this plan has been abandoned, in compliance with what appeared to be the general wish : though it may well be doubted, whether we have not thereby rendered the gate of heaven more strait than God ever designed it to be : for the first converts, when cast off by their former friends, were not left to perish with hunger, but were supplied with necessaries out of a common fund. One benefit, however, accrues from this ; namely, that the funds of the Society, which are very inadequate to the objects we have in view, are by these means more entirely devoted to what may be called the primary and more important parts of the institution: and it is to be hoped that private benevolence will supply what necessity alone constrains us to withhold.
The objection which, perhaps, is urged with most confidence is, that the Society has spent much money, and effected but little, if any, good. That large sums have been spent, is certain : and that several of the plans first prosecuted were unsuccessful, must also be acknowledged. But the object was altogether new : and it is not to be wondered at, that, where the path was untrodden, the most perfect way should not be found at once. It must be confessed, also, that there was too little attention to economy among those who first established the Society. But the plans have since been simplified ; every improvident scheme has been laid aside ; and the utmost attention paid to economy in every part of the institution. As to that part of the objection, that little good has been effected, it is what I can by no means admit. It was to be expected, that the work of conversion amongst the Jews should be slow and gradual. Their prejudices are strong; and, till lately, they were almost inac- cessible to us : but, since the publication of the New Testament in Biblical Hebrew, the effects have been as great as could reasonably be expected : for some, at least, have been truly converted to God ; and vast multitudes have been stirred up to inquire after Chris- tianity ; so that I might almost say of different parts, both of Germany and Poland, that " the fields are