Wesley Corpus

“James Thompson, sailor on board the George and Mary, a Sunderland collier, bound for Middleburgh, in September last, met with a gale of wind, which wrecked her on the Baynard Sands, off the coast of Zealand. Here every soul perished, save himself, who was for three days and three nights floating on a piece of the wreck, with another man dead by his side, in which time the poor sufferer had lost his senses. At length he was taken up by the Dolphin Packet, and escaped safe to land. He is now willing to return hearty thanks to God, and to proclaim his deliverance to the world, that all who hear it may ‘ praise the Lord for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.’ ” In the remaining part of this, and in the following month, I prepared the rest of the books for the “ Christian Library ;” a work by which I have lost above two hundred pounds. Perhaps the next generation may know the value of it. Mon. January 1, 1753.--A large congregation met at four, and praised Him with joyful hearts and lips, who had given us to see another year. Tues. 2.--I breakfasted at Ephraim Bedder’s. How strangely diversified is the scene of his life! How often had he been, both outwardly and inwardly, in the deep! But at-length God has lifted up his head. Thur. 4.--I visited one on the borders of eternity, who did not know his interest in Christ. O how melancholy is it to leave all below ; unless we have an earnest of a better inheritance! How can any reasonable man bear the thoughts of death, till he has a prospect beyond the grave ? Sun. '7.--I breakfasted with M Y » an uncommon monument of mercy. For a long time he was “ turned back as a dog to his vomit,” and wallowed in all manner of wickedness. Yet his wife could never give him up, nor could he ever escape from the hell within, till she said to him one day, “ Go up stairs, and ask of God; and you know not but he may yet bless you.” He went, but with a dull, heavy heart, See a ee ee A “ A, ie la - 546 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [Feb. 1753.