| 888 of Judah and Benjamin, which two tribes constitute the visible, or known Jews.
But they are descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel which have been lost in the race of the Gentiles for more than 1800 years, and thus have become amalgamated with them.
The Christian Israelites differ from the Jews, by a full and hearty reception of the New Testament, and a firm belief in the divinity of the Mission and Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.-They differ from the Gentiles or Christian, by their observance of the ancient laws, with exception of those parts which stood typical of the offering of the body of Jesus which were bloody sacrifices. These all having been fulfilled in the antitype, they have nothing to do with them. But, the law of circumcision, as given to Abraham 400 years before that given on Sainai [Sinai], they do most sacredly hold and observe, as well as certain other parts of the law, such as wearing the beard, and refrain from meats, &c.-not that they believe the observance of these necessary to the "common salvation," or the salvation of the soul; but as a distinguishing proof between the seed of Israel, and the descendants of the Gentile nations.-And also as a mark or proof of their obedience, that they may be found worthy to come into a full realization of the great promises made to their ancestors, the time for which they believe to be very near.
The church of Christian Israelites has been organized about 25 years. The greatest portion of its members are in different parts of Europe, though there are branches of it in Asia and America. New additions are constantly being made to the church, though as yet it can only be said to be in its infancy.
They have a beautiful sanctuary at Aston, in England, the interior of which is built of polished mahogany. Their singing at the sanctuary is accompanied with a fine band of instrumental music, including a fine organ.-They have a Public Service at the above place every Sunday afternoon, as well as at all other places where there is a branch of the church established.
(->) Who can read the above without bringing to mind that scripture which says-'they that lead my people cause them to err," "Christian Israelites!" we may as well have religious heathens; and what is the use of multiplying divisions, and creating distinctions? There is but one God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, there is but one Savior, leaving for practice one gospel, one faith, one baptism, and one church, and so if ye are not "one" ye are not his.
As to "Israel" we think the prophet Isaiah told the truth, when he said, "for Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect"-I will make thee the head and not the tail. And Ezekiel and John told the truth too, for "Israel" as its true meaning is, will prevail.
For once let us say, that Cain, who went to Nod and taught the doctrine of a "plurality of wives" and the giants who practiced the same iniquity; and Nimrod, who practiced the common stock system, and the Jews, who commenced crossing sea and land to make proselytes without revelation; and the christian sects, who have went all lengths in building up churches and multiplying systems without authority from God,-are all co-workers on the same plan:-when the reward for every man's work is given-this will be the everlasting answer to all sects, sorts, and conditions, from Cain down to Christian Israelites, I NEVER KNEW YOU!
PROPHECY.-The very name of such a thing is a surrender of all pretence [pretense] to evidence; it is the language of insanity! The fetor [fetter] of the charnel-house is not more charged with its admonition to our bodily health, to withdraw from the proximities [proximity] of death, than the cracky sound of the thing is, with warning to our reason, that we are out of the regions of sobriety, wherever it is so much as seriously spoken of: no rational man ever pretended to it.-[Taylor.
(->) The Boston Investigator treated his readers to the above, probably to lessen the idea of revealed religion. But what a lean, lonely touch at the God of revelation! The bare voice of the Jews against themselves,-when Jesus was crucified, was enough; "HIS BLOOD BE ON US!" The destruction of Jerusalem, which followed, their dispersion, and mourning among the nations ever since, carries a proof with it, that he that runs may read.-Next the ruins recently discovered, open the mouths of witnesses that cannot lie. Pompeii, Nineveh and Egypt, hold remains that speak like thunder-the prophets are true.
Why, my dear sir, the beasts and birds can foretell, and they know future events. The hog before a storm will squeal and prepare himself a nest. The wild geese the birds of passage always leave the north and go to the south before winter: the squirrels provide food for the days to come, when their labor must cease; and the "little people," the bees, prophetically lay up treasure for a future day:-And the worm, knoweth more of God than the infidel; he, like a man, takes all he can get, comes out with his caterpillar coat, and then assumes his chrysalis,-which finally bursts into that beautiful state of his ressurrection [resurrection],
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