按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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
75
… Page 76…
The Moravians in Georgia
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。）
76
… Page 77…
The Moravians in Georgia
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。
77
… Page 78…
The Moravians in Georgia
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 st