Mr. Wilson's Preface
to the Third Edition, 1844

"IT is now about seven years since the light began to break upon my mind, with respect to the English, as having remarkably fulfilled unto them the promises, given through Jacob, unto his once long-lost son, Joseph. Thenceforth I set myself to inquire into the origin of the Anglo-Saxon race; and to see whether there could, from their early history, be collected evidence as to their being really the children of those unto whom the promises were made. I soon discovered that there was no evidence to the contrary; but that any true knowledge of the quarter from which they had come and of their character, appearance, institutions, and proceedings generally, was minutely consistent with the idea which, from the Scripture predictions, I had been led to entertain. I had so far proceeded with the inquiry as to be prepared to give a course of eight Lectures on the subject. The first sketch of these Lectures I submitted to that experienced and deeply devoted servant of God, the late Rev. Peter Roe, of Kilkenny, who seemed to be intimately acquainted with history, as well as with that gospel of which he was a most faithful preacher; and his answer was, that he wished these Lectures were delivered in every city and town of Ireland. He attended the first course, which was delivered in the neighborhood of Dublin, where I was then residing. I had thus so far an opportunity of knowing that nothing tangible could be brought against the view - indeed the communication was expressly made to me by one of the clergymen who attended, that although they were not prepared to accede at once to all I said, yet they had no good reason to allege in opposition to the views I propounded, and that it was certainly my duty to go forward. The same, in substance, has frequently been stated to me since, by other ministers of the church of England, as well as by those of other denominations.

"I delivered several courses of Lectures in the neighborhood of Liverpool, chiefly to schools, when I had opportunity, of seeing how clearly the subject could be apprehended by the minds of youth of both sexes; and how usefully it might be made the basis of very much of that knowledge which it becomes us to possess, both as inhabitants of this world, and as expectants of the world to come. I also delivered public courses, both in Woodside and in the Medical Institution, Liverpool. Several of the most eminent clerical students of prophecy attended. One of them had previously expressed his dissent from the view; and said that after having examined my evidence, he would speak out if he found me in the wrong. He did not do so; and I suppose that the Rev. Hugh McNeile, is not a man that would fail to fulfil his word: but, otherwise, I have no sure evidence that he yet sees along with me in the matter.

"The distinction between the promises made unto the fathers, and the after covenant made with Israel when coming out of Egypt; - between the predicted destiny of the house of Judah, and that of the house of Israel, and especially of the posterity of Joseph - between the One Seed, Christ, the King of Israel, to come of Judah, and the multitudinous seed to come of Ephraim; and the eminently progressive character of the Anglo-Saxon race, as distinguishing them from all other races of mankind, are points which are becoming evident to many; and are, several of them, recognized truths by popular writers, to whom they appeared to be hid, or very obscure, previous to the first publication of 'Our Israelitish Origin.'

"Believing that there is much important truth contained in the following view of 'Our Israelitish Origin,' and still more to be yet brought out in connection therewith, I had, previous to the first publication of this work, greatly desired to devote myself entirely to endeavors to direct public attention to the subject. After getting the work through the press, and presenting it to the public, I however, stopped short in my course of lecturing. I thought I had, perhaps done all that was required of me for the time, - that the learned and religious world had now an opportunity of calmly, in their retirement, examining whether these things were so, - after which they might follow the matter out to its further results. In the mean time I devoted myself more to my profession than I had for some time done; and that partly in order to acquire the means of laboring freely for the farther diffusion of light, when the way should be opened to me. I in the meantime had the satisfaction of hearing from many quarters, that conviction, as to the truth of this view, was fixed in the minds of many clergymen and others whose position in society was advantageous for its dissemination. But this has not been done by public teachers to the extent that is desirable. There has been, as yet, no great pressure from without, and no very particular impulse from within, to incline them to risk much in fully and boldly altering the character of their public ministration, so as to express the enlarged view which this opening gives of the word and working of God. In such circumstances I have thought it necessary that I should again come before the public with the declaration of this truth. I accordingly commenced last year by devoting myself to this work in simple faith upon Him who is able to uphold in the service unto which He may be pleased to call any one of his servants; and, having obtained help of God, I have been enabled to go forward. I feel, however, that much more is to be done; for the means and the grace to use the means to accomplish which, I humbly and earnestly solicit the prayers of all who may be led to see the importance of the subject."

• Go to John Wilson, 1840. Our Israelitish Origin

  • Table of Contents of Lectures
    
  • Preface to American Edition, 1851
    
  • Preface to First Edition, 1840
    
  • Preface to Third Edition, 1844
    
  • Reply to Bickersteth's Objections, 1840
    
  • Queries [to the reader] on the subject of Our Israelitish Origin