News Items.

Philadelphia.—The annual examination of the Hebrew Sunday School took place on Sunday the 20th of April. The proficiency of the scholars was, as usual, quite creditable to both themselves and the teachers; only we regretted to perceive that the higher classes were not as well filled as formerly, though the juniors answered to the questions even more promptly than on former occasions. The finances of the school are in excellent condition, and the funds now amount to about six hundred and fifty dollars, the accumulations of the surplus above the annual expenses. We trust that this institution may prosper and lead to the ultimate establishment of an extensive academy for the more effectual diffusion of religious knowledge.

The Hebrew Society of “Mercy and Truth” חברה חסד ואמת has obtained a charter of incorporation, and is now ready to admit as members persons of between twenty-one and forty-five years old. Copies of the constitution, gratis, may be had on application to the secretary, Mr. David A. Phillips. As our brothers are united for mutual assistance in times of distress, we trust that their numbers may increase manifold, so that they may extend wide their sphere of usefulness.—By the by, we shall have to give after a while a statement of the charitable institutions among us in Philadelphia, with other interesting details concerning our several congregations.

Cincinnati.—The Rev: James K. Gutheim, we are pleased to learn, has been regularly elected lecturer of the Congregation of Israelites of Cincinnati, and he is to deliver a discourse every alternate Sabbath. The appointment, as our friendly correspondent observes, is good, and few indeed are better qualified to instil the holy precepts of our faith than Mr. G.—We also agree heartily with our correspondent, that the growing desire for pulpit instruction among our brethren is an earnest of much good, and will produce vast benefits to the rising generation; it would, therefore, be well if it were more generally sought after.

The congregation Beni Jeshurun of the same place intend building very shortly a very splendid Synagogue. The architect has finished his design, which is of the Gothic order. The building will be situated in a retired and pleasant neighbourhood, and will contain seats for two hundred and fifty persons. Would our friends take our advice and make room for five hundred? The additional expense will not be much, and to argue from the increase of Israelites in the cities, and the constant necessity for enlarged space, it were well would the residents of Cincinnati at once provide the necessary room, so as to avoid a speedy remodelling of their building, or its entire demolition to make way for a larger structure. Provident expenditure is the wisest economy.

London.—The Burton Street congregation have, as we learn from a private letter of the 16th of April, set on foot a subscription for the relief of our distressed brethren in Russia; they have collected about £350, which they intend to place in the hands of Dr. Z. Frankel, Rabbi of Dresden, to be distributed in a manner he may think the most desirable, either to give relief on the spot or to promote emigration. Our honoured correspondent asks of us whether the same good object might not be carried out through our influence in the United States? What say our readers to the propriety of holding meetings in their various congregations to urge forward the worthy cause, and to step forward individually and collectively towards farthering it? We wish our correspondents to give the subject their earnest attention, and to discuss it as its importance deserves in our pages.

Correction.—In our last number, page 76, line 10 from bottom, for “where the fear of man does weigh,” read “does not weigh.” Page 108, line 13 from bottom, for “Sir James,” read “Sir Moses Montefiore.”

Obituary.

Was gathered unto his people on Thursday the 17th day of Iyar, at Cincinnati, in the 81st year of his pilgrimage, Benjamin Jonas, late of Teignmouth, Devon, England. The deceased was a pious adherent to all the tenets of the faith of his fathers, his long earthly career was distinguished by universal benevolence, and his strict rectitude gained him the love and respect of all who knew him. Conscious of his approaching dissolution, he bore a brief illness with resignation, and his last moments were occupied by instilling the holy precepts of Israel into the minds of his surrounding family, who will never cease to remember his pious advice.