mistaken me for one of the kind. I told them I forgave him as I hoped to be forgiven through the shedding of our Saviour's blood. The next day two Jews came to beg me to go to the patient again, saying, 'We know that you ought not to be angry with the Jew that offended you yesterday, because the Lord Jesus said, 'Bless them that curse you.' We have been telling our friend about you, and we gave him the New Testament to read, and we think he will ask you to forgive him for having insulted you.' I went to the patient and continued daily attendance for more than a month. The Jew who had ill-treated me often came, and repeatedly asked my pardon. He accepted a New Testament and tracts, and said one day, 'If the Christians of Russia were as the Gospel teaches them to be, I think all the Jews in Russia would wish to be Christians; since I have been reading it, I almost feel as if I had become a Christian, for I truly believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.' It was evident, by his remarks during the many conversations we had, that the Holy Spirit was working in his heart. May he be led in word and deed to acknowledge the Lord Jesus to be his Saviour. "In the Dispensary I gave a tract to an old Jew, telling him it would shew him the way to eternal life. He answered, 'If this be true, then it must be very precious.' He took it, thanking me for it. The next day he came again, and said, 'I have never been able to understand the 53rd chapter of the prophet Isaiah before. I see indeed that our commentaries are wrong.' He begged me to give him a New Testament; I did so, telling him, before reading it, to pray as David prayed: 'Open thou mine eyes that I may behold the wonders of Thy law.' He replied, 'If our great king David prayed, why should I not do the same.' A very bigoted Jew standing by, who had some time previously refused to accept a New Testament from me, got very angry and said to the old Jew: 'It seems to me you have come to the Holy Land in order to become a Christian. Do as I say, give that book back to him.' The poor old Jew did as he was bidden and went away. But the next day he came again and waited till all the other patients had left and came up to me, begging me for the New Testament again, telling me he was in fear of the rabbi. I had a conversation with him again on the 53rd of Isaiah, and endeavoured to shew him that it is the Messiah of whom the prophet speaks, the same that St. John calls the 'Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world."" The Rev. S. T. and Mrs. Bachert with family arrived in England, on November 23, for a change and rest after the severe strain imposed upon them during the epidemic of cholera at Hamburg. IN THE JEWISH QUARTER, JERUSALEM. HE Rev. J. E. Hanauer reports:-On Saturdays I often visit the Jewish synagogues in order to be present at the reading of the Law and the Prophets. I do not visit the same place that I visited the week previously. I often receive courtesy, though now and then I am accosted as a "Meshumed," and on one occasion I was pelted with melon-rinds and other rubbish as I left the great Ashkenazim Synagogue in the Jewish quarter. As I walked on, several ran after me shouting "Meshumed" and throwing garbage at me. Feeling that if I went away I should never be able to set foot again in the Jewish quarter, instead of going straight home, as I had intended doing before the attack began, I faced about and quietly walked up the street again. Those who had been throwing things at me, some of which had hit me rather smartly, seemed to think that I was going to attack them in turn, and let their hands drop. I walked through them, and, after passing them, heard a Jew scolding them soundly for what they had done. Directly afterwards another came up to me and apologised for what had happened, remarking that they were only "grobe jungen und vagabunden" that had acted thus. I must here remark that just after the attack began Mr. Raphael Levi, the Hebrew teacher in the Boys' School, a Karaite Jew, happened to come up a side street, and, seeing what was going on, offered very kindly to accompany me out of the Jewish quarter. I declined this very kind offer, as I wanted to show that I intended to maintain my right to walk alone and wherever I pleased. Instead of going home I walked through the Jewish quarter as far as the "Deutscher Platz," and then past the great Chasidim Synagogue, and through the other streets till I arrived at the place where I had been insulted, when I walked up the street again, unmolested. Since then I have not had any trouble in the Jewish quarter. With regard to the attitude of the Jews towards Christianity I have observed that whilst the older Ashkenazim and Sephardim Jews are as much as ever under the trammels of Rabbinism there is a very remarkable movement amongst the younger members of the community, especially amongst the Ashkenazim. The younger portion of the Sephardim are imbibing shallow infidel opinions, chiefly through the influence of the French schools. Among the Ashkenazim, however, I have met with men who are thinkers, and who, perceiving that Rabbinical Judaism is quite unadapted to modern manners of life and thought, are greatly perplexed to find a middle way, that will enable them to retain their national faith and traditions, and yet mix freely with Christians without running the risk of persecution. The spirit of enquiry is certainly spreading. I am perhaps too critical on this point, but it seems to me to be anything but the right sort of spirit. The New Testament is extensively read and studied, it is true, but it seems to me that it is not studied (indeed it cannot be) with the right motives-viz., to obtain a knowledge of the truth. The old school of Jews study it in order to find occasion for cavilling; those of the new school for the sake of discovering, if possible, a modus vivendi, and some way in which Jews may assimilate with Christians and yet remain Jews, Reading, a young Jew accosted me and said: "I should be much obliged if you will explain something to me. I have been reading the New Testament and have found a mistake. In Matt. xxiii. 35 mention is made of a certain Zechariah the son of Berachiah as having been slain by the Jews between the temple and the altar. Now we know from the Old Testament that Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, was stoned in the days of Joash (II. Chronicles xxiv. 21), and that Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berachiah lived at a much later date. I have asked Pater S a Roman Catholic priest, about this, and he is of opinion that Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, was the person meant, and that Jehoiada was also known as Berachiah, a name somewhat similar in meaning and and, as such, unpersecuted. These are the motives which lead to the study of Christian doctrine. The Jews desire information on the subject. That is all. I have often been told by Jews that if a sort of compromise could be effected between Judaism and Christianity, if the Hebrew Christians would circumcise their children, and if some arrangement could be effected, as in some synagogues in the United States, where the Jews keep Sunday instead of Saturday, it would be all they desire. The following instance will perhaps illustrate what I mean, when I say that in many cases the New Testament and Christian doctrines are studied merely for the sake of information. One evening as I was on my way shortly after sunset to the Y.M.C.A. rooms in order to hold a Bible and signifying, 'Bless the Lord,' just as Jehoiada means 'Praise the Lord.' However, I will not trouble you now, as it is getting dark and I cannot stay, but I shall be much obliged if, when we again meet, you would give me your opinion on this question. Cood night." A couple of days later I met the same man in the street, and, stopping him, gave him my answer-namely that the opinions of Christian divines vary, some taking the view held by Pater S-, that Jehoiada and Berachiah are the names of the same person, and mean much the same thing, just as Eliakim and Jehciakim (II. Chron. xxxvi. 4) are the names of the same person, and have the same meaning, viz., "Servant of God" and "Servant of Jehovah." On the other hand, it is worthy of notice that, according to wellknown Jewish traditions, Zechariah the son of Berachiah, or Jeberechiah the son of Iddo, was also slain by the Jews in the temple, and that our Lord may have referred to this. This answer seemed to satisfy the man and he thanked me. It may perhaps not be out of place if I here remark, with regard to this well-known difficulty, that there is another solution, first, I believe, suggested by the Rev. J. F. Thrupp in his "Antient Jerusalem," pp. 227-233, and which, to my mind, seems, the more I think of it, to be the most probable one. In the Kedron Valley, on the Eastern side of the Temple Area, and just opposite its southern end, there is a group of remarkable rock-cut monuments, which, from their style of architecture and an inscription on one of them, evidently belong to the Herodian period. One of these has for centuries past been, as it is still, known to the Jews as 2 or Zechariah's Tomb. Our Saviour delivered the dis OPEN-AIR SERVICES AT JERUSALEM. HE Rev. J. E. Hanauer says:- "About two years ago I gave an account of the establishment of the Y.M.C.A. at Jerusalem. I am happy to say that it not only still exists, but that the Anglo-Hebrew section (that more especially connected with our Missionwork) and of which Mr. Hensman is at present vice-president, is flourishing. The Rev. A. H. Kelk is president, and the Rev. J. Jamal and myself are members of the Central Committee regulating the general work of the Association. With regard to the Anglo-Hebrew section, I have to report that not only are Bible-readings held by the members at regular intervals in the rooms of the Association, but that the young men have taken up aggressive missionwork in the form of Open-air Evangelistic Meetings, under the leadership of Mr. Hensman. The first of these meetings was held in the Christ Church com The of one of these meetings, which seem to be getting more and more successful from week to week. They are held regularly on Saturday afternoons. illustration represents the scene one Saturday afternoon, when (attracted by the sound of the harmonium, played by Miss Coote, of the C.M.S., until one of the members who was to play arrived, and by the singing of a party of boys from the Society's School) a large concourse of Jews, nominal Christians, Moslems, soldiers and others, flocked into the Mission premises and listened attentively, first to the hymns sung, and then to the preaching of the Gospel. The 18th chapter of Ezekiel was read in Hebrew by Mr. Alteresky, who then addressed those present in German. Then another hymn was sung, at the close of which I spoke to those assembled in Arabic. After the meeting a great many Jews remained behind for the purpose of discussion, and two Armenian monks who had been present and listened with interest, did their best to help us. course recorded in Matt. xxi., xxii., xxiii. in the Temple-pound. I enclose a photograph taken by Mr. Gold courts, probably in the great hall of Herod (Antiq. xi. 5). If so, our Saviour would have the monument of Zechariah in full view; and, as it was His custom to illustrate and give point to His teaching by references to objects close by-the flowers at His feet, or the birds flying overhead-so He now mentions Zechariah "because it was his cenotaph that the Jews had just been building, and which was standing there in full view. He mentions him not as the last who had been slain, but as the last whom the Jews of that generation had been affecting to honour. Our Saviour's denunciation of woe against the Jews was purposely couched in terms which should most forcibly bring home the charge of hypocrisy and sin to the consciences of those He was addressing." I never, when visiting the Temple Area, stand on the site (now ascertained without doubt) of "Solomon's Porch" without being struck, as I look down upon "Zechariah's Tomb," with the force of Mr. Thrupp's argument, and being more and more convinced that his is the right solution of what has always been difficult to understand in Matt. xxiii. 35. Though, however, this light from the old monument, taken in connection with the well-known Jewish traditions respecting Zechariah may be sufficient for a Christian, yet it can hardly be used in discussion with Jews. And for this reason especially, that no Jew will enter the Temple Area for fear of desecrating the sacred vessels supposed to be buried somewhere within its precincts, and in consequence dying within the year; and so you cannot take them to the spot and show them how the apparent difficulty is removed when you look at it in the light of the topography of the Temple courts. "At a subsequent meeting an enquirer spoke very boldly and pointedly to the assembled Jews, giving his reasons for his faith in Christ. "Thus we strive to sow beside all waters, and though often discouraged by the coldness and spiritual deadness of those to whom we deliver our message, we believe that in His own good time God will bless our efforts, and that our labours are not in vain in the Lord." The bound volume of the Jewish Intelligence for 1892 is now ready, price Three Shillings, and also that of the Jewish Advocate for the years 1889-1892 inclusive, price Eightpence. ANNUAL PRAYER MEETING. THE JERUSALEM BISHOPRIC.-In commemoration of the arrival of the first Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, and the Forty-third Anniversary of the Consecration of Christ Church on Mount Zion, the Committee invite the friends of Israel to the Annual Prayer Meeting, to be held (D.V.) at the Inns of Court Hotel, 18, Lincoln's Inn Fields, on Friday, January 20, at 3 p.m. It is hoped that friends in the country, who are unable to attend this Central Prayer Meeting, will organize meetings for this day in their own locality, so that the subscribers and supporters of the various Branch Associations may respectively unite at the Throne of Grace at the same hour. At the cominencement of another year, we desire to impress upon all those who seek the spiritual welfare of the Jews the high importance of frequent and sustained prayer-both in private and in public-for God Almighty's blessing upon Jewish Missions. "Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence and give Him no rest till He establish and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." On the one hand, the great importance of the work, commanded by Christ Himself, the fewness of labourers in the cause, the difficulties always inseparable from this particular branch of Missions, the deficiency of means; and on the other hand, the success of the work and the encouragements and promises given in God's Word to those who pray and work for the peace of Jerusalem, constitute a greater call than ever for earnest prayer for "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." We have every reason to believe that the "Plea for More Earnest Prayer," which was printed in this magazine in November, 1891, has borne fruit; for, in addition to the Annual Prayer Meeting held at headquarters in January of last year, three quarterly meetings have been held in different parts of London; and out of these has grown the Monthly Prayer Meeting held in the Mission Room No. 6, Palestine Place, for the workers in the London Mission, and all friends of the Society who may wish to attend. We venture to reprint the four suggested topics for prayer forI. THE COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY.-They have to guide the ship in troublous times, through many a storm, by many a hidden rock and quicksand. Their actions are often attacked, their motives misconstrued. Would it not be far better for our friends to be earnest and constant in supplication with God, that He will pour upon those in charge of the Society the wisdom needful for their actions, and the courage to persevere in the right path? Better far to hold up their hands, and to strengthen them by prayer and sympathy, than by open opposition or insidious attacks to trammel and delay. II. THE SOCIETY'S MISSIONARIES.-Vast is the field for the workers, difficult is the work, requiring peculiar training for those engaged in it. They go "to a nation scattered and peeled," and they have to tell them of a Messiah whose first advent shattered the earthly hopes of the Jewish nation, and thus became to them a stumbling block. They have to speak of a faith which, alas! is too often betrayed by the practice of its professors, and of a Christianity which the Jew has learned to hate from the conduct of so-called Christians. The Jewish Missionary must be spiritually minded, full of zeal, perseverance, and faith, filled with love for souls, apt to teach, ready to seize opportunities, wise as a serpent while harmless as a dove-in conduct exemplary, in life holy. May the prayers of all true Christians go up, day by day, to the Throne of Grace, that such men may be raised up for the work, and that the Holy Spirit may work both with them and in them, that they "may be blameless and harmless, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom they shine as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of Life." III. CONVERTS AND ENQUIRERS.-That those who have been brought into the glorious liberty of the Gospel may remain firm and unshaken unto the end, that strength may be given to them when under persecution and trial, that they may never be tempted "to deny the Lord who bought them," and that the Holy Spirit may so work in them that their influence and example may be for good amongst their unbelieving brethren. That those who are enquiring after the truth may be led on to know Him who alone is the truth, that their doubts may be removed, and their minds opened to "receive with meekness the engrafted Word which is able to save their souls." What is yet wanting? What, but the life-giving power of God the Holy Ghost to quicken the soul, and to render their knowledge of the Scriptures effectual to salvation. "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." IV.-JEWS.-And let us not forget those still in unbelief. The veil is upon their hearts. Let God's people pray that it may be removed; that the wall of obstinacy and unbelief may be broken down, that Christ may enter in-that they may understand the spiritual meaning of the prayer they offer daily in their synagogues, "By means of the Son of Jesse the Bethlehemite may redemption approach unto my soul;" and that St. Paul's word may be speedily fulfilled, "All Israel shall be saved." The "Monthly Cycle of Prayer"-published in card and leaflet form-will indicate the various departments of the work, and the stations to be mentioned in our petitions. If earnest prayer continue to be made in private and where two or three are gathered together, we may expect in faith that Almighty God will work mightily on behalf of His ancient people, still beloved for the fathers' sakes, in fulfilment of the promises made to them and confirmed in His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Writing of the Mission Service held in Christ Church, Spitalfields, during the Feast of Tabernacles, the Rev. M. Wolkenberg, who preached the Sermon in Judeo-German, says:-"It was with a feeling of misgiving that I faced the hundreds of the excitable class of Jews who occupied the pews. I could easily call to remembrance almost every detail of that scene of tumult and confusion which had been enacted in this very church some twenty-four years ago, when the police were powerless to quell the disturbance, so vividly had it impressed itself upon my mind. It was, therefore, a very agreeable surprise to notice the quiet demeanour and the attentive attitude of the strange audience, who had come there at the bidding of the genial and sympathetic Rector. It shows what may be done by prayerful perseverance; and it encourages the hope that, in God's good time, we shall reap the reward of our labour, if we faint not. It should be added that much of the success achieved is due to the combined exertions of the Society's agents and those of the City Mission. They must have worked hard to gather so many Jews into the Church, and it is but just that their labours should be honourably mentioned and acknowledged. Theirs is a life of incessant trials and hardship, and not much of human encouragement." |