Multitudes were active, from diverse motives, to secure this end.

One of the most conspicuous of these was a renegade Jew, once baptized by an English missionary, but now an infidel who seemed to have satanic aid in the invention of slanders against Protestants and Protestantism.

Another was a disappointed infidel teacher, whose malice and bitterness made him a fit ally for the Jew.

The enemy seemed to be having everything in his own way, and strong was his confidence of success.
At this crisis, Divine Providence interposed.

The army of the Egyptians was on the march towards Constantinople, and the Sultan deemed it necessary to call upon all the Patriarchs and the chief Rabbi of the Jews, each to furnish several thousand men for his army.