Story of Isaac Levinsohn: A Polish Jew

Since we first had the pleasure of publishing "The Story of Isaac Levinsohn," very many friends the wide world over, have written to ask us particulars about his subsequent career. We have therefore taken the opportunity, now that a further edition of the book is required to gather from various sources, information concerning our friend's work and service generally, since he was brought to a knowledge of Christ as his Savior.

The following pages tell how the Lord has led him right up to the present time. How He has kept him steadfast in the faith and true to the One Who called him out of darkness into light.

It is true, alas, that some, even of God's chosen people, who have professed faith in Christ, turn aside when persecution, or sometimes when prosperity comes; but our brother has gone on all these years steadily following the Lord, and is now probably more useful and has a wider influence for good than ever before.

We have been enabled to add a new photograph of himself to this issue, and also one of the late Dr. Stern, who after his captivity in Abyssinnia, and his rescue by our brave British Army, under Lord Napier of Magdala, proved such a friend and brother to the young convert to the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The letter from the Rev. William Cuff will be read with interest and also the communication of other good men, who have testified to the value of our friend's labors in recent years. There is now surely, an awakening amongst the "dry bones." For years and years God has been calling loudly to Israel and the veil has fallen from off the faces of many. Shall we not pray that my rinds more may have their eyes opened to see Christ as the Messiah; and follow in the train of grand and noble men like Saphir Edersheim, Ridley, Herschell, D. A. Herschell, Dr. Laseron, and a host of others, who were once like Isaac Levinsohn, blind to the glories of the Savior, but who eventually recognized Him as the Redeemer of their souls, and lived afterward lives fragrant with testimony to the value and worth of the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

In sending forth this new and enlarged edition of the work, we earnestly trust that God's blessing may rest upon it as hitherto, and that the perusal of it by fresh friends may lead very many more of God's people to pray constantly for

"THE TRIBES OF THE WANDERING FOOT.”

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It may be well to state that this edition is re-printed from stereo plates, but in later years for convenience of correspondence our friend has anglicized his name and subscribes himself "Levinson" instead of "Levinsohn.”

Dedicatory Note

To my revered and beloved Friend, the Rev. William Cuff, pastor of the Baptist Church, Shoreditch Tabernacle, ex-President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland.

More than twenty-five years ago a gracious Providence brought me into contact with you. I was then a youth with very few friends in this country. In those days I often felt lonely, and bewildered in the great metropolis of the world's mighty Empire. Young and inexperienced, I needed a friend to advise and guide me. Soon I found in you the friend of whom I stood in need. Through you I made the acquaintance of Men and books. You opened your large sympathetic heart to me. You gave me your hand and your heart.

You advised me what, and how to read, and what men to hear and know. It was at your suggestion I entered the Pastor's College. You introduced me to Charles Haddon Spurgeon. You opened your pulpit to me, a young Hebrew-Christian, when I was unknown to the Baptist Ministry. Your great congregations at the Tabernacle cheered and encouraged me to go forth and tell of what the Lord Christ had done for me! In your home you made me at home.

In those days I felt keenly the bitter pangs of being cut, off by my father, mother, sisters, and friends, through my faith in Christ, the Lord then gave me the happiness of the confidence and love of your whole family circle. What a sanctuary your study has been to me How you prayed and talked with me about divine things! In hours of mental struggle you helped to fortify my mind against doubt and establish me on the rock of truth. To you, more than to any living man, I am a debtor. Following your advice I gave up my secular calling for the Christian ministry. You afterward persuaded me to give myself to the work of the Evangelization of my Jewish brethren in connection with the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews. True friendship is heaven's precious gift. You are such a gift of God to me! I praise the name of the Lord for that friendship which has strengthened, cheered, and blessed me so much. May you long be spared to help, encourage and bless others as you have done me.

At the request of my friend, the publisher of the "Story of My Life," I beg to dedicate this new and enlarged edition to you, and have the honor to inscribe myself,

Your ever grateful and affectionate friend.

ISAAC LEVINSOHN.

Various letters of interest from Pastor C. H. Spurgeon, Pastor W. Cuff, and from many other well-known Christian friends, will be found at the end of the "Story,"

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“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."—Rom. 10:1

"Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?"—Rom. 11:12.

"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?"—Rom. 11:15.

"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob."—Rom. 11:26.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"—Rom. 11:33.

The Story of Isaac Levinsohn

CHAPTER 1

“What must I do to be Saved?”

I AM a native of Russia, and was born in the year 1855, in the town of Kovno. My parents were pious Jews, much devoted to the glory of God under the Jewish traditions. My father, fasted every Monday and Thursday, with the object of mortifying the flesh, and in order to justify himself before God, who has said, "Ye shall be holy; for I am holy" (Lev. 11:44), and "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God." (Deut. 18:13.)

It was my father's wish that his children should be brought up in the fear of God, and specially that his sons might be devout Jews. My elder brother did not wish to follow the desire of his father and become a Rabbi, as he preferred the study of foreign languages, science, and philosophy. He entered the college in Kovno, and finished his studies at Grodno.

Seeing his eldest son give so much time to the world did not at all satisfy my father, and he determined to bring me up a devout Jew, under the teaching of a Rabbi full of zeal and piety.

When I was five years of age, my father began to instruct me in Hebrew, that I might read the prayers of the Liturgy every morning, afternoon, and evening, and informed me that if I did what the Rabbi wished and obeyed him in all things, and also prayed three times a day, God would be very pleased with me.

The idea that God would be very pleased sank deep into my heart. I tried to do everything that my parents, and especially my Rabbi, wished me to do, respecting the great law in the Bible, "Honor thy father and thy mother," and also the words of the Oral law, "The fear of the Rabbi is as the fear of the Lord.”

When eight years of age, I could read any part in the Hebrew Bible, the Targum, and the great Rabbi Rashi's Comments on the Bible. My Rabbi began also to instruct me in the Talmud, and gradually led me to give up reading the Bible, as he considered the study of the Talmud more important. My whole time was devoted to studying with him in his house, for I was the only pupil he had undertaken to bring up and instruct in the Rabbinic doctrines.

On my tenth birthday, my father invited a few of his learned friends, with the Rabbi who was my teacher, and three others, to examine me. They were to give their judgment as to my qualifications for becoming a minister. The examination was passed through to their satisfaction, which so pleased my father that he gave a dinner to the poor of the synagogue, and asked them to pray to God on my behalf. He also promised me fifty rubles on my thirteenth birthday if I succeeded well in another examination. All this made me more earnest than ever in living a holy life.

About this time serious questions began to arise in my heart, and I asked myself, What is really the Word of God? and, after some reasoning, I came to the conclusion that the Bible must be the book given by God. So I asked the Rabbi if I could devote a little more time to its perusal. But he wished me to occupy myself solely in Talmudic study. However, I spent one hour every night before going to bed, and two hours every morning before prayers, in perusing the Bible alone. When my thirteenth birthday approached, I was instructed in the articles of the Jewish faith. The Rabbi told me that as soon as I reached thirteen I should be regarded as a man, and should have to be responsible for my sins before our God, Jehovah. This great thought of responsibility for sins filled my mind with solemn thoughts, and led me to inquire earnestly, "What must I do to be saved?”

At the age of twelve years and eleven months, my father took me to the synagogue, and informed me that all the sins I had committed were upon him; but for all the sins I committed from my thirteenth birthday, I should be responsible before God. I entreated him to continue to bear my sins for two or three months longer, as I was afraid that I should very soon sin against the Holy One. But he told me this could not be done. Then I cried bitterly, being perfectly certain that it was an utter impossibility for me to live a perfect life.

The infinite holiness and purity of the great Creator, and the depravity of man's heart, convinced me that there was nothing in me but sin. But there was no way open: my father said I must undertake the responsibility of my sins before God, so I undertook it, and confess that after that day I felt the burden very heavy.

My thirteenth birthday came, and my father took me-to the synagogue, where he offered me to the Lord, with prayer, according to the Jewish custom, and thanked God that he was no longer responsible for my sins.

On the same day he invited the Rabbi to his house with several elders of the congregation to examine me in what I had learned since my tenth birthday. They expressed their belief that the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had called me to the ministry of the Jewish faith, but I rejoice to know that the God of grace had a better office and much greater honor for me—namely, to be a servant of His in the vineyard of Christ, and to be a prince before the Most High, and to reign with Christ forever. My father and the Rabbi then put their hands upon me, and blessed me, saying, "God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh." (Gen. 48:20) The promised present of the rubles was given me, and was distributed among the poor of the synagogue, who were asked to pray for me.

The next day I put on my phylacteries, and went to the synagogue to pray, and was very careful in my prayers, which lasted nearly two hours. But I was weary, and, when putting the phylacteries together after prayers, I dropped them upon the floor. So I fasted for twelve hours, and did so with satisfaction, thinking it was pleasing to God.

About this time I began to be much concerned about justification before God. I felt that none of my good works could really justify me before the Holy One, and solemn thoughts about eternity filled my mind. My mother noticed my seriousness, and asked what had happened. I fell on her neck, kissed her, and wept bitterly for some time. "Mother," I said, "I am afraid God will not be satisfied with my goodness, and if death should summon me, I shall be unworthy to stand before Him.”

She assured me that if I continued to study the Talmud, obeyed the orders of my Rabbi, and did all that my rather wished me to do, praying three times a day, I should be saved. But her answer did not satisfy my soul.

Some weeks passed, during which I continued to study the Talmud, under the instruction of my teacher. On one occasion he asked what it was that made the very great difference in me since my thirteenth birthday, so I told him that, since I had become responsible for my sins, I felt that I should never be justified before God, and was often troubled with the fear of death. Crying most bitterly, I said, "Rabbi, if I should die, where should I go?”

His reply was, "You will be punished for your sins first;" and informed me that everyone must go to hell for a time; but that the good would, after punishment, enter paradise, and be with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I asked my father if he knew any way by which I might be saved, but he could give me no better answer than my teacher. Fear of death increased still more, and I went on for some time, downcast and sorrowful.

Chapter 2

Searching for Satisfaction

MY trouble of mind was such that my father desired me to give up study, and, instead, to enter upon some business pursuit. I found employment in an office, but, after some months, was constrained to tell my father and the Rabbi that I could not continue in any other work than the service of God.

This pleased them much, so I began again to study the Bible every morning and evening. With much surprise I read these words of the Psalmist, "There is none that doeth good, no, not one" (53:3). This made me perfectly sure I should never go to heaven. Even the Bible informs me so, I said, for I am not righteous.

I went again to my mother, begging her to tell me "what to do to be saved." She cried bitterly, and replied, "It will be well with you, if you continue in the Written and the Oral laws.”

After months of misery and despair, I became very ill and sank into despondency. In vain I sought to feel that the God of our fathers was my God and Father, and to realize His Fatherly love.

The physician who visited me thought my recovery “doubtful!" Upon hearing this my mother fell upon my bed and, with bitter lamentations, kissed me, saying, "My dear, I remember you asked me several times what to do to be saved; you also told me you were afraid to die because of your sinner ship before God. How do you feel now?”

With all the energy left me I replied, "I am lost! I am lost!" Then, lifting up my hands and heart to the Lord, I said with the Psalmist: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law" (119:18), and fell back exhausted. I was very near death, and unable to speak for several days and nights.

The Rabbi and others came to see me, and, thinking it would be the last time, engaged in prayer, and repeated many Psalms of David, a custom generally practiced in houses of sickness.

Being, able to speak a little, I said, "Pray that the Lord may open my eyes, that I may know the God of our fathers as my God, and it shall suffice me.”

The Lord heard my prayer; I began to recover, and after a few weeks was restored to health.

Then I told my father that I must leave my native land and search for, if possibly I could find, that for which my soul longed. His wishes to the contrary were of no avail, and it is impossible for me to express the determination which filled my mind.

One night, while reading the Gemara, I fell asleep, when, suddenly awaking, these words of Genesis 12:1 —"Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee"-applied themselves to me, in such a way, that I could not possibly shake them off. So I said to my father that, with or without his permission, I must go; adding, "If I die, I die! but go I must!" Upon this he consented, praying that wherever I went the God of Israel might be with me.

This was in July, 1871. My father invited several friends and relations to his house, to see me before I left my home, and to join in persuading me to remain. It was a heartbreaking time, but I could only say, If I cannot go, I cannot, must not, live! Upon which all began to comfort me, and to wish me success in my journey. I was then sixteen years of age.

The morning of my departure came, and many assembled to bid me farewell! In the afternoon we started to the railway station some five miles off, about one hundred people following us.

The eyes of my beloved mother were dim with tears, and her tenderness of heart, and the thought that I should never meet with anyone in this world with such love, filled me with grief. My father, as he bade me farewell, put his hands upon my head, and said, "May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob, our fathers, keep and preserve thee near to His holy word, the Bible, and to the holy writings of our holy Rabbis," and I replied, "Amen and Amen.”

The train started. The assembled friends, with my most beloved father, and mother, who had a babe in her arms, lifted up their hands, and from the railway carriage I saw my mother faint away. Never shall I forget that time. I, too, fell upon the floor of the carriage fainting, but was revived by the people around; then, whilst sitting in the carriage, I lifted up my voice, and prayed unto the Lord to take me in His arms, and be my Father, Mother, Brother, and Friend, yea, my All in all.

The train brought me to the small town, Verbelow, on the Russian frontier. The boundary of Russia is here marked by a wide ditch full of water, some parts of which are shallow, while others are deep, and no one is allowed to cross the boundary, unless by permission from the Government. It is the law of Russia, that whoever wishes to leave the country, must have a special passport from the chief governor of the province, and no passports are granted to young men who are not likely to return, especially if it is probable they will be wanted for the military conscription. I had no permission. When evening came on I entered the house of a Jew, and requested to, be allowed to stay there the night, but the house was very small, and there was no room. They asked if I would go upon the roof to sleep, which I was glad to do.

About six o'clock in the morning, I got up, and started on my way, looking wistfully at the boundary, and at the soldiers on duty, who shoot anyone attempting to cross without permission. I hid in a cornfield, and watched the soldiers for some time, and to my joy found they had not noticed me. I took off my boots, that I might run the more quickly, and when the soldiers had gone a few yards in the opposite direction, ran with all my speed, crossed the broad ditch, and hid myself in the cornfield on the other side. Then the soldiers caught sight of me, and fired, but I ran on through the cornfield, and escaped.

By-and-by I came to a small village in Germany, where I took the train to Konigsberg. In the carriage, a young man introduced himself to me, and appeared to be polite. We were alone, and I was weary and fell asleep. As the train neared the station, I heard the door shut, and found the young man had jumped out of the carriage. He had picked my pockets. I informed the station-master what had happened, who immediately sent off half a dozen gendarmes to search for him, and in a very short time, back came a gendarme with the thief bound on his horse. The culprit had been found sitting under a tree, counting out the money from my purse!

Having regained my money, I proceeded to Konigsberg, where I stayed a few weeks, but my soul found no satisfaction there.

From Konigsberg I went to Berlin, and wrote to my parents. My father replied, wishing me God's blessing, and hoping that I should not go farther away.

In Berlin, I obtained a situation as junior clerk, but as the Jews in Germany are not very pious, nor so particular in their rites and worship as the Jews of Russia and Poland, I wrote to my father, informing him that I must leave that country.

“My darling child," he replied, “I cannot tell how we feel for you. Every day your mother sheds tears, and laments because our Isaac is not with us. Dear child, we should be very thankful and unspeakably happy if you would return home. Your mother says, since her dear child has gone, the joy and comfort of her heart has departed from her.... For God's name sake, keep the commandments very strictly—the Oral and Written laws. May they be the object of your life, and your near companions. Try and keep your phylacteries perfect. And may the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob, be with you. Amen. Adieu, adieu, adieu.”

My answer was, that I felt it was not the will of God that either I should stop in Germany or return to Russia. Since leaving home, I wrote, I had not had one happy hour, but every night bitterly lamented the comforts left behind. But still, my letter continued, on I must go, a long journey, till the God of our fathers should satisfy my soul, adding, "Dear mother, I shall never forget you! Yea, I cannot help thinking of you every moment, and shall ever do so.”

I left Berlin for Hamburg on foot, desiring to see Germany. After walking three or four hours, I overtook two young men—one a Pole, the other a Prussian —who said they were traveling to England, but intended seeing Germany, Saxony, Hanover, Brunswick, and Austria first, and with them I journeyed.

Having no passports, we were not permitted to lodge anywhere, for the French and German war had only recently ended, and the inhabitants were very particular; so we slept in cornfields, or woods, or cemeteries, and often lay down weary and tired, to get up drenched with rain.

One day we came to a wood, and while I was asleep, my companions stole the money out of my pockets, took away my bundle of clothes from under my head, and left me.

Not having money nor change of clothes, I did not know what to do, and, as I lifted up my face heavenward, cried unto the Lord, "Lead me in Thy truth.”

For several hours I walked straight on. Then the night came, and I was alone, weary and hungry. On, on I went in the darkness, weeping and praying, till I saw a light shining in the distance; it was a very long way off, and looked very small. I kept it before my eyes for about two hours, and then came to it. It was a candle in the window of a farmhouse.

In answer to my knock an old lady opened the door, asking who I was. "I am a poor Jew boy, going to England; I am hungry and weary; I think I am dying," was my reply, and, as it was the house of a Jew, she welcomed me in, gave me food, and a bed to sleep on, and in the morning set me on my way.

I hastened to the nearest village, which was about eighteen miles off. The piece of bread, which the kind old lady had given me was eaten, and, after some hours walking, I entered a large forest. There I met an old man, and asked him if he would give me a piece of bread. He did so with pleasure, but the bread was buttered, and, as a Jew, I would not eat butter made by Christians; so I was obliged to refuse his bounty, and had to go on, hungry as I was.

After walking for about four hours more, I lost my way, and lay down in the forest, and fell asleep. When I awoke the night had come on, and I was alone in the darkness.

Chapter 3

Finds a Friends

UPON finding myself alone in the forest, I reflected upon the comforts of home, and began to think that leaving it had been but the folly of my wicked heart, and cried bitterly to the God of my fathers to take away my life. The more I lamented and prayed, the more did darkness, fear, and misery enter my soul, till, overcome with weariness, I fell asleep.

Then, in my dreams, I saw my dearly loved mother seeking me, and in agitation awoke. Though it was still night, I could lie no longer under the tree, but started on my journey. After wandering about for some time, the day began to break, and this cheered me. In a few hours, I reached a village, and asked if any Jews lived there.

The people told me all the inhabitants were Christians, and most of them Roman Catholics. "I am a poor Jew boy," said I, "traveling to a far country. I have been robbed both of my money and spare clothes, and am perishing with hunger." Immediately the kind villagers offered me meat and bread, which I received with many thanks, but, while holding the food in my hand, reasoned thus with myself, "Shall I be justified in eating bread and meat given by Gentiles?" Then the Rabbi's instructions, together with my parents' words, came to my remembrance, and I begged the pardon of the villagers, and returned the gift, saying, "As I am a Jew, and believe in Jehovah, the God of Abraham, I dare not eat the food." This incensed the people, and the man, on whose threshold I stood, pushed me out of his house. What was I to do? I determined to destroy myself.

Ten miles off the village, lies the town of Wittemberg; I took the road to it. On the way I saw a large tree, and resolved to hang myself on it, and end my misery. With this thought in my heart, these solemn words flashed before me: "He that is hanged is accursed of God" (Deut. 21:23), and filled me with terror. I cried to Jehovah to be gracious to me, and to save me from my distress and trouble; and He heard, for these words entered my soul: "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Josh. 1:5), and again, "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear." (Isa. 59:1.) Thus encouraged, I went on my way, with the assurance that God was listening to my prayers.

Approaching Wittemberg, my strength almost failed me, for I had eaten nothing since the previous day, and had been walking many miles. On inquiring where the Jews dwelt, I was directed to the Rabbi; he gave me food, and sent me to several Jews, who at once helped me.

Before leaving the town I explained my difficulties to the Rabbi, and besought him to bless me. He asked me several questions, and then put his hands upon my head and pronounced the blessing: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Num. 6:24-26.) Overjoyed at having obtained his blessing, I went on my journey.

In the evening I reached a small village, and applied for a night's lodging, but having no passport, my application was refused. It was raining in torrents, and during the night I walked about the fields. The town I wished to reach was about three days' journey off. After traveling for a long time I could still see no house, but only a cemetery. Here I lay down upon a grave, and took off my wet coat to let it dry in the sunshine, and imprudently hung it upon a tombstone. There were a few thalers in the pocket, which had been given me in Wittemberg. Being exhausted I soon fell into a heavy sleep, and dreamed again of my mother. She came to me as I slept upon the grass, and besought me thus: "My child, my child, come to me! see your nice soft bed at home!”

I awoke, and found, to my amazement, I had been sleeping for nearly a whole day, for it was night time. In vain I tried to find my coat, seeking for it in the dark, up and down the cemetery; then I lay down upon another tombstone, and so spent the remainder of the night. In the morning I resumed my search, but fruitlessly, and concluded that some passer-by had stolen it during my sleep the previous day.

I was much ashamed at going on without a coat, and the more so, as my clothes were dirty and ragged through the rough usage to which I had been subjected; however, I could but go forward, thinking step by step of my father's house and the comforts there.

After a time I came to a small town, where, as usual, I inquired for the Jews, and was directed to a certain house. The servant would not let me enter, for I was to all appearance a beggar, but the master saw me, and came to the door and bade me come in. Then I burst into tears, for, as I thought of my parents, it went hard to my heart to be regarded as a beggar. I asked the good man of the house if he would give me something to eat; and this he did, saying nothing, but looking very earnestly at me.

After some moments he left me, but soon to return accompanied by his wife, who also looked hard into my face. He then asked if my father's name was Lion Levinsohn.

“Yes," I answered; "and my mother's name is Brainah.”

Then they made many inquiries as to my family, and having heard the answers, the lady burst into tears, and brought her children to see me, and they too wept. "I know your father and mother well," said the gentleman, "for he saved my life in 1863, during the Polish revolution.”

They were natives of Poland, and had been persecuted and imprisoned in the revolution, but, at my father's instigation, had been released from prison in Kovno on bail, for he was well acquainted with the governor of the prison and the chief of the police. Having obtained their release, my father induced them to leave Russia, and when they were called for, he paid their bail.

“You shall have good clothes at once, and shall be as happy as my own son," said Mr. A., and I was clothed, and fed, and made at home.

This was on the eve of the Sabbath, and, dressed in good clothes, I went with the whole family to worship in the synagogue. After the service we returned to an ample supper, and I was asked to offer the prayer and praise, according to the Jewish prayer book.

In this gentleman's house I stayed a few days, and thence wrote to my parents, telling them of all that had befallen me.

My father, addressing me as his "dear and soul-beloved child Isaac," replied as follows:—" We received your letter on the eve of the Sabbath. I assure you we did not enjoy any rest on that Day of Rest. As we came from the synagogue, instead of sitting down at the table, and celebrating the Sabbath, we all sat down and read your letter, and wept very bitterly. Your beloved mother fainted several times, as we were speaking about our precious child. My son, since you left us, all things seem to be against us. In fact, in whatever your mother and I attempt to do we fail, for our hearts are overwhelmed with trouble to think that you should suffer so much from poverty and hunger, whilst we have good houses and our servants never want anything, for which we thank the Holy One—blessed be His Name.

“My darling child, I shall be happy indeed if you would think of me, your father, and your mother, sisters, and brothers, and come back home. Then you will make us happy, and you will be happy too. You know how I longed to have you remain in Russia, and be perfectly trained and educated to become a Rabbi, and yet my hopes have gone. Your sister, Meitta Esther, asks me to beg of you to return, and also your little brother continually cries and asks when his good and sweet brother Isaac will come home. Indeed, my child, when they all cry bitterly for your return, I cry with them.”

What was I to do? I thought of the trouble through which I should have to pass in order to reach England, yet I felt that I must go on, till the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would visit me; so I told my parents I felt I must travel much further, until I could find the satisfaction my soul longed for. I was sure that the Jewish was the only true religion that could save a soul, but I also felt certain that the great God was too holy to look upon so great a sinner as I, adding, I was determined, even if I traveled through the whole world, to seek satisfaction for my soul.

Mr. A., at whose house I found so kind a home, entreated me to remain with him, but I resolved to recommence my travels. Then he begged me to accompany him to the Rabbi of the town, in order that he might bless me, and we visited him.

The Rabbi asked me what had induced me to leave my native land, and requested me to stay with him, hoping that I should find the satisfaction of heart I sought. I told him of my fear of death, hell, and judgment, and said if he could do anything to drive it away I should be happy indeed-happier than the greatest king on the throne-and then asked him the same question I had put to my parents, and the Rabbi in Russia, "What must I do to be saved?”

"You must obey the holy law given us by God, through His servant, our lord Moses," he answered; "and, if you observe all the precepts of the law, it will save you.”

"Dear Rabbi, all this I have done with all my heart and power, but the more I do, the more fears and terrors of death I have! Something tells me in my heart that all that will never justify me before God.”

Finding he could not persuade me, the Rabbi told Mr. A. he thought that hard study in Russia had injured my brain, and that I was going mad.

Overhearing the remark, I replied, "Very likely it may be so; nevertheless, I must travel all over the world until I find a cure for my soul.”

The Rabbi then placed his hands upon my head, and pronounced a blessing, but so softly was it spoken that I could not hear a word.

I had no thought whatever, at that time of distress, that there is a good Physician—One who can heal the leprous soul! The name of Jesus Christ was an abomination to me. Little did I know then how He gives satisfaction to the soul, and delivers them, who through fear of death, are all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Upon leaving his house, my kind friend, Mr. A., presented me with a purse full of thalers, and plenty of good clothes, and told me to write to him if I wanted help or money, adding that nothing would be too hard for him to do for me out of regard for the great kindness of my father to him in years gone by; and, with his generous help and promises, I bade farewell to him and his household, and started on my journey towards Hamburg.

Chapter 4

Persecuting “Christians”

IN order that I might have money enough to live upon for a little time, and also sufficient in hand to pay my passage to England, I started for Hamburg on foot. I thought I should not suffer as before, but found, on my way through woods and fields, to my bitter experience, that money is not everything! Often, walking in the darkness through forests, I could get nothing to eat, and sometimes, for days together, I lived upon the fruit and berries I gathered on my way.

One morning, after having walked nearly the whole of the night, I came near a village, and sat down under a plum-tree by the roadside. As I ate of its fruit, suddenly four great, rough fellows came up, and, saying I had no business there, the tree being theirs, they seized hold of me and declared they would have me imprisoned! Seeing I was a foreigner, they guessed I had money about me, and one of them, drawing out his knife, threatened to kill me. They robbed me of all I had, and I ran off to save my life.

” Can there be a God, who sees all my troubles, and yet is silent?" my heart whispered, and for a time I really began to think "There is no God, for otherwise how could He let me sink down into this misery?”

On reaching the village, I asked, as usual, if any Jews lived there. To my sorrow I was told no; but a man kindly gave me some bread, and directed me to a town, which could be reached in about eight hours' walking, where he said I should find many Jews.

Sometimes three or four days would pass by without my seeing a Jew, and had it not been harvest-time I must have perished with hunger. I have lived whole days upon apples, and when going through potato fields have gathered together a few sticks and straw, and baked some. I also got an earthen pot, in which I placed sufficient potatoes for one or two meals, and cooked them on the road. Thanks to the German highways, with their beautiful fruit-trees on either side, I have been able to refresh myself, and sometimes to get quite a good meal.

On leaving the village, I was badly bitten by a fierce dog, and the wound bled so much, that had there been any Jews in the village I would have returned; but I preferred the pain to asking Gentiles or Christians for help, and, looking up to heaven, I cried out that God was too severe on me.

After walking for about three hours, my wound bleeding, and being very faint with hunger and pain, I was again tempted to destroy myself. I tore my waistcoat in half, and looked out for a tree where I could hang myself, and thus end my misery. On reaching the tree I said my prayers according to the Jewish prayer-book, when, looking up, I saw the boughs laden with apples. I forgot my wretchedness, climbed the tree, and ate the fruit; then, sitting down, rested under its shadow, repeating the words of Solomon, "I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.”

Being weakened by the loss of blood, I was not able to pursue my journey, and remained under the tree during the night. Early in the morning I started off to the town, and on arriving there went to the synagogue, where I fainted from hunger. The Jews came around me, gave me restoratives, and inquired who I was, to which I answered, "Pray first give me something to eat; please ask no questions.”

Then they took me to the house of a Jew, where every comfort surrounded me. Here I fell ill; the benevolent Jews did all in their power to restore me to health, and by their kind nursing, with God's help, I was soon well again.

Though still weak, I determined to proceed, and, after walking a few hours, rested for the night in a cornfield, where I slept comfortably. In the morning the farmer came to see his corn, and I told him how I was situated. He very kindly offered me meat, cheese, bread, and butter, but, while being most grateful, I was unable to receive the bounty as I was a Jew.

After proceeding a day's journey, I found I had left my phylacteries in the corn-field, so I walked back all through the night, and reached the place again in the morning. The farmer was not there, but a number of men were at work in the field. I asked them if they had found my phylacteries. They did not understand what I meant, and concluded I was mad. Then they swore at me, cursed me, and cried, "Be off, be off, or we will hang you, as did your wicked brethren, the Jews, hang Jesus Christ," and they set dogs at me, till I fell almost fainting on the ground. These people were rough, low Roman Catholics.

The farmer came to my help, lifted me up, and revived me. As I retraced my steps, I made up my mind not to go near a Christian, and, whenever I had the opportunity, to blaspheme the Christian's religion; indeed, at that time it would have given me great pleasure to have shed the blood of Christians. I prayed God to deliver me from the hands of cruel men, and to bring me into a land where I could enjoy the liberty of the true religion of Judaism, and have the power to persecute Christians as they had persecuted me.

My hatred towards Christians increased more and more—so much so that I would pass villages in which there were no Jews without stopping, and I have gone from twenty-eight to thirty hours without food, rather than touch the gift of a Christian. My only means of subsistence was potatoes and fruit, which I pulled up or gathered on the roadside.

At last I came to a small town where a Rabbi lived, and he helped me and set me on my way for Hamburg, which was distant some days' journey. I reached a small town about twelve miles from Hamburg at nine o'clock, one very wet evening, and inquired at an inn if any Jews lived in the town. There were none, and I then begged the innkeeper to let me sit in his house during the night, as I was wet and hungry, and was too weary to walk any further. The innkeeper was a Roman Catholic, and, seeing I was a Jew, he declared he would show no kindness to any of that accursed people, and commanded me to leave his house at once.

I then went to the police station, and asked leave to remain there through the night. The inspector ordered that I should be put in a cell, and bade me rest there.

When the morning came I found the cell was locked up, and no answer came to my knocking at the door. At length the jailer came and said, "What is it you want? You are imprisoned, and cannot be released until the judge give you your freedom.”

"I have done nothing," said I, but no answer was given me. Presently bread and gruel were brought, and I ate the bread, but did not touch the gruel, since it was cooked by Gentiles. Prison clothes were put on me, and there seemed no escape.

Sunday came, and I was ordered to attend church, but refused, saying I was a Jew.

Then the head jailer, or chief officer, struck me on the face several times, and said very roughly, "You must obey the orders you receive.”

I replied, in German, "I shall not go to church by anyone's orders; it is against my religion. I hate the churches of Christians, and I hate the Christian religion," adding that I was a Russian subject, and should appeal to the Russian consul. “If I have done anything worthy of imprisonment, prove it. I have committed no fault, and you have no right to punish me.”

"If you are a Jew," said the man, "you are not worthy of being found in a Christian church," and he left me.

After being kept eight days in the cell I was released, and subsequently found that the inspector had done all this just to amuse his household!

On regaining my liberty I took an oath never, if I could help it, to speak to a Christian, nor to help one, even if I saw him perishing.

When close to Hamburg, a gendarme stopped me, and brought me to a kind of barracks, where some of his comrades were lounging about. They asked me where I was going. When I told them to England, and said I was a Russian, they laughed at me, and one of them, who seemed to be intoxicated, drew his sword and said, "You are a Frenchman; I will kill you.”

I made no answer, and left them to do as they pleased. There was no one to help me. I thought God had forgotten me, and that I must perish at the hands of the Gentiles, and earnestly prayed God either to take away my life, or to save me from these troubles, and to satisfy my soul.

Seeing my misery, the gendarmes amused themselves by threatening my life, and otherwise tormenting me, till I fell upon the ground, crying bitterly to Jehovah, "Eli, Eli, lamah, azabtani?" (the Hebrew of Psa. 22:1)—"My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”

Chapter 5

Experience among the Jews in Hamburg

HAVING tired themselves with persecuting me, the gendarmes turned me out of the barracks, and I hastened on towards Hamburg. Arriving in that city, I was astonished at the multitudes of people walking hither and thither in the crowded streets. For a while I felt lost, knowing neither where to go nor what to do.

I was more lonely and desolate, if possible, in the city than I had been in the country. Oh! how I wished I had never been born, and again I cursed my day. Lamenting and crying, I paced the streets; no one looked upon me, and, reaching a large field, near the railway station, I wandered about it till utterly exhausted. Hungry and weary, without a friend near me in the world, I felt I was without the protection of God in heaven.

As I lamented my misery, a lady, with a little child, drew near, and asked me what my trouble was.

"I am very hungry, madam," I replied.

"Wait a little," she said, "and I will bring you something to eat.”

"Alas, I am a Jew, madam, and therefore am not permitted to eat anything made by Christians," I answered.

The lady then most kindly gave me a few marks, and also presented me with the address of a Jewish hotel. Once more the dark cloud lifted, and I felt God was merciful to me, even through the hand of a Gentile.

Before going to the hotel I determined to obtain a pair of phylacteries to replace those lost in the cornfield; for it is a matter of great importance to the Jews that every male above thirteen years of age should possess these sacred articles. Finding my way to the synagogue, I applied there for them, and my request was not in vain—a kind Jew gave me a pair at once.

In possessing again these necessaries for my devotions, my heart was filled with gratitude, and I proceeded at once to the hotel; but on arriving there, such was my poverty, that I was ashamed to enter. At last I asked permission to lodge there for the night. The manager inquired for my passport, but I had none, and could show him nothing, save my phylacteries and fringes. Finding these were perfect according to Jewish law, he came to the conclusion that I was to be trusted: added to which I prepaid my night's lodging.

In the evening I attended the synagogue, so that I might engage in public prayer with the minion (a company of not less than ten men) according to the ordinances. When in the synagogue I was most thankful to God for enabling me to reach Hamburg, and for inclining my heart to enter His sanctuary; but I was bitterly disappointed to find the mincha service over, and hence that there would be no minion in which I could engage that evening. In order to obtain the necessary number of worshippers for the minion, I went out into the street, and asked several Jews who passed by if they had already prayed, and besought those who had not done so to enter the synagogue, and engage in the service. Several came in, in response to my request—some twenty-five—and thus my desire to engage in the service was fulfilled. After the mincha was over, I remained in the synagogue till the third service (the maarive) should be celebrated. While sitting alone in the sacred building, I looked eastward and gazed upon the holy ark (Ha-aron Hakkodesh), over which the beautiful veil hung, having marked on it in letters of gold the wonderful word JEHOVAH. I washed my hands, drew near, and kissed the veil, closing my eyes, and praying in the Hebrew tongue to the Lord to be merciful to me:—"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high, unto God that performeth all things for me." (Psa. 57:1, 2.)

As I was earnestly repeating this psalm again and again, the words of verse 10—"For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the clouds"—especially impressed themselves upon me, and I began to pray that God would reveal His mercy and truth to me. Still I could not realize that His mercy was exercised to me; for the language of the law—"obey or perish"—was graven on my soul. What should I say unto God? There was something at that hour of which I felt ignorant, though I was convinced God would hear my prayer and satisfy my mourning soul.

Presently the congregation began to arrive in order to celebrate the service (the maarive, in which I joined, and, when it was over, I went to my lodgings. A pleasant little room had been provided for me, for which I was truly grateful; but, on entering it and looking round, I found no mzuzah on the door post. The mzuzah is a small box or case containing a piece of parchment, upon which are written some passages of the law of Moses, and, according to Jewish law, it should be placed upon the door post of the room. (See Deut. 11:20.) So I begged to be allowed to sleep in a room which had a mzuzah, and was given a room having a very nice one on the door post.

I heartily thanked the manager of the hotel for allowing me to change rooms; and, kissing the mzuzah several times, I said my prayers, thanking God for His goodness, and then fell asleep.

From Hamburg I wrote to my father as follows:—

"I never forget the happiness I used to enjoy at home. I well remember when I used to think that I was the happiest lad in the world, but since I left you, my beloved father, I have not had one hour of happiness. Sorrow and bitter trials have been my portion, and I dare say that such will be my lot till I shall be taken to the grave. I pray to God continually that He may satisfy my soul, but I never feel satisfied. The more I pray, the more wretched and miserable I feel.

“Beloved father, I really do not know what to think of religion. You used to tell me that our God hears the prayers of those that call unto Him, and, I must say, I continually pray, but, to my sorrow, God has turned away His ear from hearing me. One thing, my dear father, that I should like you to do for me is, to ask my old Rabbi to pray, and I hope that if you, and the Rabbi, and my beloved mother will pray for me, the Lord may hear your prayers for the sake of your good merits.

"My dear father, I hope you will not be troubled in your mind about my trials, for I am determined to go all over the world till I find that which alone can satisfy me. I know you may think it strange of me to say such things, but I cannot help it. I hope to hear from you soon, for I don't expect to stay here very long.”

And thus did my father reply:—

"My soul-beloved child, Isaac,—I assure you that your mother and I do not know what to do. I really cannot understand why the Lord should deal with us in so strange a way. I have had my troubles in life, but never did I think that I should have such troubles as I now have. It breaks my heart to think that you, my flesh and blood, who was the comfort of my soul, whom I hoped to see happy, should suffer so much as you do. Since you left us your mother and myself have not enjoyed one complete night's sleep. Only last night, about twelve o'clock, I suddenly awoke, because of your mother's crying and lamenting as she dreamed about you in her sleep. In a word, let me tell you that the whole of our family are continually lamenting because of your extraordinary troubles.

“I hope, my dear child, that the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, will guide you, and satisfy your soul. Accept your father's and mother's love. Your brothers, Joshua Hessel, Jonah Abel, and your sister, Meitta Esther, send their love to you. Even your little sister, Golda Tzipa, often repeats, Isaac, Isaac,' and cries because you are not with us.

“Let me leave you in the hands of God. I hope that you will try and have always your phylacteries perfect, also your fringes (tzizes). I remain, beloved Isaac,

"Your very affectionate parent, LION LEVINSOHN.

“I propose that your mother and brothers and sisters should sign their names for you to remember them:—

“Your beloved mother, BRAINAH LEVINSOHN.

"Your affectionate brother,

JOSHUA HESSEL LEVINSOHN.

"Your affectionate sister,

MEITTA ESTHER LEVINSOHN.

“Your brother, Jonah Abel, as he is too young to write, makes a sign,

“Your little sister, Golda Tzipa does the same,

This letter filled me with concern lest my parents should break their hearts for me, and I determined not to refer to my circumstances again, neither to let them know more of my sufferings.

My father also put me in communication with the ruler of the synagogue, to whom he had sent money on my behalf, and he gave me forty thalers, with which I bought some good clothes and replaced my ragged garments. When I returned to the hotel comfortably attired the people looked surprised, and they treated me quite as a different person from what they had done when I was in my worn-out attire.

One day, as 1 took my afternoon walk, I met a young man wandering about in a very dejected state. I pitied him much, having been in poverty myself a few days previously. He said he had come from the town of Kovno, Russia, the same town that I had come from myself, but his family I did not know.

Moved with compassion towards him, I invited him to the hotel, ordered dinner, and asked the manager to let him lodge there. The young man also expressed a desire to go to England, which pleased me, for I thought he would be a suitable companion for me, so I gave him five thalers to buy new clothes.

We became quite affectionate friends; went together to the synagogue, and I was much pleased to find him very earnest in his prayers. I felt more and more attached to him, and looked upon him as my own brother, saying, "My happiness shall be your happiness, your trouble my trouble." The manager allowed us to share one room; and the more I knew of this young man, the more my affection seemed to increase toward him.

Imagine then my horror one morning when I arose, and could not find any of my clothes! even my boots were gone. I opened my pack, and discovered all I had possessed was gone. I had been robbed of my money, and was almost naked.

Hearing my lamentation, the manager came up. He was amazed when he saw my plight, and did not know what to think, but said my "friend" had left the house early in the morning with a large parcel. To console me the manager got me some old clothes, and promised all the help he could.

Chapter 6

Efforts in Hamburg to earn money to get to England

MY object being to reach England, now that I had respectable clothes, I engaged myself to work in order to save up some money for the journey. First I became servant to the manager of the hotel, but the visitors gave me nothing, and as my lodgings only, and no food was given me for my service, it was hard indeed to live. Then I went to the railway station, and begged permission of the station-master to be allowed to carry luggage for the passengers. The first passenger who engaged me gave me two very heavy parcels, which I carried for about two miles. He then asked me into a public-house, and offered me some beer, which, as it was made by Christians, I refused. He then took up the parcels and bade me be off, and, when I demanded my few pence, declared he had already paid me. Of course, I would not go away. Finally, he called a policeman, and gave me in charge.

I was taken to the police station, and, after a few hours, was brought up before the judge, and was carefully examined. The prosecutor appeared, and was asked several questions, when the judge expressed his opinion that I was innocent, and inquired if anyone in Hamburg would testify to my character. I referred him to the manager of the hotel, and a policeman was at once sent for him. The manager came forward, and declared I was an honest and respectable youth, that frequently he had tried me by placing money in different parts of the house where I passed, and that I had always brought him both money and articles of value which were lying about.

Having heard this witness, the judge found me innocent, and sentenced my accuser to four months hard labor, for false accusation. This made me feel that God had not forsaken me, even though the Gentiles might be cruel to me, and I went forth thanking Him for revealing the truth of the matter to the judge.

This experience at the railway station led me to seek other employment, but for some days I could find nothing to do, and again began to suffer from hunger; for I could not procure food at the hotel, having money sufficient only to pay for lodgings.

One day I cannot forget. I was walking the streets and crying to God for help, when at my feet I saw a parcel of papers. These were evidently of importance to their owner, whose address was upon them. On restoring them I was rewarded, and thus was enabled again to obtain a meal, for which I thanked God.

Shortly after this a gentleman in the synagogue, where I had gone to pray, asked whether I was a pious Jew, to which I replied, I tried to be so, and earnestly wished to be more and more pious. The gentleman then said if I was willing to work he would employ me, and gave me his address.

I remained in the synagogue to pray and to thank God for His loving-kindness in turning the heart of this gentleman towards me in a strange land. He engaged me as a porter, and I remained some little time in that service, but as I could not save sufficient money out of my wages to obtain a passage to England, I engaged myself to a Jew, and became his servant, selling milk from house to house.

My occupation of milk-boy did not free me from misfortune, for one day a mischievous lad threw a rat into the milk-can and ran away. This disgusted me exceedingly, and knowing that, according to the law of Moses, the milk was polluted, I poured the contents of the can into the street, went to my master, and reported the unfortunate event. To my surprise he was exceedingly angry with me; told me that 1 should have pulled the rat out of the milk instead of pouring the milk out of the can, and, having done so, should have gone on selling the milk!

"This," said I, "the Jewish law forbids, so I could not do it.”

But, Jew though he was, he declared I must pay for the milk, or else be discharged without any wages.

I returned to the synagogue to pray, and cried to the Lord for help, but none came.

Again I had to wander about Hamburg seeking work. My soul was filled with sorrow, and the more time I devoted to prayer in the synagogue the more did misery fill my soul. I thought of my beloved parents and the happiness of home, and knew not what to do.

Returning to my lodgings I took out my Hebrew Bible and read these words, "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee" (Gen. 12:1) and consoled myself with the history of Abram, for he had had his trials till he reached the land of Canaan. And I prayed God to help me to obey His voice, and to enable me to go where He wished.

But such were dry sorrows that I could not realize I had obeyed God's voice in leaving home, and in suffering through my wanderings, yet nothing could induce me to return to Russia—I would rather have died than return there. On, on, I felt I must go, until I had found the true satisfaction, which I knew not where to find. Whilst thinking of my unhappy condition I adopted the language of Jeremiah, feeling his words were the exact experience of my own soul—"Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of His fierce anger." (Lam. 1:12.) My position in Hamburg was worse than it had been in the woods and fields, for there I had the hope of reaching Hamburg to encourage me to go forward, but, being in the city, I had no hope left.

I said, "The Lord of Israel has turned from me, and I must perish." I was weary of praying, and thought prayer was in vain, yet I was compelled to continue to observe the Jewish ritual and its ordinances; but I looked upon God as a stern executor of justice, rather than as being most merciful and gracious.

While in this miserable state of mind and circumstances, a lady, who was well acquainted with my family at home, met me, and she at once begged me to return with her to Russia. She offered to pay all my traveling expenses, and showed me the utmost kindness. But I was firm, and said I would travel over all the world sooner than return. Then with all her power she began to persuade me, but I said I would rather die, miserable as I was, than cease seeking after that for which my soul longed.

Leaving the lady, I went to the synagogue, and there found a gentleman, who gave me temporary employment. I was then sixteen years of age. My employment only lasted a short time, and again my trials began, and I felt like the prophet at the brook Cherith, for I was far removed from all who knew me-neither father nor mother, brothers nor sisters-alone, and, though in the busy city, in solitude. And now once more my source of obtaining a livelihood was gone, my Cherith was dried up. Finding me in a very low state, my employer most kindly said he would retain me in his house as a servant, and I kissed his hand and wept for joy. I thought within myself, "When the brook Cherith dries up God prepares a Zarephath.”

I began now to think what could be done in order that I should reach England, and wrote to my father, informing him I was comfortably situated in the house of a good, and pious, and rich Jew, but that I desired to visit England, and hoped he would send me means for the passage. My father replied thus:—

“I am glad you have found favor in the sight of a good man. My beloved child Isaac, I would again entreat you to think of me, your father, who has always manifested toward you a very affectionate and fatherly love. Not every Jewish father in Kovno gives his son such privileges as I gave you. You have been taught the Hebrew, German, and Russian languages, and I never felt that there was anything too hard for me to do for my dear child Isaac; and I still possess the same love to you and always shall do so, as long as you continue in the way you have been brought up. Even the last drop of blood in my heart is not too precious to me but I could shed it at any time for my beloved child Isaac.

"And now, my son, since you are away, our efforts and perseverance seem to be all in vain. Once more let me say, we can have no rest until you return home. Whenever I look around and see the lads of your own age happy in their homes, my heart aches and my soul is cast down, for I know not why it should be that my son, to whom I have looked as the joy of my old age, and my comfort in the valley of death, should be torn from me in such an extraordinary manner. No man can understand why this has occurred; but I suppose the Lord has dealt with me justly, and I hope it will be an atonement for sin, for I cannot help feeling that the Lord has punished me for my sins.

“Believe me, my dear Isaac, this paper is wet with the tears I shed whilst writing to you; mine eyes are almost sightless, and I can hardly write. My heart is overwhelmed with bitter sorrow that you should be far away from us; and God only knows if we shall ever see you again alive. Dear Isaac, have mercy on me, your beloved father, and have mercy on her, your tenderhearted mother, and grant our request, and return home. Then our souls shall rejoice and be glad all our days, and you will be happy too; but should I not be able to persuade you to come home, I would earnestly ask you to stay in Hamburg, if you possibly can, for I cannot bear the idea of my child being away even farther from us than Germany.

“I send you a note, and if you take it to the bank, you will get so rubles, and thus you will be able to pay your expenses to return to Russia.

"All our friends wish to be very kindly remembered to you. They hope soon to see you again, and now, I wish you a very happy New Year. I hope you will find a good synagogue, where you will be able to worship on Roth Hoshanah, the New Year, and also on Yom Kippur—the Great Day of Atonement. May our prayers be answered on your behalf. Your Rabbi sends his kind love to you.”

I knew not what to do upon the receipt of this letter, yet return to Russia I COULD NOT.

I remained in Germany over the Feast of the New Year, and, when in the synagogue, poured out my heart to God, imploring Him to guide me and to lead me in His truth, although it was quite unusual for me to pray any prayers save those in the Jewish prayer book.

The Feast of Rosh Hoshanah, or the first two days of the Feast of the New Year, had now passed by since I had left my beloved parents and my home, and misfortunes and trials had been my lot day by day, yet, as the following letter to my father will show, I was constrained still to pursue my journey in the search for satisfaction for my soul:—

"Since receiving your letter, I have spent a great deal of time in considering whether I could return home, but am very sorry to inform you, dear father, that I feel that nothing in the world can draw me back to Russia. Ever since I left home I felt, and still feel, that there is something for me somewhere which will make me happy—though of course this may only be my fancy—but yet such feelings being mine, I am constrained to go forward, though it were all over the world.

“I intend to sail for England this week, and will try and stay in England for a little while, and then may go to America, Australia, Asia, and Africa, and then I shall find out new places whither to go. I am deeply sorry that I cannot return, and hope you will pardon me.

“Please do not write until you hear from me from England. I hope to be in London next week, and to spend the great Day of Atonement there amongst our brethren, the Jews, and sincerely do I trust that the Lord will be merciful unto me and to you.

“I hope to be in your mind on that Great Day, so that the Lord may hear your prayers on my behalf, if my prayers should not be acceptable.

“I must also inform you that the fear I had when at home, about my sinful state before God, and also the fear of death are the same. Were I the richest person in the world, I would gladly sacrifice all I had, in order to realize that the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob, is my God, and that I am His pardoned servant. But I am afraid there is no hope for me, unless something very extraordinary should happen, which I do not think will ever take place. However, as long as I have my strength I will not rest.

" I hope when I reach England, to persevere, and shall make it my special business to visit the foreign Rabbis, and ask them to teach me the holy law, not so much the Gemarah as the Torôh, Nobüm, and Cethabim (that is, the law, the prophets, and the holy writings). Now will you, and my dear old Rabbi, and my beloved mother, very earnestly pray that the God of Israel, may enlighten my mind, so that I may learn much about His wonders unto our nation? Oh, dear father, if I only had satisfaction in my soul I would go all over the world and tell the Gentiles of the great God JEHOVAH, who is the only true and Almighty God! I must close this letter, and hope soon to write to you again.

"Accept my deepest affection to yourself, and mother, and all.”

Chapter 7

Comes to England

WHEN the Feast of the New Year was over, I purchased a ticket for Hull, leaving Hamburg on Tuesday, September 19th, 1871.

On reaching England I found myself in a strange land, and amongst people whose language was entirely foreign to me. It was the eve of the Sabbath when the boat arrived there, and I walked about the shore, not knowing what to do, for I could neither speak nor write English. At length I went into the streets, and coming to a bookseller's shop, began to speak to the people in German. Finding this of no use I tried Hebrew, then Russian, and then Polish, but not a word did they understand. So I thought I would make myself understood by writing, and said several times, "Gib mir ein pen." The people in the shop thought I begged, and they offered me a penny. So I showed them a shilling, and wrote with my finger upon the counter. They then guessed my meaning, and brought me pen and ink. They did not understand the German words I wrote, but one of them fetched a gentleman who understood German, and he kindly interpreted for me. I desired to buy an English-German and German-English dictionary, to carry about with me, so that if I had anything to say I might find out the words, write them down on paper, and then by showing what I had written, manage to make myself understood.

My first want was to know where the Jews lived, for I was anxious to rest on the Sabbath day, according to the Law. So by the help of the dictionary I made my question known to a young man in the shop, who very kindly took me to the house of a Polish Jew, and he welcomed me, seeing I was a stranger. Very pleasant it was to be addressed according to the manner of the Jews in Russia, Poland, and Palestine, with "Shalem alachem"—Peace be unto you!

I asked him where I could obtain lodgings, and he allowed me to remain with him. In the evening he led me to the synagogue where the Sabbath service was celebrated. This Jewish brother was very pious, and observed every precept of the oral law.

I was very anxious to keep the Great Day of Atonement in London, and obtained permission from the Rabbi at Hull to travel on the afternoon of the Sabbath, in order that I might reach London on the eve of that day; and arrived in the great city on the following morning.

On coming to the London docks, I resorted again to my dictionary, and wrote out a few words, explaining that my desire was to reach a Jews' lodging-house.

I showed this paper to a lad, and he took my parcel of clothes, and led the way. He walked on for some time along the winding paths of the docks, but whither he was going, of course, I knew not. At length we came to a court, at the corner of which there was, as I afterward learned, a public house. Beckoning me to wait a while, the lad went into this building. I waited a long time indeed, but the lad never came out again! Then I began to suspect I had been robbed of my parcel, and went into the house. I noticed that there were several doors to the house, and was sure the lad had got away through one of them with my belongings.

I stood in the public house for some time, not knowing what to do, but managed to make myself understood by the aid of my dictionary and paper, and then a young man offered to lead me to a lodging-house in Spitalfields.

How relieved I was on reaching the lodging-house to find myself once more amongst Jews! They rewarded my guide for his trouble, and spoke kindly to me, and, on my informing them of the way in which I had been robbed, they said, “Oh! you must expect this in England." I replied, "Then I shall not stay in England long." As it was the eve of the Great Day of Atonement, I was anxious to observe all the rites according to the Jewish customs which relate to that holy and solemn season. My first anxiety was to obtain the necessary sacrifice. Having some money, I asked my new friends to procure a cock to be my atonement. This they did in haste, for it was growing late. Then, according to Jewish custom and law, I offered certain prayers, and presented the bird to the Shochad (a man whose duty it is to slay the sacrifices) for him to kill it on my behalf, and to shed its blood for my sins.

These words are used on the occasion: "This is my substitute; this is my commutation. This cock goeth to death, but may I be gathered, and enter into a long and happy life, and peace!”

As the bird was being killed, and I watched its blood flow, and saw its dying struggles, I felt deeply moved. My sins were the cause of its death, and I wondered deeply in my soul, "How can the blood of this bird cleanse me from my sins?”

Oh! how little did I think that I should ever believe and rejoice in the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, which cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7.)

Here it should be mentioned that, ever since the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and the dispersion of the Jews, the Talmud teaches that every male must offer a cock, and every female a hen, in sacrifice for the Great Day of Atonement, these sacrifices being substituted for those commanded by Moses. The reader will remember how the solemn sacrifices for sin, on that great day, are recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus, when the blood of the sacrifice was carried into the Holiest of all, and how on God's acceptance of the atoning blood for the sins of the people, the High Priest came forth, and so all Israel beheld through him the proof that their sins had been atoned for. But the Jews to-day have neither Altar nor Holy Place; instead of the priest they have but the Shochad, and instead of the sacrifice appointed by Moses, they have but those taught by the Talmud. Indeed, one of the most touching parts of the Atonement Service for the Synagogue, appended to the description of the former glories of priest, and temple, and service, is this constant refrain, "Happy the eye which saw all these! but verily, to hear only of them afflicts our souls.”

After the blood of the bird is shed, the offerer, in devout prayer and thanksgiving, lifts up his heart to God for the atonement wrought for him, taking it as a matter of course that his sins are put away. Then he takes up the sacrifice, which is subsequently eaten by him as a peace offering, the thought being that his sins are put away by the blood of the victim, so that he can feed upon the sacrifice in peace before God.

The sacrifice being killed, I went to the synagogue, where, washing my hands and taking my shoes from off my feet, I began the appointed prayers. And there I remained for that evening and night, and also for the whole of the following day—the Day of Atonement.

After the services I returned to my lodging, and, as I had been fasting since the previous day, I enjoyed my meal. Yet as I sat over my supper, which consisted of the bird which had been slain on my behalf, there was no peace in my soul; I could not but think of the innocent creature which had been killed for my sins, and was not able to satisfy myself as to how God could require the blood of a poor bird to atone for my iniquity. I expressed my feelings on this anxious question in a letter to my father, which I lay before the reader:—

“I am now in London, with my health perfectly established, for which I thank God with all my heart. I would also inform you, dear father, that I worshipped on the Great Day of Atonement in a synagogue, among our brethren„ the English Jews. On the eve I procured a cork, as you always do, to be killed as an atonement for my sin; I could hardly spare the money, but was glad to do so, knowing, as you have always taught me, this is the desire of JEHOVAH, our Goo. You will, I hope, truly pardon me for troubling you, for I wish to tell you all that crosses my mind; and in my difficulties I wish to tell you only, and then I shall be satisfied. I offered the cock to the Shochad, and when it was killed I was surprised and amazed, for, although I have witnessed it at home every year, I never felt more solemnized about my soul than on this occasion, and never felt more deeply about the atonement which is to take away my sin. Now, I can hardly imagine, beloved father, why God expects the sacrifice of the creatures which are killed for me and others who have sinned.

"Indeed, my dear father, I think that God has not been pleased to manifest unto us all His truth; but I suppose all these difficulties will be made plain to us when the Lord, our Messiah, comes, and takes us unto Himself to make us happy forever, and when the Gentile nations of the earth shall perish.”

Having one great object on my mind-the study of the law-I visited several Jews, and begged them to teach me the ways of the God of Israel. They granted my request, but the result was very unsatisfactory; yet I blamed my own depraved heart, and laid the failure of the Jews to speak peace to me, to the corruption of my soul.

I was so uneasy and unquiet that I began to ask various persons privately if they were happy in their souls, but the answer was always "No," and this perplexed me very much.

My means were now becoming exhausted, and I was anxious to obtain employment to earn my bread. Just at this time a letter, enclosing money, came from my father, and this enabled me to purchase good clothes, and being respectably attired I was successful in obtaining a situation.

Chapter 8

Enters a Protestant Church

ONE day, during the factory dinner hour, I passed by a Protestant church, the door of, which was open, and, tempted by curiosity I entered. There were no pictures nor graven images there, as I had been accustomed to see in the Christian churches in my native land, and, though I did not understand the service, yet its simplicity struck me so much that I almost began to think I was in some kind of Jewish synagogue, and not in a Christian church at all.

On returning to my work, I could not forget what I had seen, and at length asked one of my friends if he had ever been in such a building.

"What! in a Christian church?" said he. "I have never been into one, and never mean to do so. I hope you have not been into such a place; now, have you?”

I was afraid to confess, yet dared not deny, and was therefore slow to answer. My friend's suspicions were aroused, and I was obliged to tell the truth, adding that I could not see what harm I had done. Upon this my friend began to curse me for saying a word in favor of a Christian church, and made me promise I would not enter one again.

A few days passed by, and once more, in my dinner hour, I passed by the church, the door of which was again open, but I dared not break my promise, though I felt a great desire to enter the building. I stood in the street, watching the door, for the hour, and then returned dinnerless to my work.

For the rest of that day I regretted not having gone in, and for some time after I remained in a low and melancholy state. At last I made up my mind that go to the church I would, and see for myself what it was like, but determined to keep my movements secret. Many times did I attend the service, and was much impressed by the solemnity and earnestness of the preacher, and the manner in which the service was conducted, and how I wished I could understand the words that fell from the lips of him who spoke so fervently!

One day there sat not far from me in the church a gentleman, whom I took to be a Jew. I was afraid he was an agent sent by my friends to spy me out, and I trembled lest I should be discovered, and that my father should hear I had been into a church of the Christians, whom he detested and hated with all his heart, even as I did. However, observing the gentleman reading the prayers, I was relieved, and judged he was one of the worshippers.

When the service was over, I remained a few moments in the pew. When this gentleman caught sight of me, he at once made his way to me, and addressed me in Hebrew, saying, "Jehudah Atta, achi?" ("Are you a Jew, my brother?")

I was startled, and, seeing he was indeed a Jew, thought, after all, "This is not a Christian church, but the place of worship of some new sect of Jews-perhaps the reformed Jews.”

I answered him, Jehudi Ani" ("I am a Jew"), whereupon he shook hands with me, and commenced speaking in German. He gave me his address on bidding me farewell, but I destroyed it, lest my Jewish friends should see it.

Several days passed by, and, hoping to see the gentleman again, I made my way once more to the church, and there found him, as before.

On the service being ended, he again spoke to me, asking what my circumstances were, whence I came, and who were my parents. He was so kind and generous in speaking with me that I opened my heart to him, and told him exactly why I had left my native land, and how that I sought to be saved, and to know the God of Israel. I explained to him how that since I had left home my soul had been cast down-that ever since I began to seek the truth I had but felt I was lost-adding, "I know I want something, but do not know what it is.”

"Are you going mad?" said he.

"If the truth be told, I am mad," was my reply.

Then he smiled, and said, "I hope you will get much worse.”

Surprised and pained at the unkind answer, I asked him what he meant, upon which he said that a few years ago he had been in the same state of mind, that he had left his native land, Austria, and his father, mother, relatives and friends, and that he did really nearly go mad for misery of soul, but that he now thanked God for that madness, for God had given him wisdom and everlasting satisfaction.

Now for some years I had been seeking for rest of soul, and here stood before my eyes, for the first time, a man who could say he himself had everlasting satisfaction. My whole soul was filled with intense desire to know what he meant-what it was that he had, which neither my parents nor my Rabbi in Kovno, nor my friends in Germany or in England possessed. "Tell me all about it," I cried.

He then propounded several questions concerning the Messiah, which I had often wished to understand. He also quoted several portions of the Holy Writ, which had ever seemed to me hard to explain. In fact nearly all his questions were the very same as those I had put to my Rabbi in Kovno, and to my beloved father, and which neither of them could satisfactorily answer. All this filled me with astonishment, for I was in the presence of a man who had evidently had the same difficulties as myself, and I was very pleased in thinking I should now have these difficulties cleared up.

This gentleman then bade me explain the saying in the Talmud, "They of the school of Elijah have taught that the world exists for six thousand years-two thousand void (without law), two thousand with law, and two thousand the days of Messiah. Now," said he, "four thousand years have long gone by, and the last two thousand have nearly gone. Where is Messiah?”

I prayed him to tell all he knew of the mystery of Messiah; upon which he called to my mind the prophecy of Isaiah, especially chapter 53., relating to His rejection, and also many others which speak in the same way of the Redeemer of Israel.

All that this gentleman said interested me deeply; but when he asked me to give him my address I refused, being afraid my friends should discern the manner of conversation I had had with him.

He then asked me to call upon the Rev. H. A. Stern, assuring me I should enjoy his conversation, and I promised to visit that gentleman.

The reader will doubtless remember how this devoted minister for Christ suffered for Him in Abyssinia so many years.

One morning at half-past eight, I called upon Mr. Stern, and told him of my interview in the church with my Jewish friend, and how I had promised that I would present myself to him. Mr. Stern took me into his study, and during a conversation which deeply interested me, the gentleman whom I had met in the church joined us, as did also some others.

Mr. Stern then said he would read a chapter from the Bible. His devoutness impressed me greatly, for before reading from the sacred writings, he and the rest knelt down; I did not, however, do so, such an attitude being contrary to the Jewish customs relating to prayer. The prayer was offered in the. German language, and it excited me considerably, because Mr. Stern began by addressing himself to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He proceeded to express in his prayer the deep sinfulness of the human heart, acknowledging how impossible it is for any man to obtain favor in God's sight by his own power, and concluded by owning to God the Father that the only way to Him is through Jesus Christ His Son, who says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

I could have repeated almost the whole of the prayer when it was ended. After this the Bible was opened, and passages were read and observations made, when again all knelt down, as prayer and thanksgiving were rendered to God.

My mind grew confused. I had never before witnessed anything so simple yet so truly devout; never before had I seen men in real intercourse (as it seemed to me) with the living God. I could but look upon the earnest and pious countenance of Mr. Stern with feelings of reverence, just as I should have done had I gazed upon a great prophet, even an Elijah. Indeed I felt a peculiar attraction towards him, and wished he were a friend of mine, and that I might hear him address me as a son.

Here I confess that, though I have mixed all my life with pious people, both Jews and Christians, I never before nor since have seen anyone who appeared to me so holy and so humble as Mr. Stern. Now he has gone to rest, but I shall be grateful to him for all eternity. Oh! if all Christians lived such lives as his, the world could not but see in their light the reflection of Him who is the Light of life.

Chapter 9

Correspondence with his Father

VISITED Mr. Stern frequently, and when my Jewish friends found that I did so they began to persecute me. They tried to make me promise I would never see him again, but since I admired his ways and his goodness I could but reply that there was certainly no harm to be found in so doing. My friends then became very severe with me, and this led me to tell Mr. Stern all about my difficulties. He was most kind and tender with me, offered to obtain apartments for me, and sent a young man to find me quarters.

Upon this I went to my lodgings, and told my Jewish friends I purposed changing my residence, but, when I looked into my box before leaving the place, my clothes were not there, and it proved that my landlady had pawned them to raise money in order to pay a bill! She saw they were new and good, and behaved thus cruelly to me, though she said when she could get the money she would redeem them.

When Mr. Stern heard of this new trouble, he said, "Never mind; the Lord will give you all that you need.”

I visited Mr. Stern daily to read the Bible with him for an hour; yet, while I was deeply interested in his instruction, I could not go with him in such practices as that of keeping the Sunday instead of the Sabbath, neither could I forego attending the synagogue daily, nor praying with my phylacteries on. My mind was confused, for I did not accept Christianity as the truth; indeed, I was fully persuaded that the Judaism was the only true religion, but I felt that something extraordinary would happen. Thus several days passed by, and I was greatly perplexed, and in very low Sits. My distress and uncertainty led to a great deal of correspondence with my father, which I now give to the reader, in the sincere hope of its proving a blessing to him; and if my reader should be blessed thereby, I shall ever rejoice that I took up my pen to write my strange experiences. Here it may be a fitting opportunity for mentioning that, though I was so often robbed of almost all I possessed, still my letters were never taken, for I preserved them in a place in my hat, where they remained secure through all my adventures:—

"Beloved Father,—Since I last wrote I have extraordinary news to tell. You know how I long to do good, and merit salvation for my soul, and be saved from Gehenna (hell). I feel that I would do anything in my power, and suffer even as Job, if I could thereby find salvation. You often used to tell me, beloved father, that if I observed the law, oral and written, with all the Taryag Mizvess" (the 613 precepts), “I should gain salvation, and go to heaven. Now the thought enters my mind, if God requires of us to observe all these things, why did He not require them of our nation of old? They had the magnificent temple and the holy articles therein, and when a brother of our nation sinned, he was commanded to bring a sin-offering, which was killed, and its bloodshed. Hence I cannot understand, my dear father, what all this meant, if the 613 precepts are necessary. Certainly our nation, since the Babylonian captivity, has fallen very much; things that had been revealed unto our fathers have been taken away from us, and we are left in the dark; but I suppose our Jehovah-God is a Sovereign, and does according to His own pleasure.

“Dear father, I must now inform you of something which will surprise you. The other day, as I went for a walk, I saw a church where Christians worship God.

I peeped in, and saw that the church had no pictures, and no graven images; indeed, it put me in mind of our synagogue—it looked nearly the same, with the exception that the building had a different shape and style from our synagogues. I could not see any ark nor veil, but the simplicity of the worshippers much interested me. I met there a man who knows the holy language (Hebrew), and who spoke to me in it, and also in the German language.

“He spoke about the Bible and the expectation of Israel, and my heart was almost melted as he told me of these holy things. He also spoke about the sacrifices of our ancestors, and informed me very plainly that the sacrifices were only shadows of good things to come.

" But I am perfectly satisfied with our good old Bible, although most things are obscure to my mind; but I suppose as we are finite, and God is infinite, it is not meet that we should understand His ways; and besides we read, My ways are not your ways; neither My thoughts your thoughts.'

"One thing I wish to ask you—in the twenty-second chapter of the first book of Moses (Genesis) Abraham said to Isaac, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.' Now to me this seems a mystery, and I should very much like you to give me a little light upon it.”

My father's reply is now given:—

“To my well-beloved son, Isaac; may he live in peace and happiness.

“My beloved Son,—It gave me very much pleasure when I read your letters. I am very thankful to our God for His mercies and goodness. Praise His name and bless Him for His loving kindness, which is much better than life. I am sure, my beloved son, since you left us we continually pray for you, and now I am persuaded that our God, who never slumbers nor sleeps, but who is long-suffering and most merciful, has heard our continual prayers, and brought you to a land of freedom. I am also very thankful, my dear child, that you have observed the ceremonies of the services in connection with the Great Day of Atonement, and may your transgressions be pardoned through the blood of the atonement you made. I would also express my gratitude to find you still in an inquiring state. Surely, my son, we cannot do better than inquire continually concerning the truths of the most Holy Book.

"I would earnestly caution you, my beloved son, against false teaching. Remember the sweet Psalmist, who beautifully says, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.' Be careful not to be in the company of any such. There may be some people who may call themselves religious. I hear that in England are to be found people who call themselves real Jews, but, alas! they are real meshumadim" (apostates or impostors). “They profess to believe in the same Bible we have; but, oh how can they believe in the Bible and not be Jews like ourselves! My dear Isaac, I need not ask you much to keep away from such people. I know you will be too glad to have nothing to do with them. I pray that you may be continually in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother; for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.'

“My beloved son, If sinners, or meshumadim, entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse.' My beloved son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.' (Prov. 1.) I sincerely trust, my beloved child, that you will pray continually for me and your beloved mother, sisters, and brothers. All our friends send their best and warmest love, hoping you may soon return home; and if not, you may become very great in England.

"Every blessing and peace be with you.”

My response was as follows:—

"To my dearest Father.

“My beloved Father,—As I read your last letter my heart was overwhelmed with joy, for I am certain that, by God's help, I will practice and fully exercise the fatherly advice you have given me. You may depend upon this, my beloved father, that however far I may be away from you, yet you are always in my heart and mind. The advice you give me is more precious than gold; and, whenever I write asking Bible questions, I am sure you will answer me as you did when I was at home; for I do not care to ask strangers, in case they may misinform me.

“I have many things of which to inform you, and my mind and heart are so full that it is difficult to rightly express my thoughts on paper—yet I must try.

“I have made the acquaintance of a gentleman who is a Jew by birth. He is called among the people in London the Rev. H. A. Stern, which I suppose means Rabbi H. A. Stern. The conversations I have had with him have been very instructive; for he knows the Bible almost by heart, and is well learned in the holy Talmud. If I quote the name of any of our great Rabbis in the Gemara, he knows all about them. He is an earnest, God-fearing man; in fact, I do not think that our Jewish nation has many such good and pious men as Rabbi Stern. If you only saw him you could not help liking him, especially if you had spoken to him. I must also say that whatever he teaches seems to be very simple and sound; but, at the same time, I feel anxious about him, since he does not go to the synagogue to pray, nor does he wear phylacteries, nor does he observe the Taryag Mizvess.

“So far as I can learn, he believes that the great Messiah of Israel has already come, and that this was in the time when our fatherland, the most holy city Jerusalem, possessed its grandeur, the second temple; and that the Messiah obeyed the whole of the holy law of Moses, and glorified the law, and through Him men are saved. He believes that the Messiah was murdered, and that His blood which was shed is efficacious to cleanse from sin, and that His death is the atonement for sin. And now Rabbi Stern says that man has nothing to do but believe on Him and be saved.

“If you will permit me to express my humble opinion, I would say that, comparing this Rabbi's teaching with the Bible, I find it to correspond; but, dear father, I wait for your opinion, as I would not enjoy mine, lest I be wrong.

"One thing more. I would inform you of the kindness of Rabbi Stern. When he found that I resided among very poor people—which I was not used to at home—he offered to help me, and to pay my rent at another place, of which kindness I gladly availed myself. I have put a mzuzah upon the door-post of my new abode, which is in a Christian's house, and always wear my phylacteries. I also attend the synagogue, and always endeavor to observe the 613 precepts.”

While keeping up my correspondence with my father, I continued my visits to Mr. Stern. One morning I was in a very melancholy spirit, and, while I was engaged in reading the Bible, Mr. Stern asked me this simple question, "What is the hope of a Jew?" and then he explained what is the hope of the Christian. Those words of his entered my heart. I tried to forget them, but could not.

On leaving home that morning, I went to the Victoria Park, and sat down in a very quiet place, when my heart was overwhelmed with anxiety as to what to do to be saved; and, quite unconscious of what I was doing, I fell down and prayed to God to give me true light, praying Him that I might understand the Bible. At that time deeper darkness entered my soul, and, although it was in the bright day, it was night to me. To express the state of my mind is impossible, but my readers who have likewise sought after God will surely trace in their own soul's experience that of mine, although their path has been different to mine in some respects.

I thought having to do with Mr. Stern was, perhaps, the cause of my wretchedness, and went and told him of my true state, saying I felt inclined to go away again to my Jewish brethren. But Mr. Stern advised me to continue studying the Bible, and said that God would be merciful unto me at last.

Chapter 10

Almost a Christian

I WENT again to my Jewish friends, and said I wished to return to them and to learn the trade I had begun, and they accepted me on condition of my utterly refusing to have anything to do with Mr. Stern or his agents. So I gave up going to him, and changed my residence to be out of his way. But I remained exceedingly miserable, and the words would come to me, "What doest thou here, Elijah?”

All the first night after this promise I could obtain no sleep, but lay awake thinking of the awful condition of my soul, and of the doom that awaits every unsaved sinner. Every moment seemed like an eternity, and I could not shake off my fears. "In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake." (Job 4:13, 14.) This state of terror continued for some few days and the Jew with whom I was thought me mad. At length I could bear it no longer, and, leaving my work undone, ran off to see Mr. Stern.

He greeted me with a smile, and when I told him my Jewish friends had pronounced me to be mad he kindly said, "Never mind; the God of heaven will satisfy your soul.”

I cried out, "What must I do to be saved?”

"Believe in the Messiah," he replied. "You must be born again," he added.

"What! be born again? How can I be born again?” said I. He calmed me by saying I should yet be a follower of the Messiah, the Lord of life and glory.

By Mr. Stern's advice I entered the Home for Jewish Enquirers, where I employed every moment of my time in studying the Holy Scriptures, and several learned enquirers, who were also there, helped me in my difficulties. Whilst residing in the home my father wrote:—

“My soul has been full of fear lest you should be influenced by the wisdom and eloquence of men, who lead others astray. Whilst I am glad of your inquiring after knowledge and truth, I feel that the dangerous doctrines taught by many may lead you away from the only path which is given to men in which to walk; depend upon it that all who walk in any other path will perish. The doctrine Mr. Stern teaches is nonsense; he is only a meshumad [that is, an apostate]. When you see the so-called Rabbi, tell him to wash his brain first, and then to teach his doctrine. The religion of our ancestors cannot be changed—even as our God cannot change.

“The coming of Messiah is not to be of humiliation nor of repentance, but of victory and infinite glory and dominion. He shall sit upon the throne of His father David and make Israel happy forever; He shall have regal power, and be arrayed in glory and splendor. Such, my child, shall be our Messiah, who will gather together all the tribes from all parts of the earth when the trumpet shall be blown. Then there will be a universal gathering together of the Jews, and a return to Jerusalem, the name of which is as dear to us as our very lives, and then once more shall Jerusalem be the beauty and the metropolis of the globe.

"Hold fast, my beloved Isaac, to the religion of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which is our religion. JEHOVAH-TZEBAOTH is our God, and He will redeem Israel in His own time and pleasure. Be sure the days of Israel's glory are near.”

This was in 1871, but my father's letter did not answer my difficulties. Jehovah will certainly fulfill His word about the reign of Messiah over the earth, and about our beloved city Jerusalem, even as my father had said. This I knew; but how was I to be relieved from the distress of soul which had overwhelmed me? I wanted to be saved myself, and such was my despair that I was tempted to doubt whether Messiah had ever come.

In writing again to my father, I expressed my perplexity about the sins of Israel for many generations and the prophecies of the Bible, and then, turning to my own darkness of heart, added these lines, omitting the name of Jesus—

“I heard a voice I knew not say,
Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.'”

The reader will be interested to read my letter written at this time to my revered parent:—

“Since I wrote to you last I have made it a particular business to study the Holy Bible: and I try to learn more and more about the hope of Israel. I cannot help thinking, dear father, of the thousands of prayers that are offered to God from time to time for the salvation of Israel. I always think of the earnest cries of our nation on the Day of Atonement, when, after the service, the horn is blown, and all our brethren of Israel cry, Leshanah habaah berusholaem! (next year in Jerusalem) and yet it seems that God has determined not to hear the prayers of Israel; and when I observe these things I often wonder how it is. I know that you will answer, Because of the sins of Israel.' But for a moment let me observe, in the time of the first temple, we find that our nation had broken all the laws of our great, and holy, and infinite Jehovah; we read that our ancestors in that time had sunk into a very shocking state of idolatry and infidelity, and they defied death, judgment, and hell. Israel had become an adulteress; and we should suppose that the wrath of God would have been poured out upon Israel, and that God would, in His wrath, have destroyed Israel with eternal destruction. But such was not the case; for God punished these abominable sins by letting the Babylonians take Israel into captivity, and they suffered under the Babylonian yoke for seventy years, after which God delivered them. May I also refer you to the time of the second temple, in the days of the holy prophet Haggai, when we find our holy nation observing the ordinances which the Holy One—blessed be His name!—has given, and we see Israel observing the law, yet we find, to our sorrow, suddenly the righteous Judge pouring out His wrath upon His elect. “The splendid Beth Hameckdash (Holy temple) was burnt, Israel was slaughtered, and the streets of Jerusalem were red with the blood and filled with the dead bodies of our precious ancestors. Why was this? why was this? Surely if Israel deserved punishment, it was in the time of the first temple.

“Now nearly two thousand years have passed since Israel was scattered all over the world. Our name, by which we are honored, has become a by-word in the mouth of the uncircumcised. As I think on these things I cannot help wondering why God has thus acted with His peculiar people, and I believe this to be a mystery hid from us. I often think, my dear father, that Messiah will never come at all, seeing that these hundreds of years Israel has prayed for His coming in vain.

“Since I gave earnest examination to the Bible, and inquired into the mystery of the Messiah, several portions of the prophecy have been my special study. I think they contain the great mystery of Messiah, but if the mysteries be made plain, I believe it would become the grandeur of the Holy Bible. Allow me, beloved father, to tell you my difficulties, which I am now fervently studying. The other day when reading Gen. 49. these words of our holy father Jacob astonished me The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.' If these words were really spoken by our holy father Jacob, dictated by the spirit of prophecy, how are we to understand them? Where is the scepter of Judah! Where is Shiloh? If prophecy be not true, how can the Word of God be true? and if the Bible be not true, then the infidels have stronger ground than we have. But surely I believe that God is holy, and His Word must be true! So I suppose that I am ignorant of the mystery, therefore I entreat you to explain it to me, trusting that you will answer satisfactorily, and my soul shall be glad and rejoice.”

It is impossible for me to give my reader a just idea of my feelings at this time. Nothing around me could satisfy the yearnings of my heart; every minute and hour was a burden to me, and the sense of my sinfulness before God laid upon me as a grievous burden. I could not speak to people about it lest they should ridicule me, yet was constrained to speak to some who misunderstood me.

Again I visited Mr. Stern's house; he was not at home, but Mrs. Stern begged me to tell her my business, if it was of importance.

In broken English I said I wanted to know where to find real satisfaction for my soul—how to please God, and how to obtain the pardon of my sins.

She replied with these words, "The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:9.)

I did not at all like what she said, for, despite all my misery, I still hated the name of Jesus, and treated it with contempt, notwithstanding my anxieties about the Messiah.

As I look back upon those days, I am filled with wonder at the infinite mercy and grace of the One whom I so hated and despised, and I am amazed that He should be so good to me, and that by His sovereign grace He should now be so precious to my heart.

“Jesus, I love Thy charming name,
'Tis music in my ear;
Fain would I sound it out so loud
That earth and heaven might hear.”

Once more I poured out my perplexities to my father:—

"The letter I received from you a few days ago has done me much good; it has made me very cautious, but, at the same time, it has made me think more, and examine myself much more than ever I did in my life. Your last letter says the day of Israel's glory is near; but, my dear father, such were the feelings of our holy ancestors when the grand temple stood in Jerusalem in the days of our holy prophet Haggai, for undoubtedly our brethren in that generation said the glory of Israel was nigh. I remember, when you used to teach me the holy law when at school, you said the great glory of Israel was nigh, and now this is the year 1872, and you still say Israel's glory is nigh. I cannot help thinking that the Messiah has disappointed Israel, and venture to go so far as to say that Israel has been brought into a state not only of ignorance, but of great confusion. Do not think, dear father, that I use too strong language, but I speak thus for the following reasons:—

“Your last letter corresponds with the writings of many of our holy and ever-blessed Rabbis, that the coming of the Messiah is not of humiliation, and repentance, but regal power. This I must always believe. But, if this doctrine be true, how can the writings of the holy prophets be true? Our great prophet Micah (chap. v. 2), speaking of the birth of our great Messiah, does not appear to show that the Messiah will be great in the world, for I read, ' But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel.'

“Surely, my beloved father, the temporal Ruler of Israel, would not be born in so small and insignificant a village as Bethlehem, but rather in the glorious city Jerusalem! When in the fifty-third chapter of our sublime prophet, Isaiah, we read, Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.'

“Beloved father, what a mystery this is! If this refers to the Messiah, surely He cannot be a King upon earth, arrayed in splendor and glory, and reigning over the world. Believe me, my mind is too full of thought about the different passages which seem to upset all that which you used to teach me. I am afraid that this letter will fill your heart with fear, lest I am taken up with the teachings of Rabbi Stern. But depend upon this, that I will not take the advice of any man, but will believe the grand truths which the God of Israel has given us in the holy law, and I will not fail in carrying out your advice, which is full of holy discretion. I have much more to write, but I am just now very anxious to learn a little more of the real nature of the Messiah; and conclude this letter, to go on with my study for a day or two, and then 1 will write again.”

About a week later I wrote as follows:—

"To my very affectionate Father,—Since the last letter I wrote to you, I have often read your short letter received a few days since. Indeed, my dear father, its thought is very deep, and almost infinite. You remember last time I wrote to you about the birth of Messiah, and the nature by which He is to be revealed (of course according to my poor idea), you remember I said Messiah must be born in Bethlehem, and be poor and afflicted; but another thought which struck me lately, and which seems to be rather difficult to understand occurs when I read the words, I am the Lord your God, there is no other Redeemer besides Me.' How can this be? for, according to the Bible prophecy, we see Messiah, who is to be the Redeemer, and yet God said, that I am,' &c. From these words we must understand that God Himself must be the Redeemer. Surely this is a mystery, wonder of wonders! Oh, that our eyes might be opened, and that we might have revealed unto us the infinite and glorious mystery of Messiah! Oh, when will the eyes of Israel be opened? And when will Jehovah be merciful unto us, and satisfy our yearning souls with the hope our holy ancestors longed to enjoy?

“Just a few words more. You caution me against the teaching of Rabbi Stern. I would, therefore, just say, candidly, in the fear of God, that I cannot help loving him for truth's sake; for every time he speaks to me my heart, as it were, melts, because of the tenderness of his teaching; for when he reads the Bible in the holy language (Hebrew), and as he explains, it is, oh, how sweet! The other day I could not help crying when Rabbi Stern spoke about Moses, and he spoke about the holy law, and has shown that under the law we are under the curse, for the language of the law is, Obey, or perish! But he has also directed my mind to the character of Messiah, who is characteristic of love, tenderness, mercy, sympathy, and compassion, and he repeated the words which have been spoken by Him who is believed by Christians to be the Messiah. And the words, my dear father, seem to suit me so well. The words are, Come unto Me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Surely, this is just what you and I need; forever since I can remember I have been weary and worn, and long for rest, and to have a realization of the pardon of my sins. I trust Israel will soon have a great revelation; I pray that Jehovah may condescend to visit us with salvation.”

My father's answer to these previous letters I now place before the reader:—

"To my beloved son Isaac,—I have received your letters, and read them with much interest. My soul has been ever since filled with much joy and with very much sorrow. I rejoice because you tell me that you will not take any one's advice nor instruction but what I tell you. My darling child Isaac, you seem to be too much concerned about the Messiah, who is to be the glory of Israel. My eyes are often sightless with crying when I think of the Messiah, who ought to have come long ago; but, my son, it is only because the sins of Israel that He does not appear. And I am also grieved on reading your letters, for I am afraid that you have given way too much to the doctrines that the Rev. Stern teaches. Remember, my child, that whatever Rabbi Stern may say about the Messiah it cannot be true, for we know that before the Messiah comes the holy prophet Elijah must come to prepare a way for Him. If you refer to Mal. 4., you will see plainly that the law of Moses must be kept, our nation must be firm in the faith, for, my dear child, think what God says, ' Remember the law of Moses My servant, which I have commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes of judgment.' Surely, my darling child, this will convince you that no religion can be true but the religion of Israel, who have the law of Moses; and when you observe the following words you will see that the Messiah whom Rabbi Stern teaches is false, for God has promised to send Elijah as the forerunner: `Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' Surely, my dear child, this will convince you that our Messiah has not yet come, and His coming will be known and believed by us and all Israel, for when our holy prophet Elijah comes he will prepare us, and we shall know the Messiah.

“My dear child, as I referred to one of your letters I received the other day, my heart was filled with grief, for you tell me that you love the Rev. Stern, and you also tell me that you admire his teaching about the Messiah. Believe me that I would rather die in the greatest misery than believe in the one whom the Christians worship, Joshua of Nazareth, who was an illegitimate child of Mary, although He was clever and wonderful in what He did; but let not your mind be taken up with the dreadful doctrines about the Nazarene. In fact, my child, I have no desire to answer your letters in any way concerning the bastard. I would never condescend to think nor write about so great an impostor concerning whom the Rev. Stern teaches. Even the Rev. Stern is an impostor. Let not your mind be taken away to such an unholy subject as the Nazarene. It is so absurd to suppose one to be Messiah, whom our Jewish brethren found to be unworthy of life, and who was therefore killed according to the law. Dear child, let me not hear again anything about the Nazarene, nor Rabbi Stern. Jehovah will judge them both, and all impostors like them. Hold fast, my child; the devil is always trying to lead away the good from the right way. Oh, my child, I am afraid that you have given way too much to the Rev. Stern's teaching! Remember that if you profess the same doctrines, you will be considered a meshumad like himself. And oh, the shame that I should have to bear all my life! Dear Isaac, let it never come to pass that I should ever be troubled because of your forsaking the right way of Judaism. Remember that sorrow would bring me to the grave; but I hope, through the merits of our fathers, it will never be said that you have indulged in believing in the impostor.

"You also refer in your last letter to the tenderness of Mr. Stern's teaching, but remember, my child, that the devil always attacks in tenderness, and promises very nice things; but oh, Isaac! Isaac! beware! your soul may be destroyed by the so-called tenderness of the meshumad.

"If the Author of the Christian religion was characterized by such mercy, love, and tenderness, as you referred to in your last letter, our Jewish brethren, as a nation, would not have had to suffer so much as they did. Think of the persecution of Israel in Spain, France, Italy, Russia, Germany, and England. All these are persecutions by the Christian nations. Where is, then, the tenderness of Christianity? They may be tender to themselves, as all Christians are, which example we have in this country. Do not think, my darling Isaac, that whatever appears truthful is really true, for the lion can be dressed like a sheep, and the devil can and does appear like a saint. But I have not the least doubt in my mind that the knowledge and education I gave you will help you to stand firm in the faith of Israel, and defy all teaching of the Rev. Stern, and all impostors like him.

“I cannot write to you more in this letter, but I would say that my earnest and continual prayer to God is to keep you safe in the most holy path of Israel,

Do not despair, my child; Israel's glory is near, Israel shall soon be gathered together, and the Messiah will come to reign over His people. Every heavenly blessing be with you.

“I remain,

“My dearest child,

"Your ever affectionate father,

“LION LEVINSOHN.

"Kovno, October, 1871.”

On receipt of this letter I immediately answered as follows:—

“To my ever affectionate father; may he live long and in joy.

“My beloved Father,—Since I received your letter. I pondered every word you wrote, and not only the words, but its deep thought. I assure you that I do not take the advice of Rabbi Stern, nor would I take advice from anyone but from you, whom I love with all my heart and soul. The reason I spoke of Rabbi Stern as I did in the last letter, is because I really cannot help admiring him for his kindness and humble spirit. Although he is a great man, he never thinks himself too great to speak to anyone, no matter how poor he may be. Dear father, I often think of some of our great Rabbis and holy Pharisees who are considered pious and very good, but I must confess I have not seen one in our nation whose life can be proved more holy than Rabbi Stern's. It is true our great men profess much more, but the whole of the piety of many Rabbis consists of standing in the synagogue for two or three hours, having their phylacteries broad, and so on. But Rabbi Stern seems to be a good, God-fearing, and God-honoring man, and I therefore cannot help loving him.

"And now I would again renew my subject about the Messiah. You said in your last letter that you would not answer any questions concerning the Nazarene whom you call impostor. My dear father, depend upon it that I do not believe in the Nazarene; I know that He was an impostor; far be it from me to believe in Him as my Messiah. You may rest assured that I will not believe in Him, for I have seen quite enough of that religion. Quite enough I saw in Russia. And if the Nazarene founded such a religion as they have in Russia, surely we cannot wonder that the Christians in Russia are such impostors as we have learned them to be by living among them. But, my dear father, when I ask you questions concerning the Messiah, I do not mean the impostor—the Nazarene—I only mean the true Messiah, the Redeemer of Israel. And I would also inform you that the Christian religion in England is not like the national religion in Russia. But the English are quite different. I cannot help noticing how quiet it is on Sunday in England; no theaters are open; no public amusements, nor anything of that kind, for the English people consider it their Sabbath, and they therefore keep it holy; but you have never known the Russian Christians to keep their Sabbath holy. No, no; on Sundays the greatest crimes are committed, and more abominations on that day than any other in the week.

"You remember in the last letter I wrote to you about the nativity of Israel's glory, and also of the mystery, when I mentioned a passage, I am the Lord your Redeemer, there is no other Redeemer besides Me;' and I asked you, How, then, can it be?' I have since found many other passages in the Holy Bible which seem also to refer to the same Messiah; and oh, that I could understand it. Noticing the words of our lord Moses, we find a wonderful prophecy: The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren like unto me; unto Him shall ye hearken.' And again, dear father, similar words: I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him.' I have no doubt, beloved father, that these verses refer only to the Messiah. Do they not? I hope you will answer me soon as to what it means, and to whom it refers.

"You remember a few days ago I spoke about the nature of Messiah, and asked how can it be that God Himself will be the Redeemer, knowing that Messiah will be the Redeemer of Israel. Here I have read a passage in the seventh chapter of our holy and sublime prophet Isaiah; where in the 14th verse it says, Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name IMMANUEL.' How can these things be? how can this be fulfilled? for it does not say a woman shall conceive, but HOALMO (virgin). Surely this is a great mystery. And the name of the Child Immanuel, for Emanu means with us, el God. Can God, who reigneth from eternity to eternity, be with us poor sinful creatures? And again I refer to the eleventh chapter of the same prophecy. How great and wonderful these things are! The great prophet seems to speak by the spirit of prophecy about the same Emmanuel that. I have mentioned to you. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.' Oh, dear father, what precious things these are! but, how precious would it be if we could understand them more! And as I go on I continually find passages which seem to impress my mind, although I used to read them when at home, but never with such influence.

"As I look into the words of the sixty-first chapter of this same prophecy, how grand! 'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.' You remember in my last letter I mentioned something of the character of the Messiah of whom the Rev. Stern teaches. He is eminent for love, tenderness, mercy, compassion, and sympathy. I suppose he learned it from this passage.

"When shall we realize this prophecy? When, oh, when, will the Messiah come? Oh! when will He set Israel free? How long will Jehovah keep us in darkness? Oh, that the light of His countenance might again shine upon Israel; and that our brokenhearted might be healed, and the throne of David again be exalted, and Jerusalem become the great glory and metropolis of the globe, and the garment of praise be given to Israel, then shall we be able to 'shout for joy, and sing unto the Lord! "O Lord, I will praise Thee; though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou comfortest me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He has also become my salvation.'

“Oh, dear father, how sweet a time that will be! when we all shall say, Sing unto the Lord, for He hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, ye inhabitants of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.'

“Dear father, I seem to possess a hope that soon such a time will be revealed to us, and that we shall have the unspeakable joy that only God's Israel can have.”

“I remain, my loving father,

"Your ever-affectionate son,

“ISAAC LEVINSOHN.

“Palestine Place, Cambridge Heath, London,

"October, 1871.”

=============================

“To my soul-beloved father; may he live in joy!

Amen.

"Dear Father,—Since I wrote to you last, I have tried with all my power to find out the truth about the Messiah; but I must confess the more I search, the more I am in darkness; and I can only cry to the God of our fathers to look down upon me with His eye of pity, and reveal the truth to me. In my previous letter, I quoted many passages about the nativity and nature of Messiah, who is to fill Israel with joy and satisfaction without end. How I have tried to study, in order to find out who is to be the Messiah. God Himself must be the Redeemer, how can the eternal Jehovah God come down upon the earth?

"To-day, as I was reading the book of the Proverbs of Solomon, I was surprised at the following words, which I have often read, but never did they enter into my mind with such great influence. In chap. 30:4, it reads, Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in His fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is His name? and what is His Son's name, if thou canst tell?' Does it not seem a mystery above all mysteries? Son's name? Has God a Son? How can this be?

"When I found these words so mysterious, I went to ask Rabbi Stern to explain, and he answered me that this word refers to the Messiah, who is the Son of the living God; and as I was conversing with him about the Messiah, whom he believed to be the Son of God, Rabbi Stern brought before my attention the following parts of the holy Bible, and said all these refer to the Son of the living God Jehovah. Psalm 2: 12: Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.' In the third chapter of the book of Daniel: Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.'

"I hope you will not think that I trouble you by writing too much upon that subject; but you know my willingness to learn, and especially when it concerns the welfare of my yearning soul. I will state a few more passages of the holy prophecy which seem to be so much in favor of Rabbi Stern's teaching. Of course you and I do not believe it, but still we cannot deny the fact that the argument on his side seems to be the strongest and loudest. Notice the words of Isaiah 9:6:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.' What does this mean? The Messiah seems to have two natures—God and man. A child born must be, as a matter of course, human. Noticing the peculiar name, Wonderful, Counselor, of course, this refers to His nature as the great Deliverer of Israel. But He is also called the Everlasting Father, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, which surely cannot refer to any merely human being. Oh, how mysteriously God seems to hide Himself from Israel! Dear father, I cannot help crying to Him that He may hasten the glorious time when Messiah will come and reveal unto us these things; but ere that time comes, I pray that you and I, and my beloved mother, and brothers, and sisters may have the light revealed to us, and that we may rejoice.

"I will write again to you very soon. Please remember me to all my old friends; tell them that although I am so far from them, yet I always think about them. Give my best love to my loving mother, and to my beloved brothers and sisters.

“I remain, my beloved father,

“Your ever-affectionate son,

"ISAAC LEVINSOHN.

“Palestine Place, London,

"October, 1871.”

=============================

“My dear and well-beloved Father,—The letters received from you lately have filled me with much sorrow. You caution me against Christianity; you speak with such a prejudiced spirit as regards the Author of the Christian religion; and you also say that if you find me to believe in Joshua, the Author of Christianity, you will have nothing to do with me. I, therefore, beg of you, my dear father, to read this letter, and see if there is not some wonderful truth in it. Since I wrote last, I determined to find out the great question—` Is Christianity true or not? '

“I have therefore studied the Bible only, and found that unless Christianity is the true religion, then the God of our holy fathers has not spoken His words in the Book which we call the Holy Bible. I must openly confess, my dear father, that it is my conviction that if Christianity be not the true religion, then the words of God cannot be true.

“I was presented with a book from Rabbi Stern, which is called the New Testament. It is a wonderful little book to me; it seems to be a thorough good key to the Bible; it opens the mind very wonderfully; it gives the life of Joshua the Messiah. I can truly say, if Messiah has not come yet, I do not believe that He will come now; for, referring to the words of the holy prophet Haggai, we see clearly that the Messiah must have appeared in the time of the second temple. Note the following wonderful words:—

" 'For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.'

"As we notice the history of Joshua the Nazarene, He seemed to have appeared in the time when the second temple was whole; and if we carefully examine the book of the generation of Joshua, the Christians' Messiah, we find it wonderful; for His descent can be traced from ever since the time of our father Abraham. The book of the generations says as follows:—

"Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram ' and Joram begat Ozias; and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.'

And when we come to notice the whole life of the Nazarene it is most remarkable to behold the pure and holy life He lived. Beloved father, if you wish to learn a little of His nature, I will gladly send you the book called the New Covenant or Testament, and you will find that such life was wonderful indeed. If you do not believe in the Nazarene, what answer can you give as regards the miracles He performed? And is it not the greatest proof we have that the Christian religion must be the religion God has established, when we only think, that eighteen hundred years ago, a poor, miserable, persecuted Jew was put to death by the Roman soldiers, how He died the painful death of crucifixion; our ancestors, who arrived in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, almost all of them went to see Him on Gilgal (Golgotha), and how the Nazarene died, and was buried, and those even that believed on Him were put to death, and almost annihilated; yet, beloved father, look abroad and see kings and princes bow their knees to the crucified Nazarene; and how many have given their lives while testifying that He is the true Messiah.

“Now, dear father, is this not sufficient proof that Christianity is the religion of God? Look at the despised Joshua! He is worshipped by millions of educated and intelligent men. The true philosopher acknowledges the Messiahship of the Nazarene. Once more, I must tell you the feelings of my heart—I almost am a Christian!

"I fancy I can see you reading this letter; your heart is filled with sorrow and anger towards me! I think I can see you turn against me! I almost hear you say, 'Away with Isaac! Away with him!' But, O my loving father, if I could only fly to Russia, and see you, and express the feelings of my heart, nothing would make me more happy.

“Once more I must speak. The Messiah has come; and I BELIEVE IN HIM. Although our Jewish brethren consider Him a disgrace, and that it is shameful to believe in Him; Yet, beloved father, I cannot, I must not be ashamed of Him. I have not yet made a public profession of my faith in Him; but, in my heart, I believe in Him. Please read the book I send you, and examine the Holy Bible, and see if I am not right. My prayer is, the time may soon come when the veil may be taken away from our dearly-beloved nation, and Israel may look to Him whom they have pierced, and mourn for Him as for a firstborn.

“With very fervent prayers for you, and my darling mother, and beloved sisters and brothers.

“I remain,

“Your affectionate son even till death.

“Palestine Place, Cambridge Heath, London, "December, 1871.”

Chapter 11

Altogether a Christian

MY soul was now perfectly satisfied that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah of Israel, and also the Savior of all men, who truly believe on Him. But I could not possibly realize that He was my Savior, and that He had redeemed me; and this filled me with sorrow. I was convinced that none but Jesus, once crucified, now exalted by God to His right hand in heaven, could save my soul; yet when I remembered how I had hated—yes, how many times I had cursed that holy Name, I could not believe He would extend His mercy or His salvation to me.

Mr. Stern comforted me; he assured me the more sinful I felt, the more certain he was Jesus the Lord would pardon me. He often knelt and prayed with me, and his prayers sank deep into my heart. "If Christ does but pardon my sins," said I, "I must make a public profession of His Name, and of my faith in Him.”

Mr. Stern requested me to write him a letter expressing myself openly and this I did, upon which he appointed a day for my baptism—Sunday, February 4th, 1872.

My desire to publicly confess my faith in Jesus of Nazareth made me long for the day to arrive, but my heart was still burdened with thoughts of my beloved parents cutting me oft from them. I wept bitterly at the prospect of being cut off from the love of my beloved mother, and the temptation became very great, but, thanks be to God, He enabled me by His almighty grace to triumph. I read these words of Jesus—" He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me" (Matt. 10:37), and, as I considered the great love of my parents toward me, I considered also the unutterable love of Jesus. I meditated upon the manger in Bethlehem—the carpenter's shop in Nazareth—the hall of Herod—the scorn and the mocking of Jews and Gentiles—the crown of thorns upon His royal brow—the rugged nails piercing His hands and feet—the spear opening His side—and, more, the grave wherein His holy body, that never saw corruption, was laid; and-as I thought of His love, I asked myself, "Can there be greater love than this?" The words of the hymn were certainly in my heart—

"Alas! and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
Did He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

“Was it for sins that I had done
He bled upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!”

On Friday evening (the Jewish Sabbath), February and, 1872, I visited Mr. Stern, who engaged with me in earnest prayer; and also on the evening of the Lord's day, on the morning of which Jesus my Redeemer arose from the dead, I renewed my devotions in the house of my true Christian friend.

The service was conducted in Hebrew, and I received Christian baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. A large number of Jews attended the service, drawn together by curiosity.

After the service was over they followed me, throwing stones and old slippers at me, reproaching me with bitter things, so that I was very glad to escape to the "Home." Yet, as I looked at the crowd of Jews following me, I could but pray for them. They were my own people according to the flesh. "Lord, have mercy on them, for they know not what they do.”

One evening after this I visited an old Jewish friend, who opening the door shook hands warmly with me. Then he inquired where I lived, and what I was doing. I hardly knew how to answer him, for to confess Jesus

I knew would offend him, while to deny Christ I dare not. Then these words of His came to my mind, "Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory." (Luke 9:26.)

"What do you think of the Messiah?" I inquired of him.

"Do you believe in the impostor?" he cried.

"Whom do you call an impostor?" said I.

"Why, Jesus Christ.”

"My friend, you may call Him so, but He is my own blessed Savior and Redeemer," I said, and I sought to show him the truth, but he spat in my face, and commanded me to leave his house, slamming the door upon me. This was a great discouragement, but I prayed for grace and courage.

A few days later I met a young Russian acquaintance; he was so delighted to see me that he fell upon my neck, in the middle of the London street, and kissed me. After a little conversation, he found I believed in Jesus, and in a moment his whole manner toward me changed. "Away, you dog! Away, you wretch!" he cried, and spitting in my face he turned away.

No one has a just idea what trials a Jew, who really becomes a Christian, has to pass through. I received several threatening letters, warning me of death unless I gave up Christianity. The following instance will show the intense hatred the Jews have against any one of their number who becomes a Christian. I called upon a family of pious Jews, after I had become a Christian, and introduced the subject of the Messiah to them. They did not speak ill of His name, like others, and were apparently kind towards me, asking me to visit them again and again, which I did with pleasure. But I began to suspect something was wrong, and felt I must be on my guard. One afternoon a young Jew met me, and promised, if I would vow not to declare his name, that he would tell me something of importance. He then said a plot had been made to poison me in the house of this old friend, and that I was to be offered a glass of wine, which would be my death.

God thus intervened and spared my life, and I realized the truth of the words of Jesus, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." (John 16:2.)

But far more bitter than the hatred of the Jews in England, and their attempts on my life, were the letters I received from my home. My beloved father wrote:—

" Oh, woe is me! woe is me! you have filled us with eternal shame and disgrace. Since we heard that you are a believer in the bastard we have not ceased to weep. Cursed is the hour when I was married! Better far had it been if I had been born a stone and not a man 1 Woe is me I bitter is me! Will you not have mercy upon us? Oh, do be mindful of us, and repent and turn away from the Christian faith. Think of your father and mother, sisters, and brothers, whose days you have darkened.

“Remember, my beloved Isaac, you cannot find a father or mother in the world. I cannot rest because of my sorrow. Oh, Isaac! Isaac! Isaac! through you I shall never be able to enjoy heaven. What is my life?—better had I never been born. Your mother has become a different being since she heard the dreadful news. Your brothers and sisters, oh! would it not be better for God to take their lives away than to leave us to go in old age in shame to the grave? My prayer is that God may cut off our whole family, rather than we should live in the misery you have brought upon us, or else I pray God to cut you off.

"What is the hope of a Jew but to have his good sons in remembrance in after generations? But woe is me! for the remembrance that I brought you up will be shame and eternal disgrace.

“Your brother Hessel is most prosperous in the province of Grodno and Kovno, but when I think of you I wonder why the Lord God has cursed me with such a curse. I always thought that I should have joy from you, seeing I did all in my power to bring you up in a way in which not many fathers in Kovno bring up their children. My heart is overwhelmed with sorrow, grief, and woe. I cannot write any more.

“I remain, your mourning Father,

"LION LEVINSOHN.”

"Your sister wishes me to enclose a short letter from her.”

“To my kind and ever loving brother Isaac,—I salute you, beloved brother; may you live long! Dear, tender, and loving brother, have compassion on us, and see that we may not have shame and everlasting disgrace; remember we are only young children; destroy not our world. Oh, do not pour our blood in shame! for we are your little sisters and brothers, young children. Have pity on us. God bless you, loving Isaac.

“I remain your ever affectionate sister, who wishes you every happiness and heavenly blessing,

"MEITTA ESTHER LEVINSOHN.”

My reply to these most painful letters I now lay before the reader, and also further correspondence received from my home.

“To my dearly-beloved parents; may you live long in joy, peace, and true happiness! Amen.

“My dear Father,—I am sure that I have no language with which to express the deep sorrow of heart and soul which I have felt since I received your letter of January 12, 1872. I would like to be able to let you know the feelings of my heart, but I know it is impossible for me to do so; but I pray the Most High to be very gracious to you, and reveal unto you the glorious truth which alone satisfies the longings of every heart. I know, dear father, that you are living a holy life, and would to God that all Israel lived such lives as you and my beloved mother. You know that it has always been my desire to be very good, and honor you, my father and my mother, and obey the Taryag Mizvess (613 precepts). How I longed to do the things which you told me pleased God! Dear father, I must confess that I did all I knew that was required of me, but, to my regret, I never felt satisfied in being under the written and the oral laws; you also remember, dear father, how I feared the moments of death, and my great responsibility before God. Nothing in the world seemed to satisfy my soul. Many of the letters received from you I almost worshipped, because I considered your fatherly love and your holy counsel. I also visited many Jewish friends, asking them to teach me the way of salvation; but, alas! dear father, neither your letters nor the teaching of all the friends who were kind enough to help me, could silence the yearning of my heart. But ever since I was convinced of the truth that the MESSIAH HAS COME already, and that the object of His advent was to seek and to save that which was lost, to redeem those who had sold themselves as slaves to the passion of their hearts, to the power of sin and Satan; that He came to comfort them that mourn; to give them beauty for ashes, joy for sorrow, and eternal rest to the heavy laden, in Him I have been satisfied.

“I know well that you do not like me to write so favorably of the Nazarene whom you hate; but I remember when I hated Him; and now, I thank the God of our fathers for bringing me out of the awful state I was in, and for revealing to me the light of the Sun of Righteousness. The name of the Nazarene is hated by you, but you like to write of persons or of any object you admire; I, therefore, write about the Nazarene, knowing what He has done for me in order to save my ruined soul; and as I love Him with all my soul, I cannot help but write and speak of Him.

“Believe me I do not write this letter to grieve you; but I write praying that the God of our holy fathers may appear to you when you read this, and that you may be convinced, as I am myself, that there is no way of salvation but through JESUS, the Messiah, who is the only One through whom sinners can be pardoned. Believe me, if I could possibly convince you, and make you believe the same truths which I am thankful for knowing, I would not count my life too great a sacrifice in order to be the means of bringing you to the truth of Jesus Christ.

“Just one thing I would desire to impress upon your mind, that although I believe in Jesus Christ, and look to Him as the only hope of my salvation, yet I am willing and ready to give it all up if you can only prove to me that the Christian religion is not the true religion; and I will repent of all you think are errors, and make a public confession of them. I would go at once to the great Dr. Adler, the chief Rabbi of England, and confess my sins before him, and before the whole congregation of Israel, if you can only prove to me that I am in error. I will gladly afflict my flesh for three years by fasting every Monday and Thursday, and also go to the synagogue every day and prostrate myself at the door, and let everyone tread over me. But if you cannot prove it to me, then I must remain a believer in Him whose name I once hated, but which is now very sweet to me.

"Dear father, I hope you will not forget me—I am your son. You say in your last letter things which grieve me very much; I hope that the fatherly love you have had towards me will still remain. I love you, dear father—nothing is too much to give up for you—but I must say I love my Jesus more, and my life is not mine, but it is His.

“Dear father, the other day I was very much interested in reading the History of Josephus (Yosifun), in the Hebrew language. I know that you have a copy at home, and am sure you will gain instruction if you don't read it with a prejudiced spirit. If you refer to the period of the reign of Herod, in the time when Pontius Pilate was Governor in Jerusalem, you will find it reads thus:—

There was about this time a wise Man—if it be lawful to call Him a Man, for He was a doer of wonderful works—a Teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to Him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] CHRIST; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned Him to the cross, those that loved Him at first did not forsake Him, for He appeared unto them alive again on the third day, as the divine prophets foretold. There are ten thousand other wonderful things recorded concerning Him; and the tribe of Christians, so named after Him, are not extinct to this day.'

“Now, dear father, is not this a great proof of the Divinity of Jesus Christ?

“Surely, whichever way we look and study, one cannot help learning that the MESSIAH has come, and Israel, alas! is in ignorance of this blessed truth. There is a very striking prophecy by CHRIST JESUS, which proves to be fulfilled, and still is fulfilling, recorded in that little Book (the New Testament) which I sent to you. You will find when JESUS was taken by our unfortunate ancestors, and by the barbarous Romans, to Gilgal (Golgotha) to be put to death, several women walked with the great multitude, and wept because of the affecting sight—a young Man, in the vigor of His life, in the strength of His manhood, suffering so bitterly. Then Jesus said to the daughters of Jerusalem: ' Weep not for Me, but for yourselves and for your children.' And in another place, our ancestors uttered the terrible words: ' Crucify Him! His blood be upon us and our children.' Now, when I consider those words of Jesus and the words of our ancestors, I am not surprised when I read in history of what our nation had to suffer. We read that in the year 77, according to the Christian era, our beloved nation's blood was flowing in the streets of Jerusalem and Judea. Only think, about 20,000 of our ancestors were massacred in the neighborhood of Caesarea; about 10,000 in Damascus; 10,000 in one night at Scythopolis; 50,000 at Alexandria; 8000 at Joppa; and in the holy city of Jerusalem about 1,100,000 perished, and about 97,000 were taken captives and made slaves.

“Dear father, was not this the fulfillment of the words of Christ: ' Weep not for Me, but for yourselves and for your children '; also of the words of our brethren; ' His blood be upon us and our children'?

"My very earnest prayer is, that Israel may be brought to the knowledge and the truth which is in Jesus Christ; and oh, that the time soon may come when the Spirit of grace and of supplication may be poured out upon Israel, and Israel may look to Him whom they have pierced, and mourn as one that mourns over his firstborn, and acknowledge Jehovah as the only true God, Jesus the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit as the only Comforter and Sanctifier. I cannot write very much more in this letter; but I hope to be able to send you another letter in a day or two. I shall be glad to send you my photograph when I write to you next time; and will also send you some English money for curiosity's sake, as you never saw such coins. Good-bye, dear father.

"I remain, my beloved father,

“Your ever-affectionate Son.

“Palestine Place, Cambridge Heath, London,

"February 14, 1872.”

My father wrote to me after receiving four letters which remained unanswered:

=============================

“My loveliest and dearest son Isaac,—All that has happened to you I know. You have turned aside out of the way of our Jewish religion, and have embraced another. Oh, my dear son Isaac, Isaac, Isaac! have you forgotten that for nearly seventeen years you dwelt with us, and that we your parents brought you up, and taught you to stand upon your legs? And now you have withdrawn yourself from us; your face is gone, and your religion is gone also.

"My dearest, loveliest child Isaac, Isaac! Remember, remember, remember! Even before your birth you were a care to your mother. Three years she bare you an infant in her arms. For two of these years you sucked the milk of her breasts, and since then we have nurtured you. Have you forgotten all this? Four years ago, when you were dangerously ill, and I told your mother to send you to the hospital, do you remember what your mother replied?—' My house is not for myself; my life is not for myself; they are for my dear child Isaac. He shall remain at home, and the physician shall visit him every day;' and now have you forgotten all this, and turned away from me your father, from your mother, from your sisters and brothers, and from all our family, and, worst of all, from God? Remember these things, my son!

“Ah! have you forgotten how, but two years ago on the day of atonement, while you were with us, we worshipped together in one synagogue, and prayed together out of one Prayer Book? Last year, on the eve before the day of atonement—it was the day on which you arrived in London—we were sitting round the table, I, your mother, sisters, and brothers, when, all at once, we began every one of us to weep, and lament, and to cry aloud: Woe unto us, for our beloved Isaac is not with us at home, and we shall see him no more!' And then our friends and neighbors assembled in our house, and sought to comfort us; but your mother refused to be comforted.

“It was on the feast of Purim that we received the bad intelligence that you had become a meshumad. Imagine how we received it! Your mother became sick and sightless; I fell fainting to the ground; all our children stood about us crying, weeping, and lamenting. Then many people gathered around us, who lifted me up from the ground, and called me to life again, asking me, 'What has happened?' What answer think you could I give? Your mother prays every day to God that He would put an end her life, and wishes, every minute to be dead rather than that she should live, and know that she has a son a meshumad.

"My dear son, all this has taken place; but you yet have time to repent, and then, at least, you will be saved in the world to come. The advice that I give you is this—Come back home and become a pious Jew.

“For God's name sake, my dear child, do not forget what I have written to you. Often read this letter, and bear in mind the tears which we are shedding for you—I, your mother, and all the family—because you alone of all our house have become a meshumad. But there is still more time for you. If you do not like to come to Russia, write and say, and ask Dr. Adler to write and say that you have become a Jew; and then I am again your father, and your mother is again your mother, and we shall be all to you as we were before; then you will be happy. But if you will not do this—if you will not repent—then we will have nothing more to do with on. We want neither your money nor photograph; nay, we will not count him ever to be our son who has become a meshumad; but we hope that for the sake of my own, and of your mother's pious forefathers, and also for the sake of our little children, it shall never come to pass that you shall be a meshumad.

"If you do all this I write to you to do, we wish you great happiness, and God will bless you; but if you do mot, then farewell! farewell! farewell! I am not your father, your mother is no longer yours, your sisters and your brothers are no longer your relations, and you can no more claim at all the name of a Jew. Farewell! farewell! farewell!”

After the receipt of this most grievous letter I wrote about twenty times to my home, but no answer came; and the last letter I sent my father would not receive, and it was returned to me. I can never forget my anguish when I received this letter. I prayed the Lord to take my life, and longed for death, for father and mother, for whom at all times I could have shed the last drop of blood in my heart, had cut me off. But it was necessary for me, as a follower of Christ, to take up my cross and follow Him.

Chapter 12

Interesting Correspondence

DURING the whole of the time I was in the Operative Jewish Converts' Institution, I was as in a state of mourning. Often, when at work in the bookbinding or finishing departments, I cried most bitterly. My beloved parents had cut me off-and why? For the truth's sake, for righteousness sake; yes, above all, for Jesus' sake.

At this time I received the following letter from my brother:—

"My dearly-beloved brother Isaac,—I can assure you that never in my life did I experience a more painful hour than that of last week, when our beloved father informed me that you had become a meshumad. I have read the last letter that father wrote to you, and I can assure you that he wrote the very feelings of his heart. It is not my wish to pain you by repeating the words that father wrote to you; but it is my object to call your attention to a few very important facts. You know, my dear brother Isaac, that I am not a fanatic, nor do I possess any religious fanaticism, as some of our nation possess; but very rationally I would like to point out to you two or three things. In the first place, I earnestly ask you, Where is your reason, your judgment, yea, your common sense? Where is the affection of a child towards his parents P Only think, you have not only forsaken the ways of God, but you have turned against your own father and mother. I ask you, Can a murderer be more cruel than you? for even murderers possess love to their parents; but you have turned away from your parents. Oh, how awful! I can understand men, who are philosophers, and who care not for religion, saying, conscientiously, that they cannot believe what they cannot see, although this is foolish and absurd; but I would pardon them much before you; yea, there is no pardon for you; for if you had said that you can no longer believe in God, whom you cannot see, I could pity you, for it is quite rational to disbelieve in something which men cannot conceive. But I solemnly ask you, How can you forget the affection of our beloved father and mother? Ever since our beloved parents have received the bad news that you have become a meshumad I have been quite surprised at the change in them. They are not the same people; misery can be read in their faces by all who see them.

" And then I would also call your attention to the great commandment given by the great God to His servant, our lord Moses—' Honor thy father and thy mother.' Remember, my dear brother, that you break the laws of social and moral society, and, above all, you break the great laws of God.

“One more important matter I would mention to you is this, you still have time to repent and become a Jew again—whether pious or not I do not care—for the name of a Jew is better than the kingdoms of the earth.

"Consider, my dear brother, if you remain in England, you will have to work hard for a livelihood; but at home you will be happy and a man of ease and comfort. I really think that you must consider; for unless you return home and become a Jew, father and mother will never be able to bear that, for I do believe that mother will never get over such a trouble. Only think, my beloved brother, the tenderness and love of a mother. With money you can buy many friends, but never a mother, never a father—especially such parents as the Lord has blessed us with. I do not think that there is any necessity for me to write to you much, for I am sure that you are old enough, and you have sufficient mind, to think over this painful matter. Dear brother, let it never come to pass that our very beloved parents should go to the grave with sorrow before their time. I do believe that mother will not live long if her state of trouble be as it is. Should you consider your ways and repent, and turn to the God of Israel, I wish you joy and happiness, and may God bless you; but if you do not take our advice, if you wish to remain a meshumad, then adieu, adieu. I am no longer your brother. But still, Isaac, Isaac, I do hope and trust that, for the sake of our dear and devoted parents, and for the sake of our whole pious, family, it shall never come to pass that you shall remain a meshumad, and leave everlasting shame and disgrace on us all.

“Once more. Do turn, do repent; but if you do not, then good-bye, good-bye forever and ever. Never shall we know—neither do we want to know—anything about you in this world, nor in the world to come.

‘Unless you repent and become a Jew, I ask you please not to write to me, for I count you as if you are dead—and would to God that it were true. I must mention to you this—for I don't think I shall ever write to you again—our darling brother Jonah Abel is dead. We are all convinced of the fact, that if you had not sinned against the great God, by turning away from Him, our house would not have been visited by the angel of death. Remember, dear Isaac, that our beloved Jonah Abel died through your sins. Oh! bitter, bitter is our life, because one has become a meshumad, the other has died. What will become of us? Would to God that we all died, or else that you might be cut off by death.”

The following letter I wrote in reply to my brother:—

“My dear and affectionate brother Hessel,—I have received your letter, and can assure you if ever I cried and shed tears over anything, it was over the letters I received last from our dear father, and then from you. In my previous correspondence I have told of my faith in Jesus Christ, in whom I believe as the promised Messiah. Dear Hessel, you know how earnest I always was in serving our God, and in living a holy life. Well, this is just my present feeling and desire. The same God I believed in when at home, I believe in now—JEHOVAH IS MY GOD. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and our fathers, in whose merits I rejoiced when at home, I rejoice in now; but the only difference in my belief is now, that it is impossible for me, as a sinner, to be justified through Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. I believe that the MESSIAH, who was promised, HAS COME, and through Him alone sinners can be saved, and be made just in the sight of the great God, who is holy. And now my resolve is, that even if called not only to sacrifice riches; but life, I must say, ' Here am I.'

"Dear Hessel, I can assure you that my love towards our beloved parents will never fail; yea, it will increase the longer I live. I am always ready to make the greatest sacrifice. If ever a son loved his parents, I believe I have loved mine; but I must confess that I love my Lord and Redeemer more. All my powers and graces are His. I am His property. He bought me with the great price of His own holy, and innocent, and precious blood.

"Although father and mother, and brothers and sisters, cut me off, yet will I trust in the Lord, who will take me up. I am very thankful that I am in England. The English people, I think, are the best people I ever saw in my life, except our pious Jews. If God should permit me to live all my life in England, and even if my life is to be poor, and I have to work for a meal till the very last hour of life, still will I be satisfied. May God in mercy bless the Queen of England, and all the English people, among whom I hope to remain as long as I live; for I would much rather live in England than in Russia, Germany, Poland, Austria, or anywhere else. I must say, dear Hessel, that having read in your letter of the death of our beloved brother, I mourn. My heart is full of sorrow; I shall always feel the loss; but I rejoice in knowing that all things are governed by the Most High, and whatever man may think or suppose, yet He will work in His own way. An English poet says the following true words:—

“God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

“Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.'

“Dear brother, I do sincerely hope that it will never come to pass that you will blot me from your memory, for I only act as I believe I ought to act, according to the Bible. I sincerely pray that the Lord may visit you and our dear parents with His salvation. And oh! that the time may come when Israel shall be brought to the truth, and have faith to believe in the only name given unto man whereby he can be saved.

I remain, dear Hessel,

“Your affectionate Brother.

“12, Palestine Place, Cambridge Heath,

London, March, 1872.”

The following is a translation of my beloved mother's letter to me:—

"To my most affectionate and darling son Isaac.

“Darling child Isaac,—I take the pen in my hand with a sincere hope that the words which I am trying to write may not be in vain, but that the God of our holy fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob may apply them to your conscience and inmost soul.

“My dearest and loveliest child Isaac, I know that you have forsaken the holy and precious religion of Israel; but still I am convinced that all the steps you have taken are not for the sake of doing wrong; I have not the least doubt in my mind that you have been persuaded by the so-called Rabbi Stern. (Cursed be his name forever and ever! Amen.) Let me just state to you, my darling child, a very few observations, and reason with yourself, and see if you are right or wrong.

“In the first place, my dear child, I would call your attention to the fact that the Christian religion is an idolatrous religion. The heathen worship wood and stone images, and the Christians worship Jesus Christ, whose name is as hateful to us as swine's flesh, and much worse, whose life, when in this world, proved to be most blasphemous.

"I candidly ask you, darling Isaac, to think of the steps you have taken; for remember that your soul is damned forever. Oh, how grievous this is to me, to think that my own child, my own flesh and blood, he for whom I always sacrificed all that I could in order to secure happiness for him, yet shall be eternally damned.

Woe! woe! woe! better would it have been if the Almighty had dealt with me as He dealt with Lot's wife; much better would it be indeed if my mother had died before she travailed with me, than for me to have been brought up, in my old age, to see my most beloved son fall into the hands of the devil, and be forever damned. Isaac! Isaac! Isaac! remember that, through your perversion, our family shall also be damned; for there will always be a curtain between the throne of God and our family. Think of me, your tender and loving mother, of your devoted father; through you we shall be forever cursed by God. Isaac! Isaac! think of the young blood of your two little sisters, how you have clothed them with everlasting shame and disgrace; they are ashamed to go out into the open street, for the children of the neighbors run after them and cry, "These are the meshumad Isaac's sisters!" Oh, would God be very gracious unto us, and take our lives from us, and blot our names out from the remembrance of man's mind!

“Dear child, can you not have mercy upon your mother? Can you not have mercy upon your zealous and pious father? Can you not have compassion upon your beloved sisters and brother? Father does not know that I am writing this letter; in fact, he has determined not to know anything about you; he does not wish to hear your name mentioned in his presence; he has thrown away all things we had at home that belonged to you: all this in order to forget you from his mind; but I thought that I should like just to write to you, with a hope that it may touch your heart and bring you to repentance. If you refuse my advice, if you will not turn, then I am no longer your mother. Please do not write to me any more, unless you repent. If you will not repent, I do not want to think of you; but my only prayer is, that you may repent, or else for God to take your life or ours. Amen.

“Your grievous mother,

“BRAINAH LEVINSOHN.

“Kovno,

"June, 1872.”

The following is the letter I wrote in reply to my mother:—

"To my soul-beloved mother; may you live long in peace and happiness! Amen.

“Beloved Mother,—With unspeakable joy have I read your letter, and my heart is full of gladness to know that my darling mother still thinks of me. My dear mother, you know very well how I was always anxious to do your will, and do good to all, and observe the Taryag Mizvess [613 precepts], in order to obtain peace for my soul. You remember well how my heart thirsted after satisfaction; and you also know very well that over and over again I came to you and cried very bitterly, because I could not possibly obtain that satisfaction for my soul.

“Dearly-beloved mother, you know very well that there is nothing in the world which convinces our finite minds better than experience. Our holy nation, when in the Holy Land, often asked of Moses and his successors for signs and wonders, and when the Holy One—blessed be His name—had revealed Himself unto them, and had done wonders for them, then they believed. So you see that experience convinces, and makes men believe. So in relation to the steps I have taken since my arrival in England. I know and believe in things which I feel in my heart and soul to be the truth. If you only read through carefully the several letters I sent to father lately, and read the little book I sent not long since, you will see, I hope, that I am in the right way. Mother darling, I have learned by experience that by nature I am a sinner, not because have read it, or been told by anyone, but because I feel that I am such. I have also learned by experience that there is no one that can take away my sins save Jesus Christ, whom you hate; for I have tried to secure my happiness in various ways. I tried to silence the yearning of my soul by giving myself to the Written and Oral laws, and that filled my soul with misery. I also thought that giving myself to the service of a judge I should be satisfied. I thought by studying the German and Russian languages I should feel satisfied; but, darling mother, I have told you before, when you saw tears on my face, that there was nothing that I could obtain to satisfy me. All this, therefore, you know, was my sorrowful experience; but, darling mother, it has also been my sweet experience to realize pardon for my soul by believing in the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Though rejected of men, yet in Him I will trust all the days of my life; for He only can and does save me, a poor Jewish sinner, as well as the Gentiles. Oh! what a wonder, when considering that great love! Above all, I believe in Jesus, because I feel that He has satisfied the yearning of my soul. And I have learned that there is a heavenly home prepared for me by Him. Death, therefore, with its icy hand, shall not hurt me; for the Messiah has conquered him who had the power of death; there is, therefore, no death for those who believe, but eternal misery to those who do not believe.

“Oh I dear mother, I feel that I would not mind giving my life if only I could convince you by making you believe in the Messiah; yea, I feel that I would not mind to be accursed if only I could bring you and my dearly-beloved father, and brother and sisters, to believe in the same truths that I believe; for I know that my writing to you will not convince you, unless you are influenced by the same power that convinced me.

Dear mother, in closing this letter I would say that I love you and beloved father more than anyone in the world. I will do anything you like for you; nothing shall be too hard for me; but I feel I must obey my Lord and my Redeemer more even than you; so that I cannot possibly give up being a believer in Him. Darling mother, if you cannot conscientiously believe in Him, then I would ask you not to condemn me for believing. Oh! dear mother, do not cut me off from your mind. Oh! mother darling, forget not your Isaac, who loves you with all his heart and soul; but if you should cut me off, and entirely forsake me, then I will still love you and pray to God for my dearest and most affectionate mother. Darling, I do trust that you will be forever a mother to me, and I shall rejoice; but if you do not wish to have anything to do with me, then shall I trust in the great God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and in the great Messiah, the Savior, Jesus Christ, who will never cast me off.

“Good-bye, loving, darling mother, good bye; it is sweet to me to think of you. When shall I hear from you again? I pray, my darling mother, that the Lord, who made me to believe in the truth which is in Jesus, may do the same to you; and oh! that the time may soon come when the spirit of grace and supplication shall be poured out upon Israel, and that Israel may be gathered together, and worship the Messiah, Lord of lords and King of kings. Please remember me to my ever-loving father, sisters, and brother.

“I remain, your ever-affectionate Son.

"7, Seward stone Road, Victoria Park,

“London, England.”

Chapter 13

Becomes a Preacher of Christ, the Son of God

AT this period of my life, I attended the services held in a Baptist chapel, at which I found great blessing to my soul. One evening it tell on me to engage in prayer. It was the first time I had opened my mouth in public, and I felt as ashamed of myself as if I had committed a crime, and during the rest of the prayer-meeting was very much cast down. However, the minister, in whose chapel I was, in his closing prayer, besought the Most High to prepare me to go forth and preach the gospel of His Son. This prayer surprised me greatly, and I did not think it would he answered.

When the meeting was over, the minister in conversation with me, told me it was his conviction that I was to go forward and preach the gospel; but I was ignorant of the English language, and could not feel that his conviction had any weight with me. Months passed by, and I continued to attend the same chapel, and began by degrees to feel the importance of doing something to glorify the Name of my Savior. I commenced teaching in the Sunday-school, and afterward, with a friend, began visiting the poor and infirm inmates of Bethnal Green Workhouse, and when thus engaged, joy became unspeakable, for I found my labor was not in vain, for a poor old woman on her dying bed declared from her heart that my poor words had been blessed to her soul!

Seeing the Lord was pleased to use me, I felt it a joy and a duty to testify for Him wherever I could do so.

There was a Jewish family in Whitechapel with whom I had a conversation respecting the promised Messiah.

An intelligent young man, then present, anxiously listened, and I told him how the Lord had dealt with me since I left my native land, and how I had been brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. We spent some hours arguing from the law. He expressed a wish to go out for a walk with me, and we discussed the coming of the Messiah for a long time, and then went into a coffee-house, where I obtained a private room. I proposed to my young friend that he should kneel down and pray, but as kneeling in prayer is against the Jewish custom, he refused. However, I knelt down and prayed in the German language.

I then introduced this young man to Mr. Stern, under whose instructions he remained for some months, and afterward, to my great joy, he made a public confession of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord had blessed me to one of my brethren after the flesh, to a Jew. Upon this I felt that I must go amongst the Jews, preaching to them Christ crucified and exalted, whether they would hear or whether they would forbear.

I visited several synagogues, and entered quietly into conversation with the Jews on the Messiahship of Jesus Christ, but, upon their finding out that I was a Hebrew Christian, they turned me out. This did not discourage me, for I felt that but a few months previously I should have done the selfsame thing.

I was also able to visit the London and the German Hospitals, and in the latter I found special encouragement. There I lighted on a poor Jew, a German, who was lying in bed, and who had no one to say a kind word to him; he was pleased enough, in his loneliness, for me to speak to him. Whenever the hospital was opened to visitors, I saw him, and took him little presents, and after a while he would listen to me about Jesus, the Messiah. Some two months passed by, and then he expressed his firm belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and his conduct testified that he had received the grace of God in his heart.

At last the icy hand of death touched him; but before he died he declared his faith and joy in Jesus, the Savior, who had so marvelously revealed Himself to his soul. The poor man's gratitude to me also, for being the instrument of his conversion, was such that my heart raised another Ebenezer, and overflowed, for the Lord had given me the honor of bringing into the flock of Christ another of the outcasts of Israel. The joy that filled me on seeing that the Lord would use so feeble an instrument to accomplish His great purposes in the conversion of my brethren made me determine to use all my energy to proclaim Jesus and His love.

The question now arose, "What shall I do next"? and I often used the prayer of the Apostle Paul, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do"? Should I go to the heathen, and tell them of Christ, or should I go to the Jews in distant lands? I felt very much attached to England, and more and more disinclined to leave the shores where I had realized the sweet liberty Britons enjoy, and especially the freedom to serve God as conscience dictated. After a great deal of questioning with myself, I decided I would go to New Zealand. A free passage was offered me, and I prepared for the voyage, in company with two young men who had been inmates of the Operative Jewish Converts' Institution.

However, when calling upon Mr. Stern to tell him my purpose, he so strongly advised my remaining in England that I could but follow his counsel. As he had been to different parts of the East, and had preached the gospel to different tribes and nations, I felt his advice was not that of an ordinary person. So I continued my visits to the London and the German Hospitals, and to the Bethnal Green and the St. Luke's Workhouses, and labored as far as I could in the slums and the public houses of the East end of London, remembering that to England my steps were directed by a loving God, and that in England I had been led to a knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. These early efforts were much blessed, both to the conversion and the refreshment of souls, and also to my own spirit.

About this time I was requested to preach in a Baptist chapel at Hackney. It was a great ordeal, and I trembled as I stood before a large assembly, for I was young, and perhaps younger in the truth, than any of the congregation.

This was my text, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1:16), and during my address the Lord stood by me. Approval was shown by the hearers, and my sermon being over, I was charged, in the name of my Master, to go forth to preach the gospel of God's sovereign grace. Since that eventful night I have preached continually, and, although I have often feared the brook would dry up, God has ever supplied me with words. I was engaged in secular employment during the day, and, after business hours, traveled to different villages preaching, or occupied myself in studying the Scriptures. I rejoice to record the faithfulness of God, and the truth of His promise, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”

The reader will understand that my knowledge of the truths of the New Testament was of a limited character. My experience of Christianity was that of a new-born babe. However, the Holy Spirit is a patient teacher, and little by little He led me on into the deeper truths of Scripture. I was satisfied I knew Jesus Christ as my Lord, my Shepherd, and my Friend, and, although at times I have had to pass through dark clouds, and have been tried by unbelief and fear, I have, by God's grace, not failed to rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in His all-cleansing blood.

Chapter 14

The Story Ends

THIS story must now be brought to an end, and the reader will please bear in mind that, between this chapter and the last, several years have passed by. Isaac Levinsohn is no longer a youth; he is a happy father of six children, and has a loving partner in his wife. He owes many advantages to his education in the Pastor's College, Metropolitan Tabernacle. The desire of his heart is realized, for his present position enables him to go to all parts of the kingdom, preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and gives him the opportunity for relating God's gracious ways with himself, and with many, yes, very many, of the nation of Israel.

Thus far has the Lord led me, and as I cast a retrospective look over the years that have gone by, I thank my God for every difficulty and every sorrow I have undergone, and for His peace which passes all understanding, which, even this day, fills my heart. He has made my dangers, adventures, journeys, hungerings and weariness, yes, my every trial to become an occasion of thanksgiving. I cannot cease to thank God for enabling me to settle in this land of civil and religious liberty, and in delivering me from a country of cruel despotism. But what is this compared with that great liberty into which I have been brought, even the sweet freedom of the Gospel of God's Son, which He gives to all who come to Him, whether they be Jews or Gentiles. Oh! how I long that my Jewish brethren might learn to put aside every form of self-righteousness, and, casting aside the burdens of Rabbinism, simply trust in Jesus who, is abundantly able to save.

But this chapter is especially written in order to recount some of God's gracious ways with my family in Kovno. Great changes have taken place there during the last three years, caused by the bitter persecutions against the Jews, which have broken out in various parts of the Russian empire. Thousands of Jews have been driven out of their homes, and from scenes of comfort and affluence to perish in misery and want. Great fires have been maliciously ignited, and the houses of many Jews—indeed, at times whole villages inhabited by Jews—have been burnt, and the poor people have been cast out, almost naked, to starve and to perish. Around the burning rains cruel mobs have gathered, and while witnessing the conflagrations they have mocked the cries of the innocent children and the tears of their mothers as they were driven out, where, they knew not. In the face of this wickedness, let English Christians ask, "How can the Jews in Russia have any kinder thoughts of the Christian religion than I used to have?" for these persecutions are inflicted upon the Jews simply because they are Jews!

Yet "the wrath of man shall praise Thee." (Psa. 76:10.)

Ten years had passed away since I had heard from my dear family, and at length my longings, my yearnings, my prayers for news from my home were answered. But, alas, what news! My father had died a victim to the persecutions, my precious mother was a widow, and, with my two young sisters, was brought to desolation.

How to act or what to do I knew not I Would my mother accept any help from me?. Would she so much as receive a letter from her son, who for ten years had been cut off, cursed, and considered as dead? However, my duty was plain, and I wrote:—

“My dear mother,—I have heard of your terrible calamity. Remember, that God is wise, loving, and righteous. Oh! if I knew how to comfort you, how gladly would I do so, I would then endeavor to cheer you.

“My dear mother, for ten years I have been compelled to be silent. Will you now allow me to offer you a few words of sympathy, for my heart bleeds for you?

“How mysterious are the ways of God! He has called you to be a lonely widow. May it not be, dear mother, for some wise and good purpose? When I think of you, my precious mother, and my dear young sisters, whom I cannot help, I feel sure that He, who is a Father unto the fatherless and a Husband to the widow, will not allow you to live unprotected and unprovided for, but will give you succor.

“I am very anxious to help you, will you allow me the pleasure to do so, and let me do my sacred duty to you as becomes a son? Of the little that I have you shall have a part. You shall not want. I will rather deny myself in order that my precious mother may be provided for. If I have only one penny you shall have half of it, and I am sure that my God will supply all my needs. I enclose.... notes, which you will be able to exchange anywhere, and will joyfully send you.... every month.

I was impatient to receive a reply. At last it came, and with what feelings did I read the words written in my mother's handwriting!

“My dear Son,—Your sweet letter came to hand when your sisters and myself were at prayers over the grave of your sainted father. We were there for several hours, prostrate, and crying that his holy soul might intercede for us, three lonely women. My eyes were nearly blinded with much crying as we lay prostrate upon the sacred soil, under which rests your precious father, and my sweet companion, husband and all. Oh! what am I without him? Life is not worth living. Oh! why has not God taken me first?

“Opening your letter, your dear sisters read it with me. We were all overcome, and we all burst out crying and lamenting, and when we came to ourselves we three vowed that the God of your fathers should be our God. “Your letter, my dear child, has almost made me brokenhearted. It is a mystery to me that you should show me such kindness, when I think that you are a Christian and have been one for some years. I never thought that a Christian would show kindness to a mother in distress, more especially in my case, as I consider how we have acted towards you, for we have disowned you, and erased your name from our family register, pronouncing you accursed and a meshumad.

“If we had seen you on the streets of Kovno starving, and in the greatest misery, we should have naturally rejoiced—we should not even have offered you a morsel of bread, or a cup of water, and yet, as soon as God has visited us with trouble, you are coming forward to be a savior unto us. You certainly, I must confess, exhibit a better spirit than what any of us would have shown. "My dear son, whom I considered dead, is after all alive! I thank you for your sweet words of comfort and offered help. The notes are to hand, and they are indeed a most acceptable gift. God Himself reward you.

“Yet, oh! how I wish I could be sure that my son Isaac still feared God, the God of Israel. I fear you have forsaken Him. Seek His face now. There is no God like unto Jehovah, the God of Israel.”

A fresh opportunity was thus opened to me for corresponding with my mother. I began to realize that although her terrible troubles were almost more than she could bear, probably they would become the means of her blessing. While rendering temporal help, I began at once to send her, in one form and another, the words of truth. I translated a sermon on "Christ our Passover," and sent it to her, with a letter from which the following sentences are extracted:

“I wish to explain that which seems a mystery to you. You are surprised that I should want to help you. It is strange to you that I, your son, should show kindness to you, my own mother. Is it not the duty of every son to help his mother? especially is it not mine to help her who, from my earliest days, has brought me up with tears and prayers?

“I know you do not understand my profession of Christianity. You have no doubt an idea that the religion I have embraced is as the religion of the Christians whom you see in Kovno. These people are Goyim [idolaters], whose lives are unworthy. But I am not a Goi [idolater]; I worship the God of Israel; Jehovah is my God, and none other God do I serve.

"The true Christian religion is a different thing entirely from what you see. True Christianity ennobles a man and makes him pure, true, and holy. It teaches people to love one another, and to forgive even their enemies, and although you have for years disowned me because I am a Christian, yet I have never forgotten to pray for you, my dear mother, and for all my kindred.

“Had I not been a believer in the Messiah, and influenced by His beautiful teaching, very likely the door of my heart would have been shut against even you, and, others with you. The remembrance that I was cut off by you, and cursed, might, perhaps, have caused me to turn a deaf ear to the sad cry of even a mother, but were I guilty of such conduct, I should be unworthy to be called a Christian, a name you cannot understand, but one which, thank God, is known here.

“I have a magnificent example before me, when I think of the last words of the dying Jesus of Nazareth. When He gazed from the cross of shame and anguish upon the multitude who triumphed in His death, He prayed, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' When I think of Him, and know that He is my Savior, how can I help loving Him? This Jesus is the Savior of the world. To Him every knee shall bow. The more I think of Him the more I mu: love Him. I cannot describe to you my joy through trusting and loving Him.”

My mother replied as follows:—

“My dear boy,—A thousand thanks for your kind letter with the sermon by Rabbi Spurgeon. He must be a man full of earnestness, and I cannot help but think that he is as earnest in his religion as your sainted father was in his.

"My dear child, I never in my life thought the. Christian religion could make men so good and true as you tell me they are.

“The sermon I have read and lent to others, who have read it with much interest. It almost bewilders me. Concerning the teaching and interpretation of the Passover as given in the sermon, is it really true? Can it be true? It seems too good to be true. If it is true, how is it that the wise in Israel know it not? Why does not our God, who can do wonders, reveal it unto us and somehow make us believe in it, so that we shall not doubt it?

“I should much like to enjoy the happiness and peace which you tell me faith in the Messiah gives. Pray for me, my dear child.”

Such words, coming from my dear mother, filled me with gratitude and with hope that she might speedily be, not only as she seemed to me, near the kingdom, but in the kingdom.

Through my communications with my mother and my sisters, much prejudice previously existing in the hearts of many of my Jewish friends and relations had been broken down. Nor is this all; my elder and only brother visited England with strong hopes of setting me right, and of bringing me back to the Jewish fold. But he soon became convinced of the truth of the gospel, and now, for Christ's sake, is ready to suffer the loss of all things, even to that of wife and children.

Beyond this, I have received visits from my two dear sisters, to whom I preached the gospel as well as I could. May God open their hearts to receive His truth!

Several old associates, friends, and distant relatives, having heard of my conduct to my mother, were so surprised at such behavior coming from a meshumad, that they visited me, and expressed their desire to learn the difference between me, as I was, and as I am now, and I now know of several among them who profess loyalty and love to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now I must conclude, and as I meet with Christian brethren in various denominations, my heart triumphs in witnessing that Christ reigns among all who love Him in sincerity, and I am encouraged in seeing so many Christians praying for the peace of Jerusalem, and rejoicing in what is being done for the conversion of the Jews. But still I cannot but mourn over many who, indeed, love the Lord Jesus Christ, and who wait for His coming, but who hardly ever give a serious thought concerning the spiritual welfare of my poor brethren according to the flesh. I marvel why Gentiles whom God has made His children are not filled with a hallowed enthusiasm for Israel, and especially so in this day, when He is leading so very many of His nation to Christ—yes, when even the persecutions in Russia, which have driven so many Jews to England, have been used by God to the salvation of their souls and their everlasting reward.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

FINIS.

Letter from Pastor W. Cuff

To my Beloved Friend, and Brother in the Gospel of Christ, the Rev. Isaac Levinson.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

A quarter of a century has come and gone since you and I first met. I remember the time, the place, and some things that passed between us. Ah; it seems but yesterday; yet the long years separate that day from this. Let us be thankful they have not separated us. Friends we were twenty-five years ago, and friends we are unto this day. You a Jew, and I a Gentile, yet both one in Christ Jesus our Lord, now and evermore.

It was a special providence that brought us together. Just then you needed, such an one as I, and the Lord put it into my heart to love you, and care for you, and try to lead you into new paths of reading, and thought, and action. The memory of it all is very precious to us both, and we can afford to praise our Covenant God.

How young and fresh in years, and in all your ideas you were in those early days. I recall how interested and simple, and real your faith was; and I bless the Lord it has not faltered, or faded into a flabby, or normal condition. Your knowledge of Christ was very nascent, but I watched it grow and increase as the days passed by. Step by step the Lord led you on and up, and gave you grace to be humble and trustful in Him. You know I have watched over you through every stage in the development of your character and work. Indeed I have been with you as a father to a son until you became as one of our family circle, and were welcome in our home.

I cannot forget, that I urged, and advised you to take the most serious step in your eventful life, namely to give up a good position in business, and go to college, and devote your life to the ministry. Do you remember how we prayed about it? We rejoiced together when dear C. H. Spurgeon accepted you as a Student in his College—my own well beloved Alma Mater.

Then came the next step, your first pastorate, and all the first hopes and fears and labors. Then came the thought of your connection with the British Society, and our anxious and prayerful conferences about it in all its bearings and responsibilities. This also was of the Lord; and so I think was the last move to the honorable and responsible position of the Secretariat. The letters received, showed how heartily your Brethren and Friends hailed, and welcomed you to this onerous post, and so did I as your oldest friend. Thus you stand to-day. May the Lord spare and keep you, and make you a prolonged blessing to our beloved Society all over the world.

It seems to me meet, and good that another edition of your life-story should be published, bringing it down to the present day. It is a tale of grace and love from beginning to end, and while it puts you in the dust, it exalts and glorifies the Lord. Herein let Him be adored, and magnified as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as long as you live; for "He hath done great things for us whereof we are glad.”

I have felt it permissible to write freely, because our connection has been so close, and so long, and so tender and so true. Dear friends who may read this letter will see I have written as a father and a friend, with one desire, to glorify the Grace of God in one of the Seed of Abraham, and an heir of the promise according to faith.

May the Lord make your work a blessing to thousands; so prays,

Your loving friend,

W. CUFF.

Shoreditch Tabernacle, Hackney Road,

London, E. November 10th, 1901.

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FOR several years Isaac Levinsohn corresponded with his dear mother, and has every reason to hope that the sermons of "Rabbi Spurgeon” influenced her Christward. It was a great joy to him when she expressed a wish to see him. But that joy was not granted. Although he had arranged to meet her, and had actually undertaken a journey to the frontier, where mother and son should meet. Alas this hope was frustrated. The morning when she was about to undertake the journey she was suddenly taken ill and passed away!

For several years after his conversion Isaac Levinsohn was in the service of the Religious Tract Society, where he made many friends who have been helpful to him. Dr. Davies, Dr. Samuel Manning, and Dr. S. G. Green took an interest in the young Hebrew Christian, and their influence was, as may be imagined, helpful to him. It brought him into contact with business men and things, and helped to mold his habits and business character, which in the Providence of God was a means to prepare him for further usefulness. It was during this period of happy service, he came in contact with the Rev. William Cuff, now the honored and successful Pastor of the Tabernacle Church, Shoreditch. This acquaintance ripened into a strong friendship. Mr. Cuff has always been the friend of Young Christians. He received this young Hebrew convert into his confidence and love. This friendship was destined to mark out the future career of our friend.

It was through the earnest advice of the Rev. William Cuff that Isaac Levinsohn entered the Pastor's College, where he passed through a course of training for the Ministry.

In 1881 he was ordained for the ministry, and for a period he served the Baptist Church, Burnt Ash, Lee, as Pastor. He was then invited by the Committee of the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews, to become their Missionary Deputation. Having consulted the late Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, in whose Pastor's College he had studied, and his dear friend Rev. W. Cuff, they advised him to accept the call as from God. Mr. Spurgeon commended him to the churches by writing the following letter.

WESTWOOD, BEULAH HILL, UPPER NORWOOD,

June 5th, 1886.

Mr. LEVINSOHN has passed through the Pastor's College with satisfaction to the Tutors and myself. I have the utmost confidence in him. He has given himself up to work for his fellow Israelites by aiding the British Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Jews, and I wish him every success in his undertaking. Difficult as the work is to win a way for the Gospel among the seed of Israel, it is our heart's desire and prayer that they may be saved; and therefore we must wish well to every effort to make known to them the true Messiah. Mr. LEVINSOHN has special qualifications for pleading the cause of the Society.

C. H. SPURGEON.

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For several years he carried on his work as Missionary and Deputation. To preach Christ to his own brethren, to expound the Scriptures and skew to Christians God's purposes concerning Israel, have been to him always a delight.

It was a great pleasure to Dr. Dunlop, the General Secretary of the Society, and to the Committee to receive numerous letters from leading ministers testifying of their appreciation of Mr. LEVINSOHN'S Ministry.

In 1887 the Committee of the British Society did him the great honor of sending him on a special mission of inquiry to the Holy Land.

He visited Rome, Egypt, and Palestine. This Mission was a great educational benefit to him. It made him more familiar with the condition of his brethren in Europe and in Bible Lands. Through his instrumentality the Society opened a station at Jaffa, where for several years a good work was done among the Jews. It was a great grief to him when after a while this work had to be abandoned through want of funds.

On his return from Palestine he wrote his interesting book, "The Story of my Wanderings in the Land of my Fathers," which has had a large circulation, and which still has a good demand in the book market.

When fresh from Palestine Mr. Levinsohn traveled throughout the country lecturing to many and large audiences on "Life in the Land of his Fathers." His description of oriental life, and particularly his graphic illustrations of Biblical truth have made his lectures very popular with Bible Students and Sunday School Teachers. The following letters will give the teacher some idea of how these were appreciated.

The following letters will interest our readers:—

ECCLESTON SQUARE CHURCH,

BELGRAVE ROAD, S.W.,

February 1st, 1889.

90, GLOUCESTER STREET.

I have great pleasure in stating that the REV. ISAAC LEVINSOHN has twice preached for me, and each time with great acceptance. There is a charm about his way of putting Scripture truth, which cannot fail to make him an acceptable supply. I shall be glad of his services on other occasions (D.V.).

J. HILES HITCHENS, D.D.

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157, DENMARK HILL, S.E.,

February 5th, 1889.

DEAR MR. DUNLOP,

It gives me the greatest pleasure to state that both at one of our week-day and at one of our Sunday Services, my people had the privilege of Mr. LEVINSOHN'S ministrations, by which they were greatly delighted and impressed. Would that Mr. L. might find a cordial welcome to every pulpit! No pastor would regret his occupancy thereof, but, on the contrary, would have much cause for thankfulness that so able and wise an advocate of the Jews' Society had been sent to plead on behalf of the favored race.

I am, dear Mr. Dunlop,

Very sincerely yours,

C. CLEMANCE, D.D.

P. S. I ought to have said that Mr. LEVINSOHN'S conversation in private was as charmingly wise and instructive as were his public teachings.

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90, GLOUCESTER STREET,

BELGRAVIA, S.W.,

March 20th, 1889.

The Rev. ISAAC LEVINSOHN delivered, at Eccleston Square Church Lecture Hall, a deeply interesting and most instructive Lecture on his "Rambles in Jerusalem." The Lecture was illustrated by Persons in Eastern Costumes and by Diagrams. Mr. LEVINSOHN won the rapt attention of his hearers, and retained it till the close. The representation of the Pharisee at prayers, and the wailing by the wall of Jerusalem made a profound impression upon the minds of the hearers. I have heard many similar lectures, but not one of them has surpassed that of the Rev. ISAAC LEVINSOHN.

J. HILES HITCHENS, D.D.,

Minister of Eccleston Square Church, Belgrave Road, S. W

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MELBOURNE HALL, LEICESTER, March 25th, 1889.

MR. LEVINSOHN’S Lecture on "My Rambles in Jerusalem" was intensely enjoyed here by a large congregation of people, old and young, on Wednesday, March 13th. Friends who have themselves visited Jerusalem were delighted by his true and graphic descriptions of Jewish life. Several persons dressed in Eastern Costumes added greatly to the interest of the Lecture. We must have Mr. Lebinsohn again soon.

C. B. SAWDAY.

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A new era in his Christian life began in 1885, when he was invited to attend a Conference on Missions held at Sunderland. There he was brought into personal contact with F. B. Meyer, R. C. Morgan, Scott-Moncrieff, and Reginald Radcliffe. The story told by Mr. Meyer, of how, through Mr. Studd, he entered into a fuller life in Christ, fascinated this young Hebrew Christian. The earnest words of Mr. Meyer made a deep impression on his heart, and caused him to long and to pray that this blessedness might be his.

Having heard of the spiritual good many of God's Servants had received at the meetings of the Convention at Keswick, he was led to attend these happy and, to him, ever memorable gatherings. There he again heard the Rev. F. B. Meyer, and with great delight listened to Prebendary Webb-Peploe, and to the Revs. Webster, Evan Hopkins and Macgregor. He returned to London stronger and infinitely the better for Keswick.

His ministry became now more than ever a ministry of joy in the Lord. With greater emphasis he felt he could say "I believe in the Holy Ghost." The theme of his ministry has been since then—Faith in a Living Christ, and obedience to His Divine Will! For sixteen years Mr. LEVINSOHN served the Master in connection with the British Society as Missionary Deputation. In 1899, the Secretary, Rev. John Dunlop, D.D., entered into his rest.

The Council and Committee then showed their confidence in and appreciation for his services by appointing him successor to Dr. Dunlop.

For the first time in the history of Jewish Missions has a Hebrew Christian been appointed to that office. That the appointment gave universal satisfaction is shown by the following letters.

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From the Society’s Missionaries

From the late Rey. J. Brunner, Radcliffe-on-Trent.

1st December, 1900.

MY DEAR MR. LEVINSOHN,

I learned the other day, with great pleasure, that you had been elected to succeed Dr. Dunlop in the functions of Secretary. I do most heartily congratulate you.

Truly the Committee have been divinely inspired, for they could not have made a better choice. I have no doubt that your nomination will prove a blessing to the cause and a comfort to the Missionaries individually. It is singular, I had a presentiment that you would be elected, and that presentiment which imperceptibly grew into an ardent wish, hunted me continually.

It just reminds me how Josephus in some wonderful way predicted to Vespasian that he would be nominated Emperor. I could likewise in a much humbler sphere have predicted your nomination. How true the words of Scripture, "Them that honor Me, I will honor" (1 Sam. 2:30).

I will now add those sublime words: "Ride prosperously, because of truth and meekness and righteousness" (Psalm 45:4.)

With kindest regards,

Yours sincerely,

J. BRUNNER.

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The Rev. M. Nachim (Missionary).

MY DEAR FRIEND, November 25th, 1899.

Allow me to say how much pleasure it affords me to send you a few words of heartful congratulations on your appointment as Secretary of our Society. As a Hebrew Christian brother my heart throbs with joy and satisfaction, that the choice of our Committee has fallen upon you. And trusting that under our Master's guidance, and with His help, your work in your new sphere will be richly blessed,

Very sincerely yours,

M. NACHIM.

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From the Rey, J. H. Shakespeare, M.A., Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland. 19, FURNIVAL STREET,

LONDON, E.C.,

Nov. 30th, 1899.

DEAR MR. LEVINSOHN,

Hearty congratulations on your appointment. I am sure they could not have got any one of equal influence with yourself or who would command equal support from the churches.

Believe me, yours faithfully,

J. H. SHAKESPEARE.

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From Dr. Green, Secretary of The Religious Tract Society.

56, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON,

Dec. 2nd, 1899.

MY DEAR MR. LEVINSOHN,

Allow me to congratulate you very cordially on your appointment. I trust it may prove that you have now found the great work of your life in promoting the diffusion of the Gospel among the Jewish people. I am sure that the task will be truly congenial, and trust that by God's blessing you may have health, strength, and opportunity for carrying out your best desires. With every good wish,

Yours very sincerely,

SAMUEL G. GREEN.

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British and Foreign Bible Society.

146, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, E.C.,

DEAR MR. LEVINSOHN, Nov. 27th, 1899.

Accept my hearty congratulations on your appointment to the Secretariat of the British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews. You have well deserved your promotion; and I wish you the largest usefulness in your new office. With kindest regards,

I am, very truly yours,

JAMES THOMAS.

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From the Rev. John Wilkinson, Mildmay Mission to the Jews.

DEAR MR. LEVINSOHN, Nov. 27th, 1899.

Please accept my sincere and warm congratulations on your election to the position of Secretary of the British Society. I know of no one more eligible for that responsible post than yourself, and I should have made the same appointment had the responsibility rested on my shoulders. You may reckon on my prayers that the God of Israel may guide, control, and use you for great blessing. Covet the smile of your Lord in every detail of your work, and countenance nothing displeasing to Him and you are sure of blessing.

Affectionately yours in Christ,

J. WILKINSON.

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From Dr. Chapman, Principal of Western College, Plymouth.

DEAR MR. LEVINSOHN, Dec. 11th, 1899.

I write just a line to say how pleased I am that you have been chosen to succeed Dr. Dunlop.

May you be blessed and prospered in your new duties!

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

CHARLES CHAPMAN.

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From Colonel Morton, Superintendent, Mildmay Conference Hall.

Nov. 27th, 1899.

DEAR MR. LEVINSOHN,

May I add my congratulations to those of your many friends, on the appointment in succession to the late Dr. Dunlop.

I feel perfectly sure that the British Society has done the very best thing in appointing you as Secretary. I hope that God will bless you through it all and make you more and more useful to Him in that, or in any other appointment you may take.

Believe me,

Most sincerely yours,

F. H. MORTON.

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Jewish Evangelical Mission,

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,

Nov. 22nd, 1899.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Thank God, I have lived to hear of a "Brother few" appointed Secretary of the British Society. My dear wife is shouting "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord." And now let me from my heart congratulate you on this appointment, and I pray God to spare you in your new office for many years to come. And by His Grace may you be able to raise the position of the Society.

God bless you. With our united love, to you and yours,

Yours in truth,

AARON MATTHEWS.

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The New Secretary began work under many disadvantages. The various departments of service were hampered for want of funds.

The Society, having established some years ago Homes for aged Hebrew Christians, where these old and Infirm Christian Israelites are received, and find shelter and support during the remainder of their earthly pilgrimage, it was a grief to the newly-appointed Secretary to find these Homes burdened by a debt of more than £800. He felt much troubled that no more inmates could be received into the Institutions through this debt. Believing in the power of prayer, he cried unto the Lord for help. The Lord graciously answered his prayer, and in a year from the time he undertook the burden, in the Lord's name, he was encouraged by the debt being entirely wiped off. His appointment to the Secretariat of the Society brought not only fresh responsibilities but much encouragement. From all parts of the United Kingdom letters were received by him which helped to make him realize that he was divinely led to this new sphere. The Missionaries of the Society at home and abroad welcomed him as their trusted friend.

Recognizing that the Lord called him into the new sphere for greater usefulness, he soon found work demanding all his energies. For some years past the Jewish population in the West End of London has increased very largely. Some thousands of Hebrews are now in that district. All missionary enterprise being mostly centered in the Eat End the new Secretary set his heart on this neglected field. Having prayed over it, he induced his Committee to open a new station.

The Rev. William Wingate, for many years a member of the Committee of the British Society, died. Mr. Wingate was contemporary of Robert Murray M'Cheyne, who was one of the founders of the British Society, and the first Missionary the Church of Scotland sent to Buda Pesth was William Wingate, the spiritual father of some of the most illustrious Hebrew Christians. During the last few years Mr. LEVINSOHN formed the warmest attachment for this venerable servant of God. At his translation to glory, he was led to propose to the Committee that the Society should perpetuate the memory of the two Apostles of Jewish Missions, by establishing in the West End of London, a Mission to the Jews, called "The Wingate M'Cheyne Memorial Mission." After very earnest consideration and much prayer the proposal was agreed upon. A Missionary has been appointed, and a good work is now being carried on, and great blessing is anticipated. The yearning of Mr. LEVINSOHN'S heart is now a "Wingate-M'Cheyne Mission House" which shall be a center for Hebrew activities in the West End, and for which, he believes, there is urgent need.

The British Society and the Secretary now wait upon God for guidance, and means. May the day soon come when the house shall be erected, and the glory of the Lord shall fill it.

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SOUTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH,

GREENWICH, S.E., November, 1901.

DEAR MR. LEVINSON,

I am glad you are bringing your life story "up-to-date." It has been my pleasure to know you for over 20 years, and to watch your career with growing interest. When you were called to your present position I was much gratified, for I felt you were the right man in the right place, and time will prove with God's blessing that such is the case.

May the God of Isaac ever be yours as helper and Savior, and may you live to serve Him unto a patriarchal age.

Yours heartily,

CHARLES SPURGEON.

Story of Isaac Levinsohn: A Polish Jew

Table of Contents

Introductory Pages

Dedicatory Note

The Story of Isaac Levinsohn

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Letter from Pastor W. Cuff

From the Society’s Missionaries