News Items

Sir Moses Montefiore’s Journey To Palestine.—The following is an extract from a private letter, written from Alexandria, and bears date June 4th. Sir Moses and his suite travelled there from Malta in a splendid vessel, measuring 185 feet by 42 feet, and had about sixty passengers. He describes the tour as being very delightful, and says that Sir Moses and his lady are depriving themselves of many comforts to carry out their holy mission. It further states, that when they arrived at Malta, the Synagogue was entirely lighted with wax candles, <<286>>like on יום כפור (Day of Atonement), and that all the Maltese people attended in their best dresses, and Mr. Emanuel Myers, who accompanied Sir Moses, was requested to read prayers, which he did. It also says that Sir Moses, rather than go on board the vessel on Sunday, being the first day of שבועות (Pentecost), went on Friday afternoon, and remained there in the harbour Saturday and Sunday.

There were three Arabian merchants travelling on board with them; and when Mr. Myers killed a lamb, according to our customs, they were greatly delighted, not having tasted animal food for a month previous. We are happy to say that Lady Montefiore is much improved in health, and that Sir Moses and suite are well, and are now en route to Cairo.—Jew. Chr.

Jews’ Alms-Houses.—The consecration of the Synagogue connected with the alms-houses built and endowed by Joel Emanuel, Esq., in Wellclose Square, took place on Thursday evening, the 21st instant. Independently of the venerable Mr. Emanuel, and the several members of the family, there were present the Rev. Dr. Adler, the Dayanim of the German Synagogues; A. L. Moses, Esq., etc. After, the ceremony usual on such occasions had been performed, refreshments were provided for the company, including the inmates of the asylum. Mr. Emanuel, whose feelings of happiness on such a solemn day might well be envied, shook each inmate most cordially by the hand, and trusted that they would endeavour to make themselves happy in their new abodes. The Rev. the Chief Rabbi, in a few words addressed the inmates, hoped that they would appreciate the noble gift of the founder, by living together in harmony and peace. We recommend our readers and their friends to take a stroll to Wellclose Square, and view the noble pile of buildings erected by this gentleman as a refuge for decayed respectability. The stack of buildings consists of ten houses, five on each side of a square, capable of accommodating fifty persons, who, besides apartments, are provided with two tons of coal annually, and an allowance of 1s. 6d. per week. The Synagogue, a small neat structure, stands by itself, and parts each row of houses; viewed from the entrance of the Square, it presents a most light and handsome appearance, and what is better still, a lasting monument of Jewish benevolence and philanthropy. We wish Mr. Joel Emanuel many years’ life to enjoy the happiness he has diffused among so many grateful hearts; and in this wish we are certain the Jewish public will cordially join—Ibid.

Conversion to Judaism.—Berlin, May 10.—An occurrence has taken place here, a few days ago, which is perhaps the first in the <<287>>present century. A whole Christian family has embraced Judaism. The father, who was born a Jew, and who has lived as a Christian for a great many years, felt induced to return to the faith of his ancestors. The wife and children, who were born Christians, followed the example of the father, and the son, who is eighteen years old, easily overcame the operation of the Abrahamic covenant, of which several eminent surgeons attended.—Ibid.

Leghorn.—A correspondent communicates the melancholy news, that during the recent entry of the Austrians into Leghorn, they turned the Synagogue into barracks, and quartered 1,400 soldiers in the beautiful Synagogue of that city.—Ibid.

Hungary.—Jewish Soldiers.—A letter from Vienna states that there are no less than 35,000 Jews in the ranks of the brave Hungarian army.—Ibid.

Hungary.—A friend has sent us the following extract from a late French political paper: “Some time ago, Kossuth (the president of the Hungarian nation), presented himself in the synagogue of Grosswardien, to thank the Israelites for their devotion to the national cause. He asked pardon of the people of Israel for the persecution of the past ages, and concluded his address by the solemn promise, that in future the Israelites shall enjoy the same rights as the other inhabitants of Hungary. The author then adds, “It is a fact that the Israelites of Hungary, of Germany and Italy, have espoused with enthusiasm and fervour the cause of the respective nationalities; nevertheless it must be conceded, that there are yet found some Jews among the Israelites. But are the Catholics and Protestants without the same among their own bodies?” We suppose the editor means by Jews, trading, mean spies, by Israelites, the religious, enlightened Hebrews; and in this respect he is perfectly right in asserting that Christians of all sects have a plenty of such Jews among their own number. However this may be, it is a gratifying proof of progress, that the President of the Magyars has promised freedom to those who equally with him are struggling for the independence of their country; since it is said that there are no less than 35,000 Israelites in the Hungarian army. When all are alike sharing the dangers of the battle, they ought all to enjoy the sweets of freedom when the contest is over. It is no gracious gift which Kossuth promises, but merely a right. We hope that Hungary may become free, and become a home of refuge to many a sorrowing Israelite.

The last accounts place the struggle of the Hungarians in a more doubtful light; still there are hopes entertained that they will ultimately <<288>>prevail. In order to show somewhat more clearly the religious opinions of the great chief, who so successfully roused the spirit of his countrymen to endeavour to achieve a glorious freedom, we extract from the New York Tribune a prayer, which Kossuth is said to have made on the field of battle. We rather think that pious churchmen will hereafter throw doubts on Kossuth’s orthodoxy, as he appears to pray in the manner of Jews, to the “Almighty God of heaven, earth, and seas.”

A Prayer By Kossuth.—The following prayer, offered by Kossuth, will be interesting to our readers. It was offered by him, kneeling amid the multitude, at the graves of the Magyar heroes who fell in the battle of the Rapoylna, and was originally published in the Opposition, a journal of Pesth. We translate from the German:

“Almighty Lord! God of the warriors of Arpad! Look down from Thy starry throne upon Thy imploring servant, from whose lips the prayer of millions ascends to Thy heaven, praising the unsearchable power of Thine omnipotence. O God, over me shines Thy sun, and beneath me repose the relics of my fallen heroic brethren; above my head the sky is blue, and under my feet the earth is dyed red with the holy blood of the children of our ancestors. Let the animating beams of Thy sun fall here, that flowers may spring up from the blood, so that these hulls of departed beings may not moulder unadorned. God of our fathers, and God of the nations! hear and bless the voice of our warriors, and with the arm and the soul of brave nations thunder to break the iron hand of tyranny as it forges its chains. As a free man I kneel on these fresh graves, by the remains of my brothers. By such a sacrifice as theirs, Thy earth would be consecrated were it all stained with sin. O God! on this holy soil above these graves no race of slaves can live. O Father! Father of our fathers! Mighty over myriads! Almighty God of the heaven, the earth, and the seas! From these bones springs a glory whose radiance is on the brow of my people. Hallow their dust with Thy grace, that the ashes of my fallen heroic brethren may rest in peace! Leave us not, Great God of battles! In the holy name of the nations, praised be Thy omnipotence. Amen.”

England.—Though the Lords rejected the oath bill which would have emancipated the Jews, the city of London re-elected Lionel Nathan Rothschild within a week after, on the 3d of July, by a vote of 6017 over Lord John Manners, who received but 2814. Lord John is, we believe, a grandson of the late Archbishop Manners of Canterbury. What a rebuke!