these books to contain divine doc-lowing are the twenty-two included trines, and to persist in them, and, in his enumeration:

if occasion be, willingly to die for them."

Books of Moses.

1. Genesis,

2. Exodus,
S. Leviticus,
4. Numbers,
5. Deuteronomy.
Books of the Prophets.

1. Joshua,

2. Judges with Ruth,
3. I. with II. Samuel,
4. I. with II. Kings,
5. I. with II. Chronicles,
6. Ezra with Nehemiah,
7. Esther,
8. Isaiah,

9. Jeremiah's Prophecies with
Lamentations,

10. Ezekiel,
11. Daniel,

12. The twelve Minor Prophets, 13. Job.

Josephus here reckons all the sacred books as one volume, a complete work, and arranges them according to the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. It is expressly stated by Origen and others, that this mode of reckoning was customary; and it seems to have been followed in imitation of the Greeks, who, it is well known, were in the habit of dividing a complete work into as many books as there were letters in the Greek alphabet. Like Josephus, Origen, who lived in the beginning of the third century, reckons the number of the books of the Old Testament twenty-two; and yet he includes all that we now receive. That Josephus did the same, is manifest from the facts which have just been mentioned, and from a variety of considerations which it would be tedious to introduce in this place. It is, we think, the most fully and satisfactorily proved by Eichhorn in his Introduction to the Old TestaHere, then, is the collection of ment; but, (as that work is lock- Jewish books; the Scriptures,* ed up in the German language, or holy Scriptures,' which our where we hope some of it will long Lord and his apostles sanctioned remain,) we are happy in being as being of divine authority. The able to add, that we think it is Scripture cannot be broken. All made sufficiently clear by Storr and Scripture is given by inspiration Flatt, whose opinions, in this in- of God.t No prophecy of the stance, seem to coincide with the scripture is of any private interopinion of that distinguished wri-pretation-[is the result of any ter whom they had so often to one's own interpretation or explaoppose. nation of a matter, or speculation concerning it.] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of mau; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.'I

The Hymns and moral Writings.
1. Psalms,
2. Proverbs,
3. Ecclesiastes,
4. The Song of Solomon.

The result of the investigation is, that Josephus and other Jews, to make the number of their books correspond with the number of letters in their alphabet, reckoned Judges with Ruth, I. with II. Samuel, I. with II. Kings, I. with II. Chronicles, Ezra with Nehemiah, Jeremiah's Prophecies with his Lamentations, and the twelve Minor Prophets, as being, respec-its tively, single books; and the fol- vout regard.

These and numerous other passages which might be adduced, relate to the Old Testament; and they prove, that, if we would honour the Saviour, we must receive contents with reverent and de

* John x. 35. + 2 Tim. iii. 16. 2 Pet. i. 20, 21.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCÉ.

BURMAN MISSION.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM REV. DR.
JUDSON TO THE CORRESPONDING SEC-
RETARY.

Rev. and dear Sir,

that the native population will far exceed that of the places first mentioned. Add to which that it is much more centrical, and from the superior productiveness of

Rangoon, March 25, 1826. the adjacent country, and the facility of communication with Siam, will probably become a place of much greater trade. The matter, however, is yet quite uncertain, and the first report we have from a party who have just gone to survey the new place and make a beginning, may be decidedly unfavourable At any rate, I intend to leave this, for some place under British government, within a month.

The disciples and inquirers have been dispersed in all directions. Several are dead; several I found on my passage down the river, and gave them notice of

Through the kind interposition of our Heavenly Father, our lives have been preserved, in the most imminent danger, from the hand of the executioner, and in repeated instances of most alarming illness, during my protracted imprisonment of one year and seven months-nine months in three pair of fetters, two months in five, six months in one, and two months a prisoner at large. Subsequent to the latter period, I spent about six weeks in the house of the North governor of the palace, who petitioned for my release, and took me under his charge; and final-ny plans, in case they might wish to folly, on the joyful 21st of February last, low; and several are in this place waittook leave, with Mrs. Judson and family, ing for some movement. Moung Shwaof the scene of our sufferings.-Suffer- ba has been in the mission house through ings which it would seem, have been un- the whole, and Moung Ing with Mrs. J. availing to answer any valuable mission- at Ava. Moung Shwa-gnong I have ary purpose, unless so far as they may been unable to find, but understand he is have been silently blessed to our spiritual alive somewhere in the interior. We improvement and capacity for future use- had a pleasant meeting with Mah Men-la fulness. Let me beg your prayers that and her sister Mah Doke, who were liv. it may not be in vain, that we have been ing in boats at Prome, and instantly reafflicted. Dr. Price remains in the ser- solved to accompany us. I long for the vice of his Burmese majesty. My in-time when we shall be able to re-erect tention, on leaving Ava, was to proceed the standard of the gospel, and enjoy to Mergui or Tavoy, ports south of Ran- once more the stated worship and ordigoon, and ceded by the treaty to the Brit-nances of the Lord's house. I feel a ish government; but since arriving, I have found it advisable to wait a little, previous to the evacuation of this place by the British troops, with a view to settling at a new town about to be established in the neighbourhood of Martaban, on the dividing line between the British and Burman territories.

It is supposed that ali Martaban will remove to the new place, on the other side of the Thanlwen river. The emigration also from all the southern districts of Burmah will doubtless be great, so

strong desire henceforth to know nothing
among this people, but Jesus Christ and
him crucified; and under an abiding
sense of the comparative worthlessness
of all worldly things, to avoid every sec-
ular occupation, and all literary and sci-
entifick pursuit, and devote the remain-
der of my days to the simple declaration
of the all-precious truths of the gospel of
our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Very affectionately yours,
A. JUDSON, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Bolles.

AFRICA.

MONROVIA.

Death of Mr. Holton.

By a letter from Rev. Lot Carey we have received the afflictive intelligence of the death of Rev. Calvin Holton. He departed this life, as we trust, for a better, on the 23d. of July last, at the MissionThis event ary Station in Monrovia. was considered as a publick calamity. The whole settlement deeply lamented his loss.

pect to be in this world. My brothers John and Isaiah, whom I believe you saw when they were in America, are living with us, and are very diligent in business; and what is of greater importance, I trust the Lord has begun the good work of grace in their hearts The death of our dear pastor, Mr. Lawson, has been, I hope, greatly blessed to them. They have both given in their names as candidates for baptism.

You have, no doubt, ere this, received accounts of brother Lawson's death, and of the happy departure that was granted him. He spoke most affectionately to all around him, and made my brothers

selves to the Lord. I desire to feel exceedingly grateful for the Lord's goodness in thus answering our dear pastor's wishes, by giving my brothers a desire to own and serve him, as I trust they do. Oh! how much have we to be thankful for! His mercies have been innumerable to us, from the moment we were born to the present time.

Those who were acquainted with Mr. Holton esteemed him as a truly pious man. He gave great evidence of disinterested-promise that they would devote themness of spirit, and of entire devotedness to the special service in which he was engaged. He condescended to men of low estate, and cheerfully submitted to many privations for the sake of benefitting a class of human beings to whom the christian world owe a debt which they can never fully pay. The continuance of his life and labours seemed very desirable. But He who sees not as man seeth, hath cut him off in the midst of his days. We would bow with submission to the will of God, believing that his ways, however mysterious and trying, are all ordered in infinite goodness and truth. We hope, that in some future number, we shall be able to present a Memoir of this faithful missionary of the cross.

"

Mrs. Lawson's eldest daughter was taken ill of a fever two months after her father's death, and died very suddenly. Her death was a heavy affliction to her dear mother, who still feels it very much. After losing her husband, it seemed as if Mary was the only earthly support she had left; it was expected that she would have been a great help in her school, But the Lord's ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts! Poor dear woman, her afflictions are very great. Another of her children, a sweet little girl about five years old, is now so ill that she is not expected to live. I trust, however, Mrs. L. feels that all her Calcutta, Feb. 26, 1826. trials and afflictions are sent in love by

ENGLISH BAPTIST MISSION.

ERTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MRS. B
TO A LADY IN NEW YORK.

that God who hath said, they shall work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory in the world which to come!

One of the young men to be baptized with my brothers, is a son of the late Mr. Rowe-husband of Mrs. White who came from America. About a month ago, one of Mr. Ward's daughters and grand-daughter of Dr. Carey were baptized. Mr. Ward's eldest daughter joined

the church some years since. It will give you pleasure, I am sure, to hear that so many children of missionaries are, it is hoped, converted to the Lord.

I have the pleasure to enclose the last Report of the exertions of the Bengal Christian School Society, respecting native female schools, just out of the press. As Treasurer of the Female department, I shall be happy if you have it in your power to obtain and forward any aid.

Believe me, my dear Mrs. C

Your very affectionate, D. C. B.

REVIVALS OF RELIGION.gether in unity."

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY

OF MASSACHUSETTS.

While the dear people here have enjoyed the aid of your Society, they have not been idle themselves; but have done what they could to aid the funds of the Society. I have received, while on my

LETTER FROM REV. WHITMAN METCALF, mission, $82,71, in behalf of the Society.

TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.

Rev. and dear Sir,

September 20, 1826.

I have spent forty-five weeks in the service of your Society; have preached in 13 or 20 different towns in 5 counties, but have spent the greater portion of the time in Sardinia, (Erie Co,) and towns adjacent. I trust I have not altogether laboured in vain. The Church in Freedom, have received an addition of twenty members; ten by baptism. They often express gratitude to your Society || for the aid they have received in their destitute state. The Church in Sardinia, have indeed enjoyed a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. We have had regular baptizing seasons once in four weeks, since January last. At the last, fourteen followed their Redeemer in this precious ordinance. Between eighty and ninety have united, but as accounts have already been given of this good work, we need not now mention particulars. We have evidence that God is still at work in the place. Our meetings continue full on the Sabbath.

At the last covenant meeting of the Church, there were probably two hundred persons present. It was truly an

Most of this was contributed in Sardinia and in China.

When I engaged in the service of your Society, I anticipated, after spending a season in this region, of returning to Maine, to labour as Providence might direct. But having viewed the situation of this region, the thousands of inhabitants destitute of the stated preaching of the gospel; hearing the earnest solicitations of many to tairy, and having received an unanimous request of the church in Sardinia to locate myself among them, I feel it my duty to comply; and have accordingly agreed to supply the Church and Society in Sardinia and China one half the time, the year ensuing; for which they give me a reasonable support Could it appear expedient to the Society, I should be glad to receive an appointment for the remainder of the time to labour in the towns adjacent, aš God may grant me opportunity. I hope I am not insensible of my inadequacy and unworthiness in such a blessed cause. But permit me to say, "Hinder me not, since God has prospered my way." I am, dear Sir, yours in a precious Saviour,

WHITMAN METCALF. Rev. Daniel Sharp.

CHRIST IN || forwarding the work; but the greatest number received their first serious imMASSACHU-pressions from the preaching of the

As your Missionary, the Rev. Whit-have large concourses of people lined man Metcalf, is about to return to you, we esteem it our duty to make known to you the success which has attended his labours in the vicinity of this church : and our gratitude to your Society, and above all to God, for sending him among us" to supply the things that were wanting."

It was not long however before our suspense was relieved by one and another coming forward and publickly declaring what God had done for their souls; while others were pricked in their hearts and asking for the prayers of God's people. Conference meetings became frequent

and well attended. Mr. M. visited from house to house and conversed with both parents and children upon the all-important subject of religion, and generally closed these opportunities with a petition to God in behalf of those who were without hope and without God in the world. This was made one means in