The preference shown both to the Conversos and to the Jews in the reign of Henry IV. was made matter of complaint against that monarch, who naturally looked upon them as his most faithful partizans; and sanguinary contests were often the consequence. On one occasion, when the populace made an attack upon the Jews and Conversos at Jaen, the high constable, Don Miguel Lucas Tranga, who had taken their part, was put to death while attending mass. The town of Cordova, and many others, witnessed similar scenes of civil war, arising from religious or political jealousies. The Jews and Conversos in this time of anarchy took up arms in all parts of Castile, hired troops to defend themselves, or removed to Palma and Seville. From thence a considerable party, with Pedro de Herrera at its head, went to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, and opened a negotiation with him, requesting that the town and fortress of Gibraltar might, on the payment of a considerable sum, be made over to the Conversos as their own possession. This scheme failed, owing to the interference of the people of Seville, from whom, on this account, the Jewish quarter had again much to endure. The glorious period during which Isabella, the sister of Henry IV., with her husband, Don Ferdinand of Arragon, governed Castile, brought a complete change over the whole face of the country, and became to the Jews, and also to the New Christians, the time of a most striking crisis, the relation of which belongs to a later period. MISSIONS TO THE JEWS. LONDON. Extract from the Journal of the Rev. F. C. Ewald. The brother of one of the Converts baptized at the Chapel on Feb. 1st, wrote: “ Thou hast separated thyself from the synagogue, thou hast denied the Jewish faith, therefore thou ceasest to be my brother; from henceforth I do not know thee and thou not me. I shall never more see thee, thou shalt never come to me.” Another of them received the following letter from a learned Jew in London, while under instruction: “Dear friend, I inform you herewith that I have recived a letter from your mother, in which she earnestly entreats me to speak to you, and to tell you words of exhortation; especially shall I tell you that the step you have taken has plunged her into a desperate condition. Your mother assures me, that if she does not soon learn that you have returned to the religion of your fathers, you will be to her the angel of death. “ If you will convince yourself of the truth of my statement, please call on me. I have also a letter for you. In the hope of seeing you soon, I sign myself" &c. The letter here alluded to, was from the father, and runs thus : W., Sept. 24th, 1851. “ Your first letter has caused us much grief; we immediately perceived that you had fallen into the hands of the Missionaries; and your Such a second letter has fully persuaded us of our apprehension. You cannot imagine what weeping and lamentation your second letter has brought into our house. Your mother has fallen ill in consequence of the lamentable news. disgraceis to be brought upon our family by you! I have forewarned you, not to have anything to do with the Missionaries. Go immediately to Mr. I will also send you letters of recommendation. I fear you have been seduced by thinking you will have an easy life ; but remember, now they promise you golden mountains, but afterwards your lot will be deplorable. Endeavour to break loose from them. Take the advice of Mr. T-, and other good men; for I think, in England, if you wish to return to the Jews, none can prevent you. Write to your mother that you will remain a Jew, else I do not know how it will end with her. Keep the whole matter the greatest secret, for if any Jew from here should hear of it, it would make us most unhappy." “A third,” says Mr. Ewald," was waylaid and ill-treated by about 30 Jews, the day after his baptism, in one of the streets of the city, on proceeding to his place of business. * The promise of the Lord is, “Ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel,' and 'I will take you, one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.' In the course of January I received a letter from a gifted Jew, whom I had known for a considerable time as searching the Scriptures, and longing after divine light; he says in his letter: "I know it will be of great interest to you to learn that I have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, on the 12th of December last, at the Church of St. Giles' in the Fields, by the Rev. R. Bickersteth, the newly appointed Rector of that Church. I thank most heartily my Creator, for the experiences I have been allowed to make in Christian life, and I trust He will always lead me in the same way. I am preparing at present for college." " A REMNANT SHALL BE SAVED." Rom. ix. 27. 66 Ye who have toild for Israel's sake, And scorn and sneers have bravd; “ A remnant shall be sav'd." By few or many cravd; “ A remnant shall be sav'd.” The blood of Christ has lay'd, “ A remnant shall be sav'd.” When we in earth' are gravd ; “ A remnant shall be sav'd." And those who treat us now with scorn, May own that we have pav'd The way for that expected morn, When--from each heart the veil withdraw “ All Israel shall be sav'd." Temple. J. P. HOSEA XIV. S. SHEPHERD. London : Printed at the Operative Jewish Converts’ Institution, Palestine Place, Bethnal Green. |