In general, the perfect tense may be applied wherever the action is connected with the present time, by the actual existence either of the author of the work, though it may have been performed many centuries ago; but if neither the author nor the work now remains, the perfect tense ought not to be employed.  Speaking of priests in general, we may say, “They have, in all ages, claimed great powers;” because the general order of the priesthood still exists; but we cannot properly say, “The Druid priests have claimed great powers;” because that order is now extinct.  We ought, therefore, to say, “The Druid priests claimed great powers.”

The following examples may serve still farther to illustrate the proper use and application of the tenses.  “My brother has recently been to Philadelphia.”  It should be, “was recently at Philadelphia;” because the adverb recently refers to a time completely past, without any allusion to the present time.  “Charles is grown considerably since I have seen him the last time.”  Corrected, “Charles has grown, since I saw him,” &c.  “Payment was at length made, but no reason assigned for its being so long postponed.”  Corrected, “for its having been so long postponed.”  “They were arrived an hour before we reached the city:”—­“They had arrived.”

“The workmen will complete the building at the time I take possession of it.”  It should be, “will have completed the building,” &c.  “This curious piece of workmanship was preserved, and shown to strangers for more than fifty years past:”—­“has been preserved, and been shown to strangers,” &c.  “I had rather write than beg:”—­“I would rather write than beg.”

“On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty whereof Paul was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands.”  It ought to be, “because he would know; or, being willing to know,” &c.  “The blind man said, ‘Lord, that I might receive my sight;’” “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”  In both these examples, may would be preferable to might.  “I feared that I should have lost the parcel, before I arrived:”—­“that I should lose.”  “It would have afforded me no satisfaction, if I could perform it.”  It ought to be, “if I could have performed it;” or, “It would afford me no satisfaction, if I could perform it.”  “This dedication may serve for almost any book that has, is, or shall be published:”—­“that has been, or will be published.”

4.  In order to employ the two tenses of the infinitive mood with propriety, particular attention should be paid to the meaning of what we express.

Verbs expressive of hope, desire, intention, or command, ought to be followed by the PRESENT tense of the Infinitive mood.