Narrative of a Mission of Inquiry to the Jews from the Church of Scotland in 1839

This work was undertaken at the desire of the Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for the Conversion of the Jews. The writers had only one object in view during their journey, namely, to see the real condition and character of God’s ancient people, and to observe whatever might contribute to interest others in their cause. Desiring to keep this single object in view in their Narrative also, they have not recorded many particulars of importance in regard to the general history of the countries which they visited, except in so far as this was likely to forward their main design. The same reason, however, has led them to dwell somewhat minutely on the scenery of the Holy Land, and the manners of its inhabitants, because, any thing that may invest that land with interest, will almost necessarily lead the reader to care for the peculiar people who once possessed it, and who still claim it as their own. It is meant to be a plain narrative, so that the most unlearned reader, if only familiar with the Scriptures, may follow the writers in their visit to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.

We have had specially in view the people of the parishes of Scotland, feeling it our duty and our privilege, as ministers of Christ in the Church of Scotland, to promote the cause of the Jews among our brethren. If the Church of Scotland in these perilous times, “take hold of the skirt of the Jew,” God may remember her for Zion’s sake.

The work has been long delayed, longer than was desirable, but this delay was unavoidable. During at least twelve months after returning home, scarcely a week passed wherein we did not receive some call to visit this or that other parish in order to tell orally the things we had seen and heard. And even now, when at length we have found time to sit down and write these records of our journey, it has been amidst the incessant demands for parochial labours, to which every pastor is daily subjected, and which he feels to be imperative.

May the God of Israel, for his ancient people’s sake, make this work useful in kindling a brighter flame of love to the Jews in the bosom of all who are “the Lord’s remembrancers” in Scotland, and may He grant “that this service which we have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints.”

ANDREW A. BONAR.
ROBT. MURRAY M’CHEYNE.

Mat, 2d 1842.

It will not diminish the interest of this Nairative to know, that one of those who had so large a share in all that it records is now in glory. Four days ago, while this edition was passing through the press, it pleased the Lord to call Mr. M’Cheyne home to himself At the very moment when we thought him most needed in Scotland, and when he himself was looking forward to the honour of bearing a testimony for the Crown-rights of Christ in the day of our Church’s calamity, he has been taken to his reward. It was his meat to do the will of his Father, and to finish his work. He carried about with him a deep consciousness of sin, and rested with steady confidence in the righteousness of Immanuel. Those who knew him most loved him best; and all who knew him at all felt that the secret of the Lord was with him. During the six short years of his ministry, he was the instrument of saving more souls than many true servants of God have done during half a century. But as, in our journey to Jerusalem, he hastened before us all* to get a sight of the city of the Great King, so now he has got the start of us all in seeing the New Jerusalem that is to come out of heaven from God. O that the Lord God of

Page 125.

Vm PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

Elijah may cause his mahtle to fall upon the many sons of the prophets who loved him as their own soul! Some of us truly feel, that his removal has made the blessed hope of “the Coming of the Lord, and our gathering together unto Him,” sweeter than ever to our weary souls.*

COLLACE,

March 29, 1843.

* [A deeply interesting Memoir of this devoted young minister, written by his friend and fellow-traveller, the Rev. A. A Bonar, has been published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication.] — Ed. of Pres. B. of Pub

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