THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 245
had wonderful self-possession, and could say what he pleased when he pleased and how he pleased. He was not a man of much stability, but it is said he knew how to draw every ear, and his dominion over his audience was absolute. He became a voluminous writer, and all his books have the orator s glow and fire. He retired, worn out by his labours, to Birmingham a few months before his death. He died in 1790.
A list of his publications in Robinson s handwriting is given in a church-book. One entry reads, Mr. Wheatlcy of Norwich published a hymn, beginning "Come, Thou Fount of every blessing," 1758. That was the time when Robinson was living in Norwich. Next year it is given in a hymn-book used by the church in Angel Alley, Bishopsgate, with a fourth stanza, O that day when free from sinning. It is a Whitsun tide hymn. It has been ascribed to the Countess of Hunting don, but the above entry is decisive.
It is said that Robinson grew careless after he wrote this hymn in 1757, and that during a coach-ride a lady had to reprove him for his frivolous behaviour. He seemed affected by the reproof. She followed up the impression by quoting a verse of Come, Thou Fount, which she said had been made a blessing to her. Robinson burst into tears. I am the poor unhappy man who composed it ; and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.
A manuscript copy of the hymn in six verses is given at the end of a volume of Charles Wesley s hymn-tracts, which was put into the hands of Mr. W. T. Brooke
I.
Come, thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy Grace, Streams of Mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise ; Teach me some melodious Sonnett
Sung by flaming tongues above, Praise the Mount, I m fixt upon it,
Mount of Christ s redeeming Love.
II.
Sorrowing shall I be in Spirit
Till releas d from Flesh and Sin, Yet from what I do inherit
Here thy praises I ll begin ;
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