blindness and prejudices of our forefathers in general, in those days: their poor and unhappy offspring, following their example, have continued in their blind ways, and have led us on as blind leaders to this very day. O! what shall I, poor wretched creature, now do or undertake? I see clearly the beams of the sun shining into my understanding, but cannot possibly rise out of the dark cloud. How could I leave my wife, whom I love as myself? and how could I abandon my children, who are of my own flesh and blood? O, my heart! my fatherly heart cannot bear the thought of it! Besides, by what means could I get my bread? I cannot labour, having learnt no business; and to seek my support from charity is revolting against my nature; besides this, I am afraid of being turned off by the Christians, who, without doubt, would mistrust my sincerity, after they have so often been deceived by false and inconstant proselytes. What shall I do, miserable as I am!" Having related to him all the ways in which the Lord had led me from the beginning, he fell down on his knees, and shed a flood of tears. It is impossible for me to describe the anxiety of his soul; he prayed with a broken and contrite heart before God, that he might in pity look down upon him, and grant him the same grace as to me; to deny himself, and unloose his heart from all temporal concerns, enabling him to rely and trust in him alone. See S. Duitch's Narrative. London edition, 1771, page 33."

THE JEWS IN LONDON.

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend in Edinburgh. London 4th June 1810.

I

HAVE been here a week, and shall remain yet two weeks, to be present at the half-yearly meeting of the society for converting the Jews.

My principal, indeed my only reason for taking up my pen at this time, is to put you in possession of all that I have seen and heard with respect to this society since my arrival.

I have not the least doubt that the blessing of God has already in some measure crowned their efforts. I hear from the most respectable authority, that there is a considerable agitation in the minds of the great body of the Jews. To There

counteract the efforts of the society, they have subscribed a large sum for establishing an hospital for their own sick; a school to educate fifty boys and as many girls; and a society for visiting their sick. -This is all most satisfactory, since it proves to a demonstration, that they do not judge the efforts of the new society contemptible, seeing that they are taking such active measures to defeat their plans. I understand also that the Jews have been strictly prohibited from writing in answer to any of the society's publications. This is another hopeful sign, as it shows that they are afraid of discussion, or perhaps they use this as an excuse for declining it. is a general impression on the minds of the Jews themselves, either that the Messiah is to be born, or if he has hitherto been concealed, that he is to be manifested to Israel in the course of this or the next year-and in whatever way this has arisen, it must prove favourable to the attempts now making to turn their attention to Jesus. Thirteen Jews are to be baptized next week at the half yearly meeting. O my friend, what an interesting spectacle will this be! such a thing has not taken place since the days of the apostles! The Rev. Mr. a most learned and respectable clergyman of the Church of England, informs me, that he considers some of these catechumens as being already solid, judicious, and established Christians. - One of those about to be baptized, was attacked and almost killed by his unbelieving brethren lately, and the society was obliged to remove him to another part of the town.

The young Rabbi from Jerusalem being in the country, I have not yet seen him; but he is to be here before the half yearly meeting. Mr. - is very highly satisfied with him, and thinks that there is a work of the Spirit of God on his soul. When he arrived in this country he was the proudest of men, thinking from the extent of his Rabbinical learning that there was no body like himself, but he is growing much more humble-he lately said to Mr.

"When I came to

this country I was very proud, but I now desire to be made like a little child." Large offers have been made to him by the Jews to return to them, but he has remained unmoved. They wrote him a flattering letter in Hebrew, lamenting that a man of his learning should leave the Synagogue, and in a manner offering him his own terms if he would come back. This letter I think Mr. - told me is in possession of the society. This young man says, that in the East many of the most

learned Jews are convinced that the Messiah is already come. Some Jews in this country do not scruple to say, that this is the case with many of themselves, but that they are deterred from confessing Christ, by the fear of being persecuted.

I was in the Jews chapel yesterday, and it was indeed a feast to my soul. To see more than thirty of the infant children of Israel, hymning the praises of HIM whom they had been taught to blaspheme, was most moving and interesting. Several of the elder boys have a most interesting appearance. They seem quite happy; indeed pleasure beams on their countenances. The natural talents of some of them are of an high order, and their progress in knowledge greatly surprised Mr.. Two or three of them are to be educated for the Ministry. There were, I am sure, not less than fifty Jows present at the chapel yesterday evening. In general, they seemed to hear with fixed attention, and I saw some hear with deep attention and interest. Some of them were of respectable appearance. One of these sat near me; I observed him join with the congregation in singing the psalms; but in a way as if he was afraid of doing it, that is, you saw his lips move in unison, and nothing more. He came to the vestry after service, and spoke to Mr. F, and has requested to have some conversation with him on a future day. He confesses himself, as I understand, to be already half a Christian. I saw another boy of 17 or 18 years of age come into the Committee-room after service and request some tracts.These were given him, and he seemed most thankful for them, &c.

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY,
Sixteenth General Meeting.

as

ON the second Wednesday in May, (the 9th day of the month,) the first meeting of the Society, was held usual at the Rev. Rowland Hill's Chapel, Surry Road: it was never filled at an earlier hour; and multitudes, who came rather late, returned to their habitations disappointed. The chapel was full soon after nine o'clock. Mr. Hill commenced the service by reading the prayers of the established Church; after which Dr. Smith of Homerton, prayed in the pulpit; and Dr. Collyer, of Peckham, delivered an excellent discourse, from Luke ii. 32. A light to lighten the Gentiles.' From which words the preacher proposed, I. To explain the import of the text; and, II. To apply its testimony to Missionary exertions. Under the first head, the character

of Jesus was considered under the image of Light,'-the subjects of his influences, 'the Gentiles,' and his manifestation to the world, universal illumination, for he rises upon the nations to lighten them.' II. In applying this testimony to Missionary exertions he showed, that it explains the principles on which they are founded; and evinces that they proceed from Nature, Reason, Humanity, Patriotism, and Religion. He then produced several considerations, by which this society is encouraged; namely, by revelation, by experience, and by existing circumstances. -Mr. Bishop, of Ringwood, concluded the service with prayer.

In the evening of the same day, the Rev. Mr. Kelly, of Dublin, preached a very animated sermon at the Tabernacle, from Gal. iv. 18. It is good to be zealous always in a good thing.' The preacher made some judicious remarks on Religious zeal, distinguishing between that which is genuine and that which is spurious. The gospel was considered as a subject which well deserves the zeal of Christians; and the state of the Heathen, affording a proper scene for the exercise of that grace. The discourse displayed much knowledge of human nature, and much zeal for the propagation of divine truth. Mr. Hughes, of Battersea, prayed before the sermon; and Mr. Redford, of Windsor, after it.

On Thursday morning, the Members of the Society, and other persons friendly to the Missionary cause, assembled at Mr. Jones' Chapel, in Silver-street, the former places of meeting for the annual business having proved too small. William Alers, Esq. (the treasurer being unavoidably absent,) was unanimously called to the chair. Dr. Cracknell, of Weymouth, implored the Divine blessing by prayer. The plan of the Society was read by Mr. Platt; and the minutes of the last annual meeting by Mr. Humphrys. The report of the directors was then read from the pulpit, by the Secretary. After which, the acceptance of the report was unanimously voted; and thanks to the Directors, for their assiduous attention to the concerns of the society. The cordial thanks of the meeting were voted to Joseph Hardcastle, Esq. Treasurer, for his valuable services, and expressed in a manner which evinced the grateful sense entertained of them by the whole body. The thanks of the Society were also - voted to the Secretary, for his laborious and gratuitous services. Several very impressive speeches were made by the Rev. Messrs. Bogue, Waugh, and other gentlemen. The Rev. Mr. Smart, of Paisley, delivered a judicious ad

dress, suited to the important occasion, and concluded with prayer to God.

Tottenham Court Chapel was crowded as usual, very early; and the prayers of the church were read by the Rev. Mr. Huckwell, curate of the chapel. The Rev. Mr. James, of Birmingham, prayed before the sermon; which was delivered by the Rev. George Collison, of Hackney. This animated and appropriate discourse was founded on Psalm lxviii. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7. "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us, that thy way be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God! let all the people praise thee! Then shall the earth yield her increase ; and God, even our own God, shall bless! God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him." In this prayer of the church for the heathen nations, the preacher considered, 1. The pre-eminent importance of its object, the diffusion of evangelical truth amongst the heathen, that thy way be known,' &c. 2. The propriety of its adoption arising from the explicit will of God. 3. The beauty of its principles, piety, regret of indifference, union of patriotism and benevolence, &c. 4. The glory of its accomplishment, the earth shall yield her increase, in the domestic and social relations, in personal character, and in the universal diffusion of evangelical light, &c. The Rev. Mr. Bingham concluded the service with prayer.

،

On Friday morning, St. Bride's church was crowded with a respectable and attentive congregation. Prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Jones, curate of the church. The Rev. WB. Cocker, vicar of Bunny and of Runnington, in the county of Nottingham, delivered a pleasing discourse, from Acts xvi. 9, 10. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us; and after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the Gospel unto them.' Several interesting remarks were made on this part of sacred history:-I. An historical exposition of the text, illustrating the progress of the gospel in Macedonia;-II. A view of the present state of vital Christianity-the deplorable condition of the heathen -the duty of assisting them and the peculiar encouragements to attempt their relief; -III. Exhortation to prayer, and to an active support of the cause of missions; concluding with an appeal to the hearers, on the duty of improving their gospel privileges.