NARRATIVE OF A MISSION OF INQUIRY TO THE JEWS FROM THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND IN 1839. "He caused me to pass by them round about, and behold there were very many in the open valley, and lo! they were very dry." Ezek. xxxvii. 2. PHILADELPHIA: PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION. PREFACE. THIS work was undertaken at the desire of the Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the Conversion of the Jews. The writers had only one object in view during their journey, namely, to see the real condition and character of God's ancient people, and to observe whatever might contribute to interest others in their cause. Desiring to keep this single object in view in their Narrative also, they have not recorded many particulars of importance in regard to the general history of the countries which they visited, except in so far as this was likely to forward their main design. The same reason, however, has led them to dwell somewhat minutely on the scenery of the Holy Land, and the manners of its inhabitants, because, any thing that may invest that land with interest, will almost necessarily lead the reader to care for the peculiar people who once possessed it, and who still claim it as their own. It is meant to be a plain narrative, so that the most unlearned reader, if only familiar with the Scriptures, may follow the writers in their visit to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. We have had specially in view the people of the parishes of Scotland, feeling it our duty and our privilege, as ministers of Christ in the Church of Scotland, to promote the cause of the Jews among our brethren. If the Church of Scotland in these perilous times, "take hold of the skirt of the Jew," God may remember her for Zion's sake. The work has been long delayed, longer than was desirable, but this delay was unavoidable. During at least twelve months after returning home, scarcely a week passed wherein we did not receive some call to visit this or that other parish in order to tell orally the things we had seen and heard. And even now, when at length we have found time to sit down and write these records of our journey, it has been amidst the incessant demands for parochial labours, to which every pastor is daily subjected, and which he feels to be imperative. May the God of Israel, for his ancient people's sake, make this work useful in kindling a brighter flame of love to the Jews in the bosom of all who are "the Lord's remembrancers" in Scotland, and may He grant "that this service which we have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints." May 2d 1842. ANDREW A. BONAR. ROBT. MURRAY M'CHEYNE. |