THE JEWISH ADVOCATE. NOVEMBER, 1853. THE REPORT OF THE SOCIETY. 66 WE were conversing the other day with an old and faithful friend of the Society on its state and prospects, when he remarked, that of all the Reports which had been published, this, for 1852-53, was he thought the most encouraging. It was not, that we read of so many conversions in our different missions; as, that the strongest evidence was afforded of the wonderful change which has been produced in the Jewish mind." In this is the true ground of encouragement, so far as it should be dependant upon success. The state of preparation for that wonderful change which has been foretold by ancient prophets, tells us of shaking amongst the dry bones, and the coming together of bone to his bone, and gives the earnest of the full restoration of the slain and of their standing up "an exceeding great army!" "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain that they may live!" 66 The proof of this great change affords the answer to our fourth question, What are the prospects before us?" We are sorry that we can only illustrate it briefly and imperfectly. In London one very striking and encouraging fact is, that Mr. Whitehead, an agent of the Society, visited no fewer than 1546 families of Jews in the space of twenty months. These were all English-speaking Jews, and reside in the crowded streets and alleys, which are enclosed between Bishopsgate on the one side, and Leadenhall-street and Aldgate on the other. Thus the good seed has been sown very extensively, and cannot have been sown in vain. 66 The labours of Mr. Ewald, and the great success which has attended them have already been spoken of, and from these facts we may learn that in London the prospects of the Society are most encouraging, there is an open door, though there are many adversaries. Even in places the most opposed to the spread of the Gospel amongst the Jews, there are encouraging tokens. With respect to CAIRO we read: There are growing evidences that God will not permit his word, even in this place, to return unto him void." The Missionary has gained the confidence of his Jewish brethren, and rich and well-educated Jews frequently call upon him for the purpose of purchasing Christian books, so that they may make themselves acquainted with the nature of Christianity. Social meetings are also held amongst the Jews themselves, at which the subject of the religion of Jesus is introduced, and even some of their own body are advocates of its cause. From BAGDAD the Rev. H. A. Stern writes:"One of the most animating and cheering features in our field of labour, is the readiness with which all classes listen to our message, and accept the books which we offer them. Rabbies and teachers, bankers and merchants, toiling artizans and itinerant pedlars, all are grateful for one of these silent messengers of the Gospel, which have already greatly agitated the stagnant waters of Jewish unbelief, and will continue to exert a benign influence among the thousands of Israel, who reside in this place. The leading rabbies have made many attempts to oppose the irresistible tide of light and knowledge, which is sapping the foundation of their revered system, but their endeavours have only tended to stir up disunions and controversies amongst their respective flocks." Of BUCHAREST the Missionary says:-"When I compare the present state of the Jews in Wallachia with that which existed at the commencement of our Mission, I can confidently say, that there is the most marked and perceptible difference. The ignorance of Christianity which then prevailed, has been dispersed. The Jews do not now confound the pure and holy religion of Jesus, with the idolatrous and superstitious practices of the Greek and Roman Churches. The gigantic edifice of Rabbinism has been greatly shaken, and even partially destroyed. The Word of God has been extensively circulated, and although actual conversions or baptisms have not been as numerous as we could wish, yet the Lord has showed us that He has a people here amongst the sons of Israel." The Rev. H. Lawrence, speaking of the state of the Jews in EAST PRUSSIA tells us, that, "We have arrived at a period in the Jewish Mission, which abounds with facts which serve to show that a great change has taken place in the Jewish mind, and that principles are in operation, which, with the Divine blessing, may be expected to produce their corresponding fruits... While the authority of the Talmud is waning in public estimation, the Holy Scriptures are being more generally recognized as the only foundation of truth. Nothing can more thoroughly demonstrate this, than the conduct of those who are public teachers;-a rabbinicallylearned schoolmaster openly confessing before his pupils, that he has no authority in matters of religion, and that the Bible alone is the standard. The rising generation have their minds imbued and informed with regard to Christian doctrine, and in reference to this, a Jew remarked: The day has arrived when we must become better acquainted with the New Testament, so as to answer the questions which our children bring with them from the Christian schools.' The Rev. R. Bellson gives interesting reports of the labours of the Colporteur and Dr. Biesenthal in the Mission of the Society in CENTRAL PRUSSIA, and with reference to the state of the Jews in general, he observes that, "If matters proceed as they have done, Judaism will ere long be a matter of history only. The friends of Israel must not measure the result of our mission by the number of baptisms. A great number of baptisms at any station, proves as little what is really done there, as a few at another station; and even none does not prove that there is little done there. The result of the Jewish Mission, and its point of gravity, does not lie in the number of baptisms, though that number be great; and we have reason to bless God for it. But we must look to the state and condition of the Jewish people as a whole, and those that have eyes to see, must perceive that God is preparing them for their great final destiny. And let us not be ashamed or deterred by a mock humility, from maintaining that our mission is the chief instrument in this great drama, and that very much that is now done by others in connexion with us, and even by the different Governments, is the result and the effect, directly or indirectly, of the labours of the London Society." From SILESIA the Rev. J. C. Hartmann sends the gratifying information that "Hundreds and thousands of the Jews have had the Gospel preached to them, both in my Church, (in which there have always been some,) in the streets, and in other places. Gospel truth has been pressed upon their attention by word, and a great number of tracts have been distributed amongst and read by them. By these means, their ideas respecting Judaism and Christianity have been corrected, and they themselves have become less prejudiced against the Christian faith. The seed of the Word of God has been sown, and I dare say that it begins to germinate in many a heart, the proof of which I find in the increasing desire expressed by the Jews to become better informed respecting the Christian religion." We omit what might have been gathered from other pages of the report, and hasten to the conclusion, in which the Committee say:"A considerate and candid view of the past proceedings of your Society will not only suggest the conclusion that it has not laboured in vain, but that it has met with a very large measure of |