day of fasting; at present, the Jews have reduced it to half a day of fast, and many never abstain from food at all. We referred to Zech. vii. 4, &c., to shew the true nature of a day of fasting, with regard also to the great day of atonement. Mr. Dhimself quoted Isaiah lviii.: the sacrifice offered by the high priest on that day was the most important work of that day, shadowing forth that which has been fulfilled in Christ; hence, to the Christian, every day is a day of atonement. Obedience to God's will is with him only a fruit of this atonement. Rabbinic Judaism is ignoring inward life by appealing merely to the understanding-and even then, only in order to corrupt it; whilst Christianity elevates man as a spiritual being. We spoke of Judaism and modern reform. He agreed with us as to the necessity of leading Israel back to the Old Testament, and to instruct it in a more spiritual manner, after the mind of Christ. He said it was extremely difficult for Jews to be led to this point. We stated the reason of this difficulty: because hitherto the Jews have always satisfied themselves with outward appearances, and not searched out the deep things of God. We trust that their modern infidelity may become a stepping-stone for them, to lead them in search of the truth. We spoke of the Tephilim. The Christians fulfil this law in a spiritual manner, according to Jeremiah xxxi. 29-34. He accompanied us to the rabbi, Dr. F- with whom we had a long conversation.

At L we met Mr. W, the second teacher of E-, a nice, open-faced young man, who spoke trustingly to us.

G-Mr. L- gave us a friendly welcome; so much so, that a Christian pastor who accompanied us expressed his astonishment about it. Mr. G- was at his school, and examined our children in his presence. Dr. Solomons' translation of the Bible is introduced in that school. The passage, Gen. xlix. 10, Dr. S. has translated quite against all grammar and common sense, merely with a view to the existing controversy. In our conversation the question turned up, whether the Talmud or the Old Testament might be looked upon as the development of the New Testament. We gave the necessary explanations. Mr. L- made very little opposition, and confessed, at last, that Israel could only be raised up from its present fall by returning to the Old Testament once more, and making it the basis of their inner life. He referred to the doctrine of the unity of the Godhead: we stated our view on the subject. He

said he could not comprehend the Trinity: we related to him Dr. Capadose's answer to a similar objection, which he admitted as conclusive. We spoke of the law, and its fulfilment in Christ. He gave us a sketch of the poverty of the Jewish teachers, which was quite distressing. We took a friendly leave, and departed.

W. - Mr. H examined the children of the school in our presence on the subject of the first sin and its consequences. The views regarding sin which he seems to have given to the children were pretty correct; and we rejoiced atthis, because one of the primary errors among the Jews is, their having erroneous views regarding sin. He shewed us the new synagogue, built in church fashion, but great complaints were made, on account of the absence of all devotion and interest in God's services. We pointed out the reason. There is no help save in Christ : "That will yet be long coming." We referred to Hosea iii. 4, 5. We pointed out, also, the right sense of orthodoxy, and what in the Protestant church is meant by this expression. After many other explanations, we parted. We also visited the house of Mr. A, of which two sons have embraced Christianity. We found only their sister at home, and had a short but friendly conversation with her.

B-.-Visited the family of Mr. N--; met the two sons, who entered with us into a friendly conversation. H- had visited this house three years ago; the conversation of that time was still in their memory. We spoke of the value of the Bible as a means of educating not only individuals, but also nations. They pleaded want of time, having too many things to learn for their earthly career. We pointed out the folly of caring only for this world; the parable of the rich man in the Gospel; eternal pains, the awful idea referred to. We were urged to repeat our visit. The teacher, Mr. R- -, gave us a warm reception. He is one of those of whom it might be said, that they are not far from the kingdom of heaven. He is earnestly seeking and striving; and shewed us the New Testament, which is his study in the few hours of leisure he can find during a hard-working day. He referred us to a passage in one of Mendelsohn's posthumous works, in which that much extolled philosopher speaks of the scriptural prophets in the way a heathen would. Unless you knew him to be a Jew, you would scarcely guess it from expressions such as these.

We also met Dr. G, the rabbi of the place. He referred to Buxdorf's learned researches, and spoke highly of

his attainments. He complained of some Christian writers of the middle ages, who made the nation responsible for every foolish sentence that happened to be uttered by somebody. This we admitted, but pointed out the many essential and fundamental errors of the system, which he partly admitted. Spoke of Dr. Biesenthal's commentary on Luke and Romans, which he seems to have perused. Delitzsch's writings on Hebrew poesy he seems also to have studied with profit. Pietism he referred to as something objectionable, but we showed him that it was only positive Bible religion after all.

In the carriage that took us to L, we had an interesting conversation on the subject of abstinence. It was the time when the Talmud forbids the eating of meat, as a mark of repentance for sin. A young Jewess said, that abstaining from meat was, in her eyes, no sign of mourning. We might be cheerful with a piece of dry bread. We shewed the nature of true repentance. Israel's repentance was to be accompanied by their return to Canaan; and repentance ought to be the work of every day, as every day has its own sins to mourn over. "A new heart" is the result of true repentance, and faith in the great High Priest and King of Israel. How can I get a new heart? We exemplified the instance of a sick man, who can get well only by applying the right remedy. Which is the right remedy in the sinner's case? "The Messiah, who died for the sins of mankind, and who rose for their justification." A general silence followed this declaration. One young Jew asked, "Have you, then, found the way ?" "Yes; we have found Him who is the way, the truth, and the life." "Then you are happy," he rejoined, thoughtfully.

At L- we met a right hearty welcome on the part of the Jewish landlord of the inn and his whole family.

The father

of the house almost immediately commenced conversing on the prophecies, especially Isaiah xi. 5, 6, and other passages. Ere long, two Jews, father and son, entered. They had just come from a neighbouring village. They at once entered, with great spirit but good humour, upon our conversation. The divinity of Christ was defended from Deut. xviii. 15, 16; Moses as the type, Christ the realisation Jer. xxiii. 5, 6, "The Lord our righteous ness." They have only one God,-so have we; but we have Him who revealed Himself in His Word,-not an imaginary Deity far off: in Christ does all the fulness of the Godhead dwell, in order to His redeeming us, and becoming our sacrifice and

The High Priest, according to Psalm cx. sacrifices were then referred to--that they were without value, unless accompanied by faith and repentance; but repentance without sacrifice is also without value, because, on the great day of atonement, both were combined together. Explana tion of the term Tedaka, or righteousness, was then desired and given. They represented alms as a sacrifice; we:-"yes, it is the sacrifice of a heart whose sins are forgiven, and whose peace has been established. All men are sinners, according to Genesis vi." One of those present spoke about the Aaronitic priesthood. This was to be abolished, according to Psalm cx. At last, sacrifices were represented as mere accommodation on the part of God to Jewish prejudices. We shewed the consequences of such an assumption. Then the change of Sabbath was touched on ; and finally, the whole of the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah was explained, amidst silent listeners. Thus was this long controversy brought to an end. It was a pleasant sight to see the children of the house gather so confidingly around us, and asking all kinds of questions. One little girl said, "We have a servant in the house who also prays very much,"-meaning a Christian servant, whose prayerful walk did not fail to produce an effect on the child.

We also visited the teacher, Mr. T—, whom we met in his school,and who deplored much the want of Scriptures, but stated that the School Committee had refused the introduction of the Bible Society's Bibles in their school, and rather let the children go without altogether.

Since his return Mr. Gottheil has added the following to his interesting communication:

A crowd of work has been waiting for me on my return from Berlin, whither the Committee kindly allowed me to proceed for the sake of attending the meetings of the Alliance. I am, therefore, able now only to write very shortly, reserving more for a future letter. Brother Jaffe has no doubt already informed you of the solema meeting we had just previous to my departure, and the interesting facts which were connected with it. The two Jewish ladies, when introduced to me by Brother Jaffe, made an exceedingly good impression upon me, and it was delightful to observe the eagerness with which they listened to the Gospel truths, as we once more, the evening before the baptism, put them before them; and when prayer was offered, their hearts seemed to melt with joy. On the day

following, when the solemn rite of baptism, for which they had been longing, was administered, it was most affecting to see the old lady of above eighty, so full of delight and vigour, yet bending at the Saviour's cross, and rejoicing in His salvation. Her venerable appearance, and that of her widowed daughter, made a deep impression upon all present, many among us being Jewish believers. My heart rejoiced for Brother Jaffe's sake, and was filled with gratitude to the Lord for having crowned his faithful labours on these souls with such visible and glorious success. He, with us, yields all glory to Him, with whom alone rests all success, and to whom alone all glory is due. Let abundant prayer be offered to the Lord, that these two sisters from among Israel may live and die, and do everything in Him, who died for them, and now liveth for ever, as their Mediator and Saviour.

Coming home, I found a youthful member of my little English flock sick unto death, and was called upon to read and pray

with her. Mournful as the occasion was, for the poor sufferer was taken from us in her twenty-second year, yet it was a satisfaction to see her rest her faith and hope entirely on the Saviour and His mercy. "I know that my Redeemer liveth," were almost the last words she uttered in my ear. A few days ago we committed her bodily remains to the grave, in the hope of a glorious resurrection. the midst of life we are in death, is a very solemn lesson, read to us every day

anew.

In

At Berlin, we were above thirty converted Jews. It was refreshing to see so many from the stock of Abraham, who had become the children of Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ; and thus reingrafted on the parent stock. It was a season of much prayer for Israel also, and it is to be hoped that a blessing will follow it.

N.B. I have recommenced a monthly meeting of believing Israelities for Scripture reading and prayer, to meet on the first Sunday of the month.

B-Myvisit to this place had a twofold mission, to ascertain the spiritual condition of the Jews, and by domiciliary visitation make known to them the truth as it is in Jesus; and also to excite amongst Christians an interest in the cause of Israel. With regard to the latter, I have sueceeded in forming a branch committee of the "Société des Amis d'Israel," already established at Bordeaux, and the few devoted Christians found here have promised their prayerful sympathy, and, as far as lies in their power, some pecuniary aid to the British Society.

With regard to the Jews, I regret to say that I have gained but little access amongst them. A great portion of the population consists of very wealthy merchants and bankers, the oldest and most respected families in the place. I have left tracts with some of them; but when I tried to obtain an audience, the reply invariably was, "Go to the Rabbi, we have nothing to do with these intricate questions." The middle classes are absorbed in their business; all they care about is to make money: "God is not in all their thoughts," and the Bible is an unknown book. Some still retain a faint belief in the coming of the Messiah, whilst the majority look upon this doctrine as a tale of bygone ages. To all this is to be added, their bigotry and prejudice against Christianity, from the professors of

which their forefathers have suffered the direst persecutions. Still the promise is sure, "All Israel shall be saved," and the command positive "beginning at Jerusalem," the seed is to be sown, the bread is to be cast upon the waters, the Gospel is to be preached, and the word will not return void.

In the midst of all these difficulties, however, I have been cheered by finding here and there one disposed to listen to the Gospel message, and to ponder seriously its saving truths.

Mr. L a very respectable merchant, received me rather coldly when he learned the object of my visit; but finding that he possessed some piety and reverence for the Word of God, I turned his attention to the glorious promises still in store for Israel: he became at once very friendly, and conversed freely on the various prophecies that relate to Israel's future glory and Messiah's exaltation. On future visits we resumed the subject, and I led him on to those passages where the humiliation and exaltation of the Messiah are spoken of in one and the same prophecy, and proved to him that Jesus suffered all that was written concerning him, and that He will appear again in glory. At the last interview he said that he had thought more about religion since his short acquaintance with me than he had done during his whole lifetime. He