Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-09-07

preaching OF tho Rev. JOSEPH WoLrF, the Hebrew
Christian Missionary, is not very remarkable phe-
nomenon, in the history Of Intellectual movement
II can easily be explained and easily accounted TOR.
The Rev. Mr.. WoffNs Hebrew Of German blrts.
from his early years he indicated the elements OF an
inquiring restless mind. The usual occupations O.
his people, dealing in money, buying and selling ex-
change, gathering up the cid clothes throughout Eu-
rope, the pledging and pawning business did not al
together suit his disposition Mr.. Wolff is descended
in straight line from the tribe OF Levi, not Naphtal,
or Judah He belongs to the caste of "Rabbi," and
his earliest days spent on the banks OF hs native
stream porting over the Syrac version of the Scrip
turcs reading the Targums, or studying the Talmud.
Mr.. Wolff learned man, Of a certain stamp,
from his mothers womb.
AT the age of twenty earlier, he began to travel.
He crossed the Alps, and entered, one day at sun
rise, the Eternal City" At Rome, in the midst of
the splendor Of the Vatican, surrounded with all the
pomp and glory Of the Catholic Church, he began to
doubt the naked, intellectual, but mysterious dogmas
of his own ancient people. If Solomon in all his
glory had existed in his day, and the renowned man
had occupied an elevated position in the Sanhedrim
ne never would have changed his ancient faith or Ia
ken the trouble to make elegant somerset in reli-
gion. But who could withstand the spendor of the
Roman church ? Accordingly Mr.. Wolff felt the
"compunctous vistngs'' of fresh conscience. He
became an ardent and burning Romaa Catholic, and
joined the famous college of the Propaganda Eide.
Here our young Rabbi continued some time, living IN
all the "odor of sanctty" and enjoying all that equl-
vocal respect which renegade to his ancient and mys-
FERROUS faith generally receives from US proud, honor
able and Interchangeable Catholics.
In process of time the young Rabbi, the ingenious
convert, was discovered dipping too deeply into the
mysteries of nature and examining closely theen-
igmas of the Douay Bible. Having, in corner Of
the Propaganda established laboratory, he spent
his nights and days in discovering the of ma
ture-the principles of hsman Iife-the wonders of
animal magnetsm-or the ng-sought-for philoso-
piers stone This was not to be borne by our Holy
Church. The Rabbi was taken up, and came near
being publicly disgraced but he saved himself by
making his escape, and like Maria Monk from the
nunnery of Montreal, took his departure from Rome
one night by moonrise the Captoline Hill, and
round about the Aventine Mount.
Mr.. W., il he chooses can tell some curious stories
Of his residence in the Propaganda Let his hearers
ask him what he saw, and what he did there? He
will reply and astonish Them
went to the East, became Protestant, blew up the
Catholics, and joined every caravan that ne could find
travelling Asia Minor Persia, Egypt or elsewhere
in those regions. Hero he studied the Hebrew Ian
guage in connection with the geography, natural his
tory and picturesque manners of the East.
II happened too, that about the time that our Rab-
bi went to the East the singular monumental hsto-
ries of ancient Egypt began to be revealed to the
world by Champollion, Young Rosselini, and other
sapans Of Europe From these revelations the pub
lie enthusiasm Of the west reused to its highest
pitch. The opening of the tombs of Thebes, Luxor,
Memphis, Mcdnet Abu, astonished all the learn
ed and startled the religious. With the tumultuous
urrent Of this general sentiment, Mr.. Wolff had the
cunning good sense to rise and blend his own rei-
gious pursuits. In point OF ancient learning, and
right Interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures, or re-
naming monuments Of the East Mr. Wolff is moth
ing superior to what may be termed Jim Crow" in
religion. He has seen those mysterious countries,
connected with our religious feelings and magma
ton but his commentaries on the Hebrew writers
are more meagre, flmsy, and unsatisfactory, than
could be furnished by many learned persons in this
country. We viii venture TO say that there is a He
brewest in this neighborhood who can beat him on
his own ground.
After spending few years in the East Mr.. Wolff
returned to Europe, and made his appearance IN En-
gland His traves-the occasional notice OF HIS &C.
cenircities throsgh the papcrshs life, and all about
him. created much interest as there might be about
an Indian Prince--an American sguaw, or any other
wonder Of the world. Mr.. Wolf dropped his bark in
the evangelical movement, and preached in various
parts Of England to crowded audiences. In York he
was much followed. The religious ladies, and pIous
old maids became enamored OF the convert, all in
spiritual sense
AT last, one pious middle aged lady, and very
worthy woman toe-Lady Geol-siana Oxford, the
maiden daughter Of the Earl of Oxford, heard him
preach one Sabbath. She was fascinated with his
ORIENTAL travels. She was introduced 10 the vener-
able Rabbi They first began talking of jerusalem
then Of Ssmana-then ofEgypt-then Of Nesopo-
tamia-then of England-then of themselves. The
holy prophet saw from the bushes coming and go
ing from the cheeks OF the lovely Georgana, that he
had inspired deeper than he had dream
ed off, AT the first thought, that branch Of the
house Of Lev-the accused Of all nations-should be
allied TO the proud Anglo Saxon arslocracy Of lmpe-
rial England, made the pons man lose his sleep Tor
several nights in succession know he did so-for the
first time fell in love- did not sleep wink for week
after We religious refsrmsrs of every age and ma
ton, have the same feelings towards lovely, sent.
mental, beautiful, adorable woman The bridal gar
ments were made-the cake manufactured, lights
-. L...,oU-and tho Rev i WoH-Orlrnallv h