found to answer that expectation, and to meet the approbation of those who have the important care of forming the young mind, and training the pliant principles with care and tenderness, into the paths which the scriptures so elegantly point out, and which alone lead to happiness and honour.

P

APOCRYPHA, &c.

ESDRAS.

(Before Christ 610 Years.)

DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AND CITY OF JERUSALEM, AND TAKING THE JEWS CAPTIVE INTO BABY LON.

JOSIAS, king of Judah, being a just and good man, became anxious to restore all the long neglected ceremonies of the Jewish Religion, to their original spendour, and that ancient magnificence which formerly distinguished them, (but which famine and other misfortunes had occasioned to be unattended to,) again to be established according to the institution of Moses. To effect this he made a solemn declaration, making known his intention of keeping the approaching Passover,

B

with unusual pomp and devotion; and giving command that the same decorum and order should in all things be observed on that occasion, that had been prescribed by David, and equal to the grandeur displayed by Solomon, his son; and correspondent in every particular to the law of the founder, Moses.

In conformity with this command of the king Josias, which was thus specified to the priests, and Levites, and the holy ministers of Israel, the king made a present to them of thirty thousand lambs and kids, and three thousand calves. And this liberal donation he made for the benefit of the priests, and for the entertainment of the numbers of people who would be assembled to celebrate this festival. All the Governors of the cities also, and other great men, following the good example set by the king, gave abundantly, and an amazing number of cattle was thus collected together for this important ceremony.

And when the time appointed did arrive, every thing appertaining was conducted with such strict attention to the regulations of Moses, the law giver, and there was such profusion of every thing desirable for the service of God, and the comfort of man, that it was said, "No such passover had been kept in Israel, since the days of the prophet Samuel."

After this, Necho, (or Pharaoh) king of Egypt, intending to make war against Carchemish, by the Euphartes. Josias conceived it behoved him to go out against the Egyptian monarch; which Necho being informed of, sent a very amicable message to him, by an Ambassador, informing him that he felt no cause of anger against the king of Judah-that his quarrel was with Carchemish, of Euphrates. But Josias, whether from a fondness for warlike exercise, or from motives of jealousy and suspicion, paid but little attention to this friendly notice of Necho's, and would not be persuaded to keep out of the battle; and to effect his purpose, disguised himself, and went into the midst of the havoc and confusion of the field. In this situation he was mortally wounded, in the plain of Magiddo, and finding that death approached, requested to be taken off the field, which being complied with, he was carried to Jerusalem, where he died, and was deeply lamented by all Israel.

Several very bad kings succeeded the good and just king Josias; the wickedness of whom, in neglecting the service of God, deriding the inspired prophets sent by God to admonish them, and many other acts which were contrary to the divine will, which they obstinately persevered in so long, and so wilfully, that at length God forsook them,