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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。
1 Feb。 1736。
Nitschmann。 Feb。 1st。
The weather was fine; and there was no wind until ten o'clock; when it came from the right quarter。 In addition to our usual allowance the Captain sent us fresh meat; which he has done thrice already; and we do not altogether like it; for we are content with what we have; and do not desire more。
3 Feb。 1736。
Nitschmann。 Feb。 3rd。
There was a great storm; which lasted all night。
Wesley。 Jan。 23rd; Friday。
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 smooth full 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 noon our third storm began。
4 Feb。 1736。
Nitschmann。 Feb。 4th。
The storm lasted all day; and the waves often swept over the ship。 The storm rudder was lashed fast; and so we were driven。
5 Feb。 1736。
Nitschmann。 Feb。 5th。
In the early morning we had a fairly good breeze; but about ten o'clock; a storm rose; of such violence that the wind seemed to blow from all four quarters at once; and we were in danger of being overpowered。 The waves were like mountains; the rudder was lashed fast; only one sail was spread; and we drove on; only the Lord knew whither。 But we did not let it prevent us from holding our song service。 The text given to us was Psalm 115:14; which assured us that we were blessed of God; may He ever bless us more and more。 During the service the ship was covered with a great wave; which poured in upon us; and on the deck there was a great cry that the wind had split the one sail which was spread。 There was great fright among the people who have no God; the English clergyman was much aroused; ran to them; and preached repentance; saying among other things that they could now see the difference。 I was content; for our lives are in God's hands; and He does what He will; among us there was no fear; for the Lord helped us。
(There was a terrible storm which lasted till midnight。 During the song service a great wave struck the ship with a noise like the roar of a cannon。 The wind tore the strong new sail in two; the people; especially the English women; screamed and wept; the preacher Wesley; who is always with us in our song service; cried out against the English; 〃Now man can see who has a God; and who has none。〃 During the last eight days we have had so much contrary wind; and so many storms that we could not approach the land; though we were near it several times。 Dober's Diary。)
Wesley。 Jan。 25th; Sunday。
At noon our third storm began。 At four it was more violent than before。 The winds roared round about us; and 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 to pieces。
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 appear 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 behaviour。 Of their humility they had given a 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 mainsail 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 sung on。 I asked one of them afterward; 〃Were you not afraid?〃 He answered; 〃I thank 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 their 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。
6 Feb。 1736。
Nitschmann。 Feb。 6th。
(The oldest sailors say they have never seen so fierce a storm as the one we had last night。 The wind came from all sides at once; lifted the water from the sea; bore it through the air and cast it on the other ship; where Baron von Reck and the Salzburgers were; and so flooded it that twelve persons were kept at the pumps all night。 Dober's Diary。)
Wesley。 Jan。 26th。
We enjoyed the calm。 I can conceive no difference comparable to that between a smooth and a rough sea; except that which is between a mind calmed by the love of God; and one torn up by the storms of earthly passion。
8 Feb。 1736。
Nitschmann。 Feb。 8th。
(There was a calm; and very fine weather; so that a boat could be lowered to visit the other ship。 Dober's Diary。)
Wesley。 Jan。 28th。
(Being a calm day; I went on board the other ship; read prayers; and visited the people。 At my return I acquainted Mr。 Oglethorpe with their state; and he sent them such things as they needed。 Ingham's Journal。)
9 Feb。 1736。
Nitschmann。 Feb。 9th。
(The wind was again favorable to us; but there was much lightning。 Dober's Diary。)
Wesley。 Jan。 29th。
About seven in the evening we fell in with the skirts of a hurricane。 The rain as well as the wind was extremely violent。 The sky was so dark in a moment; that the sailors could not so much as see the ropes; or set about furling the sails。 The ship must; in all probability; have overset; had not the wind fell as suddenly as it rose。
10 Feb。 1736。
Nitschmann。 Feb。 10th。
The whole day was stormy; and all night the waves broke over the ship。
Wesley。 Jan。 30th。
We had another storm; which did us n