(1) The works of Rev. John Wesley, M.A., London, 1829, I., 20-23 Rev. John wesley's Journal "Saturday, January 17, 1736--Many people were very impatient at the contrary wind. At seven in the evening they were quieted by a storm. It rose higher and higher till nine. About nine the sea broke over us from stem to stern; burst through the windows of the state cabin, where three or four of us were, and covered us all over, though a bureau sheltered me from the main shock. About eleven I lay down in the great cabin, and in a short time fell asleep, though very uncertain whether I should wake alive, and much ashamed of my unwillingness to die. O how pure in heart must be he, who would rejoice to appear before God at a moment's warning! Toward morning, 'He rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.' "Sunday 18.--We returned God thanks for our deliverence, of which few seemed duly sensible. But the rest(among whom were most of the sailors) denied we had been in any danger. I could not have believed that so little good would have been done by the terror they were in before. But it cannot be that they should long obey God from fear, who are deaf to the motives of love. "Friday 23--In the evening another storm began, in the morning it increased, so that they were forced to let the ship drive. I could not but say to myself,' How is it that thou hast no faith?' being still unwilling to die. About one in the afternoon, almost as soon as I had stepped out of the great cabin door, the sea did not break as usual, but came with a full, smooth tide over the side of the ship. I was vaulted over with water in a moment, and so stunned, that I scarce expected to lift up my head again, till the sea should give up her dead. But thanks be to God, I received no hurt at all. About midnight the storm ceased. "Sunday 25--At noon our third storm began. At four it was more violent than before. Now, indeed, we could say, 'The waves of the sea were mighty, and raged horribly. They rose up to the heavens above, 'and clave' down to hell beneath.' The winds roared round about us, and(what I never heard before) whistled as distinctly as if it had been a human voice. The ship not only rocked to and fro with the utmost violence, but shook and jarred with so unequal. grating a motion, that one could not but with great difficulty keep one's hold of anything nor stand a moment without it. Every ten minutes came a shock against the stern or side of the ship, which one would think should dash the planks in pieces. At this time a child, privately baptized before, was brought to be received into the church. It put me in mind of Jeremiah's buying the field when the Chaldeans were on the point of destroying Jerusalem, and seemed a pledge of the mercy God designed to show us, even in the land of the living. "We spent two or three hours after prayers in conversing suitably to the occasion, confirming one another in a calm submission to the wise, holy, gracious will of God. And now a storm did not seem so terrible as before. Blessed be the God of all consolation! "At seven I went to the Germans. I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behavior. Of their humility they had given continual proof, by performing those servile offices for the other passengers, which none of the English would undertake; for which they desired, and would receive no pay, saying "it was good for their proud hearts." and "their loving Saviour had done more for them." And every day had given them occasion of showing a meekness, which no injury could move. If they were pushed, struck, or thrown down, they rose again and went away; but no complaint was found in their mouth. There was now an opportunity of trying whether they were delivered from the spirit of fear, as well as from that of pride, anger and revenge. In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began the sea broke over, split the main-sail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English. The Germans calmly sang on. I asked one of them afterwards, 'Were you not afraid?' He answered. 'I thank my God, no.' I asked, 'But were not your women and children afraid?' He replied, mildly, 'No, our women and children are not afraid to die.' "From them I went to the crying, trembling neighbors and pointed out to them the difference in the hour of trial, between him that feareth God, and him that feareth him not. At twelve the wind fell. This was the most glorious day which I have hitherto seen." -tbc ==== PENNA-DUTCH Mailing List ==== Haven't found a post of interest? Why not generate one of your own?