| 587 their tythings [tithing] into the temple, and their donations to the poor.
We wish it distinctly understood abroad, that we greatly need the assistance of every lover of humanity whether members of the church or otherwise, both in influence and in contributions for our aid, succor, and support. Therefore, if they feel for us, now is the time to show their liberality and patriotism towards a poor and persecuted, but honest and industrious people.
Let the elders who remain abroad, continue to preach the gospel in its purity and fullness, and to bear testimony of the truth of these things which have been revealed for the salvation of this generation.
P. P. PRATT.
WILLARD RICHARDS,
JOHN TAYLOR,
W. W. PHELPS.
Nauvoo, July 15, 1844.
The following paragraph, and reply from the pen of M. M. Noah, is inserted in the Times and Seasons, to show the amount of Jewish population. Any information relative to the Jews, old Israel, Ephraim or the remnants, which God in his infinite wisdom, deigns to restore to a state of light, liberty, and gospel unity, must be a sweet morsel to the Saint that is watching for such important events. The belief of Mr. Noah, however, "that the greatest triumphs reserved for Christianity will be in their agency and co-operation in restoring the Jews to their ancient heritage," is all wind: God will never ask Christendom to do what he has declared in the scripture, he will do himself. The 11th chapter of Isaiah says, he will "gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth;" and sundry other places, carries strong proof that God, not man, will show the Jews the "wounds he received in the house of his friends."
Letter of M. M. Noah, to the Bos. Mer. Journal.
New York, June 18th, 1844.
Mr. Editor:-A late number of your paper contained the following paragraph:-
Jews.-It is said that the total number of Jews throughout the world is estimated at 3,163,700, aud [and] it is said that this number has never materially varied from the time of David downwards.
It has always been a subject of interest, although not of general inquiry, to ascertain as nearly as possible, the numerical force of the Jewish people in every part of the world, and looking forward to the speedy fulfillment of all the promises made to that peculiar and favored race in their restoration to the land of their ancestors. I have been at considerable pains to obtain a census, accurate as far as every country in Europe is referred to, but depending upon estimates, always below the actual number, of those residing in Asia and Africa, from which it appears that the Jewish nation number full six millions of people, divided and located as follows:-
In all parts of ancient Poland, before the partition of 1772 1,000,000
In Russia, comprehending Woldavia and Wallachia 200,000
In the different states of Germany 750,000
In Holland and Belgium 80,000
Sweden and Denmark 6,000
France 75,000
England 60,000
Italian States 200,000
All North and South America and West Indies 100,000
In the Mohametan States of Europe, Asia, and Africa 3,000,000
Persia, China and Hindoston [Hindu] 1,000,000
6,471,000
The above includes all who are actually known as professing and following the religion of their forefathers. It is impossible to ascertain the number of those residing in Catholic countries and concealing their religion from motives. The number in Spain who preferred outwardly embracing the Catholic faith to avoid banishment under Ferdinand and Isabella, is several hundred thousands, and are at this day connected with the first families in Spain and Portugal. In Asia and the Turkish dominions, I have made an estimate rather below their actual number. They are powerful in China, and on the borders of Tartary; likewise in Persia and the countries bordering on the Indian Ocean. In Abssinia and Ethiopa [Ethiopia] there are many communities of black Jews, and they have a separate congregation at Calcutta.
The number of the Jewish people dispersed in every part of the world will surprise no one who takes into consideration that for the last four hundred years they have been in a measure exempt from those persecutions which they suffered prior to the reformation; nor have they been included in the various wars which have for several hundred years desolated Europe and Asia. Naturally a pacific people, adhering at a very early age to their international marriages, exceedingly temperate in living, and continually active and energetic, their self-augmenting population from these causes must greatly have increased their numbers, and warrant the belief that they are at
(page 587) |
