had been declined "as an unholy thing" by the Rabbi at Rotterdam. Al Amsterdam, Mr. Way finding an episcopal chapel there, which for some time had been without a resident minister and service, that gentleman and his clerical brethren obtained permission to officiate in it several times. The congregations were numerous, and among them several Jews, and one whole family attended. In consequence of an earnest desire expressed by many respectable inhabitants of the city, to have the service continued in the chapel by the appointment of an English Episcopal minister of piety and talents, a meeting was held to deliberate on the most effectual measures for attaining this desirable object; and Mr. Way was requested to transmit to the Committee of this Society a proposal, putting in their hands the appoint ment of a clergyman, who, with the discharge of ministerial'duty to the British Episcopalians resident in the city, should unite endeavours to promote Christian instruction among its Jewish inhabitants. As their funds for the maintenance of a minister to the chapel are small, they proposed that a moiety of his stipend should be paid by this Society. The importance of this opening, as it bears immediately on the designs of this institution, will appear, when it is stated, that there are computed to be at least 40,000 Jews at Amsterdam, many of whom understand English sufficiently well. Inviting, however, as appeared the prospect, the Committee resolved, that no part of their funds should be expended in realiz ing it, until it shall have been ascertained, by trial, how far it is likely to advance the objects of the Society. Of this they will in a short time be enabled to judge; as the chapel has been engaged by some individuals in this country, who have equally at heart the salvation of Jews and Gentiles.-Mr. Way had the further satisfaction of receiving many applications from Jews of CHRIST, OBSERV, APP.

Amsterdam, for the books which he had with him; in addition to which, two printers offered to reprint the Society's tracts, and to take the risk of sale on themselves. The Committee refer to the Appendix for a detail of occurrences at Deventer, Hanover, and other places between Amsterdam and Berlin. Of Berlin it is stated, that the character and condition of the Jews exhibit an appearance altogether dissimilar from that of any other place perhaps on the face of the earth. The Rabbinical opinions and system have almost disappeared; and the commercial body is composed of men of more education and liberality of sentiment than the ordinary class of trading Israelites. A considerable party has been formed, under the denomination of "Reformed Jews;" for whose use a splendid synagogue has been erected, at the expense of one of the most wealthy and respectable among them. In this, the greater part of the service, with the singing and preaching, is in German; and only parts of the Law are read in Hebrew. Though, however, Mr. Way is of opinion that this reformation, considered as a system, is radically defective in principle; yet, viewing it in connexion with other symptoms in the moral and religious state of the Jews in Berlin, he deems it important, as indicating a gradual tendency to decay in the partitionwall which separates them from Christians. He had the gratification of receiving visits from several of the young Jewish students in the University; who came to him, acknowledging that they were not satisfied with the religious instruction of the schools, and manifesting a very favourable disposition to obtain a deeper insight into Divine truth. He expresses a decided opinion, that by the adoption of judicious measures, many young men of this class, of real talent and research, might be brought into the school of Christ. Oue circum5 T

stance which seems peculiarly to justify this opinion is, that they all received with thankfulness the Gospel in Hebrew.

His fellow-traveller, Mr. Cox, fully confirms the above statements of Mr. Way. At Hamburgh, he remarks, the most respectable Jews are arranging plans for a new synagogue; and have engaged an enlightened teacher, who instructs the children in the Old Testament, in a most impressive and spiritual manner. Hebrew tracts and Testaments have generally been thankfully received. The converted Rabbi, B. N. Solomon, whom Mr. Way took with him, has risen in his estimation in proportion to the inereased opportunities which he has had of closely observing his character and principles. There seems great reason to trust, that he may prove an efficient instrument of good to his nation.

From Berlin Mr. Way proceeded to Petersburgh, and thence to Moscow: where he was admitted to an interview with the Emperor Alexander, who received him in the most condescending and friendly manner, and gave him the warmest assurances of zealous support and co-operation in all measures tending to the promotion of Christianity among his numerous Jewish subjects*.

Mr. Way has just returned from the Continent, with much encouraging information relating to the benevolent views of this institution. In addition to the direct benefits which he has been enabled, during his tour, to confer upon Jews, he has succeeded in collecting information of importance to the prosecution of the future plans of the Society. The discussions which have taken place at the congress of Aix la Chapelle relative to the Jews. and the desire manifested by the allied monarchs and their ministers to ameliorate the civil condition of that people, are not the only hopeful indications. We expect soon to possess official accounts of these transactions, to which we shall direct, the attention of our readers. Mr. Way is the bearer of

The Committee mention some other facts, communicated from abroad, illustrative of the encou ragement afforded by the present state of religious opinions among the Jews in various parts.

A letter, dated Marburg, July 28, 1817, was received from the learned and pious Van Ess (so distinguished as an advocate of the Bible Society in Germany), earnestly soliciting the patronage of this institution in behalf of two young men of talent of the Jewish nation, who had communicated to him their secret but decided conviction of the truth of Christianity, and their desire of further instruction in the Christian faith. One of these, in a letter to Professor Van Ess, having mentioned the erroneous notions inculcated by the Talmud, thus proceeds: “Oh! how different is the character of the religion of Christ, which represents God, as he is indeed, a God of love, compassion, and mercy: God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.' What lights for my understanding! What comforts for my heart! This it is, indeed, to have the image of God impressed upon our souls: this it is to be a partaker of a Divine nature: this it is to be perfect even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect. The religion of Christ, and that alone, teaches the true worship of God: it shews that it consists not in any outward forms, but that those who will worship God must do it in spirit and in truth."

The substance of Mr. Van Ess's request in behalf of these two young men was, that this Society would grant them such pecuniary assistance as would enable them openly to prosecute their study of

several important documents connected with the question of Jewish civilization, and of promoting the know ledge of the Gospel among that longdeserted race. The affairs of the Soeiety begin to assume a very promising aspect on the Continent.

As

Christianity; as a public declaration of their sentiments would inevitably involve them in an entire want of the means of subsistence. The state of the Society's funds, however, rendered it, in their judgment, imperative upon them, however unwilling, to decline the proposal, having determined to adhere to their firm resolution of adapting their wishes to their means. soon, however, as the circumstance was known to one of the most active members and supporters of this institution, he undertook, in conjunction with some other friends, to supply Professor Van Ess with the sum immediately necessary to carry his wishes into effect. And, at an anniversary meeting of the Leeds Auxiliary Society, the statement of the case excited so lively an interest, that 651. were contributed towards defraying the expenses incident to the education of the two young men; who were accordingly placed at a Protestant University in Germany, under the direction of their pious friend and advocate, Mr. Van Ess.

A correspondent of the Rev. Dr. Steinkopff thus writes, in a letter dated Brunswick, October 3, 1817: -"I know some Jews, who desire a reformation of their present system, and are perplexed about the coming of the Messiah. For my own part, I cannot but indulge a hope, that the conversion of the people of Israel is at hand. There is now a young man at, who is teacher of the Jewish school of that place, in whose mind the light of a crucified Redeemer has arisen, and who seems to be full of zeal. I have requested him silently to proceed in his labours, as many Jewish children are sent to his school, even from distant parts; but he rather wishes to join those Christians converted from his people to Christianity."

An aged Missionary, under the venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, stationed at

New Brunswick, North America, expresses, in a letter to a member of the Bristol Committee, his cordial approbation of the designs of this institution, and his anxious desire to co-operate with it. "I think," says this faithful servant of the Gospel, "as we first received Christianity from the Jews, they have the first claim upon us; and, as we are now labouring to send the Gospel of the kingdom through the heathen world, it would be not only unjust, but cruel in us, to neglect the Jews."

Very interesting extracts are given, relative to the Jews, from the Eighth Report of the American Board of Missions, and from the last year's Report of the Edinburgh Missionary Society, which we are sorry we have not room to reprint.

The Committee add extracts from two letters lately received; one from a gentleman occupying an official situation in Madras; the other, from a respectable reformed minister in Saxony. The former-after expressing the interest which he has long felt in the spiritual state of the Jews, and describing the measures which he has been laboriously pursuing, in order to supply them with copies of their own prophetical writings, and of parts of the New Testament in Hebrew, (for which purpose he had actually been at the pains of having Hebrew types cut by an ingenious native artist)-requests to be supplied with the Hebrew Translation of the whole of the New Testament: and with such other of its publications as may conduce to the spiritual welfare of the Jews of Cochin and other parts of the Malabar coast. He expresses also his readiness to assist the Society in any manner that can best conduce to further its views, and likewise in forming a branch society at Madras; adding, “The prophecies equally relate to the return of the Jews to Canaan from the East as from the West."

The letter of the Saxon minister

breathes throughout a spirit of ardent Christian love toward the Jewish nation, and of affectionate concern for their salvation. It had pleased God to bless his efforts in their behalf, in bringing over to Christianity, through his means, two young Jews of the higher class of society; and to open encouraging prospects around him, before he had heard of this institution: and he earnestly requests the Society to transmit to him a small collection of the Hebrew Gospels for circulation.

The gross receipts of the Society for the year, (including 6921. by sale of Hebrew New-Testaments, 2371. by sale of Jewish Expositor and other publications, with a former balance of 5881.) amount to 10,0917. The expenditure is 7881. within the receipts.

The Report is preceded by an instructive sermon by the Rev. Charles Simeon, on the present state of the Jews, our duty towards them, and our encouragement to perform it; and is followed by an appendix containing several interesting documents.

On a general view of the communications from abroad, the Committee conclude: 1. That a spirit of religious inquiry is spreading itself among the Jews in various and widely-distant parts of the globe; in Holland, in Germany, in Prussia, in Tartary, in India;-2, That among considerable bodies of the Jewish nation, especially in the northern provinces of continental Europe, even where little of the genuine spirit of Christian truth bas yet begun to operate, circumstances have recently occurred, which indicate a general diminution of prejudice, and a gradual removal of those barriers which have hitherto precluded the friendly approach of Christianity;-and, 3. That Christians are every where beginning to take a more lively interest in the spiritual state of the Jews; that men of piety in opposite hemispheres, with out any communication with each other or with this Society, have been

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FO. REIGN PARTS.

THE incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign Parts having of late years found great difficulty in prevailing with proper Clergymn to go abroad in their service, and conceiving that one cause of this disinclination arises from an ignorance of the whole of the emoluments and advantages annexed to the situation of a missionary in the colonies to which they are sent, have published a more full account than what appears in the general annual abstract of their proceedings.

The colonies to which the Society are the send out missionaries are following:--Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Upper and Lower Canada, Cape Breton, and Africa.

It may be useful to notice, that before the Society send out a missionary to any new place, the people must first petition the Society to do it, and signify that they are able and willing to contribute towards his support. In general, it is required that a church be built, glebe secured, a parsonage-house erected, and a subscription entered into by the people themselves, or such engagements made as may induce the Society to establish a mission before they are completed; but

where the people have failed in the performance, the missionary has been removed to another station. Upon the opening of a new mission, the Society grant a yearly salary of 501. Afterwards it is increased or diminished according as circumstances may seem to require, the glebe-lands being in some places of more value than in others. Half a year's salary is advanced to each missionary upon his going abroad, and an allowance made towards the charge of the voyage, generally about 301. Besides this, great aid has been afforded by Government towards carrying on the pious designs of the Society. In the province of Nova Scotia thirteen missionaries now enjoy an annual salary from Government of 70l. or 751. In New Brunswick nine missionaries have each 10071. a year. To the missionary at Cape Breton 1007. a year is allotted. And to five missionaries in Newfoundland 501. a year, with some allowance of rations, in addition to the Society's salary of 100l. The missionaries in Canada have each of them an annual salary of 1007. from Government, and no one has less than 50%. from the Society. The other growing advantages from glebe, subscription, and other contingencies, cannot be accurately stated, as they must be subject, from many causes, to variation and uncertainty, and will be governed in some respects by the abilities of the people, and the estimation in which the missionary is held.

In addition to this, it should be observed, that the Society, ever attentive to the necessities of their Missionaries, have been accustomed, as occasions required, to reward the diligent for any extraordinary services, and to alleviate the distresses of those who have been afflicted with sickness, or have sustained any unforeseen losses and calamities, by pecuniary gratuities.

The Society allow to four students in divinity, at King's College in Nova Scotia, 301. a year each,

during the term of seven years, with preference to sons of missionaries. There is also some provision from an accumulation on a legacy of Archbishop Tenison (the annual interest of which now amounts to 3007.) for "such missionaries, being Englishmen, and of the province of Canterbury, as have been by unavoidable accidents, sickness, or other infirmities of the body, or old age, disabled from the performance of their duties, and forced to return to England." Three missionaries have lately enjoyed the benefit of this fund.

In future, such missionaries as shall be sent from this country, and shall, after the faithful discharge of their duty for ten years, express their wish to return home, will receive a certificate from the governor of the province, which will eutitle him to 100%. per annum, during life, from government, provided they do not leave their missions till they shall have first obtained permission from the Society,

These, with some other occasional advantages, are the encouragements held out by the Society to such pious and well-disposed clergymen as are willing to enter into their service.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. IN reporting the proceedings of the eighteenth year, the Committee state, that both the domestic and foreign concerns of the Society have considerably advanced in extent and importance. At the for mer anniversary it was announced, that the income had risen from 17,000l. to 20,000l.; on the present occasion the Committee report, that it has exceeded twenty-three thousand pounds.

To the Associations formed before the last anniversary, the Society is greatly indebted for their exertions during the past year. At Bristol, no less a sum than 12437. 17s. 9d. was contributed; exceeding, by