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And where the week-days trail on ground,
Thy flight is higher, as thy birth.

O let me take thee at the bound,
Leaping with thee from seven to seven,
Till that we both, being toss'd from earth,
Fly hand in hand to heaven!'

Some of the verses of this poet have a sweetness which language cannot surpass; but the delightful effect produced by their melody is weakened by the occurrence of some homely phrase or simile which offends and disgusts the somewhat fastidious taste of more modern times. An instance of this juxtaposition of beauty and defect may be seen in the well known little poem entitled

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These lines, altered and improved, may be found, set to the sweetest music by the Rev. Joseph Jowett, in the second volume of his Musæ Solitariæ.

An instance of Herbert's devout turn of mind must close our extracts from this author.

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These extracts abundantly show that the sacred poetry of the seventeenth century is not wanting in beauty, though to the mass of readers little known. But this almost untravelled land would amply repay, by its ten thousand sweets and treasures, the devout mind that should penetrate its solitudes. The authors whom we have quoted are but a few out of the multitude who wrote in a similar spirit, and from whom it would not be a difficult task to extract many passages of great beauty.

Mr. Cattermole is entitled to our gratitude for placing so large a portion of these treasures within the reach of common readers for most of the passages which we have given, are to be found in his first volume, which may be purchased separately for four shillings and sixpence. The second volume, which is yet larger, contains many beautiful poems by a variety of authors, among whom Drummond of Hawthornden, Crashaw, Cowley, and Vaughan, contribute a large number of the most striking. The majority of readers in the religious world know nothing of these names; and we are happy in being able to inform those who may read this article, at how cheap a rate they may furnish themselves with poetical gems more precious than gold; with treasures which, while they delight the mind, will also amend the heart; which will give blessed comfort to the afflicted and mournful spirit, and help the cheerfully pious to sing their Saviour's praise, not only with Christian exultation, but in the language of genuine poetry.

Of the collection of Herbert's Poems and Remains we need say no more than that it is distinguished by the beauty which usually characterizes the publications of Mr. Pickering.

72

Art. V. Maritime Discovery and Christian Missions, considered in their mutual relations. By JOHN CAMPBELL, Author of Jethro.' Illustrated with engravings by G. Baxter. London: Snow. 1840.

THE

HE title of this work is somewhat larger than its execution. The first portion is occupied with the earlier history of maritime discovery; and the remaining, by far the larger portion, with the progress of the missionary cause under the auspices of the London Missionary Society, up to the period of the departure of the lamented WILLIAMS, to whose charming volume the present "is designed to form a companion." The title of the book is, therefore, more applicable to the former than to the latter part. That which relates to maritime discovery and the popish missions, which accompanied, or closely followed the first enterprises, is as admirably performed as it is strictly in accordance with the title; but to limit the consideration of "Christian missions" in their "mutual relations" to "maritime discovery," to the operations of one society, in one department of this society's labors, however beautifully the relation may be conducted, will scarcely be regarded as a legitimate complement of the author's announcement, although the missionary achievements in the South Seas are among the fairest trophies ever won by Christianity in the wide fields thus nobly opened up. The object may be stated with sufficient clearness in the preface, but it is not set forth in the title, which is indeed a most happy one. The first four 'parts of the publication (the whole being divided into nine unequal parts) leave us nothing to desire; but after the proofs there given of Mr. Campbell's mastery of the whole subject, we regret the subsequent limitation of his aim, when he might have realized the much higher expectations warranted by the title, and perhaps by the dedication of his work. The ninth and last "part" is made up of biographical sketches of the principal founders of the London Missionary Society. What has all this to do with the "mutual relations?" and even were it as germane to the subject in hand, as it appears to have formed an integral part of the original plan, surely two such chapters were superseded by the recent publication of Dr. Morrison's elaborate series of sketches. To sum up incidental complaints, which are nevertheless rather complimentary than otherwise, we must also vehemently asseverate that the want of maps is a sad perplexity in such a volume. This defect may be readily supplied. Mr. Baxter's neat engravings, some of which we almost think we have seen before, will not compensate for the lack of a general chart; in addition to which we ought to have at least, an accurate map of the "South Seas," with a clear indication of the missionary settlements.

But we forget all these objections, when we return to the work itself. A book of greater interest it has seldom been our lot to meet with; we do not recollect indeed ever to have perused one with more interest. Once fairly enter upon the narrative, and the reader will find it impossible to stop-go on with it he must; and he will proceed to the end with increasing delight. The materials are abundant, and sufficiently accessible to a far less pains-taking student than Mr. Campbell; but the able manner in which he has dealt with them, entitles him to rank with the highest of his predecessors in this instructive department of literary labor, which, if we mistake not, is quite a new field to him. So thoroughly, however, is he imbued with the spirit of his noble subject-so exemplary has been his diligence and so logical his arrangement-so clear, enlightened, and important are his general principles-such are his powers of rapid condensationsuch the charm of his earnestness-such the freedom and skill of his vigorous pencil-and so truly does he seize upon the characteristic features of his diversified topics-that he seems quite as much at home in this novel sphere, as when treading the more frequented paths of his profession. What he says of Columbus is not in a measure inapplicable to himself that he never seems to labor under a weight, to which his strength is not equal.'

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The author thinks it necessary to refer to the delay which has taken place since this work was announced; and he hopes an apology will be found, 'in the greatness and variety of the subjects, and the extent of inquiry necessary to their successful prosecution, and in the laborious care which has been employed in its preparation. Of the attention and application 'bestowed upon the undertaking, the author deems it not wholly 'inconsistent with sincere diffidence and due respect for the public 'thus to speak; for if he has failed, it will only deepen his hu'miliation to avow the extent of his industry.' So far from failure the author has produced a volume of surpassing interest, and we predict for it a very extensive and enduring popularity.

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Mr. Campbell dedicates his work to The Protestant Missionaries of all Denominations;' and we would fain hope that there is not one man among them, so lost to the dignity of their hallowed enterprise, as not to reciprocate his large, fraternal sympathy. There may not be the actual union of positive co-operation; but where the work is so immense-where all the labourers engaged in it are so few-and where the common aim is the momentous reality of salvation-undoubtedly there are, a goodly number in this devoted band of Evangelists, who feel the duty and rejoice in the privilege, of cultivating a spirit of tender interest in each other's efforts, and deep regard for each other's welfare. To affect a zeal for the conversion of the heathen, and yet to look upon the exertions of others, who may not happen to belong to

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our own sect, with feelings, either of indifference or jealousy, is one of the most abhorrent exhibitions under heaven. Let more be thought of the character and less of the creed, of our fellowlaborers, and then the cause of missions will rise to its just elevation. We wish we could think with the sanguine author of the work now before us, in reference to the harmony of the Protestant missionaries of all denominations.' That they are essentially united in the prosecution of one great work, we must believe; but there is much reason to fear, that as yet, there is an absence, not a total, but a lamentable absence, of just and systematic mutual appreciation. Until this be realized, the spectacle of diversity, distraction, and confusion,' which Mr. Campbell says the European churches now present, must be reflected in all their foreign operations.

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To the several societies formed to effect one grand object, through characteristical agencies, we should be able, without exaggeration to apply what Coleridge, in one of his most glowing fits of enthusiasm, said of the states of ancient Greece, while yet free and independent: that they resembled a collection of mirrors 'set in a single frame, each having its own focus of patriotism, and yet all capable, as a Marathon and Platæa, of converging to one point, and consuming the common foe.' But we are now referring, not so much to the respective societies, as to the missionaries: and we have not to complain so much of the conduct of dissenting missionaries towards each other, as to the conduct of what are called the church' missionaries towards their dissenting brethren; and this not so much when they are abroad, as when they are at home. The accursed spirit of a national hierarchy is undoubtedly the cause of all this estrangement. The very idea of one minister of the everlasting gospel regarding another with indifference or treating him with contempt! Instances of such conduct are by no means uncommon. We have recently heard of a case which sets the evil genius of a state church in (if possible) a still stronger point of view. A respecable 'church missionary,' comes home, takes orders, and obtains the presentation of one of the new voluntary' churches-so far so good-but he finds a regularly ordained, evangelical, dissenting minister of great talents and high character, resident in his immediate neighborhood, who had built a small chapel at his own expense, many years before the aristocracy of the place erected the new church for the missionary, and had long preached to the poor, who heard him gladly. The missionary goes round with the landlords to the cottages of these poor people, and compels them on pain of losing their employments, to go no more to the little chapel, but to attend regularly at his church; and these threats often repeated and occasionally acted upon, are but too successful! This is a fact, for the accuracy of which we

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