TO A FAITHFUL FRIEND. MISFORTUNE, in my earliest hours, And none had I whose powers could blend I sought in each companion's breast, That gem, dear to the heart distress'd, I found thee shaken in the wind, Did we not meet in sorrow's shade, But mine has been one scene of wo, Love's fair Elysium ranging: But has unchanging bliss been thine, O yes! I watch'd with aching heart Great was my soul's emotion,- Oh! hadst thou trod death's dark domains, To range in bliss the heavenly plains, Mine in this vale of mourning: But from the grave's appalling gloom, Kind Heaven in love preserved thee; Snatch'd from the horrors of the tomb, And to thy cheek restor'd its bloom, For future good reserv'd thee: And long may health and peace attend My earliest-best-most faithful friend. Grimsby, Dec. 7, 1825. ANN WEBSTER, Aathor of Solitary Musings. SONNET. THE ruddy morn looks forth with smiling face, Oh how delightful is the verdant scene! To view gay nature in her robe of green, REVIEW.-The Christian Psalmist; or Hymns selected and original. By James Montgomery. With an Introductory Essay. 8vo. pp. 444. London. Whittaker. 1825. THE name of Montgomery has for many years stood so high in the ranks of poetical fame, that when we find it connected with visits to Parnassus, expectation is sure to be awakened; and anticipation is rarely rewarded with disappointment. In the introductory essay, Mr. Montgomery has brought before the reader the distinguishing characteristics of such authors as have chiefly excelled in the hymn department of versification, marking with due precision the excellencies and deficiencies of each, with a degree of discrimination that does honour to his judgment, and strongly recommends his taste. From the songs of pagans in honour of their gods, he proceeds to the efforts of Catholic poets, brings forward Sternhold and Hopkins, Brady and Tate, makes a bridge of Merrick to reach Watts, Wesley, and Cowper, without forgetting Addison, Doddridge, and many others, who, although more distinguished for other literary attainments, shine in their hymns with no contemptible lustre. But it is not to the harmony of numbers, the arrangement of thought, or the elegance of diction, that his observations are confined. The piety of sentiment, and devotional spirit, that breathe throughout their compositions, have claims upon him of a more elevated character. To these he pays his pro foundest homage, and awards the highest tribute of praise. The hymns which fill this volume are arranged in five classes :-"Scripture Subjects"-" Prayer and Praise" -"Special Occasions"-"Miscellaneous Hymns" and "Original Hymns." In the Index, the commencing line is followed by the author's name, so far as this could be ascertained, but out of five hundred and sixty-two, about ninety are destined to be anony mous. In making his selection, Mr. Montgomery has not been guided by a partiality for any party, nor actuated by prejudice arising from the localities of creed. He has moved under the dictates of a more noble principle, and seized on such as spirituality and poetical excellence recommend, mentioning the authors' names as a point of subordinate consideration. The sources whence they are taken amount to nearly one hundred. We must not, however, suppose, because Mr. Montgomery has ranged through this wilderness of sweets, that he has rifled even one half of its nectareous dews. He has left behind him wealth equally as valuable as that which he has taken away; and were he to proceed with a second volume, there can be no doubt that it would be equally rich with what is now under examination. In this collection there are many hymns that are less generally known than their merits deserve; and it is not among Mr. Montgomery's least claims to gratitude from the Christian churches, that he has thus introduced them to public our notice. From this class it would be easy to select some pleasing and instructive compositions, but as limits are circumscribed, this would prevent us from quoting a hymn which cannot but prove equally acceptable to the reader. The fifth part contains one hundred and one original hymns by Mr. Montgomery, which, from their spiritual character, and poetical beauty, considerably enhance the value of this publication. Several of these have already appeared in public, among which is the following; but those who know how to estimate its worth, will want no apology for its reappearance. With this specimen we shall gladly terminate our review, from a conviction that it will make a stronger impression in the author's favour, than any thing we can advance, and awaken in the reader a more earnest desire to see the volume, than either simple recommendation or laboured criticism can produce : WHAT IS PRAYER? "PRAYER is the soul's sincere desire, Utter'd, or unexpress'd; The motion of a hidden fire, That trembles in the breast. When none but God is near. Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, And cry, "Behold, he prays!" In word, and deed, and mind; Nor prayer is made on earth alone; For mourners intercedes. The life, the truth, the way! p. 384, 385. REVIEW.-A Commentary on the Book of Psalms. By George Horne, D.D. Lord Bishop of Norwich. With an Introductory Essay by the Rev. Edward Irving. In 3 vols. 8vo. pp. 370, 357, 372. London. Whittaker. 1825. HORNE on the Psalms is scarcely less popular than Newton on the Prophecies; and, what is of higher consequence, it is not less deserving of public patronage. This work, the produce of twenty years' labour, first made its appearance in 1776 in two quarto volumes, since which time it has passed through several editions. Among the select Christian authors, published on an extended scale by Chalmers and Collins, of Glasgow, Horne on the Psalms holds a distinguished rank. His work, admitted into their list, is not a matter of favour, but an act of justice; for without it the catalogue would have been incomplete. Regardless of every motive besides that which truth inspires, it enters into the historical bearing and scriptural import of these sacred compositions, and illustrates their local and prophetic application with a felicity that few commentaries can boast. On the one hand, it is not rendered tedious through prolixity; nor, on the other, left in obscurity through brevity. This happy medium all expositors have not been so fortunate as to find, even with an example before them so well deserving of imitation. The preface, which is considerably extended, is replete with historical criticism. It is a dissertation, that has learning without ostentation for its basis, and piety without enthusiasm for its superstructure. The author commands erudition, but rarely displays its superficial ornaments. He is content with extracting its essence, but its trappings are left for those whose acquirements want artificial aid. In every page we discover the vigorous march of a masculine understanding, aiming in all its movements at one important end, and concentrating its energies in the great object which is invariably kept in view. The Introductory Essay is worthy the pen of Mr. Irving, whose name it bears. It develops an intimate acquaintance with the work itself, and also with the subject on which Bishop Horne has written. The latter in all things he has taken for his guide; evincing his approbation of the author by a general concurrence of sentiment, but proving his independence by occasional dissent. This want of concurrence is, however, touched with much delicacy, and is rather founded on consequences that may be drawn from what the Bishop has advanced, than on any established positions which he has laid down. He thinks it questionable, how far the good Bishop Horne and others may be justified in referring so much of these Psalms to the Messiah. In maintaining for these Psalms the high place which the universal voice of the Christian church hath assigned to them, he thinks there is a tendency to pass into the extreme of applying them wholly to Christ, and finding some experience of Christ's soul in all the experience of David. In those psalms which have been applied in the New Testament to Christ, he argues, that it is found difficult, if not impossible, to separate the experience of the psalmist from that of Christ; or to find how, without much violence, they can be wholly applicable to the Messiah. With some few exceptions, he views the prophecies as of a mixed character, belonging partly to the times, and partly surpassing the condition of the times, and occasionally glancing to the very end of time. These remarks, of which we have quoted the substance rather than the language, are certainly judicious; and happy is that commentator who can discover the intricate path that lies between biographical narrative, or personal experience, and the ultimate application of prophetic language. Every deviation from this line verges into error; which on the one side robs prophecy of its distinguishing excellence, and, on the other, gives to the language of scripture an appropriation which the Spirit of inspiration never knew. But it is much more easy to see the value of this path, than to trace its complicated and obscure windings. It is a line which all commentators profess, to pursue ;-a line which all have partially found, and from which, perhaps, all have deviated in a greater or less degree. For Bishop Horne we profess not to claim the crown of infallibility; but we hesitate not to observe, that few have carried through this labyrinth a more steady light, or prosecuted their inquiries with greater success. REVIEW.-A Chronology of Ancient History, illustrated by Parallel Streams of Time; or an Historical and Geographical Account of the various Nations of the Earth, from the Deluge to the Birth of Christ. By Mrs. Sherwood. 8vo. PP. 392. Longman and Co. London. 1826. THE title of this work directs the reader to look back on remote periods of antiquity, to survey customs and manners that the lapse of centuries has extinguished, and to converse with nations that are now no more. In looking over the map of the an- | Pindar, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, and cient world, so far as it was known in others, were conversant, numerous those distant periods to which Mrs. quotations are taken from their writSherwood refers, it is pleasing to ings to illustrate historical facts, observe, that while customs, inhabit- which in return repay the favour, by ants, and names have undergone a dispelling the mists in which the proseries of revolutions, the places them- ductions of the muse are sometimes selves remain permanent, so that we enveloped. These passages tend to can recognize their identity under enliven the severity of dry detail, by the disguise of obsolete appellations. the splendid decorations of glowing This, to a youthful inquirer into an- imagery, and the sportive sallies of cient history, under scanty means of poetical imagination. This happy information, will be found of consi- combination renders the work at once derable advantage, and tend to expe- instructive and entertaining, and dite his acquirements more than all those who peruse its pages will be the sneers with which ostentatious repaid with edification and amuselearning upbraids ignorance, or the ment. smiles of contempt with which the pride of erudition interrupts the march of simplicity. To persons of this description it is of importance to know, that the Taprobana of the ancients is the Ceylon of the moderns, that Gades is Cadiz, Fretum Herculeum the Straits of Gibraltar, and that the Cassiterides of the Greeks are the Scilly islands of the English. Information of this description, the map of Mrs. Sherwood will convey, while her chapters detail in the character of dialogue, the more remarkable events connected with the history of places, as they pass under examination. Her chronological calculations coincide in general with those of Sir Isaac Newton. The primary design of this work is, to begin with Noah and his descendants immediately after the deluge, and to trace their posterity along the stream of time, as founding and peopling the various nations of the earth. In many instances, obstacles intervene to perplex the narrative and interrupt its progress, but they are neither more numerous, nor more formidable, than might be expected in a long march, where even twilight is sometimes parsimonious of its rays. But from defects of this description no work of the kind was ever wholly free, and, with all "its imperfections on its head," the book before us will be found to communicate much useful information. It is particularly adapted for the exercise of schools, and for such persons as, in acquiring the rudiments of ancient history, either from choice or necessity, become their own preceptors. When speaking of the countries with which Hesiod, Homer, Lucan, REVIEW.-Six Lectures on Popery, delivered in King-street Chapel, Maidstone. 12mo. pp. 274. By the Rev. W. Groser. London. Holdsworth. 1825. THAT Popery is a system detestable in its principles, revolting in its superstition, and fearful in its influence, will be questioned by no man who loves the religion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherever it has reared its portentous flag, the fairest portions of the earth have been stained with the blood of its victims, and scorched and withered with its flesh-fed fires. Over the religious world it has scattered wo and desolation. The powers of darkness consulted together. They fashioned a portly and imposing figure. They decked it in the snowy robes of sanctity. They placed a mitre on its head, and a crosier in its hand. They then breathed into it their blighting breath, and called it a priest-an abbot-a cardinal-or a pope. This being long exerted a tremendous influence over the souls of his infatuated followers. Under his pestiferous ascendency, their lives-with their penance, and inquisition dungeons resembled a hell upon earth, and at their death he sealed their title to an eternal residence therein, by blasphemously purchasing for them, and ensuring, a seat in heaven. But this was not all. The religious world was soon too narrow a scene for his ambition-and he stepped on to the theatre of politics. For ages he worked like a miner among the deep foundations-unobserved amidst the depth and dark ness. When his secret cabals had disorganized the framework and supports of all good government, then he burst forth upon the astounded nations, and stood confessed a demon, unabashed, in his panoply of guilt and shamelessness. The chain of iron bondage then sufficed to bind in intolerable slavery the religious and political world. He from beginning to end, is conducted The leading principles of the Papists, Mr. G. considers to be these three:-1. the insufficiency of the Scriptures to be the Christian rule of faith and practice-2. the right of the Romish clergy to supply the deficiency by authoritatively fixing the doctrines to be believed, and the precepts to be observed-3. the supremacy of the bishop of Rome, over all other ministers, and over all Christian people. But God looked down from heaven, and had compassion upon his church. He raised up, in the person of Martin Luther, a giant, who grappled with the whole strength of Popedomwho attacked the lion in his den-and, being strong in the Lord, overthrew his dominion. Like another Samson, he hurled down the whole edifice of Catholicism, and brought its ponderous fragments on all sides of him --but he did not perish in its ruins. So, in a manner, was his church enfranchised; and afterwards he raised up a champion of a different sortwho shook the earth with the thunder of his triumphing,-and crushed into the dust, and trampled upon with ten-Ex uno disce omnes: and therefore, thousand horse, the political power of the Pope. They are still weltering in the ruin of their first overthrow ;but, from the second, they are ceaselessly striving to rise again into power and authority.-Wo, wo, and a threefold wo to the church and state of England, if they be successful. And, as God, in time past, has shewn us how to defend ourselves from the monster of Popery, we consider that the warfare in which she may keep us engaged, be it ever so frightful and formidable, is just. We are not the aggressors. God has given us weapons of defence-instructed us in their use and with his good help we will use them, whenever that day of sore trial of the spirits of men shall come upon us. But, enough for the present. from want of time and space for a more extensive examination of Mr. Groser's arguments, we shall confine ourselves to the first of these principles, and discuss it briefly. On it, Mr. G. rightly affirms the whole controversy to depend: and he goes about to controvert it by the usually adduced arguments,-the divine authority of the sacred writings-their truth, and immutability—their invaluable discoveries of the plan of salvation, &c.—that if searched with prayer and humility, they will prove "perfect, converting the soul," &c. He then states that the Catholics here widely differ-putting faith in uninspired traditions-setting paramount the authority of the Romish church-and so on. Now, with all due deference to Mr. Groser, we think that this argument of the Papists may be better and more briefly confuted thus ;-premising, that we do not wish to supersede his arguments, but to frame an adjunct to them: Our best thanks are due to Mr. Groser for the very able manner, in which he has treated the subject of Popery. Without aiming after display or effect, he has drawn a very animated and striking picture of the God is acknowledged, both by abominable errors, absurdities, and Papists and Protestants, to be a God cruelties of the Papists; and given of infinite justice, wisdom, and gooddue prominence to the most important ness. Both also acknowledge that facts, without weakening their "all scripture is given by inspiration strength by too much conciseness of God." Now, if Scripture be exon the one hand, or verbose copious-pressly given to us from God, He ness on the other. His argument, must be supposed to have had in view |