of nature, "there sprang even of one, and him as good as dead, s many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable." This innumerable offspring has produced a succession of patriarchs and prophets, of judges and of kings, of priests and of apostles, whose reputation has filled the whole earth during a series of three thousand and eight hundred years. Their history exhibits a nation of a most singular character, and in every possible variety of condition, from the extreme of feebleness to the plenitude of power-from splendour and affluence the most unbounded, down to the lowest state of indigence, misery, and oppression. The present character and state of this people, present a remarkable singularity in the history of mankind. Driven from a country ouce their own, they have succeeded in gaining a residence in every country of the world. Though dispersed, they still subsist; and though scattered abroad in every quarter of the world, they maintain, notwithstanding, a bond of union which seems indissoluble. Prohibited in every country but the United States from holding real estate, they have, in every age and nation since their dispersion, had the skill and address to amass personal property to a vast amount; and in conducting the commerce of the world, their agencies have been singularly extensive and efficient. Whence all this? Why have they not, like other conquered nations, insensibly melted away? Why have they not been gradually incorporated with their conquerors, till at length they lost their name and other characteristic distinctions? Whence is it that they have survived the desolation of their country, the destruction of their capital, and the exterminating sword of Roman armies ? Whence is it, that during the lapse of eighteen centuries, while subjected to the hatred, the execration, and the persecution of all nations, they still exist, and live in the presence of their enemies? Is it not of God? And do not these facts furnish indubitable evidence of the truth and divine authority of the Scriptures in which the state and circumstances of this people, as these have been for many ages, and as they are witnessed even at the present day, are prophetically and minutely described.

If the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, has been thus wonderfully preserved and distinguished; if they are still kept separate from the rest of mankind, and wherever dispersed present distinctive features of body, of habit, and of mind-may we not from the fact of their miraculous preservation, most certainly conclude, that the God of their fathers still remembers his covenant of mercy, and still cherishes thoughts of mercy towards them? And may we not, from the fact of their being preserved a distinct people, as certainly conclude, that their restoration to the privileges and hopes of the saved by Jesus Christ, is designed to illustrate in a peculiar manner the wisdom, and power, and goodness of God.

The natural seed of Abraham shall not always be a dispersed and despised, and oppressed people. "They are beloved, of the Lord, for the Fath rs' sakes." He hath spoken good concerning Israel. They shall be again restored to the land from which they have been driven, and there find a resting place. "The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion, with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, sorrow and sighing shall

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flee away." Such is the declaration of God by his Prophet; and the certainty of its accomplishment, in the minute fulfilment of numerous predictions respecting their dispersion, oppression, and preservation, as a distinct people, we gain the most undoubted assurance. "There shall come out of Sion the deliverer; and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob."

When the Lord in the plenitude of his mercy thus remembers Israel, how great will be the joy among the angels in heaven, and among the saints of Jesus both in heaven and on earth? And when collected from among the nations, and re-established in their own land, and captivated to the obedience of faith, what a fulness of blessings will, through their instrumentalities and labours, as missionaries of the Cross, come upon the Gentile world--for, "if the fall of them be the riches of the world; and the diminishing of them, the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fulness? If the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world; what shall the receiving of them be but life from the dead?" In the conversion of the world, there is much reason to conclude, from the view which is given in the word of God, that his ancient covenant people, when brought to the acknowledgment of the truth as it is in Jesus, will be the most zealous and successful labourers. And in reviewing the history of the Church, it will be found, that the time when the Gospel was most extensively and rapidly spread; when men and nations were in the greatest number converted from idolatry to the faith of Jesus and obedience to his Gospel, was the time when the ambassadors of Christ, and the missionaries of his Cross, were Israelites according to the flesh.

As it respects then the salvation of the Jews, and of the Gentile nations who are in darkness, and in the region of the shadow of death, without God, and without Christ, and without hope in the world, no Christian should feel indifferent. And it is not to be doubted, that in every age the hearts of many Christians have been deeply affected on their account, and that their desire and prayer for Israel has been, that they might be saved. But in order to their conversion to Christianity, and submission to Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, the united, and vigorous, and persevering efforts of Christians, according to the economy of grace which God hath constituted, seem indispensable; and these, it is a melancholy reflection, have been wanting; and this people, to whom originally pertained the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises, have been suffered, during many ages and generations, to remain shrouded in ignorance and unbelief, in the rejection of Christ and his Gospel. But the morning of a brighter day for long neglected Israel begins to dawn. Though but little, comparatively to what should be, and to what would have been, had the Christian world regarded Israel's restoration, and the glorious results connected with their restoration as it ought, has been attempted, and as little comparatively done, it is gratifying to reflect that the attention of many Christians, both in Europe and America, is turned to this highly interesting subject; that their feelings are excited in behalf of the lost sheep of the house of Israel; and that means and efforts are multiplying for their ingathering into the fold of the great and good shepherd, Jesus Christ.

It is also gratifying to state, what will be more fully detailed in some future numbers, that these means and efforts have not been wholly in vain; that in proportion to these, has been the success; and that, judging from the signs of the times, the period is not far distant, when out of Sion there shall come the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob."

In the year 1796, a number of gentlemen in London turned their attention to the state of the Jews, and an attempt was then made to do something to promote their conversion. This attempt however failed, nor was any other made until the close of 1801.

At this time the Rev. Joseph Samuel Christian Frederick Frey arrived in London on his way to Africa, as a Missionary and Assistant to Dr. Vander Kemp. Instead of prosecuting his original design, however, he tarried in England, in consequence of an invitation by the London Missionary Society, to remain and preach to the Jews. To his Jewish brethren, his labours were not wholly in vain. Of these not a few, it is hoped, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls. In the year 1808, Mr. Frey, in consequence of some new arrangements having been made by that Society, relating especially to the establishment of a school for Jewish children, tendered his resignation; and united with a few pious individuals in forming a Society called "The London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews." Though the beginning of this Society, for smallness and insignificance, may not unaptly be compared to the mustard seed, it has already become a large and flourishing tree, and is sending forth its branches, and refreshing with its foliage and its fruit many of the outcast sons and daughters of Abraham.

In 1814, a clause was introduced into the constitution of this latter Society, which, in one important respect, changed its character, and disqualified Mr. Frey, not being an Episcopalian, for continuing to labour under its patronage and direction. In 1816, he emigrated to this country; and from hence may be dated the commencement of a series of gradually extending efforts, which it is believed, under the divine blessing, will be attended with happy results, both to those whom these efforts more immediately respect, to the Gentile nations, and the church of God.

Soon after Mr. Frey's arrival, a Society was formed in this city for evangelizing the Jews; chiefly by delivering to them stated lectures, and furnishing them with suitable tracts.

(To be continued.)

PENNSYLVANIA.-BIBLE SOCIETIES.

THE Young Men's Western Auxiliary Bible Society celebrated their fifth anniversary on the 17th of October, at Pittsburgh, Pa. Society have distributed 243 Bibles and 353 Testaments during the past year. From their interesting report, published in the Pittsburgh Recorder, we make the following extracts:

"A poor man, with a large family, and who lives but a short distance from town, came to his door upon crutches, and begged a Bible

from one of your managers, relating as the cause of his extreme poverty, that his house and all his books and property had recently been consumed by fire; and that, from his long sickness and large family, he had been unable since to purchase a Bible, which he declared he felt extremely anxious again to possess. A Bible was given to him; since which his children have constantly attended a Sabbath school in the neighbourhood. A poor woman, a few days ago, solicited a Bible for her son, an orphan boy, sixteen years of age, whose thirst for knowledge was such, that he bound himself one year to a person, who engaged to send him the second year to school. A Bible was given to a poor woman, 40 years of age; and she has since gone to a Sabbath school, and learned to read it with tolerable facility, although when she commenced, a few months ago, she could not spell in three letters. Two of your Managers, in a late journey into the country, went into the house of a poor black family, which consisted of an old woman of 60, her son, his wife and six small children. They were at breakfast, surrounding a crazy table, which was covered only with a little Indian bread, a few apples, and something like tea. This was all the nourishment their scanty means afforded: yet thankfulness and gratitude, peace and contentment, evidently abode in this roofless mansion, because it was illuminated by the Spirit of God. Religion was here. This was indeed a Bethel; and that God, who was unknown to the Athenians, was here worshipped in spirit and in truth. An old half-worn Testament, with a few religious tracts, constituted the library of this poor, but happy family. The poor man lamented that his Testament was so torn and dim as to deprive him almost of the felicity of reading the heavenly tidings,' in which his soul seemed to delight. One of the elegantly printed Testaments of the American Bible Society was immediately given him; and he expressed his joy and gratitude, by asking in the most humble manner, if it would be agreeable to hear him read a chapter. He read audibly and distinctly the 7th Chapter of Matthew, and his answers and explanations gave indubitable evidence that he was taught of God.' His faith was so great, and his evidences so bright and shining, that Mr. W- on leaving the house, exclaimed in the words of our Saviour, 'I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.'"

PALESTINE MISSION.

Mr. WM. GOODELL and Mr. ISAAC BIRD, ordained missionaries, with their wives, have recently sailed from this port for Malta, to join the Palestine Mission under the patronage of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. It was expected they would embark at New-Haven, but, providentially, our city became the place where they took their final leave of their friends and their country, to go and preach, at Jerusalem, the unsearchable riches of Christ.

They arrived here on the 27th of last month, and during their stay, the friends of Missions were highly gratified in the Christian intercourse which this opportunity afforded them. The Rev. Messrs. Goodell and Bird preached in a number of our churches, and attended

several meetings, where we had the privilege of witnessing the faithfulness with which they declared "the whole counsel of God." On Sunday, the 1st inst.,. they preached in the Murray-street church, and in the evening a collection was taken up for the Mission. On Monday evening they united in the monthly concert of prayer in the Middle Dutch Church. The Rev. Messrs. Knox, Bird, M'Auley and Cox took parts in the exercises, and JEREMIAH EVERTS, Esq. Corresponding Secretary of the Board, communicated some interesting information recently received from the Sandwich Island Mission, respecting the unexampled progress which the native children there have made in learning to read, &c. He also mentioned some facts respecting the Palestine Mission, some of which will be found in the following extract of a letter from the Rev. Mark Wilks inserted in a late English publication.

We

"Our Missionary Society is now regularly organized, and has the prospect of considerable support. Among the members of the committee are Messrs. Kieffer de Stael, Stapfer, Lutteroth, Pope, Wilder, &c. and the pastors of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches. have already commenced our operations, by engaging to support Mr. King, as a missionary, for a given period, in Palestine. Mr. King is a native of the United States, and has been some time in Paris, for the acquisition of the Arabic, which he is destined to teach in the College of Amherst, on his return to America. The death of Mr. Parsons, the missionary sent out by the American Board of Missions, bas determined Mr. King to proceed to the Holy Land, that he may continue the labours interrupted by the death of Mr. Parsons, and obtain a perfect knowledge of colloquial Arabic. Not being able to correspond with his friends in America, without considerable loss of time, the Paris committee has authorised and enabled him to proceed immediately. He will leave for Marseilles in a few days.

"One special object of the Society will be to facilitate the acquisition of languages by the missionaries of all the various Societies of Europe and America. Paris offers peculiar advantages to students. The committee will take them under their special protection, and preserve them from the inconveniences and dangers connected with a residence in such a city. The Asiatic Society of Paris, and the British Ambassador, have given Mr. King letters to all the consuls and persons of distinction in the East. A considerable number of pious ministers are enrolled in the list of our members."

Mr. Everts concluded with an appeal to the good sense and piety of the audience in behalf of this mission, showing the encouragement which it fairly holds out to the Christian public for an increase of prayer and exertion. After the collection, Mr. Goodell concluded with prayer.

On Tuesday afternoon the Missionaries attended the Monthly Union Prayer Meeting in the Mariners' Church. The Rev. Mr. Truair presided, and the Rev. Messrs. Patton, Goodell, Baldwin, and Bird assisted in the exercises which were such as are usually had on those occasions.

The instructions of the Board were given to the Missionaries on