fr r m> « . i ABMSTXONG'S SECOND ED1TI0JT. THE CONYiEIRTEB JEW? OR MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE y C. ¥. FREY, JOSEPH SAMUEL WHO WAS BORN A JEW, but is now a Spinimx of tiz (Fosprt in JUnfcotit To which are added AN ADDRESS TO CHRISTIANS IN BEHALF OF THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM. AND A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE DISPERSION, SUF* FER1NGS, AND PRESENT STATE OF BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, Theological Printer and Bookseller, No. 50, CornhilL 1815. mV DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS— To i»%u District Clerk's Office. Be it remembered, that on the thirteenth day of February, A. D. 1815, and in the thirty-ninth year of the independence of the United States of America, Samuel. T. Armstrong, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as Proprietor^ in the words following, fa ivit: "The Converted Jew; or Memoirs of the Life of Joseph Samuel C F. Frey, who was born a Jew, but is now a Min- ister of the Gospel in London. In which are describe^ Jewish customs and ceremonies. "Come a* d hear, all ye that fear God, and 1 will declare what he hath done for my soul"....P3 lxvi, 15. "This shall be written for the gener- ation tocomej and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord."... Ps. cii, 18\ To which is added an Ad- dress to Christians in behalf of the Descendants of Abraham." In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, intitled, "An act for the encouragement of Learn- ing, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned;" and also to an act intitled, "An act supplementary to an act, intitled an act for the En- couragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etching, Historical and other Prints." WILLIAM S. SHAW, Clerk oft/ie District of Massachusetts PREFACE. IT is highly gratifying to the Author to know that the plain and simple Narrative contained in the following pages, has been read with much pleas- ure and edification amongst various classes of Christians. The desire to tell the world at large what God has done for his soul, has led him to publish ft* The Author has endeavored to state the -principal and most remarkable facts which have occurred, in the way in which the Lord has ltd him these forty years in the wilderness, and has noticed throughout the work, especially in the last chapter, manyoi the Jewish cere- monies and customs Tiie wo. k, hav- ing been carefully revised and well exe- cuted, is now sent forth to the public for the edification of the reader and the glo- ry of the Redeemer. That these ends may be answered is the sincere wish of THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Page. An Account of the Author's Birth and Education, 13 CHAP. H. Of the Religious Offices which he sustained amongst the Jews, 24 chap. nr. Of the Time and Place of his embracing the Christian Religion, 14 CHAP. IV. Of the remarkable Circumstances which led him to a farther acquaintance with Divine Truth, 42 CHAP. V. Of his Entrance into the Missionary Seminary at Berlin, • ----.. f£ CHAP. VI. Of his Design in coming to England, 75 CHAP. vn. Of his Ministerial Labors amongst the Jews, 97 CHAP. vm. Vn Address to Christians of all Denominations, in Behalf of the Descendants of Abraham, - 10$ APPENDIX. History of the Jews, ------ 166 False Messiahs, - - - - - - - 196 Subscrib era's Names, ------ 222 MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF JOSEPH SAMUEL C. F. FREY, A CONVERTED JEW- CHAP. I. HIS BIRTH AND EDUCATION, IT pleased God in whom I live, move, and have my being, to favor me with the light of this world, September 21, 1771. The place of my nativity is Maynstockheim, near to Kitzingc n in Franconia. My father, Samuel Levi, was nineteen years a private tutor in a Jewish family, at Mynburnheim; and after he married continued, as it were, day and night in the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and the traditions of the fathers, and acted as Morah Tzedek, whilst my mother carried on a trade, by which the family was comfortably H The Life of Mr. Frey, supported. Morah Tzedek, is a person to whom the Jews apply for direction in difficulties arising from the observa- tion of the innumerable religious cere- monies with which the Jewish ritual abounds. According to the religion of my parents, I was circumcised on the eighth day after my birth, and received my name, Joseph SamueL The reason why I have now three additional names will be given in Chap. iii. Jewish children are called, by the name of the nearest relation that is dead, perhaps in refer- ence to Detit. xxv, 6; accordingly the first child was called by my parents — Levi, which was the name of my fath- ers father; the second was a daughter, and received the name of my mother's mother; and as I was the third child, I received the name of my mother's fath- er, which was Joseph. My parents had ten children, five daughters, and as many sons. My sisters were taught to read the prayer-book in the Hebrew lan- guage, u e. to pronounce the words, but without understanding even the literal jneaning of a single sentence* Thb a Converted Jew. 15 alas! is usually all the education which the females receive, and many of them have not even so much. Those who believe that females have souls as well as males, and that they arc as much interested in ihe covenant bles- sings as the sons of Abraham, will a.o much lament the neglect of their educa* tion as they will disapprove of the impi* ous daily thanksgiving of every Jew: "Blessed art thou Jehovah our God ? ""* Kmg of the world, that thou hast not made me a woman." Christian females, let me intreat you not only to shed the tear of compassion over the miserable and degraded state of your Jewish sisters, but most earnestly to supplicate the throne of grace that the God of Israel would bring his daughters from the ends of the earth as well as his sons from afar. May you imitate the lauda- ble example of many of your sex who have of late so zealously exerted them- selves to aid the funds of the London Society, under whose patronage Jewish girls are educated as well as boys. My brothers and myself were put un- der the care of a tutor in our own fam* 16 The Life of Mr. Frey, ily, who instructed us daily in the Law, or five books of Moses, and in the Tal- mud, and on the Sabbath we were ex- amined by our father, in what we had learned through the week. Our tutor took every opportunity to inspire us wi- ichro, u e. let his name and memory be blotted out. The advantages and disadvantages arising from the mode of education just mentioned, have attended me through life; for whilst on the one hand my pro- gress in Jewish learning was advanced, on the other hand I was kept in perfect ignorance of all useful knowledge. Un- til the 24th year of my age I had not the happiness of seeing a New Testament, nor a translation of the Old. That little knowledge I now possess is to be as- cribed to the blessing of God, upon the diligent use of means since I have been amongst Christians. Before I was three years old I began the Hebrew alphabet, and when but six years of age I could perfectly read any chapter of the five books of Moses. It a ConveHed Jew. 19 is true, I understood neither the mean- ing of the precepts, nor the design of the ceremonies contained in those books; yet ten thousand thanks to my dear par- ents, who taught me the Sacred Scrip- tures from a child, the fruits of which I now reap daily. About that time it pleased God to afflict me with the small-pox, which brought on a long and painful illness, and for eighteen months together, my life was supposed to be in danger, dur- ing which time I forgot what I had for- merly learned; the sight of my left eye was also injured, and I lost the use of « speech, but through the blessing of God, I was gradually restored to the use of both. The latter, however, has always continued in a measure defective, and even at present, in reading a long con- tinued sentence, I experience some de- gree of hesitation. This formerly has been a source of grief to me, but blessed be God, for ther^ last twelve years, I have seen the wisdom and goodness of the Lord in this fatherly chastise- ment,* and I shall, I trust, have reason * This circumstance mil be refwrecl to an,4 explained hi Chap, in. £0 The Life of Mr. Frey, to say through eternity, that "this light affliction which is but for a moment, has worked out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," 2 Cor. iv, 17. On my recovery I was again instructed in the section out of the law appointed for the week, with the explanation of Rabbi Solomon Yarchi, and was also taught a chapter every day out of the former prophets, and Hagiographa, but never was any part of the latter prophets, l except what is contained in the Haphto- roth, explained to me; no wonder there- fore, that I was ignorant of what they had written concerning the Messiah. The Jews have a tradition that, when Antiochuth Epiphanes prohibited the reading of the law, they substituted fifty- four chapters or portions out of the other writings of the Old Testament, which they call Haphtoroth, one of which is still read every Sabbath day after the Section of the law is finished. I have often been surprised, that in the choice of these Haphtoroth, those parts which speak the plainest respecting the Mes- 1 siah are left out, especially as the 52d a Converted Jew. 21 and 54th chapters of Isaiah are appoint- ed, but the three last verses of the 52d chapter, and the whole of the 53d are skipped over. The only reason I can assign, is, that the people might be kept in ignorance of Him of whom Moses and the prophets spake, and of whom it is written in the Book of Psalms. The omission of so many precious and most important portions of the writ- ings of the holy prophets, as the 7th, 9th, and 53d chapters of Isaiah; the 23d chap, of Jeremiah, and the whole book of Daniel, particularly the 9th chapter, has led me, among other reasons taken notice of by Vitringa,* to suspect the truth of the antiquity of the choice of the Haphtoroth. I am rather inclined to think, that at a much later date, to prevent the people from reading the whole Bible, this method has been adopted. Hence we find most Jewish families in the possession only of that Hebrew Bible which contains no more than the five books of Moses, the Haphtoroth for the Sabbath and festival * Yitriaga, e the second, called Noach. When a Jewish boy has arrived at the xge of thirteen years and a day, he is :onsidered a man, fit to be one cf the en necessary to constitute a full num- ber for public worship. He is now obliged to observe the precepts for him- ielf, and is no longer considered under he power of his father. He is also ac- counted of age to manage business, and 24 The Life of Mr. Frey, his contracts arc valid. I was now ar- rived at that period of life in which it is usual with the Jews to decide whether a person will engage in business, or qual- ify himself further for any religious office. Having chosen the latter, I con- tiqiied five years longer in the study of the Talmud and its various commen- tators. CHAR II. RELIGIOUS OFFICES WHICH HI SUS- TAINED AMONGST THE JEWS. Having attained the age of eighteert, I went, by the consent of my parents, to Hesse, as a tutor, and during the three following years, I instructed six children in reading Hebrew, and understanding the literal meaning of the five books of Moses, together with some parts of the Mishna, and also in writing and arith metic: in these occupations I was em ployed only six hours in the day, and the remainder of my time I was often at a loss how to spend. O that I had then known the value of time, and improved a Converted Jew. 25 it suitably. Lord, remember not this sin of my youth, and may I henceforth redeem time for it is short. Besides free board and lodging, I received tour guineas per quarter, with which in Ger- many a person can live better than with ten guineas in England. Thus I ■ bought myself "rich and increased with goods, and had need of nothing, not knowing that I was wretched^and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked," Rev. iii,17. At the age of twenty- one I receiyed a second honorary degree to be a leader of the synagogue, to read the public prayers and the law of Moses. At this I period I was much esteemed amongst my brethren, but the pride of my heart was not satisfied; I therefore took great pains, and spent a whole year in obtain- ing the knowledge of the Jewish method of preparing the knife for killing fowls or beasts, and of the nature of the lungs. None but those who have learned these ceremonies can judge how difficult they are to be acquired, so as to be master of them all. At length I likewise obtained this degree of honor from the Riy or Rabbi, of Hesse Cassel. 26 The Life of Mr. Fret/, In the use of these ceremonious ob- servances I was extremely strict, al- though not one of them is to be found expressed in the whole Book of God, but these are only afezv of the innume- rable, vain and extremely burdensome traditions, received of the fathers. O blessed Jesus! thy yoke is easy, and thy burden is light, for by thee the weary and heavy laden find rest. Happy, thrice happy those who are brought into the holy liberty of thy glorious and ev- erlasting Gospel. About this time my mother entered into a large concern of business, — tfcat of sending corn to the Prussian army, then at Frankfort on the Maine; she wished therefore very much for my as- sistance at home, and I consequently complied with her desire for my return. Having but little skill or pleasure in trade, I soon left my father's house the second time, and again went ence more to Hesse. Oh the day of my departure my dear father accompanied me a little way out of the town, and at the moment of parting, he laid his hands upon my head to give me the last blessing, a Converted Jetv. *£? words he made use of on this solemn occasion will never be forgotten by me; they were these: "The Angel of the cov- enant be with thee.'* Blessed, for ever blessed, be that Angel who has made an everlasting covenant with me, ever to be remembered* As I had saved some money in the preceding years, I resolved to travel, and accordingly made a tour through Westphalia to the borders of Holland f and then back again to Goettingen, Hanover, and "Hamburgh, remaining about nine weeks in the last place, or rather at Altona, staying in the Uouse of a Jew, where strangers lodged, and a great number of Jews resorted. Frequently I expressed my desire of entering again into a situation where I might officiate in the stations which I had formerly filled. Several opportuni- ties offered themselves, but they were not suitable to me, for I was generally considered as a Pharisee, on account of my strict adherence to the ceremonies in which I was brought up, which made me consider most of my brethren in that place as being neither Jews nor Christians, 28 The Life of Mr. Frey, One day, a Jew came to inform me a that he had received a letter from a friend desiring him to find a suitable instructor for his children; having heard me read a portion in the Bible, he asked me some questions out of the Talmud, and also concerning my knowledge of arithmetic; and having seen some speci- mens of my writing, "you are the man, 5 ' said he, "that will suit my friend;" and accordingly he wrote a letter of recom- mendation in my favor to a Jew at Meck- lenburgh Schvverin, and for his kind- ness, I presented him with five dollars, The next day I left Hamburgh, and af- ter three days arrived safely at Schwerin. No sooner had I delivered the letter of recommendation, than I experienced a great disappointment as well as sur- prise; for the good old man, to whom it was addressed, having read it, loosed at me with sorrow and said, "I have no children, what shall I do with a teacher? I regret extremely that you are so de- ceived." This was the "first time that I had been deceived by a Jew. The words of David immediately came into my mind, "It was not an enemy that a Converted Jew. ii ( i reproached me, then I could have borne it," Psalm iv, 12. But, blessed be God, I may now express myself in the words of Joseph. "He thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save my soul alive," Gen. i, 20. Amongst the passengers with whom I had travelled from Hamburgh to Schwerin, was a young Jewish tutor and a Christian, who I believe was a traveller to a tobacco manufactury in Hamburgh. The latter observed a great difference in our conduct; for my brother Jew plainly declared by his actions that he had freed himself from the restraint of the Jewish ceremonies, instituted by God himself, as well as from the nume- rous burdens laid upon us by the Rab- bies. He ate and drank freely of every thing that was set before him, asking no questions whatever concerning it; whilst, on the contrary, I, according to my edu- cation, ate scarcely any thing but bread and butter, and that only cut with my own knife, during the whole journey* Our companion, the Christian, said, "if vou will give me leave, I will deliver #3 SO The Life of Mr. Frey, my opinion concerning the different manner in which you act, both profes- sing to be Jews — You," said he to my companion, "are neither a Jew nor a Christian, neither cold nor hot. If you think yourself freed from the Jewish ceremonies you should become a Chris- tian. 5r To me, he said, "I am sorry to see you chastening yourself, and so much troubled with the burdens which your father's were never able to bear, and which you need not to observe; for,'' said he in continuance, "the ceremonial law is fulfilled and taken away by the Messiah Jesus, and a new covenant is made, as it was foretold by the Prophet Jeremiah,'? (Chap, xxxu 3 1—33. ) "Be- hold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand, to bring them out of the land of Egypt- which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband to them, saith the Lord: but this shall be the covenant, that I will make with the house of Is: . a Converted Jew. £1 fter those days, saith the Lord, I will write my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." These words I had never heard before, the prophets being seldom read, as ob- served above. This conversation took place on the day on which we reached Schwerin. I took an affectionate leave of my kind friend the Christian, without any pros- pect of seeing him again. But being disappointed in my expectation of ob- taining a situation with the Jewish fam- ily, as before related, I determined to leave that place the next day, and ac- cordingly went by the conveyance of the stage coach to Gistrow, when, by the kind providence of God, I again met with my fellow traveller, the same Christian friend. Having told him my disappointment, he shewed much sym- pathy, and sought to comfort me, say- ing, 4i Put your trust in the God of Isra- el, and he will never suffer you to be moved." Having reached Gistrow, I went to the synagogue, it being Friday evenings 32 The Life of Mr. Frey, where I was soon observed as a stran- ger, and was invited to supper by the most honorable Jew in the place, who, knowing my father and connexions, was extremely kind to me, and desired that I would dine with him the next day. I stayed at the same inn with my Chris- tian friend. My soul was disquieted within me all the night. Early in f he morning my friend went into the city oa his business. Soon after he was gone, all that he had said to me came suddenly into my mind with great force, and his kind and affectionate behavior, contrast- ed with the shameful conduct of my brother the Jew, had such an influence on my mind, that I immediately sat down and wrote a letter to him, intima- ting, I would travel in his company to Berlin, in order to inquire into the truth of Christianity. Having written this letter and sealed it, I left it for him in the inn, and went into the synagogue, without thinking, for a moment on the great sin, which I had committed (ac- cording to the Jewish traditions) in wri- ting and scaling a letter on the Sabbath day. a Converted Jew. 33 On my return from the synagogue, I was informed that my Christian friend had left the place, and since that time I never had the pleasure of seeing him. My conscience was now awakened, and it loudly told me that I was no longer a Jew, for that I had broken the Sabbath. Hitherto I had been a self-righteous Pharisee in my own estimation, but now it pleased God to take at once every plea of merit from me, by convincing me of this one single sin. Now I found the truth of those words, "A wounded spirit who can bear?" All the kindness which my Jewish friend had shewn me on the preceding evening, could not influence me to go again to his house. I shut myself up in my chamber until the next morning, when I went by the stage coach to Ros- tock, in the hope of finding my Chris- tian friend. From this time I must date the commencement of a new period in my life. 34 The Life of Mr. Trey, CHAP. III. TIME AND PLACE OF HIS £HBRA€« ING THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. On my arrival at Rostock I went to the inn nearest the coach office, to in- quire for my friend, but was disap- pointed in not hearing any thing of him. Having been informed that no Jew was allowed to remain in that town for a single night without liberty from the magistrate, for which a certain sum was to be paid; I told the landlord, that be- ing born a Jew, I was under the neces- sity of having this license; but that I wished to inquire into the truth of Christianity, and to embrace that reli- gion, if I should be convinced of its veracity. On heaping this, he immedi- ately promised me every assistance, and the next day he went with me to a min- ister of the Gospel, who examined me concerning my knowledge of the Chris- tian faith, and of the motives which in- duced me to renounce Judaism. Hav- ing found that I could produce no other a Converted Jew. 35 proof that Jesus was the Messiah, than Jacob's prediction, Gen. xlix, 10, "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah nor a law-giver from between his feet till Shiloh conies, and to him shall the gathering of the people be," he sus- pected my motives to be worldly. How- ever, he did not altogether discourage me t but went with me to some other ministers, and stated my request to the magistrate of Rostock, before whom I was shortly after summoned to appear, where I was strictly examined, and my testimonies were approved; but they told me that there had been many Jews who had embraced Christianity only for secular advantages, and lived afterwards as heathens, which had made them very cautious of receiving any, before they were thoroughly convinced of their sin- cerity. In order to convince them that I sought nothing but the truth, I promised not to receive the least emolument from any Christian, but to learn a trade, that I might obtain my daily bread by the labor of my own hands. About a fort- night after this I received their resolu- tion, which was, that I should apply to 36 The Life of Mr. Frey, the ministers of three neighboring towns, and if none of them would receive me, I should return again, and they would assist me in my undertaking. Accordingly I went to Wismar, where I met with Dr. Haupt, minister of the Marian Church, who very kindly recom- mended me to a shoemaker, to whom I was bound apprentice for three years. In the mean time I went twice every week to this minister for instruction, and spent as much time at home as I could spare from my employment, in comparing the German translation with the Hebrew Bible, and in reading the New Testament, which I had never seen before. My judgment was soon convinced that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, and that his doctrine brings much greater glory to God, and peace and good will towards men, than that of Moses. At this early period I began to expe- rience the truth of those words of my blessed Redeemer, "He that will be my disciple must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.' 5 The reader y possibly expect that my persecu- a Converted Jew. 37 tions arose from my own brethren the Jews: this was not, however, the case, for there were no Jews living in that town. But what is worse, many who called themselves Christians, said con- tinually to me, "You will certainly give up your new profession of faith, as soon as you have made your fortune amongst us." Such words as these often pierced my heart sharper than a two edged sword, especially when comparing the state of worldly prosperity enjoyed by my parents, and the credit and honor which I had acquired amongst the Jews, with the low and miserable condition in which I now found myself as an appren- tice. I cannot but mention a few par- ticulars respecting my sufferings in the house of my master, that the Lord may be glorified, by whose grace alone I was enabled to sustain them patiently. My master's wife had for the last eight years been afflicted with melancholy, which had been the means of reducing him to poverty. By sad experience, I found, that no plentiful table was to be my por- tion; but what cannot necessity teach a 4 38 The Life of Mr. Fref, man to suffer, although he had been un- accustomed to it before! My natural pride was exceedingly humbled, by the authority assumed over me by my master's daughter, who was only fourteen years of age, whereas I was now five and twenty, having spent the preceding time in so respectable a situation amongst my own people, with whom I had very little doubt, if I had then gone back to them, I could have gained one equally good. These things were not pleasant to the flesh, but griev- ous; however, blessed be the Lord, by whose grace they were made to produce the peaceable fruits of righteousness. At the expiration of eighteen months, my master was obliged to give up the business, upon which a new difficulty arose; the minister would not receivev me as a member of the church until I should have completed my apprentice- ship with another master: but the trade would not allow any other master to re- ceive me before I was baptized. The reason which they assigned was, that no apprentice is allowed to stay longer than three months with a master, without a Converted Jew. Si) having his name regularly registered in the book belonging to that trade; but as no Jew could be bound apprentice in Germany, my name could not be regis- tered till after I had been baptized. Thus was I left almost without a single friend, in a strange place. At that time a band of players was at Wismar, and in order to gain support, without being burdensome to society, I transcribed the parts which they had to act for about two months. The master of the band was much taken with me, and had it not been for the impediment in my speech, caused by the small-pox, would have engaged me as an actor; but God in his abundant mercy and gracious dealings with me, a poor sinner, broke this snare also. By the kind orderings of providence, I met with a gentleman named Matthias van Gilben; who advised me to go to New Brandenburgh, in Mecklenburgh Strelhz, where he was acquainted with a minister who would receive me, and to whom he gave me a letter of recom- mendation; I therefore took my leave of the minister at Wismar, and proceeded 40 The Life of Mr. Frey, to New Brandenburgh, and in my way thither, in every town, where I came, I waited upon the ministers, who all sev- erally wished me well, but were not willing to do any thing in my favor. How few, alas, are those who seek the salvation of Israel! When I reached the place of my destination, I delivered my letter to the Lutheran minister, Mr. Cortum, who received me kindly, and gave me effectual assistance. I was again bound to a shoemaker for one year and a half, and went, as formerly, twice a week, to the minister, for in- struction. On the 8th of May, 1798, I was bap- tized publicly, and received as a mem- ber of the protestant church. It has always been the custom, that at the baptism of a Jew, some respectable persons should stand godfathers, who make him many presents; but I refused to receive any, as another proof that I did not embrace Christianity for the sake of worldly gain. It is also a practice in Germany, and which has been of long standing, for a converted Jew to receive new names when baptized; therefore, upon this occasion, the minister having a Converted Jew. 41 preached from John viii, 32, 36. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son there- fore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed;" he gave me for a new surname Frey* which signifies the same as free in English, but in the German language it is pronounced like Fry. Many in this country, attending more to the origin and signification than to the spelling of my name, pronounce it generally as if written Free. He like- wise added to my former name — Joseph Samuel, those of Christian Frederick. the former expressive of the religion I embraced, the latter of his good wishes, namely, that I might be rich in peace. Thus I was received into the pale of the Christian church, having an estab- lished belief that Jesus was the Messiah, and that there was no salvation but in him; nevertheless, I acknowledge with shame, that I had neither a clear perception of the spirituality of the law, nor of the na- ture of the offices sustained by, and the benefits to be derived from, Christ, *In this country the uame is pronounced as if writtei Fray, *4 42 The Life of Mr. Frey, A few months after this, my appren- ticeship expired, and I was at liberty to go as a Journeyman. It was therefore my intention to accompany another young man, of the same trade, to Ros- tock, where I had first expressed my wish of embracing Christianity; but God, in his gracious designs of provi- dence, had appointed another place for me, where I should be led to a fuller discovery of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, which I shall relate in the follow- ing chapter. CHAP. IV. REMARKABLE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH LED HIM TO A FARTHER ACQUAIN- TANCE WITH DIVINE TRUTH. Two days before the time on which we proposed to leave New Brandenburgh, my companion wounded his hand in such a manner, that he was obliged to give up all thoughts of the journey. As I hud given notice to my master of my intention to leave him, I did not choose to remain there any longer, and therefore removed to the next town, a Converted Jew. 43 which was Prentzlow, in Prussia, where I arrived on the 24th of December, The weather was exceedingly cold, and there were many journeymen, but little work, I however, not only found em- ployment, bat was settled in the best situation in the whole town: thus al- though but lately out of my apprentice- ship, the Lord gave me success, and greatly blessed the work of my hands. Surely goodness and mercy have fol- lowed me all the days of my life. O that 1 could praise God for his loving kindness and tender mercies! In this situation I met with so much envy and ill will from the journeymen, that I was obliged to change it for another, not so good in point of wages, and much more laborious, but it proved more profitable to the welfare of my soul. For here I first learned to bow my heart as well as my knees before Je- hovah, and prayed for the fii st time in spirit and in truth. A few weeks before Easter, the same gentleman, (Mr. Matthias va;i Gilben,) who so effectually recommended me to the minister at New Brandenburgh, paid 44 The Life of Mr. Frey, me a visit, and made me a present, say- ine, "Buy yourself an apron with this money, and uear it as a remembrance of your friend till I see you again;" ac- cordingly I went with his son to a tan- ner, of the name of Michaelis. I have ever found pleasure in remarking the ways of Providence, and now that I know more of that God who alone or- ders all things according to his own will, my delight is still greater, in look- ing back to the ways in which he has so graciously led me, even to the present hour. We passed by several tanners* shops, as 1 saw afterwards, in going to Michaelis, whom I asked for an apron, and when he told me the price, said, "Is not that too much? for I know the Value of these things." "How came you to know it?" asked he. I answer- ed, "When I was a Jew, I lived in a family where such skins were sold." •'So," replied Michaelis, "and what are you now, a Christian?" "Yes," said I, with the greatest confidence. He asked further, "In what manner do j ou live?" This was indeed a strange question, for I had never perceived that there were a Converted Jew. 45 any different modes of living, or con- versation, amongst Christians. "I live,'* said I, "as all the shoemakers' journey- men live; once every Sunday I go to Church; and after service you know the young men cannot be at home at their masters' houses, where they lodge and board in the week, but must go to the inn, or house of call, where I spend the remainder of the Sabbath, and usually continue till Monday evening, playing at cards, and sometimes dancing with them; but the other days in the week I am very diligent in my work." "I am soiry," replied Michaelis, "as you pro- fess to be a Christian, that you do not manifest it in a diffi reqt manner." To which I answered, "I have no friends or acquaintance here, therefore I must go to the mn, and being amongst the other journeymen, I must join in their man- ner of life, else I shall be laughed at, and ridiculed by them all." Michaelis then said with great kindness, "you may come to-morrow afternoon, at five o'clock, to the house cf Mr. Thorman, where several friends meet; you will be« come acquainted with them, and have 46 The Life of Mr. Freij, an opportunity of spending your time on the Sabbath at their houses. n Mi. chaelis also made me a present of the Life of Solomon Duitch, a converted Jew, which I found exceedingly useful. Following the bent of my natural cu- riosity, 1 promised to go there the next dd\\ this conversation, happening on a Saturday; on my return home, I in- quired of my master's wife whether she knew Mr. Thorman, at whose house some friends met every Lord's day. Sne could not speak evil of them, yet was unwilling to speak well, therefore she only said, "it is a society of praying brethren." Early on the following morning, the appointed d,iy in which God designed most graciously to strip me of my own self-righteousness, and clothe me with the righteousness of his dear Son, and to adorn me with the garments of sal- vation, I felt my mind so uneasy that I could not remain in bed. I arose, but the family being all asleep, I knew not what to do; in the mean time I heard an organ, belonging to the church which was near the place of my abode. I im- a Converted Jew. 47 mediately went thither, but scarcely knevv why. The Rev. Mr. Wolfe was on that morning confirming a great numher of children; at the conclusion of die cere- mony he addressed them and said, "My dear children, I am afraid that some of you will soon return ag seemed to be satisfied. On the same day we went together to Rixsdrofj \o 7 U The Life of Mr. Frey, hear a Moravian minister, where, to the great surprise of my friend, the minister, Johannes Bellwitz, preached on the di- vinity of our blessed Saviour; and like Mr. Jaenicke, with holy zeal for the honor of Christ, and unfeigned love for the souls of men, he warned every one of his hearers not to reject any part of divine revelation, although it might ex- ceed their comprehension. This ser- mon was greatly blessed to my friend R — — , who afterwards attended regu- larly on the ministry af Mr. Jaenicke, walked according to the Gospel of Christ, and gave full evidence of his be- ing a Christian, in deed, and in truth. Since I have been in this country I have received from him several edifying and satisfactory letters, which lead me to consider bim as the first fruits of my weak and feeble endeavors. Christian reader, let this circumstance, as well as the word spoken to me in the stage-coach, before alluded to, encour- age you to embrace every opportunity to reprove and exhort sinners, and to rec- ommend Jesus Christ and his glorious •Gospel; for a word spoken in season, how good it is." a Converted Jew. 75 CHAP. VI. HIS DESIGN IN COMING TO ENGLAND* Saturday, July 11, 1801, 1 left Berlin, in company with Messrs, Palm and Ul- bricht for the -purpose of going to Lon- don, to the London Missionary Society, and from thence to Africa, to join Dr. Vander Kemp in his missionary labors among the Hottentots. We arrived at Hamburgh on the Monday following, and called on Mr. Vander Smissen, who received us with christian affection and love. From Hamburgh we went to Hautzhausen, in Friesland, to the Rev, Mr. Stracke, where we met with a most cordial reception. At this place we re- mained six weeks, to learn the Dutch language. While staying with Mr. S — , we had the privilege of preaching in the surrounding villages, to large and atten- tive congregations. We had also an opportunity of becoming acquainted with several most pious, and zealous ministers of the Gospel. On the 6th of September the wind became favorable; and we received 7d The Life of Mr. Frey, orders to embark for England. Three captains, friends to the cause of the Re- deemer, offered to take one of the Mis- sionaries gratis. Early on the next day we took an affectionate leave of our friends, and went on board the vessels M hich lay at Emden. The separation from my two missionary brethren was not a small trial. The hope of seeing them again at London afforded some re- lief: but my greatest comfort and sup- port was derived from a sweet comma* nion with my blessed Savior, "who is a friend that sticketh closer than a broth- er." The first day, when on board the ship, I was unwell, but keeping much on deck I soon recovered. The gran- deur of the sea, which I had never seen before, the rising of the sun, the sight of an approaching ship, together with the kind treatment of the captain, made the voyage seem very short, and exceed- ingly pleasant. On Tuesday, September 15, we Reached Gravesend. At the Alien office I was informed, that the brethren Palm and Ulbricht had just gone up to London, and that I must wait at least a Converted Jew. 7f two days until I received a passport from London. I went to an inn, but as I could not speak a word of English, I knew not how to act. I went to the Rev. W. Kent, and delivered a few lines, which the pilot on board the ship gave me, to inform Mr. K. who I was. Although I could not converse with him, yet it was very encouraging to meet with a Christian friend, especially as Mr. K. was exceedingly kind to me, and introduced me to several of his friends. On my return from his house I met with a poor German soldier, who spoke both German and English, him I took with me to the inn to be my inter- preter. In the evening I was much de- pressed in my mind, cast down and full of fears; but I was enabled to pour out my heart before God in fervent prayer, and retired with some confidence and trust in Him who has said, 4k My grace shall be sufficient for thee*** Next day, having received a passport, I went to London. On my arrival at the counting-house of Joseph Hardcas* tie, Esq. Treasurer to the London Mis- sionary Society, I was directed to lodge 78 The Life of Mt. Frey, at Mr. Smith's Bishopsgate Street. Here I expected to meet my dear breth- ren, Palm and Ulbricht; but as they had gone on board their vessels to spend the night with their captains, of which none in the house could inform me, on ac- count of the language I was greatly dis- appointed. The people observing the cause of my distress, took me into the room where the brethren's luggage was, the sight of which greatly revived my spirits. In this house I remained until I went to Gosport. Mr. and Mrs. S. behaved exceedingly kind to us; they endeavored, in every possible way, to make us comfortable; they also took great pains to help us forward in the knowledge of the English language. The method which I adopted to learn English, w r as to compare the English Bible with the German. In the five months which I staid in London, I read the Gospel of St. John four times over, and compared every verse with the German Bible, and sought for the mean, ing of every difficult word in the Die tionary, by which means I could very soon understand what was spoken, a Converted Jew. 79 though I could not express myself flu- ently till sometime after I had left London. On the first Sabbath of my being in London, I went to Rotherhithe, to hear the Rev. John Townsend. I was much pleased with the manner in which the worship was performed, but not being able to understand the minister, I went to the German Church, at the Savoy, in the Strand, where, at that time, the Rev. Mr. Ringeltaube (now a Missionary m India, under the patronage of the Mis- sionary Society) preached. Soon after, the Rev. Charles SteinkopfFwas ordain* ed in the same Church, where I contin- ued to hear him with great pleasure and edification. As I was not able to converse in English, and having a great desire to promote the salvation of my dear brethren of the house of Israel, I went to their Synagogues, and to those parts of the metropolis where they principally reside, to converse with them in Hebrew, German, or Dutch. Veiy often I returned to my abode, weeping and lamenting over the deplorable con- dition of these my dear brethren and 80 The Life of Mr. Freij, kinsman according to the flesh. Some- times I said to Mr. Smith, "Could I stay but one year in London, I believe I should be able to preach to the Jews in English, so as to make myself under- stood by them. And oh! how happy should I be to declare unto them the word of Salvation, if ever so much ex- posed to their hatred and persecution." But although this was my constant wish and earnest prayer to God, yet, for some time I had no hopes of obtaining my desire, as we were daily in expecta- tion of meeting with a ship to go to the Cape of good Hope, as assistants to Dr. Vander Kemp, But how mysterious are the ways of the Lord! Five months elapsed without finding a single vessel to take us to our destined haven. Both my brethren, Palm and Ulbricht, as well as myself, manifested impatience, and a readiness to murmur against this dispensation of Divine Providence; but blessed be the name of the Lord, whose thoughts are not as our thoughts, and whose ways are not as our ways," with gratitude and praise, I can now say, "he has done all things well." a Converted Jew. 81 Mr. Ringeltaube having been told that I wished to preach to my brethren, the Jews, advised me to write a letter on the subject to Mr. Hardcastle, and promised to translate it into English. Accordingly I wrote to that purpose; in answer to which I was desired to draw up an account of my life, and to state fully, in a letter to the directors, my request, together with the motives which induced me to it. In compliance with their wish, I wrote a short narrative, together with a letter, which I sent to the directors, written in the German language. The following is a literal translation of the letter. Rom. ix, 1 — 3, "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience alsa bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continu- al sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren my kinsman according to the flesh. "Beloved brethren in our Lord Jesus Christ, these and similar words of the apostle Paul, in which he manifested bis 32 The Life of Mr. Frey, love to the Jews, and his heart felt sor- row on account of their unbelief, have eften raised in me so great a desire to become a missionary amongst them, as to overbalance all the dangers which such an attempt might expose me to. Indeed soon after I was truly awakened, I felt an anxions wish, out of love to my dear Savior, who gave himself for me? unto the most painful and ignominious death, and out of love and compassion to the ignorant amongst Christians or amongst heathens, to preach the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ, that the Son of God had endured the greatest sufferings, even unto the death of the cross, for poor, accursed, helpless man; yet it is also true, that as often as I saw a Jew, one of my own brethren and kinsmen according to the flesh, my whole heart was stirred up within me; and my prayer to God was, O that this poor lost sheep might find the right way to the good Shepherd, who gave his life a ransom for our souls. Whenever I found an opportunity to speak to one of the descendants of Abraham, I told him that the promised Messiah was al- a Converted Jew. 83 ready come, not only as the Son of Da- vid, but also as the Son of God: that he was made a curse for us when he suffered and died on the cross, to de«> liver us from the curse of the law, but that the same person rose again from the dead on the third day,according to the scripture prophecy; that he ascended on high; and that in believing this I enjoyed happiness that could not be expressed. "I also translated, at Berlin, into German Hebrew, (i. e. German language in Hebrew letters,) three of Mr. Cooper's sermons, preached to the Jews in Lon- don, in expectation that the Baron van Shirning would cause them to be printed for the use of the Jews. I also trans- lated Luther's shorter catechism, and wrote several things, which I frequently read to some of my dear brethren, and often observed,that many of them resisted the truth merely out of the fear of men. On the Sabbath, I used to go near to thfe synagogue, for the sake of having religious conversation with my dear brethren. Many would stand round about me, to whom I spoke with the greatest boldness respecting their unhc« $4 The Life of Mr 9 Frey, lief and misery, and declared to them the suitable, free and full salvation by Jesus Christ; and assured him of his wonderful love to poor sinners, yea, even to the chief of sinners, Some brought forward objections against Christianity, but, through grace, I was enabled from the writings of the Old Testament, to defend myself. Although I have not yet seen the fruit of those la- bors, yet I know and believe that the doctrine of the cross will produce its effects in due season. "The reasons, therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, why I believe that my blessed Savior will count me worthy, if not here, yet somewhere else; and if not now, yet at some future time, to make known his blessed gospel to my brethren and sisters, are these: — First — the inexpressible and irre- sistible wish and desire which I feel to point out unto them, through the grace and assistance of Him whose strength is made perfect in our weakness, the way to obtain eternal life. "Secondly— It is well known, that 9 Jew who has embraced the Christian a Converted Jew. 85 religion, is generally looked upon by his own nation with the greatest contempt and reproach, yea, even persecuted, as much as lies in their power; yet, to my great surprise, I have been received by many Jews in Berlin, with friendship and respect. Twice I had religious conversation with the presiding Rabbi himself; and here in London, I have dined with some, at whose table I have not been ashamed nor afraid to confess Jesus of Nazareth, to be the true Mes- siah; and not a few have already visited me at my apartments, for the sake of having religious conversation. "Thirdly — I have observed, that my brethren will rather listen to what I say, than to what they hear advanced by a Christian; and that they would open with freedom and confidence, their mind to me, which they would never do to one who was born a Christian. The last reason which I assign for my wish is — " Fourthly '—That I humbly hope I am acquainted with their peculiar clispo* 8& The Life of Mr. Frey, sitions and conduct; that I know their religious sentiments; and that I shall be enabled, through the grace of my bles- sed Savior, to become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some, especially of those of my own nation, whom I love, with love unfeigned and inexpressible. "It is therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, my humble wish to remain, if but one year in London, to try if possi- ble, to save if but one soul, from the power of Satan, and lead him to the good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep, &c. But Jesus is rny Lord and Savior, who has bought me on the cross with his precious blood; to him I give myself again in body and in soul to be directed in this important subject- He who is infinite in wisdom, knows best what is good for me, a poor worm. He is per- fectly acquainted with the hearts of men, and turns them as he does the rivers of water. The desires and motives of my heart are better known to him than to myself: and he will, no doubt, lead and rule according to his holy will, the a> Converted Jew. 87 hearts of my dearly beloved brethren and directors. I am, your willing servant, "C. F. Frey." London, Nov. 24, 1801." After I had sent this letter to the di- rectors, I attended several of their meet- ings, to answer various questions rela- tive to a mission amongst the Jews; and on the 21st of December, I received the important intelligence, that "the directors, had resolved that I should stay, at least one year, in England." The workings produced in my mind, on the receipt of this message, were very op- posite, and continued so for several weeks. The idea of preaching the word of salvation to my dear brethren, and the hope of rescuing some from everlasting destruction, filled my heart with unspeak- able joy and pleasure; but a conscious- ness of my utter unfitness for so great and arduous an undertaking, overwhelm- ed my mind with inexpressible sor- row and grief, and would have led me to despair, had it not been for that 38 The Life of Mr. Frey, gracious promise, "as thy day is, so shall thy strength be." The following passages of Scripture likewise greatly encouraged my heart, 2 Chron. xxxiv, 3. 4l In the eighth year of his reign (i. e. Jcsiah,) while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David, his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images and the molden images." 2 Cor. v, 7. u We walk by- faith and not by sight." The change respecting myself, affected likewise the brethren Palm and Ulbricht? for instead of going directly to the Cape, they were both sent to Rotterdam, where they stayed for some time; and afterwards several brethren from the Missionary Seminary at Berlin, joined them. Having mentioned the circumstances which led to a change in the design of my coming to this country, the reader will no doubt, expect to hear how I en- tered Uj)on this new and most impor- tant part of my life, and of the success of my labors amongst the Jews; but I must beg the reader's patience, and call a Converted Jew. 89 his attention to the gracious dealings of God with me for the space of three years and a half, viz. from the time it was resolved that I should stay in Eng- * land; to the time of my actually entering into the field of labor. As I knew nothing of the English language, and as preaching to the Jews requires seme peculiar preparatory studies, the direc- tors resolved that I should go to Gos- port, to their Missionary Seminary- Accordingly, on the 28th of February, 1802, I left London, and went to Gos- port. Forever blessed be the Lord, who in his wise providence, sent me to that place to be under the tuition of such a man as the Rev. D4vid Bogue. Would to God I had words to express the high esteem which I feel for this my dear tutor, and the great obligations under which I am to him for the inestimable benefits which I then derived, and do even still daily receive from his excellent lectures on various subjects; from his wise, prudent and most judicious advice: and from his exemplary conduct, both as Christian and as a minister. Long may his valuable life fre spared as a 8* 90 The Life of Mr. Frey, blessing to his family, to his flock, and to his church at large. The first thing I had to attend to, was to get a thorough knowledge of English. I had also to learn the Latin and Greek languages. By the desire of my tutor, I gave the students instruction in Hebrew; but the extreme difficulty of obtaining a suitable Hebrew Grammar, led me to compose a new one, which I have since revised and enlarged. A few weeks after I had been at Gos- port, I engaged, for the first time, in prayer, in the Seminary, in the English language. Towards the close of March, I was invited by the Rev. Mr. Cox, of Fareham, to spend the first Sabbath in April, at his house, and to receive the Lord'i Supper with his people. I ac- cepted of his invitation. Having a great desire to prepare a few words in English, and to deliver them on the next Sabbath before the minister to whom I was to pay a visit, I chose the 5th verse in the 17th chapter of the Gospel by St. Matthew: "While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them: and> a Converted Jew. 91 behold! a voice out of the cloud, which said, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." On these words I wrote a few thoughts in the German language, and translated them, by the help of a dictionary, into Eng- lish. According to promise, I went to Fareham. Early on the Lord's day, a nunber of people having met together in the vestry, I engaged in prayer, and then read what I had written on the above-mentioned passage of Scripture. Never did I witness a scene like that morning; tears flowed from every eye, and the people blessed and praised God for what their eyes saw, their ears heard, and their hearts felt. I have since been informed that the Lord was pleased to bless those few imperfect sentences in broken English, to two persons, espec- ially to one who disbelieved the divinity of our blessed Savior. This circum- stance I considered as indicative that it was the will of God that I should stay in England; and I looked upon those two, who received the word with profit, as my first fruits, on British ground, of a plentiful harvest: 92 The Life of Mr. Frey, In the same month, I went to an as- sociation at Christ's Church, where, for the first time, I ascended an English pul- pit to engage in prayer; and in the fol- lowing May, I went up to London, to the Missionary meeting, when the Rev. Rowland Hill introduced me into his pulpit for the like purpose. The feel- ings of my mind at the sight of such an immense congregation, and on account of my imperfect knowledge of the lan- guage, cannot be described. O tint I could sufficiently praise the Lord for his wonderful goodness and mercy, which have followed me all the days of my life. Whilst I was at Gosport, I made a practice to spend the Saturday at Port* sea, where many Jews live, to have re- ligious conversation with them. One time I was met by a Jew constable, who. asked me for my license as a foreigner; I replied that I had a license at Gosport, but had not thought it necessary to take it with me whenever I crossed the water, as it is well known, to several Chris- tians at Portsea, that I belonged to the Missionary Seminary, under the care of tt Converted Jew. OS the Rev. Mr. Bogue. However he would not be satisfied with this, but took me to the mayor's house, who not being at home, I was led by the constable direct- ly to Portsmouth jail. Being late in the evening, I was put into a room, where two other prisoners were. Before I laid myself to rest, having told them the cause of my imprisonment, I prayed to God, and was enabled to intercede, par- ticularly, in a most affectionate manner, for my brother Jew, who had imprison- ed me. This was the first time I had ever slept in a prison; but I can assure the reader, that I never enjoyed a more comfortable, sweet, and refreshing sleep, than I did that night; for I had not only the testimony of a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men, but I could not help thinking that I had the privilege of suffering on account of my religious profession. la the morning, when the prisoners met in the yard, as usual, they said, one to another, |4 There is a wonderful man come amongst us: we curse our ene- mies, but he prays for them; nay, he even prayed last night for Mr. ,,. 94 The Life of Mr. Frey, who brought him into the jail." When I came into the yard, a poor old woman invited me to breakfast with her. As I had no money with me, I accepted thankfully of her kind offer. After breakfast, I said to some of the prison- ers, "I am sorry that we are deprived, (being the Sabbath day) of the privilege of going to a place of worship; if you have no objection, we will sing a hymn, and read a chapter in the Bible. Hav- ing obtained their consent, I took Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns, and on opening the book, the following hymn was the first that presented itself: — "My God, my life, ray lore, To thee, to thee, I call; I cannot live if thou remove, For thou art all in all. Thy shining grace can cheer This dungeon where I dwell; ? Tis paradise if thou art here, If thou depart, 'tis hell." B. ii. Hymn 9& Having, like Paul and Silas, sung praises to God, I also engaged in prayer; after th it I read the 26th and 27th chapters in the Gospel of S 1 Matthew, made a few observations on the sufferings of a Converted Jew. 95 our blessed Savior, and on the conduct of the Jews; where I took occasion to inform them, that I had been a Jew my- self, but had embraced the Christian religion, on which account I was hated by my brethren the Jews, and which was, perhaps, the real cause of my im- prisonment. In order to shew that Christ not only died for our offences, but also rose again for our justification, I read also the 28th chapter of the same Gospel, and concluded with a short prayer. Whilst thus engaged, the Jew consta- ble came to the jailer, and desired him to call me into the house, as he wished to put some question to me, for the purpose of laying my case before the mayor. The jailer, though at that time no friend to religion, refused saying, "I dare not interrupt him, for he is preach- ing to the people." Two Jews, who knew that I frequented the house of Mr, Brooks, went to him, on the same evening that I was confined, and inform- ed him of my imprisonment. Mr. B* immediately sent word to Mr. Bogue, and before one o'clock on the Juord ? s 96 The Life of Mr. Frey, day, I was liberated. Several of the poor prisoners wept, and desired me to stay with them that afternoon, that they might hear more of Jesus Christ. I promised them that I would pay them a visit. Not long after, when I performed this promise, I obtained liberty to preach to the prisoners every Lord's day, which I did for two years; but when I had suf- ficient knowledge of the language to preach in regular congregations, the jail was supplied by one of the students, and has continued to be so to the present day. I have reason to believe, that the word has been blessed to the jailer him- self; and, I trust, produced some effect among the prisoners. The same person who put me into the jail, ever afterward treated me with the greatest respect, and frequently heard me preach. Thus, "the Lord maketh the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder thereof he shall restrain." In May, 1802, I went the second time to London, to the Missionary Meeting; and on the succeeding Sabbath I preach- ed my first Sermon to the Jews at Zion Chapel, from Gen. xiii ; 8.— -"And Abra- a Converted Jew. 97 ham said unto Lot, let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me; and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we are brethren." The place, though immensely large, was exceedingly crowded, and a great number of my dear brethren the Jews, attended: the Lord graciously assisted me, both in body and mind, to speak to so large a congregation, with great freedom and affection. In the same month I return- ed again to Gosport, and remained there till May, 1805; when, by the desire of the Directors of the Missionary Society, I left their Seminary to begin my regu- lar labors amongst my brethren in Lon- don. CHAP. VII. HIS MINISTERIAL LABORS AHONGST THE JEWS. The first Sermon which I preached, when I came to reside in London, was at the Tabernacle, on the Saturday even- ing after the Missionary Meeting. As there was no stated place of worship pro* 9 98 The Life of Mr. Frey, vided for me, I preached for different ministers, both on the week days and on the Sabbath. Several Jews attended whenever and wherever I preached in London, or in its vicinity. Almost every day I had one or more Jews calling upon me, but scarcely one who would enter upon religious conversation argument atively or experimentally. I was introduced to two Jewesses, who had embraced the Christian religion. The one a member of Dr. Jenkinses church, Walworth, and the other had been convinced under the ministry Gf the Rev. Mr. Wilkinson, of the Haber- dasher's Alms-houses; which last has since become a member of the same church at Walworth. With these two Jewesses, together with three Christians, I began a Prayer Meeting, at my own apartments, on the 8th of June, 1805, and continued the same every Friday evening. Our num- ber soon increased, so that the place was not large enough; we continued how- ever to meet for a whole year, and then removed the Prayer Meeting to Zion Chapel. At this meeting we had fie- a Converted Jew. 99 quently a few Jews attending. The prayers then offered up may yet bring down gracious answers. With pleasure I still recollect the happy and profi able hours we spent together in prayer and praise. "O! how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in uni- ty.?* Frequently we experienced, that "where two or three are met together in the name of Jesus, there he is in the midbt of them, and that to bless them." At a meeting of the Directors, June 17th, in the same year, it was resolved that I should preach a weekly Lecture to the Jews. This Lecture I com- menced on the 6th of the following month, on a Saturday evening, at the late Rev. Mr. Ball's Chapel, Jewry Street, Algate, and continued there for twelve months, when it was removed to Zion Chapel; but, after a year it was preached again at the former place. At first a great, number of Jews attended these lectures, but they were soon prohibited in the Synagogue, threatened, watched, and actually punished; which was no doubt, one great cause of their absenting them- selves: however, there were always some 100 The Life of Mr. Fvey, who attended with apparent seriousness. The lectures preached from the begin- ning of the Institution, till the subse- quent month of November, were re- markably blest. Three of my dear people, who regularly attended those lectures, were publicly baptized: in September, 1806, two ir> Zion Chapel, and one at Hoxton Chapel, a short ac- count of which appeared in the Evan- gelical Magazine, for the following month. The latter of these is now my dear partner in life, as well as my sister according to the flesh, and my child in the Gospel. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has thus united us in "a threefold cord which cannot easily be broken." There were also three other Jews who attended at the same time, and have continued to do so wi h their fami- lies to the present day, and to give full evidence of their conversion to God; nor have these lectures been without a blessing to Christians. I could mention several persons who bless God that they ever attended that place of worship, al- though their motive, originally, wa$ mere curiosity. a Converted Jew. 101 In January, 1807, a Free School also was established, at the opening of which, or within a few months afterwards, twelve or thirteen children were re- ceived. This charitable institution greatly alarmed the heads of the Jewish people, and led the Rev, Dr. Hirschel, the presiding Rabbi, to preach in the Synagogue, and warn the Jews against it, by sending circular letters through- out the kingdom, a copy of which I shall insert, that the reader may see, at least in some degree, what difficulties there are in the way of a Jew, either to attend on the preaching of the Gospel, or to have his children instructed in the principles of Christianity. Abstract of the second exhortation delivered by the Rev. Solomon Hirs- chel, at the great Synagogue, Duke's Place, on Saturday, January 10th, a. m, 5567. After a discourse on Jeremiah xi, 18, 19. "Blessed be the Lord our God, and the God of our forefathers, one sole and indivisible, from eternity to eternity! who has not withheld his grace from us since we have been his ch people, and who has not suffered any 9& 102 The Life of Mr. Frey, thing to escape our vigilance over the- con venation of our holy religion. As I have had occasion to exercise on the last holy Sabbath, to forewarn every one of our nation, not to send any of their children to the newly established Free School, instituted by a Society of per- sons who are not of our religion, until wc had, by a proper investigation, determin- ed if it be completely free from any pos- sible harm to the welfare of our religion, as hath also been fully stated in a printed abstract, published for that purpose, and which I am happy to understand, has had a proper and good effect* Now having since been fully convinced, through the means of a printed sermon and address, published by the Directors of the Missionary Society, viz. that the whole purpose of this seeming kind ex- ertion, is but an inviting snare, a decoy- ing experiment, to undermine the props of our religion; and the sole ifitent ot this institution is, at bottom, onlv to en- tice innocent Jewish children, during their early and unsuspecting \ears, f ths observance of the law of Moses, md co eradicate the religion of their tail a Converted Jew. 103 and forefathers — on this account, I feel myself necessitated to caution the con- gregation in general, that no one do send, or allow to be sent, any child, whether male or female, to this or any such school established by strangers to our religion, nor likewise to any Sunday School of that nature. "All such persons therefore, who shall act contrary to this prohibition, whether male or female, will be consid- ered as if they had themselves forsaken their religion, and been baptized; and shall lose all title to the name of Jews, and forfeit all claims on the congrega- tion, both in life and death. Every one, who feareth God, is hereby reminded of his duty to warn every one who may be ignorant of these circumstances, and ac- quaint him thereof, that he may escape the snare laid to entangle him. Thus may we hope to see the days when the name of the only God will be hallowed, and the Lord will be one, and his name one." This opposition of the Jews, alas! had its desired effect. For two full years the opening of the Free-schoo? r 104 The Life of Mr. Frey, notwithstanding the pious and zealous exertions of a most respectable Com- mittee of Ladies, not one child was added to the original number. Notwithstanding, however, this oppo- sition, and many difficulties, arising from different causes, I was enabled to perse- vere for three years longer with increase ed zeal and unwearied exertions. My labors under the Missionary So- ciety may be considered as closing with the above account, and as the circum- stances which finally led to my separa- tion from that Society, and to my union with the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews, were fully stated in the first edition of my Narrative, and as 1 hope the discussion of those circumstances will never be re- newed, I deem it unnecessary to notice them upon the present occasion, this Edition being published, merely in com- pliance with the desire of several friends, who were anxious to see my Narrative in a form, and at a price, that would allow of an extensive circulation. The Committee of the London Soci- ety, having obtained the use of the I a Converted Jew. 105 Mr. Beck's Meeting, Bury Street, St. Mary Axe, I began an Evening Lecture on Sunday, March 28, 1809: the con- gregation was crowded, and several hun- dred of my Jewish brethren attended- Here the Lecture was continued till the following July, when the Committee procured a larger place of worship in Church Street, Spitalfields, formerly a French protestant church, now called— the Jews* Chapel. In this place the Gospel has continued to be preached iive times every week, and has been well attended by the Jews, nor have these services been without a Divine blessing. A considerable number of adults, as well as children, have been initiated into the Christian church by the ordinance of baptism. The station which 1 hold in this institution makes me unwilling to enlarge upon its success, nor is it neces- sary that I should do so, as the progress which the Society has made may more accurately, as well as rnore r appropriately, be learned from the Annual Reports and other accounts published from time to time by the Committee. It may suffice 106 The Life of Mr. Frey, to say that the Lord has done great things; blessed be his holy name for ever and ever! The education of Jewish children is a prominent part of this Institution. The Committee have opened a School to board, clothe, and educate children of both sexes, free of expense to their par- ents or friends. It is with unspeakable pleasure I can state to the public that no less than 60 Boys, and 44 Girls have been received under the patronage c£ this Society. Many of these children who w^ere ignorant of their duty towards God and towards men, and lived in the commission of various sins, have been reclaimed from their immoralities, and given evidence of future usefulness by their exemplary conduct. It is even hoped that some of the boys will be- come pious and zealous Missionaries to the scattered children of Israel, an em- ployment for which, in dependence on the Divine blessing, they are training, by the Society. ' ¥ '0 Lord! speak the word, and great shall be the company of them that shall publish the glad tidings of Salvation, 3 ' a Converted Jew. 107 The distribution of religious tracts is a mean which God has often blessed to those who otherwise would have contin- ued ignorant of the things which belong to their salvation, and has been adopted by the London Society. Fifteen appro- priate Tracts have been composed, sev- eral of which have been printed in the Hebrew and German, as well as in the English languages: some thousands of these tracts have been sent abroad. The bread thus scattered on the face of the waters, may be gathered after many days.* It being a standing law amongst the Jews "that whoever confesses Jesus to be the Christ shall be cast out of the Synagogue;" the reader will not be sur- prised to learn that many of these who have either attended at the Jews' Chapel, or sent their children to the School, have been publicly excommunicated, lost their employment amongst the Jews, and been persecuted by their own friends with as much violence as a due regard to their own safety, with refer- ence to the existing laws of the country, * A large assortment of Religious Tracts, sold for the benefit of the New England Tract Society, may be had ver^r cheap of S. T. Armstrong, No. 50, Cornhill, Boston. 106 The Life of Mr. Frey, would permit. To afford such persons an opportunity of providing for them- selves by their own industry, the Socie- ty have established a Printing office and a Cotton Manufactory, where several Jews of both sexes are employed. — Hav- ing thus briefly stated how the Lord has led me these forty years in the wilder- ness, together with the origin and pro- gress of my labors amongst my Jewish brethren, the house of Israel, I shall conclude with CHAt*. VIII. AN ADDRESS TO C KRIS TIANS OP ALJU DENOMINATIONS, IN BEHALF OF THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM. God is good, and does good, his tender mercies are over all his creatures, yet, he is especially good to them that are of the household of faith. It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; yet it is not less true, that he came not but to seek the lost sheep of the house of Israel. To preach the Gospel among the Gentiles, was press commission of the Apostle Paul, a Converted Jew. 109 and among them he labored more abun- dantly! yet, for his brethren and kins- men after the flesh, only, do we hear him say, I could wish myself accursed from Christ. Soon after my conversion I felt a great desire to promote the sal- vation of all men, yet my most frequent and fervent prayer to God was, that Israel might be saved. By the kind provi- dence ©f God I was brought to this country, where for more than six years I have had the honor and pleasure of being employed in endeavoring to pro- mote the salvation of my beloved breth- ren the Jews, by declaring unto them the unsearchable riches of glory by Christ Jesus. Considering the peculiar nature and difficulties of this work, I may well say, much has been done in a short time, much more, however, may, and must be done, before all Israel can be saved. The object is noble, and the success, sooner or later, is certain. The harvest is great, but, alas! the laborers are few. Permit me, therefore, Chris- tian reader, to invite you to come over and help us. In the following address I shall call your attention to } 10 110 The Life of Mr. Frey, 1. The deplorable state of the Jews: 2. The chief difficulties in the way of their conversion: 3. The obligations of Christians to promote this object: and, 4. The means by which it may be assisted. In the first place we shall contemplate the present deplorable state of the Jews. 1. Let us ta&e a short survey of their temporal, moral, and religious state. From profane, as well as from sacred history, we learn that the children of Israel were for successive ages, the light of the world, and the glory of the whole earth; but, alas! what has been their condition for centuries past, even to the present day! "The crown is fallen from their head; the gold is become dim, the most fine gold is changed, " the nation, once exalted to the pinnacle of honor, has, for more than seventeen hundred years, been a hissing and a proverb amongst the people; hated and persecut- ed, scattered, and peeled by every nation; strangers and sojourners in every coun- try, without the liberty of purchasing or possessing an inheritance, or enjoying a Gmveried Jew. Ill the privileges of citizens! — Notwith- standing all this, confiding in their nat- ural descent from Abraham, and view- ing themselves still as God's ancient people, they are puffed up with pride, imagining themselves to be "rich and increased with goods, and to have need of nothing, not knowing that they aro wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Besides this, the glory of the Lord is departed from the house of Israel, and the wfath of God is come upon them to the uttermost. The spirit of grace and supplication, has been withdrawn from the sons and daughters of Abraham, and blindness in part, (alas, how great a part!) hath happened unto Israel. How lax their moral principles, how degraded their conduct, how much is it to be la- mented, that few amongst them either fear God or regard man. The golden rule — thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, is still in their Bible, and ac knowledged by their Rabbies as the great universal precept of the law. But "who is my neighbor,'' is a question which receives a very different explana- 112 The Life of Mr. Frey, lion from the Christian and the Jew* The former is taught by Jesus Christ to extend it to every one of the human race; whilst the latter, according to the tradition of the Rabbies, applies the term "neighbor," to his Jewish brother only, and to the proselyte who embraces the law of Moses. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at. should a Jew at anv time be found guilty of defrauding a Chris- tian, especially as the rabbies themselves are not agreed whether to defraud a stranger, is lawful or not. We may look in vain also for the chastity of Joseph, among the greater number of the present Jews. Multi- tudes of them follow the doctrine and example of their most renowned Rab- bies,* who, instead of considering for- nication as a sin most heinous in the sight of God, and pernicious to the sin- ner, gloried in tho commission of it themselves. Though exceedingly painful to my feelings, thus to lay open the blindness, guilt, and misery, of a people so dear to *Kiddushia 91. 8, 2. a Converted Jew. 113 me, yet to obtain the desired end of this Address, I must proceed at least one step farther, and notice the carnality and irreverence of their religious worship. From the days of Abraham to those of Christ, true religion was only to be found in the tabernacle of Jacob. Whilst all nations had sunk into ignorance, idolatry, and misery, the posterity of Abraham was a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; but from the period when the tribe of Judah was pre- vented, by the destruction of the holy city, and temple by Titus, from going up to Jerusalem at the solemn feasts, it seems that holy dispositions and spiri- tuality of worship also fled from their hearts. At that time the branches were cut off from the true olive tree, and, Ol how barren and unfruitful have they been for nearly 1800 years. Where are the fruits of the spirit, such as love, joy, peace, long- suffering, gentleness, good- ness, faith, meekness, and temperance? Christians know, and the Jews should learn that I am here speaking of these qualifications as the genuine fruits and ef- *10 ii4 The Life of Mr. Fretj, fects of religion, a right faith and the fear of God. There are, no doubt to be found amongst the Jews, as well as ihe Heathens, Mahometans, and nomi- nal Christians, instances of natural good dispositions and moral feelings, but these have nothing to do with genuine reli- gion, see Matt, xix, 16. Are there any of Abraham's children who possess the holy, gracious, and heavenly dispositions of Abraham? Do they, like him, declare by their conduct, that they have here no continuing city, but that they seek one to come? We shall meet with equal and pain- ful disappointment if we expect to find a Jew engaged at the family altar, or in secret devotion. How different was the worship of believers under the Old Testament. The voice of religion and salvation was in the tabernacle of the righteous. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, wherever they pitched their tents, built an altar for family worship. Joshua and his own household served the Lord.— • Daniel prayed upon his knees three times a day, and from the book of Psalms it is evident, that David the king a Converted Jew. 115 of Israel, must have spent much time, and found great delight in private medi- tation and fervent prayer; nor does he deserve the name of an Israelite, who wrestles not with God by prayer and supplication like Jacob our father. The Jews, indeed, go frequently to the synagogue to perform public wor- ship; but can that service be pleasing to God or profitable to man, which is generally performed without reverence or godly fear? It was not beside the mark when a late author observed; that "a modern synagogue exhibits an appearance of very little more devotion, than the Stock Exchange, or the public streets of the Metropolis at noon-day!!" Nor is it very surprising, considering that few, very few indeed, understand the literal meaning of their prayers m the language in which they are read. Could it therefore be expected o her wise, that God should visit the hypocrisy of Israel with the punishments threatened by the mouth of Isaiah the prophet. " Wherefore the Lord said, forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do hpnpr me, 116 The Life of Mr. Frey, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of man, therefore, behold I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work, and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish; and the un- derstanding of their prudent men shall be hid," Isa. xxix, 13, 14. % The lamentable condition of the Jews, may also be deduced by contrast- ing their present state with the scriptu- ral account of real happiness, of which the unbelieving Jew is wholly destitute. Both in the Old and New Testament, that people and those individuals only, were counted happy and blessed, who knew the way of salvation, whose sins were forgiven, who lived in communion with God, and enjoyed the light of his countenance.* The true Christian is convinced of the realitv of these assertions, for he has more or less experienced them himself, and the New Testament abounds with passages in confirmation of the same truth. How often have our blessed Re- • PsaJin bexxixj 15 tQ-18.— *x;ui, l x 2,-jrIxv, 4.<— iv, y T a Converted Jew. 117 deemer and bis apostles assured us, that without believing in him, as the Mes- siah, and without the influence of the Holy Spirit upon the heart of the sinner? there is no deliverance from spiritual misery, no title to eternal life, no fitness for the service and enjoyment of God in the life which now is, or in that which is to come.* If these declarations be true, (and who can deny them?) how misera* ble must the poor Jew be, who rejects the salvation of our God, and trusts ia his own righteousness, "O! that my head were waters, and mine eyes a foun- tain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughters of my people." 1 cannot conclude this part of the ad- dress, without observing, that having been myself born a Jew, having lived amongst that people for more than twen- ty years, and having had opportunities of seeing and knowing Jews in different countries, and in different circumstances, * John iii, S, 46. Acts iy, 12. John xiv, 6. Rom. v, 1; vi,23; viii,9. Gal. iii, 13. Euh,. i, 7. 1 Thes. i, 10. Heb vii, 14. 118 The Life of Mr. Fretj, I can assure the reader, that I scarcely met with any walking with God, like Enoch; patient in tribulation, like Job, or saying, as he did, "I know that my Redeemer liveth;" panting after com- munion with God, as holy David, or as Paul the apostle, and like genuine Chris- tians in all ages, desirous to depart and be with God, as far better. — "What shall we eat? what shall we drink? and wherewithal shall we be clothed?" is the only anxiety of the Jew, as well as the heathen. The awful description which the apostle gave of the condition of the Ephesians, before their conversion, is loo applicable to my brethren and kins- men after the flesh; "They are without Christ, without hope, and whhout God in the world." "O! that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion; when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad." From this brief statement of the de- plorable condition of the Jews, consid- ered in a temporal, moral, and religious view, with a scriptural account of real happiness, of which the unbelieving Jew a Converted Jew. 119 must be destitute; may I not hope, Christian reader, that you will "come Gver and help us," in promoting their conversion, by which alone they can be delivered from present and eternal mis- ery. Should any inquire what particu- lar need there is of help? may they not attend on the preaching of the Gospel as well as others? I answer in the nega- tive, and proceed, Secondly, To point out the chief dif- ficulties which encounter a Jew, who seeks to know the way of salvation. The first and chief difficulty which claims our attention, is their ignorance of God's method of salvation; this is ( owing to their defective education, their neglect of the Bible, and the inirequen- cy of preaching among them. God, in infinite mercy, has revealed how a sin- ner may be justified, sanctified, and eternally glorified. This revelation was made to the Jews first; but how differ- ent are their circumstances now! blind- ness indeed has happened unto Israel; few of them have any knowledge what- ever of the Messiah. How can it be expected otherwise, when we see ihs 120 The Life of Mr. Frey, rising generation neglected? The chil- dren of both sexes, instead of being ed- ucated in religious knowledge, and use- ful employments, are driven into the streets, at the tender age of nine or ten years, (a time of life which peculiarly needs restraint and instruction,) to pro- vide for themselves, or to assist in the maintenance of the family. It is most melancholy to find that very few of them can read any language but Hebrew, and fewer still who understand she meaning when they can read it! so that, if they had the whole of the Old Testament in Hebrew, of what benefit would it be to the generality of theip? for the mind will be no more instructed by reading, than the heart can be edified by praying in an unknown tongue. It must also be acknowledged, that though the way of salvation was revealed in the Old Tes- tament, yet few, if any, can see the sub- stance through the types and shadows without the New Testament, or human aid, or the immediate teaching of the Holy Spirit. Besides this, it has alrea- dy been observed, (page 21,) that those uu ts of the Old Testament which con- a Converted Jew. 121 tain the clearest revelations of the Mes- siah, are withheld from the generality of the Jews. Add to this, there, is no preaching in Synagogues from the be- ginning to the end of the year, except a few occasional exhortations,* enforcing the strict observance of Judaism, with all its superstitions, and renewing the threatenings against those who are, in the least degree, even suspected of in- quiring into the truth of Christianity. We need not be surprised then, to find that the descendants of Abraham aje ig- norant of that Messiah, in whom he be- lieved, and to whom therefore it was counted for righteousness. If it be yet said, might not the Jews have their children instructed in Sunday Schools, and in other charitable institu- tions, and may they not attend on Chris- tian places of worship, and hear the joy- ful sound? I proceed to noiice, — 2. The sufferings to which this would expose them, as another difficulty in the way of their conversion. It is certain that there were not a few in the days of oiir Lord, who were convinced of the • See a former page of this work. 11 122 The Life of Mr. Frey, truth of his Messiahship, bwt were afraid to confess it,* because of the law, "that if any man did confess that he was the Christ, he should be put out of the Synagogue," John ix, 22; this illiberal and unjust edict, has been fre- quently renewed of late years, and circu- lated amongst the Jews In this kingdom. (See a former page;) It is not to be expected, therefore, that they would thus expose themselves to hatred, per- secution, and the loss of their daily sub- sistence, merely for the sake of the edu- cation of their children, the value of which thry never knew by experience, especially as they have heretofore known the difficulty of finding protection and maintenance amongst Christians, Let it be remembered also, that as soon as the poor Jew sends his children to a Christian school, he is sure of losing at least one or two shillings a day, which each child would have gained by selling small articles in the streets of the Me- tropolis. Nor is it more reasonable to expect that mere curiosity would have a greater influence upon the mind of a * See John iii, 1, 2.-— xii, 42.— \ix, 38 a Converted Jew. 123 Jew than the certainty of exposing; him- self to inconveniences, losses, and even the hazard of life, by attending a place of Christian worship. Let the following facts be well weighed by the Christian reader, and may they excite gratitude and praise that he is permitted to sit down under his vine and fig-tree, none daring to disturb him; on the other hand, mav it lead him to "come over and help us/" The following remarkable account is extracted from the well authenticated narrative of Solomon Duitch, a learned Rabbi, and teacher of several Syna- gogues in Germany, who, having trav- elled for seven years, from place to place, under doubts as to the truth of Chris- tianity, at length openly confessed hirou* self a Disciple of Christ, and lived -ar?d died in Holland, as a Minister of the ev- erlasting Gospel. The Rev, Mr. Vos,-: a Missionary, had been his fellow stu- dent at the University of Utrecht, a: they frequently afterwards, in the exer- cise of tiieir ministry, exchanged pulpits with each other. . 124 The Life of Mr. Freij, "In the year 1762, Oct. 21, I arrived at one of the chief cities of Saxony, which for particular reasons, I shall not mention* The Rabbi of the city behaved in the most friendly manner to me. The 24th of November, I had read so far in tu\ Bible as the 53d chapter of Isaiah, wlich I took now for the first time un- der my proper consideration. The Lord was pit ased to open the eyes of my un- derstanding, plainly to comprehend that the prophet spake here of the Messiah, who was to suffer death for our sins. But Satan endeavored to raise in me many doubts against that explanation. Wherefore I resolved to converse with my friend, (the above named Rabbi) about the contents of this chapter: neither could 1 find rest within me till I actually weBt to him. I had scarcely introduced my- desire, when he looked steadfastly in my face, and made signs with his eyes to be silent, immediately repeating some- thing out of the Talmud. In the even- ing his wife and children went to the pi v-house, leaving us to ourselves; they were scarcely out of sight, before he took me into another room, which he locked a Converted Jew. 125 upon us; this put me into a terrible fright, imagining for certain, that he h^d received some intelligence of my ca^e, and would now seek to make me answer* *ble for my conduct with my lire. "But I was soon freed from taj fears, when, with tears in his eyes, he spake thus to me: *0, Mr. Solomon my be* loved and faithful brother! I will disclose all the secrets of my heart unto you; but it is under the express condition that you keep the secret, for if the least word should get vent by you among the Jews, I should, for my own security, charge you with what I shall confess to you, and make you the author of it; in which case, it is easy to comprehend what a persecution you would be exposed to. This presupposed, I will now no longer withhold from you the secrets of my heart. Did you not desire me to explain to you the 53d of Isaiah? Having an- swered in the affirmative, he went into another room, and brought from thence a German Bible, cut of which he read to me, with the greatest reverence and devotion, the 26th chapter of Matthew, and then addressed me thus: *My be- *11 126 The Life of Mr. Frey, loved friend, you see here, in the 53d of Isaiah, the clearest prophecy of the Mes- siah, who should be scorned and despised, and even suffer death, and for what"? for his own trespasses? O, no! it was for our iniquities and for our trespasses; which you will clearly perceive, and even must be allowed by many of our Rabbies. But in that chapter which I have read to you out of the German Book, is con- tained the fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah: Jesus of Nazareth is the true Mtssiah; but alas! what an unhappy thing is that to as? Our forefathers, who lived in his days, would not receive, nor acknowledge him, as the true Mes- siah and Savior; and should you ask me why they did not, I could answer you a great deal on that head; but I am sorry our time is too short to give a full in- sight into the extreme blindness and prejudices of our forefathers in general in those days: their poor and unhappy offspring, following their example, have continued in their blind ways, and have led us on as blind leaders to this very day. O! what shall I, poor wretched creature, now do or undertake? I see a Converted Jew. 127 clearly the beams of the sun shining in- to my understanding, but cannot possi- bly rise out of the dark cloud. How could I leave my wife, whom I love as myself? and how could I abandon my children who are of my own flesh and blood? O, my heart! my fatherly heart cannot bear the thought of it! Besides, by what means could I get my bread? I cannot labor, having learned no busi- ness; and to seek my support from char- ity is revolting against my nature: be- _ sides this, I am afraid of being turned off by the Christians, who, without doubt, would mistrust my sincerity, after they have so often been deceived by false and inconstant proselytes. What shall I do, miserable as I am!' Having related to him all the ways in which the Lord had led me from the be- ginning, he fell down on his knees and shed a flood of tears. It is impossible for me to describe the anxiety of his sou!; he prayed with a broken and con- trite heart before God, that he might in pity look down upon him, and grant him the same grace as to me; to deny him- self and unloose his heart from all tern- 128 The Life of Mr. Frey, poral concerns, enabling him to rely and trust in him alone. As the foregoing anecdote illustrates the fear of man, so the following will shew that it is not without a foundation. "An aged man, of the name of Bar- nard Jacobs, living in Petticoat Lane, brought t\\ T o children to the Committee for reception into the School, and also expressed his wish to attend the service of the Chapel himself. No sooner was it known that he had been to the Jews' Chapel, than he was assaulted by his brethren, who not only broke his win- dows and injured his furniture, but de- clared they would murder him if he fell into their hands. For a time the Society were obliged to furnish him with the protection of a constable, but impru- dently venturing into the street without his defender, the Jews seized him, and beat him with sticks in so dreadful a manner, as to cover the poor old man with bruises. " That^he spirit of persecution has not yet ceased amongst Christians, appears from the case of "a young man, by trade a Converted Jew. 129 a butcher, who, in consequence of at- tending the Chapel, was thrown out of bread. He applied to the Society to assist him in procuring some way of livelihood. They endeavored to get him employment in Leadenhall Market, where it was no sooner discovered that he was a Jew, than every man in the employ of the carcase butchers, refused to work with him. A second effort was made, by a member of the Committee, to procure him employment in another line of business, and on his proposing to bind him as an apprentice, the antipathy to Jews, common to uninformed people, was immediately evinced: all the men in the employ, declaring they would quit their master if he took a Jew as an ap- prentice. Thus, the poor Jew, whose mind becomes opened to Christianity is not only exposed to the persecutions of his unbelieving brethren, but he is also rejected by the prejudiced and unin- formed in Christian Society." It is right to observe, that this young man has been, for a considerable time at 130 The Life of Mr. Frey, the Society's Printing Office, with much credit to himself. Another reason has been assigned, in page 18, of the Third Report of the London Society, why Jews do not attend our churches and chapels to hear the ministers of the Christian religion, to which place I refer the reader, and pro- ceed to notice, 3d. The early prejudices of the Jews against the Christian religion, is another difficulty in the way of their conversion. Perhaps no difficulty is harder to be re- moved than early prejudices in mat- ters of religion. The Jew takes care, as soon as possible, to instil prejudices into the minds of his children, against the name, religion, and followers of Christ. As a general outline of this has been given in chap, i, I shall merely state, in this place, that when the blessed name of Jesus is mentioned, they are taught to spit upon the ground, as ex- pressive of their hatred! For the same reason they have given names peculiarly reproachful to the Redeemer himself, to the New Testament, to the Christian places of worship, to the holy religion of a Converted Jew. 131 Christ, to his sacred ordinances, and to his humble followers! These things have such an effect upon many, that they consider the mere repetition of the name of Jesus, or the least discussion with his followers, in matters of religion, to be of a more defiling nature than the eating of swine's flesh, which is well known to be held in the utmost abhor- rence by the Jews. The 4th and last difficulty in the way of the conversion of the Jews, which I shall notice, is, the false methods which they are taught to use in order to obtain salvatioa. Notwithstanding all that has been said, many of the Jews would, doubtless, listen to the word of salva- tion, were it not for the refuges of lies in which they shelter themselves from the wrath to come. These delusions are so numerous, that it is difficult to know where to begin. As the Jews in the days of the Apostles had confidence in the flesh, because they had Abraham for their father, and were circumcised on the eighth day, so do they now hope for salvation upon the same ground* 132 The Life of Mr. Frey, Looking upon all nations, except themselves as idolaters, they believe that he uho with his dying breath / repeats the sentence — "Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is one Lord/ 5 is sure of going to heaven, whatever may have been his past conduct! The greatest number of the present Jews are like the ancient Pharisees, whose characteristic was, to glory and trust in their long prayers, in their fre- quent fastings, in making broad their phylacteries, in their scrupulous pay- ment of tithes, and in their abundance of alms deeds: hence, nothing is more common with them, than that proverbial saving — "Repentance, prayer, and alms- giving, revoke every evil decree." On the ninth day of the seventh month, every Jew confesses his sins upon the head of a fowl; kills the poor animal, and eats the same, and persuades himself that a complete atonement is made for all his sins. But, alas! they are all vain oblations, and can give no peace to the guilty conscience, nor ad- minister comfort or support to the dying sinner; hence arises that fear of death, a Converted Jew. 133 through which they are all their life time subject to bondage. Many times I have witnessed the miserable and despairing condition of dying 'Jews, which no tongue can express, or pen describe. I still recollect the fearful apprehensions of my own mind at rhe mere idea that, according to the Jewish traditions, my body, immediately after it would be consigned to the grave, would be beaten by the angel of death with iron chains, till each limb would be separated from the other; and that the pain arising from the worms eating up my flesh would be as sharp as the piercing of the living flesh with r-eedles. This-fear of death is still increased by the superstitious, rabbinical doctrine of purgatory for every soul, they say, must go into Gay Hinnom; L e. a place of misery, to endure the most horrible sufferings, as an atonement for his sins. To shorten the period of his punish- merit, every male child must repeat cer- tain prayers for the soul of his departed parent, morning and evening, for eleven months, and keep the anniversary-day by burning a light for twenty-four hours, 12 134 T e Life of Mr. Freij, fasting the whole day, and praying morn- ing and evening in the synagogue. Where there is no male child, a learned man is hired to perform this ceremony. Frequently have I sustained this office whilst I continued a Jewish teacher and reader in the synagogue. That this sen- timent is believed and acted upon by the Jews in London, may be seen by the following paper, lately published and circulated under the sanction of the pre- siding Rabbi: "God has left a remnant in the su- perb city of London: may he thus con- tinue to add to us, until Shiloh come. Amen. "We hereby make known, that we, being seventy in number, have underta- ken to establish an important matter for the sake of heaven, and for the benefit of that class of poor who often die in the streets, through some illness, or in- firmities of age, having no friend, much less family to take care of them at such a time. An instance of this happened on Wednesday, Parshath Wayairah. One of the above-mentioned class had been ill for^many days, unknown to any a Converted Jew. 135 body; but it came, at last, miraculously to the knowledge of some of our breth- ren, the seed of Abraham, and we im- mediately adopted that measure whereby we are distinguished from other nations, viz. bestowing charity. We maintain- ed him till the dav of his death, which happened a few days after our discove- ry; and, after his death, we went to his funeral; said prayers for his soid for the first seven days, and had likewise alight burning for him. From that period, we joined in forming a society for the relief of such. It happened, moreover, on Friday, the 11th of Adar the first, that we were informed of a pious man, called Rabbi Jacob, who had lain many nights in the street, before the door of Mr. Cox, Petticoat-lane. We ordered him to be taken into a room which we had hired for that purpose, where he had all due attendance till his death, which hap- pened on Wednesday, the l5th of Adar the second, when he was buried in due form. Therefore we hope that this will be taken into consideration, and will tend to strengthen our Institution. Surely by doing so we sl>ail keep the 136 The Life of Mr. Frey, following command: — After the Lord your God shall ye walk. Then will the Lord comfort Zion, and send the ttue Redeemer, Amen/' v I shall mention only one thing more which the rabbles consider efficacious to procure pardon and resonciliation for sin; viz* the transmigration of the soul. This heathenish doctrine has also been adopted by the Jews when they lost sight of the w-.-iy of salvation by the Messiah. Blessed be the God and Fa- ther of my Lord and Savior JesusChrist f who has redeemed me, not with corrup- tible things, such as silver and gold, from the vain conversation received by tradition from my fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Nev- er let me forget the wonderful love and condescension of my blessed Savior who took part of flesh and blood, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage. a Converted Jew. 137 From this short statement of some of the chief difficulties in the way of the conversion of the Jews, I trust the read- er is convinced that much help is needed to accomplish tins great and glorious, but long-neglected, object. If any one should still be hesitating whether it be his duty to aid in promoting their con- version, it would not be difficult to heap argument upon argument to enforce it. The reader may see this subject fur- ther treated of in a masterly Sermon preached by the Rev. D. Bogue, at Tottenham-court Chapel, 1810, and in a pamphlet published by the London So- ciety,* I shall, therefore, only notice III. A few motives to excite the zealous exertions of Christians to pro- mote the conversion of the Jews: 1st. It is no more than common jus- tice that Christians should unite in the most strenuous exertions to promote the welfare of that people.vvho have been hated, persecuted* spoiled, and massa- cred amongst all nations, but most of all amongst those who call themselves 'Obligations of Christians to attempt the conversion of the Jews. 12* 188 The Life of Mr. Frey, Christians. To give but a short his- tory of their sufferings would exceed the limits of this address, and excite feelings of commiseration in the breast of the most obdurate. One or two in* stances of the cruel treatment which they have met with in England, may suffice to convince the reader of his duty to atone for the injustice of his forefathers, and to manifest a different spirit. "Upon the succession of Prince Rich- ard* to the throne of his father, the Jews, desiring by all means to secure his favor and protection, flocked from all parts of the kingdom to the solemnity of his coronation, which was performed at Westminster, being dressed in their best apparel, and bringing many pres- ents that were full worthy of his accept- ance; but the courtiers as well as the common people, ridiculously imagining that the generality of the Jews were sor- cerers, and might possibly bewitch the king if they were suffered to be present *See Hume's History of England, vol. 1. This work, with continuations comprising 15 volumes in all, is sold by Samuel T. Armstrong* No. 50 Cornhill, Boston.- a Converted Jew. 139 at it, orders were issued out, forbidding any of them, under the severest penalties, to come near the palace; but several of them, who had come a great way off on purpose to behold the bravery of it, not caring to lose the labor and expense of their journey, and persuading themselves ? that being strangers in London, they should pass undiscovered, ventured, not- withstanding the proclamation, to appear at Westminster: but, being, some how or other, found out by the officers of the Abbey, they were set upon with great violence, and dragged, half-dead, out of the church; the rumor of which quickly spread itself into the city; the populace, believing they should do the king's plea- sure, immediately broke open the Jews' houses and murdered every one they could meet with, not confining their rage to their persons, but destroying likewise their habitations with fire." The flame thus kindled in the me- tropolis, soon extended itself to every part of the kingdom. Passing by the horrible massacre committed by the Christians at Norwich, Stamford, St. Edmund's Bury,and many other places, 140 The Life of Mr. Frey, I would only notice those which took place at Y«. :k, where, having "set fire to several parts cf the town, (that the citizens, taken up in extinguishing it, might give them no interruption,) they began their assault upon the house of one Benedict, wherein were his wife and children with several ot- er relations, and the gre< te*t tart of their merchandize; which barbarous action, giving an alarm to the re^t of the Jews, who dis- pcrsedly inhabited several parts of the city, (and particularly to Jocenus, a man of mighty wealth,) they most of them, under his conduct, addressed themselves to the Governor of the Castle, and pre- vailed with him to give them shelter, both for their persons and effects, which he had no sooner done, than the rioters, flying to the house of Jocenus, wreaked their vengeance upon it in the same manner they had done upon that of his friend Benedict, and seizing upon those unhappy wretches, who were not so provident as to get into the castle with their fellows, put them all to the sword, Without distinction of either age or sex, a Converted Jew. 141 except such as complied immediately with their offers and were baptised." Nor was this strong castle a sure and safe refuge; for the furious mob, having "continued their attack so successfully, that the Jews believing- thev should not •.J j be able to hold out much longer, called a council among themselves, to consider what was best to be done, in case they were driven to extremities. "When they were assembled, their senior Rabbi who was a foreigner, and who had been sent for over to instruct them in the law, (on account of his great learning and experience,) rose up and said, 'Men of Israel; the God of our fa- thers, to whom none can say, What doest thou? commands us, at this time, to die for his Law; and, behold! death is even before our eyes! and there is nothing left us to consider but how to undergo it in the most reputable and easy manner. If we fall into the hands of our enemies, which I think there is no possibility of escaping, our deaths will not only be cruel, but ignominious; they will not only torment us, but des- pitefully use us: my advice, therefore, is, 142 The Life of Mr. Frey, that we voluntarily surrender those lives to our Creator, which he seems to call for, and not to wait for any other exe- cutioners than ourselves The fact is rational and lawful; nor do we want ex- amples from among our illustrious an- cestors to prove it so. They have fre- quently proceeded in the like manner, upon the same occasions. 5 * "Having thus spoken, the old man sat down and wept. The assembly was di- vided; some affirming that he had spo- ken wisely, others that it was a hard saving; to which the Rabbi, standing up a second time, replied; — 'Seeing, brethren, that we are not all of one mind, let those who do not approve of my ad- vice, depart from this assembly. They departed; but the greater number con- tinued steadfastly with him; and as soon as they perceived themselves alone, their despair increasing, they first hurut every thing belonging to them, that was con- sumable bv fire, and buried the remain- der in the earth to prevent its falling into the possession of their enemies; then, setting fire to several places of che * See the accounts in Josephus't. History of the Jews, which may be had of Samuel T. Armstrong, hi a Converted Jew. 143 castle at once, each man took a sharp knife, and first cut the throats of their wives and children, then their own! The persons who remained last alive were this rash counsellor and the afore- mentioned Jocenus,occasioned by nothing but a strong desire of seeing every thing performed according to their directions; for as soon as that was over, the Rabbi, out of Tespect to Jocenus, who was a person of distinction, first slew him, and then himself."* "A. D. 1210, King John commanded all the Jews, of both sexes, throughout England, to be imprisoned till they would make a discovery of their wealth; which he appointed officers to receive from every county, and to return to his ex- chequer. Many of them, no doubt, pleaded poverty, and pretended to have given up all: but as the tyrant was in ear- nest to hare the last farthing, he extorted it by the most cruel torments* We are told that the generality of them had one eye put out, and from one particular Jew, at Bristol, the king demanded no less than ten thousand marks of silver, (a *AngUa JudaUa, 16. Hume vol. ii, 14#. 144 The Life of Mr. Frty, prodigious sum in those days,) which being resolutely denied him, he com- manded one of his great teeth to be pulled out every day rill he consented. The poor wretch, whose money was his life, had the courage to hold out seven operations: but then sinking under the violence of the pain, ransomed the re- mainder of his teeth at the price de- manded. — The whole sum extorted from them at this time amounted to above threescore thousand marks of silver," Methinks I hear some one say, these atrocious crimes were committed in the era of ignorance and bigotry; but now mankind have become enlightened, and men are no longer persecuted for their religious opinions. This is certainly true with respect to most religious de- nominations: and there is, unquestiona- bly, a spirit of moderation existing to- wards opposite religious tenets which the world has never before exhibited. Whether this moderation how- ever, PROCEEDS FROM A CONSCT* ENTIOUS AND LAUDABLE LIBERAL- ITY, OR FROM A CRIMINAL LAXITY OF PRINCIPLE; AND AN APATHY a Converted Jew. 145 AS TO ALL RELIGIOUS FEELING MAY WELL ADMIT OF A SERIOUS doubt. But even in this moderation, and at this boasted period of light, the Jew is by no means a material participa- tor, I wish I had not daily evidence of this melancholy fact; is any observation more common, amongst merchants and tradesmen of every description, than — * "Oh, that fellow is a Jew:" and who is there amongst Christians, who will re- ceive a Jew or a Jewess into his family, either as clerk, apprentice, or servant? 2dly. Recollect the deplorable condi- tion of the Jews, as before stated, ai^d listen to the voice of pity ancf compas- sion. Before I saw the British shore, the fame of British benevolence had reached my ears, and gladdened my heart: but since my arrival in this coun- try, I have found that not a half had been told. Every where I have seen asylums for the poor, the sick, the in- firm, the deaf, and the dumb. What can be the reason that the miseries of the poor Jews only have been so long overlooked, and that no man cared for their souls. The late zealous exertions IS 146 The Life of Mr. Frey, and liberal contributions of Christians to promote the salvation of Israel, fully prove, however, that their bowels of compassion yearned over the Jews as well as towards others, according to the degree that they became acquainted with their distress. 3dly. Gratitude for favors received, claims the attention of every Christian. It is pleasing to see a man grateful to- wards his benefactor; whilst he who is guilty of ingratitude is pointed at as the monster of all monsters! Our gratitude should rise in proportion to the benefits received; but however great and glori- ous are the blessings of the Christian, which of them has he not received from the Jew*>? Has the word of God made him wise unto salvation? Has the truth sanctified and made him free indeed? Ha* he derived peace, comfort, consola- tion, and support, from the sacred Scrip- tures? Let him remember that none but Jews wrote either the Old or New Tes- tament, that to them were committed the o acles of God, that they preached the Gospel to the Gentiles, and that of them as concerning the flesh, was born Jesus a Converted Jew* 147 the son of David, who died for our of- iences and rose again for our justifica- tion, and who is now at the right hand of G©d, ever living to make interces- sion for us! Well might the Redeemer say, ''Salvation is of the Jews*" Supposing that a certain prince who had heard one of his enemies was con- demned to die, and a day appointed for his execution; in order to convince him of his love and good will, should leave his own country, kindred, and friends, hasten to the sovereign of the land, and offer to pay any price for the redemp- tion of the malefactor: what, if upon finding that no other ransom but his own blood would pacify the offended Monarch (conferring not with flesh and blood,) he should voluntarily lay down his life for the criminal, and even at his death, as an additional means of gaining the affections of his enemy, should be- queath him a rich and glorious inheri- tance! If the wretch who had thus been rescued from ignominy and death, and raided to riches and honor, made a great profession of his love, affection and grat- itude, towards his generous Prince and 143 The Lije of Mr. Frey, Deliverer, we should say, he could do no less, and that all he could do would be little enough. But if, when applied to in behalf of some relations of his de- ceased and devoted Benefactor, who wt-re perishing for want of bread, he should turn a deaf ear to the voice of the supplicants, how would our indig- nation be excited at such base ingrati- tude. Should we not be constrained to say, that the former professions of this ungrateful character were merely hypo- critical? and would not the individual who could so act be universally shun- ned as a monster of Ingratitude? Read- er, listen to the voice of conscience, and ask yourself, Am I not the man? If a Christian you dare not deny, in the sight of God, that you were a criminal justly condemned; that your condemnation would have been eternal if the Son of God had not veiled himself in flesh, yielded up his own body upon the tree, and by his precious blood shedding, of- fered an acceptable sacrifice to the justly offended Majesty of Heaven. How often have you united in the declaration of the Poet. a Converted Jew. 149 •'Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all." and how has your conduct corresponded with this solemn exclamation? Have you ever seriously reflected upon its power and effect? What have you done for the kinsmen and relative* of that Prince and Savior, who, whilst you are living in open rebellion against him* shed his precious blood for tjou, and cal- led you by his grace. Perhaps, notwith- standing all these inestimable benefits, you have hitherto turned a deaf ear to ail applications on their behalf, und have not as yet afforded them that bread of life without which they must perish for ever. But, perhaps, I wrong you — it may be, that you have yielded to the im- portunate solicitations ot some friend, and reluctantly given you annual Sub- scription or trifling Donation, more to s»ve appearances or lay your friend un- der an obligation, than from any genuine love to the Savior. Is this the gratitude you owe to him that died and gave him- self for you? Art these the emotions which ought to animate your bosom to- *13 150 The Life of Mr. Frey, wa^ds the seed of Abraham, and to whom you are under so many obliga- tions — and against whom you have eith- er in your own persons or by \ r our an- cestors, committed so many injuries? Is this the sort of conduct by which you are actuated when you have a party of pleasure in prospect — in the purchase of a house, a carriage, a horse, or an arti- cle of superfluous dress? Of how little , value are a few dollars then in the sight of him whose heart is fixed upon obtain- ing possession of a given object! And if anv worldlv advantage is in view — anv chance of obtaining a little more than common interest for money, by effect- ing a purchase, what exertions will be made, what sacrifices submitted to for accomplishing his purpose. How differ- ent the feelings, even among profes- sors, when called upon for a charitable purpose. If any extraordinary exertion of this sort is solicited, how many objec- tions are started — how many difficulties raised — how many excuses stated (per- haps invented) to keep the sordid dust in the pocket. What a wonderful effect will the Day of Judgment have in en- lightening the understanding and remove a Converted Jew. 151 ing the inverted glasses, through which mankind in general, and even Christians Gt present behold, and estimate the value of immortal souls. Let us now proceed to notice, fourth- ly, the happy effects that will result from t\\Q conversion of the Jews, as another motive to stimulate Christians to zeal- ous exertions. It is natural for every man to wish well to his country. The most likely means of preventing calami- ties and heavy judgments, is to purge the land from its abounding sins, for sin is not only the reproach of any people but has ever been the cause of the de- struction of nations, kingdoms, and em- pires; and are not the sins of the Jews^ especially their sin of unbelief, blas- phemy, and rejection of the Son of God t a heavy burden in the weight of the sins of this land, sufficient to sink it like lead into the mighty deep? What a happy effect therefore will their conver- sion have, when they will not only cease ' from doing^vil, but like Lot for Zoar, pray for tB^reservation and welfare of our country. To the true Christian nothing is more dear than the prosperity of Zion! his 152 The Life of Mr. Froy, wishes and prayers are like those of the Ro\al Psalmist, "Pe;ce be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces; if "I forget thee, 0! Jerusalem^ let my right hand forget her cunning; if I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of n>y mouth, if I prefer not Jkrusak m above my chitf joy." That the conversion of the Jews will greatly lengthen the cords of Zion, and strengthen her stakes, is evident from s- cred Scripture, and fnm reason. Many aiethepromises in the Old Testament on this subject, and nothing can be more plain and convincing than the reason of the apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans xi, 15; 'For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what smvH the receiving of them be but life from the dead." What can be more reasonable tl.vh to expect that their con- version will be a wonderful means of • xteoding the Gospel throughout the earth; it is well known that many infi- dels have been convinced of the truths of divine revelation by the remarkable fulfilment of the awful threatening^, mix- ed notwithstanding with gracious prom- ises, in the dispersion and preservation a Converted Jew. 153 of the Jews. And what an additional evidence will be derived from their being gathered again, according to ancient predictions, and brought to acknowledge Jesus as their God and Savior* Besides, may we not reasonably sup- pose, that whilst Jewish missionaries are declaring the unsearchable riches of Christ, designedly to their brethren and kinsmen after the flesh, scattered among all nations under heaven; thousands arid millions of the Gentiles will hear, trem- ble, and turn unto the Lord? Could f f with propriety, mention the number of those who first came out of curiosity to hear a Jew preach the Gospel in the me- tropolis, and in different parts of the kingdom, and to whom my ministry has been blessed, it would be a striking illustration of the opinion just advanced. Sufficient instances have come to my knowledge to enable me to say, with hu- mility and gratitude, that I have not la- boured in vain, nor spent my strength for nought. Another most desirable effect of the conversion of the Jews will be the ad- vancement of the Redeemer's glory. 134 The Lift of Mr. Freij, Rivers of tears ran down the eyes o| king David, in the height of his pros- perity, because men did not keep the commandments of God; and can the Christian behold the Son of God cruci- fied ctfresh in the house of his friends? — his name blasphemed daily, and his blood trampled under their feet, and counted an unholy thing, without feeling his heart affected? When the Jews are once ltd to lonk unto him whom they have pierced, perhaps few will excel them in zculous endeavours to promote the hon- our and glory of Him, whom ignorant- ly they have so long despised and re- jected. Li t us look upon the conver- sion of the apostle Paul, as a pattern or type of them* that should believe here- al\er. The ne^xt motive, in the fifth place, is the success, which may be expected. The conversion of the Jews is an object not only mos? desirable, as it will promote their* highest happiness, be a blessing to the country, txtend tin Gospel to all na- tk> ; s, and greatly advance the glory of tht R dccmer, but its accomplishment is possible. How often has it been said by a Converted Jew. 15S some, It is in vain to attempt the cm- version of the Jews: others have been publicly declaring, that there had not been a converted Jew since the days of the apostles. Such assertions might be contradicted by the accounts long since printed, of several hundred converti d Jews, while the absurdity of the former sentiments might be as completely ex- posed. Granted, indeed, that there are difficulties in the way of their conver- sion; and let it be admitted, more so than in the conversion of any other peo- ple; nevertheless, that which is impos- sible with man is possible with God. Who can limit the Holy One of Israel? Is the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, which cleanses from all sins, not able to cleanse the sins of the Jews? Are his merits not sufficient to reconcile them 10 God, as well as the idolatrous Gen- tiles? Is the Spirit of God not able to remove the veil of Mpses from their hearts? — to slay the enmity of their mind, and to sanctify their unholy na- tures? Would it not be most unreasona- ble, and blasphemous in the highest de- gree, to expect that God, who, contrary 156 The Life of Mr. Freij, to nature, grafted into the good olive- tree, branches that wtre wild by nature, is not able to graft again, into their own olive-tree, those which are the natural branches? Let it be remembered, that the act of converting a sinner, whether Ji w or Gc -utile, is the sole prerogative of Gud, and that it is a work equally easy for him to effect in either. The first and grand obstacle in the way of conversion, whether of Jews or Gentiles, is the difficulty of bringing sinners under the means of grace: for, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how- shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard; and how shall they hear Without a preacher?" But there are greater obstacles, as stated before, in the way of a Jew than of all others. It is, however, both the duty and privilege of every Christian to use the means in his power for removing these difficulties out o\ die way; nor will it be improper to add, that the conversion of Jews, if they could be induced to attend di- vine worship, would be more probable, than of those who are totally unac- a ConvertcdJew. 157 quainted with the worship of the true God, or any portion of his revealed will. If it he inquired, What advantage has the Jewish missionary? It may be re- plied, Much every way: to whatever country he goes, he need not spud years (as others necessarily must do) in learning a language, but may begin im- mediately to address his brethren in the Hebrew language, which he, in common with many of his brethren in every part of the world, perfectly understands. The Old Testament being acknowledged also by his hearers as a divine revelation, he has an inexhaustible fund, from whence he may illustrate, confirm, and apply the principles of religion which they already profess to believe; and may prove, from the same Scriptures, that Jesus of Naz- areth is the Messiah. Add to this, his knowledge of their sentiments, ceremo- nies, customs and prejudices, together with their peculiar objections against the Christian religion, which gives him a great advantage in private disputation, and in public discourses. Besides what lias been advanced, let our eyes be eon- ixed unon the sacred Scripture^ U 158 The Life of Mr. Frey, and we shall find assurance that ultimate ess must attend the exertions of Christians in behalf of the conversion of the Jews. The same God who has scattered the children of Israel, has, at Stindry times, and in divers places, gra- ciously promised that the conversion of the Jews shall take place; and "he is not 8 man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent." The sixth and last motive I shall use to excite Christian exertions in behalf of the Jews, is the pleasing and encour- aging signs of the times, I shall only mention the success which has attended the London Society, the number of whose friends, although exceedingly small in the beginning, has now so greatly increased, that with propriety it may be said, "The little one has become a thousand, and the small one a strong people, 75 notwithstanding the various and repeated opposition to the efforts of the Society. A greater number of Jews have attended at their place of worship than could have been expected; nor have they met with such disappoint. fpents from these who made a profes-. a Converted Jew. 159 sion of the Christian religion, as might naturally have been anticipated. Several of the Jews who have thus professed themselves the disciples of the Lord Jesus, are an ornament to their profes- sion, and a great encouragement to the Society. But the most pleasing circum- stance is, the prosperity of the Schools. In what period of the Church, during the last 1700 years, have we heard of 108 Jewish children, voluntarily pre- sented by their parents or friends, to be instructed in the principles of Christian- ity! Surely, God has selected Britain, like Jerusalem of old, to be in this re- spect the praise of the whole earth. From among these children, it is hoped, God will raise up Missionaries, qualify and send them forth to seek the lost sheep of the House of Israel, and bring them to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. Much more might be said respecting the success of the Society, but for the reasons assigned above; and therefore I hasten to the conclusion of this address by pointing out a few instances 160 The Life of Mr. Frey, IV. How Christians may lend their aid in promoting Christianity amongst the Jews. 1. Men of literary talents and piety r might greatly assist by composing suit- able tracts, which the Society, if ap- proved of by their Literary Committee, would gladly print, and circulate amongst the Jews. Some of the best controver- sies between Jews and Christians are in Latin, and, comparatively, of little use on that account. Should any of those who possess leisure as well as talents, present the Society with the translation of such books, it might be a great assistance in the furtherance of their ob- ject. I would further observe, that it is not at all unlikely, that several books which are much needed in the Society's Library, and for which they have fre- quently advertised, may be in the pos- session of some persons who could spare them without much inconvenience; whilst, in the hands of the Society, they might be an incalculable public treasure. A second way of aiding the Society, is by liberal contributions. It is need- less to say that the London Society for a Converted Jew. 161 promoting Christianity amongst the Jews requires large funds at present: I say at present, for perhaps the greatest part of its present expenses will never occur again. In a few years, it is to be hoped that its annual subscriptions will be suf- ficient to defray its annual expenses. Who can tell, whether in raising up the tabernacle of David, which is fallen, it may not be, as in former times, when the tabernacle of Moses was erected, that many were disappointed in having their gifts refused, being no more need- ed. Let, therefore, every Christian bring his free-will offering, whether great or small, whilst it is to-day, for tomorrow it may be too late. What pleasure and satisfaction would it afford me, should I live to see an asylum for the children. The reader, doubtless, will be glad to hear that a suitable piece of ground has already been procured, and that a Building Fund has been opened to receive subscriptions and do- nations, for the erection of such an Asylum. It is encouraging to see Christians more mindful of the Jews in our day than for ages past: and, I n* 162 The Life of Mr. Frey, trust, we shall soon have the additional pleasure of finding some remembering them for good, even in their last wills. I cannot conscientiously conclude this ^ddress without earnestly entreating the ministers of Christ to recommend and encourage the establishment of Penny- Societies in their respective congrega- tions, not only as it brings the subject constantly to their consideration, but as effectual contributions have been by such means obtained, and the poorest have an opportunity of testifying their good will to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The following anecdote will show what may be done by this means. — Some time ago, a poor woman at R — , after hearing a discourse on the present deplorable state of the Jews, resolved to do all in her power, which was to lay aside a penny every first day of the week. Having told this to some other poor persons and servants, not for the sake of being seen and praised, but to be imitated, she soon obtained a num- ber of subscribers more than her mem- r ory would retain; and not being able to a Converted Jew. 16S wrke, she solicited a lady to do it for her, who kindly offered to be the secre- tary, and another lady accepted the of- fice of treasurer. The poor woman, having obtained a little book containing the names of the subscribers and bear- ing the title of "R — Penny Society, in aid of the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews," she went from house to house, presenting her book; and in less than five days she procured upwards of two hundred subscribers!— The Society has since received, through the exertions and perseverance of this woman, more than three hundred and fifty dollars; this Penny Society has be- come the mother of many children.* Christian reader, "go and do likewise.' 5 S. Finally, brethren, pray without ceasing, and you will greatly aid in pro- moting the salvation of the Jews. If the great apostle of the Gentiles, who was blessed with an uncommon share of na- tural talents, enjoyed all possible advan- tages in education, abounded in all the graces of the Spirit, and possessed even * Penny Societies have been formed in eighty cities an4 *7V/ns hi tiL-eat Britain, for promoting. this object, 164 The Life of Mr. Frey, the power of performing miracles, thought it needful to solicit the prayers of the churches, that the word of the Lord might run and have free course, surely we cannot expect to succeed in the conversion of the Jews, without the united, fervent, and persevering prayers of Christians of all denominations. And if it be our duty to pray for all men, doubtless the children of Israel have the strongest claims for the greatest portion of the prayers of the saints. The most fervent petitions and supplications for the salvation of the Gentiles have been composed by kings and prophets, and the wise men of the house of Israel; and by their posterity these petitions have been presented at a throne of grace, from age to age, even unto the present daj\ Who can tell, whether the conversion of some individuals now living, is not in answer to the prayers of David. Solo- mon, Isaiah, and others? For though the voice of prayer flies swiftly unto the throne of grace 5 yet the answers to our petitions are sometimes delayed, and that for centuries to come. — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, desired and prayed to a Converted Jew. 136 obtain the promises, but obtained them not, for God had reserved them for us. Let, therefore, ministers in their public prayers, and Christians in their closets, and at their family altar, be mindful of the poor Jews, who have not yet receiv- ed the spirit of prayer and supplication. It should ever be remembered, that nei- ther our persons nor services will be ac- cepted, nor our prayers answered, but through the merits and intercession of Him, who is the Seed of Abraham, and in whom the nations of the earth were to be blessed. Whilst thus sensible of our immense obligations to, and constant dependence on Him, who ever liveth to make intercession for us, let us never forget to pray for his brethren and kins- men after the flesh. FATT . „ ^ T . ^ NARRATIy]F . APPENDIX, CONTAINING A CONCTSE VIEW OF THE FORMER STATE AND PRESENT SITUATION OF THE JEWS; WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL PER- SONS PRETENDING TO BE THE MESSIAH, JEWS, a name derived from the patri- arch Judea, and given to the descendants of Abraham by his eldest son Isaac. We shall here present the reader with as comprehensive a view of this singular people as we can. 1. HISTORY OF THE JEWS. The Almighty promised Abraham that he would render his seed extremely numerous: this promise began to be fulfilled in Jacob's twelve sons. In about two hundred and fifteen years they increased in Egypt from seventeen, to between two and three millions, men, women, and children. While Joseph lived they were kindly used by the Egyptian monarchs; but soon after, from a suspicion that they would be- come too strong for the natives, they were condemned to slavery; but the History of the Jews. 187 more they were oppressed, the more they grew. The mid wives, and others, were therefore ordered to murder every male infant at the time of its birth; but they, shifting the horrible task, every body was then ordered to destroy the male children wherever they found them. After they had been thus op- pressed for about one hundred years, and on the very day that finished the four hundred and thirtieth year from God's first promise of a seed to Abra- ham, and about four hundred years, af- ter the birth of Isaac, God, by terrible plagues on the Egyptians, obliged them to liberate the Hebrews under the di- rection of Moses and Aaron. Pharoah pursued them with a mighty army, but the Lord opened a passage for them through the Red Sea; and the Egyptians, in attempting to follow them, were drowned. After this we find them in a dry and barren desert, without any provis- ion for their journey; but God supplied them with water from a rock, and man- na and quails from heaven. A little after, they routed the Amalekites, who fell pn their real. In the wilderness 168 History of the Jews. God delivered them the law, and con- firmed the authority of Moses. Three thousand of them were cut off for wor- shipping the golden calf; and for loath- ing the manna, they were punished with a month's eating of flesh, till a plague brake out among them; and for their rash belief of ten wicked spies, and their contempt of the promised land, God had entirely destroyed them, had not Moses's prayers prevented. They were condemned, however, to wnnder in the desert till the end of forty years, till that whole generation, except Caleb and Joshua, should be cut off by death. Here they were often punished for their rebellion, idolatry, whoredom, &cc. God's marvellous favors, however, were still continued in conducting and sup- plying them with meat; and the streams issuing from the rock of Meribah, fol- lowed their camp about thirty-nine years, and their clothes never waxed old. On their entrance into Canaan, God ordered them to cut off every idol- atrous Canaanite; but they spared vast numbers of them, who enticed them to wickedness, and were sometimes God'i History of ike Jews. 169 rod to punish them. For many ages they had enjoyed little prosperity, and often relapsed into awful idolatry, wor- shipping Baalim, Ashtaroth. Micah and the Danites introduced it not long after Joshua's death. About this time the lewdness of the men of Gibcah oc- casioned a war of the eleven tribes against their brethren of Benjamin: they were twice routed by the Benjamites* and forty thousand of them were slain. In the third, however, all the Benjamites were slain, except six hundred. Vexed for the loss of a tribe, the other Hebrews provided wives for these six hundred, at the expense of slaying most of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead. Their re- Iap?e into idolatry also brought on them repeated turns of slavery from the heath- en among or around them. See books of Judges and Samuel. Having? been governed by Judges for about three hundred and forty years, after the death of Joshua, they took a fancy to have a king. Saul was their first sovereign, under whose reign they had perpetual .struggles with the Amomtes, Moabitcs, mrd Philistines* After about seven *5 170 History of the J&ask years' struggling between the elevetj tribes that clave to Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, and the tribe of Judah, which erected themselves into a kingdom un- der David, David became sole monarch. Under him thev subdued their neisrh- ml O bors, the Philistines, Edomites, and others; and took possession of the whole dominion which had been promised them, from the border of Egypt to the banks of the Euphrates. Under Solo- mon they had little war; when he died, ten of the Hebrew tribes formed a king- dom of Israel, or Ephraim for them- selves, under Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, in opposition to the kingdom of Judah and Benjamin, ruled by the fam- ily of David. The kingdom of Israel, Ephraim, or the ten tribes, had never so much as one pious king: idolatry was always their established religion* The kingdom of Judah had pious and wicked sovereigns by turns, though they often relapsed into idolatry, which brought great distress upon them. See books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. Not only the kingdom of Israel, but that of Judah was brought to the very b History of the Jews. 171 of ruin after the death of Jehosaphat. After various changes, sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse, the kingdom of Israel was ruined, two hundred and fifty-four years after its erection, by So, king of Egypt, and Halmanaser king of Assyria, who invad- ed it, and destroyed most of the people. Judah was invaded by Sennacherib; but Hezekiah's piety, and Isaiah's prayer, were the means of their preservation; but under Mannasseh, the Jews aban- doned themselves to horrid impiety: for which they were punished by Esar- haddon, king of Assyria, who invaded and reduced the kingdom, and carried Mannasseh prisoner to Babylon. Man- nasseh repented, and the Lord brought him back to his kingdom, where he pro- moted the reformation; but his son Ammon defaced all. Joshua however again promoted it, and carried it to a higher pitch than in the reigns of David and Solomon After Joshua was slain by Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, the people returned to idolatry, and God gave them up to servitude to the Egyp- tians and the Chaldeans. The fate of 172 History of the Jews, their kings Jehoaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoia* chin, and Zedekiah, was unhappy* Provoked by Zedekiah's treachery, Nebuchadnezzar invaded the kingdom, murdered vast numbers and reduced them to captivity. Thus the kingdom of Judah was ruined, A. M. 3416, about three hundred and eighty-eight years after its division from that of the tea tribes. In the seventieth year from the begun captivity, the Jews, according to the edict of Cyrus, king of Persia, who had overturned the empire of Chaldea, returned to their own country. See Nehemiah, Ezra. Vast numbers of them, who had agreeable settlements, remained in Babylon. After their re- turn they rebuilt the temple and city of Jerusalem, put away their strange wives, and renewed their covenant with God. About 3490, or 3546, they escaped the ruin designed them by Haman. About 3653, Darius Ochus, king of Persia, ravaged part of Judea, and car- ried off a great many prisoners. When Alexander was in Canaan, about 3670, he confirmed to them all their privileges; History of the Jews. 173 188 Calamities of the Jews. some by hard usage; and many of their • carcasses lay in the fields till the wild beasts devoured them. In Germany they have endured many hardships. They have been banished from Bohe- mia, Bavaria, Cologne, Nuremburg, Augsburg, and Vienna: they have been terribly massacred in Moravia, and plun- dered in Bonn and Bamberg. Except in Portugal and Spain, their present con- dition is generally tolerable. In Holland, Poland, and at Frankfort and Hamburgh, they have their liberty. They have re- peatedly, but in vain, attempted to ob- tain a naturalization in England, and other nations among whom they are scat- tered. "Most barefaced acts of tyranny and oppression were practised against the Jews in England, who were entirely out of the protection of law, were extremely odious from the bigotry of the people, and were abandoned to the immeasura- ble rapacity of the king and his minis- ters. Besides many other indignities to which they were continually exposed, it appears that they were once all throv/n Preservation of the Jews. 189 into prison, and the sum of 66,000 marks exacted for their liberty: At another time, Isaac the Jew paid alone 5100 marks; Brim, 3000 marks; Jurnot, 2000; Bennet, 500: At another, Licorica, wid- ow of David the Jew of Oxford, was re- quired to pay 6000 marks; and she was delivered over to six of the richest and discreetest Jews in England, who were to answer for the sum. Henry III. bor- rowed 5000 marks from the earl of Cornwal; and for his repayment con- signed over to him all the Jews in Eng- land. The revenue arising from exac-^ tions upon this nation was so considera* ble, that there was a particular court of exchequer set apart for managing it. 33 * 4. PRESERVATION OF THE JEWS. "The preservation of the Jews, 33 says Basnage, "in the midst of the miseries which they have undergone during 1700 years, is the greatest prodigy that can be imagined. Religions depend on tem- poral prosperity: they triumph under the protection of a conqueror; they lan- guish and sink with sinking monarchies. * Hume's Hist. Eng. vol. ii, p. SI. 190 Preservation of the Jews. Paganism, which once covered the ear is extinct. The Christian church, glo- rious in its martyrs, yet was considera- bly diminished by the persecutions to which it was exposed; nor was it easy tp repair the breaches in it made by those acts of violence. But here we behold a chuich hated and persecuted for 1700 ages, and yet sustaining itself and widely extended. Kings have often employed the severity of edicts and the hand of executioners to ruin it. The seditious multitudes, by murders and massacres, have committed outrages against it still more violent and tragical* Princes and people, Pagans, Mahome- tans, Christians, disagreeing in so many things, have united in the design of ex- terminating it, and have not been able to succeed. The bush of Moses % surround- ed with flames, ever burns, and is never consumed. The Jews have been ex- pelled, in different times, from every part of the world, which hath only serv- ed to spread them in all regions. From age to age they have been exposed to misery and persecution; yet still they subsist, in spite of the ignominy and the Preservation of the Jews. 191 hatred which hath pursued them in all places, whilst the greatest monarchies are fallen, and nothing remains of them besides the name. "The judgments which God has ex- ercised upon this people are terrible, ex- tending to the men, the religion, and the very land in which they dwelt. The ceremonies essential »to their religiofr can no more be observed: the ritual law, which cast a splendor on the national worship, and struck the Pagans so much that they sent their presents and their victims to Jerusalem, is absolutely fallen, for they have no temple, no altar, no sac- rifices. Their land itself seems to lie under a never-ceasing curse. Pagans, Christians, Mohammedans, in a word, almost all nations, have by turns seized and held Jerusalem. To the Jew only hath God refused the possession of this small tract of ground, so supremely necessary for him, since he ought to worship on this mountain. A Jewish writer hath affirmed, that it is long since any Jew has been seen settled near Jeru- salem: scarcely can they purchase there? six feet of land for a burying- place . 192 Number, and Dispersion "In all this there is no exaggeration: I am only pointing out known facts: and, far.from having the least design to raise an odium against the nation from its miseries, I conclude that it ought to be looked upon as one of those prodi- gies which we admire without compre- hending: since, in spite of evils so du- rable, and a patience so long exercised, it is preserved by a particular provi- dence. The Jew ought to be weary of expecting a Messiah, who so unkindly disappoints his vain hopes: and the Christian ought to have his attention and his regard excited towards men whom God preserves, for so great a length of time, under calamities which would have been the total ruin of any ether people." r MBER, AI7D DISPERSION OF THE JEWS. They are looked upon to be as nu- merous at present as they were formerly in the land of Canaan. Some have rated them at three millions, and others more than double that number. Their dis- persion is a remarkable particular in this people: They swarm all over the east, of the Jews. 103 and arc settled, it is said, in the remotest parts of China. The Turkish empire abounds with them. There are more of them at Constantinople and Salonichi than in any other place: they are spread through most of the nations of Europe and Africa, and many families of them are established in the West Indies; not to mention whole nations bordering on Prester John's country, and some discov- ered in the inner parts of America, if we may give any credit to their own writers. Their being always in rebellions, (as Addison observes) while they had the Holy Temple in view, has excited most nations to banish them. Besides, the whole people are now a race of such merchants as are wanderers by profes- sion; and at the same time are in most, if not in all places, incapable of either lands or offices, that might engage them to make any part of the world their home. In addition to this, we may con- sider what providential reasons may be assigned for their numbers and disper- sion. Their firm adherence to their re- ligion, and being dispersed all over -the earth, has furnished every age and every IT 194 The Restoration nation with the strongest arguments for the Christian faith; not only as these very particulars are foretold of them, but as they themselves are the depositaries of these and all other prophecies which tend to their own confusion, and the es- tablishment of Christianity. Their num. ber furnishes us with a sufficient cloud of witnesses that attest the truth of the Bible, and their dispersion spreads these witnesses through all parts of the world- RESTORATION OF THE JEWS. From the declarations of scripture we have reason to suppose the Jews shall be called to a participation of Uie bles- sings of the Gospel, Rom. xi; 2 Cor. iii, 16; Hos. i, 11, and some suppose shall return to their own land, Hos. iii, 5; Isa. lxv, 17, &c. Ezek. xxxvi. As to the time, some think about 1866, or 2016, but this, perhaps, is not so easy to determine altogether, though it is prob- able it will not be before the fall of An- tichrist and the Ottoman empire. Let us, however, avoid putting stumbling- bio ks in their way. If we attempt any thing for their conversion, let it be with <>f the Jews. 195 peace and love. Let us, says one, pro* pose Christianity to them, as Christ pro- posed it to them. Let us lay before them their own prophecies. Let us shew them their accomplishment in Jesus. Let us applaud their hatred of idolatry. Let us shew them the morality of Jesus in our lives and tempers. Let us nev- er abridge their civil liberty, nor ever try to force their consciences. H SOME ACCOUNT OF SEVERAL IMPOSTORS PRETENDING TO ES, THE MESSIAH. "If any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Chrst$ or, lo, he is there^ believe him not" Messiah signifies anointed, the title given by way of eminence to our Savior; meaning the same in He- brew as Christ in Greek, and alludes to the authority he had to assume the char- acters of prophet, priest, and king, and that cf Savior of the world. The an- cient Jews had just notions of the Mes- siah, which came gradually to be cor- rupted, by expecting a temporal mon- arch and conqueror; and finding Jesus Christ to be poor, humble, and of an un- promising appearance, they rejected liim. Most of the modern rabbins, ac- <■ cording to Buxtorf, believe that the Messiah is come, biiythat he lies con- \ cealed because of the sins of the iews. Others believe he is not yet come, fix- ing different times for his appearance, many of which are elapsed; and being False Messiahs. 1 97 thus baffled, have pronounced an ana- ? thema against those who shall pretend to calculate the time of his coming. To reconcile the prophecies concerning the Messiah, that seemed to be contradicto- ry, some have had recourse to a twofold Messiah; one in a state of poverty and suffering, the other of splendor and glo- ry. The first, they say, is to proceed from the tribe of Ephraim, who is to fight against Gog, and to be slain by Annillus, Zech. xii, 10; the second is to be of the tribe of Judah and lineage of David, who is to conquer and kill An- nillus; to bring the first Messiah to life again, to assemble all Israel, and rule over the whole world. That Jesus Christ is the true Messi- ah, and actually come in the flesKP, is ev- ident, if we consider (as Mr. Fuller ob- serves) that it is intimated, that whenev- er he should come, the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Mosaic law were to be superseded by him, Psalm xl, 6 — 8; I Samqel xv, 22; Daniel ix, 27; Jeremiah xxflfi, 31, 34; Hebrews viii, 13. Now sacrifice and oblation have ceased. They virtually ceased when Jesus offered him- »17 198 False Messiahs. self a sacrifice; and in a few years after, they actually ceased. A few of the an- cient ceremonies are indeed adhered to, but as one of the Jewish writers ac- knowledges, "the sarifices of the Holy Temple have ceased." Let every Jew, therefore, ask himself this question: Should Messiah, the Prince, come at some future period, how are the sacri- fice and oblation to cease on his appear- ance, when they have already ceased nearly 1800 years. Again, it is suggested in the Scrip, ture, that the great body of the Sacred prophecy should be accomplished in him; Gen. iii; 16; xxii, 18; Isa. xlix, 10; liii. 1. The time when he was to come is clearly marked out in prophecy; Isa. xlix, 10; Hag. ii, 6 — 9; Dan. ix, 24. He actually came, according to that time 2. The place where Messiah should be born, and where he should principally impart his doctrine, is deter- mined; Micah v, 2; Isa. ix, 2; and was literally fulfilled in Jesus — 3. The house or family from whom he should descend is clearly ascertained. So much is said of his descending from David, that we. False Messiahs. 199 need not refer to particular proofs; and rather, as no Jew will deny it. The genealogies of Matthew and Luke, what- ever varieties there are between them, agree in tracing his pedigree to David. And though, in both, it is traced in the name of Joseph, yet this appears to be only in conformity to the Jewish custom of tracing no pedigree in the name of a female. The father of Joseph, as men- tioned by Luke, seems to have been his father by marriage only; so that it was, in reality, Mary's pedigree that is traced by Luke, though under her husband's name; and this being the natural line of descent, and that of Matthew, the legal one, by which, as a king, he would have inherited the crown, there is no incon- sistency between them. — 4. The kind of miracles that Messiah should per- form is specified: Isa. xxxv, 5, 6. He actually performed the miracles there predicted, his enemies themselves being judges. — 5. It was prophesied that he should, as a king, be distinguished by his lowliness; entering into Jerusalem, not in a chariot of state, but in a much humbler style; Zech. ix, 9; this was re- 20D False Messiahs. ally the case, Matt, xxi, 6. It was pre- dicted that he should suffer and die by the hands of wicked men; Isa. xlix, 7; liii, 9; Dan. ix, 26. Nothing could be a more striking fulfilment of prophesy, than the treatment the Messiah met with, in almost every particular circum- stance. — 7. It was foretold that he should rise from the dead; Isa. liii 4 11; Psalm Ixviii, 18; xvi, 10; his resurrection is proved by indubitable evidence 8. It was foretold, that the great body of the Jewish nation would not believe in him, and that he would set up his kingdom among the Gentiles; Isa. liii, 1; xlix, 4 — 6; vi, 9 — 12. Never wis a prophe- sy more completely fulfilled than this, as facts evidently prove. Lastly, It is declared, that when the ?vicssiah should come, the will of God would be perfectly fulfilled by him, Isa. xlii, 1, 49; Isa. iii, 5. And what was his whole life but perfect conformity to him? He finished the work the Father gave Him to do: never was there such a character seen among men. Well, therefore, may we say, Truly, this was the Son of God. False Messiahs* 201 There have been numerous false Mes- siahs, which have arisen at different times. Of these, the Savior predicted, Matt, xxiv, 24. Some have reckoned as many as twenty-four, of whom we shall here give an account. 1. Caziba was the first of any note who made a noise in the world. Being dissatisfied with the state of things un- der Adrian, he set himself up at the head of the Jewish nation, and proclaimed himself their long expected Messiah. He was one of those banditti that infest- ed Judea, and committed all kinds of violence against the Romans; and had become so powerful, that he was chosen king of the Jews, and by them acknowl- edged their Messiah. However, to fa- cilitate the success of this bold enter- prize he changed his name from Caziba, which it was at first, to that of Barcho- cheba, alluding to the star foretold by Balaam; for he pretended to be the star sent from heaven to restore his nation to its ancient liberty and glory. He chose a forerunner, raised an army, was anoint- ed king, coined money, inscribed with his own name, and proclaimed himself 302 False Messiahs. Messiah and prince of the Jewish nation,, Adrian raised an army, and sent it against him* He retired into a town called Bither, where he was besieged. Barchocheba was killed in the siege, the city was taken, and a dreadful havoc succeeded. The Jews themselves allow, that, during this short war against the Romans, in defence of this false Messiah, they lost five or six hundred thousand souls. This was in the former part of the second century. 2. In the reign of Theodosius, the younger, in the year of our Lord 434, another impostor arose, called Moses Cretensis. He pretended to be a second Moses, sent to deliver the Jews, who dwelt in Crete, and promised to divide the sea, and give them a safe passage through it. Their delusion proved so strong and universal, that they neglect- ed their lands, houses, and all other con- cerns* and took only so much with them as they could conveniently carry. And on the day appointed, this false Moses, having led them to the top of a rock; men, women, and children, threw them- selves headlong down into the sea, with- False Messiahs. 203 out the least hesitationorreluctar.ee, till so great a number of them were drowned, as opened the eyes of the rest, and made them sensible of the cheat. They then began to look out for their pretend- ed leader, but he disappeared, and escap- ed out of their hand. 3. In the reign of Justin, about 520, another impostor appeared, who called himself the son of Moses. His name was Dunaan. He entered into a city of Arabia Felix, and there he greatly op- pressed the Christians; but he was taken prisoner, and put to. death by Elesban, an iEthiopean general. 4- In the year 529, the Jews and Sa- maritans rebelled against the emperor Justinian, and set up one Julian for their king; and accounted him the Messiah. The emperor sent an army against them, killed great numbers of them, took their pretended Messiah prisoner, and imme- diately put him to death. 5. In the year 571, was born Mahom- ed, in Arabia. At first, he professed himself to be the Messiah, who was promised to the Jews. By this means he drew many of that unhappy people 204 False Messiahs. after him. In some sense, therefore, he may be considered in the number of false Messiahs. 6. About the year 721, in the time of Leo Isarus, arose another false Messiah in Spain: his name was Serenus. He drew great numbers after him, to their no small loss and disappointment, but all his pretensions came to nothing. 7. The twelfth century was fruitful in false Messiahs; for, about the year 1137, there appeared one in France, who was put to death, and many of those who followed him. 8. In the year 1133, the Persians were disturbed with a Jew, who called hin\self the Messiah. He collected to- gether a vast army. But he too, was put to death, and his followers treated with great inhumanity. 9. In the year 1157, a false Messiah stirred up the Jews at Corduba, in Spain. The wiser and better sort looked upon him as a madman, but the great body of the Jews in that nation believed in him. On this occasion almost all the Jews in Spain were destroyed. 10. In the year 1167, another false Messiah rose in the kingdom of Fez, False Messiahs. 205 which brought great troubles and perse- cution upon the Jews that were scattered through that country. 11. In the same year, an Arabian set tip there for the Messiah, and pretended to work miracles. When search was made for him, his followers fled, and he was brought before the Arabian king. Being questioned by him, he replied, that he was a prophet sent from God. The king then asked him, what sign he could shew, to confirm his mission. Cut off my head, said he, and I will return to life again. The king took him at his word, promising to believe him if his prediction came to pass. The poor wretch, however, never returned to life again, and the cheat was sufficiently dis- covered. Those who had been deluded by him were grievously punished and the nation condemned to a very heavy fine. 12. Not long after this, a Jew, who dwelt beyond Euphrates, called himself the Messiah, and drew vast multitudes of people after him. He gave this for a sign of it, that he had been leprous, and was cured ia the course of one 18 f206 False Messiahs. night. He, like the rest, perished in the attempt and brought great persecution on his countrymen. 13. In the year 1174, a magician and false Christ arose in Persia, who was called David Almusser. He pretended, that he could make himself invisible; but he was soon taken and put to death, and a heavy fine laid upon his brethren, the Jews. 14. In the year 1177, another of these impostors arose in Moravia, who was called David Almusser. He pretended, that he could make himself invisible; but he was soon taken, and put to death, and a heavy fine laid upon his brethren, the Jews. 15. In the year 1199, a famous cheat and rebel exerted himself in Persia, oi- led David el David. He was a man of learning, a great magician, and pretend- ed to be the Messiah. He raised an army against the king, but was taken and imprisoned: and, having made his escape, was afterwards seized again, and beheaded. Vast numbers of the Jews were butchered for taking part with this impostor. False Messiahs. 207 16* We are told of another false Christ in this same century, by Maimonides and Solomon; bat they take no notice either of his name, country, or good or ill success. Here we may observe, that no less than ten false Christs arose in the twelfth / century, and brought prodigious calam* ities-and destruction upon the Jews, in various quarters of the world. 17. In the year 1497, we find anoth- er false Christ, whose name was Ismael Sophus, who deluded the Jews in Spain, He also perished, and as many as believ- ed in him were dispersed. 18. In the year 1500, Rabbi Lemlem* a German Jew, of Austria, declared himself a forerunner of the Messiah, and pulled down his own oven, promising his brethren that they should bake their bread in the Holy Land next year. 19. In the year 1509, one whose name was PlefFerkorn, a Jew, of Cologn* pretended to be the Messiah. He after- wards affected, however, to turn Chris* tian. 20. In the year 1534, Rabbi Salomo Malcho, giving out that he was the 208 False Messiahs. Messiah, was burnt to death by Charles the Fifth, of Spain. 21. In the year 1615, a false Christ arose in the East Indies, and was greatly followed by the Portuguese Jews, who were scattered over that country. 22. In the year 1624, another in the low countries pretended to be the Mes- siah of the family of David, and of the line of Nathan. He promised to de- stroy Rome, and to overthrow the king- dom of Antichrist, and the Turkish empire. 23. In the year 1666, appeared the false Messiah, Zabathai Tzevi, who made so great a noise, and gained such a number of proselytes. Re was born at Aleppo, imposed on the Jews for a con- siderable time; but afterwards, with a view of saving his life, turned Mahome- tan, and was at last beheaded. As the history of this impostor is more enter- taining than that of those we have al- ready mentioned, I will give it at some length. fcThe year 1666 was a year of great expectation, and some wonderful thing was looked for by many, This was a False Messiahs. 209 fit time for an impostor to set up; and accordingly lying reports were carried about. It was said, that great multitudes marched from unknown parts to the re- mote deserts of Arabia, and they were supposed to be the ten tribes of Israel, who had been dispersed for many ages; that a ship was arrived in the north part of Scotland, with sails and cordage of silk; that the mariners spake nothing but Hebrew; that on the sails was this motto, The twelve Tribes of Israel. Thus were credulous men possessed at that time. Then it was that Sabatai Sevi appear- ed at Smyrna, and professed himself to be the Messias. He promised the Jews deliverance and a prosperous kingdom. This, which he promised, they firmly believed. The Jews now attended to no business, discoursed of nothing but their return, and believed Sabatai to be the Messias, as firmly as we Christians believe any article of faith* A right reverend person then in Turkey, meet- ing with a Jew of his acquaintance at Aleppo, he asked him what he thoufltt of Sabatai. The Jew replied, that he W- lieved him to be the Messias; and * *1S 210 False Messiahs. he was so far of that belief, that, if he should prove an impostor, he would then turn Christian. It is fit we should be particular in this relation, because the history is so very surprising and remark- able; and we have the account of it from those who were in Turkey. Sabatai Sevi was the son of Mordecai Sevi, a mean Jew of Smyrna. Sabatai was very bookish, and arrived to great skill in the Hebrew learning. He was the author of a new doctrine, and for it was expelled the city. He went thence to Salonichi, of old called Thessalonica, where he married a very handsome woman, and was divorced from her. Then he travelled into the Morea, then to Tripoli, Gaza, and Jerusalem. By the way he picked up a third wife. At Jerusalem he began to reform the Jews' constitutions, and abolish one of their solemn fasts, and communicated his de- signs of professing himself the Messias to one Nathan. He was pleased with it and set up for his Ellas, or forerunner, dp took upon him to abolish ail the ffwish fasts, as not beseeming, when the bridegroom was now come. Nathan False Messiahs. 211 prophecies that the Messias should ap- pear before the Grand Seignior in less than two years, and take from him his crown, and iead him in chains. At Gaza, Sabatai preached repentance, together with a faith in himself, so effec- tually, that the people gave themselves up to their devotions and alms. The noise of this Messias began to fill all pla- ces. Sabatai now resolves for Smyrna, and then for Constantinople. Nathan writes to him from Damascus, and thus he be- gins his letter: "To the king, our king, lord of lords, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, who redeems our captivity, the man elevated to the height of all sub- limity, the Messias of the God of Jacob, the true Messias, the celestial Lion, Sabatai Sevi." And now, throughout Turkey, the Jews were in great expectation of glori- ous times. They now were devout and penitent, that they might not obstruct the good which they hoped for. Some fasted so long, that they were famished to death; others buried them- selves in the earth till their limbs grew stiff; some would endure melting wax £12 False Messiahs. dropped on their flesh; some rolled in snow: others, in a cold season, would put themselves into cold water; and many buried themselves. Business was laid aside; superfluities of household utensils were sold; the poor were provid- ed for by immense contributions. Sa- batai comes to Smyrna, where he was adored by the people, though the Cha- cham contradicted him, for which he was removed from his office. There he in writing styles himself the only and first-born Son of God, the Messias, the Savior of Israel. And though he met with some opposition, yet he prevailed there at last to that degree, that some of his followers prophesied, and fell into stranger ecstacies: four hundred men and women prophesied of his growing kingdom; and young infants who could hardly speak, would plainly pronounce Sabbatia, Messias, and Son of God. The people were for a time possessed, and voices heard from their bowels: some fell into trances, foamed at the mfDth, recounted their future prosperity, their visions of the Lion of Judah, and the triumphs of Subatai. All which. False Messiahs. 21S says the relater, were certainly true, be- ing effects of diabolical delusions, as the Jews themselves have since confessed. Now the impostor swells and assumes. Whereas the Jews, in their synagogues, were wont to pray for the Grand Seign- ior, he orders those prayers to be fore- born for the future, thinking it an inde- cent thing to pray for him who was shortly to be his captive; and instead of praying for the Turkish emperor, he appoints prayers for himself. He also elected princes to govern the Jews in their march towards the Holy Land, and to minister justice to them when they should be possessed of it. These princes were men well known in the city of Smyrna at that time. The people were now pressing to see some miracle to confirm their faith, and to convince the Gentiles. Here the impostor was puz- zled, though any juggling trick would have served their turn. But the credu- lous people supplied this defect. When Sabatai was before the Cadi (or justice of peace,) some affirmed they saw a pil- lar of fire between him and the Cadi; and after some had affirmed it, others 214 False Messiahs. were ready to swear it, and did swear k also; and this was presently believed by the Jews of that city. He that did not now believe him to be the Messias was to be shunned as an excommunicat- ed person. The impostor now declares that he was called of God to see Con- stantinople, where lie had much to do. He ships himself, to that end in a Turk- ish saick, in January, 1666. He had a long and troublesome voyage; he had not power over the sea and winds. The Viseir upon the news, sends for him» and confines him in a loathsome prison. The Jews pay him their visits; and they of this city are as infatuated as those in Smyrna. They forbid traffic, and refuse to pay their debts. Some of our Eug- ligh merchants, not knowing how to re- cover their debts from the Jews, took this occasion to visit Sabatai, and make their complaints to him against his sub- jects; whereupon he wrote the following letter to the Jews: "To you of the nation of the Jews, who expect the appearance of the Mes- sias, and the salvation of Israel, peace without end. Whereas we are informed False Messiahs. 215 that you are indebted to several of the English nation, it seemeth right unto us to order you to make satisfaction to these your just debts, which if you refuse to * do, and not obey us herein, know you that then you are not to enter with us into our joys and dominions." Sabatai remained a prisoner in Con- stantinople for the space of two months. The Grand Viseir, designing for Candia, thought it not safe to leave him in the city during the Grand Seignior's absence and his own. He, therefore, removed •liirn to the Dardanelli, a better air indeed, but yet out of the way, and consequent- ly importing less danger to the city; which occasioned the Jews to conclude, that the Turks could not, or durst not, take away his life; which had, they con- cluded, been the surest way to have re- moved all jealousy. The Jews flocked in great numbers to the castle, where he was a prisoner, not only those that were near, but from Poland, Germany, Leg- horn, Venice, and other places: they re- ceived Sabatai's blessing, and promises of advancement. The Turks made use of this confluence; they raised the price 216 False Messiahs. of their lodgings and provisions, and put their price upon those who desired lo see Sabatai for their admittance. This profit stopped their mouths, and no complaints were for this cause sent to Adrianople. Sabatai, in his confinement, appoints the manner of his own nativity. He commands the Jews to keep it on the ninth day of the month Ab, and to make it a day of great joy, to celebrate it with pleasing mrats and drinks 5 with illumina- tions and music. He obligeth them to acknowledge the love of God, in giving • them that day of consolation for the birth of their king Messias, Sabatai Sevi, his servant and first born son in love. We may observe, by the way, the in- solence of this impostor. This day was a solemn day of fasting among the Jews, formerly in memory of the burning of the temple by the Chaldees: several other sad things happened in this month, as the Jews observe; that then, and up- on the same day, the second temple was destroyed; and that in this month it was decreed in the wilderness, that the Israel- ites should not enter into Canaan, &c False Messiahs. 21? Sabatai was born on this day; and there- fore the fast must be turned to a feast; whereas, in truth it had been well for the Jews had he not been born at all; and much better for himself, as will appear from what follows. The Jews of that city paid Sabatai Sevi great respect. They decked their synagogues with S. S. in letters of gold, and made for him in the wall a crown; tbey attributed the same titles and prophecies to him which we apply to our Savior. He was also during this imprisonment, visited by pilgrims from all parts, that had heard his story. Among whom Nehemiah Cohen, from Poland, was one, a man of great learning in the Kabbala and eastern tongues; who desiring a conference with Sabatai, and at the confeience maintained, that ac- cording to the Scripture, there ought to be two-fold Messias; one the son of Ephraim, a poor and despised teacher of the law; the other the son of David to be a conqueror. Nehemiah was con- tent to be the former, the son of E- phraim, and to leave the glory and dig- nity of the latter to Sabatai. Sabatai. fo*r 19 218 False Messiahs. what appears, did not mislike this. But here lay the ground of the quarrel: Ne- hemiah taught that the son of Ephraim ought to be the forerunner of the son of David, and to usher him in; and Nehe- miah accused* Sabatai of too great for- wardness in appearing as the son of Da- vid, before the son of Ephraim had led him the way. Sabatai could not brook this doctrine; for he might fear that the son of Ephraim, who was to lead the way, might pretend to be the son of Da- vid, and so leave him in the lurch; and therefore he excluded him from any part or share in this matter; which was the occasion of the ruin of Sabatai, and all his glorious designs. Nehemiah be- ing disappointed, goes to Adrianople, and informs the great ministers of state against Sabatai, as a lewd and danger- ous person to the government, and that it was necessary to take him out of the way. The grand Seignior, being in- formed of this, sends for Sabatai, who, much dejected, appears before him. The Grand Seignior requires a miracle, and chooses one himself; and it was this: that Sabatai should be stripped naked, and set as a mark for his archers to False Messiahs. 219 shoot at; and, if the arrows did not pierce his flesh, he would own him to be the Messias. Sabatai had not faith enough to bear up under so great a tri- al. The Grand Seignior let him know that he would forthwith impale him, and that the stake was prepared for him, un- less he would turn Turk. Upon which he consented to turn Mahometan, to the great confusion of the Jews. And yet some of the Jews were so vain as to af- firm, that it was not Sabatai himself, but his shadow, that professed the religion, and was seen in the habit of a Turk; so great was their ob- tinacy and infidelity, as if it were a thing impossible to con- vince these deluded and infatuated wretches. After all this, several of the Jews con- tinued to use the forms, in their public worship, prescribed by this Mahometan Messias, which obliged the principal Jews of Constantinople to send to the synagogue of Smyrna to forbid this practice. Dur- ing these things, the Jews, instead of minding their trade and traffic, filled their letters with news of Sabatai their Messias and his wonderful works. They 220 False Messiahs. reported, that, when the Grand Seign- ior sent to take him, he caused all the messengers that were sent to die; and when other Janizaries were sent, they all fell dead by a word from his mouth; and, being requested to do it, he caused them to revive again. They added, that, though the prison where Sabatai lay was barred and fastened with strong iron locks, yet he was seen to walk through the streets with a numerous train; that the shackles which were upon his neck and feet did not fall off, but were turn- ed into gold, with which Sabatai grati- fied his followers. Upon the fame of these things the Jews, of Italy sent le- gates to Smyrna, to inquire into the truth of these matters. When the le- gates arrived at Smyrna, they heard of the news that Sabatai was turned Turk, to their very great confusion; but, going to visit the brother of Sabatai, he en- deavored to persuade them that Sabatai was still the true Messias; that it was not Sabatai that went about in the habit of a Turk, but his angel, or spirit; that his body was taken into heaven, and should be sent down again when God False Messiahs. 221 should think it a fit season. He added, that Nathan his forerunner, who had wrought many miracles, would soon be at Smyrna; that he would reveal hidden things to them, and confirm them. But this Elias was not suffered to come into Smyrna, and though the legates saw him elsewhere, they received no satisfaction at all. 24. The last false Christ that had made any considerable number of con- verts, was one Rabbi Mordecai, a Jew of Germany: he appeared in the year 1632. It was not long before he was found out to be an impostor, and was obliged to fly from Italy to Poland to save his life. What became of him af- terwards does not seem to be recorded. This may be considered as true and exact an account of the false Christs that have arisen since the crucifixion of our blessed Savior, as can well be given. THE END. TAll persons disposed to circulate good books, arc desired to call at Samuel T. Armstrong's Bookstore, Boston, and take subscription papers, which are delivered gratis, for a great many books.] SUBSCRIBERS'S NAMES. The. following are all the names received befove Printing. ASBOYER. Rev. Elipt. Pearson, L.L.D. Sus^n Lines, AMXSBURY. Mary Huntington, Willis Patten, Sally Sargeant, ATKIXS02T. Oliver Knight, Benjamin Walker, Lydia Vose, BEBFORD. Nathan Barns, John Opr, Adam Smith, William Chandler, Phinea3 Aiken, John O. Houston,' Benjamin Nichols, Neheraiah Kitteridge, Solomon Gage, Josiah Gordon, Zachariah Chandler, Stephen French, Levi Cochran, Stephen French, jun. Ezekiel Gardner, jun. Isaac Atwood, jun, John Housvon, Samuel Roby, Patrick McLaughlin, Dr. Frederick A. Merrill, BERLIN Tioaothy Jones. 6 BRISTOL, ME. Rev. J. Belden, xV. Blaney, jun. Esq. 2 Howland Hatch, William Huston, 3d. Barry G. Pomeroy, John Mears, William Page, Marius How, Robert Huston, John Cox, Alexander Askims, James Drummond, Hugh Paul, Joel How, jun. NEWPORT, R.I. Samuel W. Vinson, 6, BRAEFORB. B. Hall, Jonathan Allen, BELYI1IE. Jeremiah Pearson, CONCORD, IT. H. Stephen Ambrose, Es% Betsy Abbot, Betsy Ayer, Richard Bradley, Hannah Dow, Patty Eastmam, Lucinda Hough, 5 Esther Herriek, Asenath Herri ck, Charlotte Herbert, Subscribers^ Names: 223 Charlotte Kent, Dea. John Kimball, Lucretia Kimball, Harriet Kimball, Sarah Kimball, 5 Sarah Livermore, Rev Asa McFarland, D.D. Elizabeth McFarland, Dea. Abial RolFe, 2 Rebecca Rolfe, Mary Thorn dike, Sarah Thorndike, John West, jun . CAMBRIDGE, William Fiske. C0LRAIN". Clark Chandler, Esq. IS DRACUT. Sarah B. Varnum, 2 Eleanor Varnum, Prudence Ford, Martha Spaulding, Eliza Ames. DTTXBARTON. Rev. Walter Harris, 56 EPSOJT, H. h. Catherine L. Gray, Susan P. Grav, . * Thomas D. Merrill, Esq. Dr. Samuel Merrill, FITZWILLIAM. John Whittemore, Joshua Cummings, Caleb Sweetser, Robinson Perkins Josiah Carter, Luther Chapman, Aaron Townsend, Martin Stone, Stephen Bowker, Ajjna Cummings, Th6mas Stratton, Timothy B lodge tt, Ebenezer Wright, Nathan Knights, Joshua Harrington, Levi Tower, William Farrar, Calvin Coolidge, Lydia Whittemore, Pearlv Deeth, Elijah Phillips, Philemon Fairbar.k, Moses Stone, Asahel Martwell, Nathan Townsend* Aaron Gory, Martin Smith, Elias Evans, David Grant, John Fay, Samuel Tower, Martin Rockwood, Lucy Stone, William Barnard, Nathan Winch, Ezra Hayden, Jacob Townsend, William Farrar, 2d. Samuel Stone, 2d. Daniel Butrick, Samuel Kendall, Oliver Whitcomb, William Flagg, Phinehas Reed, Abel Baker, John Burbank, jr. Benjamin Eddy, Stephen Harris, jr. Dexier Whittemore, 10, FRYEBURG. Samuel A. Bradley, Esq. GREENLAND, N, U. Thomas Bvuckett, 224 Subscribers^ Names. HAVERHILL. Pollv I. Johnson, Dr. Elms Weld, Rev. Isaac Tompkins, Susanna Gage, HAMPSTEAD. Joseph Smith, Eliza Morse, HARTFORD. Gallaudet & Wells, 12 HINSDALE. Rev. Caleb Knight, 6 JAMAICA. Solomon Goodell. LITCHFIELD, JT. H. Anna Parker, 3 LTUTENBUBG. W. Harrington, Esq. 6 MERRIMAC. John P. Wallace. JIETHUEN. Joshua Basewell, Jonathan Swan, IfEWBURTPORT. Rev. John Andrews, Joseph S Pike, Rev. Samuel Spring, D.D. Rev. Daniel Dana, D.I>. Rev. i harles W. Milton, William Caldwell, Anne Bromfield, Dr. Micajah Sawyer, William Bartlet, Esq. John Dean, James Hodge, ^Nicholas Johnson, jr. James Taylor, J&ev, James Morris, NIWBUUY. Anne Plummer, Lydia Noyes, Walter Bay ley, Hannah Poor, Nathan Keser, Anne Little, NEW-MABKET, JT.H. John C. Fowler, NORTHAMPTON, ir.H. Dearborn Fogg, ORFORD. Mrs. Hannah Dana, 12 PELHAM. Rev. John H. Church, 6 PROVIDENCE. Rev. Thomas Williams, RINDGE. Luke A. Spofford, 25 ROYALSTON. Rev. Joseph Lee. ROXBURY- Leonard Jewell, STRATHAM, N.H. David Robinson, templeton\ Joel Hayden, WESTMINSTER. rJev. Cyrus Mann, 3 Nathan Whitney, Samuel Meriarn, Ezra Wood. we st bob o'. Rodolphus Miller, 12 WRENTHAM, Ebenezer Gay,