Israel's Advocate

Submitted by saltysteve on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 06:50

"Israel's Advocate" was the monthly publication of the American Society for the Melioration of the Condition of the Jews. These excerpts are from issues for the years 1823-1827

Extract: As I had been advised to visit an Israelite in a place at ten English miles distance from M. I went there; and as it was the Sabbath day, I found him at home. He has a wife and eight children. He had formerly been singer in the synagogue, but now keeps a shop, by which he supports himself and his family very comfortably. But when the Jews found him to entertain Christian sentiments, which he took no care to conceal, they succeeded in alienating the mind of the lord of the manor towards him so far, as not to suffer him to remain in the place as a Christian convert. Not knowing, therefore, where to find another asylum with his numerous family, he is compelled to postpone his transition, to which he looks forward with a longing desire, until he has found an abode, where he can exist as an honest man. I conversed with another Israelite, a leather merchant, who also has an earnest desire to devote himself to Jesus Christ, but must first prepare his bride, whom he cannot forsake for that change. While I was conversing with these persons, the other Jews excited a terrible noise. As one of them knew me to be a convert, they all ran to the magistrate, desiring him to put me into prison as a vagabond. He came into the inn accompanied by a constable, and asked for my passport. The Jews meanwhile assembled in crowds to see me carried away. But the magistrate, after having attentively perused my passport, bade me go on travelling with God. Then turning to the Jews, he scolded and threatened them in the most opprobrious terms.

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