had exempted themselves from all divine and human
restraint, until the last man alive was left with only native women and
half-breed children for company. His true name was Alexander Smith, but
he had changed it to John Adams.

The situation forced the lonely Englishman to a sense of solemn
responsibility, and in bitter remorse, he sought to retrieve his wasted
life, and spend the rest of his exile in repentance and repentant works.
He found a Bible in one of the dead seamen's chests, studied it, and
organized a community on the Christian plan. A new generation grew up
around him, reverencing him as governor, teacher, preacher and judge,
and speaking his language--and he was wise enough to exercise his
authority for the common good, and never abuse it. Pitcairn's Island
became "the Paradise of the Pacific." It has not yet belied its name.
Besides its opulence of rural beauty and natural products, its
inhabitants, now the third generation from the "mutineer missionary,"
are a civilized community without the vices of civilization. There is no
licentiousness, no profanity, no Sabbath-breaking, no rum or
tobacco--and _no sickness_.

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