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To the Young.-Jewish History, IX.

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Contributions to the British Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel among the Jews

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THE BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF

THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS,

96, GREAT RUSSELL STREET, BLOOMSBURY, LONDON.

Contributions on behalf of the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews are received by the Society's Deputations, and at 96, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, W.C., by the Rev. JOSIAH MILLER, Secretary, to whom it is requested that all money orders and drafts may be made payable. Cheques should be crossed "London and Westminster Bank, Strand." Mr. Miller will at all times be glad to furnish those friends who purpose collecting for the general funds of the Society, or specially for the Home, with the requisite books and papers. Forms of Notice of Quarterly Prayer Meetings may also be had by Post on application.

*It is respectfully requested, that Post Office Orders may be sent rather than Stamps, which cannot well be disposed of.

Literary Contributions for the "Jewish Herald," Books for Review, and Advertisements to be addressed to the Editor, 38, Bloomsbury Square, W.C.

Form of a Bequest to the Society.

I bequeath to the Treasurer for the time being of "THE BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS," for the purposes of the said Society, the sum of £ and I direct that the said legacy shall be paid out of such part of my personal estate as I may lawfully bequeath for charitable purposes, and in preference to every other payment thereout; and that the receipt of such Treasurer shall exonerate my executors from all obligation to see to the application of the said legacy.

THE HE FOLLOWING PUBLICATIONS MAY BE OBTAINED, POST free, on application to the Accountant, British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews, 96, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury::

s. d.

Notices of the Jews, &c., (published by Longmans & Co.)...... Stitched 3/6, Cloth 50
Points in Dispute between Jews and Christians, (published by Longmans & Co.) 1 0
The Ghetto in Rome, As It Was and As It Is; by Rev. Dr. PHILIP. (Printed
for the British Society)

06

A Translation of Milton's "Paradise Lost" into the Hebrew Language; by Rev.
I. E. SALKINSON, of Pressburg

Lectures on the Jews; by various Ministers

Messiah, the Hope of Israel. Suitable for putting into the hands of educated Jews 30

30

26

Jewish Witnesses that Jesus is the Christ

The Christian's Prayer for Israel; by Rev. T. W. AVELING

20

Dead and Alive Again (Annual Sermon); by Rev. S. MARTIN

04

Leaflets for Israel (Poetry)

Our Debt to Israel (Annual Sermon); by Rev. J. A. MACFADYEN, M.A.

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THE JEWISH HERALD.

JANUARY, 1874.

Editorial.

HERE is no better motto for us, for the new year, than that one so often used by the early Christians, as they met for the first time after entering upon the new period of time,-"Christ is risen." It is well to raise our eyes upon these occasions from earth to heaven, and to remember Him in whom our lives, as believers, are hid.

St. Paul's word to the Colossians (iii. 1) must then occur to us: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above; not on things on the earth." Remembering thus our standing and rejoicing in our privilege, we shall begin the new year with thankfulness and praise on the one hand, and with godly fear on the other. The life of faith is no vain thing, and the walk of faith, as we tread the pilgrim way, is its certain result. Standing upon the threshold of the new year, and looking into its unknown depths, we shall thus be able to leave our individual interest in all that may arise with calm confidence in the hands of that Risen One whose soldiers and stewards by grace we are, and each will learn to say, with the sweet simplicity of holy desire, "Lord, what wilt thou have ME to do?"

The field of work enlarges year by year, and many duties press upon us. The legacy of our living Lord stands out prominently to view: "The poor ye have always with you," and the solemn assurance that He will say, on the day of reckoning, "Inasmuch as ye did it NEW SERIES, NO. 13.

B

1874.

unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye did it unto ME" (Matt. xxv. 40), rings loudly in our ears.

Amongst those "brethren" of our unseen Master, none can be more deserving our attention and help than they who are so “according to the flesh"-THE JEWS. We have in many instances seen, during the past year, how deeply the interest grows, and how strong is the attraction felt towards this people, when once it awakens. Bringing the subject before those who have hitherto cast but a cursory glance at it; presenting it in its living reality to their view; making known the peculiar features of the Jewish work and mission-its aims and hopes; pointing out these wanderers of Israel's race in all countries, with no one to care for their souls, and the little-yet compact-band of workers and missionaries, few, very few, among so many; attention has been arrested, interest excited, and help willingly afforded.

We are not sufficiently alive to the necessity of thus telling our tale and bringing it before those who know it not. We are anxious on this occasion to sound the tocsin very loudly, and with affection, yet with all energy, to entreat our readers—the presumed friends of the Jew-to exert themselves in putting the matter before those to whom we allude. This must be done in every circle by individual effort. It would be well if each would give a copy of the Herald to a neighbour, at the same time specially directing his attention to some article in it. This would double our circulation and-by a very simple process would assist in effecting the end in view.

If we do love and care for the Jews, let us manifest that love. Let us take some active part in the Society's blessed work, and "do" personally on the one hand, whilst we distribute liberally on the other.

Hearts and hands open

For the new year is also the GIVING time. more freely, and response is often more generously made to earnest appeals at this season. Let it be so now. Let gifts for the scattered nation flow liberally in, that the basis of the Society's operations may be enlarged and that fresh missionaries may be sent forth to declare that great salvation which discovers to Israel's forlorn race the Risen Lord and resurrection life in Him. We want money; we want clothes; we want assistance for the Jewish children and for the Jewish Home. With these necessary things we crave, also, earnest prayer and loving sympathy.

These thoughts are followed up with much power in the paper presented to us by the Rev. John Wilkinson, and which we have reserved for this number, and commend it to the careful attention of our readers.

1874.

We are especially interested in his remarks on children and on Sunday schools in connection with our work. We have held, for many years, the same views, and have seen the same results, when the heart of the young has been stirred up on behalf of any object. We do entreat our friends to begin this year by engaging the cooperation of the children in the cause of the Jews; and great results must follow, through the blessing of Israel's God and Saviour.

Amongst other interesting matter in our hands for our readers, we are happy to promise them a valuable paper from the pen of an eminent clergyman of the Church of England. He presents the claims of Israel in a new and striking light and with much Scriptural power. We have received the article with thankfulness, in response to much personal entreaty, but, although he will not permit us to append his honoured name, his words will carry their own weight, being so well calculated to promote the end we have in view. The article will appear in February, and we trust it will not be the last from the same source.

We take this opportunity of again asking for contributions to enrich the pages of the Herald. This is another source opened before our friends, whereby they may help forward the work and put their talents to account for God. We have various kind promises and much encouragement.

We beg that correspondence and material for the Herald may be sent to the Editor, 38, Bloomsbury Square, W.C., and we anticipate much help and blessing on our work during the coming year, resting on the sure word of promise, that in due time we shall reap, if we faint not.

How to Deal with the Jewish Question.

To those whose love to Israel is reflected in such passages as "My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved," and "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest," &c., it is matter of deep sorrow that Gentile Christians are, to a very large extent, indifferent to the spiritual interests of their elder brethren ; and we would earnestly ask the question, "What can be done to rouse the Christian Church to acknowledge Israel's claim, and to respond to that claim in loving, prayerful effort for their conversion to Christ ?"

But some say, "Are not the Jews under God's judicial ban, and, if so, what is the use of seeking their conversion?" True, they may be under a ban as to national and temporal interests; but as to individual, spiritual,

1874.

and eternal interests, "there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him;" besides, common loyalty to our Divine Master requires that we preach the Gospel to the Jew, for is he not a creature? and the Gospel is to be preached to “every creature."

say,

Others "But the Jews are so difficult to convert." We answer, it is impossible to convert Jews or Gentiles so long as our faith stands on the wisdom of men and not on the power of God. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Were not thousands of Jews converted at the opening of the dispensation? Have not thousands been converted in modern times? Worldly-minded Christians hinder Jewish conversion by their inconsistencies, and many, otherwise earnest Christians, hinder Jewish conversion by their want of faith, love, and zeal in this special mission. The glorious Gospel is still the "power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first;" which, with Paul's intense love for his brethren, furnished him with a strong reason for not being ashamed of it.

Again, we frequently hear the remark, "But the Jews cried, 'His blood be on us and on our children;"" as though that furnished an excuse for treating their descendants with neglect and contempt. True, we answer, but why not rather quote and reflect upon the prayer on the cross of Him who said, “I know Thou hearest Me always,” and who distinctly prayed, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do"?

But, again, some take another side and say, "But the Jews are a moral and religious people; they believe in God and in the Old Testament, though it is true they do not believe in Christ: why not leave them alone?" We answer, our Master says, "If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." We rejoice that they possess and believe so much that is true; but we are anxious to lead them to the whole truth as it is in Jesus. Paul sees no special difficulty, but, on the contrary, special facility in seeking their conversion, when he says to the Gentile convert from heathenism, “ For if thou wast cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”

Then others are ready to complain of the paucity of numbers, and others of the quality of the converts. Well, as to numbers, we are indeed thankful for the few thousands who in recent times have believed in Jesus, and devoutly desire they may be increased a hundredfold; but as to the quality of the conversions, the Jewish Christians-for intelligence, scholarship, fidelity to truth, and love to and zeal for Jesus--will compare favourably with Gentile Christians of any section of the Church.

But while seeking to remove prejudice, and arouse interest in the Jews amongst the Churches of our land, we shall commit a grievous mistake if we neglect to put forth effort to gain the interest and sympathy of the young people in our Sunday schools. Their minds are unprejudiced, and the seed of truth about Israel may be sown there in strong faith and bright hope. Their hearts are young and tender, and the story of Israel's wrongs will arouse indignation and pity. I felt strongly the importance of interesting

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