The history of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity to the present time; comprising their conquests, dispersions, wanderings, persecutions, commercial enterprises, literature, manners, customs, and forms of worship, with an account of the various efforts made for their conversion

Front matter

THE

HISTORY OR THE JEWS

FROM THE

Introduction

but still beloved for their fathers’ sakes. They now hang their harps upon the willows, and weep when they remember Zion. Zion said, “ The Lord hath forsaken me ; my God hath forgotten me.” But what saith the Lord? “Cana woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, but I will not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hand ; thy walls are continually before me.” A time of favor is yet awaiting them. “ I will raise up,” sait^ the Lord, “ the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old.” “ And 1 will bring again the captivity of my people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them ; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land, which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.” “ And when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.”

As a standing memorial of God’s faithfulness, all the judgments that he threatened have overtaken them ; but, as destined also to be the monuments of his mercy, all that he has promised will be accomplished. The righteousness of Zion and Jerusalem shall “go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” The city that sits “ solitary,” and “ is become as a widow,” shall “ no more be termed Forsaken, nor the land be any more termed Desolate; she shall be called Hephzi-bah, and the land Beulah ; for the Lord delighteth in her, and her land shall be married.” Though she hath “lien among the pots,” she shall “ be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” “ The Jews shall turn to the Lord, and the veil shall be taken away.” Though now scorning the imputed righteousness of Christ, they shall yet be pardoned and cleansed, and become “a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of their God.” Though now scattered and called outcast,

INTRODUCTION.

“ God’s eye rests on them ; he doth earnestly remember them still, and will surely have mercy upon them.” Though driven, without any permanent resting-place, from country to country, their attachment to their ancient soil remains; and, amidst persecution, and desolation, and fiery trials, they anticipate the time when their wanderings shall all be over, and they be reinstated in their father-land. Amidst all the changes of civil polity, and the various revolutions of the nations of the world, this people has preserved a sub¬ stantial unity of character, that is but slightly modified by the peculiarities of the different countries where they are to be found. To the student of human nature, by the medium of history, the documents in which the circumstances of the Jews are detailed, will ever afford the most valuable instruc¬ tion ; but it is on the Christian, and viewed in the light in which Christianity presents it, that the condition of the Jews urges its claims to consideration, with a force that none can resist who have felt the power of divine truth on their hearts.

The obligations under which Christians are to the Jews are such as they can never sufficiently repay. Christianity is indebted to them, as the chosen people of God, for all the privileges which they now enjoy, by the possession of the records of Divine Revelation. All the inspired writers of both the parts of the canon of Scripture were Jews. By the Jews the Old Testament was preserved with the utmost care, and transmitted through successive generations with the most scrupulous fidelity ; and to the skill and diligence of Jewish transcribers exclusively it is that Christianity owes the present possession of these Sacred Writings in their original form. The learned of that nation have, at different times, produced writings, which, amidst a mass of error and absurdity, contain much that is calculated to throw light on the meaning of many passages of the Old Testament, and communicate much useful information respecting the lan¬ guage in which it was written ; and when general attention began to be directed to the study of this language, there was no other quarter at the time to which the student could have

INTRODUCTION.

recourse for the instruction necessary to his success. The first preachers and missionaries of the Gospel of Christ were Jews ; and it is to the instrumentality, either direct or indi¬ rect, of men of this nation, that, under the blessing of the Head of the Church, is to be ascribed the first introduction and continued existence of Christianity throughout the ex¬ tent of the Christian world. # To the same source must also be referred all the temporal blessings which Christianity has brought with it into the countries in which it has been established.

When we think of these things, we wonder why the Jews should have been so hated, and contemned, and persecuted by men professing Christianity in the countries of the old world. Can any modern nation boast of such ancestors? Can any prince or magistrate glory in a nobler line of sires? Have the Christianized Gentiles received from any other nation such literature, such poetry, such elegant writings, such divine narratives, such inestimable treasures of divine truth, as all these which we have received from the Jews in the Gospel, recorded in the Old and New Testaments? Did any nation but the Jews give us the Savior and Great One, who came to turn away ungodliness from Jacob, and to be our salvation to the ends of the earth? No, not one.

And they are preserved in the midst of the Gentile w r orld as a distinct people, in order to show to all nations the great and glorious deliverance awaiting Israel and Judah.

The following pages will show, in a succinct and popular epitome of their history, what God has done to them in his vindicating justice ; and what he is beginning to do to them, in turning the hearts of foes and friends toward them, to do them good in the latter days.

I commend this book to the providence of God, hoping that the Christian and Jewish readers will profit by the perusal thereof. I have only to add that I have made these additions,—namely, an Index, and a Preface,—at th.e request of my very dear Christian friend, Mr. Berk, a son of

* The Reformation itself seems to have owed not a little to a Jew. Luther was greatly helped by the writings of Lyra, a Jewish convert, to a right interpretation of the Bible; so much so, that it has been said, “ Si Lyra non lyrasset, Lutherua non saltasset,” — If Lyra had not piped, Luther had not danced.

INTRODUCTION.

Abraham, “ the father of the faithful,” both according to the flesh, and according to the spiritual covenant.

W. C. Brownlee.

New York, February 16, 1842.

I

RECOMMENDATIONS.

From the Rev. Samuel M. Worcester, rastor of the Tabernacle Church,

Salem, Mass.

The book which Mr. Berk is now circulating is well worthy of attention from all friends of the Jews, his “ brethren and kinsmen according to the fiesh. ,, Those who purchase it will do a kindness to him, while they may receive an equivalent, if not more, in the value of the information which it contains.

Samuel M. Worcester.

From Rev. Thomas M. Clark, Rector of Grace Church, Boston.

The information contained in the “ History of the Jews," re-published in this country by Mr. Berk, is very valuable. The book appears to have been compiled with care, and the subscriber believes that its statements may be relied on as true. He would cordially recommend it to the Christian public.

Thomas M. Clark.

Boston, July 5, 1842.

From Rev. Moses Stuart, Professor of Sacred Literature , Theological

Seminary, Andover.

I have read the History of the Jeivs, by Mr. Berk, the bearer of this, and deem it a useful book in giving information respecting the Jewish nation, from the time of their captivity down to the present period. 1 can hardly name the book which comprises so much of this history in so small a compass, in the English language. I think it worthy of the atten¬ tion and the patronage of those who feel an interest in reclaiming the unbelieving Jews; and I hope and trust there are few Christians destitute of such an interest.

Moses Stuart.

Andover, 17th Nov., 1842.

I

From Rev. Dr. Sharp, Pastor of Charles Street Baptist Church, Boston.

The History of the Jews, from their captivity to the present year, published by Mr. M. A. Berk, with a preface by Dr. Jenks, is a very inter¬ esting volume. It contains information concerning that ancient and much injured people, that can be found in no other book. I trust the history of that wonderful people, their persecutions and sufferings, will he generally read; and excite the sympathies and prayers and efforts of Christians in their behalf—and that the publisher of this book will be amply rewarded.

Daniel Sharp.

Boston, Jan. 5, 1842.

Preface

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

No one, I think, who has experienced upon his own heart the influence of divine truth, as derived from the holy Scriptures, will hesitate to form his estimation of men according to the sacred standard. And his taste, hallowed and sanctified by piety, will give to the subjects of revelation their just weight and importance—which can be no other than the highest.

In contemplating, therefore, the nations of the earth, whatever regard he may have for classical antiquity, and whatever interest he may take in the lives, characters and pursuits of the great men of Greece and Rome, he will yet be willing to turn from them, and dwell with a far higher interest on the Hebrew nation. For its worthies he will feel an attachment he cannot feel for others. Their characters are blended with the great articles of his faith, and their lives illustrate the volume vrhich is his guide to eternity. Their history will be to him the most important. For he cannot forget that to them God was pleased to reveal Him¬ self and His will ; that of them were “the fathers and that, above all, they were separated from the rest of the nations of the earth, for the special purpose, that of them should be born the Messiah, “ the Desire of all nations,” as well as “the glory of God’s people, Israel.”

PREFACE.

It was an eminent Jew who declared, publicly and sol¬ emnly, when questioned concerning his professed faith in Jesus Christ as this Messiah of his nation, that he taught “none other things than Moses and the prophets did say should come. 55 Let this “ Hebrew of the Hebrews 55 be heard and believed by his “ kinsmen according to the flesh, 55 whose reverence for their Master, Moses, is so great ; and they will find that even Moses will rise in their estimation, when it is perceived and felt that “ the law, 55 of which he was the chosen promulgator, is “ a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ, 55 their own Messiah, for eternal salvation.

The Gospel honors the founder of the Hebrew faith, then, as it does the founder of the Hebrew nation ; making Abra¬ ham “ the father of the faithful,” and Moses, his distin¬ guished descendant, the most eminent type of the Messiah, who was also “ of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh,” in whom God has united the human nature with the divine; “for in him, 55 as was foretold by Isaiah, in His appropriate name of “ Emmanuel,” “ dwelleth all the full¬ ness of the Godhead bodilv.”

When Christ, then, is accepted, it is, virtually, but the fulfillment of the prediction of the Jewish prophet, that “ men 55 of all nations “shall take hold of the skirt of Him that is a Jew , saying ‘We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. 5 55 And hence it actually is, that, although, on account of their unbelief and sin, as Moses himself asserts, the Jews, as a people, have failed to be what their God graciously declared He was ready to make them, “ a nation of priests, a holy nation, 5 * they have, nevertheless, even as it is, become the instruments of en¬ lightening the world. For the apostles of Christ, the first preachers of the Gospel, were, as well as their Lord and Master, of this highly favored race.

Now such a consideration is conciliatory. It disarms the spirit of persecution, if a real Christian can feel that spirit. And it can, at the same time, cause the reflective Jew to forgive the indignities and injuries his nation has unhappily suffered. Yet it is not to be forgotten on either side, that

PREFACE.

the Holy Book they both believe predicts these very suffer¬ ings—a prediction confirming in its fulfilment the solemn truth of God.

The spirit of the Gospel is love. And it contains the memorable assertion, “ If a man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” It therefore reproves, and con¬ sequently disowns, every unfriendly, hostile feeling, except against sin. It seeks the good, spiritual and temporal, of all mankind—particularizing “first the Jew,” and then the Greek or Gentile. This is its golden key to open the hearts of all men. And its spirit is manifesting its«lf in those numerous associations which have been formed for persuad¬ ing the Jews to embrace their own Messiah, I repeat this name, their endeared “ Emmanuel.” The professions which these associations make are substantiated by the real benefits they have conferred, and are not empty words. Actions have shown, that many Christians are desirous of wiping away the blot which for many an age disgraced the name they bear, in reference to treatment given the Jews.

This book is a proof. It appears to be written in a good spirit, friendly, loving, Christian. It manifests a kind regard to the House of Israel, in the earnest desires which breathe throughout it, that Jews may embrace their promised Shiloh, as many Gentiles do agreeably to Jewish predictions, and be happy in Him here, and forever!

A Jew, who sincerely yields himself to these benevolent desires in his behalf, and receives in faith the New as well as Old Testament, as his ancestor Abraham would have “ rejoiced ” to do, must truly look on Jesus Christ with feelings far more keen than can be experienced by mere Gentile believers. Christ is literally to Jews their “ bone and flesh ”—their countryman—the Hope of their illustrious fathers, on whose account themselves are “ beloved 5 —pre¬ dicted by their own David, Isaiah, and other holy prophets of their nation—and “ precious,” not to them alone, but to “ be for salvation to the ends of the earth ”—the Grand Medium of union to the whole human family.

The writer of these few prefatory remarks has had, com- 1

PREFACE.

paratively, but little intercourse with Jews. Yet such as he has known, who have manifested a serious piety, and pro¬ fessed a belief in Christ, have justified, he must say, the views now expressed, and the character just described. And his earnest wish is, and his prayer, that the re-publication of the present volume, enlarged and enriched by his Judseo- Christian friend, Mr. Berk, may be blessed “ of the God of Israel, 55 not only to excite an enlarged affection toward the Jews, and an interest in their highest welfare, among Chris¬ tians themselves, which is greatly desirable ; but also to attract the descendants of Abraham to the faith of the Gospel, and a trust in their Messiah and King, agreeably to the cheering prophecies of their own divinely inspired Scriptures.

William Jenks.

Boston, January 11 , 1843 .

Chapter I

JDie Seventy Years’ Captivity—Condition of the Hebrews in Exile—The v Decree of Cyrus—Return of the Jews, and Rebuilding of the City and Temple—Conquests of Alexander. . ... 19

CHAPTER 'II.

^Persecutions by Antiochus Epiphanes—The War of Independence- Subjugation of Judea by the Romans—Invasion by the Parthians—Antigonus—Defeat of Antigonus, and Accession of Herod to the Throne of Judea. . . 33

Chapter VI

Advance of Titus against Jerusalem—Commencement of the Siege— Conquest of the Outer Wall—Capture of the Lower City—Siege of the Tower of Antonia—Assault on the Temple—Burning of the Temple— Conquest and Conflagration of the Upper City—Complete Demolition of Jerusalem—Close of the Jewish War.64

Chapter VII

State of Judea subsequent to the Jewish War—Condition of the Jews during the reigns of Domitian, Nerva, and Trajan—Establishment of the Rabbinical Authority, and of the School of Tiberias—Their oppression by Hadrian—Appearance of Barcochab, the Pretended Messiah, ^nd General Revolt of the Jews—Their Defeat by Julius Severus—Building of ./Elia Capitolina—Edict of Hadrian—Julian the Apostate, and the Jewish Tradition. (From A. D. 70 to A. D. 137.) ... 77

CONTENTS

Chapter VIII

Power of the Patriarchs of Tiberias—The Mishma and Gemara—Jews and Samaritans under Severus—Caracalla—Heliogabalus—Alexander Severus—Zenobia of Jewish descent—Princedom ot the Captivity— The Babylonish Talmud—The Jerusalem Talmud—Jews in China. (From A. D. 220 to 350.).

Chapter IX

The Establishment of Christianity as the National Religion—Edicts of Constantine—Jerusalem becomes a place of Christian Pilgrimage— Persecution of the Christians in Persia excited by the Jews—Rebellion in Palestine, and consequent Decrees of Constaniius—Conversion of Epiphanius—Julian's attempt to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem— Intolerant Zeal of Ambrose—Jerome studies under various Rabbis— Remarkable Conversion of the Jews in Minorca—Theodosius II. pro¬ hibits the celebration of the Feast of Purim—Contests between the Jews and Christians—Tumult at Alexandria—Moses at Crete—Suppres¬ sion of the Patriarchate of Tiberias. (From A. D. 340 to A. D. 434.)

Chapter X

Wise Policy of the Ostrogothic Kings of Italy—Persecuting Edicts of Justinian—Dissension between the Rabbis and the People—Simeon of Emesa—The internal Slave-trade of Europe in the hands of the Jews— Conduct of Gregory the Great towards them—Rebellion of Mier against the Persian King, and consequent Persecution of the Babylonian Jews—Embassy of the Jews of Palestine to Nushirwan—Taking of Jerusalem by Chosroes II., and Massacre of the Christian inhabitants by the Jews—Recovery of the City by Heraclius. (From A. D. 530 to A. D. 610.).115

Chapter XI

Jewish Kingdom in Arabia Felix—Wars of Mohammed against the Jewish Tribes—Subjugation of Palestine, and Conquest of Jerusalem by Omar —Downfall of the Persian Kingdom—Severe Persecutions of the Jews in Spain—Isidore of Seville—Various Councils of Toledo—Treatment of the Jews in France—Avitus of Clermont—Chilperic and Priscus. (From A. D. 610 to A. D. 710.).129

Chapter XII

Golden age of Judaism—Kingdom of Khozar—Flourishing Condition of the Jews under the Caliphs of Bagdad—Anan and the Karaites—Leo the Isaurian, and other Byzantine Emperors—Favor shown to the Jews by Charlemagne and Louis le Debonnaire—Agobard of Lyons—Caliphs of Cordova—Rabbinical Learning flourishes in Spain—Lives and Writ¬ ings of Aben Ezra and Maimonides—Thirteen articles of Jewish Faith —Skill of Hebrew Physicians—Jewish Mistress of Alphonso IX. (From A. D. 660 to A. D. 1171.). 160

Chapter XIII

Iron age of Judaism—Suppression of the Princedom of the Captivity— Benjamin of Tudela and Petachia—Jews in Italy—Nilus the Calabrian —Singular Custom at the Accession of a Pope—Synagogues of the South

CONTENTS.

of France—Family of the Kimchi—Travels of Solomon Jarchi—The Jews at Beziers assaulted every Easter—Cruelties of the Crusaders— St. Bernard and Peter of Cluni—Philip Augustus banishes the Jews from France, but afterwards permits their return—Conduct of St. Louis —The Jews are again banished by Philip the Fair, and their property confiscated—Lewis Hutin permits them to return—Sanguinary Persetion in the south of France, which makes them happy to leave the Kingdom—They make a bargain with Charles the Wise, and again return—Final Expulsion under Charles VI.—Toleration of the Jews in Provence—The Jews of Castile—Alphonso the Wise—Don Joseph, a Jew, Treasurer to Alphonso XJ.—Anecdote of a Queen of Castile— Jews excluded from Barcelona—Bedrasci—Don Santo—Conferences between Jews and Christians in Arragon—Disputation in the presence of the Anti-pope Benedict XIII.—Joseph Albo—Conversions effected by Vincent Ferrier—New Christians—Banishment of the Jews from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella—Hardships suffered by the Exiles— The Portuguese Jews distinguish themselves in Commerce and Lit¬ erature—Printing Press established by them at Lisbon—Sufferings of the Jew's in Portugal—They are expelled by King Manuel—Persecution of those who conformed to Christianity. (From A. D. 1130 to A. D. 1500.) . 184

Chapter XIV

Persecutions of the Jews in Switzerland—They are protected by the Emperors—The Black Death—Horrible Cruelties inflicted on the Jews at Strasburg—Persecutions in Brabant—Jew’s in England—William Rufus—Henry II.—Massacre of the Jews at York—Enactments made against Usury—The Jews first favored, and afterwards persecuted by John—Exactions of Henry III.—Expulsion by Edward I. (Between A. D. 1288 and A. D. 1394—1519.). 227

Chapter XV

Jews in Naples—They are generally protected by the Popes—Council of Constance—Oppression of the Jews in the north of Italy—Establish¬ ment of the Monte di Pieta —Preachings of Bernardino Thomitano— The Jews favored at Florence—Jews of Leghorn—Adventures of Abarbanel—The Jews expelled from Naples—David and Solomon Molchu— Jews of Ferrara—The Venetian Government favors and protects the Jews—Jew's at Genoa and Caffa. (From A. D. 1500 to A. D. 1800.) 245

Chapter XVI

Italian Rabbis—Leo the Hebrew—His “ Dialogues of Love ”—Jewish Printing Presses in Italy—The Soncinati—Gerson de Soncino, a re¬ nowned Printer—Learned Men—Gedaliah ben Joseph Jachia—Solomon Usque—His “ Consolation of Israel”—Leo of Modena—Tremelius— The Jews persecuted by various Popes—Wise Policy of Sixtus V.— German Jews—Jews in Russia—Influence of the Reformation on the State of the Jews—They enjoy great Prosperity in Poland—They are

E rotected by the United Provinces—Jews at Constantinople. (From A. i. 1580 to A. D. 1647.). 262

Chapter XVII

Flourishing State of the Jews in Holland—Mannasseh ben Israel—His unsuccessful attempt to prevail upon the English Government to re-admit the Jews—They are re-admitted under Charles 11.—Esdras of

j #

CONTENTS.

Hamburgh converts many to the Christian Faith—Leopold 1. expels tho Jews from Vienna, but afterwards allows them to return—Adventures of Sabbathai Sevi, a false Messiah—Sect of the Sabbathaites—The Zo harites—Mysterious Character of Frank, their Founder—Remarkable Sect of the Chasidim—Their Opinions and Customs—The Jews op¬ pressed by Frederick the Great of Prussia—Tumults in England on occasion of a Bill for their Naturalization—Career of Moses Meldenshon—The “Jerusalem” and the “Phaedon”—Wesseley and Friedlander—Privileges granted to the Jews by Joseph II.—The Callenberg Institution, the first Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews —Its Labors and Extinction—Efforts of the Moravians—The Jews re¬ admitted into France by the Revolution—Napoleon assembles the Grand Sanhedrim—His unsuccessful efforts to make Political Tools of the Jews. (From A. D. 1560 to A. D. 1806.). 282

Chapter XVIII

Present State of the Jews—Jews of England—Jews of Germany and France—Infidelity prevalent among them—Edicts of the Russian Gov¬ ernment—Polish Jews—Karaites in the Crimea—In Lithuania—At Constantinople—Affecting Service of those at Jerusalem—Jews at Leg¬ horn—Jews in the Papal States—Antipathy between the Greeks and Jews—Recent Decree of the Ottoman Porte in favor of the Jews— Mehemet Ali—Persecution at Damascus—Attachment of the Jews to the Holy Land—Their recent returning to it in considerable numbers— Their cities there—Singular Petition of the Polish Jews—Unfortunate Condition of the Jews in Persia—The Rechabites—Jews in Yemen and Aden—Fate of the Ten Tribes—The Affghans—The Israelites of Daghistan—The Beni-Israel—Their Customs and Rites—White and Black Jews of Cochin—Charter granted to the former by the Emperor of Malabar—Curious Version of the New Testament—Jews in Egypt—In the Barbary States—In Morocco—In the United States. . . 316

Chapter XIX

Missions to the Jews—Societies for their Conversion in the Prussian Dominions—Great Success—Converted Jew Professors—Dr. Neander —London Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews—Labors of the Society—Schools in Posen—Mission and Church at Jerusalem— Church of Scotland—Deputation to Palestine—Their Report to General Assembly—Prospects—Concluding Remarks.402

Appendix, ... .421

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

It will perhaps be expected, by the reader of the following pages, that something should be said of the history of the chosen people previous to the captivity of Babylon; and the first thing that suggests itself is the question, Why God should have chosen any people, among the millions of the earth’s in¬ habitants, as the depositaries of his Word and the recipients of his especial favor.

“God’s ways are not as our ways and it does not become us to inquire into what he hath seen fit to withhold from our finite faculties and understandings. As well might the child, instead of applying himself to arithmetic and grammar, find fault with his teacher for not showing him fluxions and the calculi. God owes no account of his motives and intentions to man.

Among things revealed, however, we may properly push our inquiries; the lessons we have been taught belong to us. It does appear that it was God’s will that man should walk up¬ rightly, and that, in a brief space, this truth was utterly forgot¬ ten ; the whole race, with a solitary exception, being sunk in the lowest depths of depravity. Nor did the manifestation of his detestation of wickedness in the destruction of mankind, with the exception of one family, make any abiding impression on that family’s descendants. To preserve mankind from moral ruin, therefore, and to prepare them for the coming of the Christ, it seems to have been necessary that a people should be selected as the depositaries of certain truths, to whom other nations might turn for instruction; and for this high trust and dignity Abraham and his seed were chosen. From what has come down to us of the patriarch’s character,

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

it again appears, even to our limited understandings, that he was peculiarly qualified for his sublime position. Just was he found, and faithful he remained, amidst all the trials of his faith. He established the rite of circumcision, to mark his posterity, and died, bequeathing the covenant to his son, in whose personal history there is little interest; but who appears to have served God to the best of his knowledge and abilities.

By divine appointment, the youngest son of Isaac became heir of the promises; and, by a series of occurrences, in which the hand of God is every where manifest, the son of the Canaanitish shepherd was attached to the throne of Egypt, and the chosen people became many and powerful on the banks of the Nile; too powerful; for, by their rapid increase, they were likely to have become the ruling race of the land. They were dangerous to the Egyptians, and therefore it was the policy of the Pharaoh to enslave them, and, by making their religion a cause of continual suffering, to drive or seduce them from it. “A new king arose, who knew not Joseph;” that is, who was not grateful for the services he had rendered. His plan was to crush and debase his new subjects bv severe and unrequited toil; and, lest this should not thin their numbers fast enough, he commanded that all the male infants of the Hebrews should be cast into the Nile. In a word that comprehends the sum of human miseries, they were slaves. Their sufferings wrung from them a cry of distress that reached the throne of Jehovah, and he raised them up a deliverer; such a man as appears but once in ‘ages, if, indeed, more than one such man has ever appeared ; a man combining the zeal of a patriot, the military qualities of a warrior, and the wisdom of a philosopher and sage. Before Moses, there were governments of men and castes; but he was the first to institute a government of laws. His genius, with the direct aid of God, suggested remedies for all the evils wherewith the Israelites were afflicted, and raised them from the abjection into which they had fallen. He led them out of bondage and formed them into a republic ; he first devised that form of government to which the march of mind, after the experience of three thousand years, has brought, or is fast bringing, all civilized nations of the earth. For sixteen

PRELIMINARY REMARKS.

hundred years, crowded with events the most calculated to extinguish the little model association he created, sixteen cen¬ turies of suffering and persecution, it existed in all its integrity, till the hour foretold for the regeneration of the human race.

God did not take the rescued Israelites directly to Canaan, probably because their long servitude had abased the character of the then existing generation, and made them comparatively ignorant or heedless of the religion of their fathers. There is strong evidence of this fact in the first books of the Pentateuch. Before they came into contact with the nations of Canaan, it was necessary that they should have such proofs of the power and protection of their God as would inspire them with confi¬ dence for the unequal strife; and they were therefore long kept in training for the duties which awaited them and the position they were to take. The moral law was given in thunder from Sinai, and the tabernacle was reared by special direction from the pillar of cloud. At the same time, they were taught the necessity and wisdom of trusting in God, by constant displays of his power and goodness. All this was not sufficient for the first generation out of Egypt; they often broke into discontent and rebellion, and therefore were they suffered to be consumed in the wilderness. And then, a new race of men had sprung up, well instructed in their religion, and, his sublime mission accomplished, Moses died. No one has raised his monument; he did that himself. What mind has so deeply graven itself upon the human mind universal as his? Whose spirit has so deeply penetrated into all modern law, all modern policy, all forms of civilized society ? Since the fall of the Roman empire, there has been no political sys¬ tem that has not borrowed, more or less, from that of Moses. Christianity and Islamism owe their chief elements to the rev¬ elation first promulgated by him.