impression I have of the ameliorating, spiritualising influence of an extension of the empire of Music, I would that the solemnly-affianced sons of the Mother of my Faith-the English Church—were energetic in its promotion. Her temples do not yet resound with holy song-the vernacular language of Gratitude, and the temperature of the frigid zone prevails at the gate of heaven. For in praise it is that the mighty power of harmony subserves its most majestic purpose:-attuned in homage of Him before whom so many worlds move in order and "give out music as they go," it is but the reverberation, as it were, of the inaudible but not invisible concord that pervades the universe; the sacrifice of accordant sound to its refulgent Soul and Source! C.-The poet Wordsworth, referring to the sudden and spreading rise of new churches, describes the time as conscious of its want. In regard to the energy, the absence or paralysation of which in our services you bewail, this consciousness of a privilege, in many places inadequately appreciated, and in some (excepting in form) passed into desuetude, approves itself to be reviving, and in the symptoms of resuscitation which it exhibits, gives us grateful 66 help, when we would weave A crown for Hope." E. The wedding-chime for an only child could not more sadden me in its first effect or more gladden me in its second, than that past stifling and present unshackling of the spirit of reverential song. And depend on it our Church will experience a mighty strengthening of her sinews in nourishing this breath of song. For her symmetry and fair proportions, "long concealed, concealed and cherished long," are developing largely now before children capable of the only invulnerable allegiance—an intelligent one. Day by day our Fathers' Faith has fewer champions on the sole score of its having been the Faith of our Fathers -though that challenge hath a magic charm over many hearts;—but daily are augmenting its puissant defenders, whose consciences have weighed its tenets and found them not wanting. And thus the attachment of our time is combining the deep veneration of the soul with the warm affection of the heart.You have alluded to the "joyful haste" with which ascending spires and the sound of " the church-going bell" are gladdening the land, fertilising its length and breadth. 'Tis the sovereign'st characteristic of the age! The Proposer of Fifty new Churches in a single city, will need no elaborate epitaph to invite the praises of posterity. The timepiece sounded reprovingly, and I arose to leave, taking a slight liberty with Spenser "Ere long the northerne waggoner will set His sevenfold teame behind the stedfast starre." E-Ah! Alma Mater has seduced us from the Faery Queene! yet, soft as a melody of love murmuring in the heart's core is the Requiem of Reason, Fancy, Imagination, at thought or sight or sound of Name of GENTLE EDMUND SPENSER!-Name sculptured in memory deeper than in marble, and wreathed with faery flowers, lowly as though warmed into being by the starlight-in keeping with the Poet's predominating traits. You seldom meet with Edmund in a storm, or behold his eye" in a fine frenzy rolling;" but he conducts you on a calmly-flowing tide, over waters whose little heavings and undulations are lit by moonbeams, to a garden which you know has golden fruit, for now and then you see it; but the greater part of its produce is netted-sometimes very thickly netted. And now, if you persist in going, " A Dieu!" in serious significancy. But harkye! never reproach gentle Edmund again, unless for this-and then hushed as a spirit's voice, for he confesses the foible— that "the whole intention of his conceit is too clowdily enwrapped in allegorical devises.”* * Letter to Raleigh. |