The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-06


sentiment, but less sincere religion.
After casually alluding to Cowper and John
Newton, he proceeded to say that Mont
nonery was sweet poet, and had written great
number of hymns. His success was chiefly owing to
Mat absence of display which the distinguishing
Characteristic Of his verses 1t was Of the hard
est tests for hymn to be sung over and over again
before q congregation. The fault in the generality
q hymns Is that they are overburdened with orna-
nent. Mohtgomery's hymns bear constant repeti-
Ton. lowering had too much howery imagery in
ms verse ac Henry ss SI1s Wss wrote s his
eupied prominent place among religious poets-all
sAhers except him look pale by the side OF Byron
Deott His missionary hymn is one of the finest
pisces poetry that has ever been written
From Greenlands icy mountains,
From midas coral strand,
Where Africs sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand
From many ancient river,
From many distant plain,
They call US to deliver
Their land from errors chain.
Heber shows himself to be deeply in earnest. We
admire in him the imagery which he paints in the
most beautiful language. No one but Heber could
Alk of Africs sunny fountains without it appearing
Uverdressed. His prize poem of Palestine" is
equally remarkable for the stately flow of verse.
fherc IL only one hymn which rivals the productions
q Heber. 1t is by an American clergyman, and will
Be remembered from the first words -
"Cahn on the List ming ear of night"
The poetry of female authors is always truthful
and tender. They take up flowers aud birds where
man would have recourse to the great elements Of
nature. Mrs. Hemans Pilgrims Song many have
been called hymn And what man has written such
hymn for us? A truly beautiful hymn, devotional
enough for the ardent Christian, and poetca enough
for the casual reader, is very rare.
The "Christian Year" by the Rev. John Keble, Is
not much read out Of the English church. 1t is DO
cnar to that church and contains expressions which
might be considered as errng and tending to Roman
ism. 1t must be regretted that his hymns, like Mil
AaSfo nf nfakNl vUho
camp meeting are not like those at Notre Dame or
Westminster Abbey. These would not suit the cot
1ager; but the countess If she has time, may take
and read them In her boudOir. They possess how
ever, M extreme tenderness and come from ki1d
and gentle heart. It must be said though that Keble
has been carrying away trophies from other sources,
70 the church Of which he is a member, and has
borrowed from Milton and George Herbert. This
was not ssid to detract from the merit due to him;
but the world had some interest in knowing from
whom he modelled his verse.
The "Course of Time by Pollock, is O poe u
which cannot positively be thrown overheard as
mere trumpery, but deserves sone examination. 1t
was introduced with great eulogies, and was ex-
pected to be the first poem of the century. When
Is came out IT widely circulated and greatly adj
nired. Pollock may be considered as the Scotch
DANTE" and his g Course OF Time the Scotch
Inferno" The lecturer here quoted several pas
sages, and thought that the author seemed to goat
enough To fill mad houses to OVERLOOKING. The auto
De te OF his fellow creatures Is made the subject Of
pleasing verse. Much allowance can be made for
the author OF the Inferno" in the fourteenth CEN
fury but for the sickly Scotchman of the nine
teoIth He shows death and hell by daylight. He
10 too much like the keeper of q caravan poking
his hands In the lions mouth. He seems to
think with Rochefaucanld, that there is pleasure
n the msfortunes of his friends 1t is an instance
Of the gross selfishness Of human nature. Still, Pol
lock thought be was doing good when he let loose
his Imagination upon such awful scenes. But this
was not true poetry. Poetry should make men hap
pier and better-not more wretched and miserable.
Genius seemed to fors AXE Pollock when he attempted
10 describe happiness There few passages in the
poem worth quoting; some are studied pictures OF
suffering, but not one Of genuine feeling. Through
cut the whole poem there is 9 seriousness which
makes the reader believe that the author was in ear
nest, and this gives it some claim to attention.
The lecturer mere diverged into q ssienc life dis
course upon sphy xa the disease with which Pollock
was afflicted during the last years OF his life. He at
SSstS to this the morbid pictures portrayed in
Pollock man of considerable powers Of conception,
~ he had rushed in boldly, where an angel would
fbax to tread.
Dr. Holmes concluded his discourse with poem
he had written for the evening, on the chapter of
The creation.
The Catholic History OF America.
MARQUETTE AND THE MISSIONARIES.
Thomas Darcy scGee delivered the second lecture Of
ht osurse on Monday evening, at the tabernacle The
house well filed and the lecturer was frequently
htsuptsd in the of his remarks by bursts of
hsarty applause. He spoke substantially follows
b the second lecture Of the of three which
propose to deliver the Catholic History Of Ameri
shall commence by laying down this proposition
That the only systematic attempts to christianizs
and svilize the aborgires Of this country made
ty Catholics and Catholic missionaries. / cannot
hope TO invest this subject, it being some what want
ing in popular interest with same charm to yeu as in
my last lecture but think an prove to you the promo
stcn WI ch have laid down, and think 1t embraces
considerations OF the utmost Importance shall Prove
mat they recognized in these aborgnes rational and i'm
mortal beings If that is true and if it ia also true that
the only systematic attempts made to civilize the
Indians wers BY Catholics, then = very strong
way Of American history. Before starting upon
mis- subject it is necessary to form some idea
Of what mean by civilization. Guizot in his his
tory Of Civilization in Europe seems to consider
b the developement Of individual liberty Bames saws
mat bis opinion civilization consists in that state OF
D0cety in which the thrse powers the individual family
and society ut large best understand their own rights
and duties, and mutually respect them in each other.
EAnner-es / am inclined to beieve-then we have
. standard and measurement with which We can
I am about 10 unfold | shall confne myself 10
that part of America which lies north Of the Isthmus
tseantism and judge Of the the iabors of
both Havinnecceped the definition given by Bslmcs
have these additional premises to lay down-That by
Ne progress OF ciyikaton in the northern parts OF
America we must Judge of the effects Of the different
eSeempts TO civilze them willing that the test
hould be brought down to the LIST day of October 1s3
and to commence With the period which this continent
INST introduced te Europeans The aboriginal inb.b
1ants of this country not 40 numerous a.
night have been supposed from the extent Of tori
Scry; but, though they not numerous Inc,
hsd their rights and they we're here appsrntl, Tho
fal possessors of the country Apparently say for
bskevs that when savages occupy country thout cul
awaiting it or bringing out its natural resources IL
reisners come into deve!ope its resources they are
stined their nrosds Ono great fact the history Of
~ early discovery of this country is the religious
welfare of the people hrst looked after Couno
himself always spske Of II in this light When he re-
turned home 10 Spain, and that i'm telegra oh
samor had carried the TO every quarter OF the
Christian world and when the Spanish sovereign began to
hgislate the subject the fret thing appoint
certain number of missionaries to npany him the
second petition. These missionaries, twelve in mum
ber placed under the command of apostolic
who ted the 6rst chapel in the Island OF Hayu
- the year 1893, reared In this Western sord. He
psaned for time At that station, and after