cometh, how quickly is his beauty gone! A Christian may learn a lesson of instruction from every thing he meets with. April 14. To-day I could have wished for some young prodigals aboard the Whitaker, to see one of our soldiers dying. Alas, how did his breast heave, his heart pant, and great drops of sweat trickle down his face! his eyes looked ghastly, and the whole man was in a bitter agony. Captain W. went down between decks once or twice to see him, and I used the last prayer several times. About nine at night he expired, I fear without hope, for he killed himself by drinking. Oh, that all drunkards would learn from him to be wise in time, and practically consider their latter end! April 15. This morning I buried the dead soldier in time of public prayers, chose proper lessons, and gave the soldiers a suitable exhortation; but I was so affected with a sense of the misery of fallen man, that I could not speak with my usual vigour. To-day was called in a hurry to pray by one of the devout soldiers who came from Gibraltar, and who was supposed to be expiring. I came, (I saw,) and rejoiced in spirit; for his soul seemed full of God. Instead of being affrighted at the approach of the king of terrors, he welcomed it, and said he was going to his dear Redeemer; then he fell as it were into a trance, and poured out his heart in repeating some very applicable verses out of the psalms. Upon which we thought he would have died: but lo! God brought him from the nethermost hell. From that instant the fever left him, and he recovered. Oh, what difference is there between him that feareth God, and him that feareth him not, in their last hours! Lord, let me die the death of the righteous, and let my future state be like his. Exercised a little discipline this evening on a boy, whom captain M. took notice of above a week ago for behaving ill at church, and said he would deliver him up to me: I therefore, by the advice of his master, ordered him to be tied until he could say the 51st psalm, which he repeated to-night very solemnly in the midst of the congregation. May it be a warning to him for the future! Sunday, April 16. Read prayers and expounded at six in the morning, and preached to my own people: then went and preached on board the Lightfoot, and afterwards dined, read prayers, and preached on board the Amy returned about five in the evening to the Whitaker, read prayers and preached, visited the sick, and went to bed blessing God for the strength of the day. All the officers continue extremely kind, and seem studious to oblige me all they can. The good Lord reward them a thousand fold! This evening I was sent for by a sailor, who has been the most remarkable swearer on board; and whom I in an especial manner warned about two days ago, telling him, I believed God would remarkably visit him, as well as the others. He laughed, and said he hoped not. But to-night he sent for me, trembling, and burning with a fever, told me what grievous sins he had been guilty of, and prayed most fervently for repentance. Two or three of the same stamp have been taken in the same manner. God grant they may flee from the wrath to come! Sinners must either bend or break. Tuesday, April 18. Was greatly delighted in seeing two water-spouts, which ran along for several miles, and by the especial providence of God escaped us. We saw one of them coming, and were surprised to observe a sudden calm for about six minutes round the Whitaker, when the other parts of the sea boiled like a pot. But surely the everlasting I Am said to the sea, at that instant, let there be a calm in that place; for by that means our ship was immediately stopped in her course, and so the water-spout passed by before we came up to it; otherwise it would have torn our sails in pieces. God's hand was so visible in this, that several said, they never beheld the like before. O how does Providence watch over us, when we think nothing of it! Who would but live well to be under the immediate protection of such an overruling power? After this, several squalls came upon us, which afforded me glorious matter for adoring that great good God, whom winds and storms obey. The sailors were in great hurry and confusion, but to my comfort not one single oath was heard all the while: a proof this, that sailors may pull their ropes without swearing, and that the words spoken to them have not altogether fallen to the ground blessed be God! Saturday, April 22. Fled as it were on the wings of the wind for three days past, sailing sometimes a hundred and seventy, sometimes a hundred and eighty miles in twenty-four hours. I find that God generally sends us strongest winds when nearest our port. May I learn from hence a lesson of instruction; and the nearer I come to my haven of eternal rest, the quicker may I move! Spent most of these days in writing to my dear friends in England, and in particular supplication for direction how to act in the land whither I am going. The thoughts of my own weakness, and the greatness of those trials which I must necessarily meet with, fill me with a holy fear. But wherefore do I fear? the eternal Almighty, I Am hath and will no doubt protect me! Sunday, April 23. Preached twice to my people to-day, and spent most of the rest of the day in earnest prayer for the divine assistance in my present undertaking, being as we imagined near the haven where we would be. The morning lessons were exceeding applicable, so that we could not help taking notice of it. By this I know God favours me. Monday, May 1. This morning went out upon deck, after being confined to my bed a week by a violent fever, with which all except three or four in the ship have been visited. I was blooded thrice, and blistered and vomited once, and, blessed be God, I can say, it is good for me that I have been afflicted; for as afflictions abounded, consolations much more abounded, and God enabled me to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Satan desired to have me to sift me as wheat, but Jesus Christ prayed for me, and my fai h failed not. I had all the conveniences I could have on shore: captain W. resigned his own bed to me; J. D. and friend H. sat up with me every night, and nothing was wanting to make my sickness comfortable and easy. Blessed be God for these abundant mercies in Christ Jesus! I hope I shall now experimentally sympathize with those that are sick, and learn to be more tender-hearted to my fellow Christians. I am now made whole : may I sin no more, be more fervent in spirit, serving the Lord! lest a worse end befall me. Friday, May 5. About ten o'clock this morning buried the cook of the ship, who expired last night. I could have wished for a hundred tongues to have sounded a loud alarm to the people; but the sight of the corpse, and the weakness of my body, would but just permit me to read out the office. Lord, what is man ? Oh, why are others taken and I left, but that God's long suffering should lead me to repentance? Grant it, O Lord, for thy dear Son's sake! In the afternoon I privately baptized a new-born infant. Thus it is, some coming into the world, others going out of it continually. Good God! who can desire to live here always? This afternoon, after having lain about a week on this coast, we saw Savannah River, and sent off for a pilot. Oh, what joy appeared in every one's countenance! How infinitely more joyful will the children of God be, when having passed through the waves of this troublesome world, they arrive at the haven of everlasting rest? Hasten, O Lord, that blessed time, and let thy kingdom come! Sunday, May 7. Last night, by the blessing of God, we cast anchor near Tyby island about fourteen miles off Savannah; and to-day God gave me strength to preach my farewell sermon, (which I have sent you,) at which many wept. After this, I took boat with my friend H. and arrived safe at Savannah, having a most pleasant passage, about seven in the evening. How God is pleased to deal with me there, I will endeavour to inform you hereafter. I am In the mean while, fail not to give thanks for the mercies I have received. Though we have had a long, yet it has been an exceedingly pleasant voyage. God, in compassion to my weakness, has set me but few trials, and sanctified those he hath sent me. now going forth as a sheep amongst wolves; but he that protected Abraham when he went out not knowing whither he went, will also guide and protect me; and therefore I cannot close this part of my journal better than with Mr Addison's translation of the 23d Psalm :The Lord my pasture shall prepare, And feed me with a shepherd's care; His presence shall my wants supply, And guard me with a watchful eye: My noon day walks he shall attend, And all my midnight hours defend. When in the sultry glebe I faint, Or on the thirsty mountain pant, To fertile vales and dewy meads My weary wand'ring steps he leads; Where peaceful rivers soft and slow, Amidst the verdant landscape flow. Tho' in the paths of death I tread, Tho' in a bare and rugged way With sudden greens and herbage crown'd; |