Subject: Conversion

This book is a first edition of Joseph Solomon Ottolenghe's response to two pamphlets published by his uncle, Gabriel Treves. Ottolenghe, an Italian-born convert to Christianity, refutes accusations made by Treves regarding a debt and defends his conversion. Published in London by Edward Score in 1735, the work provides insights into religious conversion and family conflict in 18th-century England. Ottolenghe later played a significant role in establishing the silk industry in America.

Autograph letter written by Joseph Gibbs Barker to Frederick Chapman on February 7, 1828, in London, England. The letter discusses a request for financial assistance from Wolf Levi and the policies of the London Society for Promoting Christianity Amongst the Jews regarding such requests. Barker expresses concerns about the motives of those seeking aid from the Society.

Newspaper article from the *Church Chronicle and Record*, published in New Haven, Connecticut on October 20, 1843. The article details the conversion of a Jewish son and his subsequent conversation with his father, presented within the context of missionary propaganda.

This pamphlet, printed in Mexico City on October 19, 1666, outlines the procedures for investigating and interrogating prospective Franciscan missionaries in New Spain (colonial Mexico). Authored by Hernando de la Rua (Comisario General) and Francisco Calderón (Secretario General), it details the rigorous process of vetting candidates, including inquiries into their moral character, financial status, ancestry (excluding those of Jewish, Muslim, or heretical descent), and more. The pamphlet reveals the strict standards and concerns of the Franciscan order in colonial Mexico regarding the selection of its members. The pamphlet is signed by Francisco Calderón.

This book is the autobiography of Jonas Abraham Davis, detailing his conversion from Judaism to Christianity. This is the third American edition, published in Philadelphia in 1870. The narrative recounts Davis's personal journey, experiences, and reflections on his religious transformation.

Four-page letter written by Dr. J. Mayer of Hartford, Connecticut, to Isaac Leeser on March 1863. Mayer discusses a recent controversy concerning the validity of a conversion, presenting his views using both practical observation and religious text. He requests Leeser to publish his views for the consideration of other rabbis.

A one-page letter written by Isaac Leeser to Gotthard Dellman Bernheim, copied by Solomon Nunes Carvalho, dated December 27, 1852. Leeser refutes accusations against Rabbi Menachem Emanuel Marcuson of converting to Christianity. The letter discusses the challenges of Christian missionary activity within the American Jewish community in the 19th century.

A letter written from White Bear Lake, Minnesota to St. Paul, Minnesota on August 9, 1863, detailing a gentile traveler's encounter with Mr. and Mrs. Weil of La Porte, Indiana. The writer describes the Weils as kind, agreeable, liberal, and recently converted to Judaism. The letter suggests that Mr. Weil was a banker and that the family was visiting a relative, Isaac Weil, in St. Paul.

This book contains the missionary journal and memoir of Reverend Joseph Wolf, a Jewish Christian missionary. The work was written by Wolf himself and revised and edited by John Bayford. This is the first American edition, published in New York by E. Bliss in 1824; the same year it was published in London. The journal details Wolf's extensive missionary travels throughout the Middle East, Asia, and the United States, highlighting his experiences, challenges, and successes in spreading Christianity.

This book recounts the life of Joseph Samuel C. F. Frey, who converted from Judaism to Christianity and became a minister in London. Published around 1815, it includes Frey's personal memoirs and an address to Christians advocating for the descendants of Abraham. The book details Frey's journey, experiences, and beliefs, offering insight into religious conversion and interfaith relations in the early 19th century.

This is a first edition of a sermon by Lewis Stephens, Archdeacon of Chester, preached on July 6, 1735, in Exeter, England. The sermon uses the biblical example of Onesiphorus's kindness to St. Paul to exhort the congregation to support persecuted converts to Christianity. Specifically, it recounts the case of Joseph Ottolenghe, a Jew who converted to Christianity and was imprisoned by other Jews, before being rescued by the inhabitants of St. Petrock's. The sermon denounces the persecution of Jewish converts and champions the protection of these individuals by the Church of England. Published by E. Farley for E. Score, Exeter.

This is the third American edition of a book detailing the history of the Jewish people from the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE to the 19th century. The book places significant emphasis on modern-day conversions, and includes lists of names, places, and specific historical accounts. Published in 1844.

Bound volume containing fifteen issues of *The Jewish Inquirer*, a London newspaper published on September 7, 1839. The newspaper is dedicated to the conversion of Jews and includes a question-and-answer section at the end. The volume is part of a larger collection of Judaica Americana.

This book, written by Warder Cresson (1798-1860), explores the author's conversion to Judaism and provides his reasoning behind it. Published around 1852, the work features a discussion of the author's 1851 lunacy trial, which stemmed from his conversion. Cresson uses biblical interpretation to contrast Christianity and Judaism, notably including a dialogue between an evangelical minister and a slave illustrating some contradictions of Christianity. The book also interprets the biblical story of the two women before Solomon allegorically as representing the true and false churches. The work concludes with an appendix and serves as a testament to Cresson's conviction and understanding of Jewish faith.

This book, published circa 1817, examines the methods used by the London Society for Promoting Christianity Amongst the Jews to convert Jews. It includes the cases of Jacob Josephson and Nehemiah Solomon, providing detailed accounts of their alleged conversions and the tactics employed by the society. The book is critical of the Society's methods, raising questions of ethics and coercion in religious conversion.

Issue of the *Vermont Intelligencer and Bellows Falls Advertiser* newspaper from Bellows Falls, Vermont, published on April 27, 1818. This issue contains an article on the conversion of Jews in the Netherlands.