The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-05-10
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
THE JEWS.

OidA prayer anu uOre dCtiFo CAOA eLVno AA w
half of the ancient people of God. And
am more incliGed to press the subject from
perusing the life and experience Of the Rev
Jonas A. Davis, converted Jew and Bap
tist minister who has been recently preaching
among US. He was brought up in the city
Of London, and was first led to see and fee
the force of the evidences of Christianity and
the errors of Judaism, by intercourse and
conversation with an intelligent and piouf
young lady who was well posted in the mer'
its of the controversy. He then went to
hear the gospel preached, and his convictions
we're deepened; but such was the hostility Of
his friends that he could only enjoy that
privilege occasionally and clandestinely. Of
cOuse he bad to endure much opposition and
persecution, and was finally disinherited by
wealthy father.
We have some societies organized in our
large cities for the purpose of ameliOrating
the condition of the Jews, and we hear of
some conversions among them, but the pro-
gress is slow. As they are here among US
by thousands, and speak our language, may
We not properly enquire with concern, what
is the cause of our failure?
Perhaps we are inclined to believe that
God has fixed upon them peculiar curse for
crucifying the Redeemer, and calling for his
blood to rest on them and their children, and
therefore it is useless if not sinful to resist
Gods decree. But we have no ground to
believe that the curse of God and the predic-
tiOns Of Christ of approaching calamities, in
cluded all the race at that time and for all
time. The great command was to preach
the gospel to every creature, and by the
faithful labors of the apostles in Jerusalem
and the country, many were happily con-
verted. And our good Lord himself in his
dreadful agonies on the cross did not forget
to pray for his murderera. His prayer was,
"Father forgive them. for they know not
what they do" AS many of them were i'm
PEELED more by Ignorance and prejudice than
by wickedness, and his prayer was always
heard, doubtless number of shem were con-
verted on the day of Pentecost. Invincble
ignorance mOdi6es guilt, and brings it within
the scope of Gods mercy. Paul, the bloody
persecutor was guilty of much barbarity, but
was pitied and pardoned because he did it
"ignOrantly in unbelief." We should recol-
lect then that the great want with the Jews
is light, which they studiously exclude by in-
veterate prejudice, and we should be more dill
igent and determined to speak the truth in
love. Let our men and women be wise as
serpents and harmless as doves. We should
be prepared to prove from the Old Testa-
ment which they acknowledge to be the word
of God and their guide in all things, that Je.
sus of Nazareth was the true Messiah, and
that his kingdom was not to be of tempo
raj but spiritual nature. They should be
kindly taught from their own prophets that
circumcision is indicative of heart work
without which the sign is a nullity, and that
all the types and prophecies were fulfilled in
Jesus Christ and His gospel. And all our
efforts should be attended with earnest pray
er to God that the Holy Spirit may impart
to them light and life.
In addition to this, is it not our duty at
this crisis when so much is done and doing
for the heather as well as for our own peo-
pie, for all Christian denominations to offer
up special and stated prayer for them in all
our churches, families and closets While
God is answering our prayers, and remem-
bering our aims and tolls in behalf of the
most degraded heather for our encourage
ment, do we not generally ignore and neglect
our duty in regard to the millions of this en-
terprising but unfortunate race? once
preached in village where family of them
frequently attended church, and they sent 4
nice boy to my school without any restric-
tions laid on me but as did not pray in
the pulpit expressly for the Jews, under
stood there was some complaint; and upon
reflection l concluded they had good cause
And may not our delinquency be one cause
why so little has beer done for them? Pau
says, blindness in part is happened unto Is
rael until the fulness of the Gentiles be come
in. And so all Israel shall be saved as il
/ is written, there shall come out of Zion the
Deliverer, and turn away ungodliness from
Jacob" By the signs of the times and som'
intimstions in the Bible, some wise and goo(
? men suppose the Millennium is near at hand
! and if so We ought to look earnestly at thi
!, subject At least we have the promise o
d God that it shall be done, but he says, g"
d will yet be inquired of by the house of Is
d rael to do it for them" And if the Chris
}, tiau church is now the true Israel of God
it might be well for our church courts to tax
If up the subject, and recommend attention t
b it at least in every monthly concert.
l. We might add that wherever it is pract
le cable we should allure the children into ou
N Sunday Schools or other Seminaries wher
s. the Bible is read and expounded, that the
lg may learn the truth as it is in Jesus Chris
s. No doubt the principal cause of their bite
- Lo,k;1;ty, to Hbr;et;on nityy 70 tba Yreiudica ,