has in it something peculiarly affecting. The heart of this wonderful people, in whatever clime they roam, still turns to it as the city of their promised rest. They take pleasure in her ruins, and would lick the very dust for her sake. Jerusalem is the centre around which the exiled sons of Judah build, in airy dreams, the mansions of their future greatness. In whatever part of the world he may live, the heart's desire of a Jew when gathered to his fathers, is to be buried in Jerusalem. Thither they return from Spain and Portugal, from Egypt and Barbary, and other countries among which they have been scattered; and when, after all their longings, and all their struggles up the steeps of life, we see them poor, and blind, and naked, in the streets of their once happy Zion, he must have a cold heart that can remain untouched by their sufferings, without uttering a prayer, that the light of a reconciled countenance would shine on the darkness of Judah, and the day star of Bethlehem arise in their hearts. CONTINENT.-JEWS' SOCIETY. Journal of a Missionary Tour of Mr. Bergmann, a converted Jew, from Frankfort. (Continued from page 461.) On my arrival in H. I felt more composed in my mind; and my dear Redeemer strengthened me with a renewed hope and confidence. I had scarcely arrived in the evening, when already six of my former Jewish acquaintances, among whom two had been among my first pupils in the doctrine of the Talmud, called upon me, and very cordially invited me into their houses. I then visited the Rev. Mr. N. to whom a year ago I had transmitted many tracts and New Testaments; to learn what use he had made of them. He told me, with visible marks of satisfaction, that the greatest part of them were in good hands, and that he anticipated from them good effects upon many an Israelite both here and in the neighbourhood, as I should learn myself on visiting them. On the 21st, I called upon two very respectable Jewish heads of families. They showed me all the tracts they had received from Mr. N. all very neatly bound together, and also a Hebrew New Testament, and they assured me, that the latter afforded them very great satisfaction. This led to a religious conversation, during which they repeated the same objections they had made to Mr. N. arising from the want of belief in a divine revelation in general. Our conversation, which lasted for three hours, cannot be repeated here; be it enough to say, that the Lord put words into my mouth, which led them to promise, that they would once more go through all what they had read, with the greatest attention, and that, if difficulties should arise, they would consult the Rev. Mr. N. but above all pray to the Almighty for his enlightening grace. In the afternoon I called upon another rich and remarkably well-informed head of a Jewish family. He showed a much greater inclination to receive the doctrine of salvation, and assured me, that after having diligently read the New Testament he found much edification by attending Christian sermons; but before he could proceed in his way to the Christian church, it would be necessary for him to prepare his wife, (the daughter of a rabbin,) for that important change. A Jewish dentist, of whom Mr. N. had told me, that he also visited him, happened to be from home, when I called at his house. But his two sisters told me that they had almost, read the New Testament through, and that their brother had explained it to them. On the same day several Jews from two neighbouring places, where formerly I had been a teacher, came to see me, and showed more kindness to me, than I had expected from them. They asked me for some New Testaments, but as I had none of them, I promised to send them some copies at the next fair.. On the 22nd, I proceeded to C. where three Jewish families reside, of whom one member has been my pupil. He was not at home; and another was also absent. The third, who was present, refused accepting tracts, saying, "If we have money enough to carry to Leipzig, we want no Messiah." On the 23d, I arrived at B. near the boundaries of the kingdom of Bavaria. As I was born only one mile from that place, and had, a year ago, sent a considerable parcel of tracts to a friend there, a large number of Jews of both sexes, old and young, filled the inn in the evening, who continually were whispering among one another. Not one bade me welcome, or answered my salutation. I asked one among them," How does my brother and his family?" He replied: "Now you must ask the Goiim," (Gentiles.) When I had asked for some supper, a party of the Jews went into another room, where the magistrate of the place sat, with some other Christians, spoke secretly with him, and then withdrew. The magistrate came to me, behaved kindly, and asked me, in what place I had made my transition to the Christian church. In Frankfort, said I; and if you wish it, I can show you my baptismal testimony. "I do not want it, Sir," replied he; "I only can tell you, that just now I have without ceremony sent away the Jews." "Yes," said one, in his German Patois, "there sits a baptized Jew, who has not even adopted the Catholic religion, but has become a Lutheran; and that, I should think, is not permitted." "I told him,” continued the magistrate, “that he was a fool and a wretch, who did not know that the kingdom of Bavaria now contained more than a third part of protestant inhabitants, who enjoy equal civil rights with the Catholics; upon which they all took to their heels, and left the house." On the following morning I went under anxious apprehensions to A. where my brother lives. He is nearly 70 years old. In his younger years he has, by journeys and mercantile connexions, acquired a tolerable measure of useful knowledge; but now, several years since, he has been compelled by illness to confine himself to his room. When I entered into the house, I heard much chiding and noise. My brother met me in a very weak state of health, gave me a cordial reception, but at the same time requested me to leave his house immediately, if I would not make him more unhappy than he already was. For his wife, when last night she had heard of my ar rival in these quarters, had brought the whole vicinity into commotion, to prevent my approaching her husband and children. She has sent, continued he, my only son, to a neighbouring place, nor are my two daughters permitted to bid you welcome. What my brother just had told me, was soon fully confirmed; for when his wife, after ten minutes, had heard of my arrival, she flew into the house like a fury, followed by several of her relatives, under a flood of curses and opprobrious words. How, cried she, this Meshumed dares to profane my cosher, house! and with these words she and her sister seized firebrands from the chimney to assault me; but were prevented by some men, who were present. I therefore withdrew as quickly as possible, after having in a few words given my poor brother an affec tionate farewell, and went into the inn. Here, in the course of the day, I was visited by many young Israelites, who comforted me after the painful treatment I had suffered. They assured me, that the tracts I had sent hither, had excited a great stir; and as many among them, in their mercantile business, have to travel through protestant countries, they avail themselves of the opportunity to entertain connexions with true Christians, whereby they are more and more confirmed in their conviction, until, by Divine Providence, a way will be opened for them to make a public profession. (To be concluded.) SUMMARY. United Domestic Missionary Society. On Sunday evening, the 19th January, the Rev. Dr. SPRING preached a most excellent sermon for this society in his church, and a collection was taken up amounting to about $215.-On Monday following, the society held a special meeting, with a view of taking measures to improve the funds of the institution, &c., when much highly interesting information from the missionaries was communicated, and about $500 subscribed to the funds. At Sheldon, Genessee county, in this state, where one of the missionaries is labouring, a revival commenced some time ago, and still continues.-The ladies of New Hackensack (town of Fishkill, N. Y.) have contributed fifty dollars to constitute their pastor, the Rev. THOMAS DEWITT, a director for life, of this society. We mention this in the hope that the example will be followed by the members of other congregations. To the ladies of those congregations in this city, which are connected with this society, we especially recommend the immediate adoption of a plan so easy of accomplishment, and so excellent in its effectsit serves to draw the cords of mutual attachment between pastor and people more closely-it gives the minister a respectable station in the institution, and above all it helps to supply the destitute with those means of grace which the donors are themselves enjoying. Without saying how far others should unite in this object, there are, in the Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch, Associate Reformed and Reformed Presbyterian denominations, at least 25 congregations in this city that might easily constitute their ministers directors for life of the U. D. M. S. which would essentially aid the institution. The Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church. A society bearing this title was formed in this city about a year ago, "the especial object of which is, 'to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ agreeably to the standards of the Reformed Dutch Church; to establish new churches; and to furnish the means of grace to such destitute congregations within their own bounds, or elsewhere, as may be languishing for want of relief.'" It is "composed of the members of the Reformed Dutch Church, and all others who may be approved by a majority of the board of managers." The annual members pay three dollars, life members twenty-five dollars, and the payment of one hundred dollars at one time constitutes a person a director for life. We have no statement of the present funds of the society, but a considerable amount has been received in the course of the year, and several missionaries employed. On Sunday evening, the 2d inst., the Rev. Professor LUDLOW, of New-Brunswick, N. J. preached a sermon for the society, in the Middle Dutch Church, from Ps. cii. 13., and a collection was taken up amounting to about $200. The hon. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER, L.L. D., President, CORNELIUS HEYER, Esq., Treasurer; Rev. PASCHAL N. STRONG, Corresponding Secretary. Notices and Acknowledgments. "LAICUS," and "LACOMER," are under consideration: Dr. Milnor's Address.—Having failed in finding room for Dr. Milnor's address, delivered at the opening of the new building lately erected for the use of the American Bible Society, we would mention that it is published by the society, and may be had at the BIBLE SOCIETY HOUSE, No. 72 Nassau-street. It has been stated in most of the newspapers, that " Dr. Milnor will shortly visit England, as the representative of the American Bible Society, to be at the next annual meeting of the B. and F. B. S." This is by no means certain. There was a committee of the managers appointed to inquire for a suitable person for such an agency, and we understand that Dr M. was applied to, but it is not ascertained that he will be able to comply with their wishes. Moneys received into the Treasury of the A. S. M. C. J. during the months From a friend-Durham, N. Y. of December and January. 5 00 15.00 Ursula Blackman, treasurer of the 22 00 35 00 Van Wyck Wicke, treasurer of the do three finger rings tions and donations, the particu lars of which are given in No. XV. 687 £1 He Seaman's Magazine. Then are they glad because eth the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE GOSPEL AMONG SEAMEN. Ar a meeting of the Board of Directors, held at the society's room, on Friday, 17th January, 1823, a report from the Rev. HENRY CHASE, embracing an account of his labours among seamen, since the last anniversary of this society, was read: whereupon Resolved, That the report be accepted, that the thanks of this Board be given to Mr. Chase, for his services, and for his interesting communication: and that the editor of the Seaman's Magazine be requested to publish it as by particular order of the Board Extract from the Minutes. FREDERICK W. PORTER, Recording Secretary. REPORT OF THE REV. HENRY CHASE. To the President. SIR, My last report to the Board embraced an account of my labours up to the 27th of May last. Since that time, to the first of this month, (when I entered more fully upon a mission to seamen,) a period of about six months, I have, in general, pursued the plan first introduced,-of visiting seamen and their families,-distributing tracts,-giving religious advice and instruction,-holding prayer meetings, both in the lecture room and in private houses,—and preaching in the Mariners' Church, more especially in the Rev. Mr. Truair's absence on his eastern tour. The members of your society can scarcely be sensible of the good which they are doing to the souls of poor sailors; and for their encouragement in a charity so noble as that of providing the means of saving sinners, I will relate a few facts, which I have witnessed during the last six months of my mission. In August, when our meetings had become very interesting, there was a sailor who had taken board in a decent private house, remote from the noise and bustle of a sailor boarding house. He thought very little of prayer meetings; but yet he constantly attended preaching in the Mariners' Church. His mind was particularly arrested, one sabbath morning, under a sermon from these words, "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." He stopped a few minutes at the altar for conversation, and then left the church in tears. The man with whom he boarded being a pious sailor, (another trophy of divine grace, through the exertions of your society, and now a worthy member of Dr. McAuley's church,) was much rejoiced to see his brother sailor anxious VOL. IX. 76 |