Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-01-21
@oral asr0 &SeItgtotts.
For THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY.


and agent of the American Society. fol-
meliorating the condition of the Jews, q
respectable number of Gentlemen ant
Ladies met Mt the II all Of MI. 6tockWeii
in Worcester, Jan. 9th, 1924. Rev. DR.
Bancroft was called to the chair, and
Rev. Mr.. Going was appointed Clerk Of
the meeting.
After very appropriate prayer by
DR.. Bancroft Mr.. Simon gave deeply
interesting address, containing an ac-
count of the most remarkable incidents
of his own life of the deplorable state
of those Jews in Europe, who embrace
Christianity, and Of the present efforts
making to provide them an asylum in
the U. States, By purchasing township
Of land for a settlement.
1t appears that Mr. Simon is the son
of the Chief Rabbi ofSloppa, in Poland.
His father designed and educated him to
succeed him as Chief Rabbi. This of
flee is considered by the Jews as pecu-
Iiarly sacred, and is esteemed with great
reverence. Young Simon was reluc-
tant, at the age of twenty-three, TO as
sumo it; especially as he was very init
mate with the principal young men of
the place for he thought this familiar
lily calculated to diminish the respect
due to such an exalted station. To rem
edy this evil, his father sent him TO Lon
don, where he spent some time. Dur
ing this period, he for the first time, pc
rused the New Testament, which was
providentially put into his hands, in the
Hebrew language. He was surprised to
find, that Christians called their Christ
Messiah, that they believed the inspira-
ton of the Gid Testament; and that
they worshipped the God of Abraham.
He had been accustomed TO contemplate
Christianity in lis most perverted forms
and to see men called Christians, tray
ersing The streets, and carrying images
of the Virgin Mary, and of the saints,
and paying senseless homage to them.
He hence considered christians spe:
cies of idolaters, and expected to find
their sacred writings filled with legen-
dairy tales of false gods. But y exam
lining the evidences of christianity, he
soon became convinced of its truth and
divine origin. After many months Of
painful conflict, during which time he
went to Rotterdam, in Germany. He
there publickly protested his faith
He appears to have become sincere
convert to the truth, and subject o.
sanctifying grace. In letter TO his ia.
Their, who had severely censured him for
renouncing his religion, and embracing
Christianity, he said 81 cannot help it
| did no: embrace christianity; christi
anity has embraced me.''
Mr.. Simon soon after went to Edin
burgh, where ne went through a regu
lar course of literary and theological
studies, preparing himself to become
not Jewish, but Christian Rabbi. He
then resolved to devote himself to the
welfare of his kinsmen, according to the
flesh. For some time he was associated
with that distinguished friend of Israel
the benevolen: German count Won de-
Reeke, who has done much for the in
struction of the Jewish converts, in sci
ence and the arts of life, preparatory t.
their future settlement in the U. S.
The chief obstacles, with which he
as well as other missionaries among thu
Jews, met, was the fact that the con
Verts were discarded by their Jewisl
brethren, and could get no employ
ment among christians. A Jew private
iy confessed to him his conviction of thu
truth of christianity, but desired him t,
not urge him TO publickly profess it, un
: less ne was willing to become the muir
derer of his wife and children! He wei
knew that there were many in simila
circumstances, and having heard of tn
design OF the American Society for me
liorating the condition of the Jews, f
provide an asylum for those, who ar,
converted to Christianity, or are desi
rous of examining its truth, he with hi
wife, Scotch lady Of talents, and equal
ly with himself devoted TO the good o
Israel, came a few weeks since to thi
country, and rendered his services t,
that society, in whose employment he il
now acting as an agent, in exciting the
public attention to the interest of long
neglected Israel.-He exhibits mucf
christian simplicity, and prudence, anc
zeal, for the salvation Of the Jews.
| S. V. S. Wilder, Esq. of Bolton in thi,
county, who is well known to the chris
tan publick, as an active, and success
ful promoter of religious charities in
Europe, addressed the audience in an
animated speech, in which he strongly
advocated the claims of the ancient