Our voice can add but little to the circulation of this delightful volume. It has already commanded a sale almost unprecedented in the annals of religious biography. We have been induced to notice it because the name of M'Cheyne is warmly linked to the cause to the advocacy of which this journal is devoted. Mr. M. accompanied the deputation sent by the church of Scotland, on a tour of inquiry into the state of the Jews, in 1839. The results of his inquiries and the details of his journey have been recorded by him in companionship with his biographer, in a volume entitled "Narrative of a Mission of Inquiry to the Jews." To this book we shall probably have recourse, in the progress of our journal. In the mean time, we give our recommendation to the "Memoirs of Mr. M'Cheyne, with a warmth and heartiness which have been called forth by but few productions of the class to which it belongs. We must add, that the commendable cheapness of this volume is another reason why Christians should avail themselves of the important instruction and hallowed incitement which it is calculated to afford.

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"Good

Lectures on behalf of the Jews. Lecture First. will to Israel." By the Rev. John Macfarlane, LL.D., Minister of Erskine Church, Glasgow. London: Aylott and Jones.

THIS is the first of a series of Lectures respecting the Jews, which are now in the course of delivery by ministers of various denominations in Glasgow.

The occasion which has given rise to these Lectures is the recent formation in that city of a society called "The Glasgow Christian Society, on behalf of the Jews." They are designed to direct attention to its objects, to awaken sympathy on behalf of the ancient people of God, and to encourage the prayers and efforts of the Christian churches for their conversion.

* Mr. M'Cheyne was also present at one of the preliminary meetings of this Society, and opened its proceedings by prayer.

The opening Lecture of Dr. Macfarlane appears to us to be admirably adapted to this end; we have risen from its perusal with a deeper impression than ever of the great, the almost incalculable advantages which will result from the conversion of the Jews, both to the church and to the world, as well as of the duty and reasonableness of making the most active efforts for its accomplishment.

The Lecture is entitled, "Good-will to Israel," and is founded on the 15th of Jeremiah, ver. 5; "For who shall have pity on thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?" The preacher first states with great clearness, the object which the newly-formed society has in view; he dwells, secondly, with much force upon its importance; and concludes with pressing upon Christians the obligations under which they are laid vigorously to prosecute it. The much-disputed question of the Jews' return to their own land he waives, as being of secondary importance, and beset with great difficulties. This appears to us to be a judicious course, especially as this is not a point which has a practical bearing. We have not heard of any one maintaining that this is an object which it is the duty of the church to undertake. It seems, therefore, wise to confine our thoughts to our present duty, and to give all the intenseness we can to our efforts for the restoration of the seed of Abraham to the favour and friendship of God.

The sermon presents a striking and impressive exhibition of the results which would flow from the conversion of the Jews. Without doubt, it will be the most important movement in favour of Christianity since the day of Pentecost. Not only will their conversion be a strong confirmation of the truth, but their zeal in propagating it will be proportionate to their former hostility against it. True penitence will cause them to feel that they can never make reparation enough for their sinful rejection of the Messiah, and the love of Christ in their restoration to his favour will constrain them to make every sacrifice and to undergo every labour for

his name's sake. Nor can we reflect upon the remarkable facilities which their position in every part of the world presents for the prosecution of the work, without perceiving that their conversion will at once lead to the proclamation of the Gospel over the whole earth. These points are ably set forth in the sermon of Dr. Macfarlane; he shows with equal clearness what is the duty of the church with relation to the Jews, replies to the objections which are sometimes raised, and presents the most animating and encouraging considerations for the vigorous prosecution of this work.

We cannot but notice with pleasure the truly Christian spirit which our author everywhere displays toward the children of Israel. He sympathises with them under the oppressions to which they have been so unjustly subjected on account of their religion, he claims on their behalf all the rights which belong to them as men and as citizens, he awakens our pity on account of their sorrows, he deepens our interest in their welfare by details of their past and present condition, and his whole performance is instinct with good-will toward Israel. We thank the author of this sermon for the good service he has rendered, through its publication, to the cause which it so ably advocates.

Correspondence, Extracts, &c.

THE JEWS.

From Basil Montagu.

THE Englishman's fireside is proverbial for domestic happiness, "the only bliss of Paradise that has survived the fall;" but of all firesides, the Jew's fireside, as far as relates to their affections, is the most abundant in good feeling. I have observed this in all families, from the most opulent to the most indigent. Let Christians, instead of yielding to the spirit of intolerance, seek the fireside of a Jewish family. They will find in many houses two or three generations-the young dutifully waiting upon the old and the infirm, with a love and respect never to be excelled, and seldom to be equalled, by the members of any religion : parent and child, husband and wife, united together in one sweet bond of union. That love which made victory bitter to David while he mourned for Absalom, and which smote Jephtha to the

dust while he wept for his daughter-that love still warms the hearts of their descendants; and the Jew, who is not allowed to have power, or place, or country, has a home which his oppressors may envy, where the Almighty is with him and his children are about him.

Such is the nature of their affection; it is the fruit of their religion, which abounds with love of kindred

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It is not, however, only in domestic life that their kind natures appear: they are distinguished for their public and private charities, for their readiness to relieve misery wherever it exists. "The Christians talk much of charity and kindness," said a bankrupt, "the Jews practise it." "I have experienced more kindness from the few Jews with whom I have dealt, than from all my Christian customers. A friend of mine had the sad misfortune to lose a beloved wife in child-birth: opposite to him lived an opulent Jew. His lady had just recovered from her confinement; she heard of my friend's loss; she immediately sent and requested that she might nurse the baby; she reared it."

It is not, however, to private life that their kindness is limited; it extends to every form of benevolence. With the Jews as well as Christians there are charities for every form of distress: they support their own religious establishment, maintain their own poor, and all foreign poor of their religion. The four chief synagogues of London distribute to the poor, in monthly allowance and in casual relief, £4500. There is an hospital for the support of the aged, and schools for the education and employment of youth. There is an asylum for the support of the aged and sick Spanish and Portuguese Jews; a charity for the support of the indigent blind; a charity for affording temporary relief to sick poor-for relieving the wants of poor unmarried women during their lying in ; they have charities for the support and education of poor children; a free school for the instruction of boys and girls in Hebrew and English, writing, arithmetic, and needlework, on the system of the Lancasterian and national schools; a charity for clothing, educating, and apprenticing orphans; a charity for Spanish and Portuguese orphans; a charity for portioning female orphans; a charity for clothing destitute children who do not fall within the scope of any other charity. Of this holy attention to the sufferings of others, we have lately witnessed a never-to-be-forgotten instance. Upon the barbarous cruelty practised a few years since on the Jews at Damascus becoming known, one of the opulent and kind members of this nation instantly came forward; he offered to go to Damascus, to assist his oppressed brethren; he quitted all the comforts and charities of his home, and went to the east; he succeeded in mitigating their sufferings; the blessings of those who were ready to perish came upon him; and on that spot, the Mount of Olives, rendered sacred to us Christians from its association

with the Founder of our religion, this excellent man was daily seen distributing alms to the distressed, afflicted poor.

If it were consistent with the delicacy of that feeling in which these charitable exertions originate, it would indeed be grateful to mention the name of this true philanthropist; but it is unnecessary, and would be painful to that sweet nature which seeks not for public applause.

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I pass from the acuteness of their intellect and their warm affection to their orderly conduct as members of society. They are regular aud industrious in their habits, cultivating those branches of trade committed to them, and increasing the prosperity of their country by enlarging its commerce.

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I conclude with repeating that they are in intellect acute, in affection ardent, and in conduct orderly, industrious, and tempe

rate.

Intelligence.

BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS.

SINCE the publication of the last OCCASIONAL PAPER, the Committee are happy to state that meetings in aid of the Society have been held at Southampton, Romsey, Guildford, Bristol, Reading, Norwich, Yarmouth, Ipswich, Colchester, Bocking, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and Brentford, at all of which ministers of different denominations kindly assisted, and expressed the warm interest which they felt in the object of the Society. The Rev. Dr. Archer, J. Wilson, R. H. Herschell, and J. A. Miller, have rendered considerable service to the cause by attending respectively one or more of these meetings as a deputation from the London Committee; and it is hoped that the effect produced will not be evanescent, but will be seen in the increased exertions made in behalf of the Jewish people.

In addition to the prayer-meeting held at the office, in the evening of the third Wednesday of each month, quarterly meetings are held at different chapels in the metropolis; and these, as well as others of a more private character, indicate a growing desire that the promised mercy to Israel, may speedily be bestowed.

An Appeal has just been published to Christian pastors and ministers; this has been extensively circulated, and has called forth a great number of interesting letters from different parts of the country, for which the Committee return their best thanks. One of these we take the liberty to insert.

"Gentlemen,-I thank you for the 'Appeal,' which I have duly