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BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE FIRE.

Ir is matter for thankfulness that I am encouraged to issue a second edition of my memoir to the world. It will enable me to add a few things, as well as to confirm every previous statement, having none to withdraw; and if the tried family of heaven suffer me to say, with the disciple of Gamaliel, the great Apostle of the Gentiles, "They glorified God in me," to Him be all the praise. Amen.

The history of the way the Lord has thus far led me, I will divide into three periods. First, from my natural birth: secondly, detailing the circumstantial history connected with my spiritual birth; and, lastly, the evidences of my call to the ministry.

I was born in a small town, called Vinooty, in Russian Poland, on the borders of Prussia, on the 14th of the month Nisan, 1812, on the evening before the Passover. My parents were Jews, who were strictly observant of their religion, as were all my ancestors. I have a perfect recollection of my maternal grandfather; he held the rank of Rabbi over twenty or thirty thousand Jews, and, as his office and position required, was notable as a learned student in the Rabbinical writings and traditions. Among other details of his official duty, was that of a judge as to things ceremonially clean or unclean, and to him was referred the decision as to alleged violations of the Sabbath. The Jews referred to him many purely civil questions as to frauds or debts and, indeed, he was so respected by the magistrates, that if conLending Jews and Gentiles had a cause in dispute, and took it

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to them, they were accustomed to depute their authority to my grandfather, leaving the matter for his opinion and decision. His study was near the synagogue, and there his time was almost completely occupied. One incident connected with my boyish history impresses the habits of my conscientious grandfather strongly upon my memory. His residence was fifteen miles from that of my parents, and I went to visit him. His study was about ten minutes' walk from his private dwelling, and I proceeded thither. He had not been at home during the previous night, a circumstance which created no uneasiness, inasmuch as he had been accustomed to spend three nights in each week in that solitary retirement. It was early in the morning when I went to him, to have, according to custom, his hands laid upon my head, and to receive his blessing. Instantly I perceived there was something the matter with his nose, and on inquiring what accident had befallen him, he replied, "Last night while reading, I fell asleep over the candle, burnt my nose, and set my cap on fire." Such was the zeal of my dear grandfather, that he fasted two days in every week, Monday and Thursday, and every other day during one whole month in the year, the sixth month Elul, which corresponds with the latter end of August and the beginning of September. On the day of Atonement, which is a fast day, he used to deliver an oration to the congregation, clad entirely in white, wearing no shoes that day-not leaving the synagogue the whole day. His oration was so affecting that the whole congregation were in tears. I remember once witnessing it, and, although only a child, not more than eleven years, was equally affected with the rest.

The day before Atonement the most respectable families had used to bring their children to my grandfather that he might bless them. His custom was to visit our house once a year, and spend a week, including one Sabbath, and preached on that day. Every day during his stay the Jews used to bring their little children, that he might lay his hands on their heads, and bless them. In this manner I understand the words of Christ, "Suffer little children to come unto me." Not to sprinkle, nor baptize, but to bless them.

I remember another incident, which made such an impression on my mind, that I never forgot. I was not more than nine years of age, when, with my eldest brother, two sisters, and myself, were on a visit at the afore-mentioned grandfather's, sitting at the dinner-table, I did something to displease my grandmother,

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and she, being naturally not very amiable, as I sat opposite her,' she stretched out her hand across the table, and, with great vehemency, said, "Nisan" (which was my Jewish name), sure as I am born you will kick the bucket." This is a phrase which, though known to Englishmen as a vulgarism synonymous with death, is employed seriously by continental Jews as strongly and solely significant of what they consider to be apostacy from the truth, or a disgraceful adoption of the profession of Christianity. My grandfather, understanding the phrase, although I did not,methinks I see him now before me,-turned his face towards her, with a look of the greatest disapprobation, although he was a mild and most amiable man, and whispered something to her which I did not hear. Thus she prophesied the truth. Caiaphas prophesied that there was a need for one man to die, that the whole nation perish not; Balaam that there should be a star rise out of Jacob; and my grandmother, that I should become a Christian. All was true, and all was accomplished, although spoken by ungodly persons; and I bless my dear Redeemer for the fulfilment of all these things. On my return home, I related the circumstance to my mother, who, bursting into a flood of tears, exclaimed, "I would rather die, or follow you to the grave, than live to see that." Hearing these words, and seeing my mother so affected, I was anxious to know the meaning. At my first inquiry I met with a denial; but, after many entreaties, she told me, with the tears still trickling down her cheeks. Finding the meaning, I began to cry, and saying," Mother, I will never become a Gentile. No, no,

not I."

My grandfather, on my father's side was also very religious. He had a farm which he let, and the rent supported him. He used to sit in a house every day, close to the synagogue built for that purpose, where the learned Jews met together for the study of the Talmud, and to ask each other questions. I am inclined to think that where we read of Christ meeting with the doctors, hearing and asking them questions, the allusion is to the same kind of place.

My father and mother were very young when they were married. They had twelve children, eight of whom were living when I left my native country. My father was a wholesale woollen draper. The goods were all smuggled from Prussia, as in my country it was not considered any disgrace, or contrary to the Jewish religion, as all the towns on the Prussian territories

did the same. My father went four times a year to Memel and Konigsberg, seaport towns of Prussia, to purchase his goods, and from thence conveying them to Peterburgh and Moscow. He was generally from home about two months at a time, and sometimes longer. We kept four fine horses, and a man as driver, for some years. My father was very prosperous and accumulated a great deal of money; but, before I left home, we were reduced in circumstances. He was taken in Russia by the Kossacks, who are on the look-out, with the smuggled goods, lost all, and cost a great deal of money beside to set him at large again.

I was the fourth child. When an infant, had the small pox and measles together, through which, for a time, I lost my sight. I remember my mother saying, that the doctor who attended me said I should not recover, and if I were, I must remain blind; which I did for twelve months. One summer's day, the servant took me out for a little air. As she was walking in the street with me in her arms, an old Gentile woman, as she passed by, cast her eyes upon me; she stopped and asked the servant what was amiss with the child's eyes. The servant replied, that I was blind through the small pox. The old woman said, "I could cure him." The servant replied, "If you were, you will be well rewarded;" also told her, that she doubted her ability, as her mistress had had many medical men, and they could do nothing for the child. "However, if you will go with me, I will hear what my mistress says." When my mother saw the girl coming and the old woman behind her, she was rather frightened; as the Jews in my country consider that many of the old Gentile women are witches. The servant told her what had passed in the street between the old woman and herself. My mother then asked the old woman how this cure was to be effected, whether by magic or witchery. If that was the way, she would have nothing to do with her. She replied, No, that she would use simple means in her presence. My mother told her to call again in three or four days. Her motive for this delay was to write to her father to ask the lawfulness of it. The answer she received from her father was to this effect, that it was lawful providing that the woman did not kneel down to pray, or use any form of words, and my mother took good care to follow her father, the rabbi's counsel. On the third day, the old woman came, and my mother told her, if she could cure me, she should be handsomely rewarded. She affirmed she could. If it will not be