he calls me his phylactery, i. e., his talismanic preserver. He is constantly blessing our venerable and affectionate father for bestowing me upon him.' 'You have indeed cause to be happy and glad in so devoted a husband,' answered the goodly arrayed one. 'Oh that my husband cherished me as much,

As it is,

'I'd bid farewell to every fear,
And dry my weeping eyes.'

'My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.""

"I see brother," said the rich possessor of the Pentateuch, "the moral of your tale. The idea is beautiful, and I confess, though it goes hard against me, there is a great deal of truth in your instructive parable. My endeavour shall be to cherish the law, this my bride-polygamy of this kind is not included in Rabbi Gershon's anathema -as much as my poor brethren in Poland do."

The above is a free translation of a dialogue which took place in the presence of the author, and as the parties are in the land of the living, it would be unjust to give publicity to their

names.

VOL. II,

L

CHAPTER XV.

The London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews-Dr. Gaussen's account-Originally organized by Dissenters -Eventually joined with the members of the Established Church Erection of a Jewish Episcopal Chapel-The Address delivered by the Father of our Most Gracious Queen Victoria, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Episcopal Jews' Chapel--The Opening of that Chapel--The enormous Debt in which the Society became involved—The Dissenters consent to withdraw from it altogether-Mr. Lewis Way, an Episcopalian, liquidated the whole Debt, amounting to Eighteen Thousand Pounds-The Success of the Society ever since-An interesting Coincidence—The Queen, daughter of the Duke of Kent, signed the first Mandate to the Appointment of a Jewish Bishop of Jerusalem-The Church of Scotland imitated the Church of England-The Dissenters likewise-Anglo-Hebrew Christians A Letter from a Jewish Convert to Prince Albert. ALLUSION has been made in a former chapter, to an important association, bearing the name of

"The London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews." Some readers may require something more than a mere passing allusion to it. This chapter therefore shall form an epitome of its origin and history. Dr. Gaussen, in a pamphlet entitled "Geneva and Jerusalem," thus introduces the above society. "It was in

1808, when Junot entered into Lisbon, Miolis into Rome, Murat into Madrid, and when nothing was talked of but Napoleon, that Lewis Way, a rich Englishman, whom many of us have had the happiness of knowing since in Geneva, was riding in Devonshire with one of his friends, and passing before a country house, he admired the beauty of the trees that surrounded it. 'Do you know the extraordinary history belonging to them?' said his companion. 'A lady to whom this country-seat belonged, has positively forbidden in her will that they should be touched until the Jews shall have become once more possessors of Jerusalem.' This incident founded the London Jewish Society, and so became the cause of all the great undertakings which it has achieved. Lewis Way, struck by this example of faith, examined the scriptures more attentively, to see whether there was any authority contained

in them for expecting the speedy restoration of the Jews, and this inquiry left in his mind a deep feeling of respect and interest for them. From that time he employed the resources of his large fortune, and his great powers of mind in their cause, and he had the happiness of awakening, in many other eminent men, the same active charity, and the same desire to help them as inspired himself."

Had Dr. Gaussen said that the interesting "incident" became the secondary cause of the stability of "The London Jewish Society," he would have spoken more correctly. The following origin is the real one. On the fourth day of August, 1808, a small number of individuals, in connexion with Mr. J. S. C. F. Freyalready named formed themselves into a society under the title of the "London Society for the purpose of Visiting and Relieving the Sick and Distressed, and Instructing the Ignorant, especially such as are of the Jewish nation."

This little association was under the auspices of Dissenters, but it did not continue long in that condition. On the 1st of March, 1809, several respectable gentlemen of different denominations formed themselves into a committee,

and resolved, "That the Society formed on the 4th of August, 1808, for the purposes of "visiting and relieving the sick and distressed, and instructing the ignorant, especially such as are of the Jewish nation," shall henceforth be called "The London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews." The heterogeneous materials which constituted the Society did not prove beneficial to its temporal prosperity. The clergymen of the Church of England objected to contribute towards the payment of a dissenting minister, which Mr. Frey was, and the dissenters refused to support a society in which the clergy took so active a part, suspecting that attempts were being made to effect a wholesale transfer of the society into the bosom of the Church of England. Thus the society became gradually involved in debt. Their expenses were considerable, for besides paying high rent for chapel hire, and salaries to a few officials, the society had also organized schools for receiving children wholly from their parents, and bestowing upon them education, board, and clothing. To conciliate the conscientious scruples of the Episcopalians, the number of which body had increased amazingly, it was resolved that an Episcopal chapel