The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-04-09 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Strt,—On reading your account of the dedication of the
new Jewish Synagogue, in Pilgrim-street, I was surprised
at the following remark with which it concludes. "It is
to be regretted that the spiritual welfare of the Jews is so
sadly neglected at present in this town. There is no mis-
sionary to them here—nay, not even a tract distributor."
Now, Sir, I have much satisfriet on in acquainting you,
as, doubtless, you wilt have in learning, that so far from
the spiritual welfare of these interesting people being en-
tirely neglected in Liverpool, there is no other provincial
town in England where so much is done for them as in
our own, and that an institution under the title of " The
Liverpool Institution for poor enquiring and converted
Jews" has been in active operation for the last five years,
where such of God's ancient people, as are anxiously en-
quiring their way to Zion, are provided with a shelter,
and relieved from that anxiety naturally attendant upon
finding themselves outcasts from their own people, and
where they may enter upon the all-important considera-
tion with less distracted minds. In this asylum they are
:provided with such food and lodging as are necessary to
their health, without tempting them to enter it from•the
unhallowed motive of seeking animal gratification or
creature comforts. The superintendent is a pious bap-
tized Israelite, well qualified, not only from his own per-
sonal experience, to grapple with the difficulties and ob-
. jections of his brethren, but from love to them, and zeal
and devotedness in his Master's service. Since this
institution was opened,' the God of Abraham, of Isaac,
and of Jacob has abundantly blessed the work. Upwards
of 500 Jews have called upon the superintendent, to all of
whom be has set torch the word of life; 10) have become
inmates, the first of whom was that devoted young chrits-
tianJew, Mr.Margoliouth, whom you refer to as the author
of " The Fundamental Principles of Modern Judaism
Investigated," and who has lately published a most con-
vincing reply to Chat lotte Elizabeth's letter to the Bish,ip
of Jerusalem ; 39 of these enquirers have been baptized at
their own urgent desire—amongst whom there are several
gratifying specimens of true christian piety ;—and of those
who have left without making a public profession, many
of them acknowledged their belief in Jesus, as the Mes-
siah, but were afraid to confess him openly.
I cannot venture to tresp,rss so much upon your space,
as to enter into the details of the management of this
valuable institution, or the means adapted for guarding
against imposters. It will suffice to say, that Experience
has ,hewn them to be generally effective : and should any
of your readers wish for further information, and favour
me with a call, I shall readily supply them with it.
I am, S r, respectfully your's,
J. RIGBY,
Treasurer and Acting Sec. Liverpool Institution
for Poor Enquiring and Converted Jews.
4, .Sandon Terrace, 6th April, 1844.

REV. MR. CRAGG AND MR. BRIGHT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

SlR,—Will you allow me a place in the STANDARD to
correct two essential :rrors, which I see in the Mercury's
report of the last meeting of the select vestry, Mr. Bright
has committed, in what he is reported to have said in re-
ference to myself. Report.—" Mr. Bright begged to call
the attention of the vestry to a resolution of the Work-
house Committee, confirmed by the vestry on the 25th of
January last, directing the chaplain to purchase school-
books for the Low-hill school, similar to those which had
been recently introduced in the Workhouse school in
BroWnlow-hill, and of which there was a great deficiency
in the Low-hill e-tablishment." The following is the re-
solution, which will show what I REALLY WAS DIRECTED
to do, and the discrepancy in Mr. Bright's statement, and
the simple meaning. January 25th, 1844, " Resolved.
That the Rev. Mr. Gligg be directed to purchase such
books as he may consider necessary and useful for the
use of the school in Low-hill." Such is the plain sense
of the resolution. Report.—Mr. Bright proceeds to say :
" lie (Mr. Bright) found that from some cause this order
had not been acted on, and he wished that the vestry
should be made acquainted with that fact ;" and he goes
on in a strain of vituperation. My answer to this state-
ment is, that I HAVE PROVIDED BOOKS, TESTAMENTS,
CATECHISMS, and OTHER BOOKS, SUCH AS ACCORDING
TO THE LITERAL TENOR OF THE RESOLUTION, I CONSI-
DEICED " NECESSARY AND USEFUL."
I would gladly hope that Mr. Bright in the above state-
'Dents did not intend to cast an unfavourable imputation
on myself; but as they have gone forth to the public with
such apparent tendency, I have felt it just to myself, in
toy own defence, to seek a public channel to correct them.
The favour of your insertion of this letter will much
obiige, yours respectfully, S. CItAGG.
April Bth, 1844.