join them, which cities the missionary is regularly to visit every year. The number of the Jews in Toulouse amounts only to a few hundred, but in Bayonne to 3,000, among whom there are men of learning and piety. I believe Mr. F. both qualified for his station and zealous in his work.

PARIS presents a different aspect, as a missionary station, to any of the preceding. This city contains 25,000 Jews, with a very large admixture of settlers from almost every country, and especially from Germany, Poland, and Russia. The latter being best informed on points of religion, and better versed in the Scriptures, the natural result is that they chiefly occupy the missionary's attention. With a good cause in his hand, he feels more drawn towards such as can enter into the merits of it. Thus out of thirteen individuals admitted by baptism into the Christian Church, through the medium of Mr. J. Brunner, one only, a respectable and pious lady, is a native of France. I have seen and conversed with five of them, and the impression they have left upon my mind is very satisfactory. During the month I spent in Paris, Mr. B. introduced me to several Jewish families and individuals to whom he has access, and in every instance we were well received, and an opportunity was afforded me to preach the Gospel, which was either listened to tacitly, or was met with opposition, and in but few instances could it be perceived that any impression had been made. Among some few hopeful cases, I was most interested in a foreigner, Mr. R., a family man in comfortable circumstances. He is more than an inquirer, seemingly a Christian in the true sense of the word; but there are hindrances in the way of baptism which he has not strength of faith to conquer. His Jewish learning is above the ordinary kind, and his views of Christianity are remarkably sound. But by far the greater portion of those families and individuals alluded to are foreigners. Mr. B. perceives the necessity that more attention should be paid to the native Jews, and is desirious of doing so. A remarkable coincidence which happened, I believe, the very next day, after we had talked over the matter, tended much to encourage him in his determination. Our attention having been arrested in the street by an aged man (above 80), whom we recognised as a Jew, we accosted him, and after a vain attempt at a religious conversation in the noisy street, he politely gave us his address, and we paid him a visit. He is a Frenchman, and a man of property. By his conversation we soon discovered, and in the presence of his young daughter he freely confessed, that he had never possessed nor read the Bible. The daughter, who seemed in trouble on account of a family affliction, I reminded that, as a daughter of Abraham, she should have had the Holy Scriptures to run to for consolation, and so on. She shed tears, and her father was much affected. He purchased a Bible through Mr. B., from whose report I have since learned that the old man has requested him to instruct his daughter in the Christian religion. Mr. B. is much liked among the Jews, who know him, on account of the lively interest he takes in their concerns generally, and the Christian ministers speak highly of him.

BRESLAU.-In Germany, as noticed above, traditional orthodoxy has, to a very great extent, been supplanted by the neologian system which has of late years exercised such a baneful influence on the Christian Church of that country, and which the Jews seem to hail with much delight. It is, indeed, the foundation and corner-stone of the much-boasted-of reformation among the Jews in Europe. Here in Breslau I have had many opportunities of meeting with such reformed Jews, professing to adhere to the law of Moses, but denying it in practice, as indeed they find an excuse for evading every commandment separately by some sophistical arguments. Others, though professedly belonging to the same sect, reject revelation altogether; so that on one occasion a respectable orthodox Jew took our part, assisting us in defending the verity of revelation against the attacks of some of them. But still, into the midst of all this has the Gospel of Christ forced its way. I do not

allude merely to the several conversions with which the labours of your missionary, Mr. Schwartz, have been crowned, as stated in my last letter to you, but also to the many Jewish converts in that city, some of whom have embraced Christ in spirit and truth.*

But while these facts are in themselves sufficient to command the admiration and thankfulness of Christians-for the tokens of the Divine approbation upon their past endeavours among God's ancient people-we are encouraged, especially from the present state of the Jews in Germany, to look forward to a richer and more glorious harvest among that people. What a mighty change there has been wrought in the disposition of the Jews within the last thirty years of my absence from that country! What! a Jew readily accepting a New Testament, a tract, and even reading it, and this at the hands of an apostate upon whom, he thought, rested all the anathemas of the law ?—Yes; all this is the case now, to an extent that very few would readily credit, and I had much underrated till I became myself an eye-witness to it.

The very first day I walked out with Mr. Schwartz, I was much struck with the respectability of those who accosted him in the street in a most familiar and respectful manner: some of them learned men, physicians, and shopkeepers of a superior class. He introduced me to their houses, and we were received with much politeness and affability. Our conversations were in all freedom and openness. I found them, in general, acquainted with the New Testament. The same, only to a higher degree, I found to be the case in FRANKFORT-ON-ODER, where your missionary, Mr. Jaffe, introduced me to the most respectable and wealthy Jews of the place, some of them bankers. In one case the rest of the family were called in and the master of the house sent for, and even refreshments set on the table, which made it appear as if they were highly gratified at our visit. Of course all these were so many opportunities for preaching Christ, and this indeed is all we want and all we can do; the result must be left with God, only that this result does but rarely follow immediately. Thus, for instance, after we had had a long religious conversation in a house at Breslau, a young man, who had been present and very attentive, expressed his wish to Mr. S. to have religious instruction during the twelve months which he would have to serve in the army as a volunteer. In Frankfort we found a banker's widow much concerned about the state of her soul, complaining that she cannot feel fully Jesus to be her own Saviour, though she believed Him to be the Christ, read diligently, and attended a Christian Church with her children. But independently of this, it is well to consider whence is all this change? whence all this liberal-mindedness and toleration? The truth is, that it is that indifferentism of infidelity which allows every one to enjoy his opinion, and which the Lord evidently overrules for good: the Gospel is preached and frequently listened to, and there are very few, comparatively, in Germany who have not some knowledge of the New Testament. Thus the claims of the Gospel make their way into the very heart of the nation, and it is with us to pray and use our best endeavours, lest this Gospel become unto them a savour of death unto death!

In corroboration of this I may be permitted to adduce the following circumstance :-Mr. S. and myself were one day walking in Breslau, when we met a respectable Jew, whose son had lately been baptised. He assured us that his son had done it from conviction, but that he could not bring himself to the belief in the divinity of Christ. He told us likewise that some ladies came occasionally together in private to examine the claim of Jesus to the Messiahship. In fine, he expressed himself to the effect that, if the learned Jews of our day would honestly state their opinion, they would acknowledge the claims of Jesus to the Messiahship, though not His divinity. However this may be, one thing is sure, that though the acquaintance with the

* For other details, our readers are referred to "Jewish Herald," page 35,

New Testament has in general not as yet produced a saving knowledge, it has already had a wonderful national effect; that, instead of regarding it a sin to bear the name of Jesus upon their lips, the majority speak of Him with respect and often with admiration.

Where so much infidelity exists, it is not surprising to find some accept baptism merely to suit their private ends; but, thanks be to God, there are also many true conversions which are not always so easily discernible. During my stay in Breslau a rich banker was baptised in the Reformed Church. thought little of it at the time. But the reality of his conversion may fairly be determined from the fact, which afterwards became public, that previously to taking that step he had consulted Dr. Geiger, the Rabbi of the reformed synagogue; and when the latter had failed to dissuade him, he published the arguments on both sides in a pamphlet, of course anonymously.

As to orthodox Jews, I must confess I met with very few of them; but I judge it not to be out of place to give here the little observation I made during the few weeks I spent in Königsberg, which city I visited by the direction of your committee, though you have no station there. There is a great influx into that place of Jews coming across the Prussian borders for the sake of commerce during the warmer seasons of the year. And yet, even in December, I could daily meet with some of them who showed no great disinclination to speak upon religious subjects. I was struck with the free intercourse I observed Mr. T., the London Society's missionary, had frequently with them, several of whom even visited him at his own house, and accepted tracts and religious books. There is an encouraging feature in this, that since the Emperor of Russia has expelled the missionaries from Poland, the Jews come themselves to fetch the truth, though, as it were, in small scraps!

But whilst I gladly embrace this opportunity of again expressing my honest conviction of the untiring activity of your missionaries, in as far as I have yet visited their stations, to avail themselves of the entrance thus ministered to them, I must, for the good of the cause, remind you that they, together with all the missionaries of the existing kindred societies, are far from being adequate to the immense field of labour which lies open before them. There are not as yet fifty missionaries in the field for a population of between six and seven millions of souls. If we consider that this little band is the result of a slow and gradual increase during half a century, and compare it with the fruits already realised, viz., the several thousands of converts, out of whom, it is reckoned, two hundred preach their once-rejected Saviour in Gentile churches-then we may safely challenge any missionary enterprise of modern times among the heathen to show us half the good result. But this is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. The reproach of signal unbelief is thus rolled off from the people beloved for their fathers' sakes. What a privilege to the Church of modern days to have been instrumental in this glorious change! May she, with the privilege, also know her duty to carry out with more energy the work begun under such favourable auspices!

Mr. Davidson has been engaged for a short season in fulfilling a similar vocation in London, and we have the following brief statement:—

In compliance with the request of your Committee, since my return from Germany, I have visited some of the Jews in London in company with your missionaries stationed here. The families selected by them were confined to such as the missionaries felt confident would readily hear the Gospel preached to them, and would have no objection to the introduction of a stranger into their house; as there are those who, while they admit the missionary in the confidence that he would not expose them, do object to do so to a stranger.

We visited about forty families, not including such who happened to be

busy, or were absent from home at the time we called. These visits were so many opportunities for speaking the truth as it is in Christ without reserve, and I am happy to state that in many instances we spent several hours, and that not only in the presence of the family, but also in the presence of many visitors, expounding the Scriptures, and proving that Jesus of Nazareth must needs be the Christ who was to come, and that He is the only Saviour of the world.

The labours of your missionaries here do not seem to extend, in general, much beyond the poorer classes, and rarely to the English Jews, who, from their utter ignorance of the Scriptures and the Jewish religion, and their relentless bigotry, are known to be the bitterest persecutors of those who seek to present Christ to them, whether they be Gentile or Jewish missionaries.

The difficulties the missionary meets with, in London especially, are very great. In general the people are so intent upon their business that they cannot afford to lend a listening ear to the sound of the truth, so that much of his time is spent in calling and calling again before he can get a suitable opportunity for a conversation; some of the poor who hear him gladly, or even put faith in the things preached to them, are often too poor to be encouraged to make a public profession, since it is well known that they must lose their last resource by that step. The watchful, jealous eye which the Jews keep upon one another renders his attempts still more difficult, and both he himself and the one who is visited are frequently exposed to hooting and maltreatment, as I have witnessed myself on several occasions.

Taking these facts into consideration, we have the more cause for thankfulness, when we find that, in the midst of it all, your missionaries are by divine grace supported in their arduous task, and go on perseveringly seeking opportunities for preaching Christ. For this, I can bear them honest testimony, they appear to do with conscientious assiduity, from the partial entrance I find already granted them to some Jewish families, and the respect with which they are treated. It is true that they sow with tears; but let us patiently and confidently look up to Him who giveth the increase, expecting that in due time they will reap with joy.

ENCOURAGING SIGNS.

It cheers our spirits to know that prayer is offered continually on behalf of Israel, in our own country and on the continent of Europe. This will, by Divine influence, secure the spirituality of our agencies, the sanctity and cordiality of our offerings, and the singleness of our aim. To feel, too, that our worthy cause in drawing around the Mercy Seat Christians of every name in Great Britain, in France, in Germany, and America, endears the bond of brotherhood, and seems to render it impossible that any national difference should ever alienate hearts, one in Christ, and one in affectionate desire for the good of those who wander in every land-representatives of those to whom all are indebted, and waiting for the mercy that shall gather them into one family-the ransomed host who shall overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and finally ride forth as the chosen, and called, and faithful.

Another hopeful indication is found in the favourable view in which the claims of Israel are increasingly entertained, as testified by the agents of this and kindred societies, not only at Home, but among Christians on the Continent.

Bordeaux and Toulouse have contributed to our treasury; and from Marseilles the following has just been received :

MY DEAR SIR,

We beg to enclose a bill for £113 13s. Od. This sum, inclusive of what Mr. Cohen collected, is the result of the bazaar held in Marseilles, on the 8th instant; we enclose a list of the different places that have contributed to this object.

It is with great pleasure we send you this small token of our sympathy, and we trust that we shall be able to contribute in a more considerable way to the evangelisation among the Jews, when the object of your society will be better understood in France.

An early acknowledgment of the receipt of the enclosure will oblige

Your obedient Servants,

J. P. COHEN.

MARIE BLANC.

AZELINE SCHLOESING.

ISABEL DE MONT RICHER.

The interest awakened among the young casts a bright ray on the future. Among the Jewish youth we are assured of earnest inquiry-of searching into the word of God, and of a resolution to be decided not by Jewish sages or Jewish dictation, but by the writings of the Jews, who spake as they were inspired by the Holy Ghost. Among the young in Christian schools and families, we know that a spirit of sympathy and love to the Jews has been awakened, which will lead to the study of their history-a recognition of their claims-and we hope to an ingenuous and pious devotion of youthful energy to their cause. Let us, fellow-Christians, brace ourselves for the onward course. Taught by past experiencecheered by tokens of success, and inspired by hopes breathed upon us from the LIVELY ORACLES, let us study our enterprise, and give ourselves to it in faith and prayer.

Some might delightfully assist us by communications to the "Jewish Herald." It should not be left to the sameness of one pen. Some might help by correspondence with friends-others by indoctrinating the youthful mind-some by promoting occasional meetings-all by prayer-at the social meeting-at the family hearth-in the closet.

REV. JOHN WILKINSON'S ANNUAL STATEMENT.

We are unwilling to detain the REV. JOHN WILKINSON'S REPORT of his twofold Mission. It is therefore appended, and we must again defer the list of Meetings.

I HASTEN to give you a brief summary of my labours during the past year, with their apparent results; and, in doing so, feel a holy pleasure in recording my devout and humble gratitude to God for the many tokens of His blessing on my work in the past, and for the ever-increasing interest I feel in the blessed work to which, by His grace, I have cheerfully devoted my life.

I have to present a report in the twofold capacity of a Missionary for the Jews, and to the Jews; about half my time being devoted to preaching anniversary sermons, and attending meetings both in London and in various parts of the provinces, organising or strengthening associations, &c.; and the other half devoted more or less to direct mission work among the Jews in London, not forgetting to seek out and preach the Gospel to many as I pass through provincial towns.

In the former capacity-as Missionary for the Jews-I have, during the