Restoration of the Jews

"The Messrs. Harpers have published, in a handsome pamphlet, the discourse of Mr. Noah on the Restoration of the Jews, with a map of the Land of Israel. As much curlosity [curiosity] has been excited to read this discourse, a very large edition will no doubt be circulated. It is interesting to know, while referring to this subject, that a meeting has been recently called in the Hanover Rooms in London, for the purpose of recommending the foundation of a society to be entitled 'The British and Foreign society for promoting the Restoration of the Jewish nation to Palestine.' It is proposed to accomplish this object by endeavoring to induce the British Government to take the Jews in Palestine under their special protection; to negotiate with the Porte for the independence of that country, under the protection of England, and the great powers who might concur in the object; and to aid, and to call upon all Christendom to aid in the conveyance of poor Jewish families desirous to return to the land of their fathers, to locate them properly on the land under the direction of skillful agricultural agents, and to provide them with seed, implements of husbandry, and provisions until they reap the first harvest. Resolutions approving of such a society were adopted. It is remarkable that this proposition should have been made in England about the same time Mr. Noah was making a similar proposition here.-(Express.)

The Messrs. Harpers have taken more than usual pains in getting up the above pamphlet, which is upwards of fifty pages of large letter on a beautiful paper. The map is peculiarly interesting, as it embodies the Survey made under the Rev. Dr. Keith, and restores several portions of the land, supposed to have been hitherto alienated, and shows that the property rightfully belonging to Israel by a deed which never can be contested, amounts nearly to 600,000 square miles, reaching from the Nile to the Dardanelles, and from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf. The plan proposed to Mr. Noah of promoting the restoration of the chosen people by securing to them possessions of land for agricultural, manufacturing, and trading objects, seems by the above, to have been anticipated by a proposition in London to establish a British Society in aid of the restoration and to induce the British Government to take the Jews of Palestine under its special protection. This proposition independent of its humanity, has much in it of policy. No movement could attach the Jews throughout the world, more firmly to Great Britain than such an one. Successfully carried out-it would place the affections-the religious attachments, and pecuniary and commercial facilities of that enterprizing [enterprising] and wealthy people, wholly at the disposition of Great Britain, producing wonderful results form a mere effect of policy, and humanity, equity and good feeling, and is attainable with the greatest ease. However the whole horizon is lighting up with bright and extraordinary events. By the last advices from Europe, it appears that Jerusalem had been besieged by the Mountaineers from Lebanon, and the Governor had informed the Consuls and the various religious associations always residing in that interesting City that he could not insure their safety, so plunder and massacre necessarily must result from the success of the hordes hovering about Mount Libanus. Should they be in sufficient force to carry the place, which is not strong, it follows that the European powers will be compelled to take prompt measures for the protection of the persons and property of the Christians in the Holy City. In the wars between Mehemet Ali and the Sultan of Turkey, Syria was conquered and placed under the control of Ibrahim Pacha. When Mehemet Ali returned to his allegiance to the Sultan, Egypt re-conveyed Syria to Turkey, but it is evident that in the midst of many troubles and surrounded by revolting provinces, Turkey is in a very enfeebled condition and cannot afford that security in Syria, which is at this time required. All Christendom has an interest in Palestine, and will forever feel an abiding attachment to a country from which sprang the doctrines and faith of the Redeemer. The Greeks and Catholics, independent of splendid churches and convents of every description, have also possession

of the Holy Sepulchre [Sepulcher] which is richly endowed, and the Protestants have their Chapel Prelates and Bishops-the Armenians their place of worship and their missionaries. To have the religious community destroyed and their churches sacked by a hoard of mountain robbers, can never be permitted by Christendom. To have even their safety jeopardized, is alone sufficient to justify a prompt movement, not in the nature of a romantic crusade, but something more tangible and pacific.

Jerusalem & a circuit of country of forty miles around, together with Jaffa or any other port in the Mediterranean, should be transferred to Great Britain and placed under her Government; if necessary a pecuniary consideration could be paid to Turkey, and a guarantee for the faithful protection of the Mussleman faith and their mosques. Apart from jealousy among the Christian powers at this desirable transfer, it would be a great protection to Jews and Christians-a positive security for persons and property of all denominations residing in Palestine, and would draw towards it emigration, enterprise and wealth, which would revive the former prosperity of that interesting country. England would at the same time have a territorial position of great importance in the neighborhood of her possessions in India and within a few days travel of the Red Sea. In a commercial and political point of view, such a territory would be more valuable to England than half her West India possessions, and should France object to it, that important power can be conciliated by some possessions which she might require.

At all events the movements now in Palestine and the invasion of Jerusalem, which some would think accidental, we consider providential. Christianity must protect itself, and if Palestine passes into the hands of Great Britain it will in due time revert to its original owners, and the predictions of the prophets will be fulfilled. We begin to believe in the oft repeated assertion that the year 1847 will produce greater events in the East.