leave her husband, if he persisted in becoming a Christian. At last, the power and influence of the Gospel was too strong for her, and with her husband she began seriously to inquire into its truths. For about a year and a half they have been regularly instructed by my nephew, Mr. H. C. Reichardt, and having also myself instructed and examined them daily for some time, and feeling satisfied as to their faith and conduct, I baptized them, in the name of our triune God, in our church on Mount Zion, yesterday, when I preached from Acts ii. 33, on the subject of Pentecost, or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of our Lord in Jerusalem. SCOTTISH SOCIETY FOR THE CONVERSION OF ISRAEL. MR. WEISS, who has recently been located at Algiers, writes to his friends in Scotland, thus "During the few weeks of my residence here, I have been enabled to labour more abundantly than I thought I would, even after a year's residence. In Scotland I thought that I would be obliged to keep silence until I had mastered the Arabic language, but here I found that my languages are quite sufficient, in the meantime, especially the Hebrew, which most of the Jews here (such as are likely to visit the missionary, or to speak with him when visited) understand more or less. When first I came here Dr. Philip told me that a learned Jew, who came from Constantinople, visited him several times. On Monday, the 14th of June, he came again. In speaking to him in Hebrew (which language he speaks fluently, though not purely), I found him a very learned and intelligent man. His name is Rabbi Ch Ch; he is known even among Jews here to have been a chacham (or rabbi), and they loved and honoured him. In Constantinople he had frequent intercourse with the American and Free Church missionaries there, but was too weak to resolve on making a public confession-having had but little knowledge of the Christian doctrines, and little strength to stand the temptations and persecutions to which such a step would have exposed him from rabbis, and Jews in general. He continued to visit us during several days, when we argued with him, and continued to impress him with the blessed truth, that there was no other name given under heaven by which men can be saved, save by and through Jesus Christ our Lord. "Having been satisfied for himself, that Jesus of Nazareth is the King Messiah-the Saviour of the world, he persuaded another, a very intelligent, and very interesting young man, who a few weeks ago came from Egypt, to visit us. The name of this young man is Rabbi S-; and from all that we have hitherto seen of him, he seems to be an upright, humble, and godly man-'an Israelite indeed.' During the first few days of their coming together into our house, very interesting and warm conversations continued between us for several hours every day, until, at last, on Saturday, the 19th June, they came both to the resolution to put themselves under regular instruction, in preparation for baptism. This was to begin on Monday, the 21st June, when they came at the hour appointed, and brought with them a third Jew, quite a young man, who also came lately from Cairo in Egypt. According to the statements of the latter, his history is the following:-He is the son of a Jewish merchant in Cairo; and his father, after having im parted to him the early and common Jewish education, placed him in a large house of business to learn the trade. When some of the English Church missionaries came to settle in that town, he began to visit them, took some books from them, and began to be instructed in the Christian religion. When his father, as well as his master (the merchant in whose house he was during the day), became acquainted with the fact, they began to persecute him very severely. In consequence of which he resolved to leave the country, his business, his master, and his father's house, in order to seek where he quietly and undisturbedly could pursue his inquiry after the truth, and begin some business for himself, to gain his daily bread. He came from Egypt to Tunis; but not having found missionaries there, he proceeded to Algiers, where Rabbi S- found and recognised him in the streets, and after some communications that passed between them, he brought him to us. From the peculiarly neat dress which he wears, and of which he has plenty (all his dress is after the neatest Greek fashion), we can easily see that he belongs to a better class of society. As he has not got a complete Jewish education, he is not able to speak the Hebrew (though he understands it tolerably well); but, among other languages, he speaks the modern Greek, and what he does not understand in Hebrew I explain to him in Greek. The other two understand the Hebrew better; and as they all live together in one room, they read the Hebrew New Testament together, compare it with the ancient prophecies, and explain to each other in the Spanish language, which is their mothertongue. "These three very interesting individuals are now already the third week under regular religious instruction; and the lessons which they receive in our house, they greatly improve by their earnest searching and studying at home. "As an encouragement to labour, even where no fruits appear, we may take the fact, that every one of our three earnest inquirers (as we have every reason to believe they are) was led into our hands, as it were, by other missionaries unknown to us, as we to them. Little do those missionaries know that these Jews, with whom they once spake and argued about Christ, but whom they saw no more, are now eagerly and earnestly seeking the way of salvation; and how frequently may this be the case with individuals to whom we preached and recommended Christ, though we knew not what had become of them? Indeed, should it ever happen that by reason of persecution, (which is already begun, and very sharp,) these three Zion-seeking sheep should be obliged to leave this place before they are ready for baptism, the very manner in which the Lord led them to us, must afford us comfort and consolation, knowing that he who began the good work in them, can carry it on to perfection, be it here or elsewhere. "What a comfort and triumph would it be to us, in this place of darkness and wickedness, of superstition and infidelity, if the gracious God should be pleased to give us these three men, or rather to take them as His inheritance in Christ! Though none of them belong to this place by birth, still, as they are Oriental Jews, knowing so thoroughly the manners and customs of the Jews here, and speaking so many languages; two of them having come here with testimonials from well-known great men among the Oriental Jews, testifying of their character, and that they were rabbis themselves; would not their open confession make some impression on their darkened and wicked brethren here? We know, certainly, that the first result of their public confession would be a bitter and outrageous persecution from the Jews here. Already the persecution is begun. Because of their daily visits to us, the rabbis of the place began to warn them, persuade them, and then threaten them. This having failed, they excluded them from the synagogue, and succeeded in cutting of their sustenance among their brethren, Rabbi Ch-Ch having made his livelihood by selling Jewish books. "Since he came to our house, he took also Hebrew Bibles and New Testaments from Dr. Philip, of which he sold a good number, and also some Spanish and French Old and New Testaments, and had a per centage on his sales. But the rabbis have proclaimed in the synagogues that no Jew should venture to buy any books from him, and the great question is, what is he now to do? The same is the case with the other two. They are attacked by the Jews in the streets, reviled, and persecuted, and hindered from gaining their bread among their Jewish brethren. But what is all this? Is not the great triumphant Prince of Glory strong enough to subdue the raging of the sea, and the tumult of the nations? Was not the foaming Red Sea a greater barrier once to Israel, and did not Jehovah lead them through in peace? But when the first storm is once over, and these three sons of Abraham let their light shine among their darkened brethren, oh, what a blessed influence may this have upon the latter!" LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. We understand that in January next will be published, Part I. (containing the whole of Genesis) of the "Chronological Old Testament," in small 4to., uniform with, and after the model of the Chronological New Testament. Besides the parallel passages printed in full, and the text divided into paragraphs and sections, a complete chronology, with many geographical and illustrative notes will be given, and also many helps fitted to facilitate the comparing one part of Scripture with another. There will also be exhibited in the margin the whole of the original passages in the Septuagint, cited by the writers of the New Testament, and placed side by side with the translation from the Hebrew, in the authorised version. But the most important feature in this interesting edition of the Scriptures, is a collation of the various readings in all the ancient versions in Walton's Polyglot Bible, viz., Samaritan Text and Version, (received by the Samaritans, above 400 years before Christ;) Chaldee Targums of Onkelos, Jonathan Ben Uzziel, and Jerusalem, two of which are supposed to be about as ancient as our Saviour's time; Syriac, taken from the Hebrew, which is generally supposed to be very ancient, made soon after the times of the apostles; Arabic, which though not so ancient, was translated also from the Hebrew. The agreement of this Version with many of the citations in the New Testament, and that sometimes in opposition to the present Hebrew copies, is very remarkable; Septuagint, which, or at least part of it, was made 2000 years ago, all of it older than the Christian era; and Vulgate, the chief part of which is taken from St. Jerome's translation from the Hebrew. We have, therefore, greater helps towards the correcting of the Hebrew text than that of any other ancient author whatsoever. In many instances these versions read the text different from what we have it now in our printed copies. The giving then these various readings to the people in English must be considered as the most important contribution to biblical science, since the publication of Walton's great work itself. Meetings of Associations, &c. Place of Meeting. Newport Pagnell ...... Preacher or Chairman, and Speakers. Sermons. Morning and evening by Mr. Holywell Mount chapel Mr. Yonge and Mr. Ginsberg. Newbury Rev. W. March presided. Address by Mr. Ben Oliel. Rev. J. Harris presided. Mr. Ben Oliel. Address by Rev. James Rowland presided. Address by Mr. Ben Oliei. Rev. J. Spong, and Mr. Yonge. Rev. J. Thomas, Mr. Youge, Mr. Ben Sermons by Mr. Ben Oliel. Sermons by the Rev. J. P. Palmer. Sermons by the Rev. J. Gill. Glossop-Independent Lecture by the Rev J. Gill. Rev. T. chapel Craven chapel Atkin presided. Special meeting. Rev. W. Kirkus, LL.B. in the chair. Addresses by the Rev. J. P. Palmer, aud Mr. Ben Öliel. Hyde-Wesleyan cha- Lecture by the Rev. J. Gill. Matlock Bath pel 29, Lecture by the Rev. J. Gill. Rev. T. M. Lecture by the Rev. J. Gill. Lecture by the Rev. J. P. Palmer. Town Lecture by the Rev. J. P. Palmer. Kettering Independ- Stafford chapel Independent Dudley - Independent Kentish Town - Con- Coventry -St. Mary's School Hill's Ladies' Leamington-Spencer- chapel Leamington Spencer- Sermons by the Rev. J. P. Palmer. Lecture by the Rev. J. P. Palmer. Lecture by the Rev. J. Gill. Lecture by the Rev. J. P. Palmer. Rev. Sermons morning and evening by the Sermon by the Rev. J. P. Palmer. Lecture by the Rev. J. P. Palmer. The Jewish Herald. DECEMBER, 1852. PAST MERCIES-FUTURE DUTIES. Ir is good ever to cherish a devout remembrance of the Divine goodness; and it is especially obligatory upon us to do so when solemn seasons occur in life's history, that are calculated to be suggestive of past mercies, and have a voice that bids the recipient of Divine blessings, readily and gratefully, to make acknowledgement. Such a season the closing month of the year presents to us. "As if an angel spoke," the reflective soul hears the solemn sound, which passing months and days utter, "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee." Each morning has brought with it fresh tokens of the Divine care; with each evening have come whispering voices that spoke of One who "never slumbereth nor sleepeth." Each Sabbath, with its sweet and soothing chimes, has spoken of gracious provisions for the wants of the soul, and each religious service of opened fountains for thirsty and dying men. How many have been our deliverances from trouble! How marvellous and frequent has been the forbearance of God! Multiplied mercies! Enriching privileges! these have been ours beyond expectation or desert. How, at the close of the year, do our hearts reflect on the past, with its vast accumulations of priceless blessings, and responsibilities, unutterably great? Sorrow we must feel, if we look aright, at our progress so slow, at our knowledge yet so imperfect, our love so faint, our zeal so feeble. If this be godly sorrow that worketh repentance, it will prove an element of action, the value of which is beyond rubies. In the retrospect of the passing year, it will be well if there be no painful reminiscences of neglected duties, as members of NO. LXXXIV. VOL. VII. |