The Atherstone, Nuneaton, and Warwickshire Times. — 1881-10-22 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

COIIEN AT COVENTRY.  On Sunday aftermon Herr Gustavus Cohen, the celebrated phrenologist, delivered an address in the Corn Exchange, on "Sketches from Jewish Life." There was a very large audience. Mr. Cohen was accompanied on the platform by Mr. E. Price. Prayer having been offered up, and a hymn sting, Mr. Cohen delivered a most interesting and ins' ructive address. He spoke of the various charmteristies of the Jewish nation, and gave a description of some of their customs, feasts, fasts, and ceremmties He said he wished his audience to understand that, because Jews were aliens, they ought not to be looked down upon and despised. When once converted to Christianity they were the most earnest workers in the cause ; and as a proof that their morals were of a high order be mentioned that only two or three Jews had been executed for murder during the last 300 years. They were not addicted to crime, and in whatever country they settled they gave less trouble than any other class of .the community. Not that. he meant to convey the idea that Jews were better than Gentiles ; be did not, mean that, but he thought the annals of crime would bear out his statement. The question might be asked, why did Jews not more generally embrace Christianity. In the eountries where Jews had been martyred for refus'ng to do so, the so-cal'ed Christianity was anything but Christ-like. There the Jews were hated and despised; they were 'Liven from place to place, until they became a bye-wont : they were robbed, and in some instances most cruelly murdered ; and all this was done under the cloak of religion, and in the name of Christ. But when a Jew came to England he found n different state of things. Here he found true Christianity— noble-hearted men working for Jews, advocating their cause, and praying for them ; and the more Jews saw of this true spirit of Christianity the more improvement would there be amongst them. They saw that there was something good and noble in the Christianity of this country—that it was a better Christianity than they had abroad, and therefore they were more greatly impressed by it, and more easily converted to it The Christianity of England was its greatest glory, and so long as it was maintained, so long would England's greatness and blessedness remain. Herr Cohen concluded by giving some excellent advice to the young people present. Another hymn was sung, and a collection having been made the proceedings terminated.—ln the evening the Exchange was crowded to excess, and another address was delivered by Herr Cohen, on "Sketches from Christian Life." It was calculated that there were not less than four thousand persons present, including prominent m itibers of al religious sections. On the platform were the Rev. C. E. Gordon-Smith and other ministers and gentlenun. In the course of his observations Herr Cohen gave a narrative of his own life, more particularly dwelling upon that portion of it which has been spent in England. He spoke of some of the sins and follies to which certain sections of the English nation were addicted, and drawing illustrations from his own life, warned young people against refusing the advice and counsel of those who had had greater expeiience than themselves, and aeainst being led away by false friends, who would desert them in the hour of their sorest need. He narrated the manner in which he was led to embrace Christianity, and the hostility which his relatives and friends displayed towards him—cursing, hating, and despising him; and concluded by advising his hearers not to yield to infidelity or Atheism or evil influence, but to live good Christian lives, then they would be a blessing to their country and the world at large would he the better for it.—Another collection was made, and the meeting was concluded with singing and prayer. The hymns sung were from the collection of Moody and Sankey, and the singing was led by the full band of the Coventry Ragged School. under the direction of Mr. W. H. Lower& jun. The amount collected was £7 Od., aria after expenses had been defrayed, fl 3s. was given to the chil iren's wards, and a similar sum to the Ragged Schools.