tant. From the third to the eighth verse inclusive, the Spirit seems to instruct in "the diversities of gifts," and their "diversities of operations:" "the more excellent way" is then set before us. Let us walk therein to the praise of the glory of His grace. Clifton. W. HOWELL.

THE JEWISH POOR AT
JERUSALEM.

A VERY interesting drawing room meeting was convened on Thursday evening, the 24th ult.. by Mrs. Howlett's invitation, at her residence in 14, George Street, Hanover Square, to hear the report of the "Association in aid of the Industrial Plantation for Jews, and for relief of distress among the Jews in Jerusalem." The chair was occupied by the Rev. P. S. O'Brien, of St. John's, Kilburn. The Chairman opened the proceedings with prayer, after which he made a few terse introductory remarks as to the object of the meeting. He then called upon the Honorary Secretary, Mr. H. Sugden Evans, to read the report. A most interesting and touching document that report proved to be. We would recommend our readers to apply for printed copies of the same. The Chairman then called upon Rev. Dr. Margoliouth to move the first resolution. On coming forward, Dr. M. observed on the interesting coincidence of their meeting taking place on the very day which the Jews throughout their dispersion hold as a solemn fast-day on account of the destruction of their city and temple, as well as of their exile from the same. After describing the manner in which this mournful anniversary was observed amongst Israel, the speaker demonstrated that the chief mourners were the FATHER, SON, and SPIRIT. He quoted such pas-ages as the following:-"I have forsaken Mine house, I have left Mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of My soul into the hand of her enemies." "Verily Israel and Judah is not widowed from his Goi, from the Lord of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel." "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets,

and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."* He accompanied his quotations with exegetical remarks. On these the speaker founded an appeal to his hearers, as children of God, to show, in some measure, sympathy with those the Redeemer emphatically called His brethren. In illustration of the inextinguishable faith which burns in the hearts of the Jews with reference to God's purposes respecting them, he quoted a pretty legend from the Talmud, the burden of which was a dialogue between the Prophet Elijah and Rabbi Josè. The following is the gist of the conversation:

Elijah.-What voice hast thou heard in this ruin?"

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Rabbi Jose.-"I heard a divine voice, moaning like a dove, and saying Woe is me that I have destroyed my House, and have burnt my Temple, and have exiled my children among the Gentile nations.'

Elijah." My son, by thy life, and the life of thy head, not only at this hour does that voice say thus, but three times on every day sayeth it the same. Moreover, at every time that Israel assemble together in their synagogues and colleges, and utter the response, May His Great Name be blessed!' the Holy One. blessed be He, shakes His head and says, Happy is the king whose children adore Him thus in His House. What remaineth now to the Father who has exiled His children amongst Gentile nations? Woe to those children who have been driven from their Father's beard!'"

After an earnest appeal in behalf of his poor distressed brethren in the Holy City, Dr. M. read the following resolution, which was intrusted to him to be moved:

That this meeting hears with concern of the distressed condition of

the Jews in Jerusalem, and vote the sum of £50, to be applied in relief by Miss Dickson, of Jerusalem,-half in adding to the workers in Miss Cooper's school of industry, and half in aid of the sick and infirm."

The resolution was seconded in a very interesting address by the Rev. Dr. Petavel. The second resolution was spoken to by Mr. Robert Scott, of THE CHRISTIAN, and Mr. Frederick Edwards. The following is the text of the resolution:-"That the sum of £10 be remitted to Mr. Schneller for the most necessary work to be done on the plantation ground." Both gentlemen spoke feelingly in behalf of Israel. Mr. Edwards' appeal received cogency from the fact of his recent return from the Holy Land.

The third resolution was moved by Mr. G. A. Osborne, and seconded by Mr. A. Finn. It was as follows:

That this meeting fully recognises the importance of providing agricultural and industrial work for the Jews in Jerusalem, and pledges itself to renewed exertion in raising funds required for this object, and in seeking for a fit superintendent."

Several conversations took place between the respective resolutions, from which some important and interesting particulars were elicited from Mrs. Finn, who, with her late husband, was the founder and promoter of the industrial plantation. One was that the Jaffa Jewish Industrial farm was the offspring of the Jerusalem one. The meeting lasted about two hours, and was one of the most interesting ones that we have attended for some time.

A VERY influential meeting in behalf of this Association, to us one of the most significant SIGNS OF THE TIMES (see our Feb. No. pp. 51-53), was held on Friday afternoon, the 24th ult., by the kind permission of the Duke of Westminster, in the drawing-room of Grosvenor House, Upper Grosvenor Street, to hear addresses from Lieut. Conder, Captain Warren, and others, on the progress of the exploration. With those addresses we shall deal in a future issue. What interests us

now especially is the contents of a printed circular which was distributed in the above named drawing-room. We think the move a most important one; we therefore give our readers an opportunity to become acquainted with it; haply they may be disposed to become fellow workers in the good cause. Here is the circular in extenso:

"PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND. PATRON-HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.

"It is proposed to hold some Ladies' Drawing-room Meetings in aid of the above Fund.

Most valuable results have already been obtained by means of the investigations made in the Holy Land. Parts of the ancient Jewish walls of Jerusalem have been brought to light, and it is hoped that the position of Solomon's Temple will soon be determined.

Many places mentioned in Holy Scripture have been identified, and their sites have been marked on the new map of Palestine, which is being constructed by officers of the Royal Engineers. By this means many passages of Holy Scripture formerly obscure have become perfectly clear.

"The Natural History, Botany, Geology, Meteorology, and Antiquities of the Holy Land are being studied on the spot, and the ancient Traditions still floating about among the people are being collected.

"Funds are, however, greatly needed, so that full advantage may be taken of the present favourable opportunity for completing this great undertaking.

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The Ladies of England, Scotland and Ireland, are asked to help the work, which is in itself of the highest and most sacred interest. This may be easily and effectually done by means of Drawing-room Meetings, arranged by any lady who will invite her friends for an hour or two, in either the afternoon or evening, to hear a description of the Exploration work, which will be given by a lady who has lived many years in Jerusalem, and who is requested and authorised to do so by the Committee. She will be enabled to illustrate the subject by means of photographs,

THE FIRST RESURRECTION VIEWED IN CONNECTION WITH RESTORED ISRAEL.

To the Editor of the Hebrew Christian Witness and Prophetic Investigator.

DEAR SIR.-The Scriptural doctrine of Resurrection is now remarkably illustrated by physiological discoveryfor life natural we are told is single in its origin; the vital principle simply transmitted. Of the innumerable myriads that have peopled the earth since man was created, all owned a derived life from the first human pair. The seeds of death being thus transmitted from generation to generation, the hope of humanity rests, physically speaking, as like produces like, on the promise of a new creation, of which the Lord Jesus is both the origin and Head. For He is expressly declared to be the New Man-the second Adam-the beginning of the creation of God. (Rev. iii. 14; 1 Cor. xv. 45-50.)

The imperfection of our present condition is obvious from the fact that the body, or animal facultics, must be kept under," to use the Apostle's words. brought into subjection when we seek to accomplish the will of God, and are therefore rather a hindrance than help; indeed, as Dr. Greg remarks, in his "Enigmas of Life," the spiritual insight is often clearest and highest when the body is weakened or powerless, and the mind obscured or inactive;" and again," the highest state of physical health and energy, the most thorough bodily training is unfavourable to mental activity." Right reason, therefore unites with revelation in anticipating the glorious reconstruc

tion of these earthly tabernacles by their all-wise Creator and Preserver, and we re-echo the great Apostle's hope, with something of his earnest longing, while waiting for "the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body," (Rom. viii. 23,) as the grand climax of transcendent mercy exceeding all conception, for "we know not what we shall be." Yet are we not left in ignorance concerning certain relations subsisting between the earthly body and the spiritual, of which the former is said by St. Paul to be its seed-bud. Reasoning from analogy, and aided by modern chemical research, a few thoughts are here hazarded on the inspiring theme, not altogether without confirmation from the Word of God, for if science acquaints us that matter is indestructible, it is also an article of our faith, since we believe that the human body, formed out of the dust of the ground. will be clothed with immortality; and it is well known to every philosophic inquirer that dissolution, as the word implies, is only sub-division and classification. Dust being mineralised oxygen, a metallic substance, viz., acted upon by that combustible agent, it seems not improbable that the human body of a glorified saint may, in its reconstruction, be strictly metallic, shining like burnished silver and liquid gold rendered ductile by the warmth of a pure circulating ether, the substitute for gross corporeal blood. This can scarcely be deemed an idle fancy, when we reflect that the feet of the Son of Man, which only were visible to St. John under his long garment, are compared by him "to fine brass glowing in a furnace" (Rev. i. 15), and that "His countenance was as the sun shining in its strength." That Moses and Elias were invested with a similar glory on the holy mount, we may gather from St. Peter's desire to honour them likewise with tabernacle worship. Fair as the moon, clear as the sun," these are the brilliant attributes of the Lamb's Wife "having the glory of God" (Rev. xxi. 11); His name and wondrous perfections emblazoned on her forehead. We have thus presented to us images of strength, beauty, and perfection in connection with these corporeal frames, on which it will be at least harmless to expatiate.

We behold man thus armed with a physical coat of mail, impervious to all assaults, too weighty some may object

for active purposes. Nay, but how ductile are the perfect metals, leaf-gold being finer and far lighter than the minutest grains of sand. The human voice sounding through metallic tubes, what grandeur and harmony in its slightest accents. Doubtless the oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon that enter into the composition of these our mortal bodies, differently modified to produce new and beautiful results, will have their share in the immortal likewise, and thus will Scripture be literally fulfilled, and man, out of his pristine elements, be new made, ennobled, glorified-a brilliant being, shining literally as the light, and rendered meet for the inheritance of that kingdom whence flesh and blood must be of necessity excluded as unable to bear the glorious effulgence. When the Son of God shall appear, "we shall be like Him," and "see Him as He is." (1 John iii. 2).

The first Resurrection and Israel's deliverance being contemporaneous events, as we learn from the prophets Daniel and St Paul, clearer views are thus attainable of God's purposes of grace and glory. The pre-eminent glory of reigning with Christ is reserved we know for those who have suffered with Him (2 Tim. ii. 12), whose probationary state closed on earth with inartyrdom and self-sacrifice (Rev. xx.). To the honourable roll of Old Testament witnesses contained in Heb. xi., another not less admirable may surely be added under the New or Gospel covenant, for where throughout Christendom is not their precious dust mingled with the soil?

As there is no difference in the way of acceptance between Jew and Gentile, "both being made one in Christ Jesus," we know that many shall come from the East and West and sit down with Abraham in the Kingdom of God. We also learn from Sacred Scripture that the father of the faithful looked for a heavenly City whose builder and maker is God, and are thus led to conclude that there will be a heavenly as well as an earthly Jerusalem: the former, of pure gold with its pearly gates, being the abode of Christ and His glorified body-the Lamb's Wife, the latter the grand metropolis of restored Israel under a Prince of the house of David, distinguished from all other nations of the earth by their physical, intellectual, and spiritual endowments, but still mortal, although, like the oak, gifted with great longevity. (Isa. lxv.)

That the Redeemer will at stated periods manifest himself in clouded glory to the worshippers in Ezekiel's temple we gather from the prophet's statement. (Ezek. xliii.) "The place of the soles of my feet" is a remarkable expression: but the millennium terminates in a rebellion, and it is not until after that event that the Bridal City descends to the new heavens and earth prepared for her reception, and the "Tabernacle of God" is said to "be with men."

Wishing to prove the evident distinction, between Israel's glorious national future and the destiny of Christ's risen saints at His appearing, I hope to stand excused for this long letter, and forbear therefore to enter upon the nature of that Christology which will be established on the earth when its inhabitants are once more subjected to probationary trial under the most favourable circumstances. Respectfully and truly yours,

JANE BURNETT.

THE PRE-ADAMITE EARTH. DEAR SIR,-Would you kindly give me permission to suggest whether there is not some scientific colour given (unintentionslly) to the idea that this our world is a re-creation, in the fact that "there is an enormous gap in the geologic record between the period of cave men and historic man, represented by the whole alluvial history and system of our existing rivers." Leaving the mythical cave men alone, is it not rather striking that this gap occurs prerious to the arrival of historic man; for what occasioned that gap for which our scientific men cannot account? Could it be the re-creation of a world? But, moreover, I see lately named, amongst Notices of Books in the Guardian newspaper, one written by a New Zealand barrister in support of a theory that the spirits who fell in the rebellion of Satan may have been admitted to a revived life in man. This theory he does not undertake to prove from Holy Scripture, but on reasonable hypothesis, and as the confutation to infidel and materialistic speculations. The Guardian, in noticing it, speaks of the idea as queer, but thinks it is modestly and sensibly argued. (“ Education of Man," Griffin and Co.) As derivations of words sometimes gives insight to things, might this idea find any corroboration in the deriva

tion of the "word Hell, which originally meant no more than a place hidden, covered, or, as we should say, healed over, (whilst) hover comes from heaven, or, as it was formerly written, Heafen, meaning heaped or heaven up." If Scriptural warrant could be found for the surmise (that man was drawn "out of darkness and the shadow of death" with an opening to regain light and life eternal), how would it enhance the Divine mercy of that Saviour who not only re-created a world for the lost, but, with the foreknowledge that Satan would regain his own serfs, was prepared to offer Himself for their redemption and regeneration as a Son of Abraham His servant. And what light would this theory throw, not only upon the evil nature in man which broke out when he forfeited the Divine breath in His soul, but as to the different probation in this life assigned to individuals and nations, which a previous existence might have entailed. I would particularly suggest to Jews that this view (if tenable) might account for the special honour vouchsafed to their great forefather, Abraham, that he might have been found "amongst the faithless, faithful only he," and therefore honoured as the progenitor of that Divine Redeemer of mankind (when He took our human nature), who is the eternal honour of the Jewish nation. But should this theory find Hebrew corroboration (as knowledge is to be increased, we are told in Holy Scripture), ought the Jews to be slack in proving it? Ought they not to be first and foremost to confute, by "knowledge increased," materialism and infidelity (remembering the stock from which they spring). Ought not Judah to bring home her King, and confess that she had ignorantly (though faithful in ignorance) been unfaithful to her God? And he would receive and bless faithful, fearless, grateful fealty offered to Him now. Now, when many are forsaking the faith of God, and denying the inspiration of His holy written Word, might He not honour His own kinsmen (who confessed they had been verily guilty) by making them the standard bearers for His faith throughout the world?

PSALM LXXXII. 8.

H.

REV. SIR,-Psalm lxxxii. 8, is a study. Does not the speaker turn away from

Israel's rulers to King Messiab, whom he addresses as GOD? Here, as the Jews well understood, was the point of the quotation made by our Lord (St. John x. 34-38), "I for my part said: Ye are Gods, and all of you sons of the Most High." God's word came to them. (St. John x 35), investing them with His prerogative of judgment. See Exod. xxi. 6 (Heb.); xxii. 8, cf. 2 Chron. xiv. 5-7. Israel, the chosen nation, has forfeited its functions. David and David's own son have been found wanting. THEY cannot "ask" (Ps. ii. 8), so that GOD should give them "all nations for their heritage." GOD'S OWN SON must arise, and substantiate the claim. (Cf. Heb. i. 2.) “Stand up, O God judge the earth: for THOU shalt take for Thy heritage all nations."

Obs. i. A little before the quotation in St. John x. 34-38, our Lord had said; "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice."

Obs. ii. What Joshua was to Israel (Numb. xxvii. 17-20), that Jesus will be to the Universal Church.

Obs. iii. If the Jews had believed Moses-had really believed that God had descended on Mount Sinai, taken them to be His people, promised to dwell in the midst of them - they would not have rejected the thought of that higher presence which was in Jesus, the SON OF GOD.

I am yours respectfully,

Queries.

INQUIRER.

PSALM CX. 6.

MAY this verse be translated: "He shall judge among the nations: full number taketh He of bodies: He hath stricken (him that was) Head over the wide earth ?" May the meaning be that the bodies of those who had been enslaved by the usurper, Death, were now claimed back by their rightful Lord? The full number is claimed. The last enemy" being destroyed, all things are brought beneath Messiah's sway. The construction as in Exod.

XV. 9.

Before He smote kings (ver. 5), potentates :-now the central power of the whole confederacy of evil. In Joshua xi. 5-10, we read:-" And all