Abraham's time there was Melchisedec, and subsequently (most probably) Job and his friends; also, in the time of Moses, we still find remnants of patriarchal worshippers (Exod. xviii.) But were Abraham and his family free from idolatry? Did he who was to be the great Father of the Faithful stand firm in his allegiance to God? and did God choose and call him as a reward for that faithfulness? Not so! God's wondrous dealings with Abraham and his seed began in rich grace. Abraham and his kindred had swerved from the truth. "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods" (Joshua xxiv. 2). Most probably their religion was similar to that of Laban in an after day (Gen. xxxi. 30). Is there not reference to this sad state of Israel's progenitors in such passages as Ezek. xvi. 3, Isa. li. 1? See here the wondrous grace of God. He did not take Melchisedec, or any other true-hearted patriarchal priest, as the founder of the new and priestly nation; but he took him from an idolatrous family, himself, it may be, no better than the rest. Thus the foundation was laid in grace, and when "all Israel shall be saved," in agreement with God's covenant with Abraham, "the top-stone shall He bind with shoutings of Grace, grace unto it." This grace will be more fully brought out if we examine the narrative of Abraham's call, and compare various passages of Scripture which refer to it. Genesis xi. 29-31 should be studied in connexion with Gen. xii. 1-3, and both with Acts vii. 2-4. In Gen. xii. we read, "Now God had said to Abraham, Get thee out," &c.; from Acts vii. we learn that this call was given in Mesopotamia "before he dwelt at Charron." It would seem that Abraham did not go at once to Canaan, nor at once "leave his kindred and his father's house," but that " Terah took Abram, his son, and others, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there." After Terah was dead, Abram, with Lot and some others, "went to go into the land of Canaan, and into the land of Canaan they came (Gen. xii. 5); while the rest of the family still remained at Haran. How slow are God's people to enter into His designs! how patiently does He bear with them! and how kindly does He speak of them! commending their obedience, notwithstanding all its imperfections (Heb. xi. 8). Surely this shows that Abraham, and all who are blessed with him, are blessed for the sake of Another, and not on account of their own goodness. 3. The contrast which Abraham furnishes may next be noticed. This is twofold: what had gone before him, and what was to be seen around him. The historical incident which is related just before the call of Abraham contrasts very strikingly with the pilgrim patriarch. Behold, the sons of men, assembled on the plains of Shinar, determined "to build a city, and a tower whose top shall reach to heaven, to get themselves a name.' What a multitude! what preparations! what a stupendous structure is rising, storey on storey! But it is all a failure; not one of the builders' names has survived. They are gone, "and their memorial has perished with them." Now see, on the plain of Moreh, a few simple tents, and near them a small square structure, from the top of which a wreath of white smoke curls gracefully toward heaven. There Abraham dwells and worships; and there is a man who had a name given him at which angels wonder-even that of "THE FRIEND OF God.' As such he stood out in beautiful contrast with those around him. He a worshipper they idolaters. He a pilgrim to a better country-they dwellers in this. He leaning on a promise which had all human probabilities against it and they making the best of what their senses could grasp. "look at Abraham our father" in these things, and learn to be Let us like him. If we were to trace Abraham's subsequent history, we should see the slow and gradual, but sure and beautiful, development of God's purpose. But this we must not go into, nor tell how, "When Sarah's ninety years were past, The promised seed was born at last." Thus it shall be with all that God has spoken concerning Abraham and his seed. Not one word shall fail. The resources of the God of Abraham are infinite; His faithfulness, so fully tried, shall never fail. Let us, then, "look unto Abraham our father," until we learn to trust and hope in that God" who sware by Himself that, in blessing, He would bless him;" and who has done even as He said; and who now wills that the heirs of promise should have strong consolation (Heb. vi. 18). Many promises made to Abraham yet remain to receive their full accomplishment. Some of these belong to "his seed according to the flesh," and others to the nations which are to be blessed in him and his seed, That covenant with Abraham, so much spoken of in Scripture, secures, at some time or other, a "blessing to all the families of the earth," and secures also "the grafting in of Israel into their own olive tree." For these things let us hope and pray. Surely it must be well-pleasing to Him who said, "I will bless him that blesseth thee, and curse him that curseth thee," to see His people zealously labouring for Israel's spiritual good. To act thus is to be in sympathy with God, and is the way to ensure the divine aid and blessing. Notice of Books. J. C. Jews and Gentiles, or the Mystery of Redemption in the Two Covenants, and the Two Witnesses in Revelation xi. &c.: being a Reply to a Pamphlet and its Supplement, entitled, "The Coming Struggle among the Nations," &c. By M. A. E. C. London: Wertheim and Macintosh. THE author of this work attempts to correct error by presenting what he assumes to be the truth. His two witnesses, instead of being civil and religious democracy, are the Jews and the Gentiles, "who are now the two witnesses of truth for the Old and New Testament predictions; the one before the coming of the Messiah, the other after; one under the Mosaic, the other under the Gospel promise or covenant." He traces the witness through the first prediction, then Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; then the Jews are as the stock of the blessing to Abraham, the Gentiles as branches, through which the sap of blessing was allowed to flow. The two immutable things referred to by Paul, in Hebrews vi., were divided blessings, the one assuring the Gentile part, the other the Jewish. Like divisions or distinctions are traced by the author in many instances. Whether the author's views be a true interpretation or not, he commends himself to respect and attention, as one who has thought much, and who feels deeply in regard to the interests of Israel and the world. It is suggested, however, that the writer's reliance upon dreams, with which he assumes himself to have been favoured, will not increase relative confidence in his views. If of personal benefit, they cannot be a reason for concluding, even personally, that an interpretation is correct. It is advised that he himself do not rely upon them in such a bearing. Should the promised work be also published, a hint to the wise may prove enough. Our Missions. MARSEILLES. OUR friends will remember the extensive delivery of tracts by Mr. COHEN, at the residences of Jews. He now says: During this month I have had many blessed opportunities of expounding the truth to little groups of my brethren, who appeared ill at ease after the perusal of the tracts which I distributed among them. One Saturday I met eight Jews and Jewesses, all of whom seemed anxious to make some observations, or to ask some questions on what they read in the books which have been so suddenly poured upon them, which, I can assure you, gave me no small pleasure, as it proved to me that they made good use of them. Madame Htold me that she had recommenced the book "Leila Ada" which I left with her the other day; she said, "I have shed more tears in reading that book, than I did at the death of my father. I have spoken to several friends about it, and Madame Masked me to lend it her." Madame Hasked me whether the book referred to was not about a young lady who lived and died a Christian. She said, "Last week I was in Mr. B's shop, where I heard them talk about it. Mr. B- I said that it was not a true story, while Madame B said she believed it was, and said she hoped to read it again. They asked me what I thought of it; I told him I could not say, as I had not read it." She begged me to lend her one, which I have done. Mr. C told me that he had read the tract," Extracts from the Word of God," which I left with his wife, and was glad to have met me to-day, as he had only finished reading it that morning, so he had many things to ask me. He said: "As I do not understand Hebrew, I read the French; but as you told my wife that it was all from the Old Testament, I was surprised to find the name of Christ in it. I read that "Christ the conductor," &c.; and again, that "Christ shall be cut off." Is this the same Christ, in whom the Christians believe? and is He to be our conductor also?' I told him that He is the conductor of all those who believe in His name, and that He will not only conduct us safely through this world, but will lead us into that peaceful haven of eternal rest, where He landed in safety Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I read to them Daniel ix., and spoke to them freely about Christ, and proved to them from the Word of God that the time of the coming of the Messiah has long ago elapsed, and that Jesus of Nazareth is the only and true Messiah. I invited them to search the Scriptures, to believe in God and in His Christ, in order to receive remission of sin and eternal life. They were very attentive, and every body present seemed not only interested, but evidently impressed. I was invited to call again soon. As I left them I asked God to bless the words spoken to them. Yesterday Mr. D told me that he and his wife were determined to read the New Testament; he said, "We came to this conclusion since our last conversation with you, and from reading the last tract you kindly left with us." He asked me how many chapters I would advise him to read per day. I told him not to read too much at a time, lest, instead of fortifying, he should fatigue. I advised him to keep in mind during the day some striking passage which he had been reading, to think over it, and pray over it; he thanked me, and promised to follow my advice. This morning I called again upon Mr. B-, who received me kindly, and told me that he had read the books I left, and said, "It seems very plain that Jesus was the Messiah," and asked me whether a man could be saved in believing in Him. I-embraced this precious opportunity of telling him that a mere belief in Jesus, as the Messiah, will never save our souls, and this led me to lay before him our sad condition as sinners before God. I spoke to him of our sinful hearts, and held out to him the blood of Jesus which cleanseth from all sin, and told him to pray God to give him a new heart. He said, "To tell you the truth, this question has never occupied my thoughts; and as I know but little about it, I should like to have, from time to time, some friendly conversation with you on this subject, which appears to me to be a most important one." con Yesterday Mr. and Madame Dsulted me about sending their child to the Christian school in lieu of the Jewish. They told me that they were now really studying the New Testament, and the books I gave them; and I was glad to hear them express their high regard for the person of Jesus, and they admitted the superior advantages which the religion of Christ has over Judaism. Rev. G. Monod from Paris, whom I met here, told me that in March last he baptised, in Paris, a most interesting young man, and that his mother consented to his becoming a Christian. In his letter dated August, 1857, Mr. COHEN writes: During my three months' sojourn in this Manchester of France, I have been enabled to scatter the seed of the blessed Gospel very extensively among the sons and daughters of Abraham, who need greatly to be told that there is balm in Gilead, and that there is a Physician there, and that they can recover from their spiritual disease by applying the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanseth from all sin. Almost the first man with whom I had religious conversation in this place was Mr. D, who told me that his parents were pious Jews, and that his father was very anxious that he should become a rabbi, which he would have done had it not been for some books he read on Socialism, which diverted his mind entirely from Judaism, and, instead of becoming a rabbi, he became a Socialist; he then became a Rationalist; and he now was a disciple of Voltaire. I spoke to him of God, of the design of revelation, and of the divine origin of Christianity. I told him that I could lend him books, if he would read them. He said: " To tell you the truth, I dislike religion and religious people, but above all, religious books; but I have no objection to read some of yours." I lent him "Philosophie du Plan du Salut" and "Régénération Morale," by Dr. Capadose, which he promised me to read. About five weeks after my first visit, I called again. He received me kindly, and I was glad to hear him say that he obtained, from the perusal of the books, information he did not possess before; and he listened to me attentively as I endeavoured to bring before his notice the universal human depravity, the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, the atonement of Christ, salvation by faith, &c.; and when I was about to leave him, he asked me to lend him more books. Yesterday I met him, and we had a long conversation on the nature and design of revelation. He said: "I am willing to admit that the Bible may have been written by divine authority for our guidance, lut I cannot believe in the existence of Satan, nor in the future punishment of the wicked, &c." I reminded him that these things were not of human invention, but are in the Word of God; and entreated him to become a possessor of that Word which is able to make him wise unto salvation. Last Saturday I called on him again, when he showed me a Bible which he bought, and appeared to feel the sad state he was in, and expressed himself as very dissatisfied with his present irreligious condition, saying, "I am sorry that I ever entertained infidel notions." I entreated him no longer to trifle with the salvation of his precious soul, reminded him of the desolate and melancholy prospect of an infidel, and invited him to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was ever ready to receive such as he was. This so affected him, that he melted into tears, and said, "I feel my position. I feel my state. I wish I had seen you twenty years ago." I prayed with him, and left him. May the Holy Spirit shine in upon his soul! Let us go onward, faithfully declaring unto the Jewish people the whole counsel of God, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear; and let us not be without hope that God's Word, which, by His gracious help, we are enabled to dispense, will be as bread cast upon the waters, to be found after many days. May we ever remember that our efforts depend not on success, but on Christ! May we daily learn more the lesson that duty is ours, and that success belongs to God! and we will find that He is faithful who has promised that His word shall not return unto Him void. BORDEAUX. Mr. FRANKEL Writes from his new station at Bordeaux, July 27, During the past month the work has been progressing but slowly; nevertheless 1857: it is advancing. I have now the address of about two hundred families, and have circulated amongst them about one hundred and fifty tracts. I have also gained access to several more families, but they differ little in character from those I have already mentioned. At the first interview, generally, they zealously defend Judaism, profess to believe the Talmud,and everything that appertains to the Jewish religion; but as soon as you point out to them the errors of Judaisin, and prove that they are not at all living up to the law of Moses-and, consequently, cannot expect to gain heaven by it-they will at once come out with their infidelity, and tell you that they care neither for the Talmud nor the Bible, that natural religion is quite enough for them. I am, however, thankful to say that there are a few who have for the first time in their life begun to read the Old and New Testament, there to search for light and truth. Mr. C (agent of the Bible Society) told me that he was quite delighted with a Jew I sent him, for a French Bible. He was so well-disposed towards the Gospel, Mr. C read to him portions of the Old Testament and compared them with the New, and the Jew was very much struck with what he heard, and before leaving, he said: Yes, we are in darkness, and need the Word of God to enlighten us." I will only mention one more instance, to show that the New Testament does find access even amongst the most bigoted, and when we least expect it:-I have given a New Testament to one of the Russian sailors. I expected, however, that on my next visit it would either be returned or I should find it destroyed, but to my great surprise two of them came forward and said, that they would feel very thankful, and look upon it as a valuable keepsake, if I would give them one or two more copies of the New Testament, as they would all like to read it, especially on their voyage, and one copy was not sufficient for seven. I am also thankful to be able to report the case of a Jewess, whose acquaintance I have lately made, and whom I have every reason to believe to be not far from the kingdom of heaven. Her conscience is awakened; she has given up Judaism, and is searching for something better, to satisfy the cravings of her soul. Speaking to her of the love of Christ, and reading to her that precious invitation, Mat. xi. 23, she said: "I am disposed to believe in Him, and may God, in His mercy, grant me a believing heart." In her shop I made the acquaintance of Mr. B, a Jew that occupies a high position in society. As soon as he found out that I was a missionary, to be beforehand with me, he began at once advocating Judaism. I quoted to him passages from the Talmud, which so startled him, that he wrote down the volume and page where they were to be found, and declared that the very next day he would call on the rabbi, and if I were correct in my quotations he would at once renounce a book that contained so much folly. He listened very attentively to the Gospel message, and Madame L---was affected to tears. Before parting, Mr. B. assured me, that though I had become a Christian, he still had the greatest respect for me, and would feel great pleasure in cultivating my acquaintance by mutually visiting each other. D He In my last I gave you an account of a very interesting Jewish bookseller, Mr. A little incident occurred a few days ago, which gave me great pleasure:Two Protestant boys brought two New Testaments to his shop for sale. refused to buy them, though they were offered for a few sous. He showed me that he had Bibles and New Testaments for sale, but he made it a rule never to encourage people parting with the Word of God, especially those who had these books given them by some charitable person desiring to do them good. He gave the boys a severe reprimand, telling them how wicked it was to part with what ought to be their daily food. FRANKFORT-ON-ODER. Mr. JAFFÉ, from Frankfort-on-Oder, writes under date Sept. 22nd, 1857, and details the baptism of a Jewess, aged 83, and of her daughter at the same time. He remarks: If there are seasons more than others when the Missionary's heart is swelled with joy and delight-when his soul beats with love and gratitude, and when his feelings are tuned to the fervency of prayer and praise,-it is when he can trace the way of Jehovah in his work; when he can feel His nearness in all his toils and struggles, and when he can behold the light of His countenance beaming on his humble efforts. Such seasons I have again been permitted to enjoy, and I feel myself still laid under the deepest obligations of love and gratitude to Him whose ways are |