Israelite," when we proposed that Mr. Brühl should write to Paris for him, which he did, and carried on all the correspondence up to the time that the master arrived. When the Mission was given up, we made a present to this school of all our reading-books and fittings. When their Committee expressed surprise at our doing this, we replied that our object was to raise the education of the Jewish population of Bagdad, so that they might be drawn nearer to Christianity, and as we ourselves were going away, it was a satisfaction to know that they would continue the work of education. Of course, all the books that we left had a Christian tendency, and we hoped that the truths contained in them might be the means of influencing some hearts.*

The Late Dr. CASSEL.

We have received the following letter

from New

York:

"For nearly eighteen years you have granted me the Jewish Intelligence, the 'Annual Reports,' and at times books,

tracts, etc., gratis, and my prayer to God for your Society is, that your efforts may be all blessed in showing Israel

the way of life.

J. M. EPPSTEIN.

To find such lives as these I need not travel out of the records of my own (Jewish) race. And no modern career shines with a brighter or a purer light than does that of this Jewish sage, philosopher, author, lecturer, and Christian. "To no German prose writer can the

'Honey flowed from the speaker's lips,'

as Homer says of Nestor, so justly be applied as to Cassel. Never have the mind and the heart been so jointly implicated and interested; never did truth and beauty walk so consistently together. He convinces the mind while he affects the heart; and we feel deeply interested at the same time that we are persuaded; and if in either of these cases anything be wanting, it is supplied by the mild, earnest, and pleasant diction of the speaker, whom I am tempted to believe merely because he seems to be convinced or moved himself. Next to the profoundness of Cassel's thoughts, the admirable skill with which he embodied and explained them gained him a high rank amongst the classic authors of the nation, amongst kings, princes, and barons. With what inflexible industry must he have studied the German language to be able to impart to it that inimitable mellifluence, and to accommodate it to the pleasing ductility

"Probably you will remember, that I am a son of Abraham, and your records will show that I was baptised in the city of Berlin, in the month of April, 1870, by the late and lamented Rev. Professor Paulus Stephanus Cassel, D.D., in the presence of many of your Missionaries, at a Missionary Conference. (See Jewish Intelligence, July, 1870.)

"This month's number of your valuable magazine brings the sad news of the death of my beloved spiritual father and friend. He is no more! He was all to me! For nearly one year I lived at his home, being a student and his librarian. I have kept the faith, and have been enabled to work in Christ's vineyard as Missionary, Preacher, Lecturer, and also as General Secretary (1879) of a Y.M.C. Association, in Omaha, Nebraska.

"The story of his life strikes home to every Hebrew Convert and Missionary. Do not

'Lives of great men all remind us,

We may make our lives sublime!'

* Our illustrations are from "Travels and Researches in Chaldea and Susiana," by Loftus, by kind permission of Messrs. James Nisbet & Co.

of his most exquisite thoughts! The more particularly, as he belonged to a nation to whom the twofold idiom (Hebrew. and German) to which they

were accus

tomed from
their infancy,
must have
formed a strong
impediment to
the attainment
of a high de-
gree of correct-
ness of compo-
sition in either.
No wonder,
then, that
the Germans,
whose mind, of
all European
nations, is
most accessible
by the avenue
of the heart,
so highly ap-
plauded Cas-

sel's works, and made them favourite books in their libraries. There was no way of his life in which he failed to shine. Study and knowledge sealed in his heart the great truths of religion. His was the faith which is clothed in wisdom; his the wisdom which is hallowed by faith. His faith was to him, as it should be to all of us, an armed angel. His affectionate heart not only throbbed with love for his own kindred, but was alive to sympathy with those who needed it. I always found him benevolent and singularly gentle. He taught the world that the Jew, hitherto despised, must be despised no more; he conquered a place in society, in the highest societythe intellectual circle-for the people of his faith. And this victory he won, not by dint of clamour, or falseness, or obstrusive self-assertion, but by the force of his own intellectual powers, his unsullied integrity, his admirable character. Dr. Cassel gave mankind a useful lesson, a touching example, a glorious spectacle he showed how a Christian Jew lives! His knowledge was the altar on which he stood to worship the great God-man! History confirms the truth, which the Psalmist, whose music he loved, taught mankind ages ago-that, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'"

999

regularly visited by the ordained Missionaries of the Society, and by Miss Barlee and Miss Birks; the latter are addressed twice a week by the Rev. J. Jamal, who also takes the Saturday services, and sometimes by the Rev. J. Hanauer. In these addresses the truths of Christ's teaching are put before the patients faithfully and simply, so that the poor Jewesses-alas so ignorant-can understand, and in many cases appreciate them. This is of paramount importance for two reasons. They stand very low in the religious estimation of "Judaism;"

influence on the whole Jewish community, and are greatly appreciated.

4. Dr. Wheeler gratefully acknowledges how wonderfully God has protected and watched over the Society's Institutions. During his seven years' medical supervision not one death has taken place in either the Boys' or the Girls' School.

There was much progress and blessing in the work of the Institution last year, as will be seen from the forthcoming Annual Report.

The accompanying illustration shows the terrace of the Society's present Hospital. It is paved with flagstones, and is sometimes used as a drying ground for linen. The gate on the right is usually closed to prevent the patients coming upon the front part, because that adjoins the street, from which they would draw up from their friends articles of food which might be injurious to them. The back part, where Dr. Wheeler and the nurses are standing, is a place of resort for such as are able to leave their beds. The view from the upper terrace is very extensive and interesting, embracing nearly the whole of Jerusalem, with parts of the country beyond, especially the Mount of Olives on the east, and on the north the hill above Jeremiah's Grotto, which has recently attracted so much attention as the possible place of the Crucifixion of our Lord.

Jaffa is continually increasing both in size and population. I was told by the Coptic Bishop, whom I visited at his palace there, that the latter, including the residents at the 500 gardens and Suknâts" (hamlets), numbered not far from 40,000. It is said that the Jewish population in Jaffa and the neighbouring colonies is at present about 4,000. Jews are allowed to land now in small parties, but the prohibition is still in force against a large body landing from a single steamer. Mr. L. Weinberg is at present the only Jewish Missionary at Jaffa. Opportunities of bringing the claims of Christianity before Jews are daily afforded at the Society's Depôt, and on Saturdays at the Mission House in the German Colony. Mr. Weinberg gave me the opportunity of conducting a Mission service at the Mission room in his house, on two successive Saturdays, this being the best day for such a service, when hundreds of Jews of all classes spend the whole afternoon in the Baron's garden. The room in the Mission house, The room in the Mission house, where Mr. Weinberg lives, is so conveniently situated on the way to the garden, that every Jew passing can turn in if he chooses, or stand at the windows. A Hebrew text in large letters is put up every Saturday above the door to attract Jewish eyes; and this on many occasions drew attention to the subject

of the Messiah, and many a time led to interesting conversations. The head-teacher at Miss Arnot's school kindly sent about a dozen Jewish and native Syrian girls to sing Christian hymns in Arabic, and on one occasion Miss Marriot, of the English Medical Mission at Jaffa, kindly helped in playing the harmonium.

On both Saturdays we were able to bring before large audiences the claims of Christianity. The room was full from end to end, and the windows from outside and the passage in front of the house were crowded. I addressed them in Arabic, as the majority were of the Arabic-speaking Jews. They listened very attentively throughout the whole service. Many remained, with whom we had a conversation on the subject of the Messiah.

The Jews at Jaffa are not afraid to attend Christian meetings, not being so much under Rabbinical authority as at other places in Palestine, so a Missionary can find ample opportunity of entering into conversation on religious matters, without being hindered by the rabbis. It is a matter for regret that in such an open field for Missionary labour amongst a large Jewish population there is but one single worker. May the Lord soon provide more labourers for this portion of His vineyard!

During my short stay at Jaffa, I accompanied Mr. Weinberg on two Missionary journeys to several Jewish colonies in the neighbourhood.

The colony at Derân, which the Jews call "Rochivet," is about three hours' drive from Jaffa to the south-east. We started at 6 o'clock in the morning, and arrived there about 9 a.m. We called first on the Manager, who received us very hospitably, and went round the colony with us, pointing out the most promising vineyards, containing about two millions of vines; the rest of the land was intended for vegetables, fruit trees, and corn fields. On returning to the Manager's house, we met about half-a-dozen colonists who were waiting to see us, with whom we had a long conversation on Christianity and Judaism. They admitted that the Talmud is not equivalent to God's Word, and that the latter is the only standard of true religion. We noticed that some were partially acquainted with the New Testament. Their opinion of Jesus of Nazareth was that He was a holy man, but that His religion is appropriate only to Gentile nations, and not to Jews. The subject of the Trinity was introduced, and we pointed out several passages from the Bible relating to the Trinitv of the Godhead. After a long talk, they admitted that God, His Word, and Spirit are one, and that He assumed human form in the days of old, when He appeared to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and

others; but when we drew attention to the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Word made flesh dwelling among us, they said, "You mean to tell us that the Crucified One was also God? If He was God, He could have saved Himself and come down from the cross." This led to the subject that the Messiah must suffer and die, and, rising again, ascend to the right hand of God. We urged them to compare the predictions contained in the 52nd and 53rd chapters of Isaiah with the history of the sufferings and death of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels. The result of this conversation was that the Manager accepted with thanks a copy of the New Testament and a few tracts; and the others likewise were grateful for the same. Our visit to this colony of "Rochivet" occupied three hours.

We then drove back, and in forty minutes arrived at Wady-Hinein. The gardens of this place formerly belonged to a single immigrant of the Russian Jews, but had now grown into a small settlement of Jewish colonists. We called on the leader, whose acquaintance we had made had made on a previous visit, and who received us with welcome, and allowed us to have our luncheon in his garden under the orange trees. Our host, with some eight Russian Jews of the place, came and sat with us. Mr. Weinberg and I soon engaged them in matters of religion, and for a whole hour we had a pleasant opportunity of bringing before them the claims of Christianity, urging upon them the need of salvation brought to Jew and Gentile by our Lord Jesus Christ. They listened attentively, and thankfully accepted a few tracts and portions of Scripture. We parted good friends. The owner of the garden, our host, and a few others walked out with us to see us off, expressing their thanks for our visit.

We then proceeded to "Rishon-le-Zion" (which is about 30 minutes' drive from "Wady-Hinein"). The only convenient place where we could meet with Jews was the restaurant, which is kept as a lodginghouse for Jewish day-labourers. We stopped there about two hours, and had an opportunity of distributing tracts and portions of Scripture. The conversation began with a Jewish visitor from the colony "Pathach-Tik vâ" whose business was to sell Jewish books to colonists. He was a pleasant man to converse with, and showed great intelligence in listening to the Christian interpretation of prophecies relating to the Messiah. Some Jews sitting at the end of the room were listening with marked attention to what was going on between us. On leaving, we mentioned that we were intending to visit his colony "PathachTikvâ" in a few days. He said, "The Jews of our colony are very fanatical; you will not find them

willing to accept any of your publications, nor will they give heed to what you are intending to bring before them. At all events, be sure to call on us at home, where we shall be glad to see you. I shall be there to-morrow."

Our next Missionary visit was to this colony, 'Pathach Tikvâ." It is situated at a distance of 31⁄2 hours' drive from Jaffa, to the north-east, and contains about one hundred families. We started at 6 o'clock in the morning, and arrived there at half-past nine. We halted at a poor hotel (consisting of three small rooms with a single old chair, a sofa and a dirty little table) kept by an old Polish Jewess, where Jewish day-labourers have some food and lodging. After resting a few minutes, we thought it proper to call first on the Manager of the colony. Instead of receiving us, he sent an employé to go round with us and show us the work, ordering him at the same time not to allow distribution of Christian publications to any of the colonists. After going about a little, we returned to the hotel for breakfast, and then called on our friend whose acquaintance we made at the colony of "Rishon-leZion." He received us in a very friendly manner, and expressed his pleasure at seeing us. After the usual salutations and refreshments, we engaged him in matters of religion. He had some guests with him, and for about an hour we were reading together passages from the Bible relating to the Messiah, His character and office. They seemed interested in the reading of those passages, which were almost a new thing to them. On leaving, we advised them to search their own Scriptures in a prayerful spirit, after the manner of the Psalmist, saying, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy Law." We walked again through the colony with a prayerful heart that the Lord would show us where to go and how to deliver the message to others. Every now and then we met colonists of Mr. Weinberg's acquaintance. We told them that we had books and tracts, and if they cared to read them, they could call upon us at the hotel. Several Jews came, and were willing to listen to the message. The dispenser of the colony and the employé, that went round with us, asked for New Testaments. Meanwhile two Jewish day-labourers came in and sat with us, with whom we had an opportunity of speaking of the one thing needful, and of their own accord they asked for some tracts. On returning to Jaffa, some young people of the colony stopped our carriage and eagerly asked for books and tracts, which we gladly gave them. May the Lord be pleased to vouchsafe His blessing to these humble efforts to promote the good of His ancient people, and to His name shall be all the praise:

FOUR ABYSSINIAN MISSIONARIES.

OLLOWING up the article in the February number on "A Time of Misery and Tears in Abyssinia," we now give very interesting particulars of the lives of four of the Society's Missionaries, Argawi, Negoosie, Meherat, and Beleta, whose portraits are seen in the accompanying illustration. These are the four agents who went down to Monkullo in November last. Argawi remains there until he can come to Europe to confer with Mr. Flad, but the other three joined a caravan, and set off on their return journey, on December 26th, taking with them three mule loads of Scriptures and books, and money for the purposes of the Mission. Besides these four agents, Hiob Negoosie and Sanbatoo are employed. Dèbtera Gebra Heivwot has left the service of the Society. The stations, Genda, Alafa, Gorgora, and Sakalt, are temporarily vacant, owing to the invasion of the Dervishes. Mr. Flad has written the biography of Argawi; Negoosie, Meherat, and Beleta have each written his own autobiography. We venture to think they will be found extremely interesting, as giving evidence of genuine piety and loving devoted service to their common Lord and Master.

ARGAWI.

Argawi is the son of a former servant of the Rev. J. Nicholayson, of Jerusalem, and was born in Dembea in 1852 or 1853. He is not a Falasha, but a native Christian. His father went to Abyssinia with me, in 1855, as cook and servant. When Argawi was about four years old his father gave him into my charge, and I brought him up. He was taught in our school, and served Mrs. Flad in all sorts of house-work, at which he was very clever. He was with us, as our servant, during our captivity at Magdala, and was of much use to all of us, on account of his knowledge of the German language. When King Theodore sent me, in 1866, with letters to Her Majesty the Queen of England, Consul Cameron asked me to take him to Europe for education, and paid his travelling expenses. He was placed at a good school by some friends of mine, and a noble and generous lady, who took great interest in him, pa d all his expenses. After our liberation, I brought him to St. Chrischona, Bâle, where he learned the trad of book-binding. He himself asked to be received as a Missionary Student. By 1874 he had finished his studies. His health, however, being delicate, I took him, Agasha, Samany, and Sanbatoo back to their own country. The expenses of their training were paid by Mrs. E. Potts, of Hoole Hall,

Chester. From 1874 to 1890, Argawi was working with the late Dèbtera Beroo. All the Society's schools were under him, whilst Beroo superintended the Scripture readers and converts. In 1885, Argawi visited Europe, and was present at the Annual Meeting of the Society, and also at the funeral of the late Rev. Dr. Stern. Argawi returned to Abyssinia, provided with Scriptures and money for the whole staff. On his arrival at Gondar, he was thrown into a most horrible prison, but was set at liberty after eight or ten days on the intercession of Dèbtera Beroo. In 1890, Argawi was present at the conference which I had with the agents at Monkullo. He has worked faithfully all the time.

NEGOOSIE.

"I was born in 1857, at Wofta, in the province of Kwara. There are a great many Priests and Dèbteras living at Wofta, and it is the residence of the Falasha High Priest. It is a town inhabited by Priests only. A great many Falasha youths attend the school there. My father was a Kahen, living strictly according to the Mosaic Law. He sent me to school when I was yet very young. After 1 had attended the school for three years, my father told me that he wished me to become a Priest. But I did not like this idea, and so I became a weaver. Later on, our family left Wofta, and we took up our abode at Genda. There I soon made the acquaintance of Debtera Beroo, and through his instrumentality became a believer in Christ Jesus, as the Son of God and my Redeemer. For a long time I was seeking after inward peace, but neither by fasting nor bloody sacrifices, nor even by keeping very strictly the Mosaic Law, could I find that precious inward feeling of peace, which I obtained in believing that Christ Jesus redeemed me when He shed His blood on Calvary.

"Before I was baptised, an uncle of mine, a very religious and pious priest, was sent for, in order to persuade me to remain a Falasha; but when he saw that I was inwardly convicted about what I was confessing with my mouth, he left me alone and went back to Kwara. It was a time of great inward struggle. My parents, who hitherto had loved me so tenderly, turned into my bitter enemies. Still I loved them, showing them all the kindness I could think of.

"One Sabbath, after the Synagogue service was finished, I was most urgently requested to remain a Falasha, and to break off my connection with Dèbtera Beroo. There was much dispute and crying. When they heard me confessing my firm belief in Christ Jesus, all the Falashas present, headed by my own father, beat me, and I was cast out of doors. I had however, peace and joy.