The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-12-19 00:00:00

CONVERSION OF THE JEWS.

The annual meeting of the auxiliary to the London
Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews, was
held at the National achoolmom. Melee:Jibe Re4is, on
Monday night,when there was a good attendance.
The liev. T. VALKNKA occupied the chair, and the
begin-
log— commenc‘d by singing the hymn begin-
-- . . .

_..„.,
"Wake, harp of Zion."
The CHAIRMAN, having offered prayer, said he regretted
very iinteh that no secretary or treasurer of the auxiliary
of the society was present to give an account of the
financial results. He was very cony to say that the
collection on Sunday last was below that of last year, and
that should le an incentive to further efforts. People
sometimes tl -ht this society was de trey, or super-
fluous, that it was sutfleient for the .1.-ws, living within
reacts and sound of the gospel, to avail themselves of it,
and if not, that no further effort should be imil. It was
a fallacious argument, they might just as well say of the
London City Missien that the myriads of London are
already in London parishes, and msy avail themselves of
the opportunities &heady offered. We must go after the
lost sheep when they are lost, because otherwise they will
not return. Thom society deserves active and earnest
support, as all societies do who bring the gospel to those
, who would not otherwise receive it. If this society war
, abolished to-morrow the other evangelical societies would
be nothing the richer, and there could not he a too minute
effort, or particular effort, for any particular branch of
Christ's work. For instance, there might be a society for
spreading the snivel specially among learned Hindoce, or
other special CIMSSSIL If any special class require to have
the gospel specially brought to them, it is the Jews, on
whom the external evidences of Christianity so much
depend. A !chaplain was asked to put a brief argument
an to the external evidences of Christianity before a
king; but it was to be very brief indeed. The chaplain
accepted the challenge, and simply said "The Jews."
Though very short, it was a very effective argument.
Their distinctive ritusVeven their distinctness as a nation
was a powerful argument in favour of Christianity. The
advocacy ot this particular society does not bind us down
to this or that view of unfulfilled prophecy, we simply
send missionaries among them for the salvation of lost
souls. We can occupy broad ground, filled with earnest
desire for the salvation of every soul for whom Christ
died. The value of every soul is ao vastly great that it
throws all difference in the value into the shade; but if
we give the advantage to any, lot us give it to God's
ancient people. He then called on
The Rev. J. It STRIIN, late missionary in Abyssinia,
who said it was about three years since he attended •
meeting of this society In Weymouth. The rector, Mr.
°relives, invited him to come again' hut a sad bereave-
ment prevented him from accepting the invitation before,
and therefore he with the more pleasure accepted the
invitation now. The platform was indeed, very empty;
but he was glad to see that in Weysnouth there is an
interest in God's ancient people that here are hearts
palpitating with love La them, and though the clergy were
few here, yet they were consoled for that by seeing the
room tolerably NIL As to the work among the Jews, he
admitted that the succeu had not been so great as
Christian people desired to see; hut their failures, if so
they could be called, were greatly exaggerated. There
are two Jewish newspapers in London, and these use
every term of abuse, and exhaust whole dictionaries in
doing no, towards the missionaries. There are now
thousands and thousands of Christian Israelites in every
l'rotestant country, and here they are in every position of
life, in Councils or Exchanges, in universities, and are
adorning the doctrine of Christ our Saviour in all things.
Smite two years he himself took charge of their home
, mission, in which, although he felt it was a very onerous
, work, his fondest hopes had been realised. They preached
I the gospel from house to house, from street to street, and !
I sometimes met a courteous mention. sometimes a very
, rough one, hut continually they were cheered by success.
! In the east nf London he had a Bible class, where, if they
, chose to look in, they would be glad to see a number of
Imen poring with intense earnestness over the New
Testament. While he was with them, a man came from
1 Spitalfields, which is in some parts becoming a Jewish
' quarter, and joined theclass. His aunt found this out.
land forbid him to enter her IrSIPS again if he became as
apostate, as the Jews call proselytes. The man was in
trouble ; hut Mr. Stern got him admitted into a home.
INot long after a number of JOS'S and Jeweases came to
his house, the latter gifted with a wonderful power of
I speech, and when they exercised it, it was a great trial to
I those who were fond of angel's whispers. They wanted
i this man, and demanded him, when he gave them leave
I hi search the house, but they could not find him. After
. they left, the lean came back, saying that his courage had
i failed when he saw them conic in. lint on a second
. visit, be defended himself and the faith he hail embraced.
' with !ouch meekness and wisdom. Shortly after. •
nunther of Jews, he.eled by a venerable Jew, dressed in
Polish or Russian style, who Is gged 41 see his son, and
did, when they entreated hint in the must pleadin.; tones
to come away with him, and not to bring his mother's
grey hairs with sorrow to the grave, by admitting that
Jesus was the Savieur of the world. The man went
away; but caine again and begged to be concealed; but
he refused to conceal any man. Another time he canie
again, stating that he MY willing to gutter for the sake
of Jesus. Ile was afterwards dragged to the Thames
police court, on a charge of having taken away a large
; itemiser of money and bonds belonging to his father; but !
the magistrate stated that no jury would convict, and
1 the proselyte was dismissed without a ruin on his .
' character. The father CAWS again, and had a lone auil
' earnest argument with his son. At the close the old man
, lifted the Bible, in a striking attitude, and declared that
he would study it continually, even to the neglect of his
business, and if convinced that Judaism was true, lie
would go round to all the mission stations, an.l do all the
injury he could to the work. The old man had again
begun to correspond with his son, and he had hopes that
he might yet bCCOIII6 a follower of Jesus Christ. Another
after going to the Bible class in Palestine place, went
lack to liiiinbay, with a post under the under-steward,
, that he might preaeh the gospel to Ids relations. His
, father, a Rabbi there, first received him with great kind-
ness, seeking to win him back to Judaism ; but when he
, found that he preached to his relatives, the father
declared that be would murder his son, and then .
suicide. The sou left the house, and was called hack to
England, to prepare as a missionary, and is in the Church
Missionary College at Islington. Ainong the means by
which the work was carried on, they were obliged to have
controversy, and a Rabbi attenilisl them regularly, and
argued with him, being paid from 30, to rm. by a rich Jew;
to efface the impressions which might be nevie on others.
This Rabbi after arguing many timu,icatue and asked to
he samitt,,l, to the Hilda class, and at last beam) a
sineere Christian. Mr. Stern went on to speak of the
liberalism of the Jews, whip would express thebroad.t
sentiments as to ChilrelleA and gavots being good works,
would subscribe largely to them, and might even consent
to lay this foundation stones of such ; but let any one of
their family oeknowledge Jesus to be the Saviour of the
werld, and they would iinntediately cast off that relation,
with curses awl scorn. Ile further stated that the work
of converting the Jews is spin.; on with prooperity. not
only in this country, hot also on the Continent, and in
Abyssinia, where he himself labourtsl some time. The
. agent there had just written to him, stating that he him-
self had 220 converts; and it is computed that there are
, in Abyssinia alone, WOW 20,000 Jews receiving Christian
i instruction.
r The CHAIRMAN at the close gave another address,
stimulating the audience to greater exertions in the
work.
, The meeting was closed with the doxology, and the
! benediction, a collection, as usual, being made.

GLOUCESTER-STREET CHAPEL ANNIVERSARY.
The annual tea and public meeting in connection with
Gloucester-street chapel took place on Wednesday, when
about 200 partook of She social cup.
The public meeting was held in the schoolroom and
was much enlivened by the singing of hymns and
anthems by the choir, and the almost unexpected treat
given by the excellent tenor singer, Mr. Ender/ey, who
very kindly sang a duett with Mid.. Pope, and several songs

The Pastor (Rev. K Bolton) wars supporte4 by the Rev.
W. Denabam, of Wareham. Rev, W. Smith, Rev. W.
IMwm (i 101,13 chapel), Rev. T. liarvey (Weeleyan). Bev. S.
Butcher (Upwcy), aryl Rev. S. Dobson (rntnitive

The Cuiisusg expressed his pleasure at seeing so many
friends gathered at what, since it used to be held in March,
he called their " Mov.able feast." lie regretted the ab-
sence of the Rev. T. Neave, of Dorchester, who is
unfortunately unwell
W.
added that they had another
volunteer in the Rev. W. Isenshani.
Ray. W. DENSIIAN rejoiced that in the county of Dorset
they had • pastor who was so much appreciated as Mr.
Bolton, and whose labour, are not confined to one plea).
The congregational body, he said, is not very strong in the
county, and the smaller churches are greatly in need of
sympathy and support from the richer ones. lie impressed
upon his hearers to be hold and courageous in the service
the Master, and in conclusion wishes' Mr. Bolton increas-
ing happiness and lowans in his ministry.
The Rev. W. SIIITU said that a good working church is
sure under Cod's blessing to be is prosperous church, and
he expressed his delight at the unity which prevails
letween minister and people at f iioucester.street
Tim Rev. W. i.gwis deprecated the imaginary fears
which seemed to prevent some people from teachiug and
praying. He urged all ahe wore hindered by them to
overcome %how fears, when they would often lied them-
selves succeed even better than (how WM' engaged in the
work. In an.% er to an appeal of Mr Looisto this church
to become work ilia

Thu eIIAIItICIN sai.t that he liope.l wile in the year to
fonu a lactety ior district ri,itation awl Christian instruc-
tion in the neiglitiourhotaL . .

The Rey. T. Ilattycy exp.rone.l that there it plenty of
work for all elasac. to do, awl if they would hive stars
for their they 4t stork or monis).

The Rev. S. Burnam made a rather 'mammals i{reeC
ill tile rallrall la WIWI, 1.0 lir4U•l them to take ear° lel
their luiluetur, for if the minister has to "study to live"
he cannot "live to study." Thu use of good and pure
literature he strongly commendesl, guiding a caution
against had Isseys. . . _ _

------- S. 170-ases hope! that the effect of the good
work to be done by the organisation at Gloucester-street
would extend to all parts id the town.
The pieces sung by the choir included Sockeye
" Weary Cleaner :" the anthem "0 Lord my God.
smik,y e il." Oh ! to he nothing?" and Sankey's 9,
"Sweet by-awl-by?" Mr. Etiderly's singing included the
duet with Miss POW, and among tho " Bonnie Mary
of Argyle," awl "Oh! collie with me, and be my love.
The singing waa very charming, and the whole pooceed-
illgl very pleasurable and auccasalid.