3d. I distributed several thousands of tracts in different languages, not only in the towns, but likewise in different places in the interior, to some of which perhaps no tract ever found its way before 4th. I have preached the gospel to several thousands of nominal Christians upon Africa's soil, and I dare say many of them had never heard the glad news since their residence here. 5th. I have had many precious opportunities of speaking about Christ to the followers of the Arabian impostor, to Muftis and Cadis, as well as to others. 6th. I have sold and distributed gratis a number of copies of the Scriptures in different languages, though the sale of the same has not been so successful as we could have wished, from reasons already mentioned. The want of tracts in languages understood by the natives, both Jews and Mahommedans, has been long felt here, though no one has set at work hitherto to supply this want. The Lord has enabled me to make a sufficient progress in the study of Arabic, and I thought it an important duty to set to work for the publication of tracts in the Arabic language, both with the Arabic and Hebrew character. Accordingly, I commenced with the little Arabic tract, "The Chinese Prisoner," of which I sent you a copy, and which, since its publication, has been widely dispersed. Of these (the Jews,) there are about fifteen thousand. Some of them poor, but many very rich and respectable. They are divided into two sects-the Orthodox and the Reformed; the former adhering to the traditions, ceremonies, and Talmudical faith of their fathers, and still looking forward to the advent of Messiah and their return to Jerusalem; the latter, or Reformed, casting away their traditions, but with them, in a great measure, the authority of the Old Testament, the expectancy of a Messiah, and all idea or desire of ever returning to the Holy Land. On Saturday (their Sabbath), I visited the synagogues of both. That of the Talmudical Jews seemed old, dark, and dingy, unclean and uncomfortable: but I felt disappointed, as their service was over when I reached it. The other is a modern building, large and well lighted, in form and with pews somewhat similar to your own church in Belfast. The male part of the congregation wore their hats, and occupied the lower part of the house, while the galleries were well filled with females. They sung remarkably well; and the reading of the law, by the chief rabbi, who is esteemed the best reader of Hebrew in Germany, was solemn and impressive. I was privileged to witness an important ceremony-'the 'crowning of the law. The law is written on a long stripe of parchment, about twelve inches in depth. Each end is fixed on a small roller, such as is used for our maps. They begin to roll it up at each end, so that when closed there are two rolls, and the reader by opening them a little, holding the ends of the two poles in his hands, and raising it before his face, can read without inconvenience. After the rabbi, a number of the respectable members of the congregation were brought up to his desk, and each read a few sentences aloud. This is esteemed a great honour done to the individuals selected, and is probably in accordance with the ancient custom under which our Lord sometimes, as is recorded, read in the synagogue. After this, the parchment was rolled close on the two poles, which were now placed standing erect on the front of the reader's desk. The rabbi then, with great ceremony, brought out a crown of silver, in shape like what is usually worn by kings, and it was placed on the ends of the poles, which extended above the parchment. The law being thus 'crowned,' there was a loud burst of psalmody, after which it was taken down with great reverence, and removed to the ark, where it is kept. Thus it is with modern Jews as it was with the ancient, and is with Romanists. They honour the law in form and by useless ceremonies, and trample it under foot in their every-day conduct. This ceremony was followed by the preacher of the synagogue-not the rabbi-ascending the pulpit, and preaching, with great energy, a sermon in German, in which he dwelt on the history and sufferings of the Jewish nation, and exhorted to steadfastness in their religion. Although Dr. Craig was well known to them all as a missionary, seeking to subvert their faith, he and I were very civilly treated, and brought, by the officer of the congregation, out of the back pew we had entered, and placed in one of the most prominent and comfortable. On leaving the place, several of the Jews saluted Dr. Craig most respectfully. -Rev. Dr. Denham's Letter to the Rev. Dr. Hamilton. GENERAL JEWISH INTELLIGENCE. THE HAGUE, OCT. 12.-A great congress of deputies from all the Israelite communities in Holland, was held here on the 28th ultimo. The object of the congress was to reform several of the cermonies and practices of the Jewish faith, and render them more conformable to the spirit of the age. The government gave 3,000 florins towards defraying the expenses of the congress; the remainder, 6,000 florins, was made up by a general subscription from the Israelites.-Journal des Debats. HAMBURGH, OCT. 27.- Our Senate has sanctioned the law passed by the aseembly of burghers, which permits marriages between Jews and Christians. We extract the following paragraphs, which have immediate reference to religious life and Judaism: 1. The prohibition, which till now existed, respecting marriages between Jews and Christians, for Hamburgh and its dependencies, is herewith abolished. 2. The permission to contract such a marriage, in Hamburgh, as well as in the suburbs, and its territorial dependencies, will be granted by the Wedde (the office for granting license and registering such marriages) in accordance with the existing laws. 3. In lieu of the usual proclamation in the church, a publication of the Wedde, that such a marriage between the parties will take place, will be made in a Gazette; the declaration of the parties who contract the mar riage, made before the registrar of marriages, will conclude the marriage ceremony. 4. A marriage, so contracted, is legal, and is as binding on the parties as if consecrated in the church, and the children are legitimate. 6. The parents will have to decide to what religion the children shall belong, and in order to avoid any future litigation, a declaration in writing to that purpose is to be handed in to the register office, before the conclusion of the marriage. No deviation from this agreement can be allowed, unless both parents consent to it, reserving to the children, however, the free exercise of their own will, when they shall have arrived This must particularly be at a certain age, to decide for themselves. adhered to, in cases where minors are placed under the care of guardians. 13. In registering the baptism of such children, or their admission within the pale of Judaism, according to the existing laws of the Jews, they must be considered ligitimate according to the laws of the state, and registered as such. The names given to the children must not under any circumstances be altered. 14. The law of marriage and inheritance, recognized by the state, is extended to all children born in such marriages. It is worthy of notice, that a great portion of the Jews at Hamburgh had previously petitioned the Senate against the promulgation of this law. A reform was introduced in the temple,' on the last Day of Atonement. During the afternoon service (Mincha), instead of the usual portion of the law, the 30th chapter of Deuteronomy was read.— Allgemeine Zeitung des Judenthums. WURZBURG, SEPT. 12.-A ministerial rescript repeals all prohibitory laws, which existed in the various provinces of the kingdom, against the Jews, concerning their civil rights. The restrictions, contained in the Edicts of 10th June, 1813, 10th June, 1799, and 4th August, 1807, and the prohibitions, with regard to trades and the acquisition of landed property, are likewise repealed.-Ibid. ITALY.-MODENA.-Nov. 29.-The Minister of the Interior of the Duchy of Modena published, on the 26th of November, the following decree : "Art. 1st. The Jews shall be exempt from serving in the annual contigent of troops, both active and in reserve. "Art. 2nd. The Jewish community shall pay, as an equivalent, the sum of 1500 frances for each conscript, as in former conscriptions. This sum shall be collected at the end of each year by the royal tax-gatherers, and shall be placed in the care of the military commandent, to be used in the requirements of the conscription. "Art. 3rd. The families to which the young men belong who have already been called to the military service, shall be relieved from the payment of these sums." Correspondence. ENLARGEMENT OF THE "HERALD." Dear Sir, I read the pages of your Herald with very lively interest, and am delighted with the promise of an enlarged series. I hope this desire on the part of the Committee to increase the amount of information, will be responded to by the Christian public in an increased circulation of the work, or I see not how you can sustain the outlay. No part of the contents is calculated to awaken a deeper interest, than the recitals of conversations between missionaries and enquirers. But, there are some who are not missionaries, and yet have to do with enquirers. It would be well, perhaps, if you, or some of your correspondents would now and then give us a few hints as to the spirit in which we should meet such enquirers; and, also, as to the best mode of treating some of their difficulties, as to the doctrine of the Trinity; the sufferings of Messiah; the two genealogies; the departing of the sceptre, &c., &c. I think, that every Christian ought to consider himself, in some sort, a missionary to the Jews. For this, we want earnest, consistent, attractive piety, and constant prayer; but, we need also intelligence, and Scriptural wisdom on this long neglected subject. December 15th, 1851. I am, Yours, &c., A DISCIPLE. 26. Manchester. rian Church, venor-square Presbyte- Preacher or Chairman, and Speakers. mond, P. Sibree, Rev. G. W. Conder, Annual Sermon. Annual Meeting. Rev. A. Monro, A.M., pre- 26. Notting hill. -Horbury Rev. W. Roberts, B.A. Mr. Yonge, Mr. New Chapel 28. Hadleigh Dec. man, Mr. Mozert. Annual Meeting. Rev. J. Haynes presided. Rev. Messrs. Lewis, Rawlinson, Howe, and Aveling. Quay Sermon, Rev. T. W. Davids. Lecture, Rev. T. W. Davids. Rev. J. Lyon prayed. 1. Nottingham.-Exchange The Mayor in the chair. Revs. S. McAll, 9. Sudbury.. 9. Hackney. Chapel Independent William Stevenson, J. Brownson, J. P. Palmer, and Aldermen Preston, Wells, and Crutten. Address, Mr. Schwartz. Lecture, Rov. T. W. Davids. Rev. J. Guinette in the chair. Rev. T. W. Lecture, Rev. J. P. Palmer. Prayer, Rev. J. Address, Rev. T. W. Davids. Lecture, Rev. J. P. Palmer. Prayer, Mr. Annual Meeting. Rev. T. Craig in the chair. Address, Rev. T. W. Davids. Hampden Rev. W. Woodhouse presided. Revs. Dr. The Jewish Herald. FEBRUARY, 1852. THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD IN REFERENCE TO THE JEWS. Is every enterprize which professedly aims at promoting the glory of God the first inquiry should be, Is the project in harmony with the revealed will of God? If it is not, the sooner it is abandoned the better. If it is, then every encouragement is afforded, even though difficulties may be many and mighty. For though there be many devices in the heart of man, the counsel of the Lord must stand. But if it should be found that God has predicted an event, or promised a blessing, then every power should be consecrated, and every energy should be concentrated, that the event may be hastened, that the blessing may be obtained. The promises of God should be the great incitement to zealous action for his glory. For "Faithful his he that hath promised." And though he will perform all which he has promised, it is no reason for sloth and indifference in reference to the means and agencies which he condescends to employ. He who promised the final result contemplated all the influences which should be called into action as the means to the end. These sentiments are applicable to all the benevolent schemes in the Christian Church for the amelioration of the moral ills which exist, and for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world. But to no one, can they be applied more forcibly, than to the united effort which is now made for bringing the long neglected sons of Abraham into the Church of Christ. Numerous are the portions of Scripture relating to the Jews. Some which predict the miseries which shall befall them,their dispersion among all nations,-the degradation of their condition and the reproach they shall receive: others, which NO. LXXIV. VOL. VII. |