The Rev. Peter Williams was born in the parish of Llansadurnen, Carmarthenshire, Wales, Jan. 7, 1722, and was educated in Carmarthen College. He was ordained in the Established Church and appointed to a curacy, but in 1748 joined the Calvinistic Methodists. He was an Independent of the Independents however, and preached where ever he chose. Finally he built a chapel for himself on his paternal estate, where he ministered during the rest of his life. Died Aug. 8, 1796. _THE TUNE._ If "Sardius," the splendid old choral (triple time) everywhere identified with the hymn, be not its original music, its age at least entitles it to its high partnership. _The Sacred Lyre_ (1858) ascribes it to Ludovic Nicholson, of Paisley, Scotland, violinist and amateur composer, born 1770; died 1852; but this is not beyond dispute. Of several names one more confidently referred to as its author is F.H. Barthelemon (1741-1808). "PEACE, TROUBLED SOUL" Is the brave faith-song of a Christian under deep but blameless humiliation--Sir Walter Shirley[16]. [Footnote 16: See page 127] _THE TUNE._ Apparently the favorite in several (not recent) hymnals for the subdued but confident spirit of this hymn of Sir Walter Shirley is Mazzinghi's "Palestine," appearing with various tone-signatures in different books. The treble and alto lead in a sweet duet with slur-flights, like an obligato to the bass and tenor. The melody needs rich and cultured voices, and is unsuited for congregational singing. So, perhaps, is the hymn itself. Peace, troubled soul, whose plaintive moan Hath taught these rocks the notes of woe; Cease thy complaint--suppress thy groan, And let thy tears forget to flow; Behold the precious balm is found, To lull thy pain, to heal thy wound. Come, freely come, by sin oppressed, Unburden here thy weighty load; Here find thy refuge and thy rest, And trust the mercy of thy God. Thy God's thy Saviour--glorious word! For ever love and praise the Lord. As now sung the word "scenes" is substituted for "rocks" in the second line, eliminating the poetry. Rocks give an _echo_; and the vivid thought in the author's mind is flattened to an unmeaning generality. Count Joseph Mazzinghi, son of Tommasso Mazzinghi, a Corsican musician, was born in London, 1765. He was a boy of precocious talent. When only ten years of age he was appointed organist of the Portuguese Chapel, and when nineteen years old was made musical director and composer at the King's Theatre. For many years he held the honor of Music Master to the Princess of Wales, afterwards Queen Caroline, and his compositions were almost numberless. Some of his songs and glees that caught the popular fancy are still remembered in England, as "The Turnpike Gate," "The Exile," and the rustic duet, "When a Little Farm We Keep."