News Items.

We learn from a correspondent at Kingston, Jamaica, that the English and German congregation late under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Nathan, have abolished the sale of the Mitzvot, hitherto customary in nearly all German Synagogues. This happy reform took place in consequence of a similar movement in London. It commenced with Sabbath Vaayra, January 4th.

Rev. Solomon Jacobs, late reader of the Hambro’ Synagogue, London, was at last accounts daily expected from England, to become minister of the English and German congregation at Kingston. He is highly spoken of by out correspondent, and we trust that he will prove eminently useful in his calling; and be preserved from the scourge which so often visits Jamaica, and takes away those whose life, as far as fallible human reason may judge, might prove beneficial to others. But in this we must submit with silent resignation, and wait for a happy issue of all the difficulties through which we have to pass.

Montego Bay.—Since the death of Mr. Green, who is generally lamented all over Jamaica, the congregation which had been newly formed, and which had just chosen him before his untimely decease, have made active exertions to continue their organization; and we see from advertisements in English papers, that they are endeavouring to obtain a suitable minister.

St. Thomas.—The office of minister there is not yet supplied; but a gentleman from Copenhagen, it is probable, as we learn, will be appointed before long. He is said to speak English, and is well thought of by Dr. Wolff, Rabbi at Copenhagen. We cannot at present give further particulars.

Mogador.—Advices up to the 20th January have been received in London, which supply the following particulars of the late calamity. The former Jewish population was about 4000; of these 3 were killed by the French guns, 200 by the Kabyles, and 176 have perished by famine and exposure. The number at present returned to the city is not ascertained; the first shipment of supplies was being distributed among those in the greatest destitution. The amounts received by the London Relief Committee, to date, are about £2900; and other sums are on the way. It is understood that further collections continue to be received, and will be acknowledged, but that the committee considering the liberality already manifested by the public, have not deemed it necessary to repeat their appeal for the present.—Voice of Jacob, Feb. 28.

Launceston, V. D. L., October 2, 1844.—The first stone of the projected synagogue was yesterday laid by Mr. Francis. Notwithstanding the boisterous state of the weather the attendance was very large; including the local lodge of freemasons, with their paraphernalia, and headed by the band of the 96th regiment. Prayers were read, both in Hebrew and English; and Mr. Francis, according to the Launceston Examiner, addressed the assembly thus:—

“My Hebrew brethren and Christian friends!—The unspeakable and deeply felt pleasure this occasion affords me, can only be known by the great Being for whose worship and adoration we are met to found this temple. In the outpouring of my heart at this time, I thank God we are assembled even in the earth’s furthest limits, I may almost say in the wilderness, to cement by brotherly love the bonds which have before-time bound the Hebrew community, alike amidst the fiercest political tyranny, and the bitterest religious persecution. The bright sun of modern intelligence, however, is fast dissipating the noisome vapours of intolerance and bigotry, and mankind now learn, that their social, moral, and religious happiness depends, not in religious dominancy, but rather in the exercises of love, benevolence, and good-will from one to the other. The example my Christian friends have given this day of the absence of religious bigotry will be known in all lands, and shall be remembered when the pulsation of these generous hearts shall repose in the cold grove. May this day then join us in brotherly love and good feeling, and may the Almighty bless us with a contrite heart, health, happiness, and prosperity.

“I lay this stone as a foundation for a house of prayer, dedicated to the worship of the true God of Israel.”

The Master of the Lodge also invoked a blessing on the undertaking, and a select number dined together in the evening.—Ibid.

Russia.—A letter to the Orient, from Königsberg, dated 21st Nov., represented that many Russo-Polish Jews had arrived there, and some of the younger fugitives were to be sent on to Hamburgh, en route to England or America.

At Berlin, great credit is given to the King and Queen of Holland, for their earnest efforts to induce the Emperor of Russia to relax the severity of his Ukase against the frontier Jews.

In Moravia, the Archbishop of Olmütz, in the course of his official circuit, was induced to pay a visit to the school of the small synagogue of Weiskirchen. The pupils were put through an examination of their religious knowledge, and in their learning generally, which lasted two hours. His lordship expressed his complete satisfaction at the result, and noted down the names of the five most successful scholars. some time later, he sent to these, appropriate Jewish books (the titles are given), elegantly bound, as premiums of merit. To the teacher himself, the Archbishop sent a valuable work of five volumes, with a formal testimony, that this Jewish school had been found one of the best conducted in the whole district.—A. Z. d. J.

At Brunswick, a Jewish burgher has for the first time been elected a municipal officer.