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EASY LESSONS ON CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES. | by Pagans and Mohammedans, but also (to our shame

No. XIII.

MODERN JEWS.

ONE of the difficulties with which the minds of some Christians are perplexed, is, that Jesus Christ should have been rejected by the greater part of his countrymen, the Jews; and that they who had been, according to our Scriptures, for so many ages, God's favoured and peculiar People, should be now, and for above seventeen centuries, without a country, and scattered as outcast strangers through the world.

Their present condition and past history are indeed something very extraordinary, and quite unlike what has befallen any other nation. But though we may not be able to explain all the circumstances relative to this wonderful people, it will be found on reflection that they furnish one of the strongest evidences for the truth of the very religion which they reject.

You know that when the Jews received the law through Moses, they were promised success and prosperity as long as they should obey the Lord; and that heavy judgments were denounced against them in case of disobedience. It was foretold that they should be defeated by their enemies, driven from their country, scattered abroad, and continually harassed and oppressed. These threats are set forth in various parts of the books of Moses, and most particularly in the twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy. "Thou "Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all the nations whither the Lord shall lead thee. The Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues of long continuance. And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other."-v. 37, 59, 64.

And the same is to be found in various parts of the writings of several of the prophets, who lived some ages after, In particular, there is one in Ezekiel, which agrees most remarkably in one very curious particular, with the state of the Jews at this day; namely, where he declares that they should, in the midst of their sufferings, remain a distinct people, unmixed with, and unlike other nations; although it appears that in his time, they were very much disposed to unite themselves with the rest of mankind, so as to become one of the Gentile nations, and to lay aside all the distinctions of their own race. "That which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone." (Ezekiel xx. 32.)

Now we find in the Old Testament, that, in several instances, these judgments did fall on the Jews; and especially when they were carried away captive to Babylon. And some persons may suppose that these instances were all that Moses and the prophets had in view. But whatever any one's opinion may be, it is a fact, of which there can be no doubt, that the Jewish nation are actually suffering, at this day, such things as Moses and the prophets predicted. Whether Moses and Ezekiel had in view what is now taking place, or not, may be a matter of opinion; but it is a matter of fact, that what is now taking place, does agree with their predictions. Jerusalem and its Temple were taken and burnt by the Romans, about forty years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Jews were driven from their country, and never allowed to settle in it again. Hundreds of thousands were sold as slaves; and the whole people were cast forth as wan. derers among the Gentiles; and they have ever since remained a nation of exiles, unsettled, harassed and oppressed in many instances most cruelly, not only

be it spoken,) by Christian nations; and still remaining a distinct people, though without a home.

One of the most remarkable points relative to these predictions respecting the Jews, and their present condition, is this; that the judgments spoken of by Moses, were threatened in case of their departing from the law which he delivered, and especially, in case of their worshipping false gods; and yet, though in former times they were so apt to fall into idolatry, they have always, since the destruction of Jerusalem, steadily kept clear of that sin; and have professed to be most scrupulous observers of the law of Moses. And what is more, all the indignities and persecutions that any of them are exposed to, appear to be the consequence of their keeping to their religion, and not of their forsaking it. For a Jew has only to give up his religion, and conform to that of the country he lives in, whether Christian, Mohammedan, or Pagan, and lay aside the observances of the law of Moses, and he immediately ceases to be reproached as a Jew, and an alien, and is mingled with the people around him. So that the Jews of the present day seem to be suffering for their observance of the law, just the penalties threatened for their departure from it.

At first sight this seems very hard to explain; but, on reflection, you will find the difficulty cleared up, in such a way as to afford a strong confirmation of your faith. First, you should observe, that the Jews themselves admit that a Christ or Messiah was promised them; and that to reject Him on his coming would be an act of rebellion against the Lord their God. Moses foretold that the Lord should raise up from among them a Prophet like Moses himself; and "whosoever should not hear that Prophet," God "would require it of him;" and "that he should be destroyed from among the people.”—(Deut. xviii. 15-19; Acts iii. 22, 23.) This is generally understood (as it is applied in the Acts,) to relate to the Messiah, or Christ; whom the other prophetical writers of the Old Testament (as both Jews and Christians are agreed,) more particularly foretold and described. Now we hold that the Jews have been guilty of this very act of disobedience, in rejecting the Christ. And though they, of course, do not confess themselves thus guilty, because they deny that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Christ, yet they so far agree with us as to acknowledge that the rejecting of the true Christ on his coming would be such a sin as would expose them to the judgments which Moses threatened.

To us, therefore, who do believe in Jesus, this affords an explanation of their suffering these judgments.

But, secondly, besides this, you will perceive on looking more closely, that the Jews of these days do not really observe the law of Moses, though they profess and intend to do so. They have, indeed, kept to the faith of their forefathers; but not to their religious observances. For, the chief part of the Jewish worship consisted in offering sacrifices distinctly appointed by the Lord Himself, in the law delivered by Moses. There was a sacrifice appointed to be offered up every day, and two on the Sabbath; besides several other sacrifices on particular occasions. Now, the modern Jews, though they abstain from certain meats forbidden in their law, and observe strictly the Sabbath and several other ordinances, yet do not offer any sacrifices at all; though sacrifices were appointed as the chief part of their worship.

The reason of this is, that they were strictly forbidden to offer sacrifices except in the one place which should be appointed by the Lord for that pur

pose. And the place last fixed on for these offerings having been the Temple at Jerusalem, which was destroyed about seventeen hundred years ago, and has never been restored, the Jews are now left without any place in which they can lawfully offer the sacrifices which their law enjoins.

The Jews, accordingly, of the present day, plead that it is not from wilful disobedience that they neglect these ordinances, but because they cannot help it. But to say that it is not their own fault that they do not observe the ordinances of their religion, is quite a different thing from saying that they do observe them. They may explain why they cannot keep the law of Moses; but they cannot say that they do keep it. Now Christians hold that the ceremonies of that law were not originally designed to be observed by all nations, and for ever; that "the law had only a shadow of good things to come," (Heb. x. 1,) that is, of the Gospel; and that it was designed that the sacrificing of lambs and bullocks should cease at the coming of the Christ. A Jew, on the contrary, will not allow that these were designed ever to cease: but he cannot deny that they have ceased, and that, for above seventeen centuries. Let a Jew explain if he can, how it is, that, for so long a time, Providence has put it out of the power of the Jews to observe the principal part of their religion which they maintain was intended to be observed for ever.

THE EEL.

ALTHOUGH the Eel is a fish with which we are so familiar, and one which comes so frequently under the notice of most people, until of late years very little was known of its habits and general economy. Mr. Yarrell has thrown much additional light on the history of the Eel tribe; and in the following account we have borrowed largely from his splendid work on British Fishes. According to this naturalist, there are three well-ascertained species of fresh-water Eels, to which he has given the following names,-the Sharpnosed Eel, (Anguilla acutirostris); the Broad-nosed Eel, (Anguilla latirostris); and the Snig, (Anguilla medirostris); the Grig is also considered a separate species by Baron Cuvier. In addition to this there is

the Conger Eel, which inhabits the coasts of the sea.

The form of the Eel, resembling that of the serpent, has long excited a prejudice against it, which exists in some countries even to the present time; and its similarity to snakes has even been repeated by those, who, from the advantages of education, anu their acquirements in natural history, might have been supposed capable of drawing more accurate conclusions. There is but little similarity in body; the important internal organs of the two animals, the snake and the Eel, except in the external form of the and the character of the skeleton, are most decidedly different.

Eels are, in reality, a valuable description of fish; their flesh is excellent as food; they are very numerous, very prolific, and are found in almost every part of the world. The various species are hardy, tenacious of life, and very easily preserved. In this country they inhabit almost all our rivers, lakes, and ponds; they are in great esteem for the table, and the consumption in our large cities is very considerable. The London market is principally supplied from Holland, by Dutch fishermen. There are two companies in Holland, having five vessels each; their vessels are built with a capacious well, in which large quantities of Eels are preserved alive till wanted. One or more of these vessels may be constantly seen lying off Billingsgate; the others go to Holland for fresh supplies, each bringing a cargo of 15,000 to 20,000 pounds' weight of live Eels, for which the Dutch merchant pays a duty of £13 a cargo for his permission to sell. Eels and salmon are the only fish sold by the pound weight in the London market.

And this is also very remarkable; that the religion of the Jews is almost the only one that could have been abolished against the will of the people themselves, and while they resolve firmly to maintain it; their religion, and theirs only, could be, and has been, thus abolished in spite of their firm attachment to it, on account of its being dependent on a particular place, the Temple at Jerusalem. The Christian religion, or again, any of the Pagan religions, could not be abolished by any force of enemies, if the persons professing the religion were sincere and resolute in keeping to it. To destroy a Christian place of worship, or to turn it into a Mohammedan mosque, (as was done in many instances by the Turks,) would not prevent the exercise of the Christian religion. And even if Christianity were forbidden by law, and Christians persecuted, (as has in times past been actually done,) still if they were sincere and resolute, they might assemble secretly in woods or caves; or they might fly to foreign countries to worship God according to their own faith; and Chris-mained, excepting when called by the person who fed them. tianity, though it might be driven out of one country, would still exist in others.

And the same may be said of the Pagan religions. If it happened that any temple of Jupiter, or Diana, or Woden, were destroyed, this would not hinder the worshippers of those gods from continuing to worship them as before, and from offering sacrifices to them elsewhere.

But it was not so with the Jews. Their religion was so framed as to make the observance of its ordinances impossible, when their Temple was finally destroyed. It seems to have been designed and contrived by Divine Providence, that as their law was to be brought to an end by the Gospel, (for which it was a preparation,) so, all men were to perceive that it did come to an end, notwithstanding the obstinate rejection of the Gospel by the greater part of the Jews. It was not left to be a question and a matter of opinion, whether the sacrifices instituted by Moses were to be continued or not; but things were so ordered, as to put it out of Man's power to continue

them.

Eels are not only numerous, but in great request in many other countries. Ellis, in his Polynesian Researches, says,—

In Otaheite, Eels are great favourites, and are tamed and fed until they attain an enormous size. The pets are kept in large holes two or three feet deep, partially filled with water. On the sides of these pits they generally re

I have been several times with the young chief, when he has sat down by the side of the hole, and, by giving a shrill sort of whistle, has brought out an enormous Eel, which has moved about the surface of the water, and eaten with confidence out of his master's hand.

The habits of Eels induce them to make two migrations in the course of the year, one in Autumn, to the sea, and the other in Spring, or the beginning of Summer, from the sea. The Autumn migration is performed by the adult Eels, and is supposed to be for the purpose of depositing their spawn; and it is said that these fish never return up the river: the Spring migration is supposed to consist entirely of young Eels. Mr. Yarrell is inclined to think there is an error in the belief that the old Eels do not return.

been seen and described as occurring in the Thames, the The passage of countless hundreds of young Eels has Severn, the Parrett, the Dee, and the Ban. I am, however, of opinion, that the passage of adult Eels to the sea, or rather to the brackish water of the estuary, is an exercise of choice, and not a matter of necessity; and that the parent Eels return up the river with the young fry.

All authors agree that Eels are extremely averse to cold. There are no Eels in the Arctic Regions, none in the rivers of Siberia, the Wolga, the Danube, or any of its tributary

streams. There is no doubt that fishes in general, and Eels in particular, are able to appreciate even minute alterations in the temperature of the water they inhabit. The mixed water they seek to remain in during the colder months of the year, is of a higher temperature than the pure fresh-water of the river, or that of the sea. It is a well known law in chemistry, that when two fluids of different densities come in contact, the temperature of the mixture is elevated for a time in proportion to the difference in the density of the two fluids. Such a mixture is constantly taking place at the mouths of rivers that run into the sea, and the mixed waters maintain a temperature two degrees warmer than that of the river or the sea. This elevation in the temperature of the water of estuaries and the mouths of rivers, is, I have no doubt, one reason why they in general abound with young fish.

During the Winter, the Eels remain imbedded in the mud twelve or sixteen inches deep, by the side of the channel of the stream they frequent.

Great doubt has existed as to whether the Eel produces its young alive, or deposits its spawn in the same manner as other fishes; but the observations of Mr. Yarrell and others, have gone far to prove that Nature does not step out of her regular course in the case of the Eel; that is, that the Eel produces its young in the same way as the rest of the class of fishes. Singular notions were entertained on this subject by the ancients and by some of the moderns. Aristotle believed they sprung from the mud; Pliny, from fragments which were separated from their bodies by rubbing against the rocks. Helmont believed they came from May-dew, and might be obtained by the following process.

Cut up two turfs covered with May-dew, and lay one upon the other, the grassy sides inwards, and thus expose them to the heat of the sun; in a few hours there will spring from them an infinite quantity of Eels.

The reason why Eels have been considered viviparous, has arisen probably, from their being infested with numerous intestinal worms, which have been mistaken for young Eels. The sudden appearance of Eels in places where they were known not to have existed previously, has added a little to the mystery of their mode of production. But there are many well-authenticated accounts of the manner in which this is most likely effected. The Eel in warm and moist nights, has been known to quit the water and travel a considerable distance through the wet grass. One instance of this occurs in Dr. HASTING'S Natural History of Worcestershire.

I will here mention a curious confirmation of the opinion in favour of the overland migration of Eels. A relative of the late Mr. Perrot was out in his park with his keeper, near a large piece of water, on a very beautiful evening, when the keeper drew his attention to a fine Eel quietly ascending the bank of the pool, and with an undulating motion making its way through the long grass; on further observation, he perceived a considerable number of Eels quietly proceeding to a range of stews, nearly at the distance of a quarter of a mile from the large piece of water from whence they started. The stews were supplied by a rapid brook, and in all probability, the instinct of the fish led them in that direction, as a means of finding their way to some large river from whence their ultimate destination, the sea, might be obtained.

There is no doubt, however, that Eels will breed in fresh-water ponds which have no communication with the sea or river.

The Sharp-nosed Eel is that most commonly met with in the markets; as its name implies, the snout is much more pointed than that of the other species; the head is flattened on the sides, and the eye is placed immediately over the angle of the mouth. In streams of pure water the belly of this Eel is clear and bright; it is then called a Silver Eel. This Eel is found of a larger size than either of the other

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preserved. As far as regards the eating, drinking, and hunting routine of the day, it doubtless is a faithful, and, therefore, interesting picture; but we obtain from it no information, either local or historical, concerning the Castle. Dying in 1610, he was succeeded by his son Frederic the Fifth, subsequently king of Bohemia, who, from his alliance with Elizabeth, daughter of James the First of England, from his prominent position at the commencement of the thirty years' war, of which his cruel fortunes first fired the fatal spark, and from the train of afflictions, public and domestic, which hunted him to an early grave, has obtained a mournful celebrity in the annals of the Palatinate. With regard to the im

THE Regent dying in 1572, was succeeded by his nephew Frederic the Fourth, who added much to his residence, and one of the finest and most perfect portions, built in a style of florid architecture, corresponding with the erections of Otho Henry, and embellished with the most gorgeous statues of the electors, remains a monument of his taste. This structure, which forms the south side of the great Tournament Court, was devoted to the purpose of a chapel, with a fine ball-room above, and still bears the name of Friederich's Bau, or Frederic's Building. The magnificent stone balcony overlooking the town was also the work of this period: here all travellers are taken to see an indentation somewhat resembling the impress of a human foot, in one of the flag-provement of the Castle, also, his name and that of stones; concerning which, the legend goes, that a young princess who, in her ardour to join her lover, leaped from a three-story-high window above, and being, we conclude, more nimble than the gentleman was dexterous, descended with such violence, as to imprint the shape of her foot in the solid pavement. The thousands of curious feet, great and small, which have since measured their length in this place, have maintained its shape, and swelled it to colossal dimensions. Whether the lady gave rise to the story of the stone, or vice versa, we leave our readers to decide; we tell the tale as it was told to us.

But to return to Frederic the Fourth. In the University library, part of a journal kept by this Pfalzgraf between the years 1596 and 1599, is still VOL. XII.

his high-minded consort stand equally forward, and though its strength and importance declined with his fortunes, and never entirely rallied again, yet we must not forget that he it was who raised it to that splendour which still lingers over its ruined halls. Animated alike by a natural taste for magnificence, by a highly cultivated mind, and, above all, by the most ardent passion for his English bride, he spared no pains in rendering his Castle worthy her abode. In honour of her, a palace in the Elizabethan style of architecture, and furnished on the model of English comfort, quickly arose, and by the simplicity and lightness of its proportions, remains strikingly distinct from the massive gorgeousness of the surrounding walls. Nothing could surpass the varied attractions of

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the gardens, of which an elegant archway, still called Elizabeth's gate, formed, and yet forms, a conspicuous ornament; while De Caux, architect to the king of France, employed in these additions, taxed his invention in the erection of grottoes, obelisks, fountains, &c. Our print of the Castle, is copied from a drawing taken in 1619.

Scarcely were these improvements completed, and the first years of happy royal wedlock flown over, when the election of Frederic to the crown of Bohemia called this interesting couple from their beloved Heidelberg; and, as it subsequently proved, from all permanent happiness and distinction. The dignity of a crown was but short-lived; a few years saw them fugitives and pensioners in a foreign land, while their proud patrimonial castle and lands suffered all the horrors of siege, famine, and spoliage, under the devastating influence of the thirty years' war. Our present royal family of England derives its descent from this same Elizabeth Stuart, Countess Palatine, and queen of Bohemia, through Sophia, the youngest of her numerous and ill-fated family, who became wife to the Elector of Hanover, and mother of George the First.

Frederic the Fifth died in obscurity at Mayence, in 1632, and on the 7th of October, 1649, after a period of unexampled horror and public calamity, Charles Louis, his eldest son, was reinstated in the ruined halls of his fathers. His first acts were to repair the breaches of war and plunder, and although his lands still groaned beneath their effects, he contrived to carry on his plans with solidity and expedition, and, at the same time, to recruit the broken fortunes of the Palatinate. His only daughter, Elizabeth Charlotte, he bestowed in marriage on the Duke of Orleans, and thereby unconsciously laid the foundation of that fearful struggle which once more laid his towns and villages in ashes, and gave the finishing blow to the downfall of Heidelberg Castle. His only son, by his royal consort, Charles Louis, studied, and received a doctor's degree, at the University of Oxford, a ceremony which was followed by the presentation of the order of the Garter from his cousin Charles the Second. Receiving during his sojourn in England, in 1680, tidings of his father's demise, he hastened home and assumed the sovereignty. This prince also busied himself in the work of reparation.

The favourite amusements of this Elector consisted in theatrical and military spectacles, and a curious work still exists of the pageants and ballets performed at the castle. Having over-exerted himself, however, at a mock siege, a tedious illness was induced, which terminated his life. Here the Palatinate line expires, Charles Louis leaving no issue, and henceforward the history of the castle presents only a successive picture of treachery, violence, and final desolation.

Philip William, of the house of Neuburg, was the first to claim and assume the seat of authority at Heidelberg. Two antagonists, however, soon appeared in the lists against him, in the persons of Leopold, Count of Veldenz, and Louis the Fourteenth of France, the alliance of whose brother, the Duke of Orleans, with the late Elector's sister, we have already noticed. The pretensions of Veldenz were quickly satisfied, or compromised; France proved a weightier foe, and not finding the channel of political menace and negotiation successful, deluged the devoted land with a hostile force, and military resistance proving useless, the castle and town capitulated on the 25th of October, 1688, but upon honourable conditions. No sooner, however, were the French in possession, than they began to abuse all authority, and to violate every treaty. The town's-people were maltreated,

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exorbitant levies exacted, the state-papers purloined, &c. These acts, however, were only introductory to the succeeding ravages, which commenced by the arrival of a company of French miners, who pounced with the weapons of destruction upon the proudest portions of the castle. At the same time, the surrounding suburbs and villages were fired, and, as if they had only waited for this beacon to let loose the demons of carnage and plunder, Heidelberg now became the scene of all the horrors attending a town taken by storm. The approach of a body of German troops seemed only to sharpen every diabolical purpose, the Town-house, the Marstall, and every building of importance, was reduced to ashes-the windows at the Castle were smashed, the ornamental stuccoes knocked to pieces-all the wine that was not poured out in licentious excess carried off to Manheim, and finally, before their evacuation, as if to complete the sum of wanton destruction, the Exchequer house, the Neckar-bridge, and the so-called splendid Thick-tower were remorselessly blown into fragments. At length, on the 2nd of March, 1689, . the invaders left the regions they had converted into a desert, taking with them, however, several persons of distinction as hostages. The castle was then occupied by an imperial and allied garrison, under the command of General Heydersdorf, and some show of reparation commenced. In the mean time, Philip William had retired to Vienna, where he died of apoplexy, in 1690, and was succeeded, or, at least, nominally so, by his son John William. Heidelberg was now little more than a heap of stones; the new Elector, therefore, took up his residence at Düsseldorf, and merely visited the scene of the late struggle to receive the fealty of the surrounding country. But the measure of affliction was not yet full-the vials of destruction not yet emptied over the devoted castle and town. Although stationed in quality of protector to the town's-people, General Heydersdorf scrupled not to extort money, and other supplies from them, and finding his protection but another name for plunder, many families emigrated from the homes which no longer ensured their safety. Happy were they in comparison with those who still clung to the place of their birth!

On the 17th of May, 1692, a body of thirty thousand French troops, with General Melac at their head, marched direct upon Heidelberg, and summoned the town to surrender. On the 20th, fresh forces arriving, General Melac mounted the hills above the castle, took possession of the old ruined fortress, and dispersed his men on the adjacent mountains. Other divisions gathered round the town, cutting fosses and throwing up embankments, to the no small embarrassment of the German commander. Unappalled by these preparations and the strength of their foes, the garrison, composed of a motley group of citizens and soldiers, determined to defend the walls to the last; but, whether paralyzed by fear, or disarmed by a foreign bribe, General Heydersdorf gave such contradictory orders, spiking, for instance, twenty-three of his own cannon, and withdrawing his troops from the most important posts, that it soon became manifest what his intentions were. Indignant at his treachery, the officers under him used every exertion in counteracting his influence, and animating the soldiery; but their enemies had gained too much ground-the suburb was taken, and the occupation of the town soon followed. This time not even the semblance of humanity was shown; and the pillage of the town was granted to five regiments, who too well availed themselves of the barbarous licence. Mingled with grosser acts, every

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