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© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
After a sermon preached at St. George's, on behalf of the Society for the conversion of the Jews, which raised the sum of £17 12s. 8d. a meeting of Friends of the society, chaired by Bishop Ward, a spiritual man and ardent fund-raiser for the Diocese, discussed the formation of an auxiliary society on the Island.
The preacher and first Speaker who gave some personal experiences of the piety of Jews after Christian Conversion, made the point that 'although we cannot calculate upon the conversion of the whole nation of the Jews by the means used by this society, yet it did not become us to use no exertion for the salvation of the Jews of the present day. Nothing but omnipotent power can accomplish that mighty work, yet the time would certainly come when it would take place, and woe to those nations who had persecuted this people, and who had used no exertions for their spiritual welfare'.
The Lord Bishop said it was not his intention by a long speech, to efface that deep impression which he was sure must have been made on the minds of all, by the excellent address which they had just heard from his friend and late neighbour, the Rev. Mr. Marsh; but on looking around him in the world, he could not but observe the wonderful operations that were taking place, both on the land and on the waters - in the sciences and in the arts - nothing however astonished him more than the exertions made - the funds raised - for the salvation of man. He could recollect - thirty years ago - when those interested in Bible societies, societies for the conversion of the Jews and similar, could all stand in less space than was at present occupied by the meeting which he now addressed. But as it was not his intention to detain the meeting, he begged the ladies who would form the committee, and who he now addressed, would put his name at the head of a list for subscriptions for £20.
His Lordship then left the chair and proceeded to Kirk Onchan to lay the foundation stone of a new church for that parish - the site for which having been changed by the parishioners. The report of the meeting in the Manx Sun of 31 August 1830 makes explicit the rationale of the urge to missionary work of evangelical convictions, and, in a more down to earth conviction, the automatic enrolment of 'the ladies' in fund- raising duties. The Manx Sun of 6 November 1852 advertised a sermon at St. Matthews chapel, Douglas on behalf of the Society for promoting Christianity amongst the Jews and meetings at Douglas and Castletown. So far nothing appears to have changed.
M.N.H.L., Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim ;
Cubbon's Bibliography, Bishop Ward biographies, vol. 1, p.365.
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Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
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