foretell the blessings which shall be poured upon them, when they shall be gathered in with the fulness of the Gentiles, and they shall become the recipients of the spirit of grace and supplication, and they shall look upon him they have pierced and they shall mourn for him.

The former class of predictions have been most fully accomplished; the latter yet remain to be fulfilled. When we look at the Jews in this country, or on the continent of Europe, and the treatment they receive, however blameworthy may be the conduct of their persecutors, yet we see them as so many living tablets on which is legibly inscribed, THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. If then the prediction has been accomplished, in which it was said, that as a consequence of their rejecting THE PROPHET, they should become "a byeword and a reproach among all the nations in which they should be scattered," is there not abundant reason for believing, that God will in riches of his grace, "assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth?" Isa. xi. 12. Both classes of predictions were uttered by the inspiration of the same Spirit, and both are the revelations of him who has the resources of the universe at his command to accomplish all the good pleasure of his will,—the sayings of "the Strength of Israel that will not lie."

God himself refers to the judgments he had inflicted upon his ancient people according to his previous threatenings, to show his faithfulness and to inspire confidence in him in relation to his promises of future blessings. "For thus saith the LORD: Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them." Jer. xxxii. 42. And though this language may be restricted to the promise, that God would bring them from the thraldom of the Babylonian captivity and return them to their own land, yet it suggests the great principle, that if the divine faithfulness was illustrated in the way of judgment, which none can possibly doubt, so it shall be exemplified in the way of mercy.

In every prayer that is offered and in every exertion made for the spiritual welfare of the outcasts of Israel, the hope of success rests on the solid foundation of the divine faithfulness. With such a basis for action, who can withhold a helping hand? The believer cannot. For he says in humble dependence on the Spirit's aid, "I delight to do thy will, O my God." His highest ambition is to be engaged in God's service.

The conversion of the Jews is a divine project. It is no mean honour to be the humblest instrument in carrying out

this project. There will be no fruitless expenditure of time, property, or influence here. Every form of antagonism shall be transformed into a friendly ally, every barrier shall be removed, and the feeblest agent shall become mighty and triumphant, for the Lord hath spoken and shall he not do it? Shall he not bring to pass the thing which has gone forth out of his mouth? Some stand aloof from this undertaking and apologise for their apathy, saying, "If God has determined the conversion of the Jews, he can bring it to pass without my interference in the matter." He can. He can do whatsoever he wills, without any intervening agency; but he has ordinarily used means, that he may show the greatness of his power through the feebleness of the means he employs. Means weak in themselves, are mighty when by faith they are entwined on the divine purposes. And if God had given no promise that the seed of Abraham should be gathered to Christ, then there would be no legitimate warrant for attempting their conversion, and all the wealth, time, and talent devoted to this object would be entirely thrown away; but he has promised it by repeated declarations, and the attention of the whole christian world is invited to the evil which God, according to his word, has brought on the children of Abraham as a specimen and a pledge of the divine faithfulness, that so he will bring all the good upon them that he has promised.

To encourage our reliance on his faithfulness, God has already blessed the means which have been used, and given many of the seed of Abraham unto Christ. These are the first-fruits of the more plenteous harvest promised. Let us be thankful for what God has already done for the Jews, and labouring in faith, and praying in hope for still greater success, let us confide in the divine promises and write on our banner, "FAITHFUL IS HE THAT HATH PROMISED."

ON THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE ENGLISH

JEWS.

BY GRACE AGUILAR.

Ix externals, and in all secular thoughts and actions, the English naturalized Jew is an Englishman; and his family is reared with the education and accomplishments of other members of the community. Only in some private, and personal characteristics, and in religious belief, does the Jew differ from his neighbours. Many of the British Jews are descended from families who resided some time in Spain; others trace their origin to families from Germany. There have always

been some well-defined differences in the appearance, the language, and the manners of these two classes. The Spanish Hebrews had occupied so high a position in Spain and Portugal, that, even in their compulsory exile, their peculiarly high and honourable principles; their hatred of all meanness, either in thought or act; their wealth, their exclusiveness, and strong attachment to each other, caused their community to resemble a little knot of Spanish princes, rather than the cowed and bending bargain-seeking individuals, usually known as Jews.

The constant and enslaving persecution of the German Hebrews, had, naturally enough, produced on their characters a very different effect. Nothing degrades the moral character more effectually than debasing treatment. To regard an individual as incapable of honour, charity, and truth, as always seeking to gratify personal interest, is more than likely to make him such. Confined to degrading employment, with minds narrowed as the natural consequence; allowed no other pursuit than that of usury, with its minor branches-pawnbroking and old clothes selling; it was not very strange, that, when the German Hebrews did make their way into England, and were compelled for actual subsistence, still to follow their occupations, that their brethren from Spain should keep aloof, and shrink from all connection with them. Time, however, looks on many curious changes: not only are the mutual prejudices of the Jews subsiding, but the position of the two parties is transposed. The Germans making good use of peace and freedom, have advanced not in wealth alone, (for that, even when oppressed, they contrived to possess), but in enlightenment, influence, and respectability. Time, and closer connections with the Spanish Hebrews, will, no doubt, produce still further improvements.

These distinguishing characteristics, which we have just pointed out, belong with some modifications, to the poor, as well as the rich, of these two Jewish sects. The faults of the poor Spanish and Portuguese Jews, are so exactly similar to those of the lower orders of native Spaniards, that they can easily be traced to their long naturalization in that country. Pride, is their predominant, and most unhappy failing; for, it not only prevents them from advancing themselves, either socially or mentally, but renders powerless every effort for their improvement. The Germans, more willing to work and push forward their own fortunes, and less scrupulous as to the means they employ, are more successful as citizens; and, as a class, are less difficult to guide. Both parties would be improved by the interchange of qualities. And, comparing the

present with the past, there is some reason to believe that this union will be effected on British ground; and that the idle distinctions of Spanish and Portuguese, Dutch and German, will be lost, and consolidated in the proud designation of British Jews.

The domestic manners of both the German and the Spanish Jews in Great Britain are so exactly similar to those of their British brethren that were it not for the observance of the seventh day instead of the first, the prohibition of certain meats, and the celebration of certain solemn festivals and rites, it would be difficult to distinguish a Jewish from a native household The characteristics so often assigned to them in tales professing to introduce a Jew or a Jewish family, are almost all incorrect; being drawn either from the impressions of the past, or from some special case; or, perhaps, from attention to some Pole, Spaniard, or Turk, who may just as well be a Polish or Spanish Christian, or Turkish Mussulman, as a Jew. These great errors in delineation, arise from the supposition that, because they are Hebrews, they must be different from any other race. They are distinct in feature and religion, but in nothing else. Like the rest of the human race, they are, as individuals, neither wholly good, nor wholly bad; as a people, their virtues very greatly predominate. Even in the lowest and most degraded classes we seldom find those awful crimes with which the public records teem. This perhaps may arise from the fact, that the numerous and well-ordered charities of the Jews prevent those horrible cases of destitution, and the consequent temptation to sin, from which such a mass of crime proceeds. A Jewish beggar by profession is a character unheard of; nor do we find the blind or deformed belonging to this people lingering about the streets. The virtues of the Jews are essentially of a domestic and social kind. The English are noted for the comfort and happiness of their firesides; and, in this loveliest school of virtue, the Hebrews not only equal, but in some instances surpass, their neighbours. From the highest classes to the most indigent, affection, reverence, and tenderness, mark their domestic intercourse. Three, sometimes four generations, may be found dwelling together; the woman performing the blended duties of parent, wife, and child; the man, those of husband, father, and son. As members of a community, they are industrious, orderly, temperate, and contented; as citizens, they are faithful, earnest, and active; as the native denizens of Great Britain, ever ready to devote their wealth and personal service in the cause of their adopted land.

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THE JEWS OF AMERICA.

FOR centuries the "children of Israel" have been a "scattered race"-persecuted by nations, denounced by sects, denied citizenship, a home, and often life itself. The descendants of the "chosen people" are to be found among all nations of the earth, and with their national character, distinctive features, language, religion, and traditions, unchanged. They are, at this present time, as truly a "peculiar people" as they were two thousand years ago.

Being persecuted and outcasts from citizenship, for continuous centuries, in all states and kingdoms, they were compelled to devote their energies to trade and traffic. Being the subjects of almost incessant persecution, banished from country to country, and their property confiscated without previous notice, they have for years and years followed those pursuits among "Christians" that enabled them to make their worldly possessions immediately available.

Even in this country, where the JEWS are in the enjoyment, under our laws, of all the political and religious privileges and immunities that are extended and guaranteed to Christians, we find that here even they are found engaged generally in the same business and calling as in those countries where persecution, disabilities, and banishment had instructed them to appreciate the value of convertible property, and to be prepared to "leave" at "short notice."

They are engaged, with but few exceptions, in commerce, traffic, brokerage, and banking; as dealers in jewellery and clothing they are peculiarly distinguished. Nations, states, and kingdoms, that have denied them citizenship, have been, and are now, ruled by these Jewish monied kings. And among the numerous failures, frauds, and bankruptcies that have occurred, how comparatively few Israelites are among the number? Exact, and it may be exacting, in their monetary dealings, they are seldom chargeable with violations of their word or bond.

Again, among the thousands of paupers, beggars, vagrants, and convicts, who fill our poor-houses, walk our streets, and crowd our asylums, how many Jews are to be found? There are some few, undoubtedly, but we have never seen one to our knowledge. In this respect the Jews are a "peculiar people." As a general remark, it is certainly true, that the Jews have no paupers at the public charge, no vagrant or orphan children that they do not provide for themselves,