WE regret that meetings for prayer on behalf of the Jews attract so few attendants. If any effort of pious zeal needed or deserved more of private and of social prayer than another, surely that which seeks the salvation of Israel does so. The relation of the people to God-their long continuance in unbelief and even their possession of the Word, unimproved, unsaved by it— must convince us that Divine influence is needful. The scriptural description of their guilty and perilous condition while insensible-their exposure to temptation when awakened-and their spiritual trials when converted, all urge on us the duty and the privilege of prayer-specific prayer-believing prayerpersevering prayer on their behalf.

Let us stir up each other to this duty, and instead of listening to "it's only a prayer meeting," let this character be its chief attraction-that it is "a Jews prayer meeting." Be it infixed on our hearts, that these are precisely the occasions. which test our love to Israel, and to the Redeemer of Israel-the very occasions on which more may be effected in this cause, than by all the excitement of public meetings or brilliant oratory. It is not in the cause, the plea, the promise, or the prospect, that the interest fails. "We have not, because we ask not." We are cold because away from the sun-silent because unacquainted with the Word."

N.B. The next Monthly Meeting for Prayer in this Society's office, open to all friends of Israel, will be on Wednesday evening, August 21, at 7 o'clock,

London Published by JOHN SNOW, 35, Paternoster Row.

:

Printed for the Society by Adams and Gee, at 23, Middle Street, West Smithfield, E.C.-No. 188.-August 1, 1891.

"PUBLISH YE, PRAISE YE, AND SAY, O LORD, SAVE THY PEOPLE, THE REMNANT

OF ISRAEL."

No. 189.]

SEPTEMBER 1, 1861.

[Price 1d.

Our Missions.

A REVIEW of the four months which have elapsed since the last Annual Meeting affords much to encourage the friends of Jewish Missions, whether connected with this or kindred societies. Christian intercourse has been extended, and the influence of Christian truth has been extensively evident. Instances have been recorded of earnest inquiry, issuing, as we believe, in conversion to God; and a light has been kindled in some hearts, which may be carried far hence to the Gentiles, or guide the wanderers of Israel, at home and abroad, by a way they have not known, to the pastures of salvation, and to the home of the blessed. The extracts from missionary journals in the Jewish Herald and in other publications confirm these views. There are other indications of progress in this all-important cause, which should, we think, awaken gratitude, and lead to a prayerful outlooking for better days on the seed which the Lord hath blessed, and which He has promised to make a blessing.

The unrestricted intercourse between the children of one Father, the general acquaintance of intelligent Jews with Christian writings, their reading and circulation of the Old Testament Scriptures, and of tracts on moral and religious subjects, written and published by themselves, and the weekly delivery of lectures by their teachers, are, we believe, preparing the way for the reception of Gospel truth. Among ourselves there are, if we mistake not, similar intimations in the increased favour shown to pleas for Israel by those who once hesitated-in the views entertained by active friends of the Society of the peculiar spirituality of the effort, and its entire dependence on Divine guidance and influence-and, we are grateful to add, the interest generally and devoutly taken by the poor and by the young. We accept the offerings and the good wishes of these classes with peculiar satisfaction; and in the adhesion of young Christians to an enterprise from which some of us must soon, in the course of nature, be withdrawn, we realise the brightest prospects for the future.

Much, however, remains to be attempted, much to be expected, and much to be entreated for. Jews are everywhere, and everywhere the Gospel and the

VOL. XVI.-NEW SERIES, VOL. VII.

Gospel messenger must be sent. The religion of Jesus must be exhibited to them in our lives; and we must labour, and faint not, to awaken them to prayer, and to the searching of the Word of God.

We will now present a few extracts from the recent communications of our brethren, only remarking that a certain measure of reserve is due to all concerned in some of the cases referred to; and pleading with our readers for the exercise of special prayer for the several individuals introduced to their notice.

SYRIA.-JAFFA.

Mrs. Philip and five children have left Scotland to rejoin the Rev. Dr. PHILIP, and, we hope, have by this time constituted and gladdened his home. He thus refers to two Israelites:

The only subject of interest which I have to mention is that of two Russian Jews. They had come in contact with a Missionary at Warsaw about two years ago, from whom they received a course of instruction in the New Testament, during his temporary residence in that city; apparently they became convinced of the truth that Jesus is the true Messiah, and became zealous to spread their convictions among their brethren there. One Saturday they began to converse in one of the synagogues there, and provided with Hebrew New Testaments they read aloud several passages to prove the fulfilment of prophecies of the Old Testament respecting the Messiah; for this they were persecuted and obliged to leave their home, and ever since that time they have been wandering about, and about a month ago they arrived here, and the Lord brought me in contact with them. They were evidently well acquainted with both Old and New Testaments, and I trust that their hearts were affected by the power of the truth. They came every day and sat with me for an hour in my dispensary, during which time we conversed and prayed together. They were very anxious to be baptised, and I would have been glad to administer the sacrament to them, as I thought them quite fit and worthy for it, but they were at the same time anxious to have first a livelihood in order that their wanderings might be at an end, but having been accustomed all their lives to study the Talmud, they could not take such an engagement as I had to offer them at the Model Farm, where manual labour is required, and moreover neither of them was strong or in perfect health. They, therefore, resolved upon visiting Jerusalem for a few days, and to return and proceed on to Alexandria, and try there to begin some business, as they had means at their disposal. They went by last steamer; I gave them a letter of introduction to the Church of Scotland's Missionary there, and I trust that they will grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, and that I shall hear ere long that they have been received into the Church of Christ by baptism.

The rest of my labours here I continue as usual, and as this is our sickly season I am kept busy for the most part of the day; but, thanks be to God, my health has not yet given way under it, though I am every day for several hours exposed to the sun. I feel the want of many things here, as church, school, hospital, &c., and I am just preparing some letters for Scotch friends, to ask their liberality for building a church at Jaffa. All the denominations have a place of worship here, except the Protestants; though there are but few here now, but in winter it often happens that a number of travellers have to remain here over Sunday; and besides, we trust that it may be the nucleus for a future Protestant community. In the meantime I hold worship in the house of our Consul.

ITALY.

Dr. MAYER gives a list of thirty Israelites with whom he has Christian intercourse, and in several there is much to encourage hope. He adds:

Now there are others, hitherto of little importance. With several in the above list, very interesting things are connected, and though our work prospers I must be careful and cautious to the utmost, as regards baptism; and as my aim is the community of Israel at large, and conversion without immediate baptism is better than baptism without conversion, I think I shall procced in this my way, which may the Lord bless.

Mr. DAVIDSON will (D.V.) rejoin Dr. MAYER shortly, when we trust that the good work will be more extensively carried forward.

WALLACHIA.-IBRAILA.

The Rev. A. GELLERT's notes of a recent tour, and Mr. NEUMANN's detail of school and other operations, give a lively and hopeful aspect to the Mission:On my way to Giurgeno, the first station I visited, I met with many ladies and gentlemen of the Jewish persuasion, from Odessa, some travelling on business and others for pleasure. I was quite surprised to find what a powerful influence the political events of our day exercise on the minds of my Jewish brethren, inducing them far more than formerly both to converse and to deliberate on the prophecies which seem to stand in connection with them; even the ladies took much interest, and repeatedly asked for explanations on various passages quoted from the Scriptures: the Jewesses, up to the present day, alas! have little more knowledge than that assigned to them by the chachamim (rabbis).

Their general attention was soon elicited, when telling them that the prophecies standing in relation with political movements have not been given merely to satisfy our curiosity, but each and all have one unchangeable heavenly purpose, the fulfilment and realisation of the declaration of the eternal Ruchakodesch through the mouth of our father Jacob, "that to Shiloh shall all the nations be gathered;" the same of whom the prophet, about 1400 years later, says, "He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities," &c. (see Isaiah liii.), pointing to Jesus, whom our fathers have crucified, in whom all this has been partly, and is still to be fulfilled. It was very gratifying to me, that though we both stood on scriptural ground, yet they were not bigoted Jews, but manifested much respect and kindness for the servant of the Lord. One of them, who was well acquainted with Gospel truth, quoting a Talmudical passage, that the Jews are the most obstinate nation, observed that they will be amongst the last nations in acknowledging Jesus for their King.

The Jewish population in Giurgeno is not very large, consisting of Spanish, German, and Polish Jews. The first are very aristocratic, proud, and not very favourable to the truth; nor are they disposed to enter into conversation with the missionary, and on doing so become easily excited to anger; the second and third class, on the contrary, readily and willingly cultivate the missionary's acquaintance. Some of them deeply regret the removal of the missionary school which had been established there for some time.

Among the rising generation many are conversant with the truth, and often begged me impartially to investigate with them the claims of Jesus to the Messiahship. They possess New Testaments in German and Hebrew, and two of them observed that a great part of the prophecies had been accomplished in Jesus of Nazareth.

I also came in contact with an elderly and not uneducated Jewish lady, who

travelled to Toplitz, the watering place, being in a very suffering state of health. Finding the medical advice I gave her salutary, she proposed to me to accompany her there, defraying all my expenses, which I naturally declined; however, while speaking on subjects concerning the life and health of the body, I had also ample opportunity of expatiating on the life and well-being of the soul, convincing her, scripturally, that we must soon stand before a just but offended God, whose laws we continually violate. There is no remedy, save the sprinkling of the blood of that Lamb which God has chosen Himself, and of which Moses and the prophets speak. "How is it, then," observed she, "that we have not been so indefatigably persecuted by any sect as by those called Christians ?" This occasioned my discoursing on the depravity of the human heart and mind, perverting the religion which preaches nothing but love and humility. She was deeply touched when I spoke of the love of Jesus and His disciples for our nation, His weeping over Jerusalem, and His love for the human race at large. She thanked me heartily for a New Testament I presented her with.

Though there are still many obstacles in the way to impede the missionary's progress, to hinder the perfect development of the truth, to chill our joy,—yet, thank God, there is a visible moving of the dry bones, which sconer or later, by the outpouring of the Spirit, will be enlivened and animated to proclaim the wondrous love of their King and Messiah. I am exceedingly sorry to have been compelled to leave sooner than I intended, on account of an unfortunate accident which deprived me of the use of my right hand for some time, and which might have been of very serious consequences.

TULTSCHA is a Bulgarian town, under direct Turkish authority, by which I was greatly annoyed, regarding my passport and the various overcharged fees, as well as by the troublesome examination and close search of baggage. I was kindly and hospitably received by Mr. and Mrs. Neumann. Our school in that place had little or nothing to encounter from the malignant opposition of orthodox Jews, which missionary schools are elsewhere exposed to. I may, in faith and prayer, be encouraged to hope that the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. N. will have a most beneficial influence on both the young and the old of the house of Israel.

About forty children, the greater part of whom are girls, diligently, and appa rently willingly, attend the school. They receive secular and spiritual instruction very methodically characterised by, and based on, Christian principles. Prayers are offered and hymns sung at the opening and closing. The children are by degrees led to the knowledge and love of the Saviour. The instruction consists in reading, writing, arithmetic, and the rudiments of geography; some are instructed in drawing. Their Scripture lessons at present are in the book of Genesis and the prophet Isaiah. Mr. and Mrs. N. perform their duties with patience and love, particularly the latter, who, notwithstanding domestic cares, and attendance on a sick child, is engaged earnestly in teaching the young ones. When Mr. N. related something to them about missionary work in heathen lands, they appeared interested, and each contributed its share for that object. The Jews in that part are very poor, and seem the more susceptible to things touching their eternal welfare.

From Tultscha I went to Ismail overland, in which place the seeds of Gospel truth have been sown by me, on my former visit, among many of the Jewish population, the greater part of which are very superstitious, devotedly adhering to that famous rabbi mentioned by me last year, and who, after having held his splendid court there for about a fortnight, left the place just before I arrived,-not, indeed, without having increased his already considerable fortune, by large donations heaped upon him by the believers in his miraculous power, and attended by a numerous