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still very like them--quite like enough to be called by the same name; so
now, here, the ways of these two men, and the things they had in the
house, were all very nearly the same as in Europe. It was not at all
like going to China or Japan, where everything that one sees is strange.
I was, indeed, at once struck with the primitive character of their
appliances, for they seemed to be some five or six hundred years behind
Europe in their inventions; but this is the case in many an Italian
village.

All the time that I was eating my breakfast I kept speculating as to what
family of mankind they could belong to; and shortly there came an idea
into my head, which brought the blood into my cheeks with excitement as I
thought of it. Was it possible that they might be the lost ten tribes of
Israel, of whom I had heard both my grandfather and my father make
mention as existing in an unknown country, and awaiting a final return to
Palestine? Was it possible that I might have been designed by Providence
as the instrument of their conversion? Oh, what a thought was this! I
laid down my skewer and gave them a hasty survey. There was nothing of a
Jewish type about them: their noses were distinctly Grecian, and their
lips, though full, were not Jewish.

How could I settle this question? I knew neither Greek nor Hebrew, and
even if I should get to understand the language here spoken, I should be
unable to detect the roots of either of these tongues. I had not been
long enough among them to ascertain their habits, but they did not give
me the impression of being a religious people. This too was natural: the
ten tribes had been always lamentably irreligious. But could I not make
them change? To restore the lost ten tribes of Israel to a knowledge of
the only truth: here would be indeed an immortal crown of glory! My
heart beat fast and furious as I entertained the thought. What a
position would it not ensure me in the next world; or perhaps even in
this! What folly it would be to throw such a chance away! I should rank
next to the Apostles, if not as high as they--certainly above the minor
prophets, and possibly above any Old Testament writer except Moses and
Isaiah. For such a future as this I would sacrifice all that I have
without a moment's hesitation, could I be reasonably assured of it. I
had always cordially approved of missionary efforts, and had at times
contributed my mite towards their support and extension; but I had never
hitherto felt drawn towards becoming a missionary myself; and indeed had
always admired, and envied, and respected them, more than I had exactly
liked them. But if these people were the lost ten tribes of Israel, the
case would be widely different: the opening was too excellent to be lost,
and I resolved that should I see indications which appeared to confirm my
impression that I had indeed come upon the missing tribes, I would
certainly convert them.

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