Wesley Corpus

Sun. MARCH 2.--Being a warm sunshiny day, I preached in Moorfields, in the evening. There were thousands upon thousands; and all were still as night. Not only violence and rioting, but even scoffing at field-Preachers is now over. To-day I received from an eye-witness a particular account of a late remarkable occurrence. Captain Bell, a most ami able man, beloved of all that knew him, and just engaged to one which he tenderly loved, sailed from England last autumn. On September 20 he was hailed by the Hawke, a small sloop, 94 REv. J. Wesley's [March, 1777.- Captain Arthur Crawford, Commander, who told him he came from Halifax, in His Majesty’s service, cruising for American privateers. Captain Bell invited him to breakfast, entertained him with all kindness, and made him some little presents: But on his cursing and swearing at the Americans, mildly reproved him, and he desisted. Mr. M'Aness, the Supercargo, seeing him walk round the ship, and diligently observe everything in it, told Captain Bell, “Be upon your guard, this is certainly an enemy l’ But the Captain answered, “It cannot be; no man can act so base a part.” Captain Crawford returned to his own ship, and sailing under the stern of the other, while Captain Bell and some others were standing on the quarter-deck, ordered his men to fire at him. They did so, and shot him in the belly, so that his bowels came out. But he did not fall. He ordered them to fire again: He fell; and while his men were carrying him away, Crawford took the vessel. Captain Bell being conveyed into the cabin, sent and desired to speak with Captain Crawford: But he would not come. He then desired to speak with his own sailors, one by one. One of them saying, “Sir, you have been basely murdered,” he replied, “Love your enemies; pray for them that despitefully use you. What are our sufferings to those which our Lord endured for us?” He then desired the account which St. John gives of our Lord's sufferings to be read to him. He desired his love to all that loved the Lord Jesus; particularly to her he was about to marry. Then bidding them all farewell, he died in peace, about two hours after he received the second shot. But what did Captain Crawford do amiss?