smitten, for he is Israel's surety; therefore the prophet speaks thus.

I. Very true; these words have reference to the Messiah of Israel, who has been smitten for your sins and mine. They refer to Jesus Christ, who suffered not in Rome, but in this city, and is now exalted to the right hand of God.

A long discussion then commenced between us, they maintaining that Jesus Christ could not have been the Messiah, I endeavouring to lead them to the Scriptures, and to prove by them that Jesus was the Messiah, and that those who believe in him should have eternal life, and that those who reject him will not see life. One Jew replied, "We, Israel, are all like one body; the good that one of us does has reference to the whole body, and in the same manner the evil also: and there are in each generation thirty-six men of piety like unto Abraham, our father; else the world would be destroyed. For it is written, by lo Ishmael, which signifies, 'Thirty-six, God will hear;'", lamed vau, is 'thirty-six,' and by Ishmael, means, literally, 'God will hear.' These thirty-six men of the same piety as our father Abraham are our atonement, and other atonement we do not look for."

Alas! how is the apostolical assertion verified, "until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which vail is done away in Christ."

INSTRUCTION OF INQUIRERS.

May.-I mentioned last month that I had two candidates for baptism under instruction; since that a third has been added, an Israelite, whose acquaintance I made soon after my arrival in the City of the great King. He was led by degrees to the knowledge of Christ, was convinced of the truth of Moses and the prophets, and acknowledged Jesus as his Saviour; but many and various difficulties were placed in his way, which were

first to be removed before he could publicly avow his faith in Christ. Years passed away ere he could succeed; now the Lord has made his way plain before him, and he has applied for regular instruction and holy baptism. May the Lord prepare his heart and give him repentance for all that is past, and faith in Christ Jesus to everlasting life, so that he may prove a Christian indeed!

SCRIPTURE DEPOSITORY.

The Scripture Depository, established by our Bishop, has also continued during the past month to be the resort of many inquiring Jews, and I have found there many opportunities of setting forth Gospel truths. The depositary also often has interesting conversations with Jews. Some visit him at night, that they may hear more of the doctrines of Christianity. The Jews in the Holy City now hear the truth from the mouth of many witnesses. The sale of Scriptures from our depôt is very encouraging, and I am glad to hear that a fresh supply is on the way to Jerusalem, for our stock here is nearly exhausted.

VISITS TO THE JEWISH QUARTER.

My present domestic affairs do not permit me, I am sorry to say, to visit the Jews in their own habitations so often as I could wish, yet I have been in their quarter several times during the month of May. There were several English travellers here, who interested themselves for the cause of Israel, and who accompanied me in my walks. On the 8th of May, Dr. Keith, the Rev. W. Wait, and myself visited all the synagogues, the Jeshiba, and the most distinguished rabbies. These friends were much pleased with the reception we universally met with amongst the Jews. The same was the case on the 20th of May, when I accompanied Major Richardson, Mr. Frere, and Mr. and Mrs. Woolfield.

SECRET INQUIRERS.

There are many secret believers in the Holy City, who, from fear of their unbelieving brethren, and in their peculiar situation, must keep their convictions a secret; yet I trust they are making progress. Some have asked for copies of our Liturgy and the New Testament, and other useful books and tracts. I supplied them according to their wishes, and may the Lord Jehovah take every stumbling-block out of their way, that soon they may be able to proclaim even upon the housetops, "that neither is there salvation in any other but in Jesus Christ the Lord."

FEAST IN HONOUR OF SIMON THE JUST.

There was great rejoicing on the 7th of May among the Jews, quite a national feast, in honour of Simon the Just, whose tomb is outside the Damascus Gate, about half a mile from the town. In the vicinity of the tomb the Jews had collected in great numbers, and after the oration was over, they scattered themselves in groups over the adjacent fields, under the shadow of olive-trees, where they spent the day in singing the praises of their ancestors, whilst the women were accompanying the songs with the tabret and clapping of hands. I went to see this truly picturesque sight. I should suppose that there were not less than two thousand Jews present. I went about from one green tree to another, seeking for an opportunity to direct the minds of some from the tombs of the dead to the living God; and I must say, that, with one single exception, I was everywhere very kindly received; and I thank Him who ordereth all things, that I was thus permitted to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation.

It was here that I met a family of the house of Israel whom I had known for a considerable time, and who had listened to the truth and appeared convinced, but at

times again showed much indecision, though they were suspected by their brethren as being inclined towards Christianity, and have many a time been evil spoken of on that account. The head of the family now said to me, "You see I am obliged to pitch my tent without the camp of Israel, (they were a short distance from the rest of the Jews,) for if I go near them they seek occasion to quarrel with me." I exhorted him to pray to the Lord for Divine guidance, admonished him not to strive against the Spirit, (for I know he is inwardly convinced,) encouraged him to cast himself entirely upon the Lord, who would certainly make everything straight before him, if he would only give honour to God and openly acknowledge the truth.

I often think of this family; they are present with me when I pour out my heart at the throne of grace on Israel's behalf, and I trust the Lord will finally bring them from darkness to light! I have since

seen the family again, and invited them to give themselves entirely over to the Lord; and I hope the Lord will bless my feeble endeavours to these descendants of Abraham.

I need not say that those Jews who call on me are constantly directed to the one thing needful. Though some come who have no wish or will to hear anything about the truth, and merely come because they are in want of one thing or another, which they wish me to procure for them, yet the Lord is pleased to give them sometimes the hearing ear and the willingness of heart to hear his word; and may we not expect that he will also bless his instituted means of grace?

Among the late travellers who visited the Holy City, and who have the cause of Israel at heart, I may mention Sir Cecil Bisshopp and his lady. Sir Cecil addressed our Anniversary Meeting, and proved by his speech that he was a friend of God's ancient people, and that he belonged to the number of those whose "hearts' desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." Jerusalem will be sacred to

them on more than one account, but particularly because it hath pleased God to call from this world of sin and misery their infant son, six months old, whilst staying here; he died on the 11th of May, and was buried, the day after, next to the grave of my dear wife, there to wait for the glorious resurrection to immortality.

INFLUX OF JEWS TO THE HOLY LAND.

The influx of Jews to the Holy Land has been very great of late. There is no more room in Jerusalem for them; they have already spread over part of the Turkish quarter. Jaffa has been selected by them for the establishment of a Jeshiba, and several rabbies have been appointed for that purpose. Many new comers have settled at Jaffa and other places along the

coast.

RABBINICAL OPPOSITION TO PLANS OF EDUCATION, &C.

There has been a great commotion among the three Jewish communities here, viz., the Sephardim, Ashkanazim, and Chasidim, on account of Sir Moses Montefiore's proposal to establish schools, manufactories, and a hospital in the Holy City. Most of the chief rabbies and leaders are decidedly opposed to that generous offer.

On the 8th of May the leading members of the three congregations met together to consider these matters. A warm correspondence has been carried on between those who have most influence here, and those in Europe, on that subject.