Poetry.

SONG OF THE HUSSITES.

By the Hon. and Rev. BAPTIST W. NOEL, M. A.

He is dead!--but his spirit lives on,

For the quenchless devotion we feel;

And think not, ye despots, we'll turn at your frown,
Or quail at your faggot and steel;

Ye thought to extinguish his name,

When ye doomed him to death and despair—

When ye laughed as he writhed in the conquering flame, And ye drowned with your curses his prayer;

But he's gone, as a glorious conqueror home,

And his name shall be hallowed throughout ages to come.

Oh! shame on you, worst of your race,
Though you glitter in purple and gold;

Though you hide, by a smiling and sanctified face,
The hearts that are wicked and cold;

Though you serve at the altar of God,

Though loudly your thunders are hurled,

And long in your pride have ye scornfully trod,
On the neck of the prostrated world;

Yet millions are learning their rights to discuss,
And heroes shall rise from the ashes of Huss.

How pale and how feeble he lay,

In thy desolate vaults, Gottleben!

Shut out from the heart-cheering light of the day,
And driven from the converse of men ;

In darkness, in hunger, and pain,

Which the haughtiest spirit can break

He was linked to the wall by the riveted chain,

And he looked for the torturing stake;

Yet he soared like an eagle away from his care,
And triumphed where others would sink in despair.

Who are these, in their splendour and state,
Have come to the gloomy abode ?

With accents of honey, and feelings of hate,
They would tempt him away from his God.
As soon might the glorious sun,

At their word from his circuit be driven;

For his conscience approved the career he had run—
His heart was already in heaven;

And De Chulm and De Duba supported his faith,
And bade him be constant in trial and death.

The Saviour stood by him in pain,

Nor left him in sorrow forlorn;

And mitred blasphemers and monarchs in vain
Heaped on him their hatred and scorn.

He was meek as the innocent child,

He was firm as the storm-stricken rock;

And so humbly he prayed, and so gently he smiled, And so sweet were the words that he spoke, That the murderous keepers who guarded their prey, Could weep for the man they were marshalled to slay.

How the murderous hierarchs swarmed!

Their hatred how fierce and how keen!

For their ill-gotten honours and empire alarmed,
Should the gospel be known among men.
Then the prelate of G'nese would rehearse,
Their devotions to sanctify crime;

There Lodi was uttering his impotent curse,

And they chanted the holiest hymn;

And they loaded the saint with derision and shame, Then bound to the stake, and consumed in the flame.

He is gone to the land of the blessed!
But the men who enkindled his pile-
Those priestly usurpers by monarchs caressed,
If they turn not from malice and guile-
They shall have men's perpetual hate,

God will turn a deaf ear to their prayer;
False friends of the church, proud foes of the state,
They shall die in blaspheming despair;

And the curses they breathe round his funeral pyre,
Shall return on their hearts like a torrent of fire.

We have steel in our hearts and our hands;
We are thousands that fear not to die;
We will faithfully keep to his latest commands,
And will follow his path to the sky!

Let them hunt us like hares on the heath;

Let them fasten our limbs to the stake; Our Saviour for us did endure to the death, And we can endure for his sake;

Let them do what they will to our children and us,

They shall know that we dare to be martyrs with Huss!

CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.

WARD'S LIBRARY OF STANDARD DIVINITY.

LECTURES ON CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY. BY GEORGE CHRISTIAN KNAPP, d.d., Professor of Theology in the University of Halle. Translated by LEONARD WOODS, JUN., D.D., Abbot Resident at the Theological Seminary in Andover, Massachusets. Reprinted from the American Edition of 1831. Medium 8vo. pp. 500.

London:-Ward and Co. Paternoster-row.

We congratulate the students of divinity on the materials which continue to be furnished them, in this series, for the prosecution of their inquiries, in every department of biblical and theological science. If they can but command the time which is necessary, faithfully to read and investigate these works, as they issue from the press, their minds will be replenished with much valuable matter, and of great service in discharging the functions of their sacred office. Many of the volumes which have hitherto appeared, are possessed of genuine merit; nor have the public failed to appreciate their value. If we are rightly informed, the sale of the series has been good and encouraging,—such, at all events, as to encourage the publishers to continue it; and we should have a sorry opinion indeed of the theological and religious character of our country, if there ever should be wanting, either the patronage or the support necessary to sustain such an undertaking.

The work of Knapp is not generally known among the theological academies of our country. German literature, whether sacred or profane, is much more freely introduced into the schools beyond the Atlantic. The Americans are a more enterprising and persevering people, and they spare no pains to elevate and enrich their country; nor are they disposed to refuse any aid, in whatever direction it may be offered. The present work has existed among them, in the form of a translation, for some years; and now this translation comes as an importation into England. It is not the worse for wearing an American dress, and may serve the cause of truth as well here as there.

We are not altogether strangers to the work, and may therefore give our opinion with freedom. On the whole, then, it is a work of no ordinary merit; but it is valuable rather for the extent and variety of its critical research. In several instances, its exigesis is not to be received; not so much, perhaps, in reference to the great fundamental doctrines of revelation, as on distinct passages of scripture, which, more or less, affect these doctrines. As in all human compositions, the student must think, examine, and determine for himself. These works are but auxiliary to his own efforts, and as such, they are to be highly estimated. We are happy to find some other works announced, which will go still more to enrich the series.

THE CHRISTIAN OFFERING:-LYRICAL POEMS AND PROSE PIeces, Sacred AND MISCELLANEOUS. By George B. ScoTT, Author of "The Beauty of Holiness," and other Poems, etc. Cloth, gilt edges. pp. 302.

London ;-George Virtue, Ivy Lane.

This is one of the unnumbered annuals with which the press positively teems at this season of the year, and which crowd the table of the drawing-room. There is a taste for such works; and when we see such effort to combine the perfection of art with the materials of thought, or the records of history, too much cannot be said in their commendation. While the senses are attracted and gratified, the mind is informed, and the moral feelings refined.

Whatever estimate may be formed of the literary character of the work now before us, no one will dispute the author's deep religious feeling. He has drank at the fountain of divine inspiration; and, were his style more masculine, his conceptions bolder, and his imagination a little more daring,—some of his poetry would obtain more than a common meed of praise. As a whole, it wants strength. Even beauty does not compensate for vigour. Still we are not disposed to depreciate the volume. It is not destitute of excellence. The tone of evangelical piety which pervades the whole, with the constant aim of the author to imbue the heart of his reader with the great sentiments of our holy faith, will render it a better offering than many others which may fairly lay claim to superior literary talent.

THE PRAYER MEETING :-ITS ORDINATION AND ITS OBSTACLES. 12mo. pp. 36.

London:-Gardner and Son, Prince's-street, Cavendish-square.

This little tract seems to be the production of a pious member of the Society of Friends, and reads some wholesome lessons to professing christians. It has some features which may be said to be peculiar ; still, it cannot fail to correct many evils, as they now exist, in the church of Christ. On no one duty do christians require to be more thoroughly informed, than that of attendance at the weekly concert for prayer. There is little vitality, because there is little devotion. If it is the Spirit that quickens, how is this Spirit to descend? Let a church abandon prayer, and the Spirit will abandon her.

A SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATION OF GENESIS 1. 26, 27;-OR THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST'S INCARNATION DECLARED BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE FIRST ADAM. Addressed to Man. By A LAYMAN OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. Cloth, 12mo. pp. 244.

London:-Fisher and Son, Newgate-street.

It is difficult to pronounce a judgment on this work. The author's view is one with which some of his readers will no doubt coincide; but we must leave them to determine for themselves.

Monthly Chronicle.

REPORT OF BELL WHARF SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

In submitting a report of the proceedings of the British & Foreign Sailors' Society Sunday Schools, during another year, the teachers have every reason to be unfeignedly thankful for that measure of prosperity and blessing with which their feeble efforts have been crowned by the God of all grace; and sincerely trust, that what they have told the children regarding their never-dying souls will not be easily forgotten. The teacher holds the responsible office of a spiritual guide to the children, just as ministers of the gospel do to their congregations.

The teachers of this school have classes composed of children whose parents gain a livelihood upon the great and mighty deep; and it very often happens, that when they muster their classes, they find some of their scholars gone to sea with their parents, where, it is feared, all the good they have received is soon forgotten. The teachers wish it were in the hearts of individuals to do more for the children of seamen, that, as they rise up to manhood, our fleets and navy might be composed of pious, God-fearing men.

The teachers have to lament, that the funds are quite exhausted, and that they are now indebted to the treasurer. The state of their funds is as follows:

4 24

They, however, trust, that this meeting will render them all the assistance which the urgency of this interest requires, in this low and depraved neighbourhood. There are now on the books, 63 girls and 81 boys-total 154. The numbers in attendance vary according to the state of the weather. There are only five regular female teachers and one monitor, and the occasional assistance of another female. There are six male teachers, and two monitors, and one occasional teacher, -three of the male teachers attending only once on the sabbath; consequently, the schools are not so prosperous as could be wished. They therefore appeal to this meeting for assistance, and hope that some will come forward to aid in this all-important work. In making this statement, they do not in any way depreciate the services of their friends, but highly esteem them for their kind and valuable assistance. There is a small library in circulation, which might be enlarged; therefore, any little works would be thankfully received.

A serious loss has been sustaiued in the death of their dear friend and wellwisher, Mrs. Edwards, who always manifested a great interest in the school's prosperity. One of the assistant teachers has composed appropriate verses, which are to be seen in the magazine for the month of November. The teachers would continue to labour in dependence on the promises of an all-seeing God, who has said, that his word shall not return unto him void, but shall accomplish that which he pleases. May it please him to bless that word, sown in