Leipzig and Frankfurt-on-the-Oder. To each of these fairs from 6,000 to 10,000 Jews regularly come up; mainly from Russia, Poland, and the Grand Duchy of Posen. There are also two fairs at Brunswick, and one at Naumburg; besides important wool and other markets. The emigration from the Grand Duchy of Posen to the old provinces of Prussia, and to Brandenburg in particular, is very great since the revolution in 1848. The charter for the admission of Jews into the latter province, dates from the year 1670, when, on being expelled, under the Emperor Leopold, from Austria, the Elector of Brandenburg granted them a refuge in his dominions. Among these early settlers, were the descendants of Abarbanel (the celebrated Jewish commentator of the 15th century, with his brethren expelled from Spain in 1492), who, during their residence in Austria, had assumed the name of "Frankel." The family, Frankel, became the founders of very important printingoffices for Jewish literature, in Berlin, Frankfurton-the-Oder, Jessnitz, and Dessau, One of the family (whose grandson is still living at Dessau) wrote a celebrated commentary on the Jerusalem Talmud, and was afterwards Chief Rabbi in Berlin; and his pupil was Moses Mendelsohn, afterwards the celebrated modern reformer of the Jews. It is a remarkable fact, that of all the Mendelsohn family, so widely branched out, there is only the present head of the house who is still a Jew; all the rest, even the children of the latter, are Christians. Moreover, the families and descendants of Mendelsohn's contemporaries, whose names are appended as subscribers to the different works that were then published, and who were

either literary or rich men, or both, are now Christians, with very few exceptions. This is a remarkable fact, and shows what, through God's blessing, the Gospel has achieved since those days, mainly by the instrumentality of the Jews themselves, though they were unconscious of the great work they were effecting. Dr. F. also, of the Frankel family, at Dessau, is a witness to the truth of Him, of whom Moses in the Law, and the Prophets, did write.

"The number of proselytes at Berlin is estimated at 2,500. This number comprises many individuals of great celebrity; twenty-six professors at the University, and above 100 high in the legal profession.

"Berlin is on many accounts one of the most important stations for a Jewish missionary. The monarchs of Prussia are amongst the foremost and the warmest of the friends to the promotion of Christianity amongst the Jews. The barbarities which disgraced the Middle Ages, and which have continued even to later times, have here been some-what forgotten. For many years a better feeling has prevailed; that intercourse which ought to be found everywhere between Jews and Christians, has been in some measure restored, and this has had no small influence in removing in a great degree, the prejudice and misunderstanding which often render it almost impossible to converse with Jews on a friendly footing. The missionary here, more than anywhere else, finds opportunities for intercourse with Jews of education and learning, as many come here to pursue their studies at the University, or at other public seminaries and institutions. The great number of converts in Berlin, and the in

fluence which it has on the provinces, point it out as the great centre of missionary exertion in Germany. The Society had no missionary regularly stationed at Berlin until the year 1832, yet some of its Agents visited that capital. Thus in the winter of 1830-1, the Rev. A. M'Caul resided there for several months, and had much intercourse with the Jews. Several hundred converts were received into the Church of Christ by baptism; and the want of a minister, whose special care it should be to watch over their spiritual welfare, was deeply felt.

"In the year 1832, the Rev. W. Ayerst was invited to deliver public lectures in this city, on the great question at issue between Jews and Christians. He commenced the lectures, which were under the immediate sanction of the King of Prussia, in January, 1834, and continued to reside at Berlin until 1837, and had the satisfaction of seeing that every lecture was attended by a greater or less number of Jews, who listened to the arguments adduced in favour of the truth. 200 Jews and Jewesses applied to him during that period for religious instruction as a preparation for a public profession of Christianity. The lectures were continued by the Rev. C. Becker and the Rev. C. W. H. Pauli, who afterwards occupied this station, the latter from 1841 to 1844. The public services were in 1842 attended by overflowing congregations, among which were a great number of Jews and Jewesses; and it was found necessary to erect a new chapel. Mr. Pauli having been stationed at Amsterdam, the Rev. R. Bellson entered upon the duties of this mission in May, 1844, and was in the following year joined by the Rev. B. W. Wright, who devoted a considerable portion of his time to

missionary journeys. A missionary tour which the latter undertook in the beginning of 1847, in Pomerania and Brandenburg, much exceeded his expectations in success, particularly in the interest excited among the clergy, with the pious and venerable Bishop of the province at their head. "In the present mission-chapel (which was opened in the year 1846) there is an English service on Sunday mornings, and a German service for Jewish and Gentile Christians and casual hearers, on Sunday evening, and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings; these services have been well attended, and give the mission the advantage of uniting Jewish proselytes and Gentile believers in one body. There is also a Sunday School, which it is hoped will prove a blessing not only to the little ones of his flock, but also to their parents. From eighteen to twenty assemble every Sunday afternoon in the vestry, where they are instructed in that truth which is able to make them wise unto salvation. Monthly missionary meetings for the Jews, the superintendence of a Dorcas Society for poor proselytes, and the care of souls among the numerous proselytes scattered far and wide over the city, occupy a considerable portion of the time and attention of the missionary. Mr. Bellson is assisted by Mr. Ludewig and Dr. Biesenthal in these duties, as well as in the instruction of inquirers, and in visiting Jews, in their own houses and also in some of their places of resort.

"Leipzig has been visited by Mr. Bellson, Mr. Hartmann, and others of the London Society's missionaries, with very interesting results. Much precious seed has been sown; and it must be considered a cause for gratitude that the religion

of Jesus should be the subject of conversation amongst the children of Abraham, at a place where the concerns of the world call them together. The New Testament has there been eagerly enquired after by Jews, who, a few years ago, would not have touched the book, much less read it. At places of public resort, the New Testament and the "Old Paths" have been openly defended by Jews against the attacks of some of their most prejudiced brethren.

"The Rev. W. Ayerst baptized 42 adults at Berlin in less than three years, and the Rev. C. W. H. Pauli 41 in two years and a half. The Rev. R. Bellson has registered 70 baptisms since May, 1844. In the whole Prussian dominions 2,200 Israelites were baptized from 1822 to 1840. Up to the year 1846 the number of baptisms amounted annually to 100 or 120; in Berlin alone, from 30 to 50; no information can be obtained about the following three years."

THE SERPENT.

GENESIS III. 1-15.

WE have lately read, in the public services of the Church, the inspired record of the sad and ruinous fall of man from a state of innocence and purity to one of guilt and shame. The Tempter, in this dreadful scene, is called "The Serpent,' and many and various opinions have been given and written as to what kind of creature is here intended. We have recently seen a view of this subject, which commends itself before all the

* Journal of Sacred Literature. No. II., January, 1852.