love of him, your heavenly Father. You cannot study it, with a desire to benefit by such an occu- B THE JEWISH ADVOCATE. JUNE, 1845. ADDRESS TO THE YOUNG. DEAR YOUNG Friends, THE little work, of which this is the first number, will, with the Divine blessing, be continued every month, in order to afford you information respecting God's ancient people, the Jews. Many young Christians have desired a publication which should present to themselves, and to their youthful friends and companions, instructive and interesting facts that have occurred in the past and present history of that "wonderful people" whom God chose as his own, and whom he has so mysteriously distinguished; and many parents and clergymen, anxious for your spiritual good, have also requested that such a work as this is intended to be should be undertaken, that you may have a deep and unfailing interest in their welfare. There is no history so instructive as is that of Israel; none which teaches you, as it does, the wonders of God's goodness and severity, or shows you so clearly the faithfulness and unchanging love of him, your heavenly Father. You cannot study it, with a desire to benefit by such an occupation, without deriving a blessing from it. The ancient records respecting this nation were written B by the pen of inspiration. He who made them so peculiarly his own caused the history of their sins and their obedience, of their sufferings and their greatness, to be written for your instruction. "These things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."* The history of the Jews, since the time when it was written by inspired penmen, is also deeply interesting and instructive. On the one hand, we are taught by it how fearful an evil sin is, and especially the sin of unbelief; on the other, even in the midst of all their woe, how marvellous is the unchangeableness of God; for "God hath not cast away his people; they are still beloved for their fathers' sakes; the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."+ Their very fall is riches to us; and whilst they have been enduring wrongs and suffering miseries such as no other people ever groaned under, they have been fulfilling one part of God's purpose, in teaching humility to the Gentile, and saying to him, "Be not high-minded, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee."‡ Both parts of their history will, from time to time, be presented to you. Their religious services and ordinances, present as well as past, will be explained and illustrated. The history of missions, established for their spiritual good, by the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst them; of schools for Jewish children; of the circulation of the Sacred Scriptures, &c., will be recorded; and every effort will be made to 1 Cor. x. 11. † Rom. xi. 1, 28, 29. Rom. xi. 20, 21. |