Contemporary Literature [pp. 395-424]

1872.] CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE. 421
GENERAL LITERATURE.
The Divine Tragedy. By HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW. Boston: James R. Osgood & Co. It would be high praise to say, that Mr.
Longfellow has succeeded well in so difficult a work, and where every
word and act is familiar beforehand to all readers. He has, so to speak,
brought out the poetical and dramatic elements contained in those parts
<}f the Gospels, which bear most directly upon the Passion of our Lord.
It is wonderful how easily our English version is adapted to poetic treatment: a new light is thus cast upon some of its peculiar merits. Mr.
Longfellow's work has been compared to the "Miracle Plays," and especially to the "Ober-Ammergau Passion Play;" but it has none of the extravagancies or travesties of the old medi~val plays, and it does not at- N
tempt in poetry anything corresponding to the scenic effects which invest
the Bavarian Passion Play with some of its most striking characteristics.
This Divine Tragedy makes a sparing and judicious use of the accessories of the sacred narrative. We do not exactly know why the prophet
Habakkuk, in the "Introitus," is borne through the air in such a conspicuous position. Some parts of Isaiah's prophecy would seem more appropriate for an Introduction.
The author has his own reasons for what he omits, as well as for what
he selects, of the materials for his work. We miss allusions to the Last
Supper, the last discourses of our Lord, the raising of Lazarus, and the
Ascension-all of which, it seems to us, are essential to a faithful reproduction of the gospel record, and admirably adapted to poetic treatment.
This work may not increase Mr. Longfellow's high fame; but, within
its limits, it is exceedingly well done. It is all the more impressive because it is so simple and faithful. No sacred association is troubled. We
lay it down with a deep feeling of the reality of the life and death of our
Lord.
Songs of the S~irit, h~~mns of Praise and Prayer to God the Holy Ghost.
Edited by The Right Rev. WILLIAM HENRY ODENHEIMER, D. D.,
and FREDERICK M. BIRD. Randolph & Co. The exquisite beauty
~f this volume as to external appearance and mechanical execution
well befits its admirable contents. Among the various collections of
Psalms and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, with which the press teems,
this is unique. It gathers a single class of sacred songs, indicated by its
title, those of praise and supplication to the Third Person in the Godhead,
or which celebrate His offices and works. For various reasons such a
collection is precious. It magnifies the Divine Person who abides in, and
creates anew in Christ Jesus, the whole church of the redeemed, making
them one body and one spirit. If we come to God only through Christ,
throu gh Him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Bishop
Odenheimer well remarks, that "we must pray to the Holy Ghost, as to
the Father and the Son, or we do not pray in the fulness of the evangeli