Isaiah xi. 10:-" And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek and His rest shall be glorious." The sermon was able, and to the point. Would to God that the ministers of Christ were more alive to the Saviour's mandates respecting the preaching of the Gospel to unbelievers. It is with unspeakable sorrow and shame that I put on record that many so-called "ministers of Christ" seem to be besotted and befooled by the casuistry of unbelievers, and actually espouse the antichristian idea that it is wrong to preach the Gospel to the Jews. Well might some Hebrew Christians propose the organisation of a society for promoting Christianity amongst certain Christian ministers.

מ'ביג':

AN APOCRYPHAL "CHRISTIAN

JEW."

THE Australian Israelite undesignedly befouls his own nest. He reports that an enrolled member of the Jewish community at Melbourne had recently announced himself, in his evidence, in a case in which he was prosecutor, at the Criminal Sessions Court of Melbourne, as a "Christian Jew;" that he was convicted of embezzlement in 1864; that he did not remember if he was indicted for stealing on several occasions in 1863. This enrolled member of the Melbourne Jewish community further stated that he was baptized and confirmed by the Bishop of London. The Australian Israelite has not added lustre to the Jewish community of Melbourne by recounting that melancholy tale, however pointed the moral may prove to be. Neither the present Bishop of London nor his predecessor ever baptized a Jew. The conclusion is therefore inevitable, that the enrolled member of the Melbourne Jewish community was hut an apocryphal "Christian Jew," and the Australian Israelite has unwittingly befouled his own nest. May we be pardoned if we return the compliment, and "recommend this interesting episode' to the Jewish Chronicle. Will that oracle never learn to moderate the rancour of his tongue and pen? Must we remind him over and over again that an enrolled member of a Jewish community who has been convicted of embezzling and indicted for stealing is capable of say

ing and doing anything, even to the extent of stealing baptismal certificates? We would rather be spared the irksome task of a repetition of such strictures as Mr. Marks' famous Edinburgh lectures compelled us to make.

SACRED JEWISH MUSIC.

THE REV. M. Hast, first reader of the great synagogue in London, in conjunction with Dr. Jacob E. Weiss, the first reader of the great synagogue at Warsaw, is engaged in making a complete collection of sacred Jewish music for the synagogue service. The music, with Hebrew text, will be arranged with accompaniments, in order that it may be sung in the drawing-room as well as in the synagogue.

THE ROLLS' COURT AND THE
COMING ELECTION.

A GENTILE Christian correspondent suggests that every Hebrew Christian who is an elector should demand of the candidate for parliamentary honours a promise that, in the event of securing a seat in the House of Commons, he, the M.P., would move for the restoration of the spoliated property of the Domus Conversorum to those to whom it belongs, namely, THE ANGLO-HEBREW CHRISTIANS. Our correspondent adds that "if you yourselves will stand up for your rights, there will not be wanting, sooner or later, Gentile Christians to support you in your legitimate claims. Be not dismayed at being ridiculed at first for your temerity. It is a righteous cause, and can well afford to endure a little temporary obloquy." We heartily endorse our correspondent's suggestion.

HEBREW CHRISTIAN LITERATI.

A DISTINGUISHED Hebrew Christian brother - the Rev. B. Pick, of Syracuse, New York, U.S.-is preparing a work for the press on Jewish-Christian authors. He asks us to open our pages to the admission of information " about the lives and literary productions of men of our nation who have joined the Church of Christ." We gladly acquiesce in our brother's request. Should brethren in possession of such information as Mr. Pick requires be disposed to communicate the same, we state, for their benefit, his exact requirements in his own

words:-"What I wish is short biographical sketches, including present positions, and a list of their publications." We need scarcely add that such a work as our transatlantic brother proposes to bring out may prove of great interest to various classes of readers.

A JEWISH ALDERMAN ON "CHRIS

TIAN CHARITY."

WE quote the following from a recent number of the Jewish Chronicle:

"THE RELIGIOUS DIFFICULTY.-An interesting debate took place recently at the Portsmouth School Board, as to the propriety of introducing prayers and hymns into the School Board schools. Commander Key moved that the singing of hymns be included in the time-table. Alderman Emanuel objected to the motion, and quoted in support of his views the impropriety of hymns like the following, which he described as a fine specimen of 'Christian charity:'

'Lord, I ascribe it to Thy grace,
And not to chance, as others do,
That I was born of Christian race,
And not a heathen or a Jew.'"

The Jews are very angry at that verse. We frankly acknowledge we admire neither the rhyme nor sense of the nondescript stanza. But pray, Mr. Alderman Emanuel, in what does the sentiment of that unmeaning verse differ from your own daily thanksgiving, in which you bless God that He has not made you a Gentile? We will not insult you by quoting for you the original Hebrew, which, if you are an orthodox Jew, you use every morning.

Correspondence.

THE CRYSTAL PALACE BIBLE

STAND.

[The following letter, which recently ap peared in the Jewish Intelligence, will be perused with sincere interest by the readers of THE HEBREW CHRISTIAN WITNESS.]

"TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH

INTELLIGENCE.'

"DEAR SIR,-Your Society having supplied us with great numbers of portions, as well as entire New Testaments, in Hebrew, at cost price, I consider it a duty as well as a privilege to give you a few particulars of the Lord's

6

"I suppose there is no place in the world where so many people of various countries and climes are to be met with as in the Crystal Palace, and a foreigner coming to this country will very seldom quit London without having seen this far-famed temple of art. The chief object for which the Bible Stand was established in the Palace is to present gratuitously to foreign visitors a portion of the Word of God, and then to offer them the Bible at cost price. We also endeavour, whenever an opportunity presents itself, to speak to them about their soul's salvation, and point them to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.' The Bible Stand is divided into seven compartments, viz., Spanish, Italian, French, English, German, Scandinavian, and Hebrew. This last, by no means the least of the compartments, presents a striking and peculiar feature, inasmuch as here we meet with citizens of almost every country in the world, who belong to the Jewish nation! How great a mystery! As of old, so now, the Israelites strive to be as the heathen, as the families of the countries; but now, as then, the hand of God keeps them together as a nation, and declares, That which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the country Yes, although they are tinged with the colours of the several nations among whom they live, yet they are unto this very day 'the people that dwell alone, and are not reckoned among the nations. They speak the language of their several countries, and yet Hebrew is their common tongue. Even those multitudes of Israelites, who do not cultivate the study of Hebrew, look upon the holy language as something which belongs to them by right and inheritance. Hebrew word will open every Jewish heart, and it has been often my pleasure to observe how the Hebrew superscription over this compartment has attracted Israelites of all classes. name of Israel written in bold Hebrew characters affects them even as the magnet does the needle. Not less than 2.048 Israelites called here in one year, each received either St. Matthew or the Epistle to the Hebrews in Hebrew, or bought the whole of the New Testament. The last edition of your New

A

The

Testament, with references, is especially calculated to be useful to reflecting Jews. Only a few weeks since, two Jewish merchants from Tangiers bought a copy each, and then returned a few hours afterwards and began to argue about some Old Testament passages to which the references directed, and thus I had a good opportunity of conversing with them about the points at issue between Judaism and Christianity. They left, promising to search the Scripture, and see 'whether these things were so.' Not a day passes without some Jews of all classes, from the highest rank (both clerical and lay) to the lowest, applying for Scriptures. They come from different parts of England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Russia, Poland, Turkey, Arabia, Palestine, and other Eastern countries. One finds among them all shades of religious opinions. There is the self-righteous Jew, as described in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican;. there is the Jew with a heart burning with anxiety to serve his God, of whom the apostle said, 'I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge;' there is, on the other hand, the Jew who, drowned in worldly cares, has grown indifferent to religion; and there is besides the Jew tainted with infidelity. It sounds like a paradox to speak of an Israelite as an infidel,-the Jew, who is a living illustration of the truth of God's Word; the Jew, whom infidelity is ashamed to look in the face, because it cannot account for his present condition; this same Jew is yet found often in the ranks of infidels. To all these classes of Jews we endeavour to set forth Christ and Him crucified. Sometimes I experience what the sweet singer of Israel exclaims, 'I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war;" but at other times I am greatly cheered to observe how many Israelites earnestly study the New Testament, of whom nobody would have supposed it. Often, also, Jews call here who are true believers in Christ, and ornaments to the different branches of the Christian Church; and it has often struck me that we do not hear by far of all Jewish converts, seeing that those Jews who do not happen to be baptized by missionaries entirely escape public notice. Whenever I find a Jew especially willing to listen to the message of peace, I invite him to my house, and those exertions of mine

have not been without a blessing from above. I can point to several cases in which Jews became for the first time, through the instrumentality of the Bible Stand, acquainted with the New Testament, the reading of which led them to embrace Christianity. One young Israelite, to whom I have given instruction for several years, lost his situation in consequence of his becoming a Christian, his employer being a Jew; but by the grace of God he was enabled to write to me in a letter as follows: There is nothing in this world which can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord; and having full peace with Him in my soul, I hope that I may overcome all worldly difficulties that may be placed in my way of life, by confidence in and love to God and our Lord Jesus Christ.' The Lord has rewarded this child-like faith, so that he is now a very useful worker in his Master's service.

"On a future occasion I will send you some particulars of the 44,850 copies of the Hebrew Gospel according to St. Matthew and Epistle to the Hebrews which we have forwarded to Mr. Janasz for gratuitous distribution among the Jews in Poland, and who informs us they are everywhere most gratefully received.

"Oh that the Lord would continue to enable us to carry on this work! A special blessing is pronounced upon this part of our labours: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee.' I call, therefore, upon all Christian readers of these lines to assist us with their special prayers, considering that with the conversion of Israel is bound up the future of the world. 'Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the earth with fruit.' May we all write upon our banners the words of the Psalmist, 'If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning;' and let us invite them in the words of the prophet' Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price.'

"I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully in Christ,

"J. ALEXANDER, "Bible Stand, Crystal Palace, "Dec. 8, 1872."

CHURCH AND STATE.

To the Editor of the Hebrew Christian Witness.

REV. SIR,-A misconception of the Saviour's claims upon His people, and their unhappy division into sects under various denominations, who worship apart from one another, render at present popular the opinion that religion is exclusively a private concern between each man and his Creator, and that, though we are all bound to obey the Lord Jesus Christ as individuals, His authority is not to be recognised by the legislature or the government. This opinion is thought to derive support from the words of our Lord," My kingdom is not of this world." A reference to the Greek original shows that the text is wrested from its meaning when brought in proof that Jesus Christ is not Sovereign of the world :-Οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τούτου. Jesus, in explanation to Pilate of the sovereignty which HE claimed, added that it was not from or out of this world. Or has a double meaning, but there is no ambiguity in 'Ex, for which it stands. Pilate questioned Christ as a magistrate. He wished to know whether He had set Himself up as a King. "Thou art the King of the Jews? What hast Thou done? Are you really guilty? What have you done to give colour to their accusation!" Our Lord makes answer, and, without either denying or openly asserting that He is the King of the Jews, clears Himself from the charge of stirring up the people to violence and sedition. My kingdom is not from or out of this world.

If my

kingdom were from this world, then would My servants have fought, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence. The kingdom which I claim does not derive its origin from human policy, or depend for its attainment on the efforts of a party, or the weapons employed by ambitious men. It is the direct gift of My Heavenly Father, and assured to Me by His promise. If it were to be secured by seditious measures, My disciples would have fought against the Jews when they came to take Me prisoner by violence. since I taught them to offer no resistance, and yielded Myself at once to My enemies, it is therefore clear that the kingdom which I look for has a higher source, and involves no sedi

But

tious violence." (See Mr. Birks' work, entitled, "The Christian State; or, the First Principles of National Religion.") No scriptural Christian can with truth deny that Jesus is a Sovereign, since, in sending forth His apostles to teach all nations, He encouraged them with this declaration : "All power is given unto Me in hearen and in earth." It ought not to surprise any student of Holy Writ that He to whom the powers and authorities of heaven have been made subject should also reign over the race whose nature He has united with His own; and as, in reward of His obedience unto death, His Father has put all things under His feet, how can any believers consistently refuse to do Him NATIONAL homage, when all beings, including expressly those on earth, are required to bow the knee at the name of Jesus? St. John, when in the Spirit on the the Lord's day (Rev. v. 12, 13), heard blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, for ever and ever, from every created intellect, ascribed to the Lamb which had been slain; and he afterwards describes Jesus as a Conqueror (Rev. xix. 11-16), under the title of King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Lord is King," not borrowing this title from the kings of the earth. but having lent His own title to them (1 Chron. xxix. 23); and not the name only, but having so ordered, that all true rule and government upon earth, with its righteous laws, its stable ordinances, its punishment and its grace, its majesty and its terror, should tell of Him and of His kingdom which ruleth over all; so that "kingdom of God" is not, in fact, a figurative expression, but most literal; rather the earthly kingdoms and the earthly kings are figures and shadows of the true. They made Solomon, the son of David, king the second time, and anointed him unto the Lord. to be the chief governor, and Zadoc to be priest. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king. Judah ruled with God, when Hezekiah and his princes zealously promoted the reformation of the kingdom. (Hosea xi. 12.) The exercise of the magistrate's power in favour of the true religion and opposition to false religion is neither unscriptural nor antiscriptural. It is plain that magistrates can never lawfully exercise their power, which they, as His deputies, received from God, for His honour and the true welfare of mankind, in giving equal esta

"THE PRE-ADAMITE EARTH."

(See pp. 139, 140, 191, 192.) SIR,-I think "Alpha" misunderstood the purport of the suggestions I made in last month's HEBREW CHRISTIAN WITNESS. They were not intended to controvert God's holy word, but to infer the possibility that the " stones are crying out" to confirm that holy word, and the suggestions were purposely vague as to the "past and future" as being merely suggestive theory.

Science produces facts which are supposed by many to be contradictory to statements in Holy Scripture, and I venture to believe that those facts will be found eventually corroborative of the Divine writings. Scepticism scoffs at Divine revelation, affirming that science has demonstrated the existence of this our planet for thousands of years anterior to the Divine Hebrew records; but may not science be finding relics of a previous world in this our planet, and unintentionally be found to be elucidating, instead of invalidating those holy writings? Why are we told of the overthrow of the kingdom of Satan and his rebellious host, unless that overthrown kingdom had reference to our own world? for does the word of God teach anything irrelative to mankind?

That this our earth and heaven shall be burned up is plainly revealed in Holy Writ, and "Alpha" finds confirmation to that Divine revelation from scientific research, pointing out that our earth contains " the elements of its own destruction ;" but does that

necessarily imply the destruction of this planet, or only that the "earth and the works contained therein " shall be burned up, to make way for "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness?" for may not those new heavens and new earth be in this planet?

My quotations from Faber and Lord Ormathwaite were designed to show how Science and Holy Scripture incidentally come to much the some conclusions; Faber supposing a previous world in this planet on scriptural grounds, Lord Ormathwaite a future one from science. If the former conclusion could be conceded, might not analogy infer the other? I never can believe but that the works and word of the Almighty will be found to be in unison; but the effort of infidelity in these days is to prove that God's works contradict His written word, on which not only the Jewish, but the Christian faith is founded, and I trust that it may be granted to Christian Jews (the kinsmen of our Divine Redeemer) to prove the agreement of science with Scripture, and confute atheism and infidelity with their own weapons.

To those who have not met with Faber's last work on prophecy ("Many Mansions"), it may be interesting to read his theory; which is, that when, from the rebellion of Satan, "his fair domain was resolved into a dark and confused chaos, a new world was organised out of the chaotic material, and man appointed to the sovereignty which Satan had forfeited." Faber thinks that here we find a solution for "the remarkable malignity on the part of Satan manifested towards Christ and the whole human race," in envy at seeing his blasted domain re-organised for the abode of a race of inferior creatures, by the mighty archangel by whom he had been subdued. "Hence the whole of his permitted strife had been, in fact, a trial of strength and power, whether he or the Son of God should be the master of it."

I would venture to ask, if that Divine Son re-organised a blasted domain, might it not be for the subdued? Is man a revived creation called "out of darkness and the shadow of death” for a probationary trial in humanity, on which depends restoration to for feited privileges, or condemnation to the darkness, out of which a way of escape had been mercifully opened? H. B.