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 THEIR AUTHOKS AND ORIGIN. 207

intensely interesting character and career, they have their own intrinsic worth as models of correspondence. Their excellence made Southey describe Cowper as &quot; the most popular poet of his generation, and the best of English letter- writers.&quot;

Cowper s hymns are part of the prized treasures of the Christian Church. Several of them give expression to the dark passages of religious experience through which he was passing. &quot; God moves in a mysterious way.&quot; No. 281.

The title of this hymn is &quot; Light shining out of darkness.&quot; It is said, that on one occasion Cowper thought it was the Divine will he should go to a particular part of the river Ouse and drown himself, but the driver of the postchaise missed his way, and on the poet s return he wrote this hymn. By others, it is said to have been written during a solitary walk in the fields, when he had a presentiment of the gloom that would soon fall on him again, but was still cleaving to God in whom he trusted. Mont gomery says, &quot;It is a lyric of high tone and character, and rendered awfully interesting by the circumstances under which it was written in the twilight of departing reason.&quot; It was the last he composed for the &quot; Olney Collection.&quot; And after study ing his life, we are not surprised to find two hymns (Nos. 640 and 644) by Cowper, under the head of &quot;Declensions in the Christian Life.&quot; It was a happy circumstance that having to contribute to a collection that was to meet the various wants of a public assembly, led Cowper to write on several great subjects ; but those of his hymns are the most pathetic which give ex pression to his own inward fears and conflicts. Such are : &quot; for a closer walk with God,

A calm and heavenly frame.&quot; No. 644. And,

&quot; Lord, my best desire fulfil &quot; No. 598.

especially the last verse

&quot; But ah ! mine inward spirit cries,

Still bind me to Thy sway : Else the next cloud that veils my skies,

Drives all these thoughts away.&quot;

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