I am happy to state that, after a stay in Breslau of about two months, I find my first favourable impressions with respect both to this station and agency, as expressed in a former letter, fully realised.

A city comprising a wealthy Jewish population of about 10,000 souls, with four fairs annually, which attract numerous crowds of that persuasion from almost every part of Europe, must, from its nature, be of the highest importance and interest to those who have it at heart to convey the knowledge of Christ among this ancient people of God. It is certainly a very extensive field of labour, which one would naturally suppose affords abundant opportunities for the preaching of the Gospel. It is, however, to be regretted that these opportunities are very frequently marred by the prevalence of infidelity and denial of a revelation, encouraged by a professing Christian church and ministers too, on the one hand, and on the other by that kind of Jewish orthodoxy of our day, which is based upon the reasons assigned by Maimonides, Mendelsohn and others, for the various laws contained in the Pentateuch, which reasons, when no longer applicable from the changes of place and time, make the laws of no further effect; e. g., that the sacrifices are only to be instituted, or rather permitted, in order to counteract the idolatrous sacrifices of heathen times, &c. In either way, an attempt is made to destroy the foundation of the Gospel, which, of necessity, leads the Missionary away from the preaching of Christ to mere abstract reasonings.

How wearisome and distracting the like hours-long argumentations are to the mind only he can know who has almost daily to encounter them, as I have myself experienced in my daily visitations with Mr. Schwartz. Indeed, one would be inclined to think that "of that which is behind of the affliction of Christ," to the Missionary among the Jews, is allotted the portion of "the contradiction of sinners against his Master."

But this is the dark aspect of the matter. The present state of the Jews here yields, nevertheless, this advantage, that, just as ready as they are to dispute, so little scrupulous are they to read on the subject of religion; and the New Testa

ment is, after all, read and known by many, of course variously as to effect. So, for instance, a Jew told us that most of the learned Jews of the present day · would, if honest enough, acknowledge the claims of Jesus and the excellency of His doctrine, excepting His divinity. And while there are here numbers of nominal converts, there are also many true ones of sterling piety. In this lies our comfort and encouragement. You may go now wherever you will among the Jews, and you will realise some remnant according to the election of grace."

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That Mr. Schwartz avails himself of every opportunity for preaching Christ is evident from the very large connexion I find him to have formed among the Jews, of which, indeed, I had been before apprised by the missionaries of the London Society. His connexion is by no means confined to the poor and needy, and the very first day I went out with him I was struck with the respectability of those who accosted him in the streets, in a most familiar and respectful manner; some of them learned men, physicians, and shopkeepers of a superior class. As to the amount of success with which the Divine blessing seems to have crowned his efforts, I leave to be judged from the following account of cases of conversion in which he has been immediately instrumental, since he occupied this station.

In 1853, Mr. P-, a young man who had received his first impressions of the truth at a Christian school, was more fully taught by Mr. Schwartz, and baptised by pastor Gillet.-[See Jewish Herald, July, 1853.]

In the same year, the sister of the abovenamed Mr. P. was instructed by Mr. S., and baptised by the Rev. Mr Cotta.

In 1854 were baptised, by the Rev. Mr. Hartman, missionary of the London Society, in this place, Mr. H- candidate of philosophy, and Mr. Bwho occupied a post in the army, in whose conversion Mr. S. was chiefly instrumental, especially in that of the latter, who had been a perfect stranger to the truth as it is in Christ.-[Jewish Herald, 1854.]

In 1855, Miss Charlotte A-, now Mrs. K, first awakened by books which Mr. S. had lent her brother, was afterwards formally instructed by him, and

baptised by the Rev. Mr. Hartman.-[See Jewish Herald, Aug. 1855, and Jewish Intelligence, Sept. 1855.]

In 1856 two other individuals, Mr. L-, candidate of jurisprudence, and Mr. M, a military man, had for a considerable time received Mr. S.'s instructions, and were baptised, the one in Ratisbon, in Upper Silesia, and the other ⚫ in Lieguetz.

It is with great satisfaction that I observe the harmony, Christian fellowship,

and brotherly love subsisting between Mr. Schwartz and the missionaries here of the London Society, and the readiness which they manifest to co-operate in the good cause, and strengthen each other's hands. I refer here to the Rev. Mr. Hartman and his colleagues, two Jewish converts, Mr. Behrens and Mr. Goldinger (the latter of whom stayed but a short time here), for whose personal acquaintance and Christian kindness I have myself to be grateful.

The recent Jewish festivals, when it is their habit to emerge for awhile from their secular pursuits,-if not for the pur. pose of serious meditation, necessarily suggested by these religious movements, which are so dearly connected with their history, at least for the aggregation of kinsmen under the same domestic roof, and for the cultivation of the better feelings,-afforded me pleasant opportunities of familiar entertainment with whole families, when Christ and Him crucified were our sublime topics.

On one of these occasions (it was during the tabernacle-feast) we were interrupted by a Jew, who, carrying in one hand a branch of palm-tree, called Luleb, and in the other the prescribed fruit, came in, and presented them to the mistress of the house, with the excuse that he could not come earlier, having had to take them to several parties. This Jew was the doorkeeper of one of the synagogues, who was taking these symbols of the feast to the individuals of its members' households, for the religious act of shaking. The mistress of the house called for her eldest boy, who was before seriously listening to my conversation, to perform this religious ceremony. He replied, "I will do so, mother, if you wish it; but, indeed, I believe that our acceptance with God cannot be by such trivial and vague ceremonies as these, but by faith in the Messiah, as Mr. B. has so often told us." "I do perfectly admit that," rejoined another present; "and think it, indeed, most probable that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah." Here the doorkeeper of the synagogue, a bigoted Jew, but not ignorant of Scripture, began violently to oppose the last speaker. I joined in the controversy, and after proving from Scripture that Jesus was the true Messiah, I disarmed the

opponent by asking him to explain to me the meaning of the twenty-ninth chapter of Isaiah, from the ninth to the fifteenth verse. Such opportunities of preaching the Gospel as these, which are repeated daily, they do not produce immediate fruit, are, under the Divine blessing, the proper means to leaven the whole lump.

I mentioned, in a former report, two Jewish sisters of the name of P-, to whom I was sent by Madame M—, and I am glad to say they justify great hopes, notwithstanding the religious ignorance in which they have been brought up. One of these sisters married lately a Protestant, who is not only agreeing that I should continue my missionary endeavours, but is actually seconding them, assuring, at the same time, his wife, that however dearly he wished her to become partaker with him of the same hope, he did not desire it to be, on her part, as a mere response of submission to his wish, but as a spontaneous act, based upon long inquiry and sound convictions; which sentiment I highly approved.

Mr. M- whom I also mentioned in a former report, is a very interesting case. He is an old man above eighty, had served under Napoleon I., and, as he said, is one of the first Jews who settled in Paris. It was one day, when walking with Mr. Davidson, during his stay here, that he attracted our attention. We accosted him, and found him willing to listen. I have, since then, called upon him, and preached to him and his youngest daughter the truths and consolations of the everlasting Gospel; and I have the satisfaction to perceive that they seem both deeply impressed with their great value and importance. This old man, who is as simple as a child, asked me, the other day, what he would have to pay me for

giving to his daughter regular religious instruction. My answer, that I should have much pleasure in doing it gratuitously, made him not a little astonished. He took me by the hand, and pressing it most warmly, said he would speak with his wife about it, and, in case she had no objections, would let me give her religious instruction. As for himself, he added, he did not know how to read, nor could he at present, attempt to acquire it; but that he much appreciated the subject of my conversations, and that he was deeply touched by the parts of Scripture I had read to him, especially by the parable in

the twentieth chapter of Matthew, from the beginning to the seventeenth verse.

I have made several new Jewish acquaintances, to whom I have preached the Gospel; but I have at present nothing particular to mention about them, except that they have read and exchanged some tracts I gave them.

My inquirer, Mr. E-, visits me twice a week; the others less regularly. Our Committee, which, as you are aware, has been suspended on account of the absence of its members, has not, as yet, resumed its labours.

gence.

In a former journal I mentioned the case of Mlle. C, an inquiring Jewess; I am now thankful to say that she is progressing in Divine knowledge, and also, as I have reason to hope, growing in grace. She attends secretly a Christian place of worship in the suburb, for fear of the Jews. This being her native place, she is well known, and surrounded by many influential relatives, which would render it almost impossible to continue to reside here after having been publicly baptised; she has, therefore, advertised for the sale of her business; and as soon as that is accomplished, she would remove to some place where she is unknown, and where she could worship God according to the dictates of her conscience, none daring to make her afraid.

My intercourse with Mr. B is kept up uninterruptedly by mutual visitation. He is very fond of, and has great reverence for, the Hebrew language; so that he often listens for an hour to the truths of the Gospel, if I quote now and then a passage in Hebrew. He is a truly pious man, and sincerely attached to the Jewish religion; still he is not at all bigoted, but very liberal in his views and principles. A few weeks ago he came in his carriage to take Mrs. F and myself to the synagogue to witness the marriage ceremony of his nephew, and offered us the first seats in the synagogue. I told him that as I was known amongst the Jews as a Christian and as a Missionary, it would be more prudent to let me enter without him. But he would listen to no remonstrance; taking me by the hand, he said, "I love you as a brother, and esteem you as a Protestant." As soon as the establishment is opened, I promised to give him a supply of Bibles and some

books; and as I shall have the privilege of vi-iting it at any time, I hope to be able to do some good to the inmates.

The Russian frigate, with its Jewish sailors, is now on its way to Cronstadt. During the six months they spent at Bordeaux I have very frequently preached the Gospel to them, and, before leaving, I supplied them with copies of the New Testament and tracts; and they promised not only to read them themselves, but also to lend and distribute some amongst their brethren in Russia.

Besides the Committee of Friends of Israel (which becomes more and more interesting), several other ways have offered themselves for advancing the cause of Israel, and for exciting a prayerful interest on their behalf. Since my arrival, a monthly meeting has been established for Scripture reading and prayer, composed exclusively of those who are engaged in preaching the Gospel both amongst Jews and Gentiles. These meetings are not only very interesting and edifying, but, I trust, that our humble united prayers will call down a blessing on those amongst whom the seed is scattered, and that the fervent intercessions offered on behalf of Israel will be graciously answered, that the Lord would "arise and have mercy upon Zion."

The pastor of the Evangelical Chapel has begun, on Sunday evenings, the exposition of the prophet Isaiah; and has kindly invited me to speak whenever I had any observations to make. As the prophecies of Isaiah are full both of evangelical truth and glorious promises towards Israel, I hope it will tend not only to strengthen the people in their most holy faith, and increase their love towards Him

"And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as the dew of the Lord; as the showers of the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor wait eth for the son of man." Be it that this remnant consists chiefly of the humble class of the sons of Jacob, should we therefore be less thankful? Would it be right to consider it a smaller blessing, if it pleases the good Shepherd to gather His first-fruit from the poor and simple-minded ? Surely not, being perfectly in accordance with what our Lord himself tells us about the rich, as well as with His own choice of His first disciples.

I hope, therefore, that those who are sincerely interested in the work of evangelisation among the people whose history forms the greatest part of the sacred volume, will sympathise with me in my gratitude to the Lord of faithful promises for my being able to state, that during the last two months, in my visitations, I met at various times, in the evening, with parties consisting of six to eight, when returning from their hard day's work, where, more than once, there was one among them who, having once somehow become acquainted with the glorious Gospel, proved satisfactorily, thank God, that the Word communicated to him, though a considerable time ago, was not spoken in vain; but was as the bread cast upon the waters, which shall be found after many days.

It was, indeed, very encouraging to me to see one, though a Jew still, reasoning with his co-religionists, even at the risk of exposing himself to their hatred and contempt, and endeavouring to shew them that there is truth in my assertion that the Messiah has already come.

Mr. B, whom I mentioned, in my report of last month, as having quite surprised me by acting in this way, has afforded me much cause of thankfulness, from the vivid conviction that I was not disappointed in my favourable opinion of his faith in our blessed Saviour, and that God has made His Word a blessing to his

precious soul. He has called upon me every Saturday since then, when we spent upwards of two hours in reading the Scriptures, in religious conversation, and in prayer; the value of the latter he seems fully to appreciate, as he desires me each time to unite with him in the pouring out of his soul before the throne of grace, and in his wrestling with the Angel of the Covenant. He says he is sure that his public confession, for which he is very anxious, would do him much spiritual good. One of his friends asked him, as Mr. B- speaks of his resolution very freely to every one, if he would be so cruel as to deny his parents by doing this? He answered, that this was not at all the case with him; that his father was perfectly convinced of the truth which he is about to confess; and that he desired him to become a Christian, though his father himself could not do it, on account of his age and family circumstances. He used also to attend Christian services on the Lord's day. Another Jew endeavoured to convince him that Christ's miracles were but a kind of legerdemain, which could be admired in those dark ages only. Mr. Banswered, "But the woman who suffered so long from an issue of blood, must have felt if it was a mere deception or a reality; likewise the blind." There were other striking providences which Mr. B-privately mentioned to me, that were very conducive to his conviction of the efficacy of prayer offered in faith in the name of Jesus. As my acquaintance with Mr. Bis but of recent date, I thought it advisable to wait in prayer and faith for the further guidance of the Spirit.

I have received a second letter from Mrs. Glately. in which, among others, she informs me of her public confession to the glory of God. The note runs thus:

"Dear Mr. Gellert,-I received your esteemed and kind letter with the greatest joy. I thank you for the great sympathy you manifest in my Christian experience, and for your good advice diligently to

search the Holy Scriptures; which I do, and trust I ever shall, by the grace of the Lord. You wrote to me, dear Mr. Gellert, that you would like to see me before my baptism; but that was impossible, because I only received your note two days previous to it. I was extremely sorry that it so happened. On Friday evening, the 18th September, I was baptised by Dr. Ewald. May God bless you, and all good and pious men and brethren, who seek to lead the lost and forlorn ones in the right way, and to help them on as far as possible! The Lord our Saviour will surely reward you according to His gracious promises. I trust, dear Mr. G, that you have begun many a good work, and will also be permitted to finish it. As yet I do not know what I

shall undertake in the future; but I trust in the Lord; He will not forsake me. As the Psalmist says: 'Commit thy ways unto the Lord, trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass; for what the Lord doeth is surely well done.' I should very much like to see you. Would you kindly leave word at when I could see you there; or if you would give me your address exactly, and fix upon a time, I might call on you. I should be glad to see you at my own residence, if the way is not too long for you."

There are also some other promising cases in my work, which I hope soon to be able to state. May our work abound with such tokens of mercy and hopeful blossoms, until it shall become a fruitful field!

In laying before you as briefly as possi ble the results of my experience during the last month, so far as they relate to the spiritual interests of God's ancient people, I am happy to be able to state that my labours, both among Jews and Christians, become increasingly cheering in the present, and hopeful for the future. Many, very many, are the tokens of the Divine approval on my work; and though not permitted to see so many brought to embrace and confess the Lord Jesus as I earnestly desire, still I am not discouraged, having learned not to limit the extent of good done to the number of converts. I always labour under the impression, which amounts to assurance, that I never labour for my blessed Master, Christ, one quarter of an hour in vain, whether amongst Jews or Gentiles,

The last month has been spent in Cornwall, where my reception at the towns I visited was most cordial, both in public and private. Meetings were small in most places where services had not been held on the previous Sabbath; but in places where such Sabbath service had previously been held, our meetings were invariably large: a very encouraging interest was awakened in all places without exception; associations were readily organised in places where they did not previously exist; and collections in the majority of, places considerably in advance of last year, indeed, in some instances,

three or four times the amount. Nor is this all, for our Cornish friends say, "If you will visit us in the spring of the year, we believe we will be able to do much more for your Society." On this my first visit to Cornwall, I have met with a good deal of warm-hearted and heart-warming Christianity; and as their motto is, I am told, "One and all," their county, if well worked, would, I am persuaded, be a very valuable auxiliary to the British Society.

Several facts illustrative of increasing sympathy with our cause came under my notice. In one place some young ladies got up a bazaar, and divided the proceeds between our's and the Sailor's Society. This course I thought indicative of the large-hearted sympathy of those Christian ladies, plainly showing that they were not insensible to the claims of any people who have been instrumental in conferring benefit upon the world; for sailors are instrumental in transmitting to every part of the world the treasures of the earth, and the Jews have been the means of transmitting to the world the treasures of the skies. Other interesting facts came under my notice as the result of addresses to large gatherings of children on Sunday afternoons; but as they were so numerous, and as there was about them so much in common, I need only mention one or two, which will serve to show the interest awakening amongst the rising generation,