The psalm (Amsterdam version), "God is the refuge," etc., is said to have been sung by John Howland in the shallop of the Mayflower when an attempt was made to effect a landing in spite of tempestuous weather. A tradition of this had doubtless reached Mrs. Hemans when she wrote-- Amid the storm they sang, etc. "FATHER, WHATE'ER OF EARTHLY BLISS." This hymn had originally ten stanzas, of which the three usually sung are the three last. The above line is the first of the eighth stanza, altered from-- And O, whate'er of earthly bliss. Probably for more than a century the familiar surname "Steele" attached to this and many other hymns in the hymn-books conveyed to the general public no hint of a mind and hand more feminine than Cowper's or Montgomery's. Even intelligent people, who had chanced upon sundry copies of _The Spectator_, somehow fell into the habit of putting "Steele" and "Addison" in the same category of hymn names, and Sir Richard Steele got a credit he never sought. But since stories of the hymns began to be published--and made the subject of evening talks in church conference rooms--many have learned what "Steele" in the hymn-book means. It introduces us now to a very retiring English lady, Miss Anna Steele, a Baptist minister's daughter. She was born in 1706, at Broughton, Hampshire, in her father's parsonage, and in her father's parsonage she spent her life, dying there Nov. 1778. She was many years a severe sufferer from bodily illness, and a lasting grief of mind and heart was the loss of her intended husband, who was drowned the day before their appointed wedding. It is said that this hymn was written under the recent sorrow of that loss. In 1760 and 1780 volumes of her works in verse and prose were published with her name, "Theodosia," and reprinted in 1863 as "_Hymns, Psalms, and Poems_, by Anna Steele." The hymn "Father, whate'er," etc., is estimated as her best, though some rank it only next to her-- Dear Refuge of my weary soul. Other more or less well-known hymns of this devout and loving writer are,-- Lord, how mysterious are Thy ways, O Thou whose tender mercy hears, Thou lovely Source of true delight, Alas, what hourly dangers rise, So fades the lovely blooming flower. --to a stanza of which latter the world owes the tune of "Federal St." _THE TUNE._ The true musical mate of the sweet hymn-prayer came to it probably about the time of its hundredth birthday; but it came to stay. Lowell Mason's "Naomi" blends with it like a symphony of nature. Father, whate'er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies, Accepted at Thy throne of grace Let this petition rise. Give me a calm and thankful heart From every murmer free. The blessings of Thy grace impart, And make me live to Thee. "GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH."