jectionable in our institutions." I replied that in so doing I should have been a decided hypocrite. My father said, "You have connected yourself with hyprocrites, and deceivers, and worshippers of Devils, in preference to the worshippers of the true and only God." I was about to explain who and what we worshipped, and how completely the Jews were in error in not worshipping the Triune God of the Christian, whose existence was as manifest in the Old Testament Scriptures as in the New; but he would not suffer me to reply.

"Go," he said, "and never dare to enter this house again, unless you repent of this wicked deed, and for ever renounce the society of idolaters. If you had committed any crime, however heinous, short of apostasy, I could have forgiven you; but now I shall try to forget you. You are breaking the hearts of your parents, but you will not go unpunished; for a time you will be a slave to these christians, and do just as they please; they will then despise you, and cast you off, leaving you to the remorse of your own conscience, and to the scorn and derision of Jews and Gentiles." I said, I did not expect that such would ever be the case. He thereupon mentioned several cases

which had came under his own observation, to bear him out in what he asserted. I said I did not fear what man could do to me, for God had promised He would not forsake those who put their trust in Him.

He replied, "The promises are not to you, for you have forsaken God." My poor dear mother with uplifted hands, and with her aged cheeks bedewed with tears, besought me to seek a reconciliation with God by taking penance, that is to say, to go to the chief Rabbi or High Priest, and express my contrition for the abominable sin I had committed in embracing christianity; and state how desirous I was of returning to Judaism. He would then appoint certain acts of penance for me to perform, and after the expiration of a few days, I should receive absolution, and be restored to the privileges of the Jewish religion, to the joy of all the people, more especially of my kindred, who considered a triumph would be thus obtained over the Gentiles.

This appeal from my dear mother afflicted me greatly-O could I have been spared this! -this was indeed as a thorn in the flesh-but I felt assured that I was under the guidance of the Lord, and he was my strength and my

stay. I therefore addressed my dear parents, and told them, how exceedingly pained I felt at being unintentionally the cause of so much grief and distress of mind to them, in consequence of their erroneous views of the late occurrence. I assured them that so far from my filial love and duty being diminished, it was continually increasing, for that I now felt greater interest than before in their spiritual welfare. I appealed to my former conduct whether I had ever offended them in word or deed. "However," said I, "you may contemn me, and cast me off, my constant petitions shall be offered up for your welfare; and be assured that through the grace given unto me by the Keeper of Israel, I will never do anything that shall bring shame or discredit upon myself, my relations, or my nation."-"That is false," said my father, "for you have done that already, by openly renouncing your God, and the God of your fathers; and now," he continued, "I wish for no more arguments with you; you had better leave this house." I replied "As my presence appears to cause you so much uneasiness, I obey, and may the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by his Holy Spirit comfort you and guide you into all truth."

And now by this dispensation of Providence, my Saviour became more precious to me, for no one can sympathize with his people like Jesus. My father and mother had forsaken me, but the Lord hath taken me up. What astonishing mercy! O may I be ever willing to suffer the loss of all things, so that I may win Christ !

I knew there was nothing now before me but affliction, poverty, distress, and persecution, but I likewise knew that God was able to supply all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We were considered as dead by both our families; and on such occasions the parents, brothers, and sisters of the deceased are compelled, according to the Rabbinical law, to sit for seven days on very low seats, to rend their garments, and to mourn for the departed soul. During that space of time they must not leave their houses, nor transact any business, and I believe their misguided zeal would (if they had possessed the power) have actually realised what was done in semblance, i.e. they would have buried me.

O that my poor Jewish brethren, blinded by the god of this world, would read and ponder on the words of God spoken to them

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by the Prophet, Joel ii. 12, 13, &c. "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your hearts, and with fasting and with weeping, and with mourning. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.”

My wife was near her confinement, and during such times of trial, my mother had hitherto invariably been present, as well as her own mother, though for certain reasons she preferred the society of the former on such occasions. "Do you really think," said my wife to me, 66 that at such a trying moment as the one I am expecting, your mother is too displeased with us, to come to my assistance.” I told her not to expect that she would do so. Any doubts, however, upon the subject were soon set at rest. Ere long we received a note with a black seal, and as there had been no death in our family for some years, the seal was to indicate that we were considered as dead. The contents of the note (which was written by my eldest sister) were as follɔws:

"Mrs. Marks, it is the wish of my mother to forget, if possible, that you and your family ever belonged to her; therefore she wishes