
 
 <4BI 
 
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 THE LIFE 
 
 EDRICH ALBRECHT AUGUST!, 
 
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 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED BY SAMUEL FINDER, 
 
 23, CHARTERHOUSK STREET. 
 MDCCCXLII.
 
 THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 FRIEDRICH ALBRECHT AUGUSTI. 
 
 FRIEDRICH ALBRECHT AUGUSTI was born in 
 (he year 1691, at Frankfort on the Oder, of Jewish 
 parents, and was known among his own people by 
 the name of Joshua Ben Abraham Esehel. His 
 father, a learned man and a wealthy jeweller, came 
 from Venice, and his mother was a member of the 
 celebrated family of Pinto from Portugal. Being 
 the only child of his parents, he was the sole object 
 of their affection, of which he used to speak with 
 great feeling even in his advanced age. Though 
 his parents were very opulent, yet (hey did not spoil 
 him, as many rich Christian parents, who have an 
 only child, are apt to do; on the contrary, they 
 brought him up in habits of strict obedience, of per- 
 severing industry, and of an orderly life, especially 
 in regard to frugality. By these means, the child 
 possessed a cheerful mind and a healthy body, and 
 was prepared to endure the many fatigues and dan- 
 gers he had afterwards to encounter, during a very 
 protracted life. 
 
 Young Joshua was instructed by his father in the 
 Jewish religion. As soon as he was able to read 
 Hebrew fluently, he was enjoined to learn every 
 week a psalm by heart, and to read the Pentateuch. 
 This method of instruction was perhaps better cal- 
 culated to fill ihe boy's head with words than to im- 
 prove his mind; but it was, notwithstanding, attended 
 with this good result, that little Joshua acquired a 
 very tenacious memory, whijh in after lite was of 
 
 A 2
 
 essential service to him, as it assisted him in learning 
 many different languages. As early as his seventh 
 year, he possessed sufficient confidence and skill to 
 make short speeches at weddings, and on other solemn 
 occasions. This excited the attention of his people 
 to such a degree, that the hope which was generally 
 entertained of him, was expressed in these words: 
 " He will become a teacher of Israel." 
 
 These things naturally gave great delight lo his 
 parents; but a serious incident had nearly changed 
 their joy into mourning. Joshua, on a fine summer 
 day, seeing some boys bathing in the river Oder, 
 was induced to take part in their amusement. He 
 plunged inconsiderately into the river, in a part 
 that was very deep, and was immediately carried 
 away by the current so rapidly, that every one who 
 witnessed the occurrence, gave him up as irrecover- 
 ably lost. Providentially, however, he reached the 
 opposite shore, where he took hold of the branch of 
 a tree, until, some persons came to his relief. This 
 danger, and the unexpected deliverance, were perhaps 
 iiitended to prepare him for the greater dangers 
 which awaited him in the subsequent periods of his 
 life ; and to give him courage and firmness to endure 
 them. 
 
 He had scarcely passed through his childhood, 
 when he lost his father by sudden death. It was the 
 wish of his mother that he should now devote him- 
 self to mercantile pursuits, which, from the large 
 fortune of his parents, promised him considerable 
 advantages. But Joshua felt his mind inclined to 
 nothing but the sciences, and frequently expressed 
 to his surviving" parent, a wish to go to his learned 
 relations in Lithuania, and to study among them. 
 Meanwhile it so happened, that some Polish Jews 
 who had made a journey to the land of promise, 
 came to Frankfort. They related, with great enthu- 
 siasm, the felicity they had enjoyed in the Holy 
 Land in general, and at Jerusalem in particular. 
 Joshua saw that these persons were treated with
 
 great veneration ; and a wish arose immediately in 
 his own mind to see the Holy Land. There was 
 another circumstance which impressed this wish still 
 deeper: he had read iu a certain book, that the 
 prayer of a Jew, offered up on the desolate spot 
 where formerly the temple stood, was by far more 
 efficacious than prayer in any other place, because 
 God himself had promised that he there would hear 
 and answer prayer. The same book had also told 
 him, that if a Jew was buried there, the worms (u 
 circumstance uncommonly dreaded by I lie Jews) 
 would not be allowed to touch him ; and that being 
 04) the spot at ihe coming of the Messiah, he woihl 
 not, like other .Jews, be under the necessity of 
 rolling under the earth to Jerusalem. 
 
 Joshua believed this tale with his whole heart, 
 and from that time daily entreated his mother, that 
 she would send him to the Holy Land, lie \v;is 
 only laughed at, and his ardent request was refused. 
 But some time afterwards, a Meshullah, or delegate 
 from Jerusalem, arrived at Frankfort, who collected 
 alms tor the Jewish prisoners in Turkey. This man, 
 whose name was Jecnthiel, and who came from the 
 celebrated city of Babylon, was very learned ; his 
 person was prepossessing, and his conversation polite 
 and eloquent ; he was therefore received by the 
 Jewish population of Frankfort with great dis- 
 tinction. Among the Jews, every boy has a right to 
 converse with the aged, and especially young stu- 
 dents, who on such solemn occasions as the present, 
 are examined and blessed. Our Joshua was selected 
 to welcome the eastern traveller with a speech. 
 The young orator delivered, his address, which treated 
 of nothing but the glory of the Holy Land, with all 
 the animation of a high-spirited youth; and he 
 gained not only general applause, but also the par- 
 ticular affection of Jecuthiel. This man no sooner 
 understood that Joshua had a desire to go with him 
 to Jerusalem, than he strongly urged his mother not 
 to oppose his wishes. All the several members of
 
 the family spoke also in behalf of Joshua ; and the 
 mother, pressed on all sides, was at last compelled to 
 yield ; and it may well be supposed, that the proud 
 consciousness of having a son who was going to sec 
 Jerusalem, the scene of the future achievements of 
 the Messiah, had as powerful an effect upon her 
 mind, as the advice of her numerous friends. 
 
 Joshua, after having taker; a most affectionate 
 leave of his mother, left Frankfort, little expecting 
 the painful trials arid cruel disappointments which 
 awaited him. The two travellers took their way 
 through Brandenburgh, Pomerania, Prussia, Poland, 
 And Lithuania, to Little Tarlary, intending to cross 
 the Black Sea, and thence to proceed to Jerusalem. 
 JecuthicI however fell sick, and was obliged to spend 
 the winter where he then was. After his recovery, 
 being himself a physician, he had the good fortune 
 to cure a Turkish merchant of a consumption, who 
 in proof of his gratitude, promised to take them with 
 him to Caila, and thence to Jerusalem. Jecuthiel 
 accepted the offer, and the compmy set out and 
 proceeded wit!) safety for a considerable time; until 
 one day, while travelling in a hollow way, without 
 apprehending any disaster, they were, on a sudden, 
 attacked by a gang of Tartar robbers on horseback. 
 Some of the company, who attempted to defend 
 themselves, were instantly killed ; others endeavoured 
 to save themselves by flight. Among the latter was 
 Joshua, who with his horse, took shelter in a thick 
 wood, where he was at length discovered by one of 
 the robbers, who stretching him at his whole length 
 on the back of his horse, tied him fast with thongs, 
 and thus made off with him. The poor young suf- 
 ferer endeavoured to move the barbarian to mercy 
 by his piercing cries ; but they were only answered 
 by blows of the knout, which were repeated until 
 the unfortunate youth changed his loud lamentations 
 into silent sighs and tears. After continued travelling, 
 the Tartar, on the evening of the third day, made a 
 slop. He then untied his unfortunate prisoner, and
 
 gave him some bread, with honey and water: ami 
 afterwards put him with some other slaves into a 
 prison, where he, who during the three preceding 
 days had not closed his eyes, was soon overpowered 
 by sleep. He was not, however, allowed long Jo in- 
 dulge his repose, but was roused from his wretched 
 couch by the knout, stripped of his clothes, and 
 wrapped in a cloak of horse hair. Having spent some 
 days in this new and dismal situation, Joshua was 
 one morning, at an early hour, awakened from his 
 sleep, and he and the other slaves, having (heir taees 
 covered with caps, were put on horseback, their 
 right arms tied to their backs, and their left arms to 
 their legs ; and thus he and his miserable companions 
 were sent forward. Whenever he ventured to en- 
 treat for mercy, blows compelled him to silence. 
 Even his prayers to God were continually interrupted 
 by the varied dangers of the journey : at one time he 
 was hurt by the recoiling branch of a tree ; at ano- 
 ther, a precipice threatened him with immediate de- 
 struction. At length, however, they arrived at a town 
 on the Black Sea, where Joshua was sold to a Turk 
 for three crovrns and twelve groscheu, (about twelve 
 shillings.) 
 
 His master put him on board a ship, where a new 
 trial awaited him. Among the cam puny was an old 
 man who formerly had been a Jew, but now pro- 
 fessed the Mahomedan religion, and served as inter- 
 preter. Finding that .Joshua was a Jew, he promised 
 that he would soon put an end to his misery, if he 
 would embrace the religion of Mahomed. His 
 words were so insinuating, and his promises so allur- 
 ing, that the determination and the constancy with 
 which they were rejected by Joshua, who was only a 
 boy, are no slight proof of the firmness of his cha- 
 racter, even at that early period of his life. In his 
 old age he has assured his friends, that at the time of 
 which we are here speaking, he would gladly have 
 preferred death to aposfacy from his religion. 
 
 When the old renegado saw that all his promises 
 were without any effect upon the determination of the
 
 8 
 
 resolute youth, lie threw off the mask, and pretended 
 to purchase him, threatening, that when he had 
 bought him, he would compel him to apostatize. 
 This he would probably have attempted, but tor the 
 interposition of Providence ; for He, whose ways 
 are not as the ways of man, protected (he helpless boy, 
 by leading him into paths which, though rough and 
 dangerous, conducted him in the end to deliverance. 
 The captain of the ship unexpectedly determined to 
 put to sea again, and thus Joshua was rescued from 
 the hand of the treacherous apostate. New dangers^ 
 however, awaited him; a heavy gale sprung up, 
 which threatened both ship and crew with destruction ; 
 and on the third day they were wrecked not tar from 
 Caffa. Most of the passengers and the crew had 
 the good fortune, either by swimming, or by getting 
 on broken pieces of the ship, to reach the land in 
 safety. Joshua, who had lost his presence of mind, 
 was, with a few others, cast by the waves upon a 
 rock, where, during three days, nothing but a mise- 
 rable death presented itself. Every approaching 
 nielli appeared to him as the last of his existence, 
 and every morning set before him death in its most 
 dreadful form. In the afternoon of the third day, how- 
 ever, the gale ceased, the violence of the breakers 
 diminished, and the poor shipwrecked boy was res- 
 cued ; but before he could \\ell recover from the 
 terrors and fatigues he had suffered, he was put on 
 board another ship, which, after a voyage of four- 
 teen days, reached a town whose name is now for- 
 gotten. Here he and the other slaves were publicly 
 exposed for sale in (he market-place, like cattle. The 
 other slaves were sold at a high price; but Joshua was 
 so emaciated by hunger and fatigue, that no one seemed 
 inclined to purchase him; which so exasperated his 
 master, that he threatened him with the most barbarous 
 treatment, and which, doubtless, he would have in- 
 flicted, had not a merchant from Smyrna at last bought 
 him for a trifling sum. As it was not his intention to 
 keep him, but to sell him again, he treated him well, 
 thai he might become healthy and robust, and lie
 
 was fur some days placed in a basket, and set upon a 
 camel. But no sooner liad lie recovered strength, than 
 lie v\as deprived of this accommodation, and his mas- 
 ter made him work as a camel driver. During the 
 journey, (lie company increased, and among others, 
 a man joined it. who although by birth a Jew, out- 
 wardly protesscd the Mahomedan faith. This man, 
 who called himself Ishmael Bash mag, was overheard 
 by Joshua on a sabbath sinking a psalm, which on 
 that day the Jews are directed to sing. Overjoyed 
 by a sound which he never could have expected to 
 hear in such a place, Joshua joined in it, and by that 
 means made known thai he was a Jew. He was de- 
 sired by tlve stranger to relate his history, which so 
 affected him, thai he determined to purchase him. 
 After some ncgociations with the merchant, the 
 bargain was settled, and he bought Joshua tor twu 
 pieces of silk stuff. 
 
 Ishmael allowed his new slave more liberty than 
 lie had hitherto enjoyed ; and fed him better, and 
 treated him so kindly, that he almost forgot his 
 degraded condition. That Jshmael did not, how- 
 ever, behave thus from pure affection, is manifest 
 from what follows, which shews that love of gain 
 was the principal motive of his apparent kindness. 
 Some days alter his arrival at Smyrna, he tied a 
 halter round Joshua's neck, put a plate of brass, 
 with some characters engraved on it, on his fore- 
 head, and with these marks of slavery, placed 
 him at the entrance of the synagogue. When the 
 Jews were informed of the descent of the young 
 slave, they immediately offered to redeem him. The 
 wily hypocrite now shewed the true motive of his 
 conduct, by asking no less than 200 ducats for him ; 
 the Jews, however, obtained his liberty at last, for 
 one hundred crowns. Joshua was overpowered by 
 his feelings, when the halter and the pate, tiie de- 
 grading emblems of his slavery, were removed ; he: 
 kissed the hands of his deliverers, and on tiie fol- 
 lowing sabbath, hastened into the synagogue, where. 
 A 3
 
 10 
 
 on Ins bended knees he offered up thanks to the God 
 of Israel. 
 
 In his old age, seventy years after these trials, he 
 used to assure his friends, that the recollection of his 
 slavery and of his unexpected deliverance, was as 
 fresh in his recollection as any of the more recent 
 occurrences of his life ; and many a silent tear trickled 
 down his cheek, when he related these mysterious 
 dealings of Providence towards him. These feelings 
 were more especially renewed at those seasons, when 
 he enjoyed the comforts of rest, of ease, of a good 
 table, and of friendly conversation. Did he relish 
 his food ? he would express to the company, with 
 uplifted hands, the delight which a dish of bad cab- 
 bage afforded him, on the day of his deliverance 
 from the rock after three days fasting. Did he find 
 himself at ease ? he was thankful, when comparing 
 it to the rough and fatiguing ways he had travelled 
 ns a camel driver. Did he see others unhappy, 
 suffering, or ill used? his whole heart was filled with 
 compassion, and he did his utmost to remove, or to 
 soften the affliction which attracted his attention. 
 
 After a residence in Smyrna of one year and a 
 half, Joshua had so completely recovered from all 
 his fatigues, that he was able to undertake, in good 
 health and with a cheerful mind, the journey by 
 which he expected to be brought back to the arms of 
 his beloved mother. He travelled by way of Constan- 
 tinople. When he arrived near to that city, he was 
 atiackc-d by the plague. His life was in imminent 
 danger, but God preserved it by giving his blessing 
 to a remedy which was administered (o him by a 
 skilful old man. So soon as he had fully recovered, 
 he continued his journey, and arrived safely at 
 Lublin, a town in Poland, where his late father's bro- 
 ther was chief rabbi. This uncle sent Joshua, who 
 was anxious to continue his studies, to Cracow, 
 where there is a Jewish academy. The young stu- 
 dent applied himself with great zeal, to Jewish 
 divinity, and to the learning of the Polish, the 
 Russian, and the Hungarian languages, all of which
 
 II 
 
 he afterwards spoke fluently. When he had resided 
 four years in that city, he went to Prague, the capital 
 of Bohemia, where there is a very large Jewish po- 
 pulation, and a celebrated academy. Continuing 
 his studies there, he distinguished himself so much 
 by his acquirements, that he was raised to (he degree 
 of a doctor, which entitled him to the right of in- 
 structing other students. He availed himself of this 
 privilege, but without relaxing in IMS private studies, 
 and he composed in his leisure hours some learned 
 works. Among these was the outline of a refutation 
 of Christianity; for at that period of his life he was 
 so firmly convinced of the religion of his fathers, 
 that like Saul of Tarsus, he hated every Christian 
 from the bottom of his heart. 
 
 In order the better to qualify himself to overthrow 
 the doctrines of Christianity, and to enlarge the 
 sphere of his acquirements, he wished to become 
 personally acquainted with the most learned Jews in 
 Holland, England, and Italy. He therefore left 
 Prague for that purpose, first, however, paying a 
 visit to his mother, at Frankfort on the Oder. When 
 she found that he was about to expose himself to 
 the dangers of another journey, she endeavoured 
 to turn him from his object by the proposal of an 
 advantageous marriage. But so great was his desire 
 to see foreign countries, and to increase his stores 
 of knowledge, that for the present he declined the 
 peaceable enjoyment of a large fortune, and the 
 comforts of domestic lite, and earnestly intreated his 
 mother to give her consent to the proposed journey. 
 Having obtained it, and taken leave of a parent 
 whom he dearly loved, and whom it was probable 
 he might never see again, he visited the syna- 
 gogues at Berlin, Dresden, and Halberstadt ; and in 
 this last place he was for some time confined by a 
 fever. 
 
 During his illness, a controversy had arisen 
 among the Jews in Brandebonrg, on some religious 
 topic, and Joshua was requested to act as arbitrator. 
 Great as the honour was, which such an appoint-
 
 ent conferred on him, he would have excused him- 
 self on account of his youth, and still more, because 
 of bis intended journey ; but at last he was compelled 
 to yield to their urgent request. He undertook the 
 difficult task, and was so fortunate as to settle the 
 matter to the satisfaction of every one. The final 
 arrangement was made at Sandershausen, (the resi- 
 dence of the prince of Schwartzburg Sandershausen,) 
 in the house of the Jew Wallich, banker of the 
 court. 
 
 The Jews of the town held him in such high 
 veneration, that they entreated him to stay with 
 them, and to be their rabbi. But Joshua had other 
 views, his mind was bent upon acquiring a more ex- 
 tended insight into (he truth of hie religion, and lie- 
 therefore declined (heir invitation, though the deli- 
 cate sla(e of his health obliged him to prolong, tor 
 &ome (irne, his residence among them. Wallich, 
 (he banker, was delighted lo have such a respectable 
 and learned inmate; and Joshua was agreeably sur- 
 prised at finding in the house of his host a valuable 
 library, containing every kind of Jewish literature. 
 This afforded full occupation to his enquiring mind, 
 and in connection with (he approaching winter, and 
 (he weak slate of his health, determined him to remain 
 there until the spring, and during that period to fill the 
 office of rabbi. This resolution was the remarkable 
 turning point of his life ; and the residence he made, 
 in consequence of i(, at Sandershausen, was the 6rst 
 step by which the Lord led him (o Christianity. 
 
 Tlie motives which induce Jews (o change their 
 religion, are frequently most objectionable; some 
 are led to that step by the contempt or hostility of 
 their own nation ; some by poverty ; others by the 
 hope of forming a good family connection ; and 
 oihers, by (he hopes of wealth or honour. We shall 
 soon see what those motives were which could induce 
 our Joshua, a learned teacher and zealous advocate of 
 Ins religion, sole heir of a rich patrimony, and a 
 man whose friendship was courted by the most re-
 
 13 
 
 spcctable Jews, <o give up the religion of his fathers, 
 the love and veneialion of his own nation, a lucra- 
 tive office and a lar<re fortune, to become a follower 
 of that same Jesus, whom, formerly, he had held 
 in abomination, and on the mention of whose name 
 he had been used to express himself in the most con- 
 temptuous manner. 
 
 Joshua continued <o reside in the lionse of Mr. 
 Wallich, who was absent on business, in the enjoy- 
 ment of every comfort, when an accident happened 
 to him, the most disastrous which he had ever expe- 
 rienced. Jn (he night of the 25th of November, 
 1720, a gang of five robbers, armed with cutlasses 
 and pistols, broke into the house, and entered his 
 bedroom. He immediately arose, and endeavoured 
 to alarm the other inmates of the house ; but the 
 robbers stopped his mouth, and one of them gave 
 him a blow on the head with an iron bar, which de- 
 prived him of his senses ; and having tied his arms 
 and legs, and covered him with bed clothes, they 
 took away all the money which was in the house, 
 amounting to ^0,000 crowns, belonging partly to him- 
 self and partly to his host. On the following morning, 
 Joshua was found to all appearance lifeless. When 
 the ropes with which he had been lied were loosened, 
 it was discovered, however, that the vital spark was 
 not quite extinct ; but the medical men who ex- 
 amined him, expressed little hope of his recovery, 
 chiefly on account of the wound in his head. The 
 prince sent his own physician to him, who exerting 
 his best skill in his behalf, restored him indeed to 
 animal life, but to little more; for the unfortunate 
 young man could neither speak, nor sleep, nor take 
 food. It was, therefore, the opinion of the physi- 
 cians, that if even his life could be saved, it would 
 be utterly miserable. According to the confession of 
 the robbers, who were soon afterwards arrested, one 
 of them had endeavoured to cut his throat ; but 
 his arm was withheld by another, who said, " Spare 
 him, for he is a good man."
 
 14 
 
 From the house of Mr. WaUich he was removed, 
 for (he purpose of better attendance, to that of Mr. 
 Mertens, apothecary to the prince. This good and 
 able man, having for a long time tried a variety of 
 means to obtain sleep for his patient, at last had re- 
 course to an expedient which proved successful. 
 Joshua had never been in the habit of smoking to- 
 bacco, and Mr. Mertens caused him to try the 
 effect of (hat narcotic. It had an immediate ope- 
 ration ; he became giddy, and fell into a sleep which 
 lasted for ten hours, alter which he felt himself re- 
 markably refreshed. From that period he gradually 
 recovered, so that at (he expiration of three months, 
 his health was completely restored. But the im- 
 pression the event made upon his mind lasted through 
 life; and frequently, during the night, at the hour 
 in which he had been assaulted, he would suddenly start 
 from his rest, and look about him with intense anxiety. 
 
 During the period of his convalescence, he amused 
 himself by forming plans for his intended journey ; 
 and in anticipating the most flattering results. An 
 ';nci(let,t, however, which did not in the most remote 
 manner appear calculated to affect the destiny of a 
 Jewish rabbi, was providentially made the means of 
 disarranging all his plans, and leading to his con- 
 version. A member of the family of the prince 
 died at Sandershausen. Mr. Wallioh, the prince's 
 banker, thought it his duty to offer his condolence on 
 this occasion, arid expressed himself in terms which 
 caused the prince to charge him with hypocrisy. 
 " For," said he, " no Jew, consistently with the 
 principles of his religion, can call a departed Christian 
 blessed." Wai lie h was not a little embarrassed, but 
 recollecting himself, told the prince that his learned 
 friend Joshua was of opinion, that Christians were 
 not all absolutely shut out from the blessings of 
 heaven. The prince, who had never before heard 
 of a Jew who held such liberal opinions, expressed 
 a wish to see and to converse with him. When intro- 
 duced, Joshua stated his opinion, that a Christian who
 
 15 
 
 had lived a pious life, and shewn benevolence to the 
 Jews, might certainly be admitted to a degree of 
 happiness in heaven. The prince, much pleased 
 with this declaration, advised him to call upon the 
 superintendant, Dr. Rheinhard, a man well versed 
 in all branches of Jewish literature. Joshua 
 followed the advice, and was very kindly received 
 by this clergyman, no less distinguished by his cha- 
 racter as a Christian, than by the extent and solidity 
 of his learning. He was delighted to become ac- 
 quainted with Joshua, who, though young, had 
 already acquired some celebrity by his attainments, 
 his travels, and his adventures; and Joshua was 
 equally delighted to meet with a Christian minister 
 who spoke Hebrew fluently, and was thoroughly 
 acquainted with Jewish literature. In the course of 
 the conversation, however, Joshua got sight of a 
 crucifix which was in the room ; with which he was 
 so much offended, that he would have withdrawn 
 abruptly. Dr. Rheinhard, however, who perceived 
 it, explained to him the meaning of the represen- 
 tation ; and with that modesty and energy which 
 characterized him, referred him to the prophecies 
 respecting a^uffering and dying Messiah. This first 
 interview did not, however, produce any other 
 effect on the mind of Joshua, than in make him sen- 
 sible that he had become acquainted with an amiable 
 and learned man, in whom he found nothing to 
 blame, but that he was a Christian. 
 
 Joshua, when in Prague, had begun a commentary 
 on the prophecies of Isaiah, which lie had intended to 
 proceed with at Sandershausen. He had gone as far 
 as the liiid chapter, when he was stopped short by 
 accumulating difficulties. Whenever he attempted 
 to go on, he found himself involved in the thickest 
 darkness. He consulted a great number of commen- 
 tators, but found nothing that threw a satisfactory 
 light upon the chapter. It appeared most evident 
 to him, that ii treated of a person different from that 
 which the generality of the Jews supposed. But
 
 16 
 
 who that person might be, he was not able to make 
 out, either from the commentaries of others, or from 
 his own investigation. Nothing appeared less pro- 
 bable to him, than that this prophecy should speak, 
 or the Messiah, the son of David, because he con- 
 sidered the picture there drawn Jar too degrading for 
 the character of (he Messiah. Overcome by his 
 doubls, he had resolved to relinquish the work until 
 a future period, when the thought struck him, that 
 he might learn from Dr. liheinhard, how the chapler 
 was understood by Christians. His thirst after truth 
 overcame his natural antipathy to Christians; and 
 he went to Dr. Rheinhard, who after having listened 
 to his enquiries with Christian meekness, requested 
 his attention while he should lay before him on the 
 one side, the opinion of the Christians, and on the 
 oilier, (he opinion of the .lews, respecting (his chap- 
 ter, and he might then select for himself from the two 
 explanations, that which he should find most reason- 
 able. Joshua gladly accepted the proposal, hoping 
 to elicit from the two opposite explanations, a third, 
 more in accordance wiili the text, than that of the 
 .lews, and yet more favourable to his own views, than 
 that of the Christians. The doctor, with strict im- 
 partiality, ami in the clearest manner, placed before 
 him the exposition of this important chapter, both 
 Jewish and Christian ; and having done this, pro- 
 ceeded to prove, by the most convincing arguments, 
 that the person spoken of by the prophet, must 
 either be Jesus, the son of David, by whose suffer- 
 ings, death, and resurrection, the prophecy had 
 been fulfilled ; or that the person to whom it referred, 
 could never yet have lived upon earth. 
 
 Joshua felt the weight of the doctor's arguments ; 
 yet his objections against a suffering, despised, and 
 rejected iVJessiah, were not removed. Dr. Rheinhard, 
 therefore, proceeded (o prove from Scripture, that 
 the Messiah must necessarily suffer, to fulfil the ob- 
 ject of his appearing. But Joshua, who, like all his 
 brethren^ had been accustomed only to look upon the
 
 17 
 
 promised Messiah, as a mighty monarch and irresisti- 
 ble conqueror, after having repeated his objections, left 
 the doctor, and returned home in great uneasiness of 
 mind. He reproached himself for having applied to a 
 Christian for instruction; and yet he could not gel rid 
 of the impression which Dr. R 's amiable character 
 and solid arguments had made both on his heart, 
 and on his understanding; the more he examined 
 them, the more weight and strength they acquired. 
 He wished to banish the subject from his mind, but 
 he could not. At length he bent himself in prayer 
 before the God of Israel, and besought him, with 
 tears, lo lead him into the right way. 
 
 Strengthened by this prayer, he determined to de- 
 vote his time to a new and impartial examination of 
 Moses and the prophets; and having gone through, 
 and compared them, in the most careful manner, he 
 felt convinced, that the office of the promised Mes- 
 siah, implied more than a redemption from outward 
 oppression. Even the Talmudical fable of a twofold 
 Messiah, a son of Joseph, who is appointed to die, 
 and a son of David, who is expected to govern, 
 made it probable to hint, that (lie death of the Mes- 
 siah could not be absolutely denied. 
 
 Following the light which had presented itself to 
 his mind, Joshua continued, with increased zeal, to 
 study the prophecies which refer to the Messiah ; and 
 his attention was particularly led to those passages 
 which point out the time of his coming. And here 
 he could not help observing, that if the Messiah were 
 not already come, the town of Bethlehem, according 
 to Micah v. 2. (he temple, according to Hnggai it. 
 7 10, and the priests and sacrifices, according to 
 Mai. iii. 4, must still have remained as they wer', 
 and that all trace of the family of David could not 
 have been lost. 'I 1 he more he considered these points, 
 the more he doubled as to the religion which he had 
 hithi rto professed, and the more it became evident to 
 him, that .(CMIS ol Nazireth must be the Messiah. 
 He found himself, therefore, in a dilemma; and his
 
 18 
 
 uncertainty as to the alternative, long kept his mind 
 in a state of the most painful anxiety. Unable to 
 decide, he turned again in prayer unto the Lord ; and 
 in the retirement of his closet, upon his knees, thus 
 poured out his soul before the God of his fathers: 
 " O Lord God of Israel ! thou hast been my pro- 
 teclor and my redeemer in many dangers; thou hast, 
 broken the fetters of my bondage ; thou hast rescued 
 my life from the murderers; and thou hast delivered 
 me from the jaws of death. O come thou now again 
 also to my help and deliver me from the tormenting 
 doubts which beset me on every side ; be thou my 
 guide through the darkness which surrounds me, 
 and lead me into light and truth." Having offered 
 up this prayer, his mind became more calm, and 
 his resolution was confirmed, to follow the light 
 which had dawned upon him. He went, there- 
 fore, to Dr. Rheinhard, and laid before him the feel- 
 ings of his heart without reserve ; adding, that he was 
 come to request his aid in finding Him, whom his 
 own people for so manj r centuries had been looking 
 for in v;iin. The pious minister, though delighted 
 at this unexpected declaration, thought it prudent, 
 notwithstanding, to conceal the joy of his heart, and 
 thus gravely and affectionately addressed him : " I 
 fear, my young friend, you are taking a precipitate 
 step. A man acquainted as you are, with the prin- 
 ciples of the Jewish religion, can hardly give it up so 
 lightly. One who is so accomplished by education 
 and by study, and by acquaintance with the world, 
 and who is, moreover, so highly esteemed by his 
 nation, cannot surely mean to expose himself all at 
 once to their contempt, their enmity, and their per- 
 secution. The beloved and only son of an affec- 
 tionate mother, cannot mean to inflict so severe a 
 wound upon her to whom he owes his life, in forsak- 
 ing the religion of his fathers. The heir of a splendid 
 fortune cannot surely intend to renounce his wealth, 
 and to expose himself to poverty and misery, by 
 embracing the Christian religion. I therefore intreat
 
 19 
 
 you, my valued friend, (o remain as jou are, unless 
 you feel that you are influenced by motives of the 
 very purest description." 
 
 Joshua, to whom such language from Doctor 
 l\ he in hard was quite unexpected, became deeply 
 affected ; and the tears which gushed from his eyes, 
 evinced how deeply he felt the suspicion it implied. 
 *' Doctor," said he, in a tone which seemed as it 
 were to come from the bottom of his heart, " if tem- 
 poral advantages were my object, then certainly I 
 must remain a Jew; but neither my large patrimony, 
 nor my mother, whom 1 love most dearly, nor the 
 partiality of my people, nor any other worldly con- 
 sideration, shall withhold me from seeking Jesus of 
 Nazareth, whom I look upon as the only Saviour of 
 mankind." This affecting declaration, the sincerity 
 of which could not be doubted, satisfied Dr. Rheinhard 
 as to the purity of Joshua's motives; but he deemed 
 it prudent to advise him, while he was still wiping 
 the tears from his face, to consider the matter most 
 maturely, and in earnest, prayer before the God of 
 Israel; and he parted not with this beloved Israelite 
 ere they had joined in humble supplication together, 
 for the divine guidance and blessing. 
 
 Joshua returned home with a heavy heart; he 
 stretched himself upon the ground, and sustained 
 a most violent inward conflict. His imagination was 
 strongly excited. He thought he saw on one side, 
 the spirit of his father calling down upon him the 
 vengeance of the God of Israel; and on the other, 
 the likeness of his mother, now shedding tears of 
 blood for his apostacy, and now fondly endeavouring 
 to reclaim him ; and it seemed to him in the excitement 
 of the moment, as if his friends of the Jewish nation 
 were stretching out their arms before him, and affec- 
 tionately calling him by name. But he saw likewise 
 Jesus of Nazareth, that Messiah whom his fathers 
 had so long and so anxiously expected, who seemed 
 in a vo?ce of love to say, " Take away the veil from 
 thy eyes." The contempt of his own people, the
 
 20 
 
 agony of his beloved mother, the hatred of his bre- 
 thren, and the prospect of a scanty subsistence, were 
 presented o him; bat his wish to find the truth, and, 
 when found, to hold it fast, prevailed with him, and 
 he wen! forward in the way of Christianity 
 
 Dr. Rheinhard had appointed a day to receive Ins 
 final determination; but Joshua presented himself 
 before the day arrived. " I will," said he, " on the 
 day of Pentecost, attend (he synagogue for the last 
 lime; and 1 shall then take leave of my brethren for 
 ever." This decisive resolution was reported to the 
 prince, who immediately approved of it, and ordered 
 that Dr. Rheinhard, and IVI r. Janus, one of his privy- 
 counsellors, should attend as witnesses upon the 
 occasion. 
 
 When the time arrived, Joshua appeared in the 
 synagogue, and in that place where he had before 
 officiated as a Jewish teacher, he addressed his bre- 
 thren as follows: " Men of Israel ! beloved bre- 
 thren ! hitherto, as you all can witness, I have been 
 a zealous follower of the religion of our fathers, and 
 a decided enemy of all others, especially of the 
 Christian persuasion. You well know I am not 
 one of those superstitious Jews who receive every 
 fiction for truth. I have, during my various journeys, 
 visited the most learned of our nation, and in several 
 of our academies I have attended the most able 
 teachers, with a view to discover truth. Hitherto ( 
 had. thought myself in po>session of it; and it w;is 
 my intention to have made a public attack upon 
 Christianity, with a view to rase the weak founda- 
 tions on which I considered it to rest. But, brethren, 
 I have been in error, and you also are in error like 
 myself. Jesus of Nazareth, I here testify before the 
 God of Israel; Jesus of Nazareth, I bear witness, 
 He is the true Messiah ; and your hope, my brethren, 
 is vain, if ye expect any other Saviour. How is it 
 possible to expect a Messiah yet to come ? Is not 
 the family of David, from which he must spring, 
 extinct? Is not the time of his coming, foretold
 
 21 
 
 by Daniel, long since expired ? Is not the (own of 
 Bethlehem, \vhere he must be born, long ago made 
 desolate? Has not the second temple, which by the 
 presence of the sacred person of the Messiah, was 
 ordained to receive a far higher glory than the first, 
 been demolished by the Romans full seventeen hun- 
 dred years? Have not the sacrifices ceased? and 
 are not the priests superseded by means pf the de- 
 struction of the temple, according to the word of 
 prophecy? Yes, brethren, He has appeared ; even 
 that Messiah whom David speaks of, as being nailed 
 to the cross, (Psalm xxii.) and whom the prophet 
 Isaiah describes as stricken and expiring for our 
 transgressions. (Isaiah liii.) Messiah has appeared; 
 and 1 am not ashamed here publicly, in your assem- 
 bly, to proclaim him, Jesus of Nazareth, as my 
 Messiah, my Redeemer, and my Sariour, in time 
 and for eternity. And, O, my beloved brethren, 
 would God that my example \\ould stir you up to 
 follow me; would that I could infuse into your minds 
 my own certain knowledge of this truth! But you 
 are involved in darkness, and my testimony, there- 
 fore, may be in rain. But it will be my daily prayer 
 to the Lord, that he will vouchsafe to give you this 
 knowledge, a knowledge which I would not ex- 
 change for all the riches of the world. And now, 
 men of Israel, beloved brethren, I return my thanks 
 for the affectionate kindness I have ever experienced 
 from you all. I lament my inability to reward you 
 for it: but tliis heart, which now is so deeply affected 
 by various and contending emotions, will never cease 
 to love and to pray for you, and the tears of sorrow 
 which this parting scene draws forth, bear me witness 
 how much and truly I love you. May the Lord God 
 of Israel bless you, and bring you into the way 
 the way" Here the voice of Joshua failed him, and 
 overpowed by the intenseness of his feelings, he burst 
 into a flood of tears. 
 
 It will be easily imagined, what amazement thif 
 *mcx peeled declaration must have produced amongs
 
 22 
 
 the assembled Jews. Some wept, and others stood 
 petrified. At length Dr. Rheinhard addressed Joshua 
 before the assembly, and (old him it was not yet too 
 late, but that if he chose it, he might still remain 
 with his people to enjoy that love and friendship, of 
 which he had just received such affecting proofs. 
 No sooner had Dr. R. uttered these words, than the 
 Jews from every part of the room pressed around 
 Joshua and embraced him, and earnestly entreated 
 him not to forsake his nation. Bui-Joshua forced his 
 way through the croud, and taking Dr. liheinhard 
 by the hand bade them a last farewell, and lelt the 
 synagogue for ever. It was in like manner I hat the 
 first followers of the Lord Jesus renounced their hea- 
 then or Jewish kindred, for a life of poverty and 
 sufferings, following the guidance of that Spirit 
 which had brought them from darkness to light. 
 
 From this time Dr. liheinhard received Joshua 
 into his house, that he might have a better oppor- 
 tunity of improving himself in the knowledge of the 
 truth. And no man could be better qualified than 
 Dr. R. to lead forward and to promote the spiritual 
 interests of a Jew possessed of learning and judg- 
 ment; for he was not only master of the Hebrew 
 language, which he spoke with the fluency and 
 dialect of a Jewish rabbi, but he was also perfectly 
 acquainted with the arguments and objections which 
 the Jews were accustomed to advance, and he had 
 great .skill in refuting ihem. But the love, meek- 
 ness, and patience which he manifested, impressed 
 the mind of Joshua more than all his arguments; 
 and Christianity became every day more attractive 
 to him, as he observed the fervent prayers and the 
 holy conversation of the Doctor's family, which 
 seemed a Christian church in miniature. 
 
 When Joshua had passed some weeks with his 
 pious teacher, a remarkable incident occurred. The 
 Jewish population of the neighbourhood invited him 
 to a conference, which they appointed to hold at
 
 23 
 
 Dessau, undertaking to prove to him the errors of 
 his new opinions, that he might be brought back into 
 the right way. Dr. Rheinhard mentioned the cir- 
 cumstance to the prince, who being satisfied that the 
 conference could not but terminate in favour of Chris- 
 tianity and of Joshua, consented to his attending the 
 meeting, if he felt bold enough to face his adversaries. 
 And the prince, moreover, undertook to afford hint 
 his protection, ami to ensure his safety. Joshua, 
 conscious of the purity of his motives, did not hesi- 
 tate to accept the challenge. Mr. Janus, the privy 
 counsellor, with a secretary and a guard of soldiers, 
 were ordered to accompany him to the place; and 
 the prince, moreover, gave him a letter of introduc- 
 tion to the Prince of Anhalt Dessau, in which he 
 recommended Joshua to his particular care and 
 protection, so long as he should remain in his domi- 
 nions. 
 
 On the day appointed, a great number of Jews 
 from the adjoining country, some by invitation, and 
 others attracted by the novelty and important nature 
 of the scene, crowded into the synagogue. Joshua, 
 accompanied by Mr. Janus, and the secretary, and 
 by a magistrate and the clergy of Dessau, entered 
 likewise, with a serenity and cheerfulness of counte- 
 nance, which nothing but a sense of duty, and full 
 assurance of the truth of his cause could have afforded 
 him. Every eye was fixed upon Joshua. The Jews 
 affected great kindness of manner towards htm, but 
 their looks betrayed the malice of their hearts. The 
 rabbles first came forward, and in a long and studied 
 hanngue extolled the privileges and the sanctity of 
 their religion; and then enlarged upon the grievous 
 nature of that curse, which awaits the apostate. 
 Joshua in reply assured them,4hat were all the rab- 
 bies in the world to unite in cursing him, he should 
 neither be alarmed, nor offended, but should return 
 their curses with his blessing. He reminded them 
 that the question for their consideration was the fact 
 of the coming of the Messiah, which it seemed they
 
 24 
 
 felt reluctance to enter upon : he proceeded to prove 
 to them, from the works of the ancient rabbins, that 
 many among them held opinions as to the time of 
 Messiah's coming which, if true, made it evident 
 that lie must have come long ago. He reproached 
 them for their neglect of the prophecies, and for the 
 false interpretations they gave to them, whereby they 
 kept themselves in wilful blindness. He boldly 
 charged (hem with deluding their people with false 
 hopes, and set before them their inconsistency and 
 their impiety in presuming to denounce curses on 
 those, who wished to enquire as to the time of the 
 Messiah's advent, on the supposition of Messiah not 
 having yet appeared. He challenged them to tell 
 him where the second temple was to be found, and 
 where the town of Bethlehem existed, and where was 
 the tribe of Judaii, and how was the family of David 
 to be discovered ? He then referred them to the well- 
 known book Shalsheles Ilakkabaluh, in which it is 
 distinctly shewn, that the last person of the branch 
 and lineage of David, was one Marsulra Ben Mnr- 
 sutrn who died long ago. As he \vas concluding his 
 address, the .lews shewed great uneasiness ; some by 
 violent gestures; others by staring up at the ceiling 
 with their mouths half open ; others by muttering a 
 few unintelligible words; arid they all appeared to 
 be utterly at a loss what to do, or what to saj'. 
 Joshua therefore again addressed (hern, and related 
 the circumstances by which he had been led to his pre- 
 sent religious views, and assured them, that neither 
 the want of the fullest consideration of the subject, 
 nor the hope of temporal gain, had caused him to be- 
 come a Christian ; but that the love of truth, and that 
 alone, had induced him to take the important step. 
 Afler he had said lhis,*some of the most respectable 
 Jews took him aside, made him the most alluring 
 promises, and entreated him, with the most earnest 
 solicitations, not to forsake them. But Joshua, though 
 deeply affected, and unable to restrain his tears, de- 
 clared emphatically before them all, that if they
 
 25 
 
 could bring no better arguments against Christianity, 
 he must follow the dictates and the conviction of his 
 own judgment. Mr. Janus then addressed the assem- 
 bly, and asked, whether any one among them could 
 charge Joshua with impropriety of conduct, but they 
 all answered, in the most decided terms, they could 
 not. Upon this, Mr. Janus, turning to Joshua, 
 enquired of him if he were willing to go back to his 
 brethren, and to make them happy by remaining 
 among them: to which Joshua replied with firmness, 
 " 1 have found the Lord Christ Jesus, the Lord and 
 Saviour of the World, and to him will I ever be 
 faithful, even though I should be called upon to 
 suffer death for his sake. I have now no oilier wish 
 in my heart (added he) than that these my brethren 
 may see their error, and may follow my example." 
 He then addressed them again at length upon the 
 truth of Christianity, and with such an impressive 
 effect, that two of his hearers determined to become 
 Christians; and one of them was afterwards baptized 
 at Ulm, and the other at Koslin in Pomerania. The 
 general impression was so great, that many others 
 would have adopted the like determination, had they 
 not been kept back, partly by promises, and partly 
 by threats. 
 
 Joshua, lately an eminent Jewish teacher, was now 
 compelled to become a learner. His knowledge of lite 
 German language had hitherto been confined to the 
 Jewish German ; and to enable himself to read and 
 write grammatically, he was obliged to begin with 
 the first rudiments. The prince, who took much 
 interest in his welfare, defrayed the expences of this 
 necessary instruction, and different clergymen kindly 
 offered themselves as his preceptors. Joshua was not 
 insensible of the kindness thus manifested towards 
 him, and he made rapid progress in every useful 
 science. Dr. Rheinhard however had always the 
 greatest share of his affection, and he preferred his 
 instructions and conversation to that of all others. 
 He was aware how much he trespassed upon the time
 
 26 
 
 of his generous benefactor ; and desirous of making 
 him some remuneration, he one day collected all 
 (he money in his possession, which amounted to 
 200 crowns, and offered it to him. " Do not," said 
 he, " refuse this offer of a grateful heart. Allow me 
 the satisfaction of laying at the feet of my second 
 father, the small remnant of my fortune. I have 
 indeed looked with indifference upon the loss of my 
 rich patrimony ; but if any thing could induce me o 
 wish for it again, it would only be that I might have 
 it in my power to remunerate you in some measure 
 for the trouble you have taken with a stranger. 
 Accept therefore, I entreat you, the trifle which [ 
 now present to you, and receive it, not as a remune- 
 ration for what you have done, but as the humble 
 token of my gratitude." The Doctor smiled, and 
 assured him, that it was impossible to comply with 
 his request. But on his pious young pupil becoming 
 more and more urgent, and beseeching him, with 
 tears, not to deprive him of the opportunity of shew- 
 ing himself grateful, the Doctor at length yielded, 
 and took the money from Joshua, not for his own 
 use, but to place it at interest unknown to Joshua, 
 that he might return it to him in due time, with its 
 accumulation. 
 
 The preparation for Joshua's baptism occupied 
 several months, during which the venerable prince, 
 and his royal consort, bestoued upon him many 
 marks of their favour, frequently conversing- with 
 him, arid inducing the different members of the court 
 to admit him occasionally into their circle, that he 
 might improve his manners and his address. On the 
 day appointed for his baptism, Christmas-day, 17o2, 
 the prince and the princess, all the members of (heir 
 family and of the court, the clergy of the town, 
 many ministers from the adjoining country, and a 
 very large number of people of every rank, attended 
 at the church, desirous of witnessing the baptism of 
 a man who in so extraordinary a manner had been 
 led into the church of Christ. Dr. Rheinhard
 
 27 
 
 preached an impressive sermon from Isa. Ix. 16, 
 after which the candidate made his profession of 
 faith: and Ihen Dr. Rheinhard performed the bap- 
 tism, the ceremonial of which had been previously 
 regulated by the prince himself. The sponsors were, 
 the reigning Princess, and the Prince Augustus of 
 Schwartzburg Sandershausen, the Duke of Saxe 
 Gotha, tlie Duchess of Brunswick Wolfenbuttel, and 
 the Princess Palatine Charlotte Christina, and Joshua 
 received the names of Fried rich Albrecht Aiigusti. 
 After his baptism, he delivered a discourse on Ps. ix. 
 J'2, in which he expressed the gratitude of his heart, 
 both towards God and his earthly benefactors. 
 
 Augusli (for so we must henceforth call him) now 
 found it necessary to determine upon some plan for 
 h.s future subsistence: and he decided on the study 
 <>t divinity. Alter having spent a year at the public 
 school at Sandershansen, he removed to the grammar 
 school of Gotha, where, forgetting both his former 
 Jewish rank and his age, he wore a gown like I he 
 other scholars, and submitted cheerfully to the regu- 
 lations of the institution. 
 
 The blessing of God followed Mr. August! to this 
 citv also. The prime minister of the Duke of Saxe 
 Gotha, Baron Bachoft'von Echs. took great notice of 
 him, and did not consider it beneath his dignity to 
 examine him every other month in Greek and Latin. 
 The Baron behaved to him with very affectionate 
 kindness, and when Augusti left Gotha. he doub'ed 
 which to admire most in the Baron, his transcendent 
 tah-nts as a statesman, or his attainments and energies 
 ;>b a scholar and a philanthropist. At the customary 
 periods. Auffusti was admitted to the examination of 
 'he upper consistory of the duchy ; and that venera- 
 ble body was so well satisfied with him, that they 
 iMve Inn: the necessary testimonials to enable him to 
 u-n for further instruction, first to the University of 
 Jena, an.! afterwards to that of Leipsic. in both of 
 which divinity was the chief object of his studies. 
 He was supported in these places by the liberality of 
 
 R 2
 
 28 
 
 his august sponsors, and other friends; whilst (he 
 fruits of his private industry supplied him with all 
 necessary books. He employed every hour of his 
 time as if he were to account for it to his divine Mas- 
 ter, and he made a rapid progress : and by the sim- 
 plicity and meekness of his deportment he added 
 daily to the number of his friends and benefactors. 
 The elector of Saxony placed him among the tree 
 boarders: an institution which requires those scholars 
 who receive pecuniary aid from it, to pass an exa- 
 mination at Dresden. When August! took the jour- 
 ney, he travelled in the post waggon, and he had for 
 his companions some poor students from Prague. 
 After his arrival in Dresden, he began to enquire tor 
 his trunk, and found, to his great mortification, that 
 it had been exchanged for another, and that the 
 one left in its place, contained only the humble 
 property of one of the students, some worn out 
 clothes, a violin, and a music book. But what dis- 
 tressqd him most was the loss of his testimonials from 
 the University, for thus he had nothing to produce 
 to the examiners to verify the identity of his person, 
 and he ran the risk of being deemed an impostor. 
 He was on the point of setting out to return on foot 
 to Leipsic, as all his travelling money was in the 
 lost trunk, when he experienced a new proof of the 
 superintending care of Providence. 
 
 An acquaintance called upon him unexpectedly, 
 who being informed of his loss, mentioned it imme- 
 diately to other friends, and they collected for him 
 in a few hours sufficient to meet the difficulty. He 
 was then admitted to his examination, and acquitted 
 himself so satisfactorilj', that the prizes were awarded 
 to him, and he returned back to Leipsic, his heart 
 overflowing with gratitude to his divine Master. 
 
 When he had finished his studies at the University, 
 several advantageous offers were made to him from 
 foreign countries ; he thought it best, however, to 
 decline them, as his benefactors in (iotha an<! San- 
 dershauseu had promised to provide for him. At one
 
 29 
 
 time he was invited to go as a missionary lo the 
 heathen in India ; al another, an appointment as a 
 minister in Brunswick was offered him. His friends 
 at Bremen solicited him to become one of the prin- 
 cipal teachers of the grammar school of that city ; 
 and when the University at Gottingen was founded, 
 he was proposed as one of the professors. Motives 
 of gratitude restrained him from accepting these and 
 similar offers, for he considered that his life and 
 his services belonged to those who were the mean* 
 of leading him to salvation, and who had so kindly 
 supported him. He justly observed, that if strangers 
 thought him worthy to fill such important situations, 
 he w;.s persuaded his benefactors would not be back- 
 ward in placing him in a proper sphere of useful- 
 ness, when a fit opportunity occurred. His hope 
 was not disappointed ; for after haying for five years 
 continued as an usher in the grammar school at 
 Gotha, he was, in the year 1734, appointed minister 
 of the parish of Escheberge, a village in the duchy 
 of Saxe Gotha. How wonderful are the ways of 
 providence! The Jew boy, who is rescued from a 
 watery grave in the Oder the young Jewish enthu- 
 siast, who goes his pilgrimage -to Jerusalem the 
 wretched camel-driver of a Tartar the slave, who is 
 exposed for sale in the market-place of Smyrna the 
 inveterate enemy of Christianity is at length con- 
 verted into a most devoted and exemplary minister 
 of Christ. Such a change belongs only to the Al- 
 mighty Disposer of all things, and to that regene- 
 rating influence by which man is born again, and 
 made meet to be a partaker of <he inheritance of tlie 
 saints in light. 
 
 The inhabitants of Escheberge had formed a high 
 opinion of their new pastor, previous to his being 
 appointed their minister, for they had hoard much of 
 his character. They received him with unfeigned 
 affection; and every one was eager to do whatever 
 might best tend to make his residence among them 
 comfortable. On his part, he returned their kind- 
 
 B?
 
 30 
 
 nesses by the conscientious and impartial discharge 
 of his duties in the ministry, making no undue 
 distinction between rich and poor, but approving 
 himself as the true and disinterested friend of all, 
 and as one who had nothing so much at heart as the 
 welfare of their immortal souls. 13y the uniform meek- 
 ness and consistency of his conduct, he secured (he 
 approbation of every one, and gained (he cordial 
 esteem even of those who before had taken offence 
 at his Jewish extraction. His attachment to his pa- 
 rishioners was sincere, and lie could never be prc- 
 railed upon to leave them, though the income of the 
 living was far less than he might have had in other 
 places. 
 
 His sermons, and all his addresses, were in the 
 language of an affectionate parent, and delivered 
 with all the animation of a man of strong feelings, 
 and great energy of mind. The fear of man v\;ig 
 unknown to him ; and lie boldly attacked vice when- 
 ever or wherever it presented itself, avoiding, how- 
 ever, all personal allusions in public, lest his hearers 
 should be offended, instead of being reformed. He 
 often had the satisfaction of seeing that, by his judi- 
 cious and well-tempered zeal, many were brought to 
 repentance. His rebukes were always given in love 
 and Christian meekness, so that even where they 
 failed in their effect, no one was ever heard to com- 
 plain of them ; and respect, rather than ill will, re- 
 sulted from them. All good men loved him, and the 
 wicked respected and feared him. 
 
 With his parishioners, in sickness and in the house 
 of mourning, he evinced the most affectionate sym- 
 pathy. In comforting the afflicted, he entered ink* 
 all their feelings as a kind and judicious friend, en- 
 quiring into the particulars of their case, and into the 
 origin oftheir sufferings, that like a skilful physician 
 he might administer to them according to their neces- 
 sity. His alacrity in visiting the sick, and in every 
 other ministerial duty, knew no diminution ; nor were 
 the excuses of a hireling ever heard from his lip^.
 
 31 
 
 The plea of headache, of had weather, of cold and 
 darkness at night, of fatigue from the duties of the 
 day, or of another engagement, was never permit ted 
 to interfere with the calls of his parishioners; and 
 thus by his exemplary faithfulness, he conciliated tin* 
 love and reverence of all. He was honoured as a fa- 
 ther by his inferiors and equals ; his superiors looked 
 up to him with esteem ; and the name of August! 
 was dear even to strangers. 
 
 His leisure hours were devoted to private study, to 
 tlie improvement and enlargement of his mind, to 
 correspondence with learned men, and to ihe edu- 
 cation of his children. In the year 1754, he brought 
 his eldest son to the University of Gottingen, and 
 that celebrated body, as a proof of its high esteem 
 of the father, conferred upon the son immediately 
 the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 
 
 Mr. Augusti continued in the duties of his minis- 
 terial office for thirty-seven years, when he w;:s 
 visited with a severe bodily affliction, which obliged 
 him to engage an assistant, and to his great joy he 
 found (hat assistant, in the person of his second son. 
 He did not, however, entirely relinquish his labours, 
 being satisfied that though his powers were impaired, 
 the}' might, nevertheless, be devoted to the duties 
 of his office, and lo the welfare of his fellow-creiv- 
 tures. He therefore preached frequently, and much 
 to the edification of his hearers. 
 
 In the year 1779, on the third Sunday after Trinity, 
 he had the satisfaction of celebrating the jubilee of 
 his half century's ministry in the Gospel, and lher 
 was hardly an individual in the parish who did not 
 most cordially sympathise in the holy joy of this 
 man of God, whose lite had been marked by so many 
 extraordinary incidents. The ducal government of 
 Got ha kindly afforded its aid in giving a lustre to the 
 solemnity of the day. Surrounded by his children, 
 grand-children, and many of his fellow-ministers, 
 Mr. Augusti appeared before his congregation, the 
 greater part of whom had been baptized by him,
 
 32 
 
 and preached (o (hem from Gen. xxxii. 10, " Lord, 
 1 am not worthy or the least of all thy mercies, and 
 of all thy truth, which thou hast shewn nnlo thy 
 servant." It may be easily imagined \vi\\\ what 
 humble gratitude to God, such a man, on such an 
 occasion, must have expressed himself, and \ hat 
 feelings he must have called forth in the minds of 
 his hearers. 
 
 The private life of this extraordinary man is not 
 without interest. Wherever he went, his counte- 
 nance, his expression, his m-miier of address, and his 
 general demeanour, characterized the cheerfulness 
 ot his mind a happy frame of soul, arising from 
 peace within. In seasons of family affliction, this 
 was his comfort and his MI p port; and he repaid the 
 consolations of those around him by administering 
 comfort to them in return. " Only a little patience, 
 (he would say,) and God will certainly help us " 
 
 Though naturally social and lively, yet he always 
 shewed great moderation in every thing that related 
 to the convivialities and indulgences of the table. 
 He could enjoy these things like other people, but 
 he was always ready to put them aside when they 
 interfered with higher duties. From his judicious 
 habits of diet, he derived the inestimable blessing of 
 sound health and a protracted life. He died at the 
 age of 91. To sleep and bodily rest he devoted bat 
 few hours, and even in his most advanced age, he 
 never indulged in an afternoon nap, deeming it not 
 only injurious to health, but inconsistent with the 
 duty of a Christian, thus to lose some of the best 
 hours of the day. His favourite enjoyment was a 
 sjiort walk lo visit and converse with a iriend. 
 
 Mr. Augusti was, as the history of his life has 
 shewn, a truly pious man. He was no friend to 
 those outward forms of devotion which attract the 
 notice of others. A silent and humble walk with his 
 God, and a cheerful submission to his will, were the 
 essence of his religion. But yet he never neglected 
 an opportunity of giving public testimony of his
 
 33 
 
 reverence for Ihe Almighty, or of encouragfng others 
 by his example, to maintain a Christian course. In 
 the last stage of his life he was unable to walk with- 
 out support, yet he regularly partook of the holy 
 sacrament in public communion with his fellow 
 Christians; and it was indeed an affecting sight to 
 the congregation, to behold their revered and vene- 
 rable minister kneeling with them at the table, and 
 uniting with them in commemorating, with grateful 
 humility, and with fervent devotion, the death of 
 the Lord their Redeemer. Good Friday, which he 
 used to call the great day of atonement of the new 
 covenant, and the day on which he had been bap- 
 tized, he always set apart as a day of prayer and of 
 thanksgiving, in each returning year. 
 
 Persons remaining in error, and the professors of 
 other religions, he treated with meek indulgence; 
 not by making a compromise with folly and sin, nor 
 from any indifference to his own religion, but from 
 true feelings of Christian charily. Hostile as he had 
 formerly been to Christians when himself a Jew, as 
 a Christian he was meek and affectionate to Ihe Jews, 
 as he was also to Christians of a different creed from 
 his own. He loved every human being without in- 
 quiring what was his creed ; and the words of Scrip- 
 lure, " Who art thou that judgest another man's 
 servant," were always present with him, in his fre- 
 quent conversations with Jews, some of whom occa- 
 sionally behaved to him with much rudeness. In his 
 sermons, in his instruction of others, and even in 
 his private conversation, he frequently endeavoured 
 to correct that sectarian spirit which so often prevails, 
 and which he considered to be a disgrace to Chris- 
 tianity; and he laboured to introduce in its stead a 
 spirit of universal love. 
 
 One of the most difficult duties of a Christian is to 
 love his enemies, and this he exercised in a very re- 
 markable degree, for, strange as it may appear, 
 even Mr. August! himself had enemies. Retaliation 
 for an injury he never allowed himself to think of,
 
 34 
 
 and the meekness and delicacy with which he con- 
 ducted himself towards an adversary, were effectual 
 in many instances to make his enemy a friend. 
 
 The virtues of this amiable Christian were neither 
 the effects of a naturally good temper, nor the artifi- 
 cial productions of a proud heart, but the fruits of a 
 living faith in the Saviour of the world. He some- 
 times observed to his friends, that if he still possessed 
 any remnant of Jewish vanity, it was this, that he 
 could call this Saviour his kinsman, and could thus 
 claim a nearer interest in him. 
 
 In the prayer of this venerable man of God. there 
 was something peculiarly affecting. His stooping 
 hoary head, his hollow cheeks, his quivering lips, 
 his shaking hands, formed a most striking contrast 
 with the animation of his eyes, the richness of his 
 language, and the fervour of his devotion. It was 
 one of his constant prayers, that, as he did not fear 
 death, but, according to his favourite expression, 
 u had long since settled his account," the Lord would 
 be pleased to remove him from this world, without 
 making him a burden to his family by illness. And 
 the Lord hearkened and heard him ; for he died of a 
 fever, on the IStli of May, 1782, after an illness of 
 only lour days. 
 
 Pimler, Printer, '2:5, Charterhouse Street.
 
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