THE JEWISH ADVOCATE.

APRIL, 1854.

ADDRESS TO THE YOUNG.

A KIND friend to the cause of God's ancient people, and who is most desirous of interesting young Christians in their welfare, has written the following address. We insert it, in the hope that it may be the means of stirring up many to take a deep and abiding interest in this great and holy work. Any number of copies of the address may be obtained at the Office of the Jews' Society, 16, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.

DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,

THE LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONGST THE JEWS, invites you to assist its efforts for the conversion of the ancient people of God. The Society seeks to fulfil the plain directions of God's Holy Word, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. (Mark xvi. 15.) Beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke xxiv. 47.) To the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Rom. i. 16.)

I.-Can you refuse to assist in sending the Gospel to the Jews, who are scattered over the

world, when you remember that it is to Jews you owe the Gospel-it is to them you owe the knowledge of that precious Redeemer in whom is all your salvation and all your hope? Jews were the first preachers of salvation to Gentiles. Many and great are the blessings which have come to you through them. Our Scriptures came through them. Our Lord Jesus Christ, as concerning the flesh, came from them. The first missionary to Britain, it is believed, was a Jew. They have preserved the Old Testament faithfully for our use in the original language, and are now witnesses of the truth of God's Word

everywhere. Gratitude therefore should prompt you to give back to the Jews the knowledge of that Saviour, whom to know is life eternal.

II.-Again, the whole Bible shows that God has a peculiar affection for Israel. But you may say, God has sent them into captivity! It is true God has scattered them into every land, But what says God of this? "I have given the DEARLY BELOVED of my soul into the hand of her enemies." (Jer. xii. 7.) "It is true that Israel is given for a little moment into the hand of her enemies, but it is as true that they are still the dearly beloved of his soul. Should you not give them the same place in your heart which God gives them in His heart? Will you be ashamed to cherish the same affection which your heavenly Father cherishes?"* Remember, by assisting this blessed cause, dear young friends, you are labouring for the beloved people of the Lord. III. We wish you also to assist by your prayers.

* M'Cheyne.

Pray for the OUTCAST Jews. In every land they are to be met with, but in all they live like strangers, away from a beloved home.

Pray for the PERSECUTED Jews. For their sins the Jews have become "a by-word, a taunt, and a curse in all places where they have been driven.' They have been loaded with insult and oppression, and though in our days they receive more kindness, yet in many places they are still despised. In some cities in Persia, at the present time, they are allowed to live in one part of the town only, where they are locked up at night. A gentleman was staying in a city in Russia; he wished to walk one evening in the public gardens. Just as he was entering the gate, he saw a notice over it, which he stopped to read. It was Beggars, Dogs, and Jews are not admit

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ted here."

Pray for the UNBELIEVING Jews. The greater part live and die rejecting Him who is the only Saviour.

Pray for the INQUIRING Jews. Many have begun to inquire, and this is a hopeful sign. In one city, a young Jew who was converted, wrote some letters to his nation, giving an account of his belief in Christ. This aroused the attention of about two hundred young learned Jews, who wished to know more about the Christian faith. In France, a lady was speaking to some little girls, and asked one of them on what she rested her hope of heaven. She said, "Christ died for me." On hearing this reply, some of the scholars cried out, "Oh! she is a Jewess, and yet she says • Christ died for ME!' Well," added the little girl," though I am a Jewess, Christ did die for me." You see, then, that there are many

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Jews who are seeking for the truth. Should you not pray for them? *

Children of Christian parents, when you pray for yourselves, pray also for the Jews, that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob may have compassion upon them, and rejoice over them for good. (Deut. xxx. 9.)

"Go now and bend your knee and pray,
For Israel's ancient race;
Ask the Redeemer every day,

To call them by His grace.
Go, for a debt of love is due,

From Christian children to the Jew."

IV. Their conversion is clearly promised. (Jer. xxxiii. 9.) It is an undoubted fact, that more Jews have been converted to Christ during the last twenty years, than in any similar space of time since the first ages of the Church.

We subjoin some information on the subject of this important Society, in which we want you to feel interested. It is the glory of Protestant England that she loves and cares for the Jews. At Bethnal Green, London, there is a Chapel for converted Jews. In the course of every year, a considerable number of Israelites have been baptized. About 700 have thus been admitted into the Church of Christ. The prayers of the Church of England are read every day in Hebrewmany Jews attend the service. There are many communicants of the House of Israel. The Schools connected with the Chapel contain the full number of 100 Jewish children, and between 500 and 600 have been educated therein, since the time of their establishment. At Jerusalem, from

* "Jewish Advocate," vol. ii., p. 206.

8,000 to 10,000 Jews reside-a Church has been erected on Mount Zion. The first native Jew converted at Jerusalem was Rabbi Joseph, in September, 1838. Dr. Alexander, himself a converted Jew, and the first Bishop of Jerusalem since the days of the Apostles, was sent out November, 1841. At Safet, there are 2000 Jews. At Hebron, Christ has been preached to the Jews. The mission at Cairo is progressing, and the number of Jewish children attending the School is considerably increasing. The Jews at Bagdad form the most wealthy class. Great inquiry after the truth has been excited amongst them. Many Jews go thither to visit Ezekiel's tomb. Smyrna is the only station of the London Society in Asia Minor. At Constantinople, where there is a large Jewish population, three zealous and useful missionaries are employed. There are also stations at Jassy and Bucharest. At the German Mission at Strasburg, near the Rhine, the missionary of the London Society pursues his labours with much success and blessing. The capital city of Holland, Amsterdam, is an important field of labour. 35,000 Jews reside there. Rotterdam has been visited regularly by the London Society's Missionary. At Frankfurt-onthe-Maine and Creuznach, missionaries are also located. The work at Breslau, in Silesia, is of an encouraging nature. There are 10,400 Jews in that town, and twelve synagogues. In Central Prussia, there are stations at Berlin and Stettin. In the former city, it is computed that there are 2500 converted Jews, and very many of them are Professors in the Universities, and preachers of the Gospel. The stations in East Prussia are Danzig and Königsberg. The school