some evil, such as lukewarmness and unbelief, and some good and truly Christian, now generally prevailing towards them.

Above a century ago, in 1728, a truly Christian institution was formed at Halle by Dr. Callenberg. It had a measure of blessing for a time, but the church on the continent not taking it up generally, it fell to the ground. The time to favour Zion had not then

come.

In 1808, the London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews was formed by Christians of various denominations. In 1815, the Society being in great pecuniary straits, from which it was extricated chiefly through the liberality of the late Lewis Way, its affairs were entrusted to a Committee consisting only of members of the Established Church of England. Amidst many sorrows, it has from that time been labouring with increasing means and growing success for the conversion of the Jews. By its missionaries, the larger number of whom are converts themselves, its Hebrew New Testament and its Hebrew Liturgy, its schools and all its other labours of love, it has shewn the Jews the kindly feelings of the chief Protestant Gentile church towards them, and its zeal for their salvation. Many hundreds have thus been converted to Christ.

In 1822, the Jewish missionary Wolff appeared at Jerusalem, as a converted Jew, preaching the gospel to his own people; and he has since been to most parts of the world, preaching to them their true Messiah. Another Missionary of the Society, Mr. Nicolayson, ordained deacon by the archbishop of Canterbury, and priest by the bishop of London, has for some time been fixed at Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to the Jews.

The Scotch Established Church has nobly also taken up the same cause, and that in its ecclesiastical and corporate character as a church. It sent forth,

in 1839, a deputation worthy of its character, to Judea, and to the Jews throughout Europe. The deputation after a journey full of mercies, have published a report of the openings for future labour. And now this national church purposes to have yearly collections, and has already commenced a mission to Israel. Their interesting memorial is subjoined.*

"TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD VISCOUNT PALMERSTON, HER MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS. "The Memorial of the Acting Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for promoting Christianity among the Jews, appointed to meet in Edinburgh.

"Your memorialists take the liberty of laying the following statement before your Lordship at this time, in consequence of their deep interest in the welfare of the Jewish nation, and the important events now going forward in Syria :—

"In consequence of this, a deputation consisting of four ministers of the church was, in the beginning of the year 1839, sent to Palestine and Europe, with the view of ascertaining, as fully and correctly as possible, the state of the Jews in the various countries in their route, and the most promising stations to which missionaries might afterwards be sent. This deputation left Scotland in March 1839; and, after an absence of about a year, during which they visited Italy, Egypt, Syria, Constantinople, and the countries adjacent to the Danube and Germany, returned with most important and interesting information regarding the state of the Jews in those various countries.

"Your memorialists beg to state, that the interest on this subject has been rapidly increasing in Scotland; that considerable funds have been subscribed to defray the expense of missions to the Jews; and that the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has appointed a Committee to take steps for preparing and sending missionaries.

"In consequence of the recommendation of the deputation before alluded to, this Committee have been anxious to send missionaries to Palestine, as one of the most promising places for promoting Christianity among the Jews; but your memorialists have been deterred from taking any immediate steps for sending missionaries there, on account of the disturbed state of that country.

"Your memorialists cannot help expressing the thankfulness which they, and all others interested in the welfare of the Jewish people, must feel to your Lordship, for the countenance which you have given to other societies having at heart the same objects with your memorialists at the Porte and with the Pasha of Egypt, and for recommending the Jews to the especial protection of the consul sent to Syria by Her Majesty's Government.

In Prussia, in the Netherlands, in America and else where, important efforts have been made for the welfare of Israel.

The courses of Lectures that have been preached on the claims and destiny, and restoration of the Jews at Glasgow, Liverpool, Leamington, and London, since 1839-and that will probably be extended to other principal towns in the kingdom-have diffused much scriptural knowledge.

Thus faithful Christians throughout Christendom are manifesting now a special and peculiar interest for the spiritual welfare of the Jews, and the holy scriptures have predicted this as one of the signs of the time to favour Zion being come. Psalm cii.

Corresponding to the feeling of private Christians is that interest which EUROPEAN KINGDOMS are beginning to take in the welfare of the Jews.

Favour by those having chief authority has gradually been more and more extended to the Jews. Infidelity has weakened the strong feeling of the value

"Your memorialists look with deep interest on the transactions now going on in Syria, which they trust will result in the more firm and more extensive establishment of British influence in that interesting land and deeply impressed with the conviction that it is a revealed truth of the word of God, that the blessing of God is promised to those who succour his ancient but now afflicted people, whether nations or individuals, they are most anxious that, in any future settlement of that country, under the auspices of Britain, your Lordship and Her Majesty's Government should take measures, as far as possible, for protecting the Jews against oppression and injustice, to which recent events have shewn that they are still liable, and also for securing the free access to them of Protestant missionaries from this country.

"Your memorialists therefore pray your Lordship to take this subject into your serrious consideration, and to take such steps as to your Lordship may seem best for the defence of the Jewish people throughout the East generally, and in particular in Syria; and especially for enabling Protestant missionaries to resort freely to that country, and to prosecute their labours amongst the Jews."-From the Evening Mail, Dec. 4, 1840.

The answer of Lord Palmerston assured the General Assembly that the interesting subject of the memorial would not escape the attention of Her Majesty's Government.

of our own Christian privileges, and it is to be feared has had more influence in some steps in their favour, than faith in God's word, and enlarged love to his people. Let nothing tempt us to favour infidelity.

Joseph II., Emperor of Austria, in 1780 took several steps to ameliorate the condition of the Jews in his dominions. The Emperor Alexander of Russia, in 1805 promoted also their temporal welfare, as did the King of Prussia in 1809. A grand sanhedrim of the Jews, convened under Bonaparte at Paris in 1807, much drew the attention of France to this people.

But it is only within the last two or three years that more marked and special attention has been given to them. The distressing tortures and persecutions of the Jews at Damascus and at Rhodes, have wonderfully spread and increased an interest in their behalf, and real sympathy in their sufferings. It has not only called forth the love of Christians, but also the benevolent interference of Christian governments in their behalf. And this has been so decided as may in all human probability help to prepare the way for their quiet, gradual, and safe return to their own country, and their protracted residence there.

In the meanwhile, in the remarkable providence of God, all Europe has been interested in the state of the Holy Land. It has become the seat of war in which the four chief powers of Europe have been engaged. Rescued from the oppressive power of Egypt, with the renewed horrors of war, by the combined efforts of European kingdoms, all eyes have been directed to its situation, and all hearts have been interested in assuring the peace of a country, in the independent tranquillity of which Judaism, Christendom, and Mahommedanism are deeply concerned. The land itself has been desolated, and wasted and exhausted by wars, earthquakes, plagues, and oppressions, till it has been almost emptied of its inhabitants.

g

Thus the way seems remarkably preparing for their quiet preparatory restoration.

A Firman has just been granted by the Sultan, who has at present the nominal sovereignty over Palestine, to Sir Moses Montefiore, a leading Israelite, assuring the protection of the Jews in their land.*

*The Firman is so remarkable and interesting that I give the whole, with Sir Moses's address in part, as extracted from the Evening Mail of December 2, 1840.

PROTECTION OF THE JEWS IN THE EAST.

"Translation of the Firman granted by his Imperial Majesty the Sultan Abd-ul-Medjid to the Israelites in his Empire, at the request of Sir Moses Montefiore, F.R.S., and delivered to him at Constantinople by his Excellency Redschid Pasha, Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Ottoman Porte, 11th Hesvan, 5601-12th Ramazan, 1256, corresponding to November 6, 1840.

"A Firman addressed to the Chief Judge at Constantinople, at the head of which his Imperial Majesty the Sultan has written with his own hand the following words-" Let that be executed which is prescribed in this firman."

"An ancient prejudice prevailed against the Jews. The ignorant believed that the Jews were accustomed to sacrifice a human being, to make use of his blood at their feast of the Passover.

"In consequence of this opinion, the Jews of Damascus and Rhodes (who are the subjects of our empire) have been persecuted by other nations. The calumnies which have been uttered against the Jews, and the vexation to which they have been subjected have at last reached our Imperial throne.

"But a short time has elapsed since some Jews dwelling in the Isle of Rhodes have been brought thence to Constantinople, where they have been tried and judged according to the new regulations, and their innocence of the accusations made against them fully proved. That, therefore, which justice and equity required has been done in their behalf.

"Besides which, the religious books of the Hebrews have been examined by learned men, well versed in their theological literature; the result of which examination is, that it is found that the Jews are strongly prohibited not only from using human blood, but even that of animals. It therefore follows that the charges made against them and their religion are nothing but pure calumnies.

"For this reason, and for the love we bear to our subjects, we cannot permit the Jewish nation (whose innocence of the crime alleged against them is evident) to be vexed and tormented upon accusations which have not the least foundation in truth, but that, in conformity to the Hatti Scherif which had been proclaimed at Gulhané, the Jewish nation shall possess the same advantages and enjoy the same