Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-06-03
Jews i'm China.

| The existence of fragment OF the family
of Abraham i n the interior Of China has
been certainly known for upward Of two hun
dred years, and surmised much longer. The
Jesuit Ricci. during his residence at Z ekin
in the beginning Of the seventeenth century,
was the means OF exciting the attention of
foreigners to the Jews Of Kuifung-fu, the
ancient capital of Holman province. In
1918 they were visited by Aliens, follower
of Ricci; and hundred years later. between
1904 aud 1928, Fathers Gozani Domenge
and Cubi, were euabled from pesonal inves-
rigation on the spot, 10 give minute dscrip-
tons ofthe people, their synagogues an d
sacred books, the latter Of which few could
even then read while the former was W ith
the peculiar institutions of Moses, falling to
decay. Beyond feeble and inefecting eff
fort ca the part Of Biblical critics, nothing
was subsequently attempted TO maintain
communication with this handful of Jews,
until 1915, some brethren in London ad
dressed letter to them in Hebrew, and Off
erei a large reward # any one would bring
an answer in the same language. The letter
was entrusted to a Chinese book seller, na-
tive Of the province, who is reported TO have
delivered (which was doubted as he brought
no written answer.
Recently the Jews Society in London.
encouraged by the munihcence Of Miss
Cook, who placed ample funds at their DIS
posal, instituted inquiries on the subject, aud
sought the cooperation of the Bishop OF
Victoria, who having previously opened
correspondence with DIR. Medhurst on the
subject, during his lordship's recent visit to
Shaughae, the plan osoperaton was agreed
upon. This was to Chinese Christians. one
of them literary graduate, the other
Young man with competent knowledge OF
English, acquired at the London missionary
school. The North China Herald Of the
18th of January contains an interesting ac-
count of their mission, from which we gath
er the following particulars. 80.
The two emmissares started on the 18th
of November last and after an absence OF
ffy-five days returned to Shanghai, the dis,
tance between the two cities being about ooO
miles. Arrived at their destination, they
found in the decayed city OF Aai-iung-'n
both Mehomedens and Jews. the latter poV-
erty y-strcken and degraded, their synagogue
in state of dilapidation, and the distinguish
ing symbols Of their religion nearly extinct.
The books Of the law. written IN small
character on sheepskin. are. however still
preserved, although it would seem Tor many
years they have been seen by no one able TO
read them.
The Jesuit mentions the existence of the
sacred books, but were not suffered TO copy
or even inspect them; but the Chinese
Christians encountered no such scrup'es; SO
that. besides taking copies Of inscriptions on
the stone tablet they were enabled TO bring
away cgh, Hebrew manuscripts. six oi them
containing portions Of the Old Testament,
and two of the Hebrew Liturgy. The cor,
respondent of the North China Herald sayo
that
The passages Of scripture are from the
LIST to 9th chapter Of Exodus, from the 3Sth
10 the 10th chapters ofthe same book Levitt
icus 9th and Goth chapters. Numbers 18th,
18th and 18th chapters, Deuteronomy from
the llth to the 10th chapters. with the 23d
chapter of that book. Various portions OF
the Pentateucc, Psalms and Aagiographa,
occur in the books Of prayers, which have
not yet beer definitely fixed. The charac-
ter in which these portions are written IS IN
antique form Of Hebrew, with points They
are written on thick paper, evidently oy
means of style. and the material employed
as veil as the silk in which the books are
bound, exhibit marks Of foreign origin
Two Isralitish gentlemen. to whom they.
have been shown in Shaughae, says that
they have seen such books 10 Alden, and the
occurrence here and there of Persian
words, written with Hebrew letters in ;he
notes appended, seem to Indicate that the
books in question came originally from the
Western part of Asia, perhaps Persia or Ara
bia. There is no trace whatever Of the
Chinese character about them. and they
must have been manufactured entirely by
foreigners residing in China, or who have
come from foreign country Regardi ng
their age. it would be difficult to hazard
even conjecture.
The result ofths mission has been such
that il cannot be doubted another will be
sent, and we trust the attempt at last will be
made by some discreet foreigner-a Jew. or
at all events Hebrew schoar--to penetrate
10 Kai-long fu; for although the proofs
brought away on the present occasion are
20 FAR satisfactory, yet in the account given,
On the authority of the Chinese emmisssries,
VIC presume, there are several things that
night otherwise excite iucreduliiy.-lO Over
and China Mail, Jan. 29tlr'