A Converted Jew (9)

A Friend in Need

Having arrived at Rotterdam, I made enquiry for the gentleman who gave me his card at Frankfort-on-the-Main. A landlord told me that he did not think I would obtain admittance to this gentleman because he was one of the richest bankers in the area. His residence was about two miles from the town. The following day, however, I went to see this gentleman. I first came to the lodge and delivered the card and left my name. Later, when I came to the house I readily gained admittance. The gentleman instantly recognized me; he shook my hand very heartily, saying he was glad to see that I arrived safely at his house. His carriage was waiting at the door to take him out and he said he was in rather a hurry, having an important engagement. He enquired where I was staying. When I told him, he said, “I will send my footman with you to take you to a better place.” He also invited me to dine with him in the evening.

Accordingly, I went to his home at six o’clock. I was introduced to his wife and three daughters with the remark, “This is the little Pole of whom I was telling you.” At the dinner table his wife said, “We shall expect you to dine with us every day during your stay at Rotterdam.” Accordingly, on the following day I dined with them again. Of course, my reader must understand that this banker was also a strict Jew. At the dinner table he asked me if I should like to remain in Rotterdam. If I would remain, he would see me provided for. I thanked him warmly, but told him my mind was fixed upon proceeding to England. He answered that England was a very wicked place and that, if I took his advice, I would stay in Rotterdam. He could not persuade me to remain, however, so he said I could stay as long as I liked, that he would bear all my expenses, and when I wished to go, I should just let him know. I stayed in Rotterdam for about a month, with some partial indecision of purpose, and then told him I should like to leave. He replied that he was very sorry indeed.

My refusal to remain in Rotterdam I can now attribute only to the overruling power of God, who had appointed London as my spiritual birthplace. “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD that shall stand.”

England at Last

The day arrived for my leaving Rotterdam. The banker paid my fare to London in the first class cabin. When I left him, he told me to write and let him know how I was doing, and whether I felt inclined to return. But I never wrote and therefore heard no more from him.

My voyage from Rotterdam to London was remarkable because the vessel was wrecked and I escaped in a similar manner as on a former occasion. Here again, through the free grace of God, I was plucked as a brand from eternal burning.

I have read many times the 107th Psalm with pleasure, and I trust with profit to my soul. “They mount up to heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.... Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (w. 26-31). So through the goodness of the Lord I was brought safely to London.

Arrival in England

Soon after my arrival in England, my brother whom I left at Memel by the advice of my father came also to England, and we met at Bristol. What a happy meeting it was! We commenced a business in the jewelry trade, and travelled a great deal in that neighborhood.

A few months after we had opened our business I was taken ill at Bristol and went into the hospital. It proved to be another attack of fever. It turned out that the physician could speak German; here again the Lord provided me another very kind friend. He told me he would watch over my case and do all in his power to restore me to health. One Saturday, when I was very ill indeed, my brother came to see me. When he saw that I was so ill, he sat by my bedside and wept. Just then the physician entered. He told my brother I was dangerously ill, but asked him not to weep; he assured him he would do his best to restore me. This kind physician would often sit a quarter of an hour or more talking to me, and comforting me.

One evening I was “bled.”* The next morning I put my phylacteries upon the same arm from which I had been bled, and tying them rather tightly, the blood began to gush out. The nurse, seeing this, came and tried to take them from me; I resisted, and told her I would rather bleed to death than give way. I struggled hard, but she prevailed. I would rather have died than have given up my phylacteries — and all this for a superstitious and natural religion. What an infinite mercy to be delivered from a natural religion! Nothing short of the power of the Holy Ghost can do it. Oh how rich, free, and sovereign is the grace of God!

*Being “bled” was a common medical treatment during the 1800s. At that time a fever was considered as residing in the patient’s blood. “Bleeding” a prescribed amount of blood from the patient was thought to help lower the fever.

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