prevalent amongst the Jews in different countries, that the fifty days, or rather seven weeks, between the first day of Easter and the feast of Pentecost, are very dangerous days, was first taught them by a Rabbi of Cairo, who learnt it from the Copts, though the Jews relate other stories about its origin.

" As I had never before seen this festivity, I went in company of several Englishmen to the Isle of Roda, which we found crowded with people of all denominations. Any one, who has never seen the great misery of the Egyptians, would on this occasion pronounce them to be the happiest people in the world. Everywhere you hear the sound of tambarines, and see men and sometimes low women whirling about or dancing in the midst of an admiring circle. Under the shade of acacia trees groups are reposing on mats, or by the side of steaming kettles, pots and frying-pans, warbling their favorite songs. Jews over their wine, Greeks and Copts over the araki, and Mahometans over their coffee or sherbet, and smoking their long pipes; interspersed with Italians, Poles, Frenchmen and Englishmen.

“I was of course most interested by the kind feeling shown towards me by all the Jews. • Mr. Lauria, come and dine with us,' was the request of every group

of Jews as we passed by: I accepted, with one of our company, the kind invitation of one group, and sat down in the midst of eleven kind-hearted Jews and Jewesses, where we had an excellent luncheon.

On our return to our company, these Jews, and another group sitting near us, brought food and wine for the several Englishmen who accompanied me, and who could not but admire Jewish hospitality. Several of the Jews there invited me to call on them the following Saturday. Oh, what kind brethren after the Aesh have I here! Would to God that they all might become my brethren also in the Lord Jesus Christ!”

LONDON.

Extracts from the Journal of à Missionary

Agent. A Missionary Agent in London writes :“ Went out and met Mr. C—, a native of Königsberg, whose acquaintance I had made on the previous Saturday, at the Lecture in Leadenhall-street. He is a well-informed man, thoroughly acquainted with Jewish literature. After we had conversed for about two hours, he said, I came here to London in order to transact some business, and am going to leave again for Königsberg in a few days; but, believe me, this journey has been greatly blessed to my soul, for which I cannot be sufficiently thankful.” And producing a New Testament, which he carried in his pocket, and which seemed to have been very much used, he said, “I have been reading this book for many, many years, so that I almost know it by heart; I have also had many a conversation with Mr. Noesgen, missionary at Königsberg. I have even myself written a manuscript in Hebrew, called “Proofs that Jesus of Nazareth has been the promised Messiah,” which I intend to have printed, and which I

you,

if
you

will take the trouble to go with me.

I have been persecuted by the Jews, and turned out of synagogues for having made known my opinions and views. But, alas, I only

I

can show

knew Christ by name; it was mere head-knowledge, but now I leave England with new resolutions, which I hope and trust God will enable me to carry out.'

66

· February 23.—Having met Rabbi --, (who is considered the most pious and learned Jew in London), in Leadenhall Street, I went up to him, and asked him whether he thinks that the Bibles are correct which are sold opposite the Beth Hamidrash, in the same street (meaning the London Society's Scripture Depôt). He replied, “I would advise you, dear friend, never to enter a house like that, for you know what the Psalm saith.' (Ps. i. 2.) This gave at once an opportunity of entering on the subject, but when he perceived the nature of my message, he asked me, how I could dare to speak to him on the subject? I replied, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, on the contrary, my love to him, to you, and to all my brethren constrains me to preach that blessed Gospel wherever I shall find an opportunity.' We had now arrived at the Beth Hamidrash, when I begged his attention for another moment, impressing upon him the responsibility resting upon him as a teacher of Israel, and pointing out to him Jesus the Lamb of God, sitting at the right hand of the Father, waiting to be gracious. But the poor old man got into such a rage, that he could not refrain from spitting into my face, and cursing me most dreadfully.

St. Paul's words, Phil. iv. 14, which recurred to my mind, pacified and refreshed me, and caused me to go on my way rejoicing.”

Poetry.

THOUGHTS

Suggested on attending a Service in Bayford School Room,

when a Sermon was preached by the Rev. A. Ramsay, on Ezek. xxxiv. 29 :--"I will raise up for them a plant of renown,”-in aid of the funds of the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews, 15th June, 1852.

THE “ High and Lofty One," * Himself hath said,
Whom e'en the Heaven of heavens cannot contain,
" I dwell not in those gorgeous temples made
With human hands.”+ His best and holiest fane,
The throne on which the King of kings doth reign,
Is the meek contrite spirit as it prays ;
Whilst angels lean from heaven to catch the strain,
Great is their joy, as higher still they raise
Upon their golden harps their never-ceasing praise.

Such thoughts as these, for thought at time will play
The truant, even in our holiest mood,
Darted like lightning-flash, nor pass'd away
As quickly, through my mind, as late I stood
Beneath a humble roof, wherein the rude
Unletter'd rustic youth are taught to climb
Fair wisdom's arduous heights ;--but then I view'd
A pastor with his flock, whose voices chime
The music of their hearts at pensive even-time !

Let not prelatic pomp, nor priestly pride,
View with averted eye and cold disdain
This simple place of worship, nor deride
The admixture of things sacred with profane ;
Church order bows obedient to the rein
Of just authority; the prying eye,
In the pure worship can detect no stain ;
Ritual observance here is seen to vie
With spiritual things, in sacred rivalry.
For here the friends of Israel's outcast race,
Were met to listen to the glorious theme
Of Zion's wondrous tale, which faith can trace,
As some rich vein of gold is seen to gleam,
Throughout the sacred mine. Tho' some may deem
The attempt presumptuous-idle at the best-
Yet Israel's God hath written with a beam
Of heavenly sunshine, “ Not to give him rest,
Till Zion be a praise," * and be for ever blest !

Long time, too long, the younger brother, † fed
With the rich dainties of his father's board,
Hath scorn'd the exil'd wanderer, in whose stead
(But only for a time) he feasts; a hoard
Of wealth is for that elder brother stor'd
In Heaven's own Treasure-house ; tho' the rich gem
Lies buried in the dust, debas'd, abhorrid :
“ Plant of renown!” sprung out of Jesse's stem !
Zion shall yet be in Thine hand a royal diadem! I