cision. But our readers would do us great injustice if, on matters pertaining to sacred writ, they supposed we should desire to raise a smile. We speak gravely; we only wish to show what this literalism is; and, as in duty bound, we will proceed to prove our words. venture! the obstacles which crossed their path only excited them to greater efforts, and a fixed determination to surmount them all, and complete that stupendous undertaking, the Box Tunnel!! that great work of art, cost, skill, and labour. "The prophetic vision of Ezekiel so many centuries ago, which commentators one and all have agreed 'past finding out,' could not have been discovered or rendered intelligible before the present era for how could the mind of man comprehend that which was unknown? The use and power of steam who could foreknow? the growth of science how express? Dr. Dick, with reference to the use of steam, says, 'We invention, combined with other mechahave reason to believe that when this nical assistances, shall approximate nearer to perfection, a much more rapid rate of motion will be effected; and the First, then, we will quote from the pamphlet entitled "An Illustration of Ezekiel's Vision of the Chariot, shewing its literal meaning, utility, and fulfilment in the nineteenth century." We will quote, without adding one word of comment, for we are not arguing but illustrating. The pamphlet nical The pamphlet is ascribed to a veteran student of unfulfilled prophecy, who has written much upon the subject, and strongly advocates the new interpretations respecting the Jews. We will exhibit the staple of his argument; only advertising our readers that the Italics and notes of admiration at the words "Box Tunnel!!" are the learned author's, not ours. "The Book of the Prophet Isaiah was written in the year from the creation of the world 3244-year from the Deluge, according to the generally received Hebrew text, 1588-years before Christ, 712. Yet we find in the nineteenth century, a literal fulfilment of those remarkable words-Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain,' which being connected with the certain restoration of the Jews, is a subject of deep interest and importance; all the prophecies have been fulfilled as predicted; at the appointed time, no opposition from within, or without, could stay the progress of Almighty power. The means for the end were found, until all things were accomplished according to the foreknowledge of Jehovah. Men in every age have been raised up on the instant, endued with energies sufficient for every arduous undertaking, and preordained circumstances, and England, in the fulness of time,' for the accomplishment of this especial purpose, hail in science and enterprise, a Brunel! Brewer! Lewis! Men equal to every adventure, possessing minds that no appalling circumstances could shake, damp their courage, or check the spirit of ad advantage of this in a religious, as well as in a commercial point of view, may be easily appreciated.' This we have seen fulfilled and still fulfilling, and observation compels a belief, that the highway spoken of in Isaiah, (xl. 3, 4, and Baruch v. 7,) and explained by all commentators literally: with the chariots of Ezekiel (chap. i.) and of Nahum, (ii. 4,) have reference to railroads and railway conveyance by locomotive carriages; and the more minutely the form and construction of the powerful engine, in connexion with the carriages, are carefully and minutely examined, and compared with effects, the more opinion strengthens and conviction confirms the truth, that it is altogether of divine origin, and little short of miracle, that after the lapse of so many ages, (from chronological notes relative to the commencement of Ezekiel prophesying-year from the creation, according to Archbishop Usher, 3409-year of the Jewish era from the world, 3166-year from the deluge, 1753-and years before Christ, 585;) that the description of it should be handed down to us in the nineteenth century, in language so appropriate, so true, intelligible, and descriptive, that it is impossible to mistake its meaning, for although Ezekiel saw four living creatures,' (destined for the four quarters of the globe-' in the fulness of times')-he shews clearly their component parts were of iron and burnished brass, containing inwardly fire, without consuming itself-fire of coals!' sufficiently large and active to send upwards a lengthened wreath upon wreath, of crystal-coloured cloud, and their centre to be of burnished brass, sparkling, as with lightning speed they winged their way, emitting sparks as from forged iron, instinct with a vital spirit, unknown till steam and its powerful effects were disclosed to man, by the manifold wisdom of God; the force of the steam escaping, panting as with the breath of life, is accurately described by the prophet, and the beautiful confusion of ideas, to give expression to the extraordinary sounds applicable to what he saw and heard, when four living creatures started at one moment before him, is grand in the extreme, and true to the letter. And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, (Ps. xviii. 13,) like distant thunder. The voice of speech as the noise of a host: when they stood, they let down their wings. And there was a voice over their heads when they stood they went up, and down, and turned not when they went-every one went straight forward.' Had Ezekiel represented to us this vision in all its bearings and perfect form, and left us to conjecture how the train of carriages he afterwards mentions could be borne along, we might even then have traced their likeness; but when, by the use and propelling influence of steam, we see the living creatures' in our day, as he has described it, rushing straight forward, with lightning speed, panting as with life and voice of speech; doubts and conjectures flee before incontestible proof, and in the living creature before us, our astonished senses behold the perfect vision!" "The almost supernatural zeal and enthusiasm evinced by all classes of scientific men, and the extraordinary confidence excited in the minds of capitalists, by which millions on millions have been raised and applied with unabated zeal, is truly surprising. The Liverpool and Manchester railway cost the enormous sum of 44,0291. per mile; London and Birmingham five millions!! advanced with a willingness; such, indeed, as Omnipotence only could instil, command, or extend at a given period, not confining this spirit of enterprise and adventure to place or nation, but carrying out His vast designs into all lauds, wheresoever the scattered tribes of his people Israel are sojourning, until their warfare is accomplished and they return in triumph to the land of their forefathers. 'And God hath appointed that every high hill, and banks of long continuance should be cast down, and valleys filled up, to make even the ground that Israel may go safely, in the glory of God.' (Baruch v. 6, 7.) "For I will take you (O house of Israel) from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.' "Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou and thy bands, and many people with thee.' (Ezekiel xxxviii. 9.) "Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?' (Isaiah lx. 8.)" Then follows a "commentary on Ezekiel i. verse 1. to the end," to illustrate the author's argument that the highway spoken of by Isaiah, and the chariots of Ezekiel, are to be construed literally as having "reference to railroads and railway conveyance by locomotive carriages." The author then adds: "The above commentaries, taken from Archbishop Usher, Clarke, Benson, Bochart, Henry, and Scott, &c., have been introduced to show how correctly each one has interpreted the vision, but could give no application, having written their commentaries years before the use of steam had been applied to railroads for locomotive carriages. Dr. Adam Clarke despairingly adds to his Commentary, 'From the whole of this vision and its difficulties, will be seen the propriety of the council of Rabbins ordering Rabbi Ananias three hundred barrels of oil to light his lamp during the time it would be necessary for him to employ himself in explaining this one vision!" Our second illustration of the extent to which the doctrine of literalism is advancing shall be taken from a Letter addressed to the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, by "Charlotte-Elizabeth;" a lady for whom we entertain very high regard and esteem; whose talents we admire, but whose zeal and affection, whose diligence and devotedness, raise her still higher in our estimation. Love to God and to her fellow creatures glow throughout her animated pages; and if we were to describe her character as it presents itself to our minds, it should be in the words of St. Paul, "not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of the saints; given to hospitality." But we must not follow the example of Richard Hooker, who, because the Shunammite (as she was called), who boarded the preachers at St. Paul's Cross, but who was anything rather than a good Shunammite, or a Charlotte-Elizabeth, in her character, cured him of a cartarrh, "thought himself," says honest Walton, "bound in conscience to believe all that she said;" for our respect for our esteemed authoress consists with a large amount of difference of opinion. Upon the subject of her Letter to Bishop Alexander we shall not, and will not, enter. Every scholar, every physician, every oriental traveller, knows that it is connected with many questions of history, of climate, and of physiology, upon which we forbear remarking. Thus much, however, we may say, that it pleased God, in a state of society very different to that of modern Europe, and among a peculiar people, to appoint a sign and seal adapted for its intended purposes, but which, like all other ceremonials in the Jewish economy, was only meant to be temporary, till the Mosiac ritual was superseded. It pleased Him also, under the Christian dispensation, to appoint a sign and seal, Baptism, adapted to very different habits and manners; a sign and seal simple and significative; calculated for every people and clime; to which modern customs and feelings offered no impediment; which adult converts from Heathenism could submit to without inconvenience, danger, or embarrassment; and which distinguishes a Christian from a follower of the false Prophet as well as from an unbelieving Jew. No person can read the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, without perceiving that there were many habits, duties, ceremonies, and purifications, which were divinely appointed for special objects; but in the subsequent abolition of which we justly trace the wisdom and goodness of God; and we have reason to believe that as the habits of modern refinement call it, if you will, fastidiousness prevail among the educated classes of Jewish society, they would be glad, without reference to any religious considerations, if several of the peculiarities of their law were as suitable to their present condition, as are those of Christianity to ours. This is their just punishment for rejecting the Messiah, who came to deliver them from a yoke which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear. But to be entangled again, after having enjoyed the freedom of Christ's kingdom, were indeed a woeful enthralment. Is it meant to carry this system throughout, so that a converted Jew may have several wives, but not light a fire on the Jewish sabbath? Is Bishop Alexander to follow the Jewish ritual respecting clean and unclean meats? and may he lawfully put his son to death for drunkenness? he further to compel his servants to submit to superseded Jewish rites? The sooner converted Jews become "altogether" Christians, the better. Is They are indeed Jews by nation, and do not lose their nationality; but the initiatory rite of Judaism was a seal of God's covenant; a religious, not a civil observance. The descendants of Ishmael are as strict in this matter as the descendants of Isaac; the Turks and other nations among whom Bishop Alexander is placed, make it the test of the denial of Christianity; and if his Lordship were to listen to the advice offered, his children would he accounted renegades from the Gospel, and great scandal would ensue. His correspondent says, "Your daughters are Jewesses; why are not your sons Jews?" But this rite alone would not make the sons Jews, or distinguish them from Moors, Arabs, or any class of Mohamme dans; it would only distinguish them from Christians. And as for daughters, our good Bishop's daughters are not "Jewesses," except by birth, any more than the sons are Jews; for they were not taken to the synagogue at the age of fourscore days. And though we will not discuss the question as it would require to be discussed to do it justice—and we have already said more than we intended-yet we cannot but remark how much Christianity has donef or women, who are introduced by Baptism into the fold of Christ; whereas, under the abolished code of Judaism, only the sons, not the daughters, were admitted by visible signs and seals to church membership; and in this again we see the wisdom and goodness of the institution of Baptism. But we are not arguing the question: if we were, we should feel strong in such texts as Galatians iv. 8-11, v. 1-6, &c. We will now present the illustrations we promised, and which, it will be seen, extend the system of literalism to the observance of the whole Jewish ritual. "In a recent number of the independent organ of your nation in England, the Voice of Jacob,' I am referred to as having challenged the Bishop of Jerusalem. Had I indeed done so, your Lordship might well smile at, or reprove my presumption. I did not otherwise challenge you than by referring to the fact of having made known to you by letter my view on one very important subject, long before I was aware of the existence of an Anglo-Jewish press; but two years more of prayerful consideration on that point, bring me to the conclusion that, without the unseemly boldness of challenging one at whose feet I might be thankful to sit as a silent learner, I am imperatively called on to defend, as best I may, those views; and if I prefer the form of a letter to your Lordship, it is because you, of all living men, are most likely to decide the matter, not theoretically, but practically. In your person, the Christian Church of the circumcision is once more planted on the height of Zion; in your person, the reproach of seventeen centuries is there rolled away from the Israel. Call you what we will, my Lord, you are a JEw, a circumcised your bosom, is a Jewess, a descendant of Jew, and your dear partner, the wife of Levi; your daughters who, under the Lord's blessing, are growing up as the polished corners of the temple, are Jewesses also. Here I pause: for I feel that something is wanting to complete the picture. My dear Lord, bear with me while I respectfully and affectionately put once more the query-Why are not your sons also Jews? "It is to you, my Lord, the chief pastor of the Christian Church of the circumcision in Jerusalem, that I feel it alike my duty and my privilege, to render a reason for what I believe; thankfully in knowledge that the Father first reremembering too that it is often to 'babes' veals things long hidden from the wise and prudent. I know that others have held and proclaimed similar views; but I solemnly declare that of man I have not received them. Blessed, by the unspeakable mercy of God, with a partner to whom, as to myself, the Bible, and the Bible alone, is the rule both of faith and practice, we have together studied it daily; together prayed to be kept from error, and led into all truth; and together arrived at a conclusion from which nothing under heaven can possibly unsettle us, save a plain distinct proof laid open from the pages of that same Bible, of our having here misunderstood its contents. I have indeed, according to the apostolic injunction, 'asked my husband at home;' and confirmed by his better judgment, led and instructed by him, I do feel much emboldened to proceed in declaring what from the Holy Scriptures exclusively I have been enabled to gather." "I would humbly, yet firmly assert, that we have no better warrant for demanding of the Jews, that in acknowledging the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they should trample under foot the commandments given to their fathers as a peculiar nation, than we have for requiring either from Jew or Gentile, the violation of that moral law which is universally acknowledged to be binding upon both. "Bear with me, my Lord, while I recount my reasons for thus believing; always remembering that I admit of no authority of any kind whatever beyond the two covers of the Bible, my Bible, which includes neither note, comment, or interpolation of any kind." "I make no apology for quoting at length that most precious, most important, and glorious passage, from the seventeeth chapter of Genesis: And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, &c. [our readers may refer to it: verse 1 to verse 15.] "Blessed be God! it is only from his people, nationally, and from the covenant concerning the land of Canaan, that such a man-child is cut off. In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but a new creature.' The eternal inheritance is secure to all who partake in the faith of Abraham; but the command to his seed after the flesh is so plain, so peremptory, so inseparably and lastingly connected with the promise of the land, that it is to me a marvel how any can make light of it. The remnant according to the election of grace,' who, from age to age, have been gathered into the Christian Church, have relinquished this tenure, and what is the consequence? They are individually saved; but their children cannot be found, cannot be any where traced, unless by the chance retention of a name by which they may be guessed at; and have no more portion in the land of Canaan than I have, It is no matter,' the spiritual person will say; but it may appear a matter of some weight when the good land, restored to its fertility, and become once more the glory of all lands, is openly portioned out among the tribes. Now in our day, that time draws near so palpably, that I feel bound to say, it seems unjust to rob a Hebrew boy of his birthright, because his parents have obtained a better inheritance: and were I a Jewess, I should be afraid of appearing to despise that good land if I thought it not worth my while to preserve my child's portion there." "I know not whether the appointed feasts of your people are, under this system, viewed as belonging to the civil or the ceremonial law are they abrogated? I beseech your Lordship to consider this question apart from all that man has superadded to the word of the Most Holy. Indeed, as our brother says, that 'God himself has abrogated them,' we cannot dream of any other appeal than to the Scriptures without actually 'receiving for doctrines the commandments of men; and making the word of God of none effect by our traditions.' I will just glance at the most prominent among Israel's, ordinances. "The Sabbath is first. If a converted Jew is firmly persuaded in his own mind that the day which we all admit to be the seventh of the week is still the Sabbath to him; if he pleads, as well he might, that the fact of Jesus resting in the grave from the great work of redemption on that 'high Sabbath' is rather a confirmation of its sanctity than a token of its abrogation, and that he can, like the CHRIST. OBSERV. APP. apostle of old, worship in the house of prayer on the Sabbath days, and on the first day of the week' celebrate the resurrection of Christ as the Lord's day,' as they also did; God forbid that I should wound the conscience of such a brother by forcing upon him the breach of his Sabbath, and the substitution of mine! "Next comes the Passover: consisting of two things, a sacrifice and a commemoration. If, as from Ezekiel and other prophets we must needs infer they will be, the sacrificial ordinances of the temple shall be restored together with the building. I believe that they will bear the same typical character more perfectly understood, more fully developed, than even to the most spiritual Israelites of old. That they are not, as an ordinance, abrogated, I gather from the prophetic word. "The commemorative part of the Passover institution, however, remains. Israel has still the unleavened bread; and bitter herbs, alas! too many. The commandment concerning this feast is the most positive and binding that can be conceived. I believe that every individual of the seed of Abraham ought to observe it. "The feast of Tabernacles is another beautiful commemoration concerning the abrogation of which I have only to quote theprophets,' from whom I cannot separate the law,' as now under consideration." "The tribe of Levi is, by a most marvellous interposition of divine power, as distinct, as visible, as universally known as in the days when they served the temple; and their chief family, the house of Aaron, are no less conspicuous. Though Judah has neither temple nor altar, nor sacrifice, nor ephod, nor king, she has her Levites, and she has her Cohanim; and in every synagogue throughout the world, the sons of Aaron are privileged to utter that blessing which, oh may the Lord God of Israel speedily, speedily confirm to his afflicted and dispersed ones! All the arguments of all the theologians who ever wielded a pen since the days of the Apostles, touching the supposed abrogation, would be, to me, as chaff before the wind, in the presence of a simple Cohen-an Aaronite-even were he but measuring me for a shoe; and when I consider with what force all these things must present themselves to the mind of a devout, a scriptural Jew, who, led by the Spirit and the Word of God, becomes an inquirer into the truth of the Gospel, I do marvel, not at the paucity, but at the large amount of those who can persevere in such inquiry after being told, in the name, but surely not by the authority, 5 L |