OUR MISSIONS: BEING A HISTORY OF THE PRINCIPAL MISSIONARY TRANSACTIONS OF THE London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews, FROM ITS FOUNDATION IN 1809, TO THE PRESENT YEAR. BY THE REV. THOMAS D. HALSTED, M.A., INCUMBENT OF ST. PAUL'S, GREENWICH; AND FORMERLY ASSOCIATION SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE REV. C. J. GOODHART, M.A., MINISTER OF PARK CHAPEL, CHELSEA; AND CLERICAL SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY. LONDON: WILLIAM MACINTOSH, 24, PATERNOSTER ROW; LONDON SOCIETY'S HOUSE, 16, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS. 1866. PREFACE. THE following pages appeared in the first instance, from time to time, in the "Jewish Intelligence," and therefore labour under the defects incidental to all kinds of periodical literature. They might perhaps be not inappropriately styledthe Spirit of the Reports. One purpose, the author trusts, has been consistently kept in view from first to last, viz., to indicate whatever has been striking, interesting, or characteristic, in each individual Mission; and viewing all the Missions as a whole, to elicit and illustrate the great principles which have appeared to be involved in the enterprise. Such for instance as the effect of the "foolishness of preaching," the influence of Christian example, the power of the written Word of God. These, with kindred subjects, have from time to time been noted and commented upon; and we trust that the effect will be, that the reader will come to the conclusion at which the author has long ago arrived, viz., that giving the fullest weight to every objection that may be brought forward on the score of failures or imperfect success, and notwithstanding them all, "Our labour is not in vain in the Lord." ST. PAUL'S, GREENWICH, January, 1866. 277163 CONTENTS. INTRODUCTORY. Introduction by Rev. C. J. Goodhart.... CHAPTER I.-The need of reviewing Jewish history-Constantine's age-Sources of Christian prejudice-Teaching of the fourth and fifth centuries-The Crusades-The Inquisition and expulsion of the Jews CHAPTER II.—The subject resumed-Causes of Jewish unbelief in our Lord's day-The Oral Law-Committed to writing by Judah the Holy-The Talmud-Jewish estimation of it-Its effects-The sta- tionary character of Judaism in past ages-Maimonides-Mendelsohn -The effect of their teaching in preparing the way of the Gospel- Extracts from late Bishop of Calcutta's Sermon, and from Rev. Lewis Way's Letter from Berlin-Conclusion CHAPTER III.-The time ripe for Jewish Missions-The day of small things-Early difficulties-Dates difficult to fix-Frey-His address to the London Missionary Society-Its Directors meet his wishes— The work is found to require a distinct machinery-A separate Society commenced-Original constitution-Difficulties in working-Society PAGE CHAPTER IV.-The Home Mission-The Jews under Rufus-Charges in Stephen's reign-The real principle of their treatment-Popular tumults at the Coronation of Richard I.—Superiority in commerce a source of hatred-Langton's decree-Grievous massacres-Edward I. executes 280 on a charge of clipping the coin-Expels them from England-Cromwell and Menasseh Ben Israel-Conference at White- hall-Collier's tract-Charles II. connives at their return-Bill of Naturalization passed and repealed, 1753-Reflections CHAPTER V.-Efforts prior to 1809-Lectures in Bury Street, in Spital- fields, and in Ely Place-The infidelity of the times a hindrance- Controversial publications-Establishment of schools-Legal decision -Destitution of proselytes-House of Industry-Difficulties of Tem- poral Relief-Views of early founders-Similarity of plan to those of |