John Adams died in 1829--after an island residence of forty years. In his extreme age, while he lay waiting for the end, he was asked how he felt in view of the final voyage. "Land ahead!" murmured the old sailor--and his last words were, "Rounding the Cape--into the harbor." That the veteran's death-song should be perpetuated in sacred music is not strange. Land ahead! its fruits are waving O'er the hills of fadeless green; And the living waters laving Shores where heavenly forms are seen. CHORUS. Rocks and storms I'll fear no more, When on that eternal shore; Drop the anchor! furl the sail! I am safe within the veil. Onward, bark! the cape I'm rounding; See, the blessed wave their hands; Hear the harps of God resounding From the bright immortal bands. The authorship of the hymn is credited to Rev. E. Adams--whether or not a descendent of the Island Patriarch we have no information. It was written about 1869. The ringing melody that bears the words was composed by John Miller Evans, born Nov. 30, 1825; died Jan. 1, 1892. The original air--with a simple accompaniment--was harmonized by Hubert P. Main, and published in _Winnowed Hymns_ in 1873. "ETERNAL FATHER, STRONG TO SAVE." This is sung almost universally on English ships. It is said to have been one of Sir Evelyn Wood's favorites. The late William Whiting wrote it in 1860, and it was incorporated with some alterations in the standard English Church collection entitled _Hymns Ancient and Modern_. It is a translation from a Latin hymn, a triune litany addressing a stanza each to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The whole four stanzas have the same refrain, and the appeal to the Father, who bids-- --the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep, --varies in the appeal to Christ, who-- --_walked_ upon the foaming deep. The third and fourth stanzas are the following: O Holy Spirit, Who didst brood Upon the waters dark and rude, And bid their angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. O Trinity of love and power, Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe'er they go: Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land to sea. William Whiting was born at Kensington, London, Nov. 1, 1825. He was Master of Winchester College Chorister's School Died in 1878. _THE TUNE._ The choral named "Melita" (in memory of St. Paul's shipwreck) was composed by Dr. Dykes in 1861, and its strong and easy chords and moderate note range are nobly suited to the devout hymn. "THE OCEAN HATH NO DANGER."