theirs. The convert spoke to them of the hope of Israel, of our small Hebrew congregation, of our Hebrew service, and what the Lord is doing for and amongst Israel in our days. These things were new to them, and the father of the family resolved to attend our service, after which he called upon me, when I explained to him more fully the way of salvation. I pray the Lord to fetch home to his flock this wandering sheep of the house of Israel. INFLUX OF JEWS FROM THE COAST OF AFRICA. The influx of Jews has been very considerable of late. A fortnight since, 150 arrived from Algiers. There is now a large number of Jews here from the coast of Africa, who are about to form themselves into a separate congregation. RUMOURED REFORM AMONG THE JEWS OF JERUSALEM. I have also been positively informed that a number of Jews have joined themselves together, as in many parts of Germany, in order to throw off the yoke of the Talmud. I have not yet made the acquaintance of any of them, as hitherto they have kept their project a profound secret. A great many pilgrims have already arrived in the Holy City, and there is a probability of seeing many thousands of them this year. LAWLESSNESS OF ALBANIAN SOLDIERS. I am thankful to say that we have been permitted to pass this month in perfect tranquillity, which has only been interrupted for some hours by a melancholy accident. On the 21st inst. three of those ferocious Albanians, who, to our great annoyance, are still in Jerusalem, were amusing themselves outside the Jaffa Gate by firing off their loaded pistols. The sheik of a neighbouring village, Malkah, was sitting in the vicinity of the gate, when a ball struck him, and he fell dead on the spot. The Albanians walked off, and the local authorities being afraid that the country people would attack the town, immediately caused the gates to be closed. The Pasha is said to be endeavouring to settle the matter amicably, by promising to pay a sum of money to the relatives of the deceased, and to make the son of the murdered man sheik in his place. INDICATIONS OF A SEASON OF PLENTY. The rainy season commenced on the 9th instant; from that day up to the present time, we have had frequent and heavy rains, which is indicative of a year of plenty. For the last three years the former rains have been withholden almost entirely, and the latter rains have also not been very plentiful; hence, the scarcity of water, and consequent increase of the price of everything. Our cisterns are beginning to be filled with water, the country has been refreshed, and we shall soon see the valleys and the hills covered with verdure. I have only to add that Mrs. Ewald, our dear children, and myself, are in the enjoyment of excellent health, and the same is the case with the whole of our community. LAST MOMENTS OF THE LATE MR. BATESON. It was on December the 15th, that I met Mr. Bateson at the house of our Bishop for the first time, when he expressed a desire to visit the Jewish quarter and the synagogues. The following day at two o'clock was appointed for me to meet him, to conduct him to those places. When I called at that time I found him ill with fever, and we fixed the following Monday at twelve o'clock. I called accordingly, but found him still poorly, though he thought himself somewhat better. He requested that I would read the fifty-first Psalm, and a hymn which he pointed out in his prayerbook. Having done so, I offered up a prayer at his bedside, in which he joined. When I was about leaving him, he told me to call again the following day at the same hour. I did so, and he again begged me to read some Psalms, and to offer up a prayer. He told me that about three years ago, he had been dangerously ill; that he then felt the power of the Gospel, that his heart was softened, and that he was prepared to enter another world. I spoke to him of the love of God in Christ Jesus, directed his thoughts to the one thing needful, and to the sole source of power, consolation and comfort. I perceived, whilst speaking with him, that his eyes were filled with tears; he thanked me for the visit, and desired that I would call again the following day at the same time. Consequently, I called again on the 19th. I asked him whether he would like me to read to him the prayers appointed by the Church when visiting the sick, to which he replied in the affirmative: when I came to the place where the Rubric directs inquiry to be made into the sick person's state of mind, I stopped and inquired if he had anything to say to me, or if there was anything on his mind? He replied, "No; I have nothing particular; I thank God that I have been educated in the principles of the Gospel, and know and believe that God accepts every sinner in Christ." I spoke a few words to him, and concluded the prayers by commending him to the grace and mercy of God. On the 22d, Mr. B. received the holy communion at the hands of our Bishop, in the presence of Dr. Macgowan and myself. On the 23d, I again called on him, when he said to me, "I am very feeble; I beg you will repeat to me some verses of the New Testament." I repeated the following: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." I then left him. It was about two o'clock. At four the same day he sent for me, and I went immediately, and met Dr. Macgowan in his room. But Mr. B. was no longer conscious; we spoke to him repeatedly, but he did not reply. In this state he remained until two o'clock the next morning, when his spirit took flight, to take its abode, I doubt not, among the redeemed of the Lord in a better world. Dec. 25.—This evening our Bishop baptized the six candidates whom I had prepared for the holy ceremony; viz., Dr. Kiel, Mrs. and Miss Kiel, Mr. Max. Ungar, Mr. Levi, and Ducat's daughter. I could not be present on account of the illness of Mrs. Ewald. ILLNESS AND HAPPY DEATH OF MRS. EWALD. JAN. 1844. ON the 20th of December, 1843, Mrs. Ewald was safely delivered of a healthy boy, and everything went on well till Christmas-day. On returning from the funeral of Mr. Bateson, I found her in a high fever, and, Dr. Macgowan having been called in, he pronounced her dangerously ill. In this condition she remained till the 10th of January-sometimes a little better, and sometimes worse. Mrs. Veitch and her kind sister were constantly at my house to assist. Mrs. Veitch asked me, on that day, what I thought of the state of my dear wife's mind. I replied, that I knew, if it were the will of the Lord to call her hence, she would enter into everlasting bliss, for she had lived close with her God and her Redeemer; yet, if Dr. Macgowan considered her in imminent danger, I would speak to her. Dr. Macgowan told me that he thought it would not be advisable for the present, but would inform me when he judged it to be necessary; adding, that he found her better, and that, if kept quiet, she would have a good night's rest. I therefore left the room and went into an adjoining It was ten o'clock, P. M. one. I had not left her room long when she called me to her bedside, and said, "Dearest, there is a change. taking place with me; I feel I am going to die." She then lifted up her hands and said, "The Lord bless you, keep you, and preserve you and the dear children. I am going to the Lord Jesus. Oh, blessed Jesus, come and take my soul ! |