THE month of February, 1858, is a time to be remembered by the friends of Israel. On the fifteenth day of this month, forty-nine years ago, a little band of those who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and desired the good of His ancient people, established the "Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews." They looked

around them on the vast number of the children of Abraham, who had never had preached to them the blessed Gospel. They felt that it was their duty to make to them the offer of salvation, for it was from the Jews that salvation first came. There were few to help them, and but few to wish them a blessing in the name of the Lord. But they were not faint-hearted, they felt that the work was of God, and they knew that if it was of God, it would prosper. Many years might pass away, and see them striving with difficulties, and meeting with opposition from within and from without. But in due time they were assured that the sun would break through the clouds, and God would shew them that their work and labour of love should not be in vain in Him.

It was thus that these men of God worked and prayed. Many laughed at their efforts. Some doubted whether it would be of any use to endeavour to convert the Jews. Others said, that there was a time when God would convert them as a nation, but until that time came it would be useless to attempt anything.

Were these millions of immortal souls then to remain in ignorance and unbelief? Could nothing be done to snatch any of them as brands from the burning? Was it certain that God did not intend that any of the Jews should receive

the Gospel? Or was it certain that the Christian Church had most fearfully neglected its duty in withholding the Gospel from the Jews? Which of these points was true?—that was the question. Was it foolish now to begin the work? Or had it been wrong so long to have neglected the work? The Bible made this question clear to this little band. "The Gospel of Christ," cried they, “is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Then the salvation of a Jew is as possible as the salvation of a Gentile. And not only so, but there are some even now to be gathered into the fold of Jesus, for " even at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."

These were the principles on which the Society began its work. Onward it went through evil report and good report. The call of duty, and the cry of perishing souls, was enough for its members. The claims of gratitude to the Jews, from whom the Gentiles received the Gospel, were continually ringing in their ears. Year after year rolled away, and after the firs tsharp trials were past, the Society was to be seen growing in public favour, and enjoying more and more of public support. It had its small beginningbut it looked forward to a great end. And its friends were not disappointed. It is now forty

nine years old, and it takes its place among the first Societies of the land.

We have not time now to say more about the work and history of the Society. But we have arrived at the Jubilee year, and we wish to speak of what is to be done for the Jubilee.

The Committee have many things which they wish to be done. There are large numbers of Jews living in various parts of the world, of whom we know nothing. The Committee wish to send fit persons to discover what is the state of these Jews, and how far it may be possible to have missions to them.

There are also many places with which we are already acquainted, at which we desire to establish missions in connexion with the Jubilee. The chief of these is the coast of North Africa. There are large numbers of Jews on the whole of that coast. Missions have been sent to them from time to time. But these missions have been interrupted. In the Jubilee year, the Committee wish to place a mission in North Africa on a firm and good footing, so that with God's blessing it may be permanent.

Then the Committee wish it to be a year for printing and circulating a large number of copies of the Word of God among the Jews. These copies of the Scriptures, we trust, will find their way into parts where the Jews know

little of the Bible which was written by their forefathers.

There is also another kind of work which the Committee have in view in the disposal of the Jubilee Fund. This will consist, as far as the funds allow, of the building of Schools, Hospitals, Industrial Institutions, and other works of the like character. These are very important, and very much needed in many of our missions.

But now we come to the main point for the readers of "the Advocate." What are our juvenile friends to do on behalf of the Jubilee? In what way can they assist, and to which object should they contribute? We feel it to be important that there should be some special object for the young friends of the Jewish cause to take in hand. It will be pleasant for them to know that there is a particular thing to be done by them, on which all they give, and all that they collect, will be expended.

We had only time, in a "postscript" of the last number of "the Advocate," to mention what we had determined should be the object of " the Children's Jubilee Memorial." It will be, with the Lord's blessing, the building of a School-house at Constantinople. The size and character of this School-house will depend on the sums which may be contributed. On this will depend whether it is to be for boys and girls-or only