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PROPOSED HOME FOR AGED CHRISTIAN ISRAELITES.

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the will carried out in its integrity, on the arrival of the first applicant, to whom it was to be consigned intact.

This seemed to Haïm a wonderful simplifying of the difficulty of disposing of the young men who might be said to be now training for useful colonists.

"I shall be the first, as representative, to hail this star in the west," was the remark called forth by this welcome intelligence. "What a wonderful insight this clear-sighted man of God must have had of our proper standing and high calling as witnesses of the TRUTH as taught and exemplified by the Holy One of Israel."

When the month of June arrived, and Mr. Mark was inducted as successor, Haim informed our landlord of his inability to remain under the heavy burden which he, probably unconscious of that inability, had hitherto imposed. The "practical scheme," for which the Scotch friends of Israel had largely contributed, would, he added, be carried out under the superintendent, who would now take his place. The funds would therefore go direct to the legitimate object for which they were originally designed.

The Baron could only speak of his "good intentions," concluding with, Rome was not built in a day."

In order to lose no time and to save expense, having determined to take Gustav with us,- -we had determined to sail from the port of Rotterdam, where merchant vessels occasionally took a passenger or two on reasonable terms. One such trading vessel usually took in freightage at that season; but the captain not having been able to undertake the business in person, had employed a Newfoundland Bay fisherman to transact the usual freightage and transit. He could be sent next day to our hotel should further information be required. Next day the person alluded to presented himself at the table d'hôte, where he eulogised at once his own superior seamanship and the wonderful speed of his schooner, now at the mouth of the Maase, and only waiting for a fair wind. He added, "If you wish to save time and expense, you cannot have a better opportunity than now." Notwith

standing the first impressions conveyed by the sinister expression and vulgar manner of this repulsive ogre, who seemed a Creole by birth, the desire to proceed to our new destination overcame such scruples; and having paid the fare demanded, he told us to hold ourselves in readiness for his notice to proceed up the river,-some miles in extent, - at the mouth of which the schooner lay at anchor. (To be continued.)

PROPOSED HOME FOR AGED

CHRISTIAN ISRAELITES. IT affords us sincere pleasure to give publicity to the circular which bears this heading. The originator and promoter of the pious cause advocated therein is the Rev. John Wilkinsonof the British Society for the propagation of the Gospel among the Jews" - one of the most genuine friends of Israel. When Hebrew Christians meet, and his name happens to be mentioned, the invariable remark is made, echoed and re-echoed, "Ah! he does love our nation!" The thought of a "HOME FOR AGED CHRISTIAN ISRAELITES" is another bright link in the long chain of evidence as to his disinterested concern for the welfare-both spiritual and temporal-of our people. Let our readers judge of his sentiments for themselves. Let them read carefully his circular, and they will most surely appreciate his benevolent feeling towards their Saviour's kinsmen.

We regret that there should be need for such an appeal. But until public opinion is brought to bear upon the government, to induce them to repeal the spoliation act of Anno primo Victoriæ Reginæ, c. 46, so that the property of the Domus Conversorum-now so unjustly held by the officials of the Roll's Court, be restored to the rightful owners, such appeals as the following will have to be made.

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PROPOSED HOME FOR AGED CHRISTIAN ISRAELITES.

Christ, and everything professedly Christian.

"A blessed change, during the last few years, has come over the thought, feeling, and conduct of the Gentile Church towards Israel, and now there are Six Societies in this country for Israel's conversion,- three in Scotland, two in England. and one in Ireland. All these societies have able and devoted Missionaries, whom God has greatly blessed and is still blessing. Many thousands of Jews are now believers in Jesus. Hundreds preach 'Jesus and the resurrection.'

"The New Testament is now eagerly read by numbers of Jews, and occasionally quoted in the synagogue, and the name of Jesus is now mentioned by multitudes of Jews with respect and

reverence.

"The work is arduous but very interesting and encouraging. Access to the rich is gained chiefly by post. The poor are accessible by kindness almost everywhere.

There is nearly every phase of religious belief amongst the Jews, from simple Deism to superstitious Talmudism, though there are also 'devout Jews in every nation under heaven.' All societies for Israel's conversion find it necessary judiciously to minister temporal relief in one form or another, or even in many forms; such as, Free Schools for Poor Children; Medical Missions; Temporary Homes for Inquirers; Industrial Homes to teach the inquirer or young convert some honorable trade; that thus, in every possible way, the physical, mental, and spiritual interests of Israel may, by the Divine blessing, be promoted, that, by all means the Lord may

save some.

"But amongst all these agencies and institutions for Israel's good there is no Home-public and unsectarianfor Aged Christian Israelites.

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During the last two or three years our hearts have been grieved, and our eyes filled with tears again and again, at the sight of poverty-stricken aged Christian Israelites. One who is over sixty-five years of age and very infirm, a slipper-maker by trade, has now his little room, which was hired in June, 1872, and furnished with cheap secondhand furniture. He has five shillings a week from other sources, and we pay four and sixpence a week for rent and cleaning,with a shilling or two extra for coals during cold weather. He is truly thankful, and sheds tears of gratitude.

Another is a man nearly eighty years of age, a silversmith, who has a wife but no children. His distress of mind, arising from extreme poverty has been very great. He has been aided in his extremity by private Christian benevolence, and now three friends have promised one pound a month each for this aged couple.

"With these very eligible cases before us, and others in prospect, it has been laid on our hearts to attempt the establishment of a Home to be put in trust for the benefit of Aged Christian Israelites. It is intended to have this Home on the Cottage principle, building or purchasing one at a time as needed, and as the Lord may induce His people to supply the means.

"We propose, in the first instance, to spend four or five hundred pounds in the purchase and furnishing of a Cottage, and, after admitting the cases above named, to admit any other eligible case in the order of application, irrespective altogether of denominational distinction.

"This work is undertaken in the Lord's name, and for the Lord's sake, and He will supply all our need. The grace of God bestowed through Christ Jesus made it a pleasant duty to the Macedonian and Achaian Christians to send relief to poor Jewish saints at Jerusalem. Paul says, It pleases them verily, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in carnal things.' (Rom. xv. 26, 27.)

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"May our response, as to spirit and motive, be such as that when He comes, 'the King shall answer and say unto us, verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.' (Matt. xxv. 40.)

"Contributions for the above object may be forwarded to, and will be thankfully received by the following Gentlemen-Rev. John Wilkinson, 79, Mildmay Road, London, N.; Rev. W. Pennefather, M. A., Conference Hall, Mildmay Park, London, N.; and Mr. George Wells, 49, Oakley Road, Islington, London, N.

"We suggest that all Contributors should give their name and address, that reports of the work may be sent to them direct, but we propose to acknowledge sums of money under initials and a number, to be named by the Donor; the names of Donors being for private guidance only."

En Memoriam.

(COMMUNICATED.)

A PROMINENT figure has been removed by death from the ranks of the London Jews' Society's missionaries. The Rev. J. C. Reichardt, who, for nearly half a century, laboured in a variety of ways, and in a most efficient manner, for the spiritual welfare of Israel, has this day been consigned to his final restingplace. He died unexpectedly, and many, who will cherish his memory as of one who had endeared himself to them by his shining qualities both of heart and mind, are probably even now ignorant of his translation to heaven, where he rests from his labours, and joins in the triumphant songs of the redeemed. As it is, a large number of Hebrew Christians swelled the funeral procession, and listened, with deep solemnity, to the heart-stirring prayers of the English liturgy, which were read on the occasion by the brother-in-law of the deceased, the Rev. C. J. Goodhart, Honorary Secretary of the London Jews' Society. Many a manly cheek was suffused with tears, and every heart was moved with more or less pungent sorrow, at the loss of this father in Israel, whose place, it is feared, will not be easily supplied by the younger generation. Although a Gentile by birth and early training, he had so thoroughly identified himself with the Jewish people, that, to all intents and purposes, he seemed as one of them. Next to the lamented Dr. M'CAUL, to whom the deceased was deeply and indissolubly attached, there is probably no Gentile who, with his study of the Hebrew Scriptures, has also imbibed a spirit of love to the people of Israel in the same measure as the late Rector of, St. Magnus had done. How far this has been felt and appreciated by those Jews who, partly through him, have become partakers with him of the same promises in Christ by the Gospel, may be gathered from the subjoined address of condolence to his bereaved widow :"Dear Madam, We, the undersigned Christian Israelites, desire to express our heartfelt sympathy with you in the severe loss you have sustained by the removal of your beloved husband from a station of usefulness here below to a higher sphere of service above. As one prepared for the great change which awaits us all, and ready to resign the most cherished

object of your affections into the hands of your Heavenly Father, your sorrow, deep and keen as it is, does not lack the element of comfort, which the Gospel supplies to a believing mourner like yourself. Your husband is not dead; your separation is not for ever. You will meet again, to be eternally united, in the kingdom of heaven, and before the throne of the Lamb.

"It will afford you some consolation in your sad bereavement to be assured by us that your grief is shared by large numbers of Jewish believers, who, together with you, lament the irreparable loss which they have experienced in the death of your dear rusoand. To the Christian Israelite he was truly a beloved father in Ch.isu. In him the sorrowing always found a ready comforter, the erring a sure guide, and the perplexed a wise counsellor.

"Like a true soldier of the cross, he died in his armour, carrying on the work of his Master on earth till he was summoned to exchange it for the work of praise in heaven. Thus he left a bright example for us to follow, even as he followed Christ.

"In the hope that these expressions of heart-felt condolence will, in some measure, contribute to assuage your grief, we remain, dear madam,

"With deep sympathy.

[Here follow the signatures.] "March 18th, 1873."

It is contemplated to put up a tablet to the memory of our departed friend, at the expense of Hebrew Christians, in the Episcopal Jews' Chapel, Palestine Place. M. W.

THE JEWISH MISSION IN HULL. OUR dear brother and fellow-worker, the Rev. J. C. S. Kroenig, Curate of Holy Trinity, Hull, is carrying out one of the principles laid down by the board of the Hebrew-Christian Alliance: namely, that every believing Israelite, wherever he is located, ought to be a centre of light. In obedience to the commands of our Saviour to preach the Gospel of the grace of God to the chiefest of sinners - and what sin can be more heinous than the rejection of Jesus, the Redeemer of Israel, and blaspheming His most Holy name?he is endeavouring to lead some of our brethren, in the important town in which he is placed, to a knowledge of salvation. In the course of the last few weeks he has been the means, under God, of introducing several Is

raelites into the Church of Christ, by the sacred ordinance of baptism. We wish the evangelist God's speed, and we would earnestly solicit, in his behalf, an interest in the prayers of all who love their Saviour-their Saviour, who condescended to take upon Himself "the nature of the seed of Abraham." The bigoted and blaspheming Jews of Hull are very irate at all this, and expose themselves to the natural observation of their Christian neighbours :-"These persons who talk so eloquently about toleration, can they not show us a specimen how they themselves accord toleration ?" We are obliged to inform our Christian readers -and we do it with great sorrow of heart, we would rather speak of those things which redound to our nation's honour-that bigoted Jews, like bigoted Papists, are the most intolerant of men on the face of the earth. Read, for instance, the following ebullition from the Jewish Chronicle of the 21st ult. :

66 THE CONVERSIONISTS AT HULL. "We call the attention of the Jewish authorities and the Jewish public generally to the proceedings of a person at Hull, rejoicing in the euphonic name of Kroenig, who is, we learn on the authority of the Hull Packet, making great efforts to draw the poor Jews of Hull (mostly if not all foreigners) away from their holy religion into the pale of the Christian church. We can scarcely believe that the laws of a free and tolerant country will permit these proceedings, which we are certain public opinion will not justify. It should be understood that Hull is the port at which many poor Jews land from Hamburg on their way from Germany and Poland in search of employment-and as they do not speak English they can easily be caught, especially if such placards as we have seen be used, placards with Hebrew inscriptions, purporting to invite Jews to worship, but really missionary decoys."

Compare this morsel of toleration with the Postscript to the first article on pp. 153, 154, of this our issue. This paragraph was, of course, quoted in the Pall Mall by the Jewish gentleman on the staff of that paper. Several Christian friends who read the paragraph remarked to us, "How is it that the many Jews in Hull who rejoice in more euphonic names than that of 'Kroenig' are not beforehand with that' person?"" Yes indeed, how is it?

The Hull Packet and East Riding Times, to which the Jewish Chronicle

refers, thus closes a well-written article on the subject of Mr. Kroenig's work, entitled, "SHAMEFUL CASE OF JEWISH DUPLICITY IN HULL:

"In proof of the good work which Mr. Kroenig is doing amongst the poor Jews in Hull, it may be mentioned that no fewer than six were baptized into the Christian Church last week, and we trust, notwithstanding the opposition presented to his efforts under such disreputable and scandalous circumstances as are above narrated, the rev. gentleman will not be discouraged, but will be assisted by the hearty good wishes of a right thinking community to persevere in the work he has so successfully prosecuted in the past.'

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AUTHENTICITY OF THE BOOK OF
DANIEL.

THE readers of the HEBREW CHRIS-
TIAN WITNESS will have given some
attention to the kind of instruments
which were employed in Nebuchad-
nezzar's band of music, the harmonious
sound of which was the signal for his
poor deluded subjects to fall prostrate
before the idol which he set up in the
plains of Dura."* There is one name,
you will have noticed, -viz.: X''D,
sephonya, Anglicised dulcimer, — for
which the Rationalistic school claims a
Greek origin, and which is advanced
as a proof of the Book of Daniel being
vaticinia post eventum, put into a pro-
phetic form after the events it predicts
had taken place. The word συμφωνία,
it is admitted by the best German cri-
tics, is never applied to any single
musical instrument, but to harmony.
Its etymology, therefore, must be
sought for from another source.
word is applied, in the rabbinical writ-
ings, to the windpipe, fistula pulmonis,
which doubtless led Buxtorf to propose
a Greek origin, which cannot be ad-
mitted. 66
Meyer and Hävernick prefer
the etymology from D. a reed ;
thence, says Meyer, 'D, siphon (like

The

.and then an adj ,(חוץ from חיצון

stat. emphat. D'D, being the same
in Coptic, oni, a sword, a reed, a pipe."
The etymology of the first syllable is
good, it being Semitic, as well as
Egyptian; but the last syllable in this
compound is wrong: it is not the em-
phatic form, as in Chaldaic. It is
altogether a Coptic or old Egyptian
word, which we shall now proceed to
show. The component parts of this

* Dan. iii. 10.

compound term are as follow, both in the Sahidic and Memphitic dialects :Sephe, Sahid., and sephi, Memph., a sword, a reed, a pipe, flute. The letter, n, following is a mark of the genitive case, of; yo, to play upon a pipe; hence musical; seph-n-yo, a pipe-ofmusic, that is, a musical pipe. This is the way the old Egyptians formed many of their compound words. For example: maenenkot,-ma, a place; n, of; enkot, sleeping, a bed. The word, therefore, it appears evident, is of Egyptian origin and the instrument itself, which often figures on the Egyptian monuments. This tibia musica, no doubt, was made at first from the Egyptian reed, like the rustic pipe of the shepherd in Virgil's first Bucolic; hence the name. It would appear that the Babylonians had borrowed the instrument and its name from Egypt; and we also find the name in the language of the Moors, and the instrument itself, which they left in Spain.

There is another reading in chap. iii. 5, viz.: D; but this form is in accordance with Chaldaic usage, inserting serviles in the middle of words, perhaps for greater euphony:

as

,סבטיון sambatyon, for סמבטיון

sabatyon, the Sabbatic river; TDP), lampid, Ch. for the Heb. 7, lappid, a flame. This word, sir, I think you will agree with me, affords no support to the view taken by the oppugners of the authenticity of the Book of Daniel. B. H.

THE LOST TRIBES. THE wandering tribes of the northwest frontier of India are generally known under the name of Powindahs, but they are divided into many tribes, such as the Meakheyls, the Nassurs, the Kharotees, &c. They reside, during the summer months, chiefly in the high table-lands of Khorassan, returning to the Punjab frontier districts in September and October, in order to escape the severe cold that prevails in Khorassan during the winter. They are a strong and hardy race, and frequently are obliged to fight their way from Khorassan to India, the chief route to which lies through the Goomul or Gwalara Pass, which debouches into the plains of India, between the 32nd and 33rd degrees of north latitude, and 70th and 71st parallels of east longitude. The Goomul Pass lies through the hilly country inhabited by the Wazeerees, a brave and warlik but

extremely treacherous race, the greater portion of whom exist by plunder. The Powindahs are compelled to unite their forces, and form large camps containing several thousands of fighting men, ere they dare attempt to force a passage through the Wazeeree country. They make short marches of eight or ten miles per diem, and are obliged to move with the greatest caution, with strong advanced and rear guards and flanking parties to guard against surprises and ambuscades. Still, a camp rarely escapes scot-free, without the loss of some portion of their live stock, if not of the lives of a few of their warriors. Indeed, the common form of acknowledgment of a debt from a Wazeeree debtor to his creditor sets forth that it shall be repaid "when the Powindahs come to the Goomul," the debtor trusting to chance and his own skill to enable him to carry off a sufficient number of camels, sheep, &c. &c., to satisfy his creditor. It is an interesting sight to watch a party of Powindahs on the march. The British territory lies along the foot of the mountains, and, as the Powindahs reach it, they raise loud shouts of joy; they know their harassing watch and ward is now over, for their flocks and herds are comparatively safe when grazing on Indian ground. They select convenient spots for their camps (adjacent to grass and water), and their black goat's-hair tents are soon pitched. Here the women, children, and old men are left, with a few able-bodied men to mount guard at night (for Wazeeree robbers often make a night raid on these encampments), while the remainder of the tribe travel down to Hindoostan, and even as far as Calcutta, to dispose of their merchandise, which consists chiefly of horses, fruit (apples, pears, grapes, walnuts, the seeds of the edible pine, called chilgoza, almonds, pistachio-nuts, &c.), posteens, or sheepskin coats, a larger kind of the same, called caftàns; chogas, or long loose coats, made chiefly of camel's hair, and asafoetida. They bring back in return prints, calicoes, rope, &c.; and, about the end of March or the beginning of April, the encampments break up, and the Powindahs commence their return march to Khorassan, which takes from twenty to thirty days.

These Powindahs are believed by many to be the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, but this opinion has been combated by several learned men,

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