also found that well-spring of consolation which is never exhausted, but flows the more copiously the more it is drawn from by the weary and heavy-laden. After a voyage of nearly eight days we arrived at the Goletta, the harbour of Tunis, where we had to perform quarantine for some days, when we proceeded to the town, which is about five miles distant from the harbour, and built in the vicinity of ancient Carthage, whose ruins reach almost to the very gates of Tunis. Here I found a very interesting field of labour. extensive and peculiarly The Jews in the regency amounted to 200,000 souls, chiefly Sephardim. In Tunis alone about 40,000 resided, who were of most industrious habits. 1,200 were working gold and silversmiths, 600 tailors, and 400 shoemakers. There were many who were masons, blacksmiths, silkweavers, and shop-keepers; but none were pedlars. The mint was entirely in the hands of Jews; the chief custom-house officers were Jews, and the general paymasters of the Pasha were also Jews. About 10,000 Europeans had settled here since Christian slavery had been abolished, among whom there were fifty Protestants. The Jews were willing to hear and to receive the pure Word of God. The Roman Catholics here, unrestricted by their priests, gladly availed themselves of the opportunity afforded them of reading the Scriptures; whilst the large Mahometan population, nearly 80,000 in Tunis, freely entered into controversy, and bought and read the Bible; and even at Court, in the Pasha's residence, Christian books were eagerly sought after and read. I established Divine service on the Lord's-day, when I had the privilege of preaching the Gospel of Christ to the Protestants, who, with few exceptions, attended regularly. For nine years I was permitted to sow the good seed in that long-neglected and benighted country. During this time I returned once to England, to be united to my now sainted wife. I was greatly attached to the coast of Barbary, where the work of the Lord was prospering, and where we had found friends who assisted us and the Mission in every possible way. The names of Heap, Tulin, Berner, and Chapellier, remain ever dear to me. However, our thoughts are not like the thoughts of our Lord, neither is His way like ours. The sand of the desert, the burning sun of Africa, and the sirocco winds affected my eyes to such a degree that I was in danger of losing my sight. Twice I had a severe attack of ophthalmy, and twice I was cured by my kind friend, Dr. Heap, the American Consul-General; but a third attack, more severe than the former, baffled the skill of my friend, and compelled me to leave Tunis, to try what a change of climate and European skill could do. After I had arrived in London, I was directed to Mr. Ware, a celebrated oculist in the metropolis; and, through his kind treatment, my sight improved daily. I had arrived in England at a memorable epoch. Mount Zion was again thought of, and the eyes of many were again directed towards long-forgotten and forsaken Jerusalem; the Holy City was again to see a Bishop of Abraham's seed, who should bring glad tidings of salvation to Jerusalem; who should say to her, and to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Dr. Alexander was consecrated Bishop of the Anglican Church at Jerusalem, on the 7th of November, 1841, in the Palace Chapel at Lambeth; and I was desired by the Society in whose service I am to accompany the Bishop to Jerusalem, to labour there amongst the children of Israel. What I have seen and heard, and what the Lord has permitted the Mission to do during the three years of my residence in the Holy City, I now present to the Christian public; and may He from whom all good and perfect gifts come, vouchsafe His blessing to this undertaking, to the honour and praise of His name! Amen. HACKNEY, JUNE, 1845. F. C. EWALD. THE additions which have been made in this Second Edition of my Journal will not be unwelcome to those who desire to familiarize themselves with the manners and customs of the Jews in the Holy City. In other respects, it is substantially the same as the first. February, 1846. F. C. E. |