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النشر الإلكتروني

1873.

Now, leaving out other considerations, let me express my long cherished opinion, strengthened by experience, that the best way would be to couple the Gentile with the Jew, so that the two may make one complete missionary -provided only that they previously knew each other well and found their minds homogenical, so that they may not be unequally yoked together. How often I have thought what a good partner would, for example, my friend Wilkinson be to me, who harmonised so well with me when he was my fellow-student in the British College. In this way alone, I believe, can the Gentile missionary be of great service, but I would never advise him to go alone.

I am, my dear Sir, yours very truly,

PRESSBURG, HUNGARY, May, 1873.

ISAAC E. SALKINSON.

Our Missionaries.

1.-ENGLAND.

LONDON.

One of

MR. LOWITZ reports, concerning the Home, that he is permitted to continue the work here and to record some tokens of God's blessing. There have been seven inmates since last report; two have left-one to enter a telegraph office and the other has gone, as stated in last Herald, to Newark. the inmates, who was recently baptised in Craven Chapel, by the Rev. R. D. Wilson, as narrated to our readers by our Secretary, steadily pursues his way and continues in the office of Mr. Lev, the printer of the Herald. Another has commenced work in the same place and seems to take to it. A third inquirer has some work to do, but only earns a trifle, barely enough for clothes. Another is hopeful and seems in earnest, but our Superintendent is anxious about his future means of living. He says, “I see no prospect for the future if the Lord does not, in His providence, open some employment for him. In short," concludes Mr. Lowitz, "I have reason to believe that the spiritual seed sown in the Home has produced some good fruits to the praise of the Redeemer and the salvation of some in it. I may add that some of those Jews who have called and heard the Gospel have also profited. One of them has just left for the sea-side to recruit his health, taking with him the Bible and other good books for reading there. May the Spirit discover unto him the precious truth about Christ which is contained in them."

Mr. Zucker is taking his annual holiday, and writes from Ramsgate that few Jews are there yet, owing to the coldness of the season. He has been eudeavouring to find access to resident Jewish families, and, through them, to others. He threw himself into the way of one of the three rabbis maintained in that town by Sir Moses Montefiore. His sole occupation is the study of the Talmud, and, being invited to his house, he had an interesting conversation with him. He was courteous and kind, introduced our missionary to the other two rabbis, and invited him to call again for the purpose of discussion.

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Mr. J. L. Adler has been working in the East End with Mr. Lazarus. He reports visits to several Jewish families and a case of personal dealing with one led astray by a Talmudical Jew.

MANCHESTER.

MR. MOLLIS gives an account of a lecture to the Jews given by one of our Jewish converts, a tradesman in the city, which was attended and listened to with great interest. He bore testimony to the Gospel truth and wished to corroborate the efforts of our missionaries. His subject was, 66 Wherewith are the Jews at the present day justified before God?" and he showed, with plainness and some apparent power, that Judaism is a lifeless carcase, useless and unable to justify; but where Christ is seen and received as a living Saviour, there is peace with God and justification perfect and complete through His blood. He concluded by declaring that this was his standing and belief. This is a most interesting and encouraging event, and calls for praise and thanksgiving.

Mr. Mollis gives an interesting account of the conversion of a Jew opposed vehemently by his wife. At present he stands fast, and we are called upon to pray that he may continue so to the end.

From the same city we have, also, Mr. Naphtali's report. He states that he visits as much as possible; he grieves over the neglected state of Jewish children, and states his efforts to do something for them. The children were willing and eager to listen concerning Jesus whenever he came in contact with them. He also speaks of the efforts he has made in connection with the Passover before alluded to, to spread the Word of God and the knowledge of Jesus among the resident Jewish families and their visitors.

II.-EUROPE.

ADRIANOPLE.

OUR friends had an opportunity of meeting Mr. Rosenberg at the annual meeting, and of hearing the account of the mission from his own lips. As the speech was fully reported in the Jewish Herald, for the edification of absent friends, we will not give details here this month, as we are pressed for space. Our missionary is at present on leave of absence at Aberdeen.

FRANKFORT.

MR. W. BRUNNER is labouring among the Jews here, and he states he found the past season of the Passover afforded many favourable opportunities for access and conversation, and of directing their minds to Him who was prefigured by the Pascal associations and services. He relates a conversation with an eminent banker, intellectual but bigoted, who endeavoured in vain to refute Scriptural arguments and who confessed himself baffled. Another Jew entered warmly into discussion on Christian truth and received humbly the Gospel message.,

PRAGUE.

MR. SCHÖNBERGER was absent from his station at Prague during Easter week, and visited his old friend, Professor Delitzsch, at Leipsig, and also other disciples. He was anxious to make arrangements for the instruction

of a young and interesting Jew. He speaks of the Professor as a very warm friend to our cause among the people of Israel and one of its most zealous advocates. He expressed at this time to our missionary his "great grief that there is so little true love and zeal for the conversion of the Jews among the German Christians." Mr. Schönberger endeavoured, during his stay, to interest other Christians in the work of our mission, and he lost no opportunity of preaching it.

Since his return he has been trying, in accordance with the wish of the Committee, to arrange for getting access, by lectures or otherwise, to the Jews at Brünn and elsewhere, as the providence of the Lord may open the way.

PRESSBURG.

THERE are pleasing accounts from Mr. Salkinson at Pressburg, but as a letter from him is inserted in the present number of the Herald, we will not do more than state that he has been labouring to remove the prejudice which exists against the Gospel and the missionaries, as they who declare it from the Lord, and he adds, "I have succeeded thus far, that I can point to a number of Jews who are persuaded to be Christians, only lacking the Spirit of life from above." He explains that these Jews feel what benefit would result to the whole nation from an acknowledgment of Jesus as King of the Jews, and they, therefore, desire them to be brought under the banner of the cross. Among these are leaders of the new congregation, who would gladly let him lecture in the temple if others would allow it. Some, again, are brought midway as it were; they wait to see whether the Lord will come or not. Mr. Salkinson remarks concerning these, with much discrimination and truth, "In my mind the mere spreading of the knowledge of our Lord, though without immediately resulting conversion, is a worthy service; for it seems to me by such means the Jewish people in due time, by God's grace, may turn to the right path."

Whilst he was at Vienna lately he hoped to have gathered some Jews, but they went after sight-seeing, and all our missionary could do to soothe his mind was to visit a Jewish family, and he adds, "I trust it will not be lost on them." He keeps up a large correspondence with Jews personally unknown to him, and has many Hebrew letters on hand.

Hearing of the young Baron Rothschild's intended marriage with a Catholic young lady-which striking event was duly noticed in our Judaica -Mr. Salkinson wrote faithfully to him, pointing him to Jesus and hoping his acceptance of the Him as his Messiah would result. Although he got a "polite rebuff,” as he terms it, he says, "Feeling I am not better than the Master or other good men I must not complain." He sends us a copy both of his letter and of the Baron's reply.

BOTUSHANY, ROUMANIA.

WE have good tidings from Botushany. Mr. Nachim reports that the Lord Jesus has given him proofs that the Gospel of Christ, though preached in weakness, has not been in vain. On one occasion he was asked, in a scoffing manner, if he was not tired of trying to convince Jews of the truth and reality of the Christian faith. Thereupon he spoke of the constraining love of Christ and of His great salvation, amidst much blasphemy and reproach. The result was much softening of the tone, tears trickling whilst listening to the story of the cross; and, though no vital change was apparent, the outworks of prejudice were clearly stormed, and we join in our missionary's

1873.

prayer, "May the Lord finish the work which He has begun in them to the redemption of their souls and to the glory of His holy name."

Mr. Nachim alludes to the interesting case of a Jewess, Miss Margulius, in whose heart the good work of grace was recorded a year ago as having begun. It has now blossomed into a lovely flower, and she writes to him, "Until now Satan has tried to hinder me from following Christ, and, alas ! he has succeeded too much in preventing the public profession of His name; but now I do long for the happy day of my baptism, for which purpose I beg you to come."

STUTTGARD.

MR. GOTTHEIL writes fully from Stuttgard. His translation of "Lebensbrod" is proceeding; he has received many applications for it and especially urgent ones from Vienna, and he asks for instructions respecting its gratuitous dissemination, adding, "I always think of the blessed Saviour's words, 'Freely ye have received, freely give.""

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He speaks of a pleasant and profitable visit from the Waldensian Pastor Calvino, a man thoroughly sound and earnest and " one of the evangelists who have given their hearts and labours to poor, stricken Italy. What made him doubly interesting and dear to me," he adds, was that he had, also, the cause of Israel at heart, and that in so earnest and unprejudiced a manner that I am sure the Jew to whom he addresses himself must feel he means well to him. He will scarcely pass a Jew without saying a word of good and comfort to him."

Our missionary states that the ignorance of the Jews with whom he comes in contact as to the holy Word of God is "painful and surprising," and he considers the knowledge of the Scriptures is on the decrease among the Jews. He ascribes it to the present system of secular education, to the desire to grow rich, and to the general feeling of disinclination to the use and authority of God in His most holy Word. He thinks a brief tract, "How to use God's Word," would be useful, and makes some excellent remarks on the subject.

Being much taken up with the printing of the "Lebensbrod," and a strike having occurred among the workmen, he has not anything special to record as to his missionary work.

KONIGSBERG.

MR. JACOBI has nothing special to report from Königsberg. He gives an account of conversations with Polish Jews, to whom he pointed out the fulfilment of prophecy in the person and work of Christ. He says the knowledge of the letter of the New Testament possessed by many Jewish youths, trained in the Rabbinical school at Wilna, would put to shame that of many professing Christians. It is a striking fact recorded by our missionary, and confirmed in other reports, that Jews are both willing to receive and eager to read the New Testament; one young Jewess even learning texts by heart and conversing freely upon them. We join in Mr. Jacobi's prayer, that this being watered by the dew of the Holy Ghost, may prove a lamp to their feet through the journey of life and the means of saving conversion to God.

PARIS.

MR. J. BRUNNER has been ill with rheumatism pervading the whole body. He has received much "sympathy and affectionate interest" from several of his Jewish friends. He used the opportunities thus offered to speak of the

1873.

"Saviour and His Gospel of love." He says: "As we are now on the eve of Pentecost, I trust I shall be able to preach the Gospel to many Jews whilst in their domestic circles and whilst their various avocations are suspended." We will make it a special matter of prayer that power may accompany the word, and that there may be real conversions to God.

ROME.

FROM Rome we have Dr. Philip's letters. He does not say much concerning his own immediate work, but appends the following notes, which we insert as containing matter of general interest. Our missionary laments, with the Committee, the high price of living and of house-rent in Rome, and assures us of his efforts to keep down all expenses as much as possible. He has now removed to a cheaper house, but even this is £120 per annum.

On the 9th March the Italian Bible Society held their second annual meeting in the Argentine Theatre, Rome. The house was crowded, about 2,000 being present. The boxes were all occupied by English and American visitors. The Rev. Mr. Gavazzi was the great attraction.

The week before last, when Mr. Gavazzi held one of his conferences in the Via Carallo, a shell filled with combustibles was discovered, which the authors of the mischief intended to set fire to. However, notice had been given in time to the police and three men were arrested, one a student and the other two pontifical ex-gendarmes. A few days after they were tried before the court, when the former was condemned to three months' imprisonment and 300 francs fine, and the two latter to one month's imprisonment and to pay all the expenses of the court.

The union service this season of the three great Presbyterian Churches of Scotland has given great pleasure and universal satisfaction. It is now proposed to build a large non-Episcopalian church in the city.

HAMBURG.

MR. NEUMANN writes that he has been enabled to embrace fresh opportunities of introducing himself to the Jews, who had not hitherto heard the tidings of salvation. He relates some interesting interviews and details the conversations. One was with a large family who talked with much intelligence. One incident is pleasing. "After listening to the discussion the married daughter observed, Jesus was certainly a wise and good man.' 'Yes, and far more than this,' I replied, ‘He is our Redeemer, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.' 'Oh, this is above my comprehension,' said she." Whilst they were thus conversing and our missionary was recommending the blessed Jesus to them, an old Israelite entered-a German Jew-who took up the word and passionately uttered scurrilous and wicked things. At a subsequent interview a Jewish lady observed, "Sir, you have a difficult vocation to convince a Jew." "Yes," he replied, "but would he search the Scriptures, as Jesus challenges him to do, it would not be so difficult." Mr. Neumann names a watch-maker -an elderly orthodox Jew-who disputed eagerly, but clung to tradition and the interpretations of the rabbis.

During the feast of unleavened bread and the Passover every opportunity was embraced of exhibiting the true Pascal Lamb, and it is hoped, by the power of the Holy Ghost, not without effect. But the seed has to be sown and left long buried, we watching and praying the while, for we know—

"The precious grain shall ne'er be lost,

For grace ensures the crop."

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