Catalogue description ALEXANDER PAPERS

Letters and papers of Bishop M.S. Alexander with a few papers of his wife Deborah and descendants

Four letters from Alexander to the Revd. Benjamin Bass Golding, Curate of Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, 1824-5, concerning his conversion and marriage (ff.1-8v).

Letter from the same to the same, from Dublin, 30 November 1826, introducing a German Hebrew scholar named Barschal; will accompany Joseph Wolff to Germany; the baptism of his child (f.9).

Letter from the same to Miss Hanah S. Hancock, from Dublin, 9 April 1827, mentioning his ordination and spiritual matters (f.11).

Letter from the same to the Revd. B.B. Golding, from Dublin, 5 June 1827, stating that he and [William Michael] Mayers are to be ordained by the Archbishop of Dublin (f.12).

Letter from the same to Miss H.S. Hancock, from Dublin, 30 June 1827, reflecting on his ordination (f.14).

Letter from the same to the Revd. B.B. Golding, from Dublin, 11 September 1827, hoping for an appointment abroad owing to ill-health; the archbishop ordained him for a German chapel but found it was not in his gift (f.16).

Letter from Miss H.S. Hancock to Alexander, from Calverton, 1 October 1830, inviting him to visit Jewish schools (f.18).

Appointment of Alexander as Professor of Hebrew at King's College, London, 12 June 1832 (f.19).

Newspaper cutting of Alexander's inaugural lecture at King's College, London [1832] (f.22).

Newspaper cutting of Alexander's presentation of a Hebrew prize, no date [19th century] (f.23).

Printed poster advertising sermons, including one by Alexander, at the Episcopal Jews' Chapel [Bethnal Green, London] 14 February 1836 (f.24).

Review of Memoir of Sarah J.W. Alexander, daughter of Rev. M.S. Alexander, by Alexander, 16 June 1840 (f.25).

Hymns to be sung at the re-opening of the Episcopal Jews' Chapel [Bethnal Green, London] (printed), 12 September 1841 (ff.26-27v).

A Bill [as amended by the committee] intituled An Act to amend an Act made in the twenty-sixth year of ... George the third, intituled 'An Act to empower the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Archbishop of York for the time being to consecrate to the office of a bishop persons being subjects or citizens of countries out of his Majesty's dominions, 20 September 1841 (ff.28-29v).

Letter from Miss H.S. Hancock to Alexander, 22 September 1841, on the conversion of Jews in the east (f.30).

Letter from Joseph Wolff, missionary, to the same, from High Hayland near Wakefield, 27 September 1841, describing his own experiences as a missionary in Jerusalem in 1821-8; advises learning Arabic. Printed M.R. Corey, From Rabbi to Bishop, no date, 58-9 (f.32).

Notarial certificate of Alexander's consecration as Bishop of the United Church of England and Ireland in Jerusalem, 7 November 1841 (ff.34-5).

Newspaper cutting on German opposition to Alexander's appointment, c.1841 (f.36).

Newspaper cuttings on the character of the bishopric, no date (f.37).

Engraving of the seal of the diocese in Jerusalem, no date (f.38).

Letter from Anthony Ashley Cooper, Lord Ashley, and (1851) 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, to Alexander, 9 November 1841, with congratulations and hope for the conversion of Jews (f.41).

Letter from the Revd. J. Wright to the same, from Lockwood near Huddersfield (Yorks.), 12 November 1841, sending congratulations and asking for progress reports (f.43).

Episcopal benediction, 13 November 1841 (f.45).

Letter from Deborah Alexander, daughter of Bishop Alexander, to the Misses Golding, from Jerusalem, [1841], describing the journey to Jerusalem (f.48).

Letter from Alexander to the same, from Jerusalem, 25 April 1842, on the prosperity of his mission (f.50).

Letter from Methodius, Patriarch of Antioch, to Alexander, from Beirut, 23 May 1842, acknowledging letters, including a letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and a copy of the Book of Common Prayer through the Russian consul Basili. The prayer book is discordant with the doctrines of the Orthodox Church of the East. Desires peace but also that nothing be propagated amongst lay or clerical members of the Church to cause disturbance. Greek with translation (ff.52-54v).

Letter from Miss H.S. Hancock to the same, [after June 1842], on the fulfilment of prophecies and affairs of the London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews (f.56).

Letter from the Revd. George Williams, chaplain to Bishop Alexander and (1870) Hon. Canon of Winchester, to the same, c.1842, stating the consul-general's opinion that the policy of a visit to the ecclesiastical authorities is 'very questionable' (f.58).

Letter from Alexander to his son Robert, from Jerusalem, 1 September 1842, sending family news and stating that he learns Arabic (f.59).

Letter from the same to the Revd. William Wynne Willson, from Jerusalem, 28 September 1842, acknowledging the receipt of reports; notes the scarcity of travellers; his recovery from fever (f.61).

Account by the Revd. John Rowlands of a visit with Alexander to Hebron, c.1842 (ff.63-65v).

Letter from Alexander to Sir Stratford Canning, 1st Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe (1852), ambassador at Constantinople, from Jerusalem, 14 January 1843, stating that the new Pasha seems well-disposed but that it is difficult to obtain dwelling houses and asks advice on obtaining a firman. Could achieve more if allowed to receive persons from other communions and if protected by the British government. Has been invited to direct affairs of the Coptic Patriarch in Cairo but believes it inexpedient to accept. Building of church has been stopped by the Pasha and services are in a temporary chapel on Mount Zion (f.66).

Letter from the same to Lieut.-Col. Hugh Henry Rose, later (1866) 1st Baron Straithnairn, from Jaffa, 21 January 1843, on steps for resuming church building (f.68).

Letter from the same to Christian Charles Josias Bunsen, Baron von Bunsen, ambassador in London, from Beirut, 30 January 1843, describing difficulties in building a church and asking him to use his influence with the British government without delay (copy) (f.70).

Letter from the same to William Howley, Archbishop of Caterbury, from Beirut, 27 February 1843, describing difficulties in building a church; the Coptic Patriarch has asked him to superintend the Coptic community in Jerusalem, but he thinks it prudent to decline; a number of Jews, including three Rabbis, seek conversion; expects a breach with [George] Williams and considers appointing an unnamed Yorkshire clergyman his chaplain; the King of Prussia has appointed Dr. Schwartz consul in Beirut; the Bishop of Gibraltar would be unwise to send the Archbishop of Tripoli to Syria (copy) (f.72).

Letter from the same to Sir Richard Steele, 3rd Bart., from Jerusalem, 28 February 1843, describing difficulties in building a church. Three Rabbis have sought baptism; regular services held chiefly of Christian Israelites; a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church; a visit to Hebron; oppressed people much encouraged by visit from Sir Moses Montefiore (f.75).

Letter from the same to Dr. - Kerns (missionary), 1 March 1843, concerning the latter's proposed ordination for duties in Beirut (copy) (f.77).

Letter from the same to the Revd. John Noble Coleman, Perpetual Curate of Ventnor, from Jerusalem, 21 March 1843, on the shipment of books; sends a manuscript roll of the Book of Esther and pieces of the Tree of Abraham (f.78).

Letter from the same to the same, from Jerusalem, 31 August 1843, on the shipment of books; Turkish attacks on the French in Jerusalem (f.80).

Letter from the same to Sir Robert Harry Inglis, 2nd Bart., from Jerusalem, 21 December 1843, on the arrival of [Robert] Bateson from Damascus and his subsequent illness (f.82).

Letter from the same to Sir Stratford Canning. [1st Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe (1852)], from Jerusalem, 20 September 1843, about delay in completing the church and other buildings. The European population, especially the French, increases (f.84).

Letter from the same to Sir Richard Steele, 3rd Bart., from Jerusalem, 29 December 1843, reporting the death of R. Bateson; six Israelites have been baptised and there is a largely Christian Israelite congregation on Mount Zion; had 33 communicants on Christmas Day; has good relations with the Greek and Armenian Churches; the popularity of the British (f.85).

Letter from Miss H.S. Hancock to Alexander, from Norwich, 29 December 1843, stating that she has formed a juvenile association of Jews and others to implement his suggestion of books for children; proposes an appeal for school-mistresses from England (f.87).

Letter from Alexander to the Misses Golding, from Jerusalem, 2 February 1844, with condolences on the death of their father (f.89).

Letter from the same to -, from Jerusalem, 14 April 1844, with an invitation to dinner with Mr. Clarke and Mr. Saunders (f.90).

Letter from Mrs. Alexander to the Revd. John Noble Coleman, Perpetual Curate of Ventnor, from Jerusalem, 25 July 1844, acknowledging books and giving domestic news (f.91).

Letter from Alexander to the same, from Jerusalem, 27 July 1844, acknowledging books for the college from him and others; does not yet have a firman (f.93).

Letter from the same to Sir Thomas [Baring, 2nd Bart.], October [1844], reporting on his mission; laments lack of British protection; had 36 communicants on January 21st which was the third anniversary of his arrival (copy) (f.95).

Letter from the same to the Revd. John Noble Coleman, from Jerusalem, 30 December 1844, describing progress of the mission; was prevented from undertaking a visitation of Egypt by sickness; has 45 communicants, mostly converted Israelites; the hospital assured (f.97).

Letter from Robert Balison to Alexander, from Berlin, 29 October 1845, reporting the despatch of publications; he and Wright wish to build a church in Berlin; the Jerusalem bishopric now very unpopular since prayers are not said for the King of Prussia, and Alexander is said to preach seldom and take no active part in the mission (f.99).

Letter from Alexander to William Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury, [1845], justifying himself for the temporary excommunication of individuals causing a public scandal; finds no little difficulty in maintaining peace and order in the community. Still has no firman but the present church suffices; there were 58 communicants on Trinity Sunday when two Israelites were admitted to holy orders; opposition from Rabbis (copy) (f.101).

Extract from the newspaper the Achill Missionary Herald concerning a report that Alexander refused to admit 100 members of the Greek Orthodox Church to the Church of England and that the King of Prussia maintains that the bishop's mission was principally to Jews, 30 January 1845 (f.103).

Letter from Fanny to Deborah Alexander, from Cairo, 4 December 1845, on the death of their father (f.104).

Three letters from H.A. [?Abehea] to Miss Deborah Alexander, daughter of Bishop Alexander, 1845-6, describing travels in Asia Minor, dated from Beirut, Constantinople, and Smyrna (ff.105-119v).

The periodical Jewish Intelligencer, February 1846 (ff.120-138v).

Letter from Erasmus Scott Calman to Mrs. Alexander, from Jerusalem, 4 August 1846, describing the decline of the mission since Alexander's death (f.139).

Prayer in the hand of Mrs. Alexander, no date (f.141).

Hymn in the hand of Mrs. Alexander, no date [19th century] (f.142).

Letter from H. Abehea to Miss Deborah Alexander, from Berlin, 19 August 1847, with personal news (f.143).

Letter from Elizabeth Anne Finn, wife of James Finn, consul in Jerusalem, to Mrs. Alexander, February [1853], describing distress owing to rumours of war and appealing for assistance (badly damaged) (f.145).

Letter from Louisa Reichardt, wife of the Revd. John Christian Reichardt, [to Mrs. Alexander], from Warsaw, March 1854, reporting her arrival in Poland and mentioning common friends (f.147).

Hymn sheet for the Ninth anniversary of the Sunday Schools of St. George's church, New-York [United States of America] Easter, 1858 (ff.149-150v) (printed).

Obituary notice of Mrs. Alexander, 18 May 1872 (Surrey Advertiser) (f.151).

The periodical The Bible Society gleanings for the young, April 1897 (ff.152-161v).

Correspondence between the Church Missionary Society and Mrs. Dora Ransom, daughter of Bishop Alexander and wife of Capt. Henry Sherman Ransom, 1905, concerning a passage in E. Stock's History of the C.M.S. (ff.162v-165).

The periodical Bible Lands, April 1919 (ff.166-179v).

Report on the centenary of the Jerusalem Bishopric, 28 October 1941 (The Times newspaper) (f.180).