a priest of the Greek church, who was in | Many of them appear to be spirituallythe suite of a Russian ambassador at one minded men, and therefore they are hatof the German courts. He, carefully dis-ed by the other Jews, among whom there tinguishing betwixt ceremonies devised is a trite saying, expressive of their hatred by man, and truths revealed by God, and contempt, to this effect,-"If a Chris directed his attention to the doctrines tian be drowning, take a Karite and make generally received as evangelical, and his body a bridge by which to save him." convinced him of the truth of Christia- But I have never heard of their rendering nity. Not having met with evangelical railing for railing. The designation geChristians amongst protestants, he came nerally given by them to the other Jews, to St Petersburgh in the hope of there when speaking of their theological differhearing more perfectly the principles of ences, is, "Our brethren of the Talmud." the religion he had embraced. They have amongst them copies of the New Testament, which they consider a record of the life and doctrines of a godly Jew and his disciples, and they manifest no objection dispassionately to discuss the question of his Messiahship.

I endeavoured to ascertain the prevalent opinions of the Jews in regard to the nature and character of the Messiah, and found that of the Talmudists, almost all expect him to be only a man; among the Cabbalists, many expect that he will be divine; but by many of the Jews it is expected that there will be two Messiahs, -one who has probably appeared already, in whom was to be, and has been, fulfilled the predictions contained in the 53d chapter of Isaiah; and another who is to reign for ever. The former, as might have been expected, lived unknown; but there is more than one individual known to Jewish history whose life is supposed to fulfil what was foretold. None, however, excepting christian Jews, appear to consider that Jesus of Nazareth was he. This is not wonderful, as few have access to the New Testament; and there is amongst them a distorted history of his life, which is calculated to hold him up to the ridicule, contempt, and execration of the nation. With regard to that Messiah, I found it believed that his death would be as a sacrifice for the sins of his people, and not merely an effect brought about, directly or indirectly, by the wickedness of the nation.

From observation, and from intercourse with christian Jews who have laboured amongst their brethren, I am persuaded that the conversion of the Jews has been greatly hindered by the following circumstances:

1. Both Jews and Gentiles have fostered the notion, that a Jew must necessarily forego his nationality on embracing christianity. It may be true that they who are like Abraham are the children of Abraham; but he who is a lineal descendant of that patriarch never can cease to be such by abandoning "vain conversations received by tradition from the fathers." The apostle of the Gentiles, in common with the other apostles, and, I may add, in common with their Master, was a christian Jew.

2. Jews have seldom an opportunity of witnessing the effects of christianity in converting the soul. They, consequently, form their opinion of christianity from the conduct of men who are only nominally christian. If they have never seen Since the period to which the preced- the beauty of holiness manifested by ing pages refer, a number of Jews in Ger- Christians, and if all that they do see and many have given up the Talmudical in- hear tends to confirm their belief that terpretation of the Scriptures, as have Christians are utterly devoid of true reliseveral of their brethren in England, and gion, their prejudices against christianity re-organised themselves as a separate must become very strong. We, accordreligious community; but of their theo-ingly, find them frequently employing the logical views I know nothing. There is, however, a very interesting body of Jews living in the Krimea, known by the name of the Karites or Caraites, and sometimes called Tartar Jews, in consequence of their speaking the Tartar language. These men long ago rejected the Talmud, and for several generations have continued to regulate their sentiments and conduct by the Scriptures of the Old Testament alone. I often heard of them while in Russia, and universally received a favourable report of their conduct and behaviour.

term christian as synonymous with blackguard. They need, therefore," living epistles" to teach them "without the word," that the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."

3. Their usual criterion of learning is acquaintance with the Talmud. In this Christians are deficient, and they are consequently despised. As in the days of our Lord so now, they make the commandment of God of none effect by their tradition. To the Jews it was com

manded,- -"When ye reap the harvest | thirtieth year. If it be accomplished at of your land, ye shall not wholly reap an earlier age, the hair of the student, the corners of thy field; thou shalt leave prematurely gray, generally testifies to them for the poor of thy people." Upon his mental effort. this command, there are raised such questions as these:-How much must be left, if the field be four square? How much, if it be triangular? How much, and in what form, if it be semicircular? How much, in what form, and where, if it be circular?

sionary honours, he knows where his | through which much important intelli services are most required; or, if en- gence has been obtained and communigaged as a director of such exertions, he cated to the christian public. knows more of the nature of the different fields open to the missionary effort than the generality of ministers in other countries. The result of my intercourse with students of different denominations in America, was a conviction, that there a much greater proportion of the candidates for missionary labours make a tender of their services, in consequence of a calm and cool examination of the subject than elsewhere; and that principle, rather than missionary zeal, falsely so called, points them to the lands of darkness in answer to the prayer, "What wouldst thou have me do?"

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"The propriety of forming a society of inquiry in the seminary at Princetown," says Dr Alexander, in a brief sketch of the history and object of the society, published in 1835, seems to have been first suggested by one of the students, in January 1814, and a committee was appointed to prepare a constitution. The society was organized on Tuesday evening, March 1, 1814.

"It may not be improper for me to observe, that, in my opinion, no part of the exercises in the Theological Seminary has been attended with more manifest good effect than those which appertain to the proceedings of this society; and there can be little doubt, that some of those who are now labouring successfully among the heathen, received their first missionary impulse from the ideas suggested, the intelligence received, and the solemn scenes which they here witnessed; and when the thoughts of those who have been removed for years from the place of their theological education revisit these sacred walls, there is probably nothing that is remembered with deeper interest than the transactions of the first day of the month."

The business of inquiry on missionary and other benevolent operations is conducted by nine committees of inquiry; and the particular subjects to which the inquiries of each committee extend, are assigned as follows:

"The exercises of the society for 1. To a committee on foreign missions, several years were principally the com-the general subject of foreign missions, munication of religious intelligence by members generally, a report on the history and condition of some mission, or of the religious condition, &c. of a portion of christian and heathen lands; and a discussion of some subject connected with the objects of the society.

"Various improvements in the mode of prosecuting inquiry were introduced at different periods. In December 1823, the society resolved to open a correspondence with each presbytery in the United States, requesting a statement of the vacant congregations, wants of the churches, with the state of religion. Replies were received from most, if not all, these bodies, and the information embodied in a general report. Various changes in the organization of the society were also made, and the constitution has been several times revised.

"The object of the society, as its name imports, is to collect missionary intelligence from all quarters, and to promote a spirit of missions among its members. In pursuance of this object, a correspondence has been opened with foreign missionaries in all parts of the world, and an intercourse by letters is kept up with other similar societies in this country and Europe. This correspondence has been increasing in interest every year, and has been the vehicle

including the advance of the spirit of missions in christian countries, operations in other lands, and the present attitude of the world towards the gospel. The correspondence of the society with foreign missionaries is conducted by this committee.-2. To a committee on domestic missions, the enterprise of supplying the destitute of America with the gospel; and the efforts made in other countries in behalf of home missions.-3. To a committee on Sabbath schools, bible classes, and maternal associations, the present state of these associations, efforts to extend their influence, such improvements in the plan of the respective systems as they may deem worthy of attention, and the blessings which appear to accompany their operations.-4. To a committee on revivals of religion, accounts of existing or recent revivals, the means blessed in their promotion, with interesting cases of conversion, and the general results.-5. To a committee on bible, tract, and education societies, the operations of these institutions, and the general state of theological education in that and other countries, with such facts relating to the general progress of education as may be important.-6. To a committee on sailors and soldiers, all efforts to improve the social and religious condition of seamen, boatmen, and sol

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.-DOMESTIC.

UNITED SECESSION CHURCH. STATEMENT BY THE UNITED ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERY OF STIRLING AND FAL

Prepared and printed for the use of the In 1839, after various meetings, it was

agreed to invite all the elders in the bounds to a conference on the matter, MANY of the readers of this paper are which accordingly took place on the 22d aware that the presbytery have, from of October, and resulted, among other time to time, employed special means things, in the publication of a digest of for reviving and advancing among them-measures which had been suggested in

the conversation for accomplishing the should, in usual eircumstances, be found object in view. At the next similar in their places in the house of God, meeting, held January 5, 1841, reports (Deut. xxxi. 12; Acts x. 33; Heb. x. of the diligence and success of members, 25); and that "the Lord, the great in following out these measures, were God," should be "worshipped in spirit received, when the presbytery were sa- and in truth"--praised "with the spirit tisfied that their efforts had not been and with the understanding also"-supin vain, and that for the attainment of plicated "with true hearts"-and heard greater results, it was necessary that speaking by his servants, with solemu there should only be perseverance and attention, deep reverence, unfeigned the Divine blessing." From the reports faith, and fervent love. The Word of given in on the 14th of February, 1843, God also requires us to walk in all his "it appeared that the state of religion in ordinances and statutes blameless. How the congregations was, on the whole, en- painful to think that there are persons couraging, and the presbytery agreed to come to man's estate, and even descendrecommend to the ministers and elders ing into the vale of years, who have never to persevere and abound in the use of evinced a practical regard to the Saviour's all scriptural means for promoting the dying command; and that few young interests of vital godliness." As it was men, as compared with the other sex, resolved to connect the subject, in time do honour to the Redeemer by entering to come, with that of missions, it was into full communion with his Church! accordingly taken up on the 17th of June It is to be feared, indeed, that but for last-the day fixed for the missionary the desire of obtaining for their children meeting of the presbytery. On that oc- a place and a name in christian society, casion a committee were appointed to there are not a few who might never obprepare and publish a statement, em- serve even the form of showing forth the bracing the more important topics re- death of Christ-an evil not remedied ferred to in the conversation then held. by the unwarranted practice, occasionThese will, therefore, form the subject of ally resorted to, of administering baptism the few following remarks:to children whose parents decline the It was gratifying to learn that public other seal of the covenant. In primitive ordinances continued to be in general times there was a glad reception of the well attended that Sabbath-classes, in word, which was speedily followed by a respect of numbers at least, were still complete accession to the fellowship of flourishing that the plan of half-yearly the apostles and of the church; and the visits by elders in their districts had been churches not merely had, like us, “rest,” adopted to some extent, and to the satis- but "were edified, and walking in the faction of the families-that cases of gross fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of immorality were rare-that peace pre- the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." Let vailed in the congregations-and that our young men consider that neutrality the formation of missionary societies will not serve them long, and that they among the young, the extensive circula- must either come out from the world, or tion of the Juvenile Missionary Maga- have their sad portion with it on the day zine, and the increase of contributions as when, as they did not confess Christ becompared with former years, evinced a fore men, he will not confess them before deeper and more general interest in the his Father and the holy angels. great duty of propagating the gospel of connexion with this subject, it may be Christ. These and other tokens of di- mentioned, that the opportunities for invine favour call for thanksgiving to God, struction and devotion afforded bycatechisand should animate us to increased ala-ing, and by the monthly meeting for prayer, crity and diligence in his service.

But, while mercies have to be acknowledged, there are evils which ought to be deplored and remedied, and which, connected with the imperfection of our good things, and with our proneness to departure from God, render it necessary that we be frequently reproved, exhorted, and stirred up by way of remembrance.

It is well that public ordinances are in any measure observed. The Word of God requires that persons of all classes

In

are not embraced as they ought—a matter deeply to be regretted, as the former is so eminently promotive of enlightened piety, and the latter is so intimately connected with the advancement of the kingdom and glory of Christ in the heart of the individual and in the world. Alas! that any meeting should be preferred to intercourse with God; that any object should be regarded as more important and interesting than that of receiving and diffusing the knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation; and that the