MIRIAM;

OR,

THE POWER OF TRUTH.

A JEWISH TALE.

BY THE AUTHOR OF 'INFLUENCE.'

THIRD EDITION.

PHILADELPHIA:

KEY & BIDDLE, 23 MINOR STREET.

1836.

PREFACE.

The tale of 'Miriam' now offered to the public is founded on an anecdote said to be a well-attested fact, which the author met with some months ago in the 'Cottage Magazine,' where the narrative is briefly detailed with great simplicity and elegance; of an American Jew, converted to Christianity by the death of his only child, a beautiful girl whom he had reared with no common care and affection. She embraced the Christian faith unknown to her father: until with her dying lips she confessed to him her apostacy from Ju daism, giving him at the same time a Testament, with a solemn injunction to believe in Jesus of Nazareth.' This anecdote appeared to the author a good outline for a more elaborate work, as furnishing ample subject for imagination, and considerable ground for instructive information. How far the author has been enabled to fulfil the task thus proposed in the undertaking, is a question which she fears to meet; but, trusting to the indulgence of her readers, she feels emboldened to hope, that the moral of her work will shield it, at least, from severe criticism. For the rest, she sincerely unites with all who may condemn its errors; fully aware that many flagrant imperfections both of composition and design have marred the beauty of its original outline. Circum