of my time, nor held a stronger hold on my affections, than the enterprise of Jewish evangelization, and their choice was decided accordingly.

Had I consulted merely my own private feelings, the mention of this new year's gift would not have been extended beyond the circle of my own family and friends; but it has been suggested to me that some advantages might arise from such a reference to the circumstances as would make them known in other circles and upon a wider scale.

It may be noticed with what facility ministers may promote an interest in the welfare of God's ancient people. I can hardly say that I had made any positive and deliberate effort to bring the case of Israel before the attention of the Servants' Bible Class. It is true that I never lose an opportunity of introducing into the exposition of Scripture the forlorn condition of the seed of Abraham, and our obligation to love and pray for those "of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came." They were accustomed, too, to hear continually, in the public services of the sanctuary, prayer that "Israel might be saved;" and this donation was the result, therefore, of a course of action which made no additional demand upon time or thought. Far be it from societies or individuals to add to the already numerous, and in many cases too numerous, claims upon a minister's time and powers; but if there be a form in which, without taxing these, good can be done to Israel, where is the pastor that would not willingly adopt it? Let those who are committed to our charge know that we desire and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and if they have any affection for us, for our Master's sake they will love what we love, and lend their assistance to that which we desire to promote.

How much might be gathered in to increase the funds of the British Society for the Jews, if all the members of our congregations would act as this Servants' Bible Class did. If a few domestics could present a new year's offering of one pound ten shillings, what a sum might be realized if masters and mistresses would give in the same proportion to their own resources. How many heads of families are there, who could far better afford to give away one pound, or even five, than their domestics could afford to part with a single shilling. Let them receive the hint which is suggested by the incident now recorded; and then this Servants' Bible Class will, by the blessing of God, have been useful, even beyond their own intention, in promoting the welfare of Israel.

A COUNTRY PASTOR.

THE LIFE AND CONVERSION OF THE REV. S. A. POSNER, A BELIEVING ISRAELITE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "JEWISH HERALD."

Nuremberg, December 26, 1851.

Dear Sir,-In the November number of the Herald for 1849, (page 292), you were good enough to insert an account of the conversion of a Jewish Brother, which took place in the last century at Fuerth; at the same time, you expressed a desire to be made acquainted "with wellauthenticated facts of a similar nature." I now beg leave to submit to you another account of a conversion in more modern days; the particulars of which have been fully authenticated; as the original account was related in a German periodical, which is published under the patronage of the well-known, learned, and pious Dr. Tholuck, at Halle.

If this memorial be favoured with a place in the Herald, I should like to be permitted to say a word or two to the reader, by way of introduction. There are some, who object strongly to the publishing and reading of individual instances of conversion; as all of them (they say) look very much like each other; and, if you know one or two, you know all the rest. I should ask such to re-consider this view; and to inquire whether in each individual case he will not find something, which peculiarly illustrates some one or other feature of the manifold ways, by which the Lord draws his people unto him. I am convinced, that such a consideration will go a long way in proving that, notwithstanding a similarity in many cases, there are peculiar features marking each one of them and, that such a conviction will supply him with new motives to adore the riches of God's everlasting mercies; as well as the greatness of His power, by which He is able to accomplish His ends, and to bring about the salvation of souls.

Truly yours in Christian esteem,

PAUL EDWARD GOTTHEIL.

Siegmund August Posner was born May 19, 1805, of Jewish parents, residing in the small town of Auras, in Silesia. His father, a pious Israelite, firmly attached to the traditions of the elders; and walking in accordance with the law, blameless,—presented this, his second son, on the eighth day in the synagogue; there to receive the sign of circumcision; on which occasion he received the name of Simon. Early in life, this young Israelite was instructed in the Holy Scriptures; initiated in the ceremonies to be observed; and kept to the diligent utterance of forms of prayer: and, although these exercises had much in them of mere outward observance, and vain show, that did not seem to spring from the heart; yet, they were in some way the means of life; a small germ for the Lord in his time to sanctify, and to make productive of the fruits of his Spirit.

Simon, however, was not only made acquainted with such learning as a Hebrew teacher could supply, such as the Hebrew Bible, Talmud, &c.; he was also introduced to the Gentile

literature, thereby to be fitted for a position in life; and these pursuits did not fail to exercise their influence on the mind of the intelligent boy. His parents having removed to Breslau, Simon entered the Wilhelms school, (an institution for the education of Jewish youth) where he remained until his having received confirmation (a rite conferred on the Jewish youths) on entering upon his thirteenth year; on which occasion he makes a public profession of faith, and becomes a responsible member of the Synagogue. Hitherto his father had borne all responsibility for him; the youth now becomes answerable for all his acts; both as to the observance of the law of God, in his sight, and with reference to the synagogue. This confession is often accompanied by an oration, delivered by the young man, publicly, treating on some Talmudical, or Scriptural subject; such was also the case with Simon.

Subsequently Simon entered the Mary Magdalene College (Gymnasium) at Breslau; where he soon distinguished himself in such a manner, that in his seventeenth year, he had reached the highest class of that school. It was here that the young mind, entering with vigour on the opening fields of independent reasoning, began to feel the father's strictly enforcing his tenets, especially the minute observance of the ceremonial services, to be a heavy and intolerable burden. The study of the philosophical systems of Kant and Leibnitz; more especially his participation of the Christian instruction, given at the Gymnasium, speedily convinced him, that the Jewish ceremonies could not be a service acceptable unto God. was thus brought into conflict with his parents; and, it was only with the greatest reluctance that he continued to observe the ceremonies enforced upon him. In order to avoid these struggles, he entreated his father to permit him to go to Berlin, to continue his studies there.

He

At Berlin, Simon made the acquaintance af Mr. LACHS, a pious proselyte, and director of the deaf and dumb institution;* and it was, under God, by his new friend's instrumentality, that the first seeds of Gospel truth were laid in the heart of the young inquirer. But, soon the news of this intercourse found its way to his parents; they considered it destructive to his soul; and this induced our young friend to leave it off, and enter an engagement as tutor, in the house of a wealthy Jewish

Some of our readers may have, perhaps, had occasion to become acquainted with this beloved brother; as he was present at the late "Jewish Conference" meeting, held last year in connexion with the meetings of the Evangelical Alliance.

merchant, in a place at some distance from Berlin. Here, the father thought his son would cease to think of his inquiries; and, moreover, bid adieu to his studies altogether, and become a merchant. But Simon, however great his love was to his parents, could not resist the anxious longings that agitated his soul; and, he declared that rather than give up his favourite pursuit, he would be contented to remain in poverty all his life long. He therefore resigned his place as tutor; visited for two more years the Gymnasium at Königsberg; after the lapse of which, be became a student at the university of Berlin, (in 1827).

By this time, a fervent and holy desire after truth had been awakened in his mind; the system of modern Judaism, with its host of dead ceremonies; its righteousness in works; its Moses, frowning wrath upon helpless and hopeless man, did not satisfy his soul. As he had never entirely lost the faith in a Messiah to come, which he had been taught in his early life, the Christian doctrine of a Messiah come already could not but have great charms for a mind earnestly, and perseveringly bent on the finding out of the truth; and, thus the wish arose in our friend to become a Christian, for the purpose not only of living in the truth, but also with the end of propagating its life-giving tenets.

Through the merciful kindness of the Lord, Simon found a companion of his anxious desires and purposes, in a young man of the name of WRONSKI, then a Jewish student at Berlin, but now a faithful Christian minister. WRONSKI, who had for a a long time arduously given himself to the study of the Jewish writings, had also failed to discover in them heavenly truths or peace of mind; he now abandoned them altogether, turned to Christianity in search of the two great boons he was in quest of, and was studying Christian theology at Berlin. The two young friends applied for, and received from the hands of a Christian pastor, the initiatory rite of Christianity; but, they still were ignorant of its spiritual nature; the minister by whom they had been baptized, having been satisfied with giving them very superficial instruction. But soon the Holy Spirit

It may not, perhaps, be out of place here to remind the reader, that the Jewish "confession of faith," which every Jewish child (or rather boy, for females are not to be instructed in the law, according to the Talmud!) is bound to learn by heart; and, which every individual Jew is bound to believe, consists of thirteen articles; the twelfth of which, runs thus: "I believe with a perfect belief, that Messiah will come; and, though he tarry long, yet I will not cease to hope for him." This is the article of faith referred to in the text. The "thirteen articles," as by a kind of trope, this confession is called, has been composed by the celebrated Moses Ben Maimon, who flourished in the twelfth century.

commenced his work within them; baptizing them with His own baptism; by which they were awakened from the deadness of works, unto a spiritual life in God.

They were baptized in 1828; on which occasion, the object of this paper received the name of August Siegmund. We now return to the history of his life.

From the moment that he publicly embraced Christianity, Posner had to pass through a number of heavy trials. It was only through great privations, that he was able to continue his theological studies; but, above all things, he was pained by the, at first, implacable hatred of his father. That parent would not, for a long time, give any credit to the rumoured conversion of his son to Christianity; he thought it impossible that his child would take a step, by which the father would become dishonoured, and a curse among his brethren. But the affection which the young disciple bore towards his father, more especially his sense of the value of truth and openness in all things, did not permit him to leave his father in any doubts on the subject: rather would he submit to the first violent outbursts of a flaming wrath, and have poured out over him the tearful wailings of those he loved, than permit his beloved father to be deceived by evasions, and unfounded suppositions. He therefore determined to be the personal bearer of the full truth; and he thus returned to the circle of his family. It was on the eve of the great day of Atonement. (To be Concluded in our next Number.)

Intelligence.

BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS.

ANNIVERSARIES AT BIRMINGHAM AND MANCHESTER.

THE services connected with the recent annual meetings of these auxiliary societies deserve a few words more than the passing notice usually given under the head of "Meetings of Associations." The editor inserts the following account of these anniversaries with the hope that other friends may be encouraged by the healthy and energetic exertions put forth in the above-mentioned places to continued and yet greater efforts for Israel, and other ministers of Christ led to imitate the admirable example of those brethren, who are directing the attention of their flocks to the special claims of the house of Israel upon their sympathy and assistance.

The meeting at Birmingham, was held in Carr's-lane Chapel, and was