Rosenfeldt, Frederick John

Rosenfeldt, Frederick John, a missionary of the Episcopal Church, was born of Jewish parents Feb. 10, 1804, at Mitau, in Courland, Russia. According to the custom of that country, Rosenfeldt was instructed in the religion of Rabbinism, and when ten years old he was taken to Berditschev for further instruction in the Talmud. One of the most learned teachers, however, at that place endeavored to awake in his students a desire to apply themselves to the study of other languages, and not without success. Rosenfeldt, with two fellow scholars, was permitted by a Roman Catholic priest to take part in the instruction of his school, which he did in secret, acquiring a knowledge of reading and writing Russian, Polish, German, and a little arithmetic. At the age of eighteen he was married, according to the fashion of the country, and for two years lived in the house of his father-in-law, spending his time in the study of the Talmud. Having returned to Berditschev, he came into possession of a copy of the New Testament in Hebrew, circulated by the missionary Mr. Moritz (q.v.). His two former fellow scholars and himself resolved to embrace Christianity, and intended to go to Berlin. Rosenfeldt was prevented from carrying out his plan by circumstances beyond his control. In the meantime he received letters of introduction to the missionaries in Poland, and arrived at Warsaw in September, 1827. Having received the necessary instruction, he was baptized in the Reformed Church Feb. 10, 1828. His exemplary life and Rabbinical learning recommended him to the London Society, and in September, 1828, he was appointed assistant to the mission station at Radom. From this time on till his death, which occurred July 11, 1853, he was connected with the London Society, his last station being Lublin. See the Jewish Intelligencer, 1853, p. 313 sq.; Annual Reports of the London Society, 1829, p. 52 sq. (B.P.)