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Another question may be proposed. Might not Mr. Dewey, in the presence of his theological instructors, have avowed a belief, that Christians may lawfully make war, and destroy one another? Might he not even have boasted, that he had acted on this belief, and slaughtered twenty of his brethren-without incurring exclusion from the Seminary, or even a reproof from its Principal? How it might have been, in this case, we presume not to know; but it has been no uncommon thing for those who were most censorious in judging others for real or imaginary errours, which were not at all inconsistent with Christian love and the most blameless life, to be themselves advocates for the principles, the spirit, and the practice of war and violence. Such "blindness in part," or in

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whole, has often " happened" in Christendom.

Attack an article of faith, or a ceremony, which ignorance or party spirit has made "essential," and you will assuredly be censured, as unworthy of the name of a Christian. But you may, at the call of a misguided, or a profligate ruler, shed rivers of innocent blood, spread around you terrour, death, and wo; and be applauded in proportion to the crimes you commit, or to the mischief you occasion to others!

O! when will theological instructors learn that they are but men, as liable to err as others! that candour and benignity are essential ingredients of the Christian character, and infinitely to be preferred to censure and exclusion, as means of reclaiming the erroneous !

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

SOCIETIES FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS.

COMPARED With all preceding times, the present may be called, THE AGE OF BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

The societies known by different names, which fall under the general description of benevolent, have indeed various and distinct objects. But as rivers, which run in different directions, all meet and mingle in one com

mon ocean; so the various institutions for benevolent objects, all serve to swell the tide of human happiness.

There is perhaps no better method of healing the unhappy divisions among different sects of Christians, than that of diverting their attention from the comparatively unimportant points in which they differ, and fixing it

on objects of general benevolence, in which they can all unite, without any dereliction of their distinguishing tenets. The numerous institutions of a benevolent character, which embrace Christians without distinction of name, are eminently adapted to improve the hearts of individuals, to eradicate sectarian prejudices, to diminish party spirit,

and to unite in the bonds of mutual love and kindness, the pious and good of every denomination. With these views of the tendency of benevolent societies, we shall ever be happy in devoting the pages of the Christian Disciple, to give publicity to their proceedings with these views, we shall now present our readers with an account of an Institution of recent date, which has taken the name of "The Female Society of Boston and the vicinity, for promoting Christianity among

the Jews."

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ciety for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews. Having lately heard of your work, entitled, History of the Jews," which you have published in America, they cannot but feel a hope, that you will be interested in receiving an account of a society, which has for its object the temporal and eternal welfare of that long-neglected and persecuted people. They have, of their Reports, and such other therefore, sent you herewith a copy tracts as they conceive may be pleasing to you, of which they beg your acceptance. It is thought that an edition of your work in England would certainly sell, and be very useful. Should you have no objec tion to it, the Committee of the London Society would prepare an edition at their own printing-office. This would probably answer better than importing a quantity of copies from America; but on this subject we are anxious to hear your opinion. The Committee indulge a hope, that, when you become acceedings of the London Society, and quainted with the design and pro

with the success with which the God of Abraham has already blessed their efforts, you will not only unite with them in giving Him praise, but that you will be induced to use your influence in exciting your religious friends in America, to assist the cause, both by their prayers and contributions.

As the accompanying tracts will give you every necessary informa tion upon this important subject, I need not farther intrude upon you, except to subscribe myself, with every good wish,

Yours, Dear Madam,

Very faithfully,

C. S. HAWTREY, M. A.
Joint Secretary to the London
Society.

Please to direct your reply→

Rev. C. Hawtrey,

London Society House,
Spitalfields, London.

This letter was probably communicated to us for private inspection, but we venture to publish it, as an interesting document, which unfolds the circumstances that led to the formation of the Female Society in Boston. It was well adapted to its object, and some of its happy effects may be seen in what is to follow.

Constitution of the Female Society of Boston and the Vicinity, for promoting Christianity among the Jews. Instituted June 5, 1816.

Among the many predictions contained in the sure word of prophecy, which have enlivened the hearts and the prayers of Christians in every age, that portion which respects the ingathering of the Jews to the kingdom of the Messiah, bears an important part. These predictions remain yet to be accomplished, and the present signs of the times indicate that their fulfilment is nigh at hand. In consequence of the affecting representation of their situation, and the powerful motives for Christians to make some special exertions for their conversion, presented in a book written by Mr. Frey, entitled, "The Converted Jew," a number of ladies contributed, in July, 1815, the sum of $50, to be appropriated to this object. Finding these feeble exertions could do but little to effect this great design, and deeply anxious that some more efficient aid might be given to restore this once favoured people to the

knowledge of the true God and Saviour, it was agreed, in June, 1816, to form a society for this purpose; encouraged by the pleasing hope, that, while the branches grafted into the good olive-tree shall continue to flourish with increasing strength, and diffuse their healing fra grance throughout every realm, the great Husbandman of the vineyard will smile propitious on the efforts of his stewards, to restore the natural branches to their original stock.

With these impressions, a number of ladies met on the 5th of June, 1816; and, after supplicating the Throne of Grace for direction and a blessing, adopted the following

CONSTITUTION.

1. The name of this Association shall be, the Female Society of Boston and the Vicinity, for promoting Christianity among the Jews.

2. The officers of the society shall be a First and Second Direc tress, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer; to which shall be added, one Collector to every 25 subscribers, These officers and collectors together shall constitute the Board of Directors any two of the officers, with three collectors, shall form a quorum.

3. The annual meetings of the society shall be holden in Boston, the third Tuesday in May, at the hour and place the Directors shall appoint; at which time the Board of Directors shall be elected by ballot. Every meeting shall be opened with prayer.

4. The First Directress, or, in her absence, the Second Directress,

shall call meetings of the Directors at her discretion, and preside at the same; and the Board may fill any vacancy in their number which may occur, or elect any additional collector, if necessary, between the annual meetings.

5. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the foreign correspondence of the society, and keep a record of the same. The Recording Secretary shall give notice of all meetings of the society and of the board, and record the doings of the same; and shall prepare the Report of the Directors for the annual meeting. The Treasurer shall keep the names of all the members of the society, and shall designate to each collector the subscriptions to be collected by her; and shall keep an account of all monies she may receive from the collectors, or from any other source, to be holden subject to the order of the First or Second Directress, which shall be drawn from the treasury only by authority from the board. The Collectors shall severally keep an account with each member whose

subscription is assigned for her collection, pay all monies so received, to the Treasurer, and take her receipt for the same.

6. The funds of the society shall be applied for the promotion of Christianity among the Jews, and shall be appropriated to this object, according to the discretion of

the board.

7. Any person who shall subscribe these articles, and pay ten dollars, shall be a member for life; and any person subscribing and paying annually a sum not less than 52 cents, shall be a member so long as such subscription is paid.

8. Any alteration in these articles may be made, by the vote of twothirds of the members present at an annual meeting.

The Directors for the first Year are as follows:

MRS. ELIZABETH B. WINTHROP,
1st Directress.
MRS. MARGARET C. WELCH,
2d Directress.
MISS HANNAH ADAMS,
Cor. Secretary.

MISS AUGUSTA T. WINTHROP,
Rec. Secretary.
MRS. SARAH DUNN,
Treasurer.

Collectors.

Mrs. Susan Eaton. Mrs. Lucia G. Swett. Mrs. Susan Dorr. Mrs. Elizabeth Cummings. Mrs. Mary Bowers. Miss Harriet Moore. Miss Elizabeth Codman. Miss Catherine Scollay. Miss Elizabeth Rogers. Miss Sarah Dunn. Miss Maria Parker. Miss Charlotte Lane. Miss Frances Erving.

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The History of the Jews has been reviewed, with deserved approbation, in the Christian Observer. In aid of the object of the Female Society, Miss Adams has recently published a well written tract, entitled, A concise Account of the London Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews." This we recommend to the attention of our readers, as containing a more full account of the London Society than can at present be given in this work.

The Female Society, as we are authorized to state, already consists of a handsome number of subscribers; and they have already collected nearly one hun

dred pounds, to be sent to the London Society, besides fund ing the life subscriptions, which amount to $200. This surely is an auspicious beginning; and we cannot do less than to recommend the object of the society; as worthy of general attention.

That our readers may not view this object with indifference, we shall give some extracts from the Jewish Repository, of the speeches that were made at one of the meetings of the London Society. That the form of address may be understood, it will be proper to observe, that the Duke of Kent had become a patron of the society, and presided at the meeting. The names of the speakers will be given.

J

Mr. Stevens-"I shall next proceed to draw your Royal Highness's attention to that which is, in truth, the leading objection of the Jews, in every conversation which they have with Christians upon religious subjects; viz. That' as there are so many sects and denominations amongst the professors of Christianity, they should first settle their own differences, and then they might expect, with some degree of confidence, to prevail upon the Jews to embrace their system. To obviate this objection, and to induce the Jews to regard the professors of Christianity in a different way from those who have hitherto, attempted their conversion; to convince them, that the propagation of Christianity by fire and sword, by torture and deprivation of wealth, only exists in the Vol. IV. No. 8.

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memorial of former ages, and is become a tale of other times; to convince them, that there was no longer danger of having their teeth extracted one by one, till they had disgorged their wealth; and to convince them, that they might embrace Christianity, without losing the whole, or a moiety of their goods, as in the reign of Edward I.-were among the important objects for which THE LONDON SOCIETY WAS ESTABLISHED.

"The heart, appalled with the cruel treatment inflicted upon the Jews in every preceding age, in every country of the world, England not excepted, turns from the sickening view, to the contémplation of the brighter prospects which dawn on our hemisphere. The Jews may now see disciples of Jesus Christ exhibiting the traits of their Master's character; they may now see princes, peers, privy counsellors, clergy and laity of the established Church, unite' with the more excellent of all' other denominations, in exhibiting to the Jews this main fact, that Jesus was and is the true Messiah-He of whom Moses' and the prophets wrote. This, then, is our PALLADIUM! this is a fortress of impregnable strength! While we continue to act on this" principle, no human power can assail us with effect. Whenever this principle is violated, the walls of our castle, yea, the very keep itself will crumble into ruins."

Rev. Gerard Noel." There are two considerations, which make me look with the deepest

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