Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-12
From the London Obse,rer Of august le.
CONVERSION OF THE JEWS.

From the London OJserrer of august Is. |
CONVERSION OF THE JEWS.
Mansion House. -Four Dutch Jew mer-
chants, and two other persons the same
persuasion in this country, named Solo
mons and Abrahams, attendedbeiore the
Lord Mayor, at the instance of another
Dutcllman, who stated that he belonged
to the Society for the Conversion of
the Jews, having become Christian
This person stated his name to be Mechtz,
and that he had recently arrived from
Holland, aud that he had abjured the faith
of Judaism, and had become Christian.
On his arrival he had introductions to
several Jews, and among others lie went
TO see MIR. SolomOns, i'll the neighbour
hood of Soho-square. This gentleman,
he said took him into private room, and
lectured him OH the impIety of his embra-
eng the Christian faith, of which he (Alr.
Soiomons) spoke IN the most blasphe-
nous language. Some days afterwards,
witness was invited To dine at house in
Dukes Place, with some Dutch Jews
He went there s,Ipposing he should meet
some friends, but instead of a good dim
ner, which lie expected, he was violently
assaulted by the persons present, and he
at length escaped, in the greatest terror
of his life. This conduct he attributed
TO the fact of his having ceased TO be a
Jew.
In opposition TO this statement, Mr..
Soiomons came forward and represented,
that the complaInanth mad be n in great dis
tress i'll Holland; that several OF the Jew
ish merchants subscribed and made him
up stock purse, clothed him, and sent
him to England, with recommendations
to persons to further his interests. On
his arrly al, however, lie went 10 the So
ciety for the Conversion of the Jews,
and rendered himself as aperson dispo-
sed 10 abandon the religion III which he
was educated. He was, i'll consequence,
adopted member OF that society. aud re-
celved some assistance. Some days at
forwards he called on him (NIr. Solo
mons and told him he had something TO
inform him of, which he thought of i'm
portancc topoor Jews. He then desert
ed the Society for the Conversion of the
Jews, and the encouragement which they
were disposed TO give to any who were
willing TO become Christians. TO this
he added the enumeration of the names
of several persons who had pretended to
become Christians, but who were Jews at
heart, and who had got ample sums from
tie society. lie for one, lie said, had
taken the same course, and although he
hated the Christian religion, should make
the most lie could of fine Society. TN
derstanding that It was tie intention of
some of his (Mr. Solomon's) friends in the
city TO do something for this man, he had
felt IT his duty TO inform them ofthe prin-
ciples he had avowed. He accordingly
wrote them aletter. in consequence of
which, when the complainant made his
appearance to dine with them, instead of
being received with friendship, he was
turned ont of the house. TIllswas true
statement of the case.
The Lord Mayor said nc felt some in
tcreSt III this enquiry, because he had
himself contributed 70 the society alluded
TO, and very much feared his money had
produced but little good. lie had reason
10 believe that many designingperson had
imposed upon the society, merely for irar-
duient purposes and whether the story
now told was correct or not. he could moi
say /; but at all events he could only recom-
mend the injured party TO prefer an in
dlctnent against the persons j., whom
he stated himself to have been so IN
used.