CONTRIBUTIONS IN AID OF THE SOCIETY, From December 23, 1861, to January 23, 1862. £ s. d. 0 10 6 Wilkinson, Mrs. E. S...... MISSION TO ITALY. Friends at the Hague, by Dr. Guildford Islington Islington, by Miss Turner.... Row, Coll.. Kettering, by Miss Wilmot £ s. d. 010 O 115 9 176 670 18 2 20 0 0 0 0 2 110 6117 090 Capadose 889 1 1 0 Lightfoot, Mrs. (Accrington) 100 140 0 30 Martin, M., Esq. ....... 330 0 10 0 .. 500 Martin, J., Esq....... 50 00 0 5 0 Parks, J. B, Esq. (Chorley).. 1 0 0 Leeds.... 22 7 6 050 Wilson, W., Esq....... 100 Manchester.... 50 0 0 046 Woodroffe, Mrs.... 026 Yonge, Mr. G............. Metropolitan Tabernacle 5 3 2 500 ... Newport (Monmouth)... 1 10 0 010 0 Yonge, Rev. C........... 100 Newcastle-on-Tyne.... 200 Nice, Coll. at the Presbyterian 616 0 Northampton, Coll. 370 3 5 11 Alnwick 215 0 Prust 550 2 19 6 10 0 0 Barnardcastle. 3 10 0 411 6 1 1 0 Bury, Coll. 301 200 500 Bury, Subscrip. Sunday Schools, by Mr. T. Birkenhead 17 0 0 Taylor 097 Blackburn, Coll. 246 Swinscow, Mrs. 110 Brigg... 512 6 Servant, Coll. by, per Mrs. Swinscow 0 10 6 Camden Town, Hawley Road Chapel, by Mrs. Haddon.... Sudbury 2 16 0 Thank Offering by Miss Gold Chorley, Coll... smith 0 5 0 Colchester Do. Do. 0 50 Dudley..... Wallis, Mr. 200 Greenwich 519 O 450 11 9 6 19 0 Southwark Presbyterian Staleybridge... Sunderland Warwick Wigan, Hope Chapel 129 311 5 393 4 11 3 610 0 900 CLOSE OF THE YEAR'S ACCOUNTS, ON THE 31ST OF MARCH. The Officers and Collectors of Associations, and other friends, are respectfully reminded of the above, and solicited to remit all sums in their hands on or before the date mentioned, with lists of names, as it is desired that they should appear in the Annual Report. It is very desirable that all Orders should be made payable in London, to George Yonge, No. 1, Crescent Place; and Post Office Orders at the Chief Office. THE Monthly Meeting for Prayer, with and on behalf of the Jews, will be held at the Office of the Society, on February 19, 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. 194.-Fcbrua y 1,1852. " FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS. PUBLISH YE, PRAISE YE, AND SAY, O LORD, SAVE THY PEOPLE, THE REMNANT OFFICE:-No. 1, CRESCENT PLACE, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON. No. 195.] MARCH 1, 1862. [Price 1d. THE REV. R. H. HERSCHELL'S LETTER IN REFERENCE TO DR. BENDIX. By particular request we reprint the Letter of the Rev. R. H. HERSCHELL, published in our last number, with a list of donations, and unite with him in entreating further help. TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH HERALD. 124, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, January, 1862 MY DEAR SIR,-The accompanying letter will be read with interest, and I am thankful that Dr. Bendix has been introduced to me. Both he and his wife have made such sacrifices for righteousness sake as many an old soldier of the cross would shrink from. Dr. and Mrs. Bendix had literally to leave father, mother, brother, sister, house, &c., for Christ's sake; and, in some degree, the Lord has fulfilled His promise by inclining the heart of the Queen of Prussia to become their "nursing mother." Dr. Bendix has had a university education, and has been an eminent rabbi and preacher among the Jews. Mrs. Bendix's father is a wealthy merchant, and brought up his daughter with every prospect of wealth and position, but has now cast her off. I have no doubt that Dr. Bendix will become a very able missionary and preacher of the Gospel among his brethren; but he would require to reside in this country for at least one year, to gain our language and further experience. I, therefore, call upon the friends of Israel to join with me in raising a sufficient sum for his present support, with that of his wife and five children, as the funds of the Society are at present too low for any additional outlay. Trusting that God will incline the heart of many of His people to respond to this appeal, I am, my dear Sir, yours truly, RIDLEY HERSCHELL. TRANSLATION OF A LETTER FROM THE QUEEN DOWAGER OF PRUSSIA TO THE REV. RIDLEY HERSCHELL. "The Jewish Convert, Dr. Paulus Bendix, from Berlin, intends to go to London, in order to place himself at the disposal of the Missionary Society VOL. XVII.--NEW SERIES, VOL. VIII. among the Jews. A stranger in London, he requests me to give him an introduction to you, my dear Mr. Herschell. The General Superintendent, and Rev. Bischsel, as well as other gentlemen of good standing here, cherish the highest opinion of him, and consider that his serious, steady character, his clear knowledge of the great truths of salvation, and gifted mind, would fit him for great usefulness in the Mission field. For this reason, I recommend Dr. Bendix to your kind interest and Christian sympathy, assuring you that whatever kind exertions you make on his behalf will receive my heartfelt thanks. I am also happy to have this opportunity of expressing my high esteem and the sincere regard which I entertain for yourself. "ELIZABETH. £5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 J. E. Fordham, Esq. 5 C. Mears, Esq. 3 0 10 0 A Friend, Norwich W. G. Habershon, Esq. Mr. Payne, Albert Square, by Rev. J. Gill. The Missions. ITALY. 5 0 THE cause of the mission in Italy has been kindly and earnestly pleaded by the Rev. R. H. HERSCHELL in the following circular, addressed to the friends of the Society: My dear Brethren and Friends,-About a year ago I visited Italy with the view of ascertaining the condition of my brethren of the house of Israel in that land. I found that the Lord had prepared the hearts of many, both in Rome and Leghorn, besides other places, to hear the Gospel of His grace, and felt persuaded that an able and spiritual missionary would become a blessing both to Jews and Gentiles. Immediately after my return to England, the "British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews" sent forth Dr. Mayer to Leghorn. He left this country with many fervent prayers for the success of his mission, that the Lord might be with him, as He was with Paul and Silas of old. I am now able, with a thankful heart, to inform you, that these prayers have been answered, and that the Lord has blessed and prospered the labours of His servant, beyond our most sanguine expectations, not only among the Jews, but in turning the hearts of many Gentiles to confess Him as their God and Saviour. My friend, Mr. Herbert Mayo, who spent several days at Leghorn in October last, carefully observing the state of the mission, bears the strongest testimony to the personal piety and Christian wisdom of Dr. Mayer, which, under the blessing of God, have given him an entrance into the houses and hearts of his Jewish brethren of all classes,--who receive him as a friend, often come to him for instruction, and converse freely with him on religious subjects; while, as Mr. Mayo remarks, "his knowledge of the Scriptures and of Jewish literature, enables him to meet their questions and solve their doubts." It may be added, that the English clergyman, and the minister of the Free Church of Scotland, at Leghorn, unite in bearing witness to the zeal and prudence and Christian character of our missionary. He has now thirty Jews under regular instruction, several of whom, it is hoped, will make a public profession of their faith in Christ in the course of a few weeks, when, at the earnest request of Dr. Mayer, I have consented, if the Lord will, to undertake the journey to Leghorn, in order to officiate at their baptism, and confer with our friend on the general work of the mission. It is our hope that Genoa also may become an important station, where it is proposed that Professor Davidson should take under his charge some of the young converts from Judaism, and train them as evangelists for Italy. Thus we trust that, by God's blessing, the bringing in of the Jews may become "life from the dead" to many in Italy. The work in that country is assuming such important dimensions, and the funds of the "British Society" are so inadequate to supply the absolute demands, that I am constrained to make this personal appeal for additional assistance for Italy, and feel sure that a liberal response will be given, so that an undertaking on which the blessing of God is evidently resting, and which the great Head of the Church beholds with deepest interest, may not be retarded by want of the silver and the gold. "Let us work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work." If the noble army of martyrs, who in former days laid down their lives for the truth in that land, could now address us from their heavenly mansion, how would they urge us to spread the knowledge of a free salvation throughout liberated Italy"to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile." Commending these facts to your attentive consideration, and wishing you a very happy and blessed new year, I remain, dear Christian friends, yours most truly, 124, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, January 1st, 1862. We are thankful to add that recent accounts from Dr. MAYER are replete with evidence that the blessing of God remarkably attends the effort to make known the riches of the grace of God where all had been darkness, self-confi dence, and spiritual insensibility. Dr. Mayer states, "What strengthens me. much, is the consciousness of progress and prosperity in our work, a progress which we can the more depend on, as it is remarkable for its quietness and steadiness." He has suffered severely by illness, but has been enabled to resume his loved employ, and his instructions are earnestly sought and appreciated by all classes. He states: "About a fortnight ago I preached the Gospel to not less than twenty Jews, of whom only two were known to me, happy to know that . my audience were fully satisfied with what they had heard. On the following Sunday I preached in the German church, and in the evening in the Scotch church. On both occasions Jews were present. On the next day three men from the Maremma called to receive instruction and Bibles I gave them both, and they returned on their way rejoicing." On a following evening he was visited by the rabbi and several other Jews, and on the next Sunday preached at Florence, by special invitation, to a mixed congregation of Germans, Englishmen, Jews, and Catholics, on Christ's words, "Follow me." He refers to other openings and agencies for the diffusion of the Gospel. Friends of Israel, enable us to use and improve them; and above all, let prayer be made continually of the Churches for the labourer and for the work, and for those thirsting for the water of life. LONDON. BAPTISM OF A CONVERT.-We subjoin, with pleasure, the following particulars relative to the convert baptised on the 5th of January, supplied by the missionary, Mr. FURST :— (See Number for February, p. 220.) Mr. S. was born in the Duchy of Posen; his parents were strictly orthodox in their religion, and required him from his infancy to observe the rabbinical rites and ceremonics. He had a Jewish teacher, who was regarded in his community as not quite so orthodox as they wished, but as he was appointed by Government, they were obliged to submit. No doubt this teacher tried to undermine the foundation of traditions; for, as Mr. S. observes, his mind was awakened to question the reasonableness of many ceremonies, and his father always hushed him into silence by remarking, "Thus our learned rabbis have ordained it." Being born in a place where Popery is predominant, he had of course, in his youth, looked upon it with abhorrence, and thought all Christians were idolatrous. He learned his trade, and, as is the custom in Germany, left his native town, in order to perfect himself in it. On leaving his parents, he felt himself freed from strictly observing his religion, which he felt was burdensome to him, and by degrees he fell into the murderous arms of infidelity. Need we wonder at this issue? A child is obliged implicitly to observe hundreds of ceremonies, of which he does not know the why and wherefore, whilst heart, mind, and soul are left without any vital religious culture. Thousands of my brethren in Germany can trace their infidelity to this soul-destroying source, and I have no doubt that, if Christians there would manifest more sympathy and love for the sons and daughters of Israel, numbers would be glad to find peace and pardon in their once crucified Immanuel. Mr. S. came over to England to earn a livelihood by his trade, and his indifference to any religious creed-for he himself had none-induced him to join an atheistical club, and over one he was president for several months. Years passed on, and the more he mingled with these clubs, the more he became convinced that the tendency of their principles was destructive, and to rob man of everything which can sustain his true dignity, raise his hopes, and impart inward peace and happiness. It was at this period of transition, when Mr. S. became aware of the absurdity and folly of striving against God and His divine revelations, that I became acquainted with him. He was willing to listen to the truth, and as soon as his most weighty prejudices were removed, he resolved to place himself under my instructions. He had bitterly experienced the curse of infidelity, with its monstrous illusions, but when once convinced of his duty to search after the divine truth of Christianity, he steadfastly and vigorously pursued his inquiry, till he was enabled, by the help of the Spirit of God, to bow in humble submission to Him, before whom every knee shall bow, and to find peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. One incident which occurred during his inquiry deserves to be mentioned. The wife of Mr. S. is a Roman Catholic by birth and education, by whom he has three children. He was always anxious that his children should not be brought up in the Romish faith, but seeing that efforts were already made by his wife to send the eldest child to a Roman Catholic school, he tried and succeeded in getting her into the Palestine Place Hebrew school. His next step was to convince his wife of the errors of Romanism, and when one evening he received from me Dr. Sprague's "Lecture on Christianity contrasted with Romanism," he sat up till very late in the night to finish and master it, in order to use his arguments in favour of evangelical Christianity. I am glad to |