The Jewish Herald.

JANUARY, 1852.

TO OUR READERS.

We have crossed the threshold of another year! Its privivileges and responsibilities lie spread before us. Their inestimable value, their grave solemnity, not unnaturally suggest the inquiry: "In what spirit did we enjoy the blessings of the year just fled, and to what extent were its responsibilities discharged by us?" To live is no mean privilege; but who can estimate the peerless worth of being called to live in and for Christ-of being adopted into the family of God, and sent forth into a world like ours to co-operate with Him in the accomplishment of the salvation of the human race? Earth's highest dignities and chiefest glories pale and fade before the lustrous grandeur and beauty of such a life! And this great gift of God is ours! The divine idea of the character and end of a true human life is developed in that of our Lord Christ, who has left us "an example that 'we' should follow in His steps." Therefore it is, that, in looking back on the past year, we cannot fail to find many reasons why our hearts should be humbled before God; and in mediating on the claims and possible issues of that on which we have entered, why we should consider afresh, the nature of our aims and of our efforts, and see how far they accord with the advantages we possess, with the requirements of our Redeemer, and with the condition of the world.

We would especially urge such inquiries upon the churches of Christ, IN RELATION TO THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE ANCIENT PEOPLE OF GOD. The position which that people occupy in the Divine plan for the restoration of mankind, has, we think, been strangely overlooked by multitudes who daily say to God,

NO. LXXIII.

VOL. VI.

"Thy kingdom come." Few-very few-have been mindful of their claims upon our sympathy and our gratitude; fewer still have noted the statements of Holy Writ respecting the relations they sustain to the future of the Church and of mankind. Even if they had no past history in connexion with our God-if their's were not "the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God and the promises "if of them, as concerning the flesh, Christ had not come-if they had no such illustrious lineage to arrest our attention, and, by its contrast with their present state, to awaken our compassion: we think, nevertheless, that their residence in every clime, their familiarity with every tongue, their acquaintance with the habits of thought and feelings of all peoples, their integrity to their religious convictions, their restless activity, their perseverance, their wealth, and their real unity, though sown so broad-cast throughout the earth, point them out as a people who, if converted to "the faith of the Gospel," would prove the most efficient missionaries that the world ever saw. Taking then, this low ground, how is it possible to justify the churches, seeing that they have so long left the Jews to perish in their sins, when, in all probability, their evangelisation would have redounded, in the most remarkable manner, to the glory of God? But the conduct of Christians in this matter becomes more difficult to explain, when we recall the fact, that the Jews are declared by the Holy Spirit to be His chosen instruments for the worldwide diffusion of "the truth as it is in Jesus." For thus it is written, "If the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; How MUCH MORE THEIR FULNESS? For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, wHAT SHALL THE RECEIVING OF THEM BE, BUT LIFE FROM THE DEAD?" (Romans xi. 12, 15.) How marvellous it is, that these statements have not, ere now, aroused the whole "household of faith," to earnest supplication, and to equally as earnest effort on behalf of "the outcasts of Israel!" For their salvation being accomplished, the nations now in darkness would be led into the light of "the glorious Gospel," and the Redeemer would then see "of the travail of His soul and be satisfied."

Should any one urge that the churches have been discouraged by want of success, we reply, that the encouragement has been more than commensurate with the exertions that have been made. Why should we expect to find an abundant harvest where the ground has remained unbroken by us, and where no seed has been sown? The success of

Jewish missionary operations has equalled, if not surpassed, those among the Gentiles, when we regard their recent commencement, and their restricted character. Upwards of two hundred converted Jews arc at present ordained ministers of the Gospel. On the Continent, their influence has been powerfully exhibited as Dr. Tholuck, of the University of Halle, stated at the meeting of the Evangelical Alliance in September last, the revival of the religious-life in Germany is mainly owing, under God, to the zealous labours of Christian Israelites. Were further proof needed, we point, with gratitude, to our own reports since the Society's formation in 1842, and to the record of our proceedings which this journal contains. We lack no inducement to pray, to preach, or to give. We have not been permitted to "labour in vain." We have the Divine promise of success. "By our mercy" it is declared "they are to receive Moreover "the fields are white unto the harvest." How then shall the history of this year be written for the judgment of the great day? Shall it be then read that we had no "mercy upon "the lost sheep of the house of Israel?" Or shall its testimony number us with the faithful servants, who sought them out in the "cloudy and dark day," and led them into the fold of of the "Shepherd and Bishop" of souls?

mercy."

One word in closing, with regard to this journal. We believe that the facts of which it is the record, only require to be known to the churches, to awaken their interest and to win their help. Will our brethren in the ministry aid us by a pulpit announcement of its character and claims, and by introducing its "missionary intelligence" at the usual monthly prayer meeting? And will our friends in general come to our assistance, by obtaining, in their different localities, additional subscribers?

ISRAELITES IN PARIS.

THE following extract from a letter received from M. Petavel, jun., who, it will be remembered, accompanied his father in the tour of visitation which he made at the instance of the Society to the Synagogues of France, will, we think, be read with interest:

Paris, Sept. 25, 1851. "The other day we paid a visit to the Abbè Ratisbon, a Roman Catholic Jew, and now an apostolical missionary at the head of an