Forbid the soul from earth to rise,

How awful then it is to die!

When one by one those ties are torn,
And friend from friend is snatch'd forlorn,
And man is left alone to mourn,

Ah! then how easy 'tis to die!

When trembling limbs refuse their weight,
And films slow gathering dim the sight,

And clouds obscure the mental light,

'Tis nature's precious boon to die!

When faith is strong, and conscience clear,
And words of peace the spirit cheer,
And vision'd glories half appear,

'Tis joy, 'tis triumph then to die!

The revered author of these lines not a Christian! Ah well, words and fashions vary in these modern days. In our own country, to say nothing of thousands besides, we suppose that the names of Mayhew, and Buckminster, and Forster, must be torn from the catalogue of Christians, and nailed up, on the black board ofthis pen recoils in writing deists and infidels.

It still remains to show, as was originally designed, the inexpediency and imprudence of this proceeding on the part of some Trini

tarians.

And first, we complain of it as unnecessarily widening the breaches which already exist among Christians. A spirit of conciliation and tenderness exerted by the orthodox would be infinitely more likely to attract Unitarians back to the path of truth, if they are indeed in an error, than this ulterior measure of defiance, exclusion and denunciation. It may lacerate the feelings of a few timorous and tender hearted persons, it may induce others to be silent in spite of their convictions, and it may for a very short time, and in a very small degree, obstruct the progress of the offending doctrines. Yet on the other hand, zealous, but well meaning Trinitarians can have no possible idea of the astonishing contrary effect produced among Unitarians by these violent and proscriptive measures. We can conceive of no greater injury that can be inflicted on a heart of the least sensibility than to rob it of the name of Christian. And will men sit down quietly and tamely under the reception of injury? It is not in human nature to do it. We venture to declare, that since the memorable Reformation conducted by Luther, there is no instance recorded in ecclesiastical annals of a progress so rapid and extensive in the dissemination of religious opinions as has taken place with respect to Unitarianism in America during the last ten years. And whom have we to thank for it? Why none on earth but those, who perceiving the mere existence, or at most the slow and silent march of free inquiry stealing gradually along, saw fit to rouse its latent energies by interposing mounds of misrepresentation, or calling forth its mighty resistance by proscriptive denunciation. The reaction was inevitable, was irresistible. Unitarianism raised its sleeping head, shook from its brow the ineffectual arrows that were hurled from every quarter against it, and strode forth to unexpected, unsought for, and unexampled victory. God knows that these representations of the fact are not put forth in the spirit of boasting, but rather in that of humiliation. We are ashamed of human nature, that evil is so often necessary to the production of good. We lament that the glory and the triumph of our cause have been laid on a foundation so disparaging to the spirit of the age, and so degrading to the character of our opponents. But so it is. Men of thinking minds, of independent souls, of pure consciences, were not to be intimidated by mere clamour. This is not the country where a brief unpopularity is to obstruct the progress of any branch of free inquiry. We are too much accustomed to the storms and fluctuations of party in political life, not to know that religious agitation will speedily subside unless backed and perpetuated by civil power. Accordingly, Unitarians have had only to be firm, and thousands have rushed to their standard. Our exertions as a sect have been almost entirely negative, or perhaps re-active. We have only had to explain-to answer charges-to throw light on Scripture passages-to call Trinitarian creeds to the test--to wield the artillery of defence-and behold, how unexpected to both sides has been the effect! Calumny has goaded the supporters of the Unitarian cause into a partial concentration and systematization of effort. Pulpit denunciations have only driven inquisitive hearers into the obnoxious places of worship, and those who came to chide, remained to pray. Numbers are every day heard declaring, as soon as they lend their attention to the subject, "We have been Unitarians without knowing it, ever since we have thought." A name of a little unusual coinage, has not altered the thing which it expresses. The name Unitarian was adopted to express what were conceived to be clear and consistent notions respecting the Deity, and notions too, to which both parties cordially assent. But, because it was comparatively a new name, though representing an old and scriptural idea, it has been erected into a bugbear. The evil, as we have just shown, like the military elephants of old, has fallen upon those who employed it as a means of intimidation. Had more caution, more prudence, more forbearance, more insight into the inevitable tendencies of human nature, more respect for the independence of mind, been exercised, long would it have been ere a new distinction was set up in the American churches, and a new seam inserted into the garment of Christ. And let not this statement be answered by the reproachful boast, "We have at least driven an enemy from our borders. We have gotten rid of so many half Christians, imperfect Christians, and false Christians." Ah, boast not too much of that. These half Christians were at least, worth the attempt to save. But you have driven them beyond your reach. Many of them would have gladly co operated with you, in your favourite and laudable schemes for the extension of Christianity, and projects of religious benevolence. But you have refused even their subscriptions to a Bible Society.* Besides, can you calculate on the perfect soundness of all who yet remain to you? Depend upon it, you hang together by an imaginary thread. The elements of discord are even now fermenting among you. Explain yourselves to each other, and that moment you break up into new divisions. Professor Stuart ventured on that task. Immediately the jealousy of orthodoxy was roused, and fault was found with his explanations among yourselves. Princeton scowls doubt and suspicion on Andover, and Presbyterianism glares awful surmises against Congregationalism. Calvin and Hopkins are on the point of mutual excommunication; and whenever Unitarianism shall cease, either by its insignificance, or its overwhelming success, to be a rallying point of your monstrous alliance and co-operation, you must either crush the spirit which has banished us from your pale, or fall into an irretrievable mass of chaotic

atoms.

In the mean time, what if Unitarians were to take you at your word? What if, goaded on to despair, we should renounce in reality the very name of Christian, which you have tried to compliment away from us? When our churches should be all abandoned, when our sabbaths should be desecrated, when our whole lives should be spent in denying Christ and pouring reproaches on his name, and, instead of defending his gospel, as we now do by all the instruments which God, and reason, and education have put into our hands, we should join with the now lurking spirit of infidelity, and make a mock at religion and holiness, you might then stand aghast at the consequences of your intolerance, 2nd not need the feeble representations of a humble Unitarian Defendant to convince you of the unscriptural, unjust and imprudent nature of your mode of controversy.

COTTON MATHER'S PSALMS.

Or the various whims which have beset men on the subject of Psalms and Hymns, none perhaps was ever more remarkable than that of Cotton Mather, who thought it a great achievement to present them to the churches in blank verse. As his book is not often to be now met with, it may gratify many to see a specimen of so great a curiosity. Its title page runs thus :

PSALTERIUM Americanum. The Book of Psalms, In a Translation Exactly conformed unto the Original; but all in Blank Verse, Fitted unto the l'unes commonly used in our Churches. Which Pure offering is accompanied with Illustrations, digging for Hidden Treasures in it; and rules to employ it upon the Glorious and Various Intentions of it. Whereto are added, Some other Portions of the Sacred Scripture, to Enrich the Cantional. By Cotton Mather.'

There is an Introduction of thirty-five pages, which the author tells us is " to be attentively perused, that so the whole book may have the good and great end of it the more effectually accomplished." The first part of this introduction contains an eulogium on the Book of Psalms, then follows an explanation of the plan, with the reasons for undertaking it, and its great advantages. We quote some of the most remarkable and characteristic passages.

Of the version and metre.

§. 3. OUR Poetry has attempted many Versions of the PSALMS, in such Numbers and Measures, as might render them capable of being Sung, in those grave Tunes, which have been prepared and received for our Christian Psalmody. But of all the more than twice Seven Versions which I have seen, it must be affirmed, That they leave out a vast heap of those rich things, which the Holy SPIRIT of GOD speaks in the Original Hebrew; and that they put in as large an Heap of poor Things, which are intirely their own. All this has been merely for the sake of preserving the Clink of the Rhime: Which after all, is of small consequence unto a Generous Poem; and of none at all unto the Melody of Singing; But of how little then, in Singing unto the Lord! Some famous pieces of Poetry, which this Refining Age has been treated withal, have been offered us in Blank Verse. And in Blank Verse, we now have the Glorious Book of PSALMS presented unto us: The PSALMS fitted unto the Tunes commonly used in the Assemblies of our Zion: But so fitted, that the Christian Singer has his Devotions now supplied, with ALL that the Holy SPIRIT of GOD has dictated, in this illustrious and Celestial Bestowment upon His Church in the World; and there is NOTHING BESIDES the pure Dictates of that Holy SPIRIT imposed on him. Now, True PIETY, Thou shalt be Judge, whether such a Divine matter for thy Songs thus disencumbred from every thing that may give them any Humane Debasements, be not really to be preferred before any Compositions thou hast ever yet been entertain'd withal. Doubtless, the more that any are desirous to offer unto the Glorious GOD what is purely His Ow

and the more concerned that any are to have their Worship entirely Regulated and Animated, by the SPIRIT of GOD, the more agreeable to them, will be such an Instrument of Devotion, as is here prepared. Tho' the Hymns have not the Trifle of Rhime, as a Lace to set them off, yet they are all Glorious within, which is the thing that Manly Christianity has its eye most upon; and in the Spiritual Songs thus enjoyed and improved, thou mayst most hope to have the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, who indited them, speaking unto thee, even such Things as cannot be uttered.

But that our Cantional may be furnished with a superabundance, and the Faithful be plentifully feasted with Angels Food, Behold, an Addition of Passages Collected in Metre, (but still as exactly translated) from some other parts of the Sacred Scriptures, to answer the various occasions of Christianity.'

'§. 5. Most certainly, our Translation of the PSALMS, without the Fetters of Rhime upon it, can be justly esteemed no prejudice to the Character of Poetry in the performance. For indeed, however it is now appropriated, according to the true sense of the Term, to Rhythme it self, a Similis Desinentia, or, a likeness of sound in the last Syllables of the Verse, is not essential. Old Bede will give you such a Definition of Rhythme, and bring other Authorities besides Austin's for it, that Scaliger thereupon holds, all Verses wherein Regard is had unto the Number of Syllables, to have a claim unto it.. Be that as the Criticks on the Term shall please, our Translation is all in Metre; and really more tied unto Measure, than the Original appears to have been, by all the Examinations that have as yet been employ'd upon it. For, however it might be with the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy, and with the Book of Job, and of the Proverbs; My incomparable Master Alsted allows me to say, That in the PSALMS, Nullum canticum sit metricis legibus astrictum, sed mera soluta sit oratio, charactere Poetico animata.'

Of the contents and character of the book of Psalms.

§. 6. Ir is a true Observation, which is made by Folengius, in his Commentaries on the PSALMS; Totius Voluminis PSALMORUM Argumentum CHRISTUS: A Glorious CHRIST is the principal Thing appearing in them. It is very certain, that in the PSALMS, the Person, the Natures, the Vertues, the Humiliation, the Exaltation, the Extensive Kingdom and the admirable Glories of the MESSIAH, are every where scattered and glittering, after such a manner, as calls for our Wonderment. The Gospel according to DAVID, compared with, The Gospel according to MATTHEW, affords a wonderful Entertainment. If a Jew would but believe the Songs of Zion, which once were sung in his own Land, he would soon turn a Christian, and would his Nation do so, it would not be long, that they should be put upon Singing them in a Strange Land. Christian, Dig in these Mines, and thou wilt soon be sensible of what the SAVIOUR has told thee, Search the Scriptures, for they testify of me. Yea, Good