INTRODUCTION. STEARNE has somewhere remarked, with a degree of justice, that the process of book-making in modern times, was little more than pouring from one bottle into another. In truth, so little thinking have the ancients left us to do, that a student of the last century, at Dartmouth, used despairingly to exclaim, "If I could only originate one single idea, I should die happy!" If there is really such a paucity of new ideas, in this age of new inventions, as these gentlemen seem to imply, then the mere compiler need not feel that his office, humble though it may be deemed, falls so far below that of the author. He only does that avowedly, which the latter does perhaps unconsciously. The compiler of a volume of sacred poetry has in these days a delightful task. To collect and preserve in one little casket those scattered gems which lie hid in the sands of our literature, some of which a few more tides might wash away but for his or her quick eye, and gathering hand, and to give them to the light, is surely no ungrate fal office. But the gems of sacred poetry are compara tively rare. Love, and beauty, and the fading things of earth are worshipped in the sweetest strains but the highest love and the most glorious beauty are, by most of those called the standard poets, neglected. Yet is this neglect a violence to man's best nature. Truth and beauty are always in harmony. Divine truth and poetic beauty are in the fullest harmony. Poetic beauty pervades the inspired Word. From the sublime glory of the opening page of Sacred History, when God said, "Let there be light, and light was," to the closing picture of the New Jerusalem shining upon us in unearthly radiance, the whole Scripture, while it is eternal truth of such solemn interest to us, is also a dramatic poem of transcendant grandeur and beauty. Poetic beauty pervades the visibleuniverse. It literally "glows in the stars and blossoms in the trees." And the soul of man responds to it. It calls him to adoring songs in honor of its Divine Author: and even the natural heart feels after Him, and reaches upward, and would fain dissever Divine Truth from Di vine Beauty, and adore the one while it bows not to the other. Moore and Willis are sad, sad examples of this. But the Christian responds with his whole soul to the call. To him, "Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." "No speech, no language, voice is not heard;" yet does he apprehend those words which are gone out to the end of the world, and they are to him both music and poetry ; - and all the poetic numbers of the songs of Zion are but the faint echoes of that high melody which breathes through all the works of the perfect ONE. This little collection consists chiefly of the cuttings and transcribings of former years. Resolving that my treasures should no longer remain a monopoly, I have made further selections, and have the pleasure of inserting a number of beautiful pieces never before published. Would that I were permitted to give the names of the lovely ladies to whom four of them are due. Several others will, it is believed, be new to the American reader. They were found among a large number of English sheet tracts in verse, which have been recently selected by a lady residing in London, and sent to her relatives in this city. Slight attempt has been made at systematic arrangement. It is deemed, that the course of poetic sentiment and feeling should not, like that of the canal, be confined and guided to suit a specific, practical purpose. Rather, like the river, let it wind along, at its own sweet will, through green meadows and fertile valleys - through the dark and tangled wilderness, and dashing over rocks and precipices, let it ripple and murmur about the very towers and battlements of the King of Terrors; so it may but reflect the warm beams of the SUN of Righteousness so the Star of Peace and Hope- the Star of Bethlehem, shines up through its clear depths, it is enough. If in rare instances, it reflect only the light, but not the direct rays of that SUN, let it be forgiven. As I write, sits beside me, one whose "crown of glory" is not yet exchanged for the one he will cast at the feet of his Saviour. I am not indifferent to the good opinion of the public; but if this little work meet his approval, my more earnest wish will be fulfilled. That it may do good that it may cheer the heart and bless the soul, thus glorifying our Father in Heaven, should be the chief and ultimate aim of this and every similar attempt. But, alas, how few of us have the single eye! Yet who can tell that some word here found may not arrest the eye, and touch the heart of one now far from truth and happiness-that the song may not win the soul guarded against the sermon! Who can tell that by something herein contained, the wanderer in as well as from the path of Life, may not be recalled! Reader, let us unite in the earnest aspiration that this may be one among the countless instrumentalities in the hand of our loving and wise Master by which he draws us to himself. NEWBURYPORT, Nov. 1858. E. DANA. Sacred and Household Poetry. FOUNTAIN OF SILOAM. REV. R. M. M'CHEYNE. BENEATH Moriah's rocky side The thirsty Arab stoops to drink Siloam is the fountain's name, It means "one sent from God.;” And thus the holy Saviour's fame It gently spreads abroad. |