Worte zur Beherzigung an die Juden (Words that the Jewish People Should Heed)

Hamburg: Printed by Conrad Müller, 1830. First printing. Softcover. Near fine condition. Duodecimo. 32pp. Original wraps with modern decorative paper spine in color, protected by modern mylar. Scarce. The Karlsruhe Virtual Catalog (KVK) lists six copies worldwide: Stabi Berlin (restored), the Polish Union Catalog of Research Libraries, the Catalog of Swedish Libraries, the French Union Catalog, the Bibliotheque Strasbourg and in an anthology of the University Library in Kiel, Germany.

The pamphlet opens with an elaborate and determined attempt to convert Jewish people to Christianity, then suggesting: "Isn't it striking that your current captivity (truncated) is without comparison in its length and other related circumstances. Is that not evidence that something among your people is utterly wrong?" Step by step Laurent offers reasoning for the Jews to convert to Christianity, referencing the absence of their Messiah and suggesting that the Jewish belief of the true God is perfectly represented in the preachings of the Gospels, etc. Laurent suggests that Jews may counter that persecution by pagans as well as Christians isn't evidence for the truth of paganism and reminds the Jews that their societal condition should lead to serious reflection and prayer. He acknowledges that the Jews brought forth great people and expresses his wish that God may enlighten the Jews with some of their wisdom. In closing Laurent offers prayers begging God for the salvation and enlightenment of the Jews.

The Stabi Berlin copy, considered NS spoils given to the Berlin Mission of the Protestant Church Berlin-Brandenburg, Silesia Upper Lusatia, included a colophon, not present in our copy. The author of this copy, Johann Christian Moritz, was most likely Johann Christian Moritz Laurent (1810-1876), a teacher and librarian born in Hamburg, who worked since 1834 as a teacher in Hamburg and as secretary at the Hamburg City Library from 1835.

Text in German, Gothic script. Pages lightly age-toned.


Selten, anonym erschienen. – Über KVK weltweit nur (four) drei Exemplare: Union catalog of Polish research library collections, in der Stabi Berlin (inzwischen restituiert), der UB Kiel (in einem Sammelband) und der BNU-Strasbourg nachweisbar. – Das Exemplar der Stabi, das als NS-Raubgut an das Berliner Missionswerk der Evangelischen Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz restituiert wurde ist mit einem Kolophon (Hamburg, Müller) versehen, das bei unserem Exemplar nicht vorhanden ist. – Bei dem beim Berliner Exemplar Johann Christian MORITZ genannten Verfasser handelt es sich offensichtlich um Johann Christian Moritz Laurent (1810-1876), einem in Hamburg geborenen Lehrer und Bibliothekar, der nach seinem Studium von 1834 als Lehrer in Hamburg und ab 1835 als Sekretär an der Hamburger Stadtbibliothek arbeitete. – Titel leicht gebräunt. (Inventory #: 49865)