It is not always noticed that the first line in each verse is in the form of a question referring to some one or other of the disturbing experiences of life, and the second line in each verse endeavors to give the answer.... The hymn has been translated into many tongues, and for years I doubt if my father went many days without receiving from different people assurances of the comfort which the words had been allowed to bring to them. The most touching occasion on which, personally, I ever heard it sung was round the grave of my eldest brother, Bishop Edward Bickersteth, of South Tokyo, at Chiselden in 1897, when my father himself was chief mourner. _MUSIC._ PAX TECUM was written for this hymn by George Thomas Caldbeck, 1852-?, concerning whose life one reads contradictory statements. Some writers say he was a missionary in China when he wrote this tune; others, including James Moffatt, give the account essentially as follows: that Caldbeck, while a student in London, was compelled through ill health to give up his purpose of becoming a missionary, went to Ireland to teach school and engage in independent missionary work. Later he returned to London where he did much open-air preaching, making a meagre living by selling Scripture text-cards from door to door. For selling without a license, he was arrested one day but dismissed by the judge on being informed that the defendant was the composer of this well-known hymn tune. The tune was arranged by Charles John Vincent, born 1852, English organist, composer and editor of much church music. 257. God is the refuge of His saints _Isaac Watts_, 1674-1748 Based on Psalm 46:1-5: “God is our refuge and our strength; a very present help in time of trouble,” etc., and was entitled by Watts, “The Church’s Safety and Triumph.” It is interesting to compare this free rendering of the Psalm with that of the _Scotch Psalter_, 1650, (588), where the thought of the psalm and the stately King James version combine to make up the greatest metrical form of the psalm. Martin Luther’s version of the same Psalm is found in his great hymn “_Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott_” (549). For comments on Isaac Watts see Hymn 11. _MUSIC._ WARRINGTON was composed by Ralph Harrison, 1748-1810, an Englishman and son of a Presbyterian minister. Educated at Warrington Academy, he became a noted teacher of ancient languages, but maintained a keen interest in sacred music. He compiled _Sacred Harmony_, 2 vols., 1784-1791, a collection of psalm tunes, ancient and modern, in which were found some of his own compositions, including this tune. 258. Awake, our souls! away, our fears _Isaac Watts_, 1674-1748 A free rendering of Isaiah 40:28-31. The hymn is from Watts’ _Hymns and Spiritual Songs_, 1707, where it is headed, “The Christian Race.” For comments on Isaac Watts see Hymn 11.