and cruel oppressors of the Hebrew people, is now a fact recorded in the pages of authentic history. Frederick, Rennell, Kinnier, and Rich, and almost all travellers that have visited the site of ancient Babylon declare, that the prophecies relating to it have been accomplished, not only in general, but in every particular. The golden city-the beauty of the Chaldee's excellency-the Glory of Kingdoms-Babylon the Great is fallen. Its name and remnant are cut off. There the Arabian pitches not his tent; there the shepherds make not their folds; but the wild beasts of the field lie there, and their houses are full of doleful creatures. It is a possession for the bittern, and a dwelling-place for dragons-a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert-a burnt mountain-empty-wholly desolate-pools of water-heaps-and utterly destroyed-a land where no man dwelleth-every man that goeth by it is astonished. "There would be something extremely melancholy in the fate of Babylon, its desolation, its disappearance, its external annihilation, after so vigorous and long continued exertion to raise it to pre-eminence, did we not know that its pride was excessive, and its power was cruel. The fierceness of war was the delight of its kings. Nebuchadnezzar himself had been a warri of no limited ambition; the Chaldeans were bitter, hasty, sanguinary, ferocious; and to read the accounts of their inhumanity prepares us for a reverse, which we await, but do not regret. It is not only because we are better acquainted with the miseries inflicted onrusalem and the sanctuary that we admit these feelings in respect to Babylon: there can be no doubt, but that other nations had equally suffered under her oppression: the people who are emphatically called to execute the vengeance determined against her, had certainly been galled under her yoke. Cyrus and Xerxes, who captured her city and destroyed her temple, were but the avengers of their country. Alexander considered himself in the same light. "Idolatry took its rise in Babylon, was fostered and protected there, and from thence was diffused throughout, at least, the western world: the liberal arts, the recondite sciences, with every power of the human mind, were rendered subservient to systematic idolatry. Its doom, therefore, must correspond with its crimes. It is enough however for us that we know its punishment to be just; and that we are happily enabled to trace in its ruins the unequivocal and even the verbal accomplishment of those predictions which denounced its calamitiesthe monuments of its miseries long deserved, but not remitted though postponed." Jer. xxxiii. 7-11. In this prophecy it is predicted that both Judah and Israel should return out of captivity. That the Jews are again to dwell in the land of their fathers some persons think this passage clearly proves; they are of opinion that as far as it relates to the ten tribes at least, it certainly remains yet to be accomplished. The ten tribes were taken captive into Assyria about a hundred years before the commencement of the Babylonish captivity; now it is exceedingly probable that Cyrus, who had conquered both the Chaldeans and Assyrians, extended his decree to all the Jews including the Israelites, and thus effected the deliverance of both Judah and Israel at the same time. Among the sacrifices offered at the feast of the dedication of the temple, it is distinctly said there was presented "for a sin-offering for all Israel twelve he-goats, according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel," from which it may be fairly inferred that some of all the ten tribes were present with Judah on that interesting occasion. Though many remained in Assyria after the royal proclamation, it was no doubt a matter of choice, as it was with those who continued to reside in the kingdom of Babylon after the departure of their brethren; at least, there is no evidence to prove the contrary: and the two countries being under the sway of the same illustrious monarch, disposed to act on principles of justice and benevolence towards all, renders it not only probable, but almost certain. Those who remained behind would consequently cease to be captives, and as this prophecy speaks concerning captives only, it could not with any propriety be longer addressed to them, its legitimate reference would be to those who embraced the opportunity to return which Divine providence afforded them, whether they were few or many. The following are some of the passages of scripture supposed to allude to the union of Judah and Israel under the reign of one king. Ezek. xxxvii. 15-28 Hos. i. 10, 11. Isa. xi. 10-13. Jer. iii. 17, 18. Jer. xxiii. 3-8. Since the defection of the ten tribes from the house of David jealousies, animosities, and feuds had existed between the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel. The prophets foretold that these kingdoms, divided in affection, interests, and aims, would again cordially unite and live happily under the sway of the same government. After the Assyrian and Babylonish captivities this union of the two kingdoms was effected; for all the captives who returned to the land of their fathers lived under the same constitution, were governed by the same laws, and had one prince who was of the house of David to rule over them; then Ephraim ceased envying Judah, and Judah ceased vexing Ephraim. Another interesting event foretold in these prophecies is that the Hebrews would make an entire renunciation of idolatry, and for ever afterwards worship the only living and true God. Every one who has made himself familiar in the least degree with the history of this distinguished people remembers many instances of gross idolatry of which they were guilty. "Before the captivity, the Jews had no synagogues for public worship or public instruction, nor any places to resort to for either, unless the temple at Jerusalem, or the cities of the Levites, or to the prophets, when God was pleased to send such among them; owing to the want of these great ignorance prevailed among the people; God was little known among them, and his laws almost wholly forgotten and, therefore, as occasions offered, they were easily drawn into all the superstitious and idolatrous usages of the neighbouring nations. "After the captivity, synagogues being erected among them in every city, to which they constantly resorted for public worship, and where every week they had the law from the first, and immediately after the time of Antiochus's persecution, the prophets also read unto them, and were, by sermons and exhortations delivered there, at least, every sabbath, instructed in their duty, and excited to the performance of it; this kept them in a thorough knowledge of God and his laws. And the threats which they found in the prophets against the breakers of them, after these also came to be read among them, deterred them from acts of transgression." Though their minds have been distracted with anxiety and fear, their bodies tortured, their property confiscated and their lives placed in jeopardy, sometimes forfeited on account of their religion, yet from that memorable period through successive generations to the present day, neither sacred nor profane history has reproached them (as a people) with the sin of idolatry. They are now dispersed into every region of the globe, and have little or no intercourse with each other, yet from all lands they lift up the voice of thanksgiving and prayer to the same Lord, and Him only do they serve-the God of their fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob. To this view of these prophecies it is objected, the Jews themselves believe they shall again dwell in the Holy Land, and a desire to return thither is among them almost universally cherished. Had the Hebrews been distinguished for rightly interpreting other portions of the sacred volume which have special allusion to themselves, much deference might be paid to their views and feelings on this subject, and every writer would do well to pause before he entertained an opinion different to theirs; but notorious as they have been, in every age, for misunderstanding the plainest prophecies; apprehending temporal blessings were promised, when the sacred writer spoke of spiritual bestowments only, and persisting in error with an obstinacy truly astonishing, during the space of eighteen hundred years, this objection is altogether futile. It is thought by some persons that the return of the Jews to Palestine would be such a manifestation of the glory of God, such an illustration of the inspiration of prophecy and the truth of christianity, as would destroy the incredulity and convert the infidel portion of the world. The advancement of the eternal interests of this class, this most pitiable of all classes of the human family, is an event every believer in divine revelation anticipates, and for which he daily prays; he may however think the means which will be employed to bring it about, will not be the emigration of this ancient people to Canaan, but means of a nature widely different. Other systems of religion borrow their success and greatness from earthly pomp and splendour, and in the midst of external glare blind the minds of men with a more than Egyptian darkness, a moral darkness that may be felt. The grandeur of the religion of the Nazarene consists in its perfect simplicity and entire spirituality, in his kingdom not being of this world. It has spread from the fishing coasts of Galilee over almost every part of the globe; disdaining foreign aid, it has advanced step by step by its own intrinsic merits, and subdued to its holy and enlightened sway men of every country, of every creed, and of every shade of morals. It has convinced thousands of infidels of sin, of righteousness, and of a judgment to come, and given them joy and peace in believing, aud thus presented a most gratifying proof of its efficiency to convert the rest of their incredulous brethren, whether the Jews return to Palestine or not. It numbers among its disciples not a few of the sons of Israel, whom it has enlightened and blessed, just in the same way as it has effected the salvation of other persons, by the simple proclamation of its truths, accompanied with the influences of the Holy Spirit. It does not promise to any nation, land or sect the enjoyment of exclusive privileges; the wall of partition which divided the Jews and Gentiles is thrown down, and the gospel is proclaimed, not as the religion for a people, but of a world. It takes no cognizance of colour, tribe or rank, but views all that obey its commandments as one, without respect of persons. There is now neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free. In the event of being converted to the Christian faith, the qualifications of the Jews to act as Missionaries to the Infidel, Muhammedan, and Heathen world would be such as to render their return to Palestine, to say the least, exceedingly undesirable and likewise improbable. "Their number furnishes a sufficient cloud of witnesses to attest the truth of the Bible. Their dispersion has spread these witnesses through all parts of the globe. Their adherence to their religion, especially considering it as persecuted or contemned over the face of the whole earth, and their frequent apostacies when they lived under their own kings in the land of promise, and within sight of the temple, makes their testimony unquestionable." By their dispersion they have acquired a thorough knowledge of the manners, customs, and languages of almost the whole of the inhabitants of the world; were they settled in Judea these qualifications would be of little avail to themselves and of no service to the church; but employed in the respective countries where they now reside, these would enable them to preach the glad tidings of redemption to all nations, kindred, and tongues, and to become the most efficient agents in building up that spiritual kingdom which their fathers laboured to destroy. When the Jews thus stand forth as living witnesses, in every country, bearing the same unequivocal testimony, "This is eternal life to know Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent," it may surely be expected to infuse into the church additional zeal and energy, to bring into exercise a benign and overwhelming power to break the slumbers of a guilty and sleeping world, which will issue in the salvation of millions, and happily verify the words of the sacred writer, "If the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead* ?” Having thus freely stated his present opinions upon a subject which has not often been discussed, simply with a view to excite in It is in a high degree worthy of attention that the gospel ceased in a great measure to spread, to have free course and to be glorified, just at the very time when the chief of its propagators ceased to be Jews.-These scribes instructed in the kingdom of heaven were possessed of double resources, and bringing out of their treasury things new and old, the gospel in their hands was mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.-ED. quiry, the writer has no intention to enter into controversy by defending them, but cheerfully leaves them to the consideration of your readers. He has throughout the paper endeavoured to express his own opinions with becoming deference to those who entertain different sentiments, and hopes he has avoided the possibility of hurting the feelings. of any. SCRUTATOR. VII. The Twenty-first Report of the Bengal Auxiliary Missionary Society. This document we have perused with that pleasure which we ever desire to feel when contemplating any channel of communication which reports progress in the Redeemer's kingdom. His name is as "ointment poured forth," and conveys a sweet savour to every thing with which it is combined. We cannot in such Reports expect novelty or variety from year to year; but it is a source of pleasure to find at times, that the work of Christ is not retrograding, if it is not much advancing that the siege is maintained, if the city is not taken. It is a mercy that the Lord Jesus continues his servants in the field of merciful operation-and it is a mercy that God has not entered into judgment with this obstinately impenitent land, and by providential convulsion driven his ambassadors away from the midst of it :-for this let us give thanks, amidst internal monotony and external dead ness. The Report before us comprehends the usual topics of Missionary operation. We find the various channels of Native and English preaching of native and English education-of native and European agency, of male and female schools, in full play for the dissemination of the Gospel. It ought ever to be a subject of rejoicing to see so many agencies in grace, as in nature, blending together harmoniously for the glory of God and the good of man. The difficulty we have to contend with is, to give to each its due proportion, and no more or less: herein is spiritual wisdom needed. We are glad to see that our Missionary brethren in the case before us, have mustered strongly in native preaching, and that seven of them have been enabled to maintain this primitive and apostolic mode of aggression on Satan's empire. May they be enabled to persevere :and may they have the gift of language, as well as the grace of truth ; -for, assuredly, much of the power of the latter depends on the perfection of the former. English Preaching in its due proportion is most useful in maintaining a ministerial sympathy between the church of Christ here in her ordinary functions as a community, and in her extraordinary operations as a Missionary organ. It were neither wise nor good to suppress this-however proper to maintain a general limit of office. The Christian Institution, with the Theological class as its vanguard, occupies now a prominent place in the Report of the B. A. M. Society; and we are glad to see that it is becoming more and more |