Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

three hours after us, came here three days since we did.

We went out again, in order to proceed to Barbadoes; but, as before, the current was so strong against us, and the wind also, that we could not get forward on our way; wherefore we put back again to Christopher's, and, by the way, called at Antigua, where I had an open, satisfactory meeting, for which I was truly thankful, and so were some, not of our society, of whom there were divers, and some who had not been at our meetings before.

The next day we arrived again at Christopher's, and there unloaded the remainder of our cargo, though much against my mind. After having sold the most of our cargo at Basseterre, we went to Sandy-point, and there sold the remainder, and took in our loading for Philadelphia.

In loading our vessel, judge Brown was my very good friend, and helpful to me therein, for 'which I think myself much obliged to him.

While we lay here, I had a meeting on board our vessel, to which came five masters of vessels. It was a good meeting, though I spoke to them in much misery and pain, having very angry painful sores on my legs, occasioned by a fall in getting out of the boat, the seas running high, and through the violence of the waves, I fell across the boat, and broke both my shins very grievously.

The 31st of the First month, 1734, we had another meeting on board our vessel, to which came

several from other vessels, and some from the shore, among whom was a young baronet, and his host (a tavern-keeper) with him, who at first behaved airily, but after some time he was more sober, and seemed respectful at parting.

... I was invited to have a meeting next First-day on board the ship King George, a large vessel; the master told me his cabin was large, and would accommodate many more than mine; but we did not stay so long as till the First-day.

After this meeting was over, the master of the large ship came on board, and said he was sorry he had not come sooner, so as to have had the opportunity to have been at the meeting.

From Christopher's we set sail for the island of Anguilla, and had a meeting at the governor's house on a First-day. We staid at Anguilla three days, and there took on board some bags of cotton on freight, and sailed from thence the 10th of the Second month. The governor of this island, whose name was George Leonard, told me that he should live and die in our principles, saving that he must defend his people. But he did not consider, that his defence might destroy both him and them, and that such defence was directly contrary to Christ's doctrine and practice. A remarkable and dismal passage he related to me, that some days before, a vessel came from the island of Saltitudas (which went there to take in salt) the people going on shore, the master told him, that there lay at the landing the heads of

above twenty men on one side the path, and the quarters of them on the other; which so surprised them, that they made the best of their way to Anguilla, where they related this dismal story, and supposed the slain to be Britons by their appearances, and that they were destroyed by the Spaniards, who are known to be cruel to them. This action being far from the spirit of Christianity, is a reproach to the actors thereof.

Not far from Anguilla is an island they call St. John's, the inhabitants of which are Dutch. The negroes there lately rose and took the island, killed the people, spoiled their plantations, and burnt their houses. I lodged at the house of a person, who went to subdue those negroes, who were too strong for him and his company, and the negroes killed divers of them, and among them, killed this man's two sons, for which their mother and sisters were in bitter mourning when I was at their house. The thoughts of the bloodshed and vast destruction, which war makes in the world, caused me to cry in my heart, How long, O Lord, thou holy, just, and true God, will it be till nation lift up the sword no more against nation, nor the people learn war any more!

When I came home from this voyage, which was the 30th of the Second month, I met with the sorrowful news of the death of my only son George, a beloved, dear youth, who was taken sick the 5th of the Eighth month, 1733, and departed this life at my house in Frankfort, the 13th of the said

month, about the ninth hour, in the evening of the sixth-day of the week, and was carried to the Bank meeting-house of Friends in Philadelphia, and buried from thence on the First-day following, being accompanied by many friends, and others. He was ten years and seven days old when he died, and as he was much beloved for the sweetness of his nature and disposition, so he was greatly lamented by many who were acquainted with him. I have this account to leave concerning him, not so much that he was my son, as to excite other youths to serve and fear the Lord, and to love him above all; and that they might remember their Creator in their youthful days, that it might be well with them in this world, and when time here to them shall be no more :

He was a lad much inclined to read the holy Scriptures, and other good books, especially religious ones; and was always obliging, obedient, and loving to his parents, and ready and willing to do any service he could do to his friends any little services in his power he cheerfully performed, and took delight in. He was very diligent, and ready to go to religious meetings, and an entire lover of religious people. In his sickness he behaved himself more like a wise man, than a youth of that age, bearing his pain and sickness with a great deal of patience. I being in another part of the world, he would gladly have seen me, but said he should never see me any more, and

therefore desired his mother to remember his dear love to his father, and tell him that he was gone to his Heavenly Father. He was very fervent in prayer in the time of his sickness, and prayed that God would preserve his people all the world over. One time, when in great misery and pain, he prayed to Christ, saying, "Sweet Jesus! blessed Jesus! give me patience to bear my misery and pain, for my misery is greater than I can well bear! O come, sweet Jesus, why art thou so long a coming? I had rather be with thee than in the finest place in all the world." Many religious expressions he spoke on his dying bed, greatly to the satisfaction and melting of his friends and relations who came to see him in his illness. One day he said, My misery and pain is very great, but what would it be if the wrath of God was in my soul? He believing in the love of God in Christ, made him desirous of being with him; and seeing the joy that was set before him, thought the time long to be with Jesus, as knowing that then he would be out of all misery and pain. His heart was full of love to his relations, acquaintance, and friends, who came to see him in his illness; and full of tender sweetness and Divine love, he took his last leave of them, which greatly affected many. This was one of the most pinching exercises I ever met with in all my days; but as he aid in his illness, so I now write, "The wisdom of the Lord is wonderful!" One time in this dear child's sickness, he said, "Oh!

« AnteriorContinuar »