'338 PSALMS, cri. 13 — 15. [404.
[How many centuries have passed without any efforts made for their conversion to the faith of Christ ! They have been re- garded by the Christian world as utterly unworthy of. notice ; or rather, have been treated by them with all manner of indignity, oppression, and cruelty. But now Christians begin to feel how basely they have acted towards them ; and are combining their efforts to rend the veil from their hearts : and by all possible means to lead them to the knowledge of that Messiah, whom their fathers crucified °° ]
2. The expectation which the Jews have of their approaching deUverance — ■
[The Jews even of our own country, and still more upon the Continent, have a persuasion that their Messiah is speedily to appear, and to vindicate them from the oppression which they have so long experienced p. And though they do not at present know what kind of blessings they are destined to enjoy, (for they look no further than to a temporal deliverance,) yet the circum- stance of their " looking for redemption " as fast approaching, may justly be regarded as a sign of its actual approach.]
3. The work that has already been effected among them—
[Many have been converted to the faith of Christ : and though, as in the first ages of Christianity, many have disho- noured, or renounced, their holy profession, yet many have held fast their faith amidst the heaviest trials, and have adorned the Gospel by a holy conversation. We cannot, it is true, boast of thousands converted at once ; nor were the efforts of John, and of the Lord Jesus Christ himself, very successful for a season : even after all the labours and miracles of our Lord, his Disciples amounted only to 500; the greatest part of those who were convinced by him for a season having gone back from him : but the seed sown ' by him grew up on the day of Pen- tecost, and brought forth fruit an hundred-fold : in like manner we have only fruit sufficient at present to encourage our continued exertions ; but we hope that Pentecostal fruits will yet be found, and that too at no distant period. At all events we have evidence enough to shew, that God is with us in our labours of love, and to assure us, that we shall not labour in vain, or run in vain. The very circumstance of so many heralds being stirred up to prepare their way, is a strong ground of hope, that ere long ^ the valleys shall be exalted, and the mountains and hills be
made
*"* The attention paid to the study of prophecy in this day is re- markable.
'' Persons conversant with India have assured us, that both Maho- metans and Hindoos have an expectation also that a great change is abou^to take place in the religions which they profess. ■ ' .