Mr. Wolff should proceed to Palestine, under the superintendance of the gentleman who had originally recommended him to the Society, and of another friend. He left England accordingly in the summer of 1821, in a vessel for Gibraltar. He proceeded from thence to Malta, to Alexandria, to Jerusalem, and to different parts of Palestine. He returned again to Malta in the latter end of 1822, and in the beginning of the year 1823 he went to Palestine a second time, in company with two American Missionaries." Thus briefly have I introduced the early history of Joseph Wolff, the writer of the prophetical letter subjoined, which certainly doth contain the most glorious news, that have been specifically declared to the inhabitants of this world, since Mary preached that Jesus was risen from the dead, and angels declared at his ascension that he should come again in the clouds. The Journal and Diary of this young Missionary is very interesting. I view it far superior to any volume of the kind I have ever seen. No Gentile disciple of Jesus has yet come up to the great standard of scripture prophesy, "the Millennial dispensation," like this Israelite.-It is not in my power to give many extracts from the Journal, &c.-as my tract would become too large for my ability to publish.-An edition of the work was issued from the American press, at the city of New York, by E. Bliss and E. White, 128 Broadway, in 1824. Persons who have not seen the book, and are able to purchase, it is well for them to own, ́and read it through,—————————— I will indulge my self in making a few extracts. "Jerusalem, March 9th, 1822. "At five o'clock in the evening, I arrived in the neighborhood of Jerusalem. I took out my hymn book and read." "For Zion's sake I will not rest, I will not hold my peace, As day break after night; The lamp of her salvation burn, With everlasting light. The Gentiles shall her glory see," &c. How appropriate these lines to his sacred mission-How beautiful on the mountains are the feetof such a messenger.-By feet I suppose are meant the powers of the mind. ... "I slept the first and second night in the convent of Terra Santa, and visited at morn the Holy sepulchre in company with my friends. It is supposed that that was the spot where the Lord from Heaven did sleep. Come see the place where the Lord lay; he is not here, for he is risen as he said. Prayers are still offered here, but alas! not in peace and in unison as Christians ought to pray. The monks of Terra Santa boast themselves, that they have got a firman from the grand Sultan, which places them the first on the days of solemnity, to perform their functions near the sepulchre; the Greek Christians are in possession of a like firman from the Porte, to pray before the tomb after the function of the Frank monks is over. Thus Christians are not ashamed to petition a Mahomedan court for permission to pray. Blood of Christians was shed by Christians themselves at the tomb of their Saviour, in the very presence of the Mussulmen; and Mussulmen are obliged to make peace between Christians and Christians and Musselmen are obliged to uphold peace among Christians by the sword. The description I have given you here, is not taken from my own fancy, but given to me by the monks of the several denominations themselves.-The Lord has ceased from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.' I took a view (on the same day,) of the valley of Hinnom, Josaphat, and Mount Zion."..... "March 22d.-I called again on the Caraite Jews, Saadiah and Solomon, and desired them to lend me their Liturgy for some days-which they did." The following is a translation of one of their hymns, in which they bewail their present condi 20 MILLENNIAL TIDINGS. up again. The Lord shall convert the hearts of men; and I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh." Till now, we have in us a good will and bad will: then, a bad will shall no longer exist, and the Gentiles shall fear the Lord. The Messiah shall be King of the whole world, like Nimrod, Solomon, and Alexander of Macedon; and the Gentiles shall confess that Jehovah is Lord, that Jehovah is One, and his name One; and they shall no longer worship any other. Death shall no longer exist. "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God shall wipe away tears from all faces." War shall no longer find a place," neither shall they learn war any more." The dead shall rise. The law shall be observed in all its vigor and parts. . . . May 1. "I called on Rabbi Ben Sachariah Smaria, and asked him who was the author of Psalm CX. The reply was, David. I inquired whom does David call Lord?' They confessed that they were not able to answer that question.* . . I then went to Rabbi Mendel, the high priest; several other rabbies and students were assembled. Rabbi Mendel expressed his desire of seeing me return again to Judaism, and he had some hopes on the following ac * See Mathew 22. 41-46 verses. count:-First, that I never play cards, [detested by Jews.] Secondly, that I never went into the theatre. That I am a friend of orphans and widows, and of Jews in general, and have taken upon me the charge of their letters which the Jews wrote to Poland.' 'I answered, that the faith which I profess, my faith in Jesus Christ, enables me so to act, and that I do all this for the glory of the Lord.' We argued again for some hours. When I returned to my room, Isaac Ben Solomon, Abraham Ben Jeremiah, and Abraham Ben David called on me. We sang together a very edifying Chaldee hymn, with which they were much pleased." The English translation of the hymn is as follows: "Lord God of the world and worlds, "I offer up praises in the morning, And the fowls of Heaven. Choir.-Lord God, &c. "O Lord, most precious and great, |