..iM.nmi ii I I i I lillllllltlliiiii.litllli iniiiliiii tiHiiliiii. ..^dti£ tihvaxy of trhe theological ^eminarjo PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY ^^j> PRESENTED BY John Stuart Conning, D.D. BV 2623 .L4 H4 1855 Heighway, Osborn W. Trenery Leila Ada, the Jewish convert ^3-v^^ I;; 4f. ^.U^' ^ LEILA ADA, THE JEWISH CO'lT\^ERT't BY OSBORN W. TEENEHY HEIGHWAY. TO WHICH IS ADDED HER DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE The blue deep skies Dissolve in radiance like a summer cloud; Pure spirit melodies float past mine ear From many a stringing harp. Let me too join The mingling music of theh- mighty song. To Thee, well-spring of love, who gave the Son, To Thee, the Conijueror, the Victor-King, To Thee, tlie Holy One, who sanctified, And gave my hopes of yon immortal crown, I come. Receive my winging soul.— Leila Ada- SECOND AMEEICAN EDITION, WITH ADDITlO:?ft NEW YORK : JOHN WILEY, 167 BROADWAY. 1855. Entered according to Act of Congress, In the year 1854, By JOHN WILEY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. R. CRAIGHEAD, Printer and Stereotyper 63 Vesey street, New York. TO SIR CHARLES LEMON, BART., CARCLEW, PENRYN", M.P. FOR WEST CORNWALL, THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS, WITH HIS PERMISSION, RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION OF THE LIFE OF LEILA ADA. About a year since the Life of Leila Ada "was published in England. It was so cordially received as to induce the author within the last few months to give to the public another volume, containing much of the diary and correspondence of the young Jewess. In preparing an American Edition of this work it has been thought best to combine and condense both volumes in one, inserting the diary and letters in their natural connexion, and omitting such passages as involved repetition, or possessed less interest for the general reader than for the pers9nal friend. These omissions have been made mainly in the account of the journey to the Holy Land, where a mere outline of travel occupied many pages. On the other hand, every incident of importance and every expression of Leila's feelings in regard to the great change in her religious experience has been carefully pre- flerved. VI PKEFACE. The only interpolations have been a few words here and there which were necessary as connecting links in the arrangement of the book. These are in every instance inclosed within brackets. The narrative has sufficient romance to satisfy the most imaginative, while the elevating influence of the spiritual life it portrays far transcends any work of fiction. Both in beauty of person and loveliness of character, Leila seems to have charmed and attracted all who enjoyed f.he privilege of her acquaintance, while to the narrow- er circle of intimate friendship she was, in the words of her biographer,* " one of those fair and flower-like natures that rise at intervals to cheer us along the dusty highway of Hfe." " Her natural abilities (he says) were very rare, and she cultivated them with the strictest care, so that had God seen fit to spare her life, and call her to a more public situa- tion, she would have occupied no humble position among those noble-souled and intellectual women who are an honour to our country. " She was one of the loveliest flowers that ever gleamed in the cold atmosphere of a world of sin — a flower, fragile in its pensile form, delicate in its tender purity, spiritual in its beauty, too frail to live amidst these tempestuous clouds of earth, and only at home in the kindlier soil and among the Btormless skies of the better land. "In her short Christian course she walked with God,. * Preface to the English edition. PREFACE. Vil and her dying weeks were lived upon the very verge of heaven." In another place he says : " we have been scrupulously exact in our descriptions throughout. We have written from knowledge obtained through personal acquaintance of the dearest kind." But her wonderful conversion is after all that upon which the interest of the book chiefly depends. It is as the sun around which her personal attractions like lesser lights revolve. From the first aspiration after holiness to the spiritual enjoyment of maturer years, every candid reader will ac- knowledge that to the suggestions and teachings of the Holy Spirit, unaided by human influence, Leila Ada* was indebted for her escape from the thraldom of Judaism to the light and liberty of the gospel of Christ. May, 1854. • " A beautiful coincidence between Leila's name and her conduct, was remarked to me by one of my many correspondents. Her name — which is in Hebrew— {^ "13? nj^^I? Leila Ada, A Witness by Night, is sweetly like her noble confession at midnight before the rabbins at her uncle's house." CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Introduction. — Leila's Character and Pursuits. — The Mishna. —The Talmud 1 CHAPTER H. Extracts from Leila's Diary. — Prayer. — Visit from the Rabbi. — Eastern Tour contemplated 21 CHAPTER III. Leila accompanies her Father to the Holy Land. — Their Journey. — Cologne. — The Rhine. — Geneva. — Staubbach 36 CHAPTER IV. The Journey continued.— Athens. — The jEgean Sea. — Con- stantinople 47 CHAPTER V. The Journey continued. — Antioch. — Jerusalem. — Account of the Holy Land.— The Return Home 56 CHAPTER VI. Leila's Conversion 64 CHAPTER VII. Leila's Letter to her Father 92 CHAPTER VIIL Leila's Letter to her Father continued Ill X CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. Conversations between Leila and her Father. — Leila is sent to her Uncle 127 CHAPTER X. Treatment of Leila by her Uncle.— Her Trials.— Character of Leila's Cousin 160 CHAPTER XI. The final Effort to reclaim Her.— Cut off from her Nation.— Her acquaintance with Miss H. — Returns to her Father. — "How soon we fade !" 237 CHAPTER XII. Evanishings 266 CHAPTER XIII. " We all do fade as a Leaf!" . , , 311 CHAPTER XIV. Leila's Dying Hours.— The Closing Scene 325 CHAPTER XV. Rest 331 CHAPTER XVI. Dlness and Death of Leila's Father 337 LEILA ADA, THE JEWISH CONVERT. CHAPTER I. iKTRODUCTio:;. — Leila's character and pursuits. — the IMISILXA. — THE TALMUD. The West of England abounds in scenes of quiet and picturesque beauty. Its shores are girded by tall grey cliffs, bold headlands, numerous islets, and large caves hollowed out and draped with rrn- weads by the musical waves of the Atlantic ; v/hi)c the inland scenery is rich in h.ills and valleys, dells and dingles, woods nnd nic:nlovvs combined in forms of surpassing loveliness. Crystal streamlets wind amongst quivering aspens ; and glide, bn-ak'ng into fall and rapid, and murmuring with a^ sweet complaining eloquence as though they v,ere of life. Amidst one of the sweetest of these scenes, and near the southern coast of Cornwall, there is an ancient-looking mansion, soft and trauvquil in its 1 2 LEILA ADA, elegant simplicity, and removed far away from the smoke and stir of earth. It stands in a deep but most lovely valley, between a line of picturesque eminences. Embosomed amid lofty and luxuriant trees, and surrounded by a verdant lawn thickly dotted with beds of rich flowers, it impresses the mind as the very repose of peace and beauty. Several of the windows are partially hidden by festoons of luxuriant ivy ; while roses, jessamines, and other sweet-scented plants and creepers, have thickly interlaced the open trellis-work of the balcony which encloses the door. Many a time and oft have we wandered at sun- rise over the velvet greensward, and in the noble ^^ardens attached to the house, seeking to learn the life, the freshness, the purity, the joy of this little Eden. The commonest objects shone with a glory not their own ; the rich sunlight was poured over all ; and the same sunbeam that lighted the distant hill glowed on the pebble and the road-side weed. It filled the soul with love to gaze upon the pensive fragile floweret bathed in morning dew, or watch the sparkling drops as they glanced amidst the emerald light transmitted through leaves that trembled in the early breeze. The eye wandered with delight from the peaceful clouds that reposed so lovingly on the cerulean vault above, to the far bright distance that invited to unguessed regions of light and freedom, and THE JEWISH CONVERT. 3 tlien returued to rest upon the quiet shadows ijiixhig' with the soft hues of darker things. And t.hou vv'e went on to the side of the clear streamlet, and sat down by its little gushing waves. Each had its own separate being ; they varied in form ; one pare and glassy reflected an unbroken sun- beam ; another dashed it into a thousand glittering sp;uiglcs ; but they all came from the same deep fountain — they all rejoiced in the same light — they all hasted on their happy race to the same wide ocean, xlnd ever, as they flowed, soft voices like a spirit-melody met our ears ; purity, life, and joy, must produce sweet tdnes of harmony. Several pretty nests of trees grow in the little park which adjoins the house, and beneath them are some tastefully arranged seats. And often, after wearying herself in frolics with the goat and her kid, tliat lived in a small paddock separated from the lawn by a ring fence, the subject of this memoir has reposed herself upon one of these seats, and gazed upon the loveliness of nature, and watched the majestic glories attendant upon the setting sun. But it were well to be there, if you would feel the witchery of such a sunset. The trees move listlessly and wearily in the evening breeze, as though the drowsiness of sleep were fast stealing over them. The tops of the distant hills are dipped in gold and purple, while the last rays show rich green shrubberies as they rise 4: LEILA ADA, higher and higher on the opposite ascent from the valley. The gentle murmurs of the river seem to swell into a hymn of softest music to the departing day, as the lengthening shadows softly steal upon its steps. Not a song is heard from the birds of the forest, with the exception of the indescribably sweet, melancholy notes of the wood-robin ; he, perched in a moss-rose bower, is singing his fare- well song to the setting-sun ; and, as each note, seeming fainter and more faint, dies in melodious intonations among the groves and thickets, it touches the listener with an exquisite sense of pleasure. Before taking possession of this mansion, A. T , Esq., had buried the wife of his youth ; and on coming to this charming retreat, he, and an only and lovely daughter, named Leila, lived in comparative seclusion from the world. He knew no happiness independent of his child, for all his enjoyments consisted in promoting her interest and gratification. She was, indeed, the very being to excite the most tender lavisliment of paternal love. Beauty surrounded her as a mantle, but her culti- vated mind, and amiable disposition, threw around her an influence superior to any of the short-lived fascinations of the body. In her conduct and manner there was a freshness of innocence, and a winning ahandonncnicnt, which could not fail to arrest the interest of every beholder. She was THE JEWISH CONVERT. fl higlily accomplished, and could read and write several languages with fluency. The idol of her fond father, he loved her tenderly ; a feeling which she as tenderly reciprocated. Being of the seed of Abraham, he had educated her in the strictest principles of the Jewish ritual, and felt the most intense satisfaction in witnessing her early serious- ness and devotion. To her religion he thought her an ornament. For our slight knowledge of the early part of Leila's life, we are principally indebted to a series of papers written by herself, and entitled, " Re- flections." A few references to it are also made in her diary and correspondence. From these sources we learn, that a leading characteristic in the earliest development and exercises of her mind, was an ardent thirst for TRUTH. It is also erident, that from her earliest years she felt the drav/ings of the Holy spirit, and had an anxious desire for her eternal salvation. And it is painful, yet pleasing, to witness the deep struggles of a soul whose whole wish is simply to be a true and accepted servant of the living God, yet surrounded by the exclusive spirit and deadening influences of Judaism. It never appears, however, that through the whole course of her childhood, and the first years of more thoughtful youth, she had any misgiving respecting the trulh of the Jewish belief. Her conviction, upon this point, was doubt- 6 LEILA ADA, less heightened, in her maturer years, "by her deep acquaintance with the Eastern writings. From her conversation and reflections it is evident that the fanciful and mystic lore of these, joined to a supposition that she observed coincidences in ap- proaching changes, greatly strengthened her be- lief in the approaching advent of the " Murdah," or " Good One" — the Messiah of the Scriptures. But the dawn of a brighter day was coming. Her character, even in childhood, was thought- ful and reserved ; she was always disposed to the grave, rather than the gay. In adverting to this phase of her disposition, we cannot do better than use her own language ; we therefore extract from her diary the following reflection : " I enjoy soli- tude much ; my heart delights in its own com- pany, and finds this a richer enjoyment than any which can be had in busy life. It is an important matter to feel in no way embarrassed, because ex- cluded from the bustling joy of social life. Really, I am in no way indebted to external sources of amusement : in contemplating God, in nature, I have opened a mine of happiness which is inde- scribable. Indeed, I am rather unsocial ; I do not like company ; I am quite miserly in selecting the sources of my happiness. To hold sweet converse with my own heart, and sit in my dear closet, with my pen and my book, are the greatest delights I can enjoy. I do not know that I could wish for a THE JEWISH CO.WERT. ' large diiuislon of all and exactly this feeling : if universally indiilgccl, it might cast a shade of morosity over our fireside enjoyments. Being natural to me, however, I cannot avoid it ; and, really, it makes me very happy." At sixteen years of age she began to keep a diary, or, rather, prescribe rules for her conduct, and note her experience, by way of meditation and reflection ; for, it does not appear, that she began to keep a regular diary till she had nearly completed her seventeenth year. Her diary and reflections were designed to be a secret correspon- dence with her own heart, and certainly were never written Avith any expectation that they would meet the eye of man. Extracts from these portraitures of her inmost soul, will more justly display her character than anything which could be said by any other person. Among this interesting collection of papers, we find the following prayer. It is powerfully de- scriptive of the feelings and aspirations of her heart at a very early age, for it is dated at the commencement of the neAv year, 18 — , when she had just completed her thirteenth year : — " thou great and adorable Jehovah ! fountain of love ! listen to the prayer of a sinful, rebellious child ; hide not Thyself from my supplications. May Thy Spirit illuminate my dark, benighted 8 LEILA ADA, soul ; may it dispel the gloom whicli now casta down my spirit, and guide my petition aright. " I adore Thee for the countless blessings which to the present time Thou hast bestoAved upon me ; and for Thy care, which has preserved my existence amid these numberless mercies. But when I look into my heart, and see its depravity ; when I think on the ungrateful return I have made Thy love ; I am abased — I am prostrate in the dust. " Thou, vdio pcrmittest me to address Thee as my God, and my Creator, Thou seest my state ; Thou knowest me altogether. that I could ex- press half that I feel of love to Thee, who hast done so. much for me. God, I am proud, self- willed, worldly-minded, and I cannot be happy ; but Thou hast inspired ardent desires for Thyself; answer me, according to Thy word — Thy word whicli is truth itself — eternal as Thy duration — 0, that on it my soul may repose. 0, that Thy love may refresh my spirit, and cause my eyes to overflow with tears of joy, in the conviction that Thou lorest me. Then, how poor and mean Avill be all earth-born joys ; then will my soul rejoice in its freedom, and exult in its immortality. " The dissolving universe shall one day proclaim that the hour of retribution is at hand ; and the great arcana of nature, in which I love to trace Thy THE JEWISH CONVERT. Q finger, shall melt before tlic piercing glance of Thine avenging eye. 0, that through Thee I may be enabled to hail the moment, as that of my com- plete happiness. " On this commencement of another year, I enter into a solemn covenant with Thee, to dedi- cate myself to Thee. Show me what Thou wouldst have me to be and do, and I will pray earnestly for Thy assistance, that I may fiillil Thy will. 0, that Thou wouldst arise, and by Thy glorious beams scatter my spiritual darkness. Grant me Thy aid, that I may not swerve from my resolution. Enlarge and bless my soul ; and let me be happy from a constant walking in Thy fear. Amen." We have every reason to suppose that at this period Leila's belief in her religion was unshaken ; yet from this hor earliest record of thoughts and imaginings, written at the time she felt them, we" may see that she was now earnestly in pursuit of that in which she afterwards found solid happiness. We can perceive an enthusiastic lon^ng of the spirit, and a deeply wrought effort of the soul, which, when the veil fell from her eyes, abun- dantly prepared her to press into the liberty of the children of God. Although the children of Israel profess to receive the Old Testament Scriptures as Divine, yet they greatly neglect their study, and as a 10 LEILA ADA, consecjiience are involved in gross darkness. But wliile tliey have cast Moses and the Prophets into the shade, they have introduced an enormous rival to divine revelation, under the pretence that it is a comment upon the Law of Moses. This they call the Mishna, or oral law. The Mishna is divided into six orders : — the first order treats of the vegetable world ; the second of feasts ; the third of women ; the fourth of damages ; the fifth of holy things ; and the sixth of purifications. The Mishna was published to the world in 1698, in six folio volumes, by Surenhusius, of Amster- dam. The principal part of these volumes is occupied by the comments of translators and rabbis. We will give an account of the Mishna by Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon. This Moses Ben Maimon was one of their ablest doctors. He was physician to the Sultan of Egypt, lived in the twelfth century, and was enthusiastically en- grossed in the philosophy of Aristotle. From the initials of his name the Jews call him Ixambam : he is the writer of their creed and liturgy ; and they have a saying, that from Moses to Moses there is no one like Moses. Of the Mishna he gives the following account : — "All the precepts of the law were given by God to Moses, our mas- ter, together with an interpretation of what the TIIR JEWISH CONVERT. 11 authentic text signified. Moses, going into his tent, first related to Aaron the text and the inter- pretation ; he rising and going to the right hand of Moses. Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron, came and heard the same that had been before dictated to their father ; so that he heard it twice. Then came the seventy elders, and at last the whole people heard the same. They all committed to memory the text and the interpreta- tion, which xVaron had heard many times, and hence arose the written law, and the oral law — 613 precepts together with their interpretations : the precepts inscribed in the books — the interpre- tations handed down by word of m.outh. " Moses dying left these interpretations to Joshua, and he again to tlie ciders, and they to the pro- phets, who handed them down from one to ano- ther without any dissent, till the time of the men of the gre^t synagogue, Vvho wero Ilaggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Daniel, Ilannaniah, Mishael, Azariah, Ezra the Scribe, Nehemiah, Chacalise, Mordecai, and Zcrubhabel the son of Shealtiel, with others to the number of 120. But the last of the men of that sacred company was the first of the wise men mentioned in the IMishna, Simeon the Just, at that time high priest. After whom it came in process of time to our Ilabbi, tlie holy, who was the phoenix of his age and tlio unique glory of that time, a man in whom God had ac- 12 LEILA ADA, cumulated sucli virtues that lie merited to "be called by liis contemporaries, our Rabbi, the holy, ■whose name was Judah, so that it was said, ' From the days of Moses to the Rabbi, we have never seen law and nobility together, and from the time that he died, humility and the fear of sin ceased;' and so rich was he that it used to be said, ' The groom of the stables of Rabbi was richer than Sapor king of the Persians.' lie, tracing his doctorial geneajogy up to Moses, composed the Mishna, partly from tlie traditions from the lips of Moses, partly from consequences elicited by argument in which there is unanimous consent, partly from conclusions in which there is a difference arising from two modes of interpretation (for they have thirteen modes of interpreting) ; so that some- times our Rabbi says, * Such a one affirms this, such another says that.' " Such various modes of interpretation have given rise th numberless dissensions among the Jews. From Simeon the Ju£t to tlie year 150 of the Christian era, Judah mentions ninety-one wise men, as handing down to him their decisions. The Mishna is said to be an oral laAv, received from the lips of God, and intended as an exponent of his written law. Rut we should transgress the purity which religion demands, were we to quote some of its puerile and absurd follies. If those who penned it set about tlieir v>ork with an inteii« THE JEWISH CONVERT. l.**. tion to sliock common sense, and load tLc Jewish religion with contempt, they couki scarcely liav« acquitted themselves better. And let no one snp- ])'>se that our strictures are unkind ; any one at ail acquainted Avith the Mishna, will at once per- ceive them to be within the bounds of that charity and pity, Vvhicli we owe to those who err. Indeed, it were but too easy to quote passages Avhich would justify our severest censures. But withal, the Mishna is surrounded with a degree of obscurity and hardness, owing to its orientalisms, and a considerable perversion of a sort of Hebra-Grecism in its structure. This ob- Hcurity has given rise to another commentary, called the Gemara, or completion. One Gemara, written in Palestine, forms Avith the Mishna, the Jerusalem Talmud, and another, written at Baby- lon, composes the Babylonish Talmud. Thus the Mishna, which the Jews declare to be God's own interpretation of his law, requires interpretation from man, and the whole together forms a mighty v,ork of tv/elve folio volumes. These are the volumes which contain the Avliole of the Jewish divinity ; for, dishonouring to God, they have almost completely withdrawn the Jews from the 8tudy of Moses and the Prophets. In common with the rest of her nation, the Talmud formed the basis of Leila's religious edu- cation. Of the Old Testament she kncAv compara- 2 14 LEILA ADA, lively little. It is far from certain, indeecl, tlial she knew a great deal of ttie Talmud. For tliia there were causes : — first, she did not like its study : she tells us in her reflections, that while believing in its divinity, as she was instructed, she experienced a smothered dislike to many of its forms, observances, and precepts. " I felt it," she says, ** smouldering at the bottom of my heart long before I had moral courage to permit a single thought upon it. I shuddered at my suspicions as blasphemous, yet I could not conquer them. But as the spirit of God opened my eyes, I felt no difficulty in fully avowing my severest thoughts upon the inane, absurd, debasing studies of the Talmud. I felt no compunction while I openly declared to my own heart that it was an impure, stupid fabrication, composed by fallen and sinful man." What a volume is contained in these few thrilling sentences ! Would the sons of Jacob speak out, how many would tell us the same story 1 Impossible it is but that among them there are thousands who, while they dare not repudiate the Talmud, are conscious of a feel- ing of offence at its impurities and absurdities. Secondly, her father, although strictly a Jew in^ belief and profession, gave himself little trouble about their requirements and observances, and therefore, was very far from pressing them upon his daughter. THE JEWISH CONVERT. 15 But a mind constituted like that of Leila, eagerly tlui'sting after truth, could not be always content without strictly examining the Old Testa- ment Scriptures ; those Scriptures which all her nation believe in, as the pure word of God. Her first intentions to study them (for certainly she had previously read them, especially the Psalms) are expressed among the earliest entries in her diary, and bear date when she was about seventeen years old. We extract the passage : " I have read the Talmud, and have dipped into the learning of the East, and while my heart has been intent in the prosecution of these studies, I have comparatively neglected the blessed Word of God — the majestic Scriptures. The result of my reading is a strong opinion that the advent of the Messiah is probably near ; yet while I have been consulting the writings of men, I have greatly neglected the prophecies which relate to Him. Why then do I profess to my heart that I have formed an opinion, when I have neglected the great test, the predictions of the Scriptures 1 Lord, for- give my thus dishonouring Thee, as I now deter- mine that in thy strength I will give myself to the earnest, simple, devout reading and study of Thy holy Word, I ask of Thee, I beseech of Thee illuminate my soul, and guide my judgment aright. •' Lord, my God, Thou knowest my heart, 16 LEILA ADA, and tlioii knowest how ardently I pant to bo Thine accepted servant ; yet, alas ! I am in bond- age ; yet, alas ! I am not happy. Oh, that I could pour out my eyes in tears for my sins ! It is they, which, like a mountain, cast down and oppress my spirit. I find no comfort but in aspirations after Thee ; and Thou knowest I am sincere — at least I believe I am sincere ; if not I beseech Thee rectify my heart. O that I knew how I might please Thee ! for then should I be at rest. For- give me for the time that is past : guide me, and teach me, and assist me in the future. that Thou wouldst visit me according to the word which Thou hast declared unto my fathers ! Amen." Leila was fully aware of the necessity of acting on a digested plan, that all her time might be used to some purposes of good. A considerable portion of it was devoted to reading, and other endea- vours for the improvement of her mind ; and this was to her a source of pleasure which she highly valued — far more so, indeed, than the empty fri- volous pursuits of many of her own age and sex. That she might have every help to strictly fill each moment, she drew up an arrangement in writing. In this she apportioned to every hour its occupation, and to it she endeavoured to rigidly adhere. '* I strive," she says, in her diary, ** to occupy every moment well ; I do this, not simply THE JEWISH CONVERT. l1 because it is my interest, but also, and I bope and believe cbieflj, because it is my duty." At about the same time slie also formed a series of resolutions for the regulation of her conduct ; and the mind which could make and act upon them, must have had in it all the elements of greatness and efficiency ; it must have possessed a character deservedly esteemed and revered. They are worthy the imitation of every one, espe- cially the young, and we cannot forbear copying them here : — " For the regulation of my life, and balancing my conduct, I resolve : " 1. That the salvation of my soul shall be my first and great concern. " 2. That I will never be ashamed of my reli- gion, but will always avow it when and where it shall seem proper so to do. *' 3. That I will always carefully speak the truth ; never indulge in the very hast equivoca- tion, but always be both verbally and substantially correct, and to this end I will carefully watch the meaning of all I utter. "4. That I will always be ready to confess a fault, or ask forgiveness for it, no matter what the character or position of the person against whom I have offended. 2* 18 LEILA ADA, " 5. That I will do notliing to others which I should object to their doing to me. That I will never do anything which if I saw it committed by another would cause him or her to fall in my esteem. " 6. That as far as in me lies, I will never do nor be anything upon which I cannot, expecting- ly and confidingly, ask the blessing of God. " 7. That Avheirl have fixed a principle in my mind I will never abandon it, whatever occurs, unless I am convinced that it is a wrong one, or would involve me in bad consequences. " 8. That in fulfilling a clear duty, or in the pursuit of a good and proper object, I will never allow myself to be overcome by any trials or diffi- culties whatsoever. " 9. That I will daily study the Scriptures. " 10. That I will encourage meditations upon death and eternity. "11. That I will live to God, with all my might while I do live. That I will strive never to en- gage in anything which I should shun, if assured I was living the last hour of my life. " 12. That I will decide nothing which is brought before my judgment, until I have thoroughly ex- amined it on every side. That what I hare once decided, shall be fixed and irrerocable. That I will take nothing for granted, but that I will en- THE JEWISH CONVERT. 19 deavour to discover what is truth in reference to the smallest principles. " 13. That upon all occasions I will discounte- nance improper levity and conversation, m what- ever company I may be. " 14. That I will carefully guard my temper, and never show the least symptom of impatient emotion ; not even by an altered tone of voice, or expression of countenance. That I will do this even if from physical causes I feel fretful and un- easy ; no one else should suffer on this account. " 15. That I will never speak sharply or crossly to our servants ; on the contrary, I will be gentle and affectionate, which will gain all my desires the sooner. " 16. That my conversation shall be always in love, and as far as possible adapted to the tone of feeling in those with whom I converse. That I will never talk upon trifles, nor self, nor the failings or defects of others ; nor in it will I ever seek to display superiority of attainment over the compa- ny I may be among ; but I will always use it in advancing the happiness of my social and domes- tic circle. " 17. That I will never waste a moment. " 18. That I will be temperate in eating and drinking. " 19. That I will strictly guard against pride in dressi and every other of its manifestations; 20 LEILA ADA. against vanity, self-conceit, and indulging suppos- ed superiority of mind. " 20. That I will live only to serve God and for the good of others. Never seek my om'u plea- sure or satisfaction at the expense of that of any one else ; but as far as possible I will forget that there is a self to please. "21. That I will love my dear father with all my might, and do everything I can to promote his temporal and spiritual happiness." CHAPTER II. EXTRACTS FROM LEILa's DIARY. — VISIT OF THE RAEEI.— • EASTERN TOUR CONTEMPLATED. About this time v/e find 'the following entries in her diary. The first extract I shall give is dated, March- eslivan 16th, a.m. 5606, — answering to the begin- ning of November, a.d. 1S45. Like every other portraiture of her heart at this time, it exhibits her deep religious feeling, and that ardent breathing after an indwelling God, wdiicli characterises her entire Judaic life. " Forsake me not, Lord ! my God ! be not far from me." In this language of Thine own w^ord I address Thee. hear it and answer it for Thine own sake. Surely I may expect it ; for Thy power is constantly exerted on behalf of Thy feeble children. To Thy commandments I attend ; to Thy law I submit myself, with an entire willingness to be Thine. Grant me then that I may not seek the salvation of my soul in vain. I desire to be ac- 22 LEILA ADA, cepted of Tliee ; and Tliou art not willing that a sinner " should perish, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live." Eternal Fa- ther ! visit me in gracious compassion. I wait in hope for the fulfilment of the word thou hast de- clared unto my fathers, " I will rejoice over thee with joy ; I will joy in thee with singing ; I will set thee as a signet, for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts." With such a promise as this, hovv^ I ought to re- joice, and with what love should I engage in Thy service, my King ! I think this restlessness I so often feel must be exceedingly sinful ; yet alas ! I cannot prevent it. I will try again to do better. O give me Thy assistance, God ! Enable me to rest in Thy hand, and to trust in Thee always, re- membering that I am but Thy creature, so I have nothing to question, but simply lie passive in Thy hands. Kislov 11, 5607 (thirteen months later). This has been a happy day : so I desire to re- cord the impressions I have received. Kabbi M. conducted Divine service in the draw- ing-room. Uncle, aunt, Isaac, myself, «ind papa were present. Papa very feelingly and beautifully read the book of Zechariah — what a glorious part THE JEWISH CONVERT. 29 of the Sacred Books ! I must read it for myself. Rabbi M. read the prayers, and expounded a por tion of the prophet Ezekiel : " Thus saitli Jehovah one Lord ; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was pro* fjxned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them ; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land."* Oh, how the lovely word thrilled through me as I listened. Israel ! beloved of the Eternal ! re- joice with me ; our restoration is near. The Lord will, in his abundant mercy, restore our captivity. That glory flowing from before His mercy-seat, but far enriched above its ancient splendour, shall again be spread over us : our temple, more glori- ous than ever, erect its majestic front upon the hill of Zion. Jehovah will Himself come to sanc- tify us, and to be our Prophet, our Priest, our King. To hear such a beloved servant of the Most High discourse upon the future glory of our people, * Ezekiel xxxvi. 22—24 24 LEILA ADA, oh ! it is soothing according to this judgment does He suit all con- viction by means of miracles. He makes His proofs so plain, so clear, so direct to the reason^ that man cannot avoid conviction, unless He deter- minedly oppose himself to the truth. When Jesus made His appearance upon earth he did not ask men to take it for granted that He was the Messiah because He declared himself to be so. No ; He exhibited miraculous signs ; and of what character ? Were they of a kind which might be forged ; was it possible that they could be sur- reptitiously performed ; or, after all, according to human judgment, would they, as proofs, be regarded as inconclusive 1 O, no : to the commonest reason, they were palpably, clearly Divine. Were they THE JEWISH CONVERT. 107 aot 1 To walk upon the sea ; to restore the blind ; to raise to life the dead ; to heal the sick by a word ; to calm the fury of the tempest, &c. ; can there be any doubt that these were exercises of Divine power ? Indeed, our Saviour appeals to the judgment of the multitude ; * If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not !' — I ask not that ye shall believe My Divinity, except as I prove it to you by My acts. Of this kind would be His language in reference to our genealogies : " If it cannot be proved by your own registers that I am the son of Abraham, and Judah, and David, believe it not.' '* But, as the prediction that He vras to be the Son of Abraham, and Judah, and David, is ex- plicitly written in the Scriptures, it follows, clearly, that his appearance was to take place while His descent could be proved by our registers. Therefore, here again is powerful evidence that He has appeared ; and here, I say, too, that this prediction is fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. He was proved by our genealogies to be lineally descended from Abraham, and Judah, and David. " I just now observed, that our people expressly believe that a part of the Messiah's office is, that He shall be a temporal deliverer. If this belief bo a correct one, my dear father, it would show just this — that, on the coming of the Messiah, He 108 LEILA ADA, would find them in a condition wMcli needed temporal succour. And was not their position at the appearance of Jesus one which needed help ? Were they not suffering intensely from the galling yoke of their Roman masters : from the severe government of Herod, the deputy sovereign under Caesar? *Yes,' they will answer, *and if this Jesus, of whom you speak, were the Messiah, we should have been delivered from this tyranny 1' How can you tell what he would have done, had you believed upon Him ? The prophet describes the Messiah as first to suffer, and then to conquer ; and, from this very prophecy, the Jews have thought fit to invent what I may call a twofold Messiah — Ben Joseph the Sufferer and Ben David the Conqueror. He is to be a conqueror — but in what way] Is it not in this? — That all His enemies shall be put under His feet : that all His foes shall be bruised and made His footstool? And were not all the promises of deliverance made to His friends ? Were not temporal blessings, in abundance, promised to these, and shame and con- fusion to his enemies ? Undoubtedly. Evidently it was thus understood by Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. This fully appears in his beautiful and prophetic song, in reference to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ: 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and re- deemed His people; as he spake by the mouth THE JEWISH CONVERT. 109 of His lioly prophets, which have been since the H'orld began : that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform tlie mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember llis holy covenant ; tlie oath which lie sware to our father Abraham, that He would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.' " And those who rejected, blasphemed, insulted, and crucified the Messiah, cauld it be expected that He would grant such heinous sinners tern poral deliverance? That, at about the period of the coming of Jesus, the Jews were a most iniquitous nation, is proved by the testimony of Josephus ; so wicked, that he observes, * If God had not sent the Romans as His executioners, the earth would have opened and swallowed us up.' What a dreadful place ! And, doubtless, the most crying evil of these people was their rejection and treatment of Jesus Christ the Son of God. How could such sinners expect deliverance? Did not Jesus weep and lament over Jerusalem, while he foresaw the punishment which would descend upon it, and the calamities which would befal it, for putting Him to death? Listen, my dear father, to the thrilling passage, as I copy it from the Gospel of St. Luke ; and, that, by the aid of 10 110 LEILA ADA, the Holy Spirit, it may sink deep into your heart, is your loving daughter's prayer: 'And when He [Jesus] was come near, He beheld the city [Jerusalem] and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace ! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee ; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another ! because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.'' What a solemn subject for deep thought is this passage ! How signally was it fulfilled! CHAPTER VIII. Leila's letter to hek father continued. " Do you ask me what deliverance Jesus wrought out for His friends — for those who believed on Him 1 Did he not deliver them from those awful calamities and sufferings which overwhelmed those who crucified Him ? Most certainly : He promised that He would do so. Permit me, my dear father, to transcribe the passage. It is in St. Luke's Gospel : ' And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, He said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Nation shall .rise against nation, and king- dom against kingdom : and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pesti- lences; and fearful sights, and great signs shall there be from Heaven ; but there shall not a hair of your head perish. And when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the deso- lation thereof is nigli. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.' 112 LEILA ADA, He promised his disciples tliat 'not a hair of their heads should perish;' and this promise He (jilfilled. He warned them of the terrible events which were to happen, and that when they saw Jerusalem compassed with armies, they were to flee to the mountains — to depart out of the midst of Judca. The disciples obeyed their Lord, and were kept amidst the desolating scourge. " In reading the page of history we find that, in every case, nations are blessed in a ratio pro- portioned to their Christianity. Mark England! Christians really rule the world with a power which is irresistible. All heathen, idolatrous, and unbelieving nations are weak and helpless. Look at the Jews ! they are quite at the exercise of tho Christian will. And at the Mahometans! they are impotent as their religion is baneful and false. Just so of the Pagan nations. When no Jew could approach the city of his fathers, a Christian church was peacefully flourishing in Jerusalem. Here, my dear father, it might not be out of place if I were to say, that you must not suppose that the spirit of persecution and oppression Avhich has been so often manifested towards the Jews, is at all sympathized with by the real Christian. Oh, no! I have found it to be exactly the reverse. I find that the real and earnest Christians love and honour the Jews, as the nation from which sprang the Messiah; as the penmen of the Gospel; as THE JEWISH CONVERT. 113 the people to whom it was first delivered, and by whom it was first preached; as they who in the first a^es of Christianity fonned an impregnable defence of the Christian religion ; as a proof of the Gospel ; and, to say no further, as their brethren in Christ, He being the great centre — the great salvation both of Jews and Gentiles. 0, I always find that a true Christian is ready to acknowledge even that he is under obligations to the Jews which he can never repay. Father dear, with tears I beg of you, do not think unkindly of the Christians — love the Christians; they very, very ardently love the Jews ; and they are such a lovely and aU'ectionale people as I could not describe ; I have found real and true happiness among them. Their hearts are knit to each other : the grief of one appears to be the grief of all, and rach is ready to sympathize and soothe ; indeed, I could not have imagined, a short time ago, that Kuch happiness, such union, and such affection were to be found upon the eart'n. It is a reflection, faint, certainly, but real, of that feeling which pervades the bosoms of the spirits in celestial bliss. (), that my dearest father may soon partake of it too ! and, then — but, indeed, I must not think, how happy wc shall be. " But I did not say what kind of Christians they were who persecuted the Jews; well, I scarcely need, for you could hnagine for yourself. They 10* 41 114 LEILA ADA, were dead professors of Christianity, and perhaps not that — the last indeed is ahnost certain, for. of the nations called Chnstlan, the great bulk is composed of men making no profession ; and the number who really and genuinely possess tho faith of the Gospel are very few indeed. I pray that they may be increased. But there is no salvation for an unbelieving, nominal Christlan» any more than for a rejecting Jew. " But whither am I wandering '? I return, and ask, have the Christians had no temporal blessings conferred upon them through the reception of the Gospel 1 God has fought for them against the mightiest powers, and brought them ofiP victorious. These blessings are, however, the minor blessings, compared with the others which are showered upon thQ subjects of the Saviour's kingdom. " Yet Israel is not always to be a servant and a by-word among the nations. no ! A brighter day is to dawn upon our ancient people ; a day which, by their conversion to Christianity, shall recover them from their fallen and ruined con- dition. This is clearly expressed in Scripture. It is a part of the new covenant into which God has entered with the seed of Jacob : * Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a ncAr 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 1 THE JEWISH CO.WERT 1 L^ took tlicm by the hand to bring them out of the land of Eg:ypt ; which my covenant they brake, although I Avas a husband to them, saith the Lord ; But this shall be the covenant that I will make v/lth the house of Israel. After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts ; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying. Know the Lord ; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord ; for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah xxxi. 31 — 34.) And how delightfully majestic is the prophecy of Isaiah, in which he tells in glowing and animated terms, of the glory of the church in the universal conversion of both Jews and G-entiles : * Arise, shine ; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people : but the Lord shall rise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about and see ; all they gather themselves togetlicr, they come to thee ; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou ehalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall 116 LEILA ADA, fear, and be enlarged ; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.' (Isaiah Ix. 1 — 5.) Turning to the New Testament (bear with me, my dear father), we find the Apostle St. Paul, telling us the same glorious truths, and also of their happy c.nsequences. * If the fall of them, [the Jewsj be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles^ how much more their fulness ? For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the recei\^ng of them be but life from the dead ? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened unto Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved.' (Romans xi. 12, 15, 25, 26.) It is beautiful ! Their misery and suffering have been deep and intense, but proportioned to these shall be the greatness of the mercy exercised, and their happiness and joy. The blindness is to rest upon Israel, only until the conversion of the Gentiles, or, as the meaning probably is, all Israel shall be saved — all Israel shall be grafted in, when the fulness of the conversion of the Gentiles is come in, or is coming in. And all the nations of the earth shall rejoice in their exaltation. * And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter THE JEWISH COXVERT. 137 of Zion, unto tliee shall it come even tlic first dominion ; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.' .... * Thou art my servant, O Isr