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the success attending the efforts made in Leipsic—

On September 18, when the Great Day of Atonement is celebrated, my friends made their first attempt, to procure for the Tracts entrance among the Jews. They went with a small number of them into the Polish Synagogue; and Mr. Sander showed to the first Jew who stood near him one of the small cards: he accepted it politely, read it attentively, and handed it silently to his neighbour; and so it proceeded, farther and farther. Like an electrical stroke, the introduction of that little stranger was felt in the spacious and crowded Hall all the Jews, from every corner, crowded about Mr. S., and in their eagerness, almost tore the few Tracts which he had out of his hands.

Full of the glad tidings, the two Gentlemen returned to my house, and I furnished them with as large a store as they could carry with them. They now visited the former, and some other Synagogues-met, every where, with the same favourable reception-and, in one of them, they excited so great a sensation, that the Cantor requested them not to disturb their devotion, which however could not prevent the eager exertions of the Jews for obtaining Tracts.

As the house of my Father is situated in that part of the city, where during the Fair the Foreign Jews reside, I could easily observe their behaviour; and it would be difficult to describe my satisfaction, when in the following days I saw, before almost every house, small parties of Jews, with Tracts in their hands, or listening to one who publicly read, or engaged in conversation about what they had heard.

Messrs. S. and H. called, as far as they judged convenient, on such Jews in their houses as they had found best disposed, and were surprised to find many of them inclined to become Christians. Mr. H. had marked the Tracts which had passed through his hands with the number of his house-a measure which April, 1822.

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did not fail to produce the intended effect; for he received so many applica tions, that the passage of the inn in which he lived was often filled with Jews, who wished to have those books, in which, as they expressed themselves, it was said that they must be baptized. Notes were even received from respectable Jewish Merchants in town, to ask for the communication of our pious Tracts for their FURTHER CONVICTION.

By this time we had said nothing to them of the New Testament; but having perceived among them a real thirst after instruction, we directed their attention toward that Sacred Book. In a very few days I could have GRATUITOUSLY distributed my whole store; but remembering your caution, I did it only in some extraordinary cases, and generally asked for payment. Many, especially YOUNG Jews, have been found reading it with rapture, and loudly expressing their assent.

Though hitherto nothing can be said of the real fruit of the seed which has been sown here, it must give true satisfaction to the Society, that so large and interesting a field, as Leipsic presents during the Fair, can be cultivated with so much hope of success. For the conflux of Jews on those occasions is very great; and from the notices which I have collected, I can now affirm, that, in all directions from the maritime towns of Holland unto Russia and Turkey, these Tracts and New Testaments be. long to the articles, which the Jews, on their present return from the Fair, have brought home to their families. If this field be further cultivated with patience and prayer, it may produce excellent fruit; if not here, yet in other places.

Breslau.

Mr. Stark, Secretary of the Silesian Bible Society, writes

Many Jews frequent the Sermons of Professor Scheibel, who is a true apostle, and fully master of the Hebrew Language. A Rabbi, who has heard the

Lectures of Professor Scheibel, quotes on Sabbath Days the New Testament, greatly to the annoyance of the bigotted part of the Jews: but the younger people take it to heart, and are very eager to get the New Testament; and Professor Scheibel has disposed of his whole stock; he wishes much for a fresh supply. Mr. Julius Edward, a baptized Jew, who has studied divinity, preaches here at the Church of St. Barbara, with great blessedness: many Jews go to hear him, and the young among them would wish to be baptized to-day rather than tomorrow but the fear of being disin herited by their parents keeps them back; and they are only waiting the decease of their parents.

Komrau.

From the Letters of Mr. H. Gortz, the following particulars are collected

Seven Jews met in my house. I showed them the fifty-third of Isaiah. While one of them read it aloud, the others listened with great attention. After a while, one of them took out of his pocket the Hebrew New-Testament, which he already possessed, and said, "I, for one, must confess, that when I read the Prophets and then the New Testament, nothing can be more clear than that Jesus is the true and real Messiah." The other Jews looked on the Christians who were present with an eye of veneration; and then exclaimed, one after the other, "But what shall we do? We cannot help being Jews." I replied, "So you are now: but, whenever you begin to believe in Jesus, and to receive him as your Redeemer, you cease to be Jews, and enter into the Christian Church." I advised them to pray to God, that He would give them a true spirit of repentance for their sins, and enlightened understandings to read the Scripture which testifies of Jesus then he would reveal himself to them as Joseph revealed himself to his penitent brethren: they were much

surprised and affected. I then showed them some small publications; and now they all surrounded me closely, and began eargerly to ask, “Pray give one to me-one to me also!" and they had scarcely received them, but they began to read them; and, with the Tracts in their hands, and reading, they left my house, after having expressed their most cordial gratitude. These Jews were from a place about 50 English miles distant.

I asked two other Jews, who came 35 English miles, having heard from other Jews that I had Hebrew Books to sell, "What is the state of your nation? Is there in many, among your people, an earnest desire after the redemption of Israel, or are you all in a state of indifference about it?" They replied, "No: we are not indifferent: there is a great emotion in our town also. The New

Testament is read in many families: and a doubt begins to become more and more prevailing, whether Jesus of Nazareth is not the Messiah: and many who are convinced of it, are only kept back by the fear of men, from coming openly forward. But we really believe, that if our Rabbins were convinced of the truth of the New Testament, and would confess Jesus to be the Messiah, of one hundred Jewish Families, who live in the town, not ten would remain Jews-all would gladly receive Jesus." They appeared to be much concerned, that the Rabbins were so hostile, and that they dared not to open their minds to them.

Instances of Jews recently embracing
Christianity.

Hamburgh-A young Jew, of talents and learning, preparing for baptism, has been severely persecuted by his brethren.

Amsterdam-A young Jew, after examination of the Consistory of the Reformed Church, was baptized, on the 11th of March, by the Rev. Mr. Vander Meulen.

Solingen (Berg)—A zealous advocate

of the Talmudists and Rabbins bas embraced the Gospel.

Frankfort-A young man was baptized, on the 18th of February, and in the presence of a numerous Congregation. On the 22d of September was baptized a Jew, 60 years old, who is learned in the Talmud; his name, Joseph Bamberger, was changed at his baptism, to John Jacob Bergmann: with him was baptized a young Jewess: a large Congregation attended, among whom were many strangers then frequenting the Fair; the public profession of the Christian Faith, by a Jew of distinguished reputation, having attracted much notice. Four other Jews, with the Wife and three Children of one of them, were about to receive baptism.

Esslingen-A Jewish Schoolmaster, named Goldberg, with his Wife and four Daughters, were baptized, by the Rev. Mr. Herwig, on Trinity Sunday, in presence of a large Congregation; when he received the Christian Names of John Peter. He seems, with his whole family, of a very promising character and spirit.

Wurtzburg-Five Jews have professed Christianity.

Gotha (Saxony)—An opulent Jew is become a Christian.

Leipsic-Two Jewish Girls have embraced Christianity.

Berlin-A Young Jew, of good character, was baptized, on the 23d of February, in the Church of St. Nicholas.

Breslau-About 30 families have been baptized; and many are ready to follow their example.

To these instances may be added, from the Report, the following striking narrative :

A young Polish Jew, destined to be a Rabbi, having repaired to a Protestant University, at a distance from his own country, in search of a more rational religion than that which he learned from the Talmud, became convinced of the truth of Christianity, through the instrumentality of a Member of the So

ciety. By a remarkable coincidence, his Wife and Sister, whom he had left behind him, were about the same period led to the same conviction; and, on being informed of the change that had taken place in his views, they joined him at the place of his studies, where, with his two Children, they were all baptized together.

The Father of these two Jewesses, who was an opulent Jewish Merchant in their native town, on hearing of their apostacy, sent a cousin of theirs, a young Rabbi, with offers of forgiveness and a kind reception if they would return to his house and to the Faith of their Ancestors. Notwithstanding the most pressing solicitations and arguments employed by their relative, both Sisters expressed their unalterable determination to adhere to the Faith of Christ; and the Young Rabbi declared to one of his friends-that these Sisters were wholly unintelligible to him: he had known them in the preceding year, dirty, listless, ignorant, and inactive; equally unqualified for and indisposed to any exertion: he saw them now cleanly, industrious, possessed of the means of gaining their livelihood, and actually so gaining it; humble, but enlightened, and firm in the purpose which they had announced to him, one of singular sacrifice and devotion to the cause that they had embraced: and he added, that he must fly from them, lest he also should become a Christian.

The sequel of the story will be heard with peculiar interest. The Married Sister declined returning to her Father, on the ground that she could not leave her Children, who, through the kindness of friends, were receiving Christian Instruction, in the city in which they had been baptized. The Unmarried Sister, not being restrained by any such obligation, obeyed the call of her parent, having first received his solemn promise that she should not be persecuted on account of her religious faith: notwithstanding this assurance, on her arrival at home, she was unmercifully beaten by

her Father and chief relations, to make her renounce her faith. Being, however, by God's blessing, enabled to withstand their efforts, she was turned out into the streets; and, having no refuge but în the habitation of some poor relations unable to maintain her, she is now, with the assistance of some Christian Friends at a distance, endeavouring to support herself by work. Her example in a town full of Jews, may be productive of great benefit; and your Committee concur in the hope, expressed by the author of the above communication, that the conduct of the two Sisters, whose since. rity has hitherto stood the test of trial and of observation, will "redound to the honour of our Crucified Saviour."

Expectation of a National Change among

the Jews.

On this subject we extract the following testimonies:Mr. Friedenberg mentions it as the opinion of some intelligent Jews, who affect themselves to be neutral, “That the next generation of the Jews will all enter the Christian church, and that the new synagogue is the gradual transition to it."

A learned Jew confessed to Mr. Diedrichs, of Elberfeld, that "he conceived the time when the Messiah should appear, to be elapsed, and that many others are of the same opinion."

The first of these opinions, it will be observed, is that of a modern, freethinking Jew, who does not care much about the matter; the latter is that of a more serious inquirer, but who is still under the power of Judaical prejudices.

The following is the view taken of the same important subject by a converted Jew. A man well qualified to form an estimate of the fact-the Joseph Bergmann mentioned in this Report. He thus expresses himself: "A general conversion of the Jews appears really to be very near at hand.” And what is the ground on which this learned Jew professes to rest this oni.

nion? Surely it is one which the members of this Society will not hear without emotion:-"For," says he, "the Lord has raised a spirit of compassion and love towards this so long time neglected and oppressed people." "It is not in one city," he proceeds, “or one country only, that active care is taken for their temporal and eternal happiness; but in many countries, nay, in different parts of the world."

The two Jews, spoken of in a preceding extract said, on this subject

We do not know what will happen. A general apprehension is gone abroad of something new; and there is none who will tell us, what it is. Our learned men tell us, The time cannot be distant, when the Jews will be relieved. But in what way?-that is a question to which they have no answer.

I feel myself now too weak (says Mr. Marc) to relate a multitude of facts, which, put together, would form an important result; but it is manifest that the Cause is in a progressive state: many Jews see and confess it. One of them said lately to me;" We shall soon have a great stir (a transition in a considerable number ;) but I doubt that it will be to the profit of the world." You see he is not pleased with the aspect, but that yet he is forced to confess that such is the state of things.

Mr. Von Meyer thus confirms Mr. Marc's testimony:In every part, an interest in the Gospel is arising in the hearts of the Jews. In a short time we shall, by the grace of God, see great things.-There is a great stir and commotion among the Children of Israel in the whole neighbourhood, and the Lord prepares an open door. Conclusion.

Your Committee will conclude their Report with a few general remarks.

Sufficient evidence, they trust, has been adduced in the details which they have laid before you, of the following important facts.

1. That there is at this time among Christians, of various ranks and denominations, and in various parts of the globe, an active and increasing spirit of compassion towards the Jews, and of benevolent exertion for their spiritual improvement.

2. That there exists on the part of the Jews themselves, in various places, a growing disposition to inquire into the truths of Christianity, and to receive Christian instruction, orally and by books, both by Tracts and by the New Testament.

3. That several well authenticated instances, in places wholly unconnected with each other, have occured, of Jews actually embracing Christianity—many in secret, being restrained from a public profession by the fear of consequences, but not a few also publicly, and that under circumstances peculiarly free (so far as men can judge) from suspicion, and likely to prove, through the blessing of God, eminently instrumental in leading others to examine and adopt the great truths of the Gospel.

4. The prevalence of an opinion among the Jews that their national conversion is not far distant.

On these grounds then, your Committee call upon the members of the Society, to "thank God and take courage," to praise him for what he has been pleased to effect through the Society's humble instrumentality, and for the encouragement which he graciously affords to persevering and enlarged exertions and to unite their best efforts for the augmentation of its energies, the increase of its resources, and the ex

tension of its labours. Above all, they entreat your unceasing prayers for the effusion of God's Holy Spirit upon the members of this Institution and all engaged in its counsels and in its operations. To this only can your Committee look for any adequate success to the endeavours either of this Society or of any of the Societies engaged in the glorious work of evangelizing the world. It is their full persuasion, that in proportion as a spirit of prayer for the fulfilment of the divine promises relative to the last great outpouring of the Spirit, shall prevail in the church, in that proportion will the day of promised and predicted blessings to Jews and Gentiles, be accelerated in its approach.

Let every friend of Israel, then, have his hands strengthened to exertion, and his heart excited to prayer, whilst he calls to mind the promises with which your Committee conclude :

"Fear not, O Jacob, my servant, and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty; and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring; and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses." "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son, and be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his first born."

TWELFTH REPORT OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS. PRESENTED, SEPTEMBER 19, 1821. [Continued from the 312th page.]

MISSION TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

It was not till the 21st of March last, that intelligence was received from the missionaries, who sailed for the Pacific

Ocean seventeen months before, announcing the completion of their voyage, and the establishment of their mission. This will long be considered as a

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