Of sacred music he composed only one mass and six hymn-tunes, of which latter "Palestine" is one. Mazzinghi died in 1844, in his eightieth year. "BEGONE UNBELIEF, MY SAVIOUR IS NEAR." The Rev. John Newton, author of this hymn, was born in London, July 24, 1725. The son of a sea-captain, he became a sailor, and for several years led a reckless life. Converted, he took holy orders and was settled as curate of Olney, Buckinghamshire, and afterwards Rector of St. Mary of Woolnoth, London, where he died, Dec. 21, 1807. It was while living at Olney that he and Cowper wrote and published the _Olney Hymns_. His defiance to doubt in these lines is the blunt utterance of a sailor rather than the song of a poet: Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near, And for my relief will surely appear. By prayer let me wrestle and He will perform; With Christ in the vessel I smile at the storm. _THE TUNE_ Old "Hanover," by William Croft (1677-1727), carries Newton's hymn successfully, but Joseph Haydn's choral of "Lyons" is more familiar--and better music. "Hanover" often accompanies Charles Wesley's lyric,-- Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim. "HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION." The question of the author of this hymn is treated at length in Dr. Louis F. Benson's _Studies of Familiar Hymns_. The utmost that need to be said here is that two of the most thorough and indefatigable hymn-chasers, Dr. John Julian and Rev. H.L. Hastings, working independently of each other, found evidence fixing the authorship with strong probability upon Robert Keene, a precentor in Dr. John Rippon's church. Dr. Rippon was pastor of a Baptist Church in London from 1773 to 1836, and in 1787 he published a song-manual called _A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors_, etc., in which "How Firm a Foundation" appears as a new piece, with the signature "K----." The popularity of the hymn in America has been remarkable, and promises to continue. Indeed, there are few more reviving or more spiritually helpful. It is too familiar to need quotation. But one cannot suppress the last stanza, with its powerful and affecting emphasis on the Divine promise-- The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose I will not, I will not, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake. _THE TUNE._ The grand harmony of "Portuguese Hymn" has always been identified with this song of trust.