Expenditure and Finances of the Society, that its present Income is unequal to the maintenance of its present Expenditure; and it being impracticable to diminish the Home Expenditure beyond what has been already decided, without serious injury to the Society; it is imperative on the Committee to take immediate and efficient steps, either to reduce its Foreign Expenditure, or increase its Income. II. That this Meeting, encouraged by the measure of the Divine Blessing which has been already granted to the Society's Labours, and unwilling to abandon any of its Stations in Heathen Lands without an appeal to the love of Christians at Home, recommends that a Subscription be now commenced, to meet the present exigencies of the Society; and affectionately invites its Members to increase the amount of their Annual Contributions, for the purpose of augmenting its Permanent Income. III. That, adverting to the importance of making Provision for Disabled Missionaries, the Widows of Missionaries, and the Education of Missionaries' Child ren both with a view to relieve the mind of the Missionary himself, and to enable the Committee to apply as large a portion as practicable of the Annual Income to Missionary Operations-the Separate Fund, which has been opened for the object above mentioned, be earnestly recommended to the support of the Members and Friends of the Society throughout the Country. CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY. REPORT FOR 1829-30. JEWS SOCIETY. IN the statement made at the Anniversary relative to the Funds, which we printed at p. 211, there was some inaccuracy occasioned by mistake: the Total Receipts appear to have been 12,145l. 3s., and the Payments 13,8291. 6s. 3d. The State of the Funds has led the Committee to decline admitting, for the present, any more Children into the Schools or Students into Issue of Books, Traots, and Papers; from the Seminary. April 1829 to April 1830. Sold. Gratis. Total. 60,548 59,518 15,552 949 145,912 Common Prayers 144,963 Grand Total.... .1,715,560 Receipts of the Year: Benefactions.. d. £. s. 4,892 12 11 13,113 14 10 1,350 7 11 9,018 14 8 28,375 10 4 34,197 14 5 758 16 0 Discount from Booksellers.... 2,597 1 5 With the view of establishing regular and adequate communication with the various Associations, a Visitor has been appointed; and the Rev. Thomas Mortimer has accepted that office. Schools. Four boys and seven girls have been admitted during the year: one boy has been dismissed: six boys have been apprenticed; and two girls placed out in service. Eight of the Children were confirmed by the Lord Bishop of London in June last; and five of the elder of them have since, after due instruction, been admitted as Communicants, and have voluntarily attended the Lord's Table. It is a pleasing fact, that, out of 27 boys now serving apprenticeships to different trades, 23 are discharging their various duties with credit to themselves and the Society. There at present in the Schools, 37 Boys and 48 Girls. Scriptures and Tracts. During the year, there have been issued 1233 entire copies of the Old Testament, and 267 of the New, with 1800 Portions of both Old and New Testament, in Hebrew; also 871 copies of the Hebrew Pentateuch, bound up with the Haphtorah, an important work which has been completed during the past yearin German-Hebrew, 1167 copies of the Prophets, and 442 of the New Testament-in Judeo-Polish, 2172 copies of the Pentateuch, and 13 of the New Tes tament. About 14,000 Tracts, in various Languages, have been issued, besides many thousands printed on the Continent; among which may be mentioned large editions of six very important Tracts in Polish, which were almost entirely printed, during the past year, at the printingpress of the Warsaw Institution. Students and Missionaries. Of Ten, the whole number of Students who have been in the Seminary since the last Anniversary, four, who were on probation, have left it; three on account of not being found competent for the Jewish Mission, and one of his own accord, but without expressing any feeling of dissatisfaction. One, also, is gone for a time with your Missionary, Mr. Nicolayson, to the East; for the purpose of acquiring the Languages of the Eastern Jews, and fuller information concerning them, in the parts where they are spoken. Episcopal Chapel. In the course of the last twelvemonth, since more decided efforts have been made to promote the Cause in London, the attendance of Jewish Hearers or Worshippers from Sabbath to Sabbath has visibly increased, especially during the last few weeks. Jews not only continue to attend the stated Lectures delivered there; but scarcely a Sabbath now passes that several are not found within its walls, in addition to those who regularly attend and your Committee cannot but entertain a lively persuasion, that, with every new exertion to promote Christianity among the Jews of this Metropolis, their augmented attendance at this Place of Worship may reasonably be looked for; so that its important use, in promoting the object of your Society, will from time to time become increasingly evident. Eighteen Jewish Adults, and ninety-five Children, with the consent of their parents, have at different times there received the sacred ordinance of Baptism; and, of the former, some are regular Communicants at the Lord's Table. Exertions among the Jews in England, For more than a year, the Rev. J. C. Reichardt has been occupying the important office of Missionary to the Jews in England. He has chiefly resided in London, but has occasionally spent a little time in other towns. Your Committee will endeavour to give a general view of his work in this Country; from which you will perceive what a very important opening our own Land presents for Missionary Effort among our Jewish Fellowcountrymen. The following Extracts are from a Report lately laid before the Committee by Mr. Reichardt : My chief aim has been the preaching of the Gospel by private conversations. To this end, I formed an extensive acquaintance among the Jews; and either visited them in their own houses, or invited them to call upon me. Private Conversations I always prefer, as most promising; because, in such, one is more able to speak calmly, and quietly, and reverently upon Divine Truths, as the importance of the matter requires, and to give a more full account of the one thing needful. It has, likewise, been my plan, of late, in my intercourse with the Jews, to lay before them the Way of Life plainly; and to declare, openly and candidly, that without Christ there is no salvation. In the first years of my labours, I thought it expedient to watch for fair opportunities, and, whenever they did not present themselves, to prepare the way gradually: but, surely, when called upon to declare the Way of Eternal Life to those who are every moment liable to die in an unconverted state, if we act from expediency, and withhold the truth, even for a time, it seems to betray either indifference or a doubt, as to the reality of Christ being the only Saviour. Your Committee heartily concur in the above remark, and are prepared to expect what follows: Instead of being less successful in the adoption of such a course, I have found it quite the contrary: Jews are drawn to me the more for it, and regard me as a sincere and upright Christian. When, sometimes, in the midst of my Gospel Conversations, Jews would suddenly interrupt me, by asking, "Why is it, Sir, that Christians are always so eager to make Converts, whereas we Jews never think of such a thing?" this reply easily silenced and satisfied them :-" Be cause we Christians feel convinced, that without Christ no man can be saved: but the Jews have no certainty of their own salvation, and, therefore, feel indifferent about the salvation of others; for if they were really convinced that truth was on their side, and Christians were in a fatal error, they would feel themselves bound to promote that truth among Christians." Among those Jews who have been in the habit of calling on me, I could refer to more than forty individuals who have applied for Baptism some of them were received under a regular course of instruction, while the greatest part were prevented from taking the same course on account of being at the same time in the greatest bodily distress: such cases are most trying, and require that some adequate means be adopted to meet them effectually. Whenever such distressing cases occurred, and my own means were not sufficient to meet the distress, before dismissing them I did, however, always endeavour to give them a short, clear view of the Gospel; and, having supplied them with a Copy of the Scriptures, recommended them to the further sovereign care of our gracious Lord. Another method than that of private intercourse, which I adopted for making known the Gospel, was this:- In the midst of the Jewish Quarters, I had engaged a Room, where, on each successive Friday Evening, I gave Lectures to the Jews. These Lectures, containing a simple exposition, in English, on several portions of the Holy Scriptures, were chiefly intended for the lower and more ignorant classes of the Jews; and it was pleasing to observe that this Meeting used to be attended sometimes by more than 60 Jews, Jewesses, and Children. A few weeks ago, the Room was very much crowded, and the children were rather noisy, and the owner of the house, in consequence, wished it to be removed this has obliged me to discontinue the Lectures, till another convenient Room can be found. Many hundreds of Tracts were distributed among those Jews who attended; and many hundreds have since been put into the hands of Jews whom I either met in the streets, or visited in their own houses: so that the seed has been abundantly sown; and we have now only to pray, that the Lord may water it by His Spirit, and give His blessing. The design, which we noticed at p. 335, of increased exertions in connection with the Episcopal Chapel, has been acted upon: it has been lately stated by the Committee As Mr. Reichardt was occasionally obliged to leave this country for other spheres of labour, the Committee requested the Rev. M. S. Alexander, a Missionary of the Society at Dantzic, and himself a Converted Israelite, to visit his Brethren in England. As Mr. Alexander has received Ordination in the Church of England, he is able to address his Brethren from the pulpit of the Episcopal Chapel; and conferences have been held with them after Evening Service, at which, on some occasions, from thirty to fifty have been present. A Room has been engaged near the Chapel, for the purpose of meeting the Jews, either before or after the Service, as well as on other occasions; but further measures are required, in order fully to meet the advanced spirit of inquiry among the London Jews. RELIGIOUS-TRACT SOCIETY. FROM the Appendix to the last Report we extract the following exemplary Instance of Zeal in the Distribution of Tracts to Sabbath-Breakers. The district in which the Tracts were distributed extends on the Surrey side of the Thames, from Lambeth to Bermondsey; and, in a diagonal direction, from these points to Camberwell, including all the chief avenues between them, leading to the same centre: and, on the London side of the water, Thames Street, Fleet Street, the Strand, and the five bridges; and once or twice Bishopgate Street has also been included. The distribution took its rise by the formation of a Sabbath-Morning PrayerMeeting at Camberwell, in May 1827. Two of the friends who lived in town were obliged to rise early, in order to attend it; and, passing along the road, were often affected by the sin and misery which they constantly beheld. Your Handbill Tracts afforded such a cheap and appropriate means of doing good, that a shilling's-worth was regularly provided, and was expended long before the journey's end on the Sunday Morning. This led to twice the number being purchased; and it was sometimes found that 600 Handbills were not sufficient to supply the people, there being so many abroad, tween Thames Street and Camberwell. even at an early hour, in the line be The distributors generally adopted the method of going two and two: thus they encouraged one another, and were enabled to supply both sides of the road: and where it was only practicable for one to visit, he usually took the same route the next Sunday, and distributed on the neglected side of the way. They thus hoped to secure the widest extension; and are of opinion, that, of the number distributed in 1828, nine-tenths were given to different individuals. The number given away in that year was upward of 10,000. The persons who have received the Bills have been of all classes, though generally of the lowest kind. The time has been most opportune; and they are parties, which (except under the loan system) could not be reached in any other waylabourers, who, accustomed to early rising, are sauntering from their uncomfortable homes in the back settlements, to talk over the news around the public-house or gin-shop, to which, as soon as the doors are open, they adjourn-persons arriving from or going to the country-pleasuretakers-domestics-and newsmen. The Tracts have, in general, been well received. We have, indeed, received a few refusals, scoffs, and insults; but these are comparatively rare. Indeed, such is the changed aspect of affairs, that we are generally honoured and encouraged in our work. This shews that God is effecting a change in the sentiments of the lower orders: He is, for some beneficent purpose, restraining the wrath of man and the malice of the Devil. What does such a narrative as this demand?-renewed and extended exertions. Gin-shops are open sometimes so early es 5 o'clock-in several places a kind of Sunday Market is held-in some, it is made the time to fight pitched-battles, and thus decide the quarrels of the week-and the number of persons who break the Sabbath by News-vending is both astonishing and woeful: they quite animate and people Fleet Street and the Strand; and if any thing in the order of means be useful to stem this torrent of iniquity, Tracts appear to be best adapted to that end. occasionally visited other parts of Holland. At first it appeared that there was scarcely a door of usefulness open to them: they were not, however, discouraged; and had many opportunities of widely distributing Tracts among the Jews: though occasionally opposed by some, their books were generally well received. They were soon obliged to leave Holland for Poland, where their services were required; and your Committee regret, that, through the want of more Missionaries, and likewise of the means of sending them forth, they have not been able to appoint any of their Labourers to this desirable and important station. Germany. Mr. J. Stockfeld has continued to occupy his usual station during the past year; with the exception of a short time, which he spent in England, at the request of your Committee. The sphere of Missionary Labour which he occupies extends over a considerable tract of Country bordering upon the Rhine, and of which Cologne may be considered the centre: from this place he makes frequent journeys, chiefly on foot, to the towns and villages in the neighbourhood, and throughout the Duchies of the Lower Rhine. In this district, the Jews are not congregated together in such large masses of ten, twenty, or thirty thousand, as in some other parts which are open to the labours of the Society. There are a few, perhaps from 400 to 500, in most of the villages or towns through which the Missionary travels; and those, though comparatively few, are not to be neglected, especially when it is considered that the aggregate number thus visited is very considerable. Mr. Stockfeld's plan is to spend but a short time in each place; and to endeavour, if possible, to interest some Christian Friends in the welfare of their Jewish Neighbours; by which means much is done, even during his absence. Having now pursued the same system for some years, he has begun to experience the benefits resulting from it: much assistance has been obtained from private Christians, who have been induced to give their prayers and their occasional exertions to this Cause-a large distribution of the Scriptures and Tracts has taken place and the Jews themselves, in many places, regularly look for the periodical visits of the Missionary. Mr. J. D. Marc has resided at Offenbach, near Frankfort, for some years; and it was mentioned in your last Re 3 X port, that Mr. J. C. Morits had just taken up his residence in Frankfort itself. The present state of Mr. Marc's health has been such, as very much to incapacitate him for active labours among his Brethren. Mr. Moritz has not only availed himself of his stay in Frankfort, for the purpose of gaining access to the Jews of that city, who form a very numerous body, but has likewise travelled in the adjacent Countries of Bavaria and Hesse Darmstadt: his interviews with the Jews appear to have been so frequent, as fully to justify your Committee in appointing him to this place: the great difficulties which he has to encounter arise chiefly from the open or secret infidelity, and from the consequent worldliness and avowed indifference to Religion, which, in that part of the Continent, form a prominent feature in the Jewish Character: many and awful are the instances! On the opportunities presented to him of proclaiming Salvation to the House of Israel, Mr. Moritz writes: There have been with me, the last 17 days, 54 young Jewish Journeymen, with some of whom I have had very interesting conversations about repentance toward God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ, as the promised Messiah and Saviour, and Redeemer of Israel, to which they listened with the greatest attention; and to all of them the Lord enabled me to declare His counsel concerning our salvation. As their outward circumstances were very poor, as is the case with most of these German Journeymen, they could pay nothing for the Scriptures which they received; and, remembering the words of Christ, Freely ye have received, freely give; and wishing to shew them the fulfil ment and the truth of the kind invitation of the Saviour, Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he, that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat: yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price! I thought it to be my duty not to let them go away hungry, but rather to give them either the whole German Bible, or the Jewish-German Prophets and Psalms, and a New Testament in the same language; and, in this manner, I have now distributed 34 whole German Bibles, 15 Jewish-German Prophets and Psalms, 8 New Testaments, and about 150 various Tracts on Jewish subjects. We subjoin some recent notices by Mr. Moritz : More than 3000 Tracts have been scattered by me during the last six weeks; some of which have gone to Austria, Bavaria, Hesse, and Switzerland. Some Christian Friends have told me, that they have heard the Jews, in various coffeehouses,conversing about me and my books, in very friendly terms; and, while some seemed to be offended at my having turned Christian, others defended me for having done so, saying, "He still loves us very much, and wishes us to become happy." Mr. C. G. Petri still continues to reside at Detmold, from whence he undertakes Missionary Journeys through the Westphalian Provinces. He spent great part of the year in travelling among the Jews; and has lately come to England, at the request of your Committee, who were anxious to have an opportunity of personal conference, on subjects connected with his future employment. Dresden is the residence of Mr. J. P. Goldberg; and is important as a Missionary Station, not so much on account of the actual number of Jews which it contains (amounting, it is supposed, to more than one thousand), as on account of its proximity to several very important districts in which the Jews are numerous. Mr. Goldberg has been for some time in the habit of regularly attending the Annual Fairs held at Leipsic, at which a vast concourse of Jews assemble from all parts of the world; and thus the knowledge of the Gospel, and copies of the Scriptures, are disseminated, by means of the Jews themselves, through many Countries which are not at present the scene of Missionary Labour, and to some of which the Missionary has no access. Mr. Goldberg has laid before your Committee a very circumstantial detail of each day's transactions during his last visit to Leipsic, and one which puts the importance point of view: no day seems to have of such opportunities in a most striking passed without the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ having been proclaimed, or portions of the Scriptures having been distributed, to many individuals of the Jewish Nation, many of whom come from remote parts of the world: some listened with attention-some were desirous to inquire further-some turned a careless ear-some mocked-and some opposed: at no former fair which he had attended at Leipsic had he found such opportunities, nor met with so many of his Jewish Brethren desirous to be instructed in the Scriptures, and to hear him speak of Je sus. The Journals of Mr. Goldberg's Tour through Silesia and the adjacent Countries have also reached yourCommittee: they present the same encouraging features; though, in both cases, the acquaintance of the Missionary with the |