From this, however, the spirit of that people at present revolts. They are as far from the doctrine of genuine repentance, as they are from that of the atonement.

The feelings of many devout Christians are, in the present day, wound up to the highest pitch in favor of the Jews. Prophecy is explored-history is carefully collated-conjecture catches at every probability-and even the sagacity of the politicians of this world is challenged to discern the signs of the times, and to sympathize with the earnest expectation of the friends of this people. All sincere Christians must surely rejoice at witnessing this excitement. Without great excitement, nothing great was ever done, or even attempted. But, in proportion to the force of this impulse, is the necessity of its receiving a wise and Scriptural direction. We would not presume to criticise either prophecy or the interpretations of prophecy: but we would ask, what was it that distinguished the character of the apostles and of St. Paul, who were all of them converted Jews? was it not a feeling of one might almost say-inconceivable adoration at the view of this great mystery, GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH? Even when the case of the Jews is the particular subject of their consideration, (as in Rom. ix. x. and xi.) do they not turn every thing to this sole end of the law? Whenever the doctrine of the incarnate Redeemer comes before them, they seem to be filled with a divine fulness, which can find no utterance. Or, rather, the doctrine is not accidentally or occasionally brought to their minds: they know nothing else they determine to know nothing else-save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

If, then, in the various discussions and treatises to which the subject of the conversion of the Jews gives rise, any thing else than this which the apostles held forth in their discourses and writings should usurp the attention of the public mind, it seems to be the duty of Christian ministers, not merely to disavow it, but to protest against it. No private interpretations should be suffered, for a moment, to come into competition with the broad and obvious meaning of that gospel, which testifies to Jew and Gentile repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. No vision of millennial glory must ever interfere to hide from the eye of faith that innumerable company, whose eternal and ever new song is, Worthy is the Tamb that was slain! Every thing, which is not in accordance with this strain, should be viewed with jealousy, as savoring not of the things of God, but of those of man.

In what regards the restoration of the Jews to the land of their fathers, it is manifestly a subject in which Christians, whose wisdom consists in holy fear, will desire to follow Providence, and not lead. If, on the partition or allotment of nations, the possession of a particular region were to depend on the power to purchase it, the Jews have always been sufficiently rich to buy a larger tract of land than Palestine. If their settlement in that country is to grow out of a conviction, on the part of the most influential governments, that such a measure would be politically expedient, the expediency will doubtless be made to appear by many concurring indications, which will be well under

stood, in their season, by Christian politicians. But how much beneath the standard of right feeling in a Christian public, would be such speculations on conquests, commercial contracts, or political expediency. How easily might multitudes of Christians be misled on topics of this nature!That, for which the contributions, the efforts, and the prayers of the religious part of mankind should be especially desired, in reference to the Jews, is no other than their spiritual conversion; here, no limit need be placed to guard the public mind against excess or error, but such as is common generally to all religious subjects.

While the residence of the Jews as a nation seems to be no proper subject for the excitement of public religious feeling, there is, nevertheless, one point in their temporal condition, which claims the strongest regard from Christian benevolence. Humanity, but much more Christianity, requires, on their behalf, that, in whatsoever part of the world they may be scattered, they should be protected from insult, injury, and oppression. Systematic injustice is that which they have experienced in every age; and, at various periods, in every nation, without exception. The judgment of God inflicted upon them, through the medium of natural causes, has rendered them, in the social relations, what they are. Two features of character are most apparent in their history-the madness of the oppressed, and the meanness of the oppressed; but, for these frightful characteristics, the oppressor is at least as responsible as they. It is, however, gratifying to observe, that, in the present age, distinguished by a rising detestation of every kind of slavery, the peculiar case of the Jews appears to be obtaining a proportionate share of public feeling. May these sentiments in their favor continue, and increase a thousand-fold till that time, when it shall please God to display the power of His Spirit, in gathering to gather the lost sheep of the house of Israel into the fold of our Redeemer; making them as miraculous a monument of His free mercy,as they now are of His deserved judgments.

In the mean time, let it be considered how much is gained, when one converted Jewish missionary gives his heart and life to the service of his Master, Christ. There are some circumstances in such a character, which, when fully developed, may be regarded as peculiarly conducive to his usefulness in foreign missions. The first is, that his conversion seems likely to be attended with an extraordinary degree of contrition, zeal, and affection: he, that hath had much forgiven, will love much. Another consideration is, that he has, from his very birth and by long habit, been accustomed to regard himself as without a local, national habitation of his own: he feels, consequently, that, although England, or France, or Germany, or any other country, may give him the title, and in many cases the reality, of protection; yet he cannot look to Judea and say, "There is my king; there is my government; and there is my home:" thus one of the strongest ties to earth exists not in his casein reference to all the social relations of this world, his national character, is already that of a stranger, and a wanderer, and an expectant. Such a person, under the powerful influence of divine grace, seems to be, in his outward training, better

furnished for apostolic labors, than the native of any civilized and established country. Should he manifest an early disposition to visit distant lands he is not so much entangled by the tender apprehensions of the domestic circle: all his kindred are familiar with foreign life; most of them have already suffered many vicissitudes; and their unquiet thoughts, if not their pilgrim feet, have roved far and wide on the surface of the globe. Should he, in countries where the government is oppressive, meet with obstacles, indignities, or injuries, his national history, and probably his specific education, has taught him how to suffer, to evade, to surmount, or even turn to his advantage, circumstances which would throw a domesticated Englishman into despair. He enters the wide field of the world, intending to visit people of many kindreds and tribes and tongues, with the certain prospect of encountering the most untoward circumstances; but then he enters with a TACT of mind, which to the Jew alone is national; his, in all its indescribable detail, is, in truth, the motto, Vincit qui patitur. Imagine the case, then, of a converted Jew devoted to the work of missions, and passing from land to land, and from continent to continent, on that embassage: suppose, further, the love of Christ to be deeply impressed on his heart, and his temper to remain unsettled and unattached to any spot; and we have an image before our minds of a character, perhaps more nearly apostolical, and better adapted for the founding of new churches, than could in any other situation be conceived. If there be another Paul,

or Peter, or Barnabas to arise; from what country might we expect such a character, if not from that people who possess on earth no country? Waiving, however, what may to some appear too much like a matter of speculation; and acknowledging, that, after all, the Great Head of the church acts herein as a Sovereign, bestowing his gifts very differently from our calculations; there is yet, in this view of Jewish character, something which conveys a most instructive lesson to every Christian missionary. He, more especially, who would undertake the office of an evangelist to the Jews, must be fully prepared to suffer the con tempt of many; who will despise him, because they despise the objects of his mission. More than this: he may, in some countries, expect to share their oppressions; and, instead of having any hope of civil protection at hand, he must before God betake himself to prayer; and, like a poor man, use toward the oppressor, many entreaties and much Christian persuasion. Let a missionary to the Jews settle in Jerusalem; let him take, as a model for his manner of life, that touching description of the Redeemer-"In all their affliction, he was afflicted:" let him to the Jews become as a Jew-they will then love him, for his sympathy; understand him, for his resemblance to them: and for his self-devotedness, put faith in him and in his words. To missionaries of this stamp, in fact, and to such alone, can it ever be expected that God will grant the honor of extensive success; whether it be among Jews or Gentiles, that they are sent to labor.