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 no other harm than splitting the foresail.
Our bed being wet, I laid me down on the floor and slept sound till morning.
====== 12 Feb.1736.
Nitschmann.Feb.12th.
(We were obliged to drift, because we did not know how far we were from land.
About noon we sighted three ships, sailed toward them, and saw they were English; our sailors lowered the boat, we wrote in haste, and sent letters to Herrnhut.The ships came from Charlestown, and told us we were thirty hours' run from Georgia.-- Dober's Diary.)----
Wesley.Feb.1st, Sunday.
(Three sails appearing, we made up toward them, and got what letters we could write, in hopes some of them might be bound for England.
One of them, that was bound for London, made towards us, and we put our letters on board her.-- Ingham's Journal.)====== 13 Feb.1736.
Nitschmann.Feb.13th.
To-day we had another storm, and twice saw the ocean not far from us, drawn up like smoke, so that the water reached up to the clouds, and the ship would have been in great danger if it had struck us.
====== 14 Feb.1736.
Nitschmann.Feb.14th.
Soundings toward evening showed twenty-eight fathoms of water, and we hope to see land to-morrow.
====== 15 Feb.1736.
Nitschmann.Feb.15th.
About two o'clock we saw land.I climbed the mast, and poured out my heart to God, thanking Him, and praying that He would care for us in our new home.
We anchored for the night.
----
Wesley.Feb.4th, Wednesday.
About noon the trees were visible from the mast, and in the afternoon from the main deck.In the Evening Lesson were these words, "A great door, and effectual, is opened," O let no one shut it!
====== 16 Feb.1736.
Nitschmann.Feb.16th.
It was a beautiful day, and the land looked very fair.
At two o'clock we reached Tybee, and were all very happy.
The song service was blessed, and we thanked God with prayer and praise.
----
Wesley.Feb.5th.
Between two and three in the afternoon God brought us all safe into the Savannah River.We cast anchor near Tybee Island, where the grove of pines, running along the shore, made an agreeable prospect, showing, as it were, the bloom of spring in the depths of winter.
====== 17 Feb.1736.
Nitschmann.Feb.17th.
