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permits us to trace the end at which His mercy tends in all, it is to lead us to trust Him with regard to events which yet lie in shadow. We have His word that all things work together for good to them who, through the new covenant, are made heirs of a better country. With such an inheritance secured to us, let us strive to touch every disappointment and trial of life with the word of faith, and then it will appear in its true form-a pledge of our Heavenly Father's loving care of us, and earnest that "what thou knowest not now thou shalt know hereafter."

Papplewick.

META RILEY.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOCIETIES.-No. VII.

THE LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS.

THE Jews are the most extraordinary people in the world. Their history is the most ancient: their laws are most sacred: their present state the most interesting to all other nations. Prophecies, which we see fulfilled and fulfilling, are blended with their destinies. They are scattered and removed into all the kingdoms of the earth, and become a proverb and a bye-word among all nations. "But we know that the time will come when they shall return and seek the Lord their God." "Blindness in part is happened unto them, and so all Israel shall be saved."

About thirty-two years ago a society was formed, called "the London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews," whose object it is to distribute among them copies of the Holy Scriptures, and religious tracts proving that Jesus Christ is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. There are also schools for their children, in which they are educated in useful and Christian knowledge. An Episcopal chapel has been long opened for the instruction of Jewish converts, and others, in all the principles of our religion, where divine service is statedly performed. The Jews, too, are invited to a friendly discussion with Christians on the articles and evidences of the Christian Faith. And, in addition to all these means, there are several missionaries labouring among the Jews, both in England and abroad, with a view to bring them to an examination of the New Testament, and to conformity to its doctrines and precepts.

The Right Rev. Dr. Longley, the Lord Bishop of Ripon, is

the patron; and several of the nobility are vice-patrons. Sir Thomas Baring, Bart., is the president: there are several vice-presidents, and the Rev. J. B. Cartwright and Rev. J. Reynolds are the secretaries. Several influential gentlemen, as well as all clergymen who are members of the society, are members of the committee; their office is No. 16, Exeterhall. A sermon is annually preached before the Society, and an anniversary meeting is held. The sermon and report are published, with the list of associations and subscribers.

The aggregate amount of contributions during the last year, ending March 31st, 1840, is 22,4207., being an increase of 4,9151. above those of the preceding year; and, from the accounts of the missionaries in London, Hamburgh, Strasburg, Frankfort, Breslau, Konigsberg, Warsaw, Constantinople, Tunis, Jerusalem, &c., there is every prospect of success. There is

a church in Jerusalem where our Liturgy is used. There are nearly three hundred baptisms registered in the Episcopal Jews' Chapel in London.

Nor are we to estimate the beneficial effects of this Society by the actual number of those who have been converted by its instrumentality. If it has awakened a feeling in the hearts of Christians towards the Jews, and if the Jews themselves are brought to study the claims of the New Testament, there is every reason to believe that the results hereafter will show that the Society's labours will not have been in vain. We are too apt to judge of a society by its present appearance; but what would we say of the husbandman who expects to reap at the very time that he is sowing his seed? Let us, then, go on, in the name of the Lord, to sow the seed of the word among the Jews and the Gentiles, praying and waiting for the harvest. We are, in obedience to our Lord's command, to "teach all nations:" " to the Jew first." Let His command be obeyed, and we are sure that he will be with us to bless us. The readers of the Village Churchman may receive any further information from their own minister, for the Society's publications may be procured by any who are willing to aid its designs.

May 23rd, 1840.

W. M.

THE BIBLE.

GENESIS.

THE first book in the Bible derives its name Genesis from its containing a history of the generation or production of all things. The word Genesis signifies generation, original,

or beginning. Its author was Moses; it contains the history of about 2,369 years. There are different opinions entertained concerning the time when Moses wrote it; but the most probable conjecture is that which places it after the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and the promulgation of the law. An able commentator thus writes on this book: "Reader, thou hast now before thee the most ancient, the most authentic history in the world; a history that contains the first written discovery that God has made of himself to mankind -adiscovery of his own Being in his wisdom, power, and goodness, in which thou and the whole human race are so intimately concerned. How much thou art indebted to Him for this discovery, He alone can teach thee, and cause thy heart to feel its obligation to his wisdom and mercy. God made thee and the universe, and governs all things according to the council of his own will. While under the direction of his council thou canst not err; while under the influence of his will thou canst not be wretched. Give thyself up to his teaching, and submit to his authority; and after guiding thee here by his counsel, he will at last bring thee to glory."

This book may be divided into four parts, viz:

Part I. The origin of the world (i. ii.)

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II. The history of the former world (iii.-vii.)

-III. The general history of mankind after the deluge (viii.-xi.)

-IV. The particular history of the Patriarchs (xii.-L.)

In this book there are many passages to which reference is made in the New Testament:

Gen. i. 1; Heb. xi. 3.

iii. 4; 2 Cor. xi. 3.
iii. 6; 1 Tim. ii. 14.
iv. 4; Heb. xi. 4.
iv. 8; 1 John iii. 12.
Jude 11.
v.24; Heb. xi. 5.
vi. 12; 1 Pet. iii. 20.
vi. 14; Heb. xi. 7.

2 Pet. ii. 5.
vii. 4; Matt. xxiv. 37.38.
xii. 1; Heb. xi. 8.
xiv. 18; Heb. vii. 1.
xv. 6; Rom. iv. 3.

James ii. 23.

xvi. 15; Gal. iv. 22.
xviii. 10; Heb. xi. 11.

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THE LITURGY.

[From Wheatley's Remarks on the Common Prayer.]

Of the Order of Morning and Evening Prayer Daily throughout the Year.

THE LITANY.-III. INTERCESSION.

IN our last number we considered that part of the Litany which is called by way of distinction, DEPRECATION. We now come to the INTERCESSIONS, or petitions made in behalf of others. The order here observed is very beautiful, and deserves and will repay the most attentive consideration. If the institution of God be required to make this part of our Litany necessary, we have his positive command by St. Paul, to "make intercession for all men"; (1. Tim. ii. 1.) Because it may seem presumptuous for us to pray for others, who are unworthy to pray for ourselves, before we begin, we acknowledge that we are sinners: "We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord, &c." We first pray for the holy Church universal, as the common mother of all Christians; then particularly for the principal members of that part established amongst us; proceeding in order for the Queen and Royal Family, for all orders and degrees of men in the Church and State; first for the spirituality, for all bishops, priests, and deacons; then for the temporality; for the lords of the council, and all the nobility and magistrates; and lastly, for all the people of this realm. Then we pray for the good of all men, for the piety of the faithful, for the conversion of the deceived, for the confirmation of the weak, for the relief of the afflicted, for the preservation of the distressed, for the reconciliation of enemies, for the grant of plenty and things necessary for the body; and, lastly, for the pardon of sins, and things necessary for the soul-truerepentence and amendment of life. This last petition is very proper for a conclusion. For we know that if we do not amend our lives, all these intercessions will avail us nothing, because God will not hear impenitent sinners. We, therefore, earnestly beg repentance, and amendment of life, that so all our preceding requests may not miscarry.

And now having presented these supplications to the throne of grace, we call upon our Saviour, and beseech Him by his divinity, as he is the Son of God-and consequently able to help us to hear us: and then we call upon him by his humanity, as the Lamb of God,-to grant us peace, and have mercy upon us. And then, finally, that our conclusion may be suitable to our beginning, we close up all with an address to the whole Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for that mercy we have been begging in so many particulars.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Belief and Unbelief. By Joseph Fearn. London: George Wightman. Pp. 166, fc. 18mo.

WE can cordially recommend this little work to our readers. It is " a tale for the sceptical, and calculated, we think, in these times to confirm in the truth those who are tempted to waver, as well as remove the objections of those who have fallen into the snare of the infidel. We purpose to return to it again at an early opportunity.

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The History of Spain and Portugal, from the earliest periods to the present time. Adapted for Youth, Schools, and Families. By Miss Julia Corner. Also, by the same, The History of France. London: Dean and Munday. Pp. 187, 12mo.

THE author of these little volumes (which form the commencement of a series of Histories) deserves the best thanks of those for whom they are chiefly intended. The style of writing is simple and perspicuous, and the facts which are brought forward are stated in a manner calculated to leave a permanent impression upon the mind. The mode in which the works are "got up," and the very astonishing cheapness at which they are published, must, we think, ensure them a very rapid sale.

The Domestic Altar; or, Prayers for the Use of Families. By Ebenezer Temple, Rochford, Essex. London: Thomas Ward and Co.

1839.

To those heads of families who make use of written prayers, we can recommend this volume. In the words of a reviewer,

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the " frequent quotations from our beautiful Liturgy will render it the more acceptable to those who are attached to that most sublime of all compositions;' while the simplicity, the scriptural character, and the pious fervour of the whole, cannot but recommend it to all denominations of orthodox Christians."

Popery; Practical, Past, Present, and Prospective. By the Rev. F. A. Glover, M.A., Rector of Charlton-in-Dover. London: Roake and Varty. Pp. 26. 1839.

THIS excellent tract deserves extensive circulation. Mr. Glover is a very powerful and interesting writer.

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