somewhat that was mystical, and it is to be met with occasionally in some of his later compositions. But little or nothing of that kind is to be found in the present Hymn Book. It contains indeed one fine hymn of a very melancholy cast; probably the most melancholy in the whole collection-(Hymn 154.) In verse 1 the person speaking says of himself, as the hymn originally stood "Doubtful, and insecure of bliss; Since death alone confirms me his." But John Wesley, in adopting the hymn into his collection, was careful to substitute faith for death, and this gives the whole an evangelical character. And here we discover one very material point of difference between the true system of the gospel; and those mystical or pharisaical systems, which diverge from it more or less. What the one attributes to death, the other expects to be accomplished through faith in the almighty Redeemer. What the one system puts off to a future and undefined period, the other teaches us to expect now, at once. Burdens, which, according to one scheme we must continue to bear as long as we live, may according to the other, be promptly removed. It is not death, but faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that effects the wonderful change. These hymns embody a complete system of evangelical theology, wholly free from Calvinistic alloy; and to this circumstance, as well as to the superior poetical abilities of Charles Wesley, they are mainly indebted for their excellence. The more prominent the peculiar opinions of Calvin are in any religious compositions, whether in prose or verse, the less are such compositions calculated to make men holy, happy, and useful; and those writings from which such peculiar opinions are totally excluded, are likely to answer these valuable purposes in the highest degree. CHAPTER IV. EXCELLENCE OF THE HYMNS IN LANGUAGE, AND AS POETICAL COMPOSITIONS-ALTERATIONS VARIOUS COMPILERS, IN WESLEY'S SPECIMENS OF TRUE SUBLIMITY. MADE BY HYMNS HERE we may again advert to the language of the venerable founder of Methodism, in the Preface to his Hymn Book. The excellence of the poetry he there describes, first, negatively, shewing what is not to be found in it; and then, positively, shewing what it does contain and exhibit. Among the former he mentions doggerel-botches-patches-feeble expletivesthat which is turgid and bombastic-that which is low and creeping—cant expressions—words without meaning. It would be easy to exemplify each of these defects, by reference to Hymn Books which have been published at various times, and some of which are still extant. Mr. Wesley in his Preface to the "Pocket Hymn Book" which he published in 1787, mentions two hymns, which had become very popular with certain persons—one beginning, the other, "The despised Nazarene," "A Christ I have; O what a Christ have I!" And there are other hymns, which might fairly be classed with these two: but let all such be consigned to merited oblivion. There are several other hymns, which although they never found a place in the general collection, in use among the Methodists, have at various times obtained a partial and temporary popularity in many congregations. Among these condidates for public favour may be mentioned the following "Haste again, ye days of grace." "Hark! how the gospel trumpet sounds !'' Our souls by love together knit." "The voice of free grace Cries, Escape to the mountain." It may be admitted that these and some others of the same kind are generally unexceptionable in sentiment, and tolerable as to their poetical character; quite equal indeed to many that have been freely adopted in modern compilations : but they are decidedly below the rank of the Wesleyan hymns. It is greatly to be desired that Christian congregations should, in these matters, cultivate a correct and delicate taste. Let them uniformly encourage that chaste and simple, yet solemn and dignified style of composition, which best accords with the worship of the ever blessed God-with the noblest employment of redeemed and immortal creatures. It will be a more agreeable task to prove that this volume exhibits (to employ again Mr. Wesley's language in the preface) the purity, the strength and the elegance of the English language, together with the utmost simplicity and plainness, suited to every capacity; and not only so, but also the true spirit of poetry, such as cannot be acquired by art and labour, but must be the gift of nature. One excellence in Charles Wesley's poetry is, that he has never in any instance neglected the rhyme in the third line of a stanza, but has always made the third line to rhyme either with the first or with the fourth. No where do we find in any of his hymns a line, that does not rhyme with some other line. Though some eminent writers of a former day produced hymns on this plan, and hymns of some excellence, their practice is not to be commended; and the partial absence of rhyme in a hymn is in most cases an indication either of inferior talent, or of slovenly and careless composition. Some of Charles Wesley's rhymes, it is true, are not pure and perfect; so that a delicate ear is not satisfied with them: but in no single instance has he entirely neglected the rhyme. When the supplement to the Wesleyan Hymn Book was under consideration in the Book Committee, it was strongly recommended by some, and among others by the writer of these remarks, that no |