the church, and remain silent auditors, while he preaches Jesus and the resurrection. I believe that ordained ministers of the Church of England or Scotland, if they obtained leave from the Prussian Government to become missionaries, would also be allowed to preach freely to the Jews in almost all the churches. Is not this an open door? Those who think the truth may be best conveyed by instilling it into the youthful mind, have here free scope for that mode of teaching. Those who prefer the direct address of the pulpit, have here an open door for that mode of teaching. The London Society have not fully occupied this field. The laborers are excellent men, but they are not ordained ministers, and one only is licensed to preach by the Prussian Church. If a complement of ordained missionaries could be maintained in the Grand Duchy of Posen and in Silesia, there is every reason to hope that, by the convincing power of God's Spirit, a great many lost sheep of the house of Israel might be gathered into Christ's fold. As it is, the great majority of Jewish converts in Germany are from this district.

The

We next proceeded to Berlin, the handsome capital of Prussia. Here we had a delightful opportunity of examining one of their best normal schools. We saw 60 teachers under training. The system is truly admirable. We visited the University also, and heard a lecture from Neander. Strange to say, he is no friend to laboring amongst his brethren the Jews. We had pleasant intercourse with some of the most faithful ministers of Berlin. excellent Gossner, once a Romish priest, but converted under Martin Booz, is remarkable for awakening careless souls. Küntze is a bold and animated preacher, full of love to his Lord. He told us that he has baptized 112 Jews with his own hand. He is, indeed, an intelligent and warm friend of Israel. There are weekly meetings of the faithful ministers for searching the Scriptures, conference on ministerial experiences, and prayer. Rationalism is scarcely known in Berlin. The number of lively preachers of the truth is on the increase, and marks of revival in their congregations are not awanting. Still they labor under many difficulties. Meetings for prayer and Sabbath schools are both contrary to the law of the land. The Sabbath is much desecrated; and the great mass of the people are strangers to the house of God. How thankful we should be to God that our lot is cast in our beloved Scotland! and what need there is that we should pray that the Holy Spirit may be poured upon the Protestant Churches abroad.

Our chief matter of inquiry was after Israel. There are 8000 Jews in Berlin, and nearly 1000 converts. Of these, it is to be feared the great mass are converts only in name. Still, we met with many who seemed to be Christians in deed and in truth. We visited both synagogues, the old and the new. In the latter we heard a sermon from the Rabbi on Abraham offering up Isaac.

Alas! he did not see the Lamb of God shadowed forth in the father offering his son. The service is a close imitation of that of the Lutheran Church. We visited also the Jewish school, and orphan institution. The children receive a common German education. The great majority of the Jews here are, I fear, sunk into infidelity. One said, "Christ was a good man, and Moses was a good man, but I believe neither." Mr. Becker is the faithful missionary of the London Society here. He once labored in Magdeburgh in the service of the Edinburgh Society. We heard him preach to the Jews on Sunday morning in the Cloyster Church. Within the past year 54 Jews have come to him inquiring after the Saviour. Of these many have drawn back, and five have been baptized. We met with many dear affectionate friends of Israel. The Berlin Society has no missionaries at present in the field. Two are now in the course of preparation. We attended a meeting of committee of a society for supporting proselytes and inquirers. They are clearly of opinion that, if you attempt the conversion of Jews in this country, you must do something also for their temporal support. I feel that it is impossible to resist the same conviction. We met two proselytes, doctors of medicine, who would willingly devote themselves as medical missionaries among their brethren. But I must hasten away from this important field. The movement of our Church has excited the deepest interest among the Christians of Germany who love God's ancient people; and they earnestly look forward to what our Church will do. Many pray that we may be guided rightly.

A journey of two nights and a day brought us to Hamburgh, famous for the beauty of its suburbs. It is a kind of republic governed by a senate. The established religion is Lutheran; but most of the ministers, I fear, have wandered far from the truth. Still a few are raising a bold and intelligent protest. Mr. Oncken, the agent for the Edinburgh Bible Society, showed us every attention. We visited the old synagogue, and also the new, or temple as it is called,-a temple without a Shechinah. The Rabbi preached in German, spoke of patience being a Christian virtue, and quoted a Christian author. The chapel is neat, and the organ fine. They sing the fine national hymn tunes. Much of the prayer was in German. The peculiarity of their liturgy is, that they have erased all mention of the name of Messiah. Alas! poor dry bones,--they think their hope is lost; but the time shall come when "the Spirit of life shall enter into them, and they shall stand up upon their feet an exceeding great army."

We met with several Christian Israelites who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. Mr. Moritz, the missionary of the London Society, has been 32 years a convert. From 1817 to 1825 he was employed by the Emperor of Russia to preach the Gospel to the Jews. He went through all parts of that vast empire, preaching with great acceptance, and often with cheering success.

He

still regards Russia, containing as it does two millions and a half of Jews, as the most noble field for a missionary enterprise. It is true, the present Russian Government are doing every thing they can to put down Protestantism; and they are grasping the Jews with a firmer hand. Still we know that God has the hearts of kings in his hand, and that he will one day say to the north, "Give up." And perhaps it may be our duty, at least, to attempt to obtain leave to send the Gospel to Russian Israel. One delightful fact I cannot but give you, although I am approaching the end of my paper. In 1819 Mr. Moritz was in Borissov preaching the Gospel to the Jews, of whom there are great multitudes there The Rabbi of Kletsk, a place 6 Russian miles off, called upon him with some of his young men. "Why do you not come to us to preach the Gospel to us?" said the Rabbi. Mr. Moritz answered, "I am coming to you very soon, but have not yet finished my work here." "We will treat you very kindly," rejoined the Rabbi; "and I will tell all my people to hear you, and to treat you kindly." Mr. Moritz went, and the Jews kept their word; he was kindly treated by all. He preached the Gospel freely to them, and gave away all his tracts and New Testaments. He saw no fruit of his labor. But last year, when Mr. Cerf was in Warsaw, letters came to the missionaries there from 40 Jews in Kletsk, asking if one Moritz was still alive-if he was among the missionaries-or, if he was gone, whether they could obtain Christian baptism at Warsaw?" Is not this a commentary on the psalm, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again, bringing his sheaves with him?"

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Hamburgh itself is not an open field for a Jewish missionary. Preaching in a church to the Jews is not permitted. A school for Jewish children was put down by the influence of the Rabbis. The Jews have almost the whole trade in their hands, and have great influence over Government. Still Hamburgh should not be given up; and we must bless God that there is such a simple-hearted laborer here. Many foreign Jews come to Hamburgh for trade and other purposes. They often come to him for a tract or a Bible, and he tells them the Gospel that may save their soul. This week he had ten such inquirers. He is clearly of opinion that we will never make a deep impression on the Jewish mind till we establish a congregation of believing Jews-on some such plan as that of the Moravians-so that they might both support themselves, and be edified in Christian truth by a stated pastor. This proposal we have frequently heard expressed, and it has been the subject of meditation and converse to us for many months. If it could be wisely accomplished, there cannot be a doubt that it would take many serious difficulties out of the way. But more of this when we meet.

Mr. Bonar and I had an opportunity of preaching on the Sabbath, and next morning bade adieu to the shores of Germany. It

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was in Hamburgh we first heard the report that God had visited our Beloved Church in a remarkable manner. For more than five months we had heard nothing from Scotland, and now we feel like men that dream." It will be a sweet reward to usmost agreeable to the gracious nature of our God,-if, after all our wanderings and dangers, He shall bring us to see the vine flourish and the pomegranate bud in our dear parishes. Is it not delightful to think that, at the very moment when we begin to obey God, in seeking the salvation of Israel and of the world, He should pour out a blessing till there be no room to receive it? I pray that the whole land may become like Gideon's fleece when it was filled with dew. And may we come to share in the good gifts which God is dispensing among you! Farewell till we meet. Your affectionate friend,

ROBERT MURRAY MCHEYNE.

LETTER XXV.

TO HIS FATHER AND MOTHER.

DUNDEE, 26th Nov., 1839.

MY DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER,-I had a very pleasant journey to Dundee after I left you. Dr. F., and Mr. C. of D., crossed in the boat with me, and were very kind. In the coach I had Mrs. Colonel P. of St A., and her daughter, who seem kind and gracious people. The first sight of Dundee was animating and refreshing to me; and I felt wonder and thankfulness at the way by which God had led me since I last bade it farewell.

James was the first to jump on board the boat. Mr. Nelson, Mr. Thomas, Alexander Thain, and Robert Macdonald of Blairgowrie, were waiting to receive me. Many also of my dear people. I preached the same evening. I never saw such an assembly in a church before. Mr. Roxburgh, Mr. Arnott, Mr. Hamilton, and other ministers, came to support me. There was not a spot in the church left unoccupied. Every passage and stair were filled. I was almost overpowered by the sight; but felt great liberty in preaching from 1 Cor. ii. 1, 4. I never before preached to such an audience-so many weeping-so many waiting, as for the words of eternal life. I never heard such sweet singing anywhere-so tender and affecting, as if the people felt that they were praising a present God.

When I came out of the church, the whole road was filled with the people, old and young, and I had to shake hands twenty at a time. A great multitude followed to my door, so that I had to

• His beadle.

speak to them again, and pray before sending them away. There is evidently a great change upon the people here-and though it is to be expected that many are merely naturally awakened and excited yet I see a great many who, I feel confident, are savingly changed. On Sabbath, I got Mr. Burns to preach in the morning and evening, and I preached in the afternoon. It was a very solemn day. 2 Chron. v. 13, 14, was my text, and Mr. B. preached on "The Throne of Grace," Heb. iv. He is certainly a very remarkable preacher. The plainness and force of his statements, and his urgency, I certainly never saw equalled. He has a very clear view of divine things, and an amazing power of voice and body. But, above all, God seems really to accompany his preaching with demonstrations of the Spirit. Believe me, your affectionate son,

ROBT. MURRAY M'CHEYNE.