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1873.

and zealous. He states that during the recent Feast of Tabernacles he was called by Mr. Lazarus to address the Jews on the last day of the feast; that he showed to them that the Hebrew Christians have great reason to rejoice in the law of Moses, in so far as it was their guide to Christ. They behaved well, and even those who took upon themselves to defend Judaism did it quietly and in a friendly spirit. He made his way afterwards into a Jewish family, and gave away the tracts "City of Refuge" and "Words of Love," and to one of them a Hebrew Bible. He visited many Jews in Brick Lane and Whitechapel, and scattered some good seed of the kingdom. Some Jews in Leman Street were very violent, and began to blaspheme the holy name of the Lord. Our friend quaintly says, "I was not afraid because of that Jew and the other, but I was glad it was just opposite a police station."

In the new Museum at Bethnal Green, Mr Adler sought out some Jews, and argued with them that Jesus is the Christ.

We are exceedingly pleased with this report. There is a directness, earnestness, and individuality about the method of proceeding which may God greatly bless.

Mr. Ginsberg says that although the Jews in the West of London are considered superior to those in the East, he does not think there is as much honesty in the former as in the latter. He is bound to say he has met with many discouragements, and had he not the unshaken promise of God (Isa. lv.)-—for instance, he goes on his way and pursues his work assured that he is not alone, and very wisely sums up by declaring that the fruit, whatever it may be, shall be the Lord's.

Let us especially pray-and pray in faith-for these young Jewish missionaries, who know none but Christ, and who only desire that their brethren according to the flesh may know Him too.

II.-EUROPEAN MISSIONS.

BRESLAU.

MR. SCHWARTZ illustrates the importance of observing the apparently small and trivial things which make up the sum of life—the missionary not knowing what he may bring forth in connection with his work-by one instance of a Polish Jew at the fair in Breslau. He was seen by Mr. Schwartz talking to a labouring man who was pointing upwards to the sky, and apparently mocking the Jew, who was distressed and indignant. Our missionary took him by the arm, and, leading him aside, asked the cause of his trouble. It appeared he had lost his way, and, asking for information, was ridiculed and in despair. Being guided rightly he was full of gratitude, and thus an opportunity was opened for conversation on the Gospel of Jesus. An impression seemed to have been made: he thankfully accepted a New Testament and faithfully promised to read it. Since then he has called several times on

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Mr. Schwartz, who states he has at last, in answer to faith and prayer, had "the unspeakable satisfaction of seeing one bulwark after another fall, till all ultimately vanished under the beams of the Sun of righteousness, and to hear from his own lips the 'confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of his soul and the Redeemer of mankind." Already he has begun to work for Him whose name he now bears, and has given away many tracts.

God be praised for this example of great results flowing from little beginnings, and may all labourers in the vineyard learn a lesson of zeal and earnestness therefrom.

ADRIANOPLE.

MR. ROSENBERG has been very ill with congestion of the brain and gastric fever. The doctor has ordered him to leave the place for awhile. He speaks well of the Colporteur at the station, who, he states, is energetic and useful.

RUSTCHUK.

DR. ZUCKERKANDL writes cheerfully and hopefully, and states especially that many of what he calls "the travelling sons of Abraham" have received the message of salvation, and that amongst the two hundred and fifty-six thus reached, and to whom tracts and good books were also given, were four learned Jews from Caucasia. 66 They received," he adds, "the Hebrew New Testament with indescribable thankfulness, saying, 'We have already heard that the Christians' God, Jesus Christ, was Israel's God and Messiah too. But we could not appreciate that saying, and now we are thankful to Jehovah that we hear it from the mouths of our own brethren, and we will make it known to others on our return home.' These men were to visit France. England, Germany, Austria, &c. and the good Lord having led them far and wide without the knowledge of their King and Redeemer, and who at last brought them here to receive it, will enable them to carry and proclaim it in their far-off land, where there are no less than thirteen thousand of the house of Israel."

Besides these, Jews from Arabistan, Bagdad, Jerusalem, Odessa, and places in Russia, Bucharest, and Wallachia were provided with the Word of God about Jesus the Messiah, and it will not be lost.

The Turkish school for girls is already established, and the engagement of Miss Amalie as mistress, for one year certain, is legalized by the Austrian Consulate. There are about sixty girls, and having faith in Him with whom there is no impossibility, we believe bye-and-bye the dear and precious name of our Lord shall be known by these children, who never in their lives heard a single word of Him who died for their sins.

HAMBURG.

MR. NEUMANN is thankful that he has been permitted to continue his labours and for having obtained fresh opportunities of introducing the Gospel among the Jews there. He reports that much seed of the kingdom has been sown, but that he finds but little inclination to receive the message. Constant

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pleas are urged of want of time in the busy and mercantile city. A violent and disastrous storm gave our friend a golden opportunity, which he eagerly embraced, of gaining some attention, and he reports an interesting conversation with an aged and learned Jew, who became, by the power of the Holy Spirit, "fully convinced of the Messiahship of Jesus," and concerning whom some further particulars are given.

STUTTGARD.

MR. GOTTHEIL reports much time of anxiety in his work of late. His teaching and mode of dealing with his brethren, both in an unconverted state and as inquirers, is kind and conciliating, but wise and firm-for he represents them as having much self-will and unsettled wavering. He speaks of the marvellous efficacy he has found in prayer-personal, individual prayer-on behalf of certain Jews laid upon his heart. The experience of the Lord's faithfulness on the one hand, and our friend's heart-searching before Him on the other, is very interesting, and we are assured a blessing will follow. He says, humbly and touchingly, "I asked myself before the Lord," alluding to a particular case of a young Jew, "had I been faithfulhad I fully set forth the way of salvation to him-had I warned him sufficiently to flee from the wrath to come—had I made the Saviour attractive— did I stand right in the sight of Jesus all the time? I felt—had I the act or gift of winning him?" Herein is strength and promise for future usefulness. Lessons thus learned before the Lord on our knees are the profitable and permanent ones; and our brother, who is thus going forth "with weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless return with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

PARIS:

MR. J. BRUNNER writes: "My work among my Jewish brethren is proceeding as usual, and I am not without frequent proofs that it is accepted of God. One son of Abraham died the other day, I trust a believer in Christ." He further states that he had been endeavouring for some time to do some spiritual good to a Jewish individual, apparently in affluent circumstances. This man turned out to be a sharper, and was put into prison, and from thence seemed awakening to repentance unto life." May it prove so indeed.

Chippings from kindred Blocks.

[Extracted from the London Society's Intelligence.]

WHEN he (an inquiring Jew) first read Isaiah liii. together with the missionary, he was so deeply moved that for a time he was unable to speak, and at last burst out into a flood of tears. Instead, therefore, of going on with the explanation of the chapter, the missionary and the Jew prostrated themselves before God in prayer. On a subsequent occasion, when they read

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together the history of our Lord's passion, the same happened again, and now the Israelite rejoices in his salvation by faith in Jesus.

The signs of the time point to a crisis in the mental and social condition of Israel, and to the approach of the hour of deliverance. The Jews are everywhere relieved from the pressure of civil disabilities; and the further they advance in social life and emerge from their former degradation and seclusion, the greater is their emancipation from the fanaticism inspired by Talmudic orthodoxy-this formidable barrier against their reception of Christianity. The majority of the Jews are fully convinced that Talmudic Judaism can no longer sustain them in the present state of human culture, and that they must look out for other life-giving sources; and we know that it is the Gospel alone that gives vitality to a nation. The spirit of blasphemy, and hatred against Jesus, is vanishing; the attitude assumed by the Jews with reference to Him is one of greater circumspection, of reserve, and even to some extent of impartiality, though also of unbelief; but they seek to be just to Him as a man.

Were all the Hebrew Christians to come forward and avow themselves as such before the world, they might in their collective capacity form a centre of attraction to many wavering souls, who are still eternally within the pale Judaism. Unfortunately, the opinions entertained of Hebrew Christians by many are such, that it requires no small amount of moral courage on their part to avow openly their Jewish origin. On the one hand, there is a lurking, and, as it seems, an ineradicable suspicion of the motives of Jewish believers in the minds of even good Christians.

It may occur to the minds of some, why should missionaries, sent especially to the Jews, speak so often to the Mohammedans? My answer is, because it forms part of the work of those who love the cause of Israel constantly to endeavour to remove the misconceptions and prejudices with regard to God's chosen people, as prevalent here as amongst nominal Christians, only far more influential for harm.

We soon proceeded to engage a room in the house of a friendly Jewess in Harfa, where we opened a kind of surgery and book-shop, for the reception of the Jews. Great numbers came to see us every day—either to consult the doctor or to obtain books-to whom Mr. Bernstein spoke of the Messiah.

Danzig.-Rev. H. Lawrence writes:- "Your colporteur sends me a weekly report of his proceedings. In his last, dated Sept. 7, he relates an interesting circumstance of a Jew who, on a former visit, was one of his most violent opponents, and helped to tear up a New Testament and tracts in the open market-place. The other day, he bought a Hebrew Bible, and then urgently requested a New Testament gratis, promising not to tear it in pieces. This, however, not being granted, and finding his promises of no avail, rather than not have the book, he gave a trifle for it, and, our agent adds, put it carefully into his pocket and went his way.

1873.

Hamburg.-Rev. J. T. Schleicher reports the baptism of a young Jew and Jewess. The latter is an orphan, of good family. She lives with her grandmother, who continues a Jewess, but did not object to the baptism of her granddaughter. Upon the occasion of her baptism, she brought a free-will offering in money, which will be devoted to missionary purposes.

"All our conversations with Jews at were very favourable; but the most interesting was with the rabbi. When he found our reasoning unanswerable, he would pause a moment, and then say, 'Well, I am satisfied upon the subject; let us now proceed to another, in order that I may have a clear idea of the difference between Judaism and Christianity, and so judge which is right.' We believe that this rabbi will soon embrace Christianity.”

[There is much that is encouraging in these reports, calculated to stir up us, and all who love and are working for Israel. May the efforts of godly missionaries of all denominations be abundantly blessed.-ED.]

The London Home for Jews,

28, ALFRED PLACE, BEDFORD SQUARE.

THE Committee of the British Society regard with peculiar interest and prayerful anxiety this department of their great work.

Many young Jews are continually presenting themselves to the missionaries of the Society, who need such an institution. Beginning with earnest hearts to inquire concerning the truth of Christianity and the knowledge of Christ, they have neither homes nor friends. It may be they are engaged in some mode of living during the day, or that they are seeking to obtain one, and during spare time, in both cases, desire instruction, and are then peculiarly susceptible to divine and gracious influences. They require to be dealt with wisely and earnestly, and to come into close contact with the revelation of the Bible concerning the Messiah of Israel, and to read in the New Testament the story of the incarnate Saviour, and the sweet message of redemption through His blood whom their fathers crucified, whom God raised from the dead, and exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel and forgiveness of sins (Acts v. 31). For these purposes the Home was prepared, and was opened first at Leyton, it being thought that the country and a large garden, with quiet and seclusion, would be of advantage. This was found to be a misconception, because of the distance from London, and, therefore, after the death of the excellent and long-tried missionary of the Society, Mr. Davidson, who had charge of the work, the Society-having advantageously let their premises at Leyton for the remainder of their lease-were led to fix upon a small and economical house near their own premises in London. It can thus be readily watched over by the Secretary and visited by the Committee.

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