have, in many instances, been most kindly received by the Jews ; who, instead of rejecting the offer of the Hebrew Testament, as in the preceding objec- tions is supposed, have most gladly and thankfully received it ; and, indeed, have expressed the most ardent desire to obtain it. They have shewn a great willingness, also, to be instructed in the knowledge of Christianity ; and, to a very great extent, have they shaken off the yoke of Rabbinical tyranny and Talmu- dical superstition : so that, when we shall be able to send forth amongst them a larger number of well- instructed missionaries, there is every reason to hope that the light of Divine Truth will arise upon them, and " the word of the Lord have free course, and be glorified " among them.
Whilst, then, on the one hand, I readily acknow- ledge that it is not " day" I think that any person of candour, who shall compare the present state of the Christian world towards them, and of the Jews them- selves, with what it has been in past times, must admit that it is not " night"
Is it then, "neither day nor night?" Methinks there is reason to hope that it is the very time fixed in the Divine counsels, even " the evening time," wherein the prophet tells us " there shall be light." Whether it be the full time for the calling in of the Jewish people generally, I presume not to determine; but that it is at least the proper time for our exer- tion, there can be, I think, no doubt. If a sign, whereby we may ascertain this fact, be demanded, I ask, What sign can any man reasonably require ? He will not surely call for a gift of prophecy, or for a power of working miracles ; but if, with the excep- tion of these, he demand the same signs to mark the Messiah's advent to convert his Jewish brethren as were given to mark his advent in the flesh, I am not sure but that we may venture to put the matter upon that issue. For what were the principal signs which marked his advent in the flesh ? There was a general expectation of him amongst the Jews themselves ; there were some more particularly " waiting for
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