May 1, 1867.

Servia will receive the support of the British Embassy at Constantinople.

Mr. Layard said, while he was in the Foreign Office Sir Moses Montefiore had urged the wrongs of the Jews in Servia; but it was thought more expedient to trust to the representations of the British Consul than to bring the subject at once before the House of Commons. This discussion will probably have the effect of remedying these atrocious wrongs. The hon. gentleman contrasted the Turkish with the Christian treatment of the Jews in the East. When the Jews were banished from Spain they took refuge in Turkey. In Constantinople many of them have acquired great wealth and consideration, but their great enemies are the Christians. It is not a question of trading jealousy, but of actual religious bigotry. In Greece-so, at least, he thought-Jews are not permitted to live; and in such a city as Smyrna, Jews are compelled to keep out of sight of the Christians during Easter. Almost the only power in the East capable of keeping the Christians in order is the Turkish Government-we have only to go to Jerusalem to see the force of this. It is much to the credit of the Turks that they have placed the Jews on the municipal councils throughout the empire, where Turks, Christians, and Jews are all equally represented. (Hear, hear.)

The motion was then withdrawn, as the forms of the House rendered it more convenient that, instead of the production being at once directed on the motion, it should be ordered as an unopposed

return.

ENGLAND.

THE BOROUGH NEW SYNAGOGUE. The newly-finished synagogue in the Walworthroad was consecrated, on April 11th, with all fitting ceremony, and in the presence of a very full congregation. The building and adjacent schoolhouse have been planned with so judicious an eye to the space afforded that not a foot of ground can be said to have been lost; and the credit thus due to the architect, Mr. H. H. Collins, is the more marked, inasmuch as the necessary position of the sanctuary compelled him to place the lines of the building diagonally on the site. Both within and without the new synagogue is a strikingly fine edifice of its size, the length being sixty feet, the width forty, and the height thirtyfive, these proportions being undeniably favourable to the acoustic requirements of the interior. The front of the synagogue is in Albion-place, and is approached through folding ornamental gates, which lead to a Doric portico, and thence to a spacious and handsome vestibule, paved with encaustic tiles. Broad stone staircases on either side give access to the galleries. These are continued round the whole building, except the end which is occupied by the Ark; and they are at once solidly and lightly constructed, the openings of the masonry being filled with graceful iron scroll work. Twisted iron shafts, coloured a deep red and bronzed, support the galleries from the area below, which is reserved for the male portion of the congregation, and which has in the centre a raised platform for the reading desk and the seats of the choir, surrounded by iron rails, according in design with those above. The ceiling is covered, and is very effectively divided by ornamental bands, the decorative character of which will best be indicated to untechnical

readers by the familiar phrase, “figure-of-eight pattern." At the east end of the synagogue is the Ark, concealed by a rich drapery of purple velvet, of the deep Tyrian dye, embroidered with gold, the Hebrew inscription-"Hearken unto the prayers of Thy people Israel which they offer to Thee in this Holy Place"-being surmounted by a crown. The Ark is in a noble arched recess, supported by groups of columns; and it is lighted from without through a semi-dome of amber or bright yellow glass, which gives an appearance of sunlight even when the sun is not shining so cheerful as it was during yesterday's service. About the Ark, which is approached by marble steps, are two tablets of stained glass, bearing, in Hebrew, the Ten Commandments. The pure white of the architecture is delicately relieved in parts by a tint of the lightest blue, which, on the iron scroll work, is in turn modified with slight touches of silver. The contractors who have carried out Mr. Collins's design are Messrs. Hill and Riddle, the ornamental mouldings having been executed by Messrs. Mabey; and the heating and ventilating apparatus is supplied by Messrs. May. The total cost of the building, inclusive of the schools for 150 children, has been £6,000.

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The order of service observed on the 11th was complete in its realization of all the highest rites and ceremonies prescribed by the Jewish religion, the ceremony being led by the Rev. M. B. Levy, assisted by the Rev. S. Levy, and the sermon being preached by the Chief Rabbi, the Rev. Dr. Adler. This venerable personage, wearing the robes of his sacred office, stood beneath a canopy, while, in the Hebrew language, he demanded entrance to the synagogue, saying, Open unto me the gates of righteousness: I will enter them and praise the Lord." The doors being then thrown open, a procession led by the Chief Rabbi passed through, and walked seven times round the synagogue, while the appointed Psalms were sung by a choir principally consisting of the fresh young voices of youth, well trained to this duty. The musical arrangements, which were under the direction of Mr. J. L. Mombach, were indeed admirable. The scrolls of the Law were carried by officers in the procession, the Chief Rabbi being immediately followed by the Rev. Signor Artom, Ecclesiastical Chief of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews in London, and cousin of the Italian Ambassador in Paris. The wardens, Mr. Moss Benjamin and Mr. Jacob M. Harris, also took part in the procession. When the seventh circuit had been made, the purple curtains were drawn aside, disclosing a pair of wrought mahogany doors, and these being opened, the closets of the Ark were seen, in which were presently placed the sacred scrolls; and then the doors were shut, and the velvet curtain again drawn before them. Afternoon service followed; and a sermon was preached by the Chief Rabbi, who took as his text the blessing of Moses upon the builders of the sanctuary in the wilderness. In concluding his exhortation to the assembly who had looked forward so anxiously to the completion of this synagogue, and who had contributed of their means to the good work, he reminded them that they had other duties yet to perform. Aaron felt sad that, while princes had brought their jewels and precious gifts, and the rich had given out of the abundance of their

wealth, and the artificers had aided with the cunning of their hands, he alone had offered nothing; but Moses said to him, "Thy gift is greater than that of all the other princes; thou art preserving the light of religion among thy people. So it was well that in connection with this synagogue there were new schools, in which little children would be brought up in the faith, and, while they might become acquainted with many languages, and with the position of every country, they would never forget the one sacred language of all, and would never lose sight of that land which they, like Moses, could only behold at a distance.

A prayer for the Queen and Royal family followed the sermon of the Chief Rabbi, and an ode was sung by the choir, the service ending with the 101st Psalm. The long list of offerings announced from the reading-desk, showed a total of about £800.

THE JEWS' HOSPITAL, LOWER NORWOOD.-The anniversary dinner of this admirable institution was given last evening at the London Tavern. Mr. Julian Goldsmid, M.P., occupied the chair, and amongst about sixty other gentlemen present were Sir F. H. Goldsmid, Bart., M.P., Sir Anthony Rothschild, Bart., Messrs. Henry Moses, Barnett Meyers, David, Joseph, and Moses Levy, and Professor S. A. Hart, R.A. This charity, established at Mile-end as an asylum for the aged and an institution for the maintenance and practical education of children and youths of both sexes, was the first Jewish establishment in this country which trained ministers of religion. The original buildings having some time ago become dilapidated and inconvenient, a new hospital was built, in 1862, upon land given by Mr. and Mrs. Barnett Meyers. The institution has been fortunate in the results of its educational work and the preservation of the health of its aged inmates. Last year 12 old men and women, 33 girls, and 89 boys were cared for in the hospital; and during the last ten years the cost of maintenance and education per head per year has averaged about £34 10s.Daily Telegraph.

FRANCE.

The death is announced of M. Oulif, one of the most distinguished Belgian barristers, and founder of the first Jewish school in France.

ITALY.

A second old Jewish churchyard with Greek inscriptions has recently been discovered on the Via Appia. The first was discovered about eight years ago.

BELGIUM.

The King has received privately M. Aristide Astruc, Chief Rabbi of the Belgian Israelites. The King put many questions to him on the condition of his brethren, and assured the Rabbi that he took a great interest in their general welfare.

SWITZERLAND.

The council of St. Gall has rescinded the resolution prohibiting the slaughter of cattle, according to the Jewish rites.

ST. PETERSBURG.

Herr Gurland (a Jew) has been appointed professor in the philosophical faculty of the University of St. Petersburg. He teaches the

Semitic languages. Before the accession of the reigning Emperor to the throne, no Jew was permitted to reside in the capital of Russia. — Jewish Chronicle.

HUNGARY.

The Minister of Public Worship has announced that he will also appoint an Israelite in his department. The Emperor received a deputation from the Jewish community at Pesth, and spoke very kindly to its members.

KONIGSBERG.

Jewish as well as Catholic professors have hitherto been excluded from the University of Königsberg by the statutes of the establishment. The professors of this University lately met, and by a majority of 22 to 8, resolved to rescind this restriction. It is to be hoped that the Ministry will ratify this resolution.

SWEDEN.

The clergy have hitherto violently opposed every attempt made to grant the Jews civil equality. It was hoped that the Chamber (since it is somewhat altered, and the members are chosen by the people) would adopt the modification of Article 28 of the Constitution. The Second Chamber adopted the proposed amendment all but unanimously, but the First Chamber rejected it with 58 votes, against 43 votes in favour of it. The proposed amendment, if adopted, would in reality be a very small concession to the principles of religious liberty now universally recognized in civilized countries. It is worded as follows:-"Jews are not eligible to ecclesiastical offices or professorships. To all other offices they may be elected."

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTH GERMAN PARLIAMENT.

The project of this Constitution, as laid before the Members, makes no distinction between citizen and citizen, and, in fact, does not allude at all to religion. It nevertheless does not remove Jewish disabilities in those parts of the Confederation in which they still exist. Thus, if a Jew should remove from Mecklenburg to Prussia, he would at once enjoy all the rights of a Prussian, but should a Prussian Jew go to Mecklenburg, he would have to submit to all the restrictions to which the laws of this country still subject the Jews.

PALESTINE.

Our readers are aware of the many proposals for sending colonists to this country. The "Archives Israelites" reports that recently fifty families emigrated from the United States with the intention to settle in the Holy Land. This plan was not, however, in accordance with the views of the Turkish Government; and, whether owing to the displeasure of the Government or any other cause, so much is certain that the emigration of these families proved to be a great failure. Many of them, it is stated, are brought very low, and suffering great distress.

[We do not consider this, however, an argument against the colonization itself, as seems to be the opinion of the reporter. No one surely ever thought that the colonization of Palestine was an easy matter, and it is moreover an old and ever

anew experienced truth, that "all beginnings are difficult."]

JERUSALEM.-The population of Jerusalem is as follows:-7,100 Israelites, 5,000 Mohammedans, and 3,400 Christians. At the destruction of Jerusalem, it is calculated there were about two millions of people in or in the neighbourhood of the city. The present number is certainly exceedingly small when the above-mentioned fact is taken into account. But it is undoubtedly a fact worthy of notice, and to us believers in the hope of Israel and the Holy Land, very suggestive that even in the present fearful state of Jerusalem, under circumstances so peculiarly painful and trying to the Jews, they should yet exceed in numbers both the Mohammedans and the Christians.

COMMOTION AMONG THE JEWS OF SMYRNA.

Long since the Jewish community of Smyrna were very much divided amongst themselves. In order to settle the dispute a deputation was sent to the Chief Rabbi at Constantinople. The Chief Rabbi sent one of his colleagues to Smyrna to obtain an impartial account of the one question in point. His colleague endeavoured in vain to bring about a reconciliation, and left for Constantinople to report the state of affairs to the Chief Rabbi. The Chief Rabbi thereupon resolved to request the Turkish Government to depose the Chief Rabbi of Smyrna from his office. But as soon as the rumour of this proposal got afloat, the Jewish population of Smyrna, stirred up by some fanatics, came together, provided themselves with hammers and stones, and began to pelt the windows of the principal houses and to commit several acts of violence. Energetic measures were taken at once to quell the disturbance, and the town was happily restored within a few hours to its usual state of rest.

THE SASSOON INSTITUTE.

Mr. David Sassoon, of Bombay, offered before his death a sum of £6,000 to the Indian Government towards the erection of a Mechanics' Institute. The offer was accepted, and at a meeting after his death, it was resolved to erect a statue to him by means of funds to be collected by a general subscription, and to add any surplus thereof to the building fund. The stone of the Institute was laid on February 10, by the Governor Sir Bartle Frère. 34,600 rupees were subscribed for the memorial fund, of which £1,200 have been placed at the disposal of the London Sub-Committee, to meet the charges for the statue. Its execution is entrusted to the known sculptor, Thomas Woolner.

JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS.

Good Friday falls this year on the 14th Nisan, the day when the paschal lamb was slain. Easter day on the 16th Nisan, the day when the firstfruits were reaped and presented to God. WhitSunday on the 6th Sivan, the day of Pentecost, (second fruits festival, at the conclusion of the wheat harvest).

MISSION TO THE FALASHAHS.

We copy the following from the "Jewish Chronicle:"-At its last meeting the Central Committee of the Israelitish Alliance decided to

send a Mission to Abyssinia in order to find out the traces of that strange and interesting population called the "Falashahs," which so many powerful reasons justify in considering to be of Jewish origin, and even Jewish to this day, regard being had to most of its practices. A host of curious problems might find their solution by a closer acquaintance with this population. Everything as yet known about them is due to accounts of travellers, little versed in the language of the Falashahs, and to information derived at second hand. A young scholar, M. Hallivi, to whom the Alliance has confided this Mission, is about to set out on this interesting and, in many respects, very dangerous enterprise.

SURVEY OF MISSIONS.

INTERESTING ACCOUNTS have recently been received from the Jewish Mission Schools at Constantinople. Miss Whittet writes that for some little time an appearance of solemnity and marked attention had been observed among some of the children attending the Italian School. Even on the Jewish girls the influence is hopeful. One of them, when it was said to her, "Why pray for you when you will not come to Jesus?" answered, "It is easy for you. I too would like to come to Jesus, in my heart, but not to be baptized, nor observe your Sabbaths, nor give up our feasts." Mr. Tomory writes about the German School as follows:-"The work there has been peculiarly interesting. These children seem to have felt the power and the reality of the truth in their hearts, and their touching answers made it obvious enough the Spirit of God was among them."

ENGLAND.

LONDON.-On the evening of Good Friday Dr. Schwartz baptized one of the inmates of the Home. He entered the Home as an inquirer after the truth, and the Spirit of God has led him to see in Jesus the Messiah of his nation. It so happened this year that the evening of Good Friday was alike sacred both to Jews and Christians, since it was for the former the beginning of the Pass

over.

The announcement of the first general meeting of the Hebrew Christian Alliance, will be found in another part of our periodical.

FRANCE.

A Missionary from Paris states that on the feast of Passim he had a splendid opportunity to come into contact with the Jews. Baron L. Rothschild gave a plentiful repast to his poor brethren in Paris; and as great numbers of Jews were thus brought together, he was enabled to speak to many of that bread of life that feeds the soul so that it shall hunger no more. "The opening of the Great Exhibition draws many hither, and I hope it may bring to Paris a large number of Jews from all parts of Europe, and that much good may be done among them. I have seen Mr. Alexander, who is engaged with the private Society for the distribution of portions of Scripture in the Exhibition. (We may mention that Mr. Alexander is engaged in the Bible stand, Crystal Palace, and is now gone to Paris to fulfil the like office at the International

Exhibition. His place in the Crystal Palace is occupied by another Hebrew Christian.) He told me that Mr. Lowitz is likewise expected here in connection with the same work." (Mr. Lowitz is, as our readers are aware, Missionary to the Jews in Algeria.)

GERMANY.

Dr. Cassel makes the following remarks in regard to the doubts sometimes expressed whether missionary labours are of any use :-" The moment I begin to call in question the use of the work, I lose the power that comes direct from God. The work of faith cannot be pushed on by steam. Faith finds its strength in love, and love is longsuffering and patient, bearing all things and hoping all things. The seed sown in human hearts comes up in its own time, just as the Spirit comes when it must come, and not when impatient men desire it. While we work on earth we see through a glass darkly; but when the number of converts is proclaimed before the throne of God, the real result of our preaching will appear.. Hence, when I recall the fact that God has enabled me, during the last few months, to set forth the Gospel in fifty lectures, sometimes of a popular and sometimes of a philosophical kind, in Berlin, Potsdam, Juterbogk, Köperik, Wusterhausen, Freienwalde, Rathenow, Furstenwalde, Pasewalk, Domin, Grasswald, Stralsund, Breslau, Seignitz, Posen, and Stettin, I thank God. I thank him for the bodily strength He has given me, as well as for the love He has kindled in my heart, and for the favour that I have found among the Jews. I have borne witness for Thee, O Lord, here and there; but the best remains for Thee to do! I am but a poor sinner."

ITALY.

Dr. Philip, from Leghorn, singles out a few cases deserving special notice. A respectable Jew who came frequently to his house, asked him lately whether the Protestants believed in the Virgin. The Doctor replied that they did not believe in the immaculate coneeption, nor did they adore her, but thought that she had been a very blessed woman. He then said that since Protestants believed that Christ was God, Mary must have been the mother of God? Dr. Philip explained to him Isa. vii. 14, and ix. 6. The prophet predicted that a Virgin should give birth to a Child, whose name should be "God with us." So, that Child of the Virgin was actually to be God, as is also very distinctly stated in the latter passage. long conversation then ensued. The Doctor thus concludes:-" Every day I make my round of visits, and, am happy to say, generally find some ready and willing to converse; and though there is very little apparent progress, yet I am thankful for every open door, where I may have an opportunity to make known the unsearchable riches of Christ. I intended to visit this month several small places not far distant, where in each place

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May 1, 1867.

there are a few Jewish families, and perhaps the most of them have never heard the truth; but the weather of late has been wet and unfavourable, so that I was obliged to delay these visits, but as it now seems to clear up, I hope to go in a few days."

GREECE.

CORFU. Rev. H. C. Reichardt, Missionary of the London Society, writes about a most severe earthquake, that caused great destruction of life and property, specially in other Ionian islands. Many have no place where to lay their head, and no means to provide themselves with clothing or articles of food. The native population regard the Jews with aversion, and help is very greatly needed. Mr. Reichardt mentions the case of a young inquirer, who is anxious to be baptized, and is receiving regular instruction.

THE PRINCIPALITIES.

BUCHAREST. Rev. G. Kleinhenn mentions several interesting cases that have come under his notice. He is actively engaged in visiting the With the proselytes and unbelieving Jews. latter he has many interesting conversations; and as God is a faithful God, and has promised that His Word shall not return unto Him void, but accomplish that which He pleases, it would be sinful to say that the Word has no effect upon them, though we do not see the results before us. Mr. Kleinhenn mentions the case of a proselyte, who, though sorely tried, and yielding for a season to temptation, was yet found faithful at the last.

BELGRADE. Mr. Palotta writes that the Missionary prospects of the new year do not afford him unmingled satisfaction. The German Jews seem willing to listen to the Word, and to receive it with gladness, but the cares of the world very soon choke the Word. As for the Spanish Jews, they are split up into two parties, and too agitated by human controversies to listen to the voice of God.

JERUSALEM.

Rev. W. Bailey states that the work of the Lord has been steadily going on, notwithstanding many shortcomings. The schools have continued to increase, and now number ninety-one pupils. There is good reason to hope that there will soon be a hundred, as many more Jewish children would come to Mrs. Bailey's classes if she could receive them. Mr. Bailey believes that many of the children love the Word of God, and that some few know the privilege of prayer.

WESTERN AFRICA.

ALGIERS.-Rev. T. Ginsburg writes that, on January 2nd, there was an earthquake which so injured the building used as a girls' school that the authorities have declared it unsafe. The devastation was very great and general.

How does the work begin which has caused such a great stir? "The Christian Church sprang from a movement which was not begun by Christ." How begins the gospel to which the first place has been accorded in the Scriptures of the New Testament ? "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the on of David, the son of Abraham." These two different beginnings are characteristic. Matthew, the Christian, the apostle, the servant of the King of Israel, at once introduces you to the family, the nation, Jesus the Messiah sprang from; the anonymous writer of " Ecce Homo" loses sight of Israel's Scriptures and Israel's destiny, and begins to philosophize, to give us his ideas in the place of God's revelation. No sooner is Jesus separated from the Old Testament than you get a spirit instead of the living Saviour, and have made it impossible to understand Christ's person and work, and every page of that now famous book proves this assertion.

We are presented with a chapter on "The Baptist," and the very first sentence is: "It was the glory of John the Baptist to have successfully revived the functions of the prophet." This surely does not look like a deep insight into the nature of prophecy, but we are not left to suggestion; the writer favours us with the following description of prophecy: "We possess still the utterances of many of these prophets, and when we consider the age in which they were delivered, we can clearly perceive that no more precious treasures were ever bestowed upon a nation than those oracles which were committed to the Jews." The writer does not acknowledge the prophets to be inspired by God; he admits that they were splendid poets, had a good knowledge of political science, and were acquainted with what is most practical in philosophy and most inspiring in religion. But then why does he speak of their writings as being "oracles of God"? It is

wrong to use Scripture-expressions when one rejects Scripture ideas; let us not mislead the people by adopting a phraseology to which a certain meaning is generally attached. If the

VOL. II.-NO. XVIII.

writer really believes the utterances of the prophets to be "oracles of God," why does he detract from their value by adding, "when we consider the age in which they were delivered?" The Ten Commandments were delivered at an early date of the world's history; does the writer of "Ecce Homo" know a nobler code of laws than the words spoken by God on Sinai? We can easily understand the perfection of the law because we know that it proceeded from Him who is the fountain of all wisdom, holiness, and righteousness, but how can he or all that are like-minded with him explain the fact, that thousands of years back laws were given to a small people by a man who had spent 40 years of his life in the wilderness, which still regulate the conduct of the most civilised nations?

How little the teaching of the Old Testament is known or understood by the writer of "Ecce Homo " may be inferred from the bold assertion that "the Jews were accustomed to hear the voice of God in the irresistible voice of the people." All the history of Israel, all the declarations of Holy Writ are directed against following the multitude, and we challenge the writer to produce one passage which teaches that heathenish, altogether un-Jewish, and unscriptural maxim, Vox populi, vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God).

The writer now introduces us to the task of John the Baptist. And what was it? "John the Baptist," we are told, was like the Emperor Nerva; in his career it was given him to do two things, to inaugurate a new régime, and also to "nominate a successor, who was far greater than himself." A man that speaks in that style must be deprived of all reverence for the Word of God, and cannot enter into the spirit of him who wished to be nothing but " a voice," and "prepare the way" for Him who is "the Bridegroom," ready to decrease if Christ but increase. It is almost a blasphemy to speak of the Baptist as "nominating a successor like unto a Roman emperor," and to see in the work of Jesus nothing but a development, completion, and permanency of John's

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