Palestine and the Jews

A very respectable and numerous audience, says the N. Y. Tribune, were present at the Tabernacle last evening, to hear a lecture on this interesting subject from Rev. Ridley H. Herschell, a converted Jew, now visiting this country by invitation of the Society for meliorating the condition of the Jews. Mr. Herschell has resided for the last two years in Palestine, Syria and Asia Minor, and consequently an unusual interest and authenticity is attached to his information. He commenced by saying it was a grateful token to see so many of the Gentile race present to express sympathy and interest in the cause of Israel. A description of the present state of the city of Damascus was given, from which it appears that the glowing descriptions which are often heard of it are [is] not very correct, the city being unprepossessing in outward appearance and a mass of humble dwellings of the most wretched and uncleanly appearance. The last massacre in Damascus was alluded to and a lucid history of the unfortunate event given. Mr. Herschell here mentioned that the Jews were a grateful, affectionate and a kind-hearted people and that these qualities have been shown in their appreciation in Damascus was represented to be in a most neglected condition, seldom more than one member of a large family being able to read. Very few of the Jews here had any idea of the history or death of the Savior, or any of the acts named in the New Testament. The city of Tiberius was alluded to as one of the four Holy Cities of the Jews and now in a most melancholy condition. On the sites of the Capernium and Bethsaida no vestiges remain-the words of the prophecy has been fulfilled.

The approach to Jerusalem is represented to be desolate in the extreme-no road can be traced-"the highways are desolate"-and this desolation seems purposely kept up, as if to fulfil [fulfill] the truth of the prophecy. A description of Mount Zion was given of which it is said it "shall be ploughed as a field"-such is now literally the case, and a poor crop of barley is annually gathered from its sides. A gloom seems to hang over Jerusalem as if sadness and mourning were its constant attendants. On Mount Moriah there is now a Turkish Mosque, and if the Prephet [Prophet] Micah had been a painter he could not have given a more exact picture of its existing state than is in the inspired volume. Mr. H. expressed his belief that the time was approaching when the aspect of these things shall be changed-where the Turkish Mosque now stands will be the House of the Lord. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre [Sepulcher] was mentioned as the scene of the grossest idolatry that can be imagined. At certain seasons thousands of pilgrims come to see the ceremony of bringing Holy Fire from Heaven, which is pretended to be done by the priests, with the most impious and ridiculous associations. Many of the so called Christians there are only so in the mere name. The Jewish population of Jerusalem Mr. Herschell estimates at between 3000 and 4000; there they are generally computed at about twice that number. Their condition is generally very wretched, and starvation is more common in Jerusalem than in other parts of the world. The endurance and self-sacrifice of the Jews is however the same, and no suffering can alienate them from the promised land of their fathers and their religion. Their faith and sincerity are alike unshaken and abiding. Mr. Herschell expressed his opinion that the Restoration of Israel is approaching to the long desired consummation-that events seem to shadow the prospect, and that it will occur in the manner most to be desired by the pious Christian and Philanthropist.