lived, or scattered upon the gardens, fields, and roads; and then to see the countenances of the beings yet languishing in life, looking despair, and impressed with the signs of approaching death. We have even sometimes had the vivid and horrid picture offered to our imagination of a number of human creatures shut up by their fellow-mortals in some strong-hold, under an entire privation of sustenance; and presenting each day their imploring, or infuriated, or grimly sullen, or more calmly woeful, countenances, at the iron and impregnable grates; each succeeding day more haggard, more perfect in the image of despair; and after awhile appearing each day one fewer, till at last all are gone! Now, shall we feel it a relief to turn in thought from the inhabitants of a country, or from those of such an accursed prison-house, thus pining away, to behold the different spectacle of nuinerous national tribes, or any small selection of persons, on whose minds are displayed the full effects of knowledge denied; who are under the process of whatever destruction it is that spirits can suffer from a want of the vital aliment to the intelligent nature, especially from " famine of the words of the Lord?" a To bring the two to a close comparison, suppose the case, that some of the persons thus doomed to perish in the tower were in possession of the genuine light and consolations of Christianity,-perhaps even had been adjudged to this fate (no extravagant supposition) for zealously, and persistingly, endeavouring the, restoration of the purity of that religion to the deluded community. Let it be supposed that numbers of that community, having conspired to obtain this adjudgment, frequented the precincts of the fortress to see their victims gradually perishing. It would be perfectly in the spirit of the Popish superstition, that they should believe themselves to have done God service, and be accordingly pleased at the sight of the more death-like aspect of the emaciated countenances. The while they might be themselves in the enjoyment of "fulness of bread." We can imagine them making convivial appointments, within sight of the prison-grates, and going from the spectacle to meet at the banquet. Or they might delay the festivity, in order to have the additional luxury of knowing that the tragedy was consummated; as Bishop Gardiner would not dine till the martyrs were burned. Look at these two contemporary situations, that of the persons, with truth and immortal hope in their minds, enduring this slow and painful reduction of their bodies' dissolution, and that of those who, while their bodies fared sumptuously, were thus miserably perishing in soul, through ignorance surrendering it to the curse of a delusion which envenoms it with such a deadly malignity; and say which was the more calamitous predica ment. If we have no hesitation in pronouncing, let us consider whether we have been ever grateful enough to God for the dashing in pieces, so long since, in this land, of a system which maintains to this hour much of its stability over the greater part of Christendom. If we regret that certain fragments of it are still held in veneration here, and that so tedious a length of ages should be required to work out a complete mental rescue from the infatuation which possessed our ancestors, let us at the same time look at the various states of Europe, small and great, where this superstition continues to hold the minds of the people in its odious grasp; and verify to ourselves what we have to be thankful for, by thinking how our minds are offered subsistence on their mummeries, masses, absolutions, legends, relics, mediation of saints, and corruptions, even to a complete reversal of the evangelic doctrines. -Foster on Popular Ignorance. Such is the odious system of Popery, which is now struggling to regain its ascendancy in these realms, that it may extinguish among us the last vestige of religious light and liberty; a system to the atrocities of which many Protestants, deluded by the false liberalism of the age, wilfully shut their eyes. H. GEORGE SANDYS. To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine. SANDYS's Translation of the Psalms, as a complete metrical version, is inferior, perhaps, to none in our language, though 80 little known as to have obtained a particular notice from Sir E. Bridges, in his "Restituta; or, Titles, Characters, &c., of Scarce Books." Only a few of Dr. Watts's Psalms can, with propriety, be called translations of the Psalms of David; the greater number are rather adaptations and expansions of those parts which suited his purpose; while he has passed over some entire Psalms without any notice whatever. Merrick's version, notwithstanding its merit, is never likely to become a general favourite, its phraseology is so studiously removed from that of our Scriptures. Besides the Psalms, Sandys versified the book of Job, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and other poetical parts of the Old and New Testaments. The first is entitled, "Paraphrases on the Psalms of David;" the second, "Paraphrases on the Divine Poems: " there is, in truth, however, very little of paraphrase in any of them; for one of their chief excellencies is, that, unlike many more modern attempts, which are expanded to weakness, they are in general as short and terse as the original. Both works are dedicated, in beautiful poetry, to Charles the First; who, it is said, delighted to read them when confined in Carisbrooke Castle. They are also accompanied by recommendatory verses from his friends, Sir F. Wyatt, (at whose house he died,) the celebrated Lord Falkland, &c. His versification, compared with that of most of his contemporaries, is particularly smooth and harmonious indeed, Dryden pronounced him the first versifier of the age; and Pope declares, in his notes to the Iliad, that English poetry owed much of its beauty to his translations. Dr. Warton thinks that Sandys did more to polish and tune the English versification than Denham or Waller, who are usually applauded on this subject.* Sandys is much better known as a traveller than a poet. His "Description of the Turkish Empire, Egypt, the Holy Land," &c., went through many editions at the time of its publication, and is still read and esteemed. At the end of a collected edition of his Paraphrases, printed in 1648, there are some beautiful lines addressed, "Deo Opt. Max.," in which he returns thanks to God for the protection vouchsafed to him in his perils by land and water. Baxter, in the interesting Preface to his "Poetical Fragments," after characterizing various rhymers of his day, says, "But I must confess, after all, that, next to the Scripture poems, there are none so savoury to me as Mr. George Herbert's and Mr. George Sandys's. Herbert speaks to God like one that really believeth a God, and whose business in the world is most with God. Heartwork and heaven-work make up his books; and George Sandys-omne tulit punctum, dum miscuit utile dulci. His Scripture poems are an elegant and excellent paraphrase; but especially his Job, whom he hath restored to the original glory. O that he had turned the Psalms into metre fitted to the usual tunes! It did me good when Mrs. Wyatt invited me to see Bexley-Abbey in Kent, to see upon the old stone-wall in the garden, a summer house, with this inscription, in great golden letters, that in that place Mr. G. Sandys, after his travels over the world, retired himself for his poetry and contemplations.' And none are fitter to retire to God than such as are tired with seeing all the vanities on earth. Sure there is somewhat in holy poetry. It charmeth souls into loving harmony and concord," &c. The great variety of measures which Sandys has employed, (some of them not at all pleasing,) would still present an obstacle to his Psalms Chalmers's Biog. Dic. being used in singing, though not to the same extent in Baxter's day. Some are in the heroic measure, for which it is a pity that we have no generally-received tune; as we are, in consequence, deprived of the use of much beautiful sacred poetry. Many are in the trochaic measure, called in our hymn-book, "7's,” and are all beautiful; indeed, it has always struck me as one peculiarly suitable for hymns. But I have detained you too long from the annexed specimens, where examples of most of the varieties of verse employed by him will be found. PSALM III. My God, how are my foes increased! Thou my night-watch, my guard by day : Not myriads of armed foes Nor treason's secret hand dismay. Arise; O vindicate my cause! My foes, whom wicked hate provoke: Thou, Lord, hast smit their canker'd jaws, And all their teeth asunder broke." Thou, Lord, the only hope of those Who thee with holy zeal adore; Whose all-protecting arms enclose Their safety, who thine aid implore. PSALM VIII. LORD, how illustrious is thy name! Whose power both heaven and earth proclaim ! Thy glory thou hast set on high, Above the marble-arched sky. The wonders of thy power thou hast In mouths of babes and sucklings placed, That so thou might'st thy foes confound, That thou should'st such a shadow grace! Whose power both heaven and earth proclaim. In the edition mentioned above, they are "set to new tunes by the wellknown H. Lawes PSALM XVII. LORD, grant my just request; O hear my cry, And prayers that lips, untouch'd with guile, unfold! My cause before thy high tribunal try, And let thine eyes my righteousness behold. Thou prov'st my heart, even in the night's recess, Like metal try'st me, yet no dross hast found: I am resolved, my tongue shall not transgress; But on thy word will all my actions ground. So shall I from the paths of tyrants fly: O, lest I slip, direct my steps by thine! I thee invoke, for thou wilt hear my cry: Thine ear to my afflicted voice incline. O show thy wondrous love! Thou from their foes Preservest all that on thy aid depend. Lord, as the apple of the eye enclose, And over me thy shady wings extend. For impious men, and such as deadly hate My guiltless soul, have compass'd me about: Who swell with pride, enclosed with their own fat, And words of contumely thunder out. Our traced steps entrap as in a toil; Low-couched on the earth with flaming eyes; Like famish'd lions eager of their spoil, Or lion's whelps; close lurking to surprise. Arise! prevent him, from his glory hurl'd; Who in this life alone their portion have. Fill'd with thy secret treasure, to their race PSALM XLVI. GOD is our refuge, our strong tower; Thus arm'd, no fears shall chill our blood; And armed troops our walls enclose; He breaks their bows, unarms their quivers, Forbear, and know that I the Lord The Lord of Hosts is on our side; Our strength, on whom we have relied. PSALM XLVII. LET all in sweet accord Clap hands, their voices raise, In honour of the Lord; And loudly sing his praise: Who from above dire lightnings flings: The King of kings, of all that move. Whole nations of our foes Beneath our feet hath strown: A fair possession chose, For us that are his own: The dignity of Israel; Beloved so well by the Most High. In triumph God ascends, With trumpets shrill, and shalmes, Praise him, who his defends; O praise our King with psalms! God o'er the Heathen reigns; Shall worship him alone. His shield extends in their defence, PSALM LIII. FOOLS, flattering their own vices, say To fetter nature, quench her flame: Secure and prosperous in ill, The fear and thought of God exile, To follow their rebellious will, Think nothing that delights them vile: Their souls with wicked thoughts defile, And all their foul desires fulfil. God from the tower of heaven his eyes On men, and their endeavours, threw : Not one beheld beneath the skies, That sought him, or his statutes knew: All vice with winged feet pursue, But none forsaken virtue prize. O deaf to good! in knowledge blind! By sin through clouds of error led! Dull, sensual forms, without a mind! Nor slow, though certain, vengeance dread! The righteous they devour like bread, All piety at once declined. These, idle terrors shall affright, Their sleep disturb'd by guilty fear. God shall their bones asunder smite, Who impious arms against him bear; Nor they their infamy outwear; Since despicable in his sight. O that unto thy Israel The day-star might from Sion spring!And all the shades of night expel! When thou shalt us from bondage bring! How would we, Lord, thy praises sing! No joy should Jacob's joy excel. PSALM LXXII. THE King, Jehovah, with thy justice crown; He shall descend like plenty-dropping showers, The just shall flourish in his happy days, His foes shall lick the dust, rich with their spoils; Like blades of grass which clothe the pregnant ground. His name shall last to all eternity: Even while the sun illuminates the sky. O praised be our God! That King of kings, PSALM XCII. THOU who art enthroned above, When the morning paints the skies, Though they spring like flowers in May; Perish shall thy enemies, I shall see my foes' defeat, But the just like palms shall flourish, M. R. MINISTERIAL PREPARATION. To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine. I Do not pretend to have a very intimate acquaintance with what is passing in the world of Methodism, either at home or abroad; nor do I cherish the least desire to meddle with things manifestly above my comprehension. You see, Sir, or, You see, Sir, or, if not, I beg to apprize you, that I am a person of but plain understanding; but this is no reason why I should be despised, nor does it unfit me for membership in your society: indeed, I cannot help thinking that the Founder of Methodism had an eye to men of my stamp, when he drew up those few simple, but sufficient, rules by which the proceedings of his followers are governed. He probably foresaw, that the members of future days would be taken chiefly from the trading and busy circles of middling life, and for their use framed a code of laws, which are so easy to be understood; so brief, and yet so full, so much to the point, and withal so exactly adapted for the security of moral excellence, general integrity, and mutual good-will, that no one, unless he be wilfully uninformed, can mistake their drift and meaning. a deep interest in the advancement of Wesleyanism, and have contracted such a liking to its principles, that, whenever any well-meant attempt is made to carry them out into fuller and more efficient result, I hail the design with thankfulness, and wish good luck, in the name of the Lord, to the agencies in action. You will not, therefore, expect, that I should be wholly unconcerned with respect to the occurrences which, in these stirring times, have taken place in the church of God. There are seasons when neutrality is cowardice, if not something meaner. Insensibility, when duty calls for effort, would resemble the sluggishness of the almost motionless amphibia, with which it is hard work to alter their position, or move a step or two once or twice during the summer solstice, after which, by way of resting their weary selves, they are wrapped up during the residue of the year in inglorious torpor, one degree, and scarcely that, above the life of a vegetable. Pray do not misunderstand me. In admitting that my knowledge is scanty, I do not concede that I am incapable of forming something like an estimate of passing events. The fact is, I have for several years taken Among other efforts made to carry into effect one of the favourite resolves of John Wesley, none has given me greater pleasure than the establishment of an Institution for the improvement of young men designed for the Christian ministry. The only thing to be regretted, considering the present state of general |