EDINBURGH, June 12, 1854.

Dear Sir: —I take the liberty of writing to you, to inquire if you would be willing to take charge of, and transmit, a small contribution to assist in relieving the wants of the destitute Jews in Palestine. The contribution is from a congregation of between thirty and forty members, whose attention has been directed to the subject by several communications in the newspapers. The members of this congregation have been led to take a more than ordinary interest in the people of Israel, from the fact that they believe, in their obvious sense, the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as recorded in the books of Moses; and are confidently expecting their fulfilment, and the consequent blessedness of the nations of the earth. They are looking for, among other things, the restoration of the kingdom and throne of David in the Holy Land, when both the houses of Israel shall be united in one nation, when the "tabernacle of David which is fallen down shall be raised up as in the days of old," and when "the mountain of the house of Jehovah shall be established in the top of the mountains, and many nations (of the Gentiles) shall come and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."

Clearly understanding these things as coming events which are even now casting their shadows before, and deeply feeling their importance in connection with the realisation of the world’s blessedness as promised to Abraham, it would ill become us to look with indifference either on the sufferings of the Jewish people in past times, or on those now more especially pressing on them in their own country. We have accordingly made the contribution referred to; and although, from the limited means of those contributing, it may not present the appearance of a large sum, we have no doubt that it will be received in a right spirit, and duly despatched to its destination. It will be sent by post-office order, on receipt of your compliance with our request.

While rejoicing in so much unity of sentiment with the Jews in reference to their faith and hope, it must of necessity be a matter of regret that there should be any important difference of opinion between us. As it would, however, be mere affectation in us to conceal the main point on which we differ from you, we trust you will forgive a plain allusion to it. We believe that Jesus of Nazareth shall sit on the throne of David, when the kingdom is restored to Israel. I believe we are agreed as to this point, namely: That according to the testimony of God himself, by the prophet Ezekiel, the future occupant of David’s throne must be one "whose right it is;" and also that one element of that right, as defined in the covenant made with David, consists in this: That the Messiah must be of the house and lineage of David. The covenant is in these terms: —"And when thy days be fulfilled, . . .I will set up thy seed after thee . . . . and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever."—2 Samuel 7: 12-13. The prophet Jeremiah, also, referring to the same matter, says: —"Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a king shall rule and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth."—Jeremiah 23: 5. Now, in view of these testimonies, in the understanding of which I presume we are at one, we believe there is no evidence to show that there exists on the earth at present, a son of Abraham who, by virtue of his hereditary right, could present a valid claim to the throne of David, if the kingdom were now to be established. The reason of this appears to us to be, that the last heir to David’s throne died without issue, having been put to death by his own nation, as represented by the chief priests and rulers, aided by a mob which they instigated to raise a clamour for his death, by appealing to the fears of Pontius Pilate, then Roman governor of Judea, who delivered him to be crucified. Jesus, as we learn from the genealogies of the elder and younger branches of David’s family, was the son of Mary, who was descended from David through Nathan and Zorobabel. The marriage of Mary to Joseph, who was descended from David through Solomon and Zorobabel, constituted Mary’s only son, Jesus, heir-apparent to the throne of Israel. The death of Jesus, then, in the circumstances referred to, rendered the house of David extinct.

But the question arises—How, if this be true, are the promises of God to be fulfilled? It appears to us that if the throne of Israel is to be occupied by a son of David, either Jesus or some other of David’s descendants who have died, must either have been, or yet be raised from the dead. Indeed, the fact is, that whoever the Messiah may be, this very thing is predicated of him by David himself, in the sixteenth Psalm. His words are: —"For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."—Psalm 16: 10-11. Now, David could not have spoken these words concerning himself, for he remained in the sepulchre until he not only saw corruption, but had completely returned to the dust whence he came. Moreover, this passage not only indicates that Messiah’s path of life from the grave was by a resurrection, but also that that path had its immediate termination, not in the throne of David, but at the right hand of Jehovah in the heavens. This again is corroborated by the fact that the Messiah is, in another Psalm, represented by David as remaining at Jehovah’s right hand until the time should come to give him the kingdom. David says: "Jehovah said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my fight hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."—Psalm 110: 1. In exact accordance with this testimony, Messiah’s descent from this exalted position to occupy the throne of David is thus described by Daniel: "I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him," &c. —Daniel 7: 13-14.

These testimonies convince us that the Messiah was to die and be buried; that he was to have an early resurrection from the grave; and that he was to ascend to the right hand of God, whence to come in power and glory, "to raise up the tribes of Israel," and also to be for a "light to the Gentiles, and the salvation of God unto the end of the earth."

We trust that should any apology be necessary for intruding at such length on your attention on the present occasion, it will suffice to state, that we felt anxious to inform you that, although Gentiles, and differing from you on a very important point, we have no sympathy with the purely Gentile idea of a Messiah coming for no other purpose than to burn up the earth, convey his friends to some ethereal paradise, and consign his enemies to everlasting torment in the flames.

We have only further to state that should you feel disposed to communicate with us on the subject of these remarks, we shall be glad to give an attentive ear to any thing you may have to say to us. In the mean time, awaiting your reply in reference to our request, we are,

Dear Sir, Yours sincerely,

(Signed on behalf of the Congregation,)

JAMES CAMERON, Jr., Treasurer

Dr. ADLER, Chief Rabbi, London.

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OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI,

June 14, 1854.

Dear Sir: —I am requested by the Chief Rabbi to acknowledge your kind favour, and while thanking you for the sympathy you express for his suffering co-religionists in the Holy Land, most respectfully declines entering on any religious discussion.

I have the honour to be, Dear Sir,

Your obedient servant,

AARON LEVY GREEN.

Mr. James Cameron, Junr.

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OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI,

4 Crosby Square, London, 5614—1854.

Sir—I am requested by the Reverend the Chief Rabbi and Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., to acknowledge with grateful thanks the sum of--------, being the amount of your generous collection towards the fund now being raised for the poor Jews of Palestine. I have the honour to be,

Your obedient servant,

AARON LEVY GREEN, Hon’y Secy.

To Mr. James Cameron, Jr., Edinburgh.

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The following note will explain how the above correspondence came to appear in our columns. We shall be happy at all times to publish epistles of like point and character.

EDITOR.

EDINBURGH, July 7, 1854.

Dear Brother Thomas: —I am instructed by the congregation assembling in Tailors’ Hall, Potter row, Edinburgh, to forward the accompanying letter and replies, with the request that, if deemed suitable, you will insert them in the Herald.

I remain, yours sincerely,

James Cameron, Jun’r.

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