English 12

Please evaluate the following essay written for my 12th grade English class. Any constructive criticism is appreciated!

Contrast Augustus M. Toplady and Matthew Arnold

When contrasting Augustus M. Toplady and Matthew Arnold, one will find more differences between the two then simply the fact that they lived during two separate centuries. Their core values were vastly different, and their works have affected society in completely different ways. Toplady’s life illuminated rays of hope, whereas Arnold’s life extinguished all glimmers of hope.
Toplady, born in 1740, became an Anglican minister after being saved at a Methodist barn service. Dedicated to writing and compiling hymns, Toplady published Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Worship, a book containing many hymns including six of his own hymns. Unlike Toplady, Arnold, born in 1822, attended Rugby secondary school and Oxford University; in 1851 he was appointed Inspector of Schools for the British Government. Arnold is considered to be one of the greatest poets of the Victorian Age. He wrote poetry during the 1850s; and from the 1860s until his death, Arnold produced nonfiction prose.
Toplady and Arnold’s beliefs differ greatly. While an Anglican minister, Toplady was involved in the evangelical movement within the Church of England. He advised to keep the following statement in mind whenever one is composing or compiling anything that may constitute to worship: “God is the God of Truth, of Holiness, and of Elegance.” In contrast to Toplady, Arnold never accepted the Christian faith as the answer to the problems of his day. He was convinced that the literature of the Victorian Age lacked culture and morality and that morally sound literature could replace religion. He saw Christianity as nothing more than “morality touched with emotion.”
Toplady and Arnold’s contrasting beliefs can be easily detected through their works. Toplady’s best-loved and most popular hymn “Rock of Ages” was written during a storm while he was taking refuge under a rock. The following words of Toplady’s song have given comfort to many people on their death bed including Prince Albert: “While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes shall close in death, When I rise to worlds unknown, And behold thee on thy throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.” Contrary to Toplady’s works, Arnold’s poems express hopelessness; his essays are critical of religious, social, and literary issues. One of his most famous works “Dover Beach” indicates that the only hope in the world is the hope of human love. The last three lines of his poem contain the following words: “And we are here as on a darkling plain swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, where ignorant armies clash by night.”
After having considered various points of Augustus Toplady’s and Matthew Arnold’s life, beliefs, and works one can easily conclude that these men differ greatly. Toplady’s life exemplifies peace and hope in Jesus Christ, whereas Arnold’s life demonstrates the despair and hopelessness of self-reliance. Let us depart Arnold’s listless groping in the darkness and grasp Toplady’s assurance of salvation.

Referenced: A Beka Book Literature of England pages 105, 114, 259, 307-308