for high and holy purposes the Protestant Bishopric of Jerusalem. Thus after many centuries, an Israelite is restored to the land of his fathers in honour, and that honour arising from his belief in the true Messiah.

The results of the efforts made in behalf of God's ancient people are far greater than we could have anticipated. Besides the great numbers who have publicly confessed their faith in the Lord Jesus, very many are fully convinced of the truth of Christianity, and, unknown to their brethren, believe in Him of whom Moses in the law and the Prophets did write. Upwards of 20 Clergymen in our own Church are believing Israelites, and more than 100 in Germany, are preaching the Gospel of Christ. Men of great learning and talents from among Christian Jews, fill professors' chairs in some of the Universities on the Continent. Thirty-nine of the Missionary Agents employed by the Society, are believing Israelites, and many are also engaged by other Societies. The state of the Jews in all countries is also very remarkable. In France and Germany, vast numbers demand a reform in the services of the synagogue. In England, they are divided into several parties, one of which is desirous of considerable alteration in the services of the synagogue, and a less strict adherence to Rabbinism; another exclaims against all changes, and desires that things should remain as they are. A large and influential party have expunged from their liturgy every acknowledgment of the Talmud; these have separated from their brethren and meet in a synagogue of their own. In the discourse delivered at the consecration of their synagogue, the principles and reasons which have guided them in the important step which they have taken are fully and clearly stated by their minister: one of these is, that they recognize the writings of Moses and the Prophets as alone of divine authority; and whilst they reverence the sayings and venerate the piety of their wise ancestors, they "solemnly deny that a belief in the divinity of those traditions, written in the Mishna and Talmuds, is of equal obligation to the Israelite with the faith in the divinity of the Law of Moses." "For us Israelites," the minister adds, "there is but one immutable law, the sacred volume of the Scriptures, commanded by God to be written down for the unerring guidance of his people until the end of time." On the nature of prayer and

on the religious education of females, the minister also speaks in forcible terms; and no Christian can read that discourse and not rejoice in the truths and principles which it advocates, and the prospects which it opens, or not hail it as a movement of a most important and encouraging nature.

Of Poland, that stronghold of Modern Judaism, whose Rabbis are celebrated for their learning, and where the Talmud is so universally studied, and retains so firm a hold upon the affections of the people, the Rev. Dr. M'Caul, who visited Warsaw last year, says, "Poland still continues the same rich and boundless field of labour that it ever was, the labours of the Society for so many years have produced a most happy change in the tone and feeling of the Jews towards Christianity. The missionary journeys this last summer were particularly successful. In every place, crowds of Jews assembled in the Missionary's lodgings to hear and dispute; and thousands of books and tracts were circulated."

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Writing respecting Germany, the same devoted friend of Israel says, Every thing I saw and heard led me to believe that the day of Israel's visitation from on high has advanced far beyond the dawn. The Jewish mind is thoroughly roused: all are striving after something, they know not what. In the great struggle many fall away to infidelity, but many also find rest for their souls in the promises of the Gospel. The number seeking baptism is very great." Even in the number brought into the Christian Church there is much, very much to encourage us, but the result does not end here. A great preparatory work is being accomplished-the way of the people is being prepared in obedience to the command, "Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones, lift up a standard for the people. Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold thy salvation cometh, behold his reward is with him and his work before him."*

Yet even now what are the efforts which have been made? Alas, how inadequate, how few! There are seven or eight (it may be ten) millions of Jews in the world, scattered amongst all nations; in most of which it may be said, this is Zion whom no man seeketh after! Where are the love and zeal of the Church, when so few labourers are sent forth, when so few are willing

* Isaiah lxii. 10, 11.

to go forth to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel?" Our efforts and our obligations form a painful contrast; the former are so poor, so almost nothing in comparison of what they should be; the latter are innumerable, and have been accumulating for centuries. If then we rejoice, it can only be that our merciful and gracious Lord condescends to own even the feeblest agency, and by the weakest instrumentality accomplishes some of his purposes of love. Thus He encourages us, and beckons us onward. Thus too He removes the last refuge of unbelief and indifference, and to his positive command and his gracious promise, adds encouragement to gladden our hearts and strengthen and enlarge our hopes.

They who are engaged in this high and holy cause need your prayers. Let them have them. Forget not "this main point is the church's glory," but "pray daily for the conversion of the Jews;" and pray especially that the Lord would send forth more labourers into this portion of his harvest field.

We often speak of this as a period remarkable for its missionary spirit; but not justly so, except in contrast to a past, when no missionary efforts were made in behalf of either the Gentiles or the Jews. Very few of our young men are willing to devote themselves to this most honourable of all services, and go forth to preach to God's ancient people the unsearchable riches of Christ. The votaries of superstition and idolatrythe young men of the Romish community can go forth in vast numbers to the East and to the West, to the North and to the South, to extend the evil influence of the corrupt system of Rome; but our young men, the students of our universities, and our other intelligent and well-educated youth, shrink from the task, and prefer the ease and the comforts of home to thus advancing the glory of their Lord. Jewish apostles went forth, not counting their lives dear unto themselves, enduring innumerable hardships, exposed to the most cruel persecutions,* counted as the offscouring of all things; went forth, to be beaten, imprisoned, tortured, slain with the sword, by wild beasts, by crucifixion, for the sake of their Lord and Saviour, and in the execution of their commission to "preach amongst the Gentiles repentance and remission of sins in his name." But in our days, few, alas! offer themselves willingly even to preach to that nation from

* 2 Cor. xi. 22-33; ib. vi. 5, et seq.

whom came prophets, apostles, and the great Redeemer of

mankind.

My brethren, where are our faith, our zeal for our Master's glory, where are our love to God and love to man? Has God forgotten to be gracious, has his Gospel lost its power, have immortal spirits ceased to be of more value than a material universe, has any new revelation told us that he that believeth not shall be saved, that we rest supine and come not to the help of the Lord against the mighty, to the rescue of poor perishing immortals from the damnation of hell? Pray then, that from amongst your own selves, there may be sent forth shepherds, to seek the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and that God may pour out upon his whole Church so largely the spirit of love and holy zeal, that multitudes may be ready to exclaim, Here are we; send us.

Lastly, we need your exertions. If efforts are to be enlarged, means must be afforded, and therefore we would say, as you go on to abound in exertions for the spiritual good of our fellow countrymen, at home and in our colonies, and for that of poor untaught and benighted heathens, so also abound in your labours for this cause, remembering the gracious promise, given to those who seek the good of Israel,-"Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her; rejoice for joy with her all ye that mourn for her; that ye may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream."* Even now we may rejoicingly say, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, thy God reigneth."+ In the day of her triumph, it will be our unspeakable joy, to hear the long despised and oppressed people, and their long desolated city addressed in the prophetic call to triumph and to glory,-"Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations: and all the ends of the world shall see the salvation of our God."

*Isaiah lxvi. 10-12.

:

+ Isaiah lii. 7, 9, 10.

A LECTURE,

BY THE HON. & REV. H. MONTAGU VILLIERS, M.A.

MY CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,

I rejoice very much that in the providence of God I am permitted to meet you on the present occasion. I felt disappointed that at the period appointed for the opening Lecture, circumstances prevented me from addressing you; I am bound to add that they arose from a mistake over which I had no controul. But I knew that I was leaving the duty in the hands of a substitute fully competent to do the work; and I am sure if you heard the lecture at the time, or have subsequently read it, you will agree with me, the Society lost nothing by the exchange of Lecturers. I am truly thankful for the edification I derived from its perusal.

The subject on which I have at present to address you is somewhat difficult, because from its very nature it does not necessarily force itself upon the attention of a Christian minister, whereas he cannot escape from those which relate to the heathen or the Jew. Still there are certain broad principles which will naturally suggest themselves to a benevolent mind, and which, when considered, will lead us to see very clearly the claims which our fellow countrymen abroad have upon our Christian sympathies.

In speaking on this subject I am requested to direct your attention not so much to the condition of the people in the British possessions abroad, i. e. in our colonies, as to the state of our countrymen in foreign lands on the continents of Europe and South America. The subject appointed for this evening's lecture is, "THE CLAIMS OF OUR FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN ABROAD ON OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHIES."

Now, in the discussion of this subject, there appear to be three points which deserve our consideration :

I. WHAT ARE THE WANTS OF OUR FELLOW-COUNTRYMEN ABROAD?

II. WHAT ARE THEIR CLAIMS?

III. WHAT MUST BE DONE IN CONSEQUENCE OF THESE WANTS AND CLAIMS?