other Jews of the grandeur of Christ's sermon on the mount, and of His purity and holiness of person and character. The vivifying touch of God's Holy Spirit only is wanted to make this man a Christian and a confessor. Two other cases excite prayerful interest; the one of the young Jewish merchant formerly alluded to, whose prejudices are suffering, and the other a young Jewish student, who, formerly under instruction at Pesth, is anxious to come to Prague to learn more of "this way." Mr. Schönberger begs the Secretary, and all the members of the Committee, and all the friends of the Jews to "help and assist" him by their prayers for himself and all those he has to deal with.

NUREMBERG.

MR. JAFFE says: 66 You will be pleased with the following cases of interest. About three weeks ago an elderly Jew called to see me on 'pressing business.' I was at the time deeply distressed on account of severe family affliction, and his visit was not then agreeable. I, however, saw him, and he told me that last summer he was present when I was arguing with Jews, and that he listened and was struck. Doubts and misgivings as to whether Jesus was the promised Saviour arose in his mind. He took to reading the Bible and prophecies, and gradually prejudice gave way, and he came to me for instruction. For more than three hours he listened silently, whilst I tried to clear up and elucidate the plan of God's redeeming love. He thanked me warmly, purchased a New Testament, and we prayed.

"I had an interview with a wealthy and intelligent Jew. He evinced deep interest, and asked almost more questions than I could find time to answer. He told me, some years since he and his family would have professed Christianity, but for the passionate entreaties of his aged father; and the cause still exists, which is the case in hundreds of instances. Jews, thoughtfully convinced of the truth of our holy religion, are loth to take the decisive step out of consideration to their parents. Two Jewish teachers, I may mention, have, through divine grace, made a profession of their faith in Christianity, and remain firm amidst all persecutions. I have often been refreshed and strengthened by witnessing their undaunted courage and amazing faith. Could the friends of Israel witness these cases, their love and sympathy would be more drawn forth.

66

I must allude to that dear Jewish youth often mentioned in my letters. I cannot express the joy that young brother affords me. Though so young, he has the experience of an old Christian-seeming to live in an atmosphere prayer and love. His one aspiration is 'Oh, that I could become more like my divine Master.' His employers confide in and trust him, and have raised his position. He is able now to support an ailing and indigent parent.”

of

HAMBURG.

MR. NEUMANN writes: "A Jewish watchmaker, who repaired my watch and with whom I commenced a religious conversation in the shop, denied any belief in revelation. It was sad and heartrending hearing his ignorant talk on religious subjects. He would not listen to what I said, but was obstinate

1873.

and violent.
scoffers, whose families grow up without a notion of religion.

Jews of this class are here in great numbers-infidels and

"One young Jew whom I visit has been careless and worldly. He, however, said, the last time I called on him, 'I have a different idea of Jesus now, since I have been acquainted with you.'"

and

Our missionary had an interview with two Jewesses who were both ignorant and prejudiced-full of the world and its engagements and pleasures. He spoke to them out of the Old Testament first, bringing before them the promises of the Messiah, answering their objections, refuting their erroneous notions, and "proving that by believing in Jesus a Jew does not renounce his ́religion, but returns to the old faith; for the sum and substance, marrow, kernel, and pith of their hope and faith was the coming of the promised Messiah and Redeemer to Zion. After much conversation one said, 'Do you believe the time will ever come when all Jews will believe in Jesus?' I answered in the affirmative, and quoted Zechariah." The conversation was prolonged for an hour, and on taking leave Mr. Neumann advised them to read God's Word, and requested permission to see them again. But when he called he was refused admission. Nevertheless God's Word shall not return to Him void.

Another instance, of an optician inquiring concerning portions of God's Word and accepting tracts, is given, testifying to the earnest labours of the Lord's servant in the great city.

STUTTGARD.

MR. GOTTHEIL has been nearly a quarter of a century, he states, with the British Society, and he writes feelingly on the painfulness of parting with old friends, and prays that the new Secretary may be filled with the spirit of power and love.

He speaks of the severe illness of his catechuman, Jacob Rath; and how, during his dangerous bodily state, he was thankful to see that he was rooted and grounded in the Saviour. He is now recovering. In visiting him he encountered three Jewish boys, and preached Jesus to them. They all now speak of Him as our Saviour."

Mr. Gottheil delivered some Advent lectures at Carlsruhe, and he had crowded audiences, with some sprinkling of young Jews. He also gave a like series of lectures at Stuttgard, and adds, "What a blessed thing it is that the sources of God's holy Word and will are thus an abundant and unexhaustible spring of life.”

PRESSBURG.

MR. SALKINSON commences his report by observing: "Now that we have a new Secretary, a new Editor of the Herald, and a new year before us, I hope we shall proceed to do the work of the Lord with newness of spirit;"—a prayer we echo most heartily. He speaks of a Jew-Joseph-sixty years old, of learning and family. He believes a Messiah was foretold, and that Christ answers to the description, but he cannot be brought to join a visible church,

March 1, 1873,

for which he has no sympathy. He says he cannot be called to forsake— nay, murder-his family to join a community which has the reputation of being idolators or infidels. This affords an idea of the missionary's perplexity, and it can only be left to Him who began the good work to perfect it. Mr. Salkinson gives the process of mental experience by which this intelligent Jew (as a specimen of others) was brought to the state of mind alluded to-partially convinced but not converted. He speaks of the conflict in some cases as so severe as to endanger reason. The hardness of their hearts refuses to submit to the Saviour, and they continue in unbelief.

BRESLAU.

MR. SCHWARTZ writes hopefully and thankfully, and gives an interesting account of a Jewish family brought to God, natives of Ostrova, in Posen. There were six-the parents, two sons, and two daughters; the sons grown up. He delivered the message, and misfortunes having subsequently fallen upon the family, the Gospel proclamation found them more prepared to listen; and, with the exception of the eldest son, an effect was, by divine grace, produced upon their minds. Hope was doomed for some time to disappointment. Enemies sowed tares among the wheat. The son above alluded to became an infidel, and fought mightily against God's truth in Jesus. He persuaded his family to emigrate to America. In a parting interview our missionary commended them to God in Christ, and had the deep gratification of hearing expressions from their lips which led him to hope and to believe the good seed had taken root unto eternal salvation. Since then the father has undertaken a journey to his native country, and called on Mr. Schwartz, telling him, with a thankful heart, that all the family had decided for Christ and had joined the church. The poor misguided son perished in the Chicago fire.

RUSTCHUK.

DR. ZUCKERKANDL reports that a young Jew in a most degraded stateignorant and needy--was brought by him into the school as a helper, and he is studying the Bible with great zeal. He wrote to his father, telling him of the way of salvation he had found, and Dr. Zuckerkandl encloses the letter to our Secretary which was received in reply. The old man is deeply affected and wishes to become a Christian. We are to hear more of his inward progress in the things which make for peace.

The account of a miserable Hungarian family is interesting. It appears they were ignorant and blinded, and at first refused to hear or receive any message of salvation and peace. But latterly the children were allowed to attend the school, who received the love of Christ and were changed by His grace. "On one Sunday," he writes, "Mrs. Zuckerkandl addressed the children about faith and prayer, and she remarked how sad the face of the little boy became. Detaining him after all were gone, she conversed with him, and found the Spirit of God had indeed convinced him of sin and showed him the necessity of the cleansing blood of the Messiah. He said

1873.

his parents were very angry, and would not allow his sister Bertha to come to school. The dear child spoke of little gatherings for prayer between him and this little sister. He then burst into tears, and entreated that the parents might be visited before they left the place."

There was no doubt of the conversion of these children. Oh, may they be the means of saving their parents' souls, and may they grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!

1

Prophecy and the Jew.

To Abram first the strain awoke,
And as the Eternal Father spoke,

Prophetic sounds were stirred;
His voice revealed a coming Seed,
Creation's Heir, and Israel's Head,
The mighty, living WORD.

And each succeeding cadence bold,
Which through the universe has rolled,
Awaking echoes high,—
Connected is with God's great love,
Which did Messiah willing move,
And brought Him down to die.

And thus the testimony free

The spirit is of prophecy,

The utterance of His grace;

Revealed to Jews inspired from heaven,
Who saw from far redemption given
To Adam's fallen race.

Who traced the working of the plan
To save and raise apostate man

Through David's Son and King;
Who watched it thro' revolving days,
Chanting, meanwhile, prophetic lays,
For thus they loved to sing.

When kingdoms shook and thunders pealed,
Fearless their truth and faith they sealed
With their hearts' flowing blood;
They heard prophetic strains, and still
Joyfully suffered to fulfil

The counsel of their God.

E'en then they saw Messiah's day,
And thus their fingers oft would stray

To strike each golden lyre;

1873.

How soft and sweet the sounds they breathe,
Those faithful Jews, who did not grieve
For Israel's God to expire.

They viewed the grand Procession still---
Messiah coming to fulfil

The words the Spirit said;

And, as the shadows lengthen, we
Catch the same strains, and long to see
And hail redemption's Head.

The Jewish harp e'en now is found
By God's great love attuned to sound,
In many a faithful hand;

God's witnesses raised up to awake
The slumberers, and the harp to take
To every distant land.

Then, when the witness given shall be,
When distant tribes Messiah see,

Oh! strike each golden string;

For, as the lightning's glance, shall HE,
Whose right it is, return, and be

Hailed, Israel's Shepherd King.

0

Chippings from kindred Blocks.

Z.

IN January the foundation stone was laid of the new American Episcopal Church in Rome. Fourteen English clergymen and the Bishop of Derry were present. It is the first Protestant Church within the city.-The new English Church have bought a house, which is being changed into a place of worship.-Mr. Van Meter's school in the city has been opened.--Dr. Jedder (U.S.) has come to purchase a building for the American Baptists.-Mr. Wall, English Baptist, preaches in a tent.-DR. PHILIP's Report.

The Italian Bible Society held their meeting this year in Florence.—Ibid. Many hundred Jewish children have had Christ Jesus set before them. Can it have been in vain? Assuredly not; so long as God's promise remains, "It shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper whereto I sent it." But then He must be, and is, free to choose His own time to effect that purpose; although I admit that our unfaithfulness may act for a time as an hindrance to that success.-Jewish Intelligence.

Several rabbis (at Damascus) bought books at the depôt, but refused to accept tracts, as they thought it to be a sin to read Christian books. Before leaving, however, when they thought that no one observed them, they pocketed the tracts and a New Testament, and walked off !—Ibid.