time, with the greatest attention. All sorts of questions have been put to us, but they were not in a cavilling spirit, but in that of inquiry. The hour of dinner struck, and we were ready to leave, but they informed us they were in no hurry, and wished us to remain longer. In fact, never has a missionary found his way there, and never have the greatest part of these scattered sheep heard that there is a Christian religion in existence different to that of their fellow inhabitants-Romanism, and which was founded on Moses and the prophets. It is not the want of general knowledge that produces such ignorance, but it proceeds from religious indifference

on the part of the learned of the synagogue, and the dormant neglect of duty towards evangelisation in general, and towards God's ancient people in particular, on the part of Protestant Christians. However, the Lord has His priests and Levites among the new covenant people, who discharge the great duty to those of the old honourably; and the latter are always glad to receive good tidings, though they may not always appear to be so.

The following day-Shabbath-we returned to Thann, where we found our brethren in the midst of a religious commotion. We scarcely needed to go into their houses, as we had plenty of opportu nity to offer the message of salvation in the streets. We went, nevertheless, to the schochet, Mr. G; he, his wife, and friends, who arrived directly after we entered the house, listened to us with the same marked attention as our three days' trip had been almost throughout blessed.

On parting, good brother Huller and myself agreed that we should, after a few days, again meet to finish that range of villages where the Jews are in great numbers, and whither, though in the immediate vicinity of Mulhouse, the footsteps of a Gospel messenger have not trodden as yet.

The 1st of August we met in Cernay, thence we proceeded to Wottvillor and Ufholz. Our arrival was not very welcome in Wottvillor, because it was on a Friday, and on this day the Jews are frequently too busy. We have, however, been able to discharge our Master's message to a few in the house of a butcher, whilst many more were continually coming and leaving. The rabbinical see of fifteen to eighteen villages being at Ufholz, we proceeded the following morning to it. When arrived, observing many Jews coming out from the synagogue, we stopped and asked for the rabbi. We soon introduced ourselves to him, and advanced with him to his residence. On entering his house we met with a very kind reception, though he knew (we told him on our way) that we were missionaries. The hoary and venerable couple (for he was 84 and his wife 80), manifested sincere interest in our subject, and paid undivided attention. But soon walked in the officiating minister and numbers of Jews, the greatest part of whom remained at the windows and door, as the room was not large enough to receive them all. My fellow-labourer was now to address one half of the congregation, and myself the other. Whilst the chason was rather vociferous, the venerable rabbi spoke calmly and agreeably. To judge from his friendly reception-his manifested interest -his trivial arguments against the God

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