Christians as idolaters. This also prevented their attending churches, and informing themselves of the doctrines of the Gospel. The rising generation among the Polish Jews differ already in many respects from that race of strict adherents to Rabbinism which we have been accustomed to look for in these countries. They are no longer so Jewish-minded as formerly; it requires great compulsion on the part of the parents to make the children study the Talmud, which they detest from the heart. And how can it be otherwise, when they hear older persons than themselves laugh at and ridicule it, or else bitterly complain of having wasted their best years in such a useless study, and of not having been allowed by their parents to learn either some language, trade, or handicraft, which would have been more useful to them.

"The labours of the Society for so many years have produced a most happy change in the tone and feeling of the Jews towards Christianity. Those who still reject it, understand better its doctrines and its precepts; and are especially much more kind towards their brethren, whose conscientious convictions have led them to confess Christ. The missionary journeys recently undertaken have been very successful. Crowds of Jews assembled in the missionary's lodgings to hear and dispute; and thousands of books and tracts were circulated. In Warsaw itself, the missionaries are never without visits from Jews, and several are always under instruction. There are many converts in Warsaw and other parts of the country, who walk worthy of their profession, and now fill responsible stations in society.

"Two hundred and forty-three Israelites were

baptized through the instrumentality of the London Society's missionaries in Poland, up to the end of 1846.

"The printing and bookbinding Institution at Warsaw, in connexion with the Mission, is an important auxiliary to the missionary work; as it affords a place of refuge to many Jews, who are exposed to the greatest trials and difficulties when they embrace Christianity. Proselytes and inquirers are there under the constant inspection of the superintendent missionary, and are gradually instructed in the Christian faith, both by example and precept, and are taught the art of printing and bookbinding under an efficient master. English clergyman, who recently visited Warsaw says: 'It was a great treat to witness, in the neat little chapel of the Institution, a company of inquirers and believing Israelites assembling together for daily worship, to hear their morning and evening song of praise, in concert with the swelling notes of a well-toned organ, and to witness the order, tact, and discipline with which the whole Institution is carried on.'

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Almost always, when a Jew is admitted into the Institution as an inmate, his relatives, friends, and other Jews, will come for the purpose of drawing him away by entreaties, persuasions, promises, or threatenings. If the person admitted is from the country, his friends will come for that purpose a distance of 100, 150, or 200 English miles, bringing other Jews, inhabitants of Warsaw, with them; or if they cannot come so far themselves, they have plenty of friends in the town, who are willing and eager to go on such a laudable expedition. The persons that come on such occasions, are always such as think

themselves to be very firm and unmoveable in Judaism, having usually some learned men at their head, who are to fight their battles. Instances are not wanting, where such as came at first for the purpose of preventing their brethren from embracing Christianity, became afterwards friendly disposed and inclined to the truth.

"The Society at present occupies four stations in the kingdom of Poland. The Revs. F. W. Becker, J. C. H. West, and A. J. Behrens ; Messrs. Zuckertort, Lenthe, and Naake, are at Warsaw, Lublin is occupied by Messrs. F. Rosenfeldt and F. G. Kleinhenn. Messrs. J. G. Lange and T. W. Goldinger are stationed at Suwalki; and Messrs. S. Deutsch and J. J. Waschitscheck at Zgierz."

Since the above account was published, (Dec., 1847,) many others of the house of Israel have been added to the Church of Christ. Besides those baptized by our missionaries, large numbers have been brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, who have elsewhere, where less exposed to persecution, openly confessed their faith in Him. We

hope to present in future numbers many interesting details from this important and fruitful scene of labour, shewing that a preached Gospel has neither changed its character nor lost its power. Rom. i. 16.

THE RABBINICAL JEWESS.

IN Dr. M'Caul's "Sketches of Judaism and the Jews," there is a chapter entitled "The social and religious condition of the Rabbinic Jewess."

In this is shewn, from authentic sources, that her condition, both as a member of society and a candidate for eternity, is truly pitiable. The description given is that of the Jewish females in Poland generally, and in the East. "The power

of Christian example in London, in Germany and Warsaw, or the direct influence of the government, has led to the establishment of schools; they are not the natural offspring of Judaism, and therefore where it still reigns, schools are not to be found. Very many of the Jewish female children do not learn to read at all. Those that do learn are not taught by one of their own sex, but by a melammed, or rabbi, or a tutor... . . .

"The spirit of Rabbinism degrades womankind, and does not suffer her to exercise the faculties which God has given. It teaches that to study the law of God is no part of a woman's duty, and that to teach his daughters the word of God is no part of a father's obligation. Women and slaves are exempt from the study of the law.' 'A woman who learns the law has a reward, but it is not equal to the reward which the man has, because she is not commanded to do so. But though the woman has a reward, the wise men have commanded that no man should teach his daughter the law, for this reason, that the greater number of women have not a mind fitted for study, but pervert the words of the law on account of the poverty of their intellect. 'Every one who teaches his daughter the law, is considered as guilty as if he taught her transgression. But this applies to the oral law. As to the written law, if he has taught her, he is not to be considered as having taught her transgression.' The Jews thank God every morning, in their

public prayers, that he has not made them either a heathen, a slave, or a woman !

"One very important part of a Jewess's religious duties is to visit the burial-ground and pray over the graves. One of her books of devotion contains prayers to be said over the grave of a rabbi, a father, a mother, paternal and maternal grandfather, adult children and infants, a brother, a sister, husband, wife, friends, acquaintances, &c. We give one of these prayers as a specimen.

"PRAYER TO BE SAID OVER THE GRAVE OF A PATERNAL GRANDFATHER.

"Peace be upon thee, my father's father. In peace may thy bones rest in this world, and thy soul in the other world. Mayest thou ascend to the high heavens under the wings of God. Today I went forth and to-day am I come to the place where thou art laid, thou that wert in our family a godly lord, and the best amongst us. Thou hast been a pleasant branch in our family. Thou didst watch over us in thy life, and now thou shalt serve again in thy death, and be our intercessor before God, a good messenger and a good advocate in the midst of our brethren. Order my prayer aright before the Almighty God, that he may make an end of his long-continued wrath, and not destroy us from off the world.....

"Command the holy angels to watch over us from this time forth for ever. Give me children, and sons-in-law, who will be learned men, that our eyes may be enlightened, and that our eyes may see Jerusalem and Zion the habitation of palaces. And mayest thou rest and arise in the resurrection of the dead, to enjoy the pleasures of