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where or how they knew not. One of our cabin passengers ran to the helm, and gave orders as Captain, till they had righted the ship. But I ascribe it to our invisible Pilot, that we got safe to shore soon after ten. The storm was so high, that we doubted whether any boat would venture to fetch us. At last one answered

and came. I thought it safer to lie in the vessel; but one calling, Mr. Wesley, you must come, I followed, and by eleven o'clock found out my old lodgings at Robert Griffiths. October 10th, I blessed God that I did not stay in the vessel last night: a more tempestuous one, I do not remember." He now wrote the following thanksgiving hymn.

All praise to the LORD,

Who rules with a word

The untractable sea,

And limits its rage by his stedfast decree:

Whose providence binds,

Or releases the winds,

And compels them again

At his beck to put on the invisible chain.

Even now he hath heard

Our cry, and appear'd

On the face of the deep,

And commanded the tempest its distance to keep:

His piloting hand

Hath brought us to land,

And no longer distress'd,

We are joyful again in the haven to rest,

O that all men would raise

His tribute of praise,

His goodness declare,

And thankfully sing of his fatherly care!

With rapture approve

His dealings of love,

And the wonders proclaim

Perform'd by the virtue of JESUS's name,

Through JESUS alone

He delivers his own,

And a token doth send

That His love shall direct us, and save to the end;

With joy we embrace

The pledge of his grace,

In a moment outfly

These storms of affliction, and land in the sky.

Near

"At half past nine o'clock, I took horse in a perfect hurricane, and was wet through in less than ten minutes; but I rode on, thankful that I was not at sea. five in the afternoon, I entered the boat at BaldonFerry, with a Clergyman and others, who crowded our small crazy vessel. The water was exceedingly rough, our horses frightened, and we looking to be overset every moment. The Minister acknowledged he never was in the like danger. We were half drowned in the boat. I sat at the bottom, with him and a woman, who stuck very close to me, so that my being able to swim would not have helped me. But the Lord was my support. I cried out to my brother Clergyman, fear not Christian-the hairs of our head are all numbered. Our trial lasted near half an hour, when we landed wet and weary in the dark night. The Minister was my guide to Carnarvon; and by the way entertained me with the praises of a Lay-Preacher, he had lately heard and talked with. He could say nothing against his preaching, but heartily wished him ordained. His name, he told me, was Howel Harris. He took

me to his own inn, and at last found out who I was, which increased our intimacy." Mr. Wesley pursued his journey to Garth, which place he reached October 13th. Here he staid about a week, and, on the 21st arrived safe in Bristol.

He now confined his labours in the Gospel, for some months, to London, Bristol, and the neighbouring places, making an occasional excursion to Garth in Wales. April 9th, 1749, he was married by his brother, at Garth, to Miss Sarah Gwynne, a young lady of good sense, piety, and agreeable accomplishments. Mr. John Wesley observes, "It was a solemn day, such as became the dignity of a christian marriage."

CHAPTER VI.

SECTION VI.

Stating some further Particulars concerning Mr. Charles Wesley; with an Account of his Death in

1788.

MR.

R. Wesley's Journal now begins to fail us. There is no account of his proceedings, sometimes for months, sometimes for years together. There are, however, a few particulars recorded till the year 1756, which may be useful and entertaining to the reader, and throw some light on the History of Methodism. does not appear that his marriage either interrupted

It

his labours, or lessened his usefulness, April 29th, about three weeks after he was married, he wrote thus to his brother: "I hope this will find you prospering in Ireland. I left Garth yesterday se'nnight, Mr. Gwynne, with Sally and Betty, accompanied me to Abergavenny. There I left them on Saturday morning, and got hither (Bristol) by one o'clock. Overriding occasioned a fever-I was too eager for the work, and therefore believe, God checked me by that short sickness. Till Wednesday evening at Weaver's Hall, my strength and understanding did not return; but from that time the Lord has been with us of a truth. More zeal, more life, more power, I have not felt for some years (I wish my mentioning this may not lessen it;) so that hitherto marriage has been no hinderance. You will hardly believe it sits so light upon me. farther proof I had of my heart on Saturday last, when the fever threatened most. I did not find, so far I can say, any unwillingness to die, on account of any I should leave behind: neither did death appear less desirable than formerly-which I own gave me great pleasure, and made me shed tears of joy. I almost believe, nothing shall hurt me: that the world, the flesh, and the devil, shall keep their distance; or, by assaulting, leave me more than conqueror. On Thursday, I propose setting out for London, by Oxford, with T. Maxfield. If they will give me a year of grace, I shall wonder and thank you. I hope you came time enough to save J. Cowenly, &c. Set your

Some

Will you

time for returning; when abouts at least. meet me at Ludlow? It is a thousand pities * you

should

*The phraseology here is rather low, (observes Dr. Whitehead,) and I am persuaded would not have been used by Mr. Wesley, but in this familiar and careless way of writing to hiɛ brother,

should not be here, when the library makes its first appearance. The Lord cut short your work and his, and make a few weeks go as far as many months! What say you to T. Maxfield and me taking a journey, when you return, through all the Societies, Northern and Western, and settling correspondencies with the Stewards, alias Booksellers. My kindest love to Mr. Lunell, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Fowks, Mr. Gibbons, and all friends at Cork and Dublin. We make mention of you in all our prayers; be not unmindful of us. The Lord preserve us all to his day.'

February 8th, 1750. He observes there was an earthquake in London. This place he reached on the 1st of March, and on the 8th wrote thus to his brother. "This morning, a quarter after five, we had another shock of an earthquake, far more violent than that of February 8th. I was just repeating my text, when it shook the Foundery so violently, that we all expected it to fall on our heads. A great cry followed from the women and children. I immediately cried out, Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved and the hills be carried into the midst of the sea: for the Lord of Host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. He filled my heart with faith, and my mouth with words, shaking their souls as well as their bodies. The earth moved Westward, then East, then Westward again, through all London and Westminister. It was a strong and jarring motion, attended with a rumbling noise like that of thunder. Many houses were much shaken, and some chimnies thrown down, but without any further hurt."

March 10. He expounded the 24th chapter of Isaiah; a chapter, he tells us, which he had not taken much notice of, till this awful providence explained it.

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