The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-22

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There was meeting held last evening at the Ta-
bernacle of this Society, for the purpose of intro
ducing the Rev. Mr. HERscHELL, of London, who
has been invited by the board Of this society," visit
the principal cities Of the United States, and speak
on the subject of the present condition of Judaism
in Palestine, Asia Minor, and the European coun-
tries, among which he has travelled extensively.
The reverend gentleman is descendant of the
house of Israel, but hasfeceived the holy truths Of
the New Testament and has labored long among
his people, The meeting was opened with music
| from the choir, and Mr. HERscHELL was then intro
duccd, and said THAT it afforded him much plea
sure to many assembled to hear what he has
to say regarding his brethren, and that it was cheer
| ing to see many among the Gentiles, who having
received the love of Jesus Christ, were willing to
come forward to express sympathy and an interest
in the cause Of Israeli and that this was Of the
| tokens that the appointed time was approaching
scenery and attractions Of the different lands
he had passed through, but to fulfill solemn
duty incumbent on him to describe and pre-
sent to them those parts Of Syria and Palestine, and
illustrate the present state of the ancient people, and
he begged them to excuse his mode of conveying
his ideas: He would first speak Of Damascus, which
was well known as one of the most ancient cities
in existence. The outward appearance of this city
as viewed from its approach, has been described in
glowing colors by travellers, but he must say he
was disappointed In 1t, and could not ascribe to 1t
the beauty given to it by Mahomet, who never visit
ed it during his life, he said paradise was suf
ficent for man, and that he would not on that &C.
count visit city that was celestial in its outward
appearance. The interior of it was also unpeasing
common to Eastern cities. He was Of course anx,
to visit his brethren, the Jews and he engaged
Jewish guide, a native Of Poland, and BY him was
directed to the house of one of the wealthiest and
most pious Jews OF Damascus, and he was received
by him and the ladies' of the family with the great
est kindness The personal feeling against him was
not at all perceptible, which might be accounted for
hss his slight t. ende s 70 aid them during their
persecution might have added to IT, He would take
occasion to say that the Jews were grateful affec
tomato and warm-hearted people, and their graft
tude to the English for having defended them during
their prosecutions was proof of it. Any one need
only to say to them that they came from England to
be received by them with open arms. He would
Jews at Damascus. A Roman Catholic Priest ha-
wing disappeared, It was reported that the Jews
had killed him for the purpose of obtain
ing his blood to use in their ceremonies OF cele-
was Immediately supported by the Armenian Greeks
who form the so styled Christian Church, and at
their instance the most respectable and wealthy Jews
was thrown into dungeons, whipped, thumb screw
ed and tortured In the most horrid manner. The
Kindness shown them by civilized Christians in
those days has never been forgotten, and from all
these fortunes, being inflicted on them by persons
wearing the garb of Christians the Jews say that the
English and Eastern Christians cannot have learnt
their religion from the same source. Reverting to
the reception given him by the family in Damascus,
the youngest daughter of the family waited on us
with confectionery and pipes, and on his directing
his to the state of education in the East
he was sorry toH learn that there were no female
schools whatever, and that only Of the ladies OF
the family could read. On this he took occasion to
speak of the advancement OF woman at the present
time, being owing to the march of the Protestant
Church. After describing some other recep-
tons that he had in Damascus and stating
ar fha Voyuo pf nau1o v,vvro u Rah-
blnica, and that no reform had common
ced among them, but still that their prejudices
against CHRISTIANS was fading away, he went
Lake Of Tiberias, u.s. near which ne was encamped
on his route; he described the desolate situation
which it had been reduced, harrassed by earth
quakes and plaques, There were not more than
two or three hundred Jews there and those dwet in
tents, for fear Of earthquakes, and worshipped in
synagogues that were mere novels Of Be thsaida
and Capernaum absolutely nothing remained, the
word OF the prophesy being thus fulfilled. He then
went on to describe Jerusalem it nowis, and con-
trascd the approach to it in the present day to that
when the tribes Of Israel were wont to repair there
to celebrate their feasts. He was filed with sadness
thought on its former glory. The first Friday he
was In jerusalem he went to where the Jews met to
weep on the outer wall Of Moriah. A small place
= there hired by them at heavy expense and there
their ruined temple. He described this scene most
effectively, and called the Israetes in this coun-
try to contrast their condition with that Of their east
unbushing blasphemies carried on by the Amenians
at the holy sepulchre in Jerusalem. After pursuing
this subject for some time, and speaking of the re-
Phecy, he glanced at the condition Of the Jews in
Hungary, and the great revival that had taken place
among them lately on the subject Of Christianity,
and concluded with an appeal for assistance in the
great work to the Christians of this land.
At the conclusion of his speech, collection in aid
OF funds OF the society was taken up, and the meet
ing dismissed. There was crowded house in the
early part of the evening, but before the gentleman
concluded his speech, manyihad left.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURcH.-The Assembly met on Friday, May l6,
soclock, A. NJ in Cincinnati, and was opened with
The Moderator appointed the usual standing commit
tees liza a ba
communication from the Free Church of Scotland,
together with report the subject of slavery,
referred to the same committee.
the Presbyterian Church Of Ireland and referred to the
committee on foreign correspondence. letter from
the delegate to the German Reformed Church. was read
and referred to the committee bills and overtures.
On motion, Messrs Olmsted Bellville and A. Smith,
foreign sccesastical bodies and said committee were
instructed to report on the expedency Of continuing to
send delegates such bodies have not for
delegates to the General Assembly. 08
The Assembly determined to select place for the
next meeting and was agreed that the next Assembly
Philadelphia, at the usual time. sae. $500.
The docket was now taken up and the report on the
marriage question made the order of the day for
Monday next, at ii o'clock
The Committee on the anniversaries Of the Board
ported and their report adopted and is follows
viz That the Board Of Education present their report
on Monday next at 10 o'clock, AM; the Board Of Fo
reign Missions at half past seven O'clock PM; the
Board of Domestic Missions Tuesday, at 10 O'clock
AMI and the Board Of Publication Wednesday, at 10
O'Clock, "A. M. .
Tho Assembly then adjourned
AFTERNOON SESSION, past oclock-The Committee
on Bills and Overtures reported Overtures Nos 49,
A. g. g. which disposed Of Is follows, viz: Over
ture No J. the petition of the Synod Of South Carolina
and Georgia for division into two Synods, viz To
the General Assembly Of the Church. to
held In the city of Cincinnati, May, l84s.
On motion, twas
Resolved That the prayer ofthe petitioners be grant
cd.
Overturcs No. 2, and a. were put on the Docket
Overture No. S. Two papers, one from the Synod Of