LECTURES
ON ANCIENT ISRAEL, AND THE ISRAELITISH ORIGIN OF THE MODERN NATIONS OF EUROPE
BY J.
WILSON, London, 1840
"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."