Philanthropist

ACCOUNT OF THE CONVERSION OF A JEW IN LEIPSIC.

A poor Student, who studied Divinity
A student busily at the University at Leipsic, having occasion to undertake a journey to his distant friends, was in want of the necessary Money for that purpose. He therefore was induced to go to a learned Jew to pawn his Hebrew Bible, and Greek Testament. The latter contained the Greek and German text in opposite columns. The learned Jew, little as he valued his book, was, however prevailed upon to take it, and to give the Student half a Rix dollar for it. During the absence of the Student, he undertook to read it through, with a view to confirm his mind in enmity against Jesus; to ridicule his person in the Synagogue, and to be the better prepared to testify his zeal for the Jewish faith. His wife and children were not permitted to see the book, he was determined to read it alone as a sworn enemy of Jesus, and to discover the falsehood of the Christian Religion in all its parts. As the Student was absent for about seven weeks, the Jew had sufficient leisure to perform his task. But as he proceeded to read, his surprise increased, and a sacred awe pervaded him. In reading some impressive passages, he could scarcely refrain from exclaiming: Oh! That Jesus were My Saviour! Having completed the reading, he was astonished at himself, and exceedingly perplexed that, in spite of his earnest desire to find fuel in the New Testament for the increase of his burning enmity against Jesus, he had discovered nothing of hatred, but on the contrary, much that is great. Sublime. Heavenly, and Divine. At length he charged himself with silly simplicity and blind folly, and resolved to open the book no more. In this resolution, he passed some days. But the consolatory and Heavenly instructions, which he had read, and which left an indelible impression upon his mind, and the Glorious prospect of life eternal, which had opened before him, did not suffer him to rest either day or night. Now he resolved to read the New Testament second time, fully determined to be more careful in ascertaining that Jesus and his Apostles had justly deserved the hatred of all the Jews in all ages. But again he was unable to discover anything that is absurd or bears the stamp of falsehood, but much wisdom, inexpressible comfort for an afflicted mind, and a hope of immortality which seemed to rescue him from that dreadful anxiety with which the thoughts of futurity had often filled him. Still he could not divest himself of his prejudices, but read the New Testament a third time with the following resolution: If I discover nothing the 3rd time why Jesus and his Apostles and their doctrines should be hated by the Jews, I will become a Christian; but if my wish in first opening the book is now gratified, I will for ever detest the Christian religion. During the third reading the history of Jesus, his doctrines and promises, he often could not refrain from tears, his soul was affected in a manner which no pen can describe. Now he was quite overcome, the love of the most holy and the most lovely of the children of men filled his very soul. Being fully determined to become a Christian, he went without delay and made his desire known to a Christian Minister. Now the Student returned from his journey, and brought the borrowed money with interest, to redeem his two books. The Jew asked him if he would sell the New Testament the Student was unwilling to part with it, but after some persuasion yielded. What do you demand for it, asked the Jew: a rix-dollar will satisfy me, was the reply. The Jew opened a chest, and laid down one hundred Louis d'ors. Take that, said he, gladly will I pay more if you desire it. And if at any time I can be of use to you, only apply to me and I will be your friend to the utmost of my power. The Student was surprised, and supposed that the Jew made sport of him. But the latter related to him, what change of mind had been wrought in him by reading the New Testament, upbraided him with setting so little value on that precious book, and said Never will I part with this book, and you will oblige me by accepting the money. From that time he became a sincere Christian. When we perform to our utmost, though little, it is sufficient,-hence the acceptance of the widow's mite.