CHAPTER VI.

Dr. Coke sails to America-Prominent particulars of the Voyage-manner in which he employed his time-Favourable Reception on his arrival-First interview with Mr. Asbury— Vicissitudes in traversing the States-Transactions at the first Conference at Baltimore-Sermon at the Conference noticedObservations on some Strictures made on it-Conduct of Dr. Coke vindicated respecting his Sermon-Occasion of an Address to General Washington-This Andress closely connected with the welfare of Methodism in the United States-Necessity of the measure- General Washington's Reply.

DR. COKE, being strongly fortified with the arguments and

authorities which we have transiently surveyed, remained in Bristol until the vessel was ready, in which himself and his colleagues were prepared to sail. Every thing being in order, he went on board, in company with Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Vasey, amidst the prayers and ardent wishes of the societies, that God would give them a safe and speedy voyage, and ultimately crown their undertaking with his blessing.

The vessel on board of which they embarked was bound for New-York, and neither the company nor the accommodations were disagreeable. A favourable breeze springing up, they weighed anchor on Saturday, the 18th of September, 1784, and began their voyage with a strong confidence in the protecting care of that God, who can direct the elements, and make both winds and seas subservient to his own purposes.

On Sunday the 19th, it was their intention to deliver two sermons to the sailors and company on board; but being unaccustomed to the sea, the motion of the ship created such a degree of sickness, that the only duty they found themselves able to perform was that of casting their care upon God.

On Monday the 20th, the wind and tide had so far operated in their favour, that they had proceeded nearly one hundred leagues from Bristol, although they had not advanced altogether so far towards the port of their destination.

On the three following days, they were obliged to contend with adverse gales, which blew with such violence, as to require the constant exertion of nearly all the seamen, and finally to bring them much nearer to Bristol when the storm subsided on Thursday evening, than they were on the preceding Monday.

On Friday the 24th, both the tempest and their sickness abated. The wind also became favourable, and their appetites returned; and, in a state of external and internal tranquillity, they found themselves gently wafted towards America, at the rate of four or five miles an hour.

On Saturday the 25th, they had accomplished one hundred and fifty leagues of their voyage; but hitherto, through sickness and tempestuous weather, they had been prevented from bearing any public testimony for God. A favourable opportunity, however, soon presented itself, as one of the sailors was dangerously ill, and confined to his bed in the steerage. On visiting this man they took occasion to describe the nature of sin, to enforce the necessity of conversion, and to direct him to behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. And although nothing was said to any of the other sailors in a direct manner, they listened with much attention, and behaved with the greatest propriety. And it is not improbable that they felt themselves more deeply interested in the truths which they heard on this solemn occasion, while the evidences of mortality appeared so conspicuously before them in one of their afflicted companions, than they would have been by any direct address that could have been delivered to them. Against swearing and drunkenness, the prevailing vices of sailors, the captain had decidedly set his face, both by his example and his precepts; but these were insufficient to produce the desired effect. Such, however, was the respect which they entertained for Dr. Coke and his associates,

that from the time they began to visit their sick companion, scarcely an oath was ever afterward uttered in their presence while they were on board.

These favourable circumstances, which occurred on Saturday, prepared the way for them to introduce preaching on Sunday 26th. Dr. Coke accordingly preached in the morning; but a French ship appearing with her colours hoisted, and expecting from them the same compliment, greatly interrupted their service. But in the afternoon, having no impediments, both captain and sailors gave deep attention, and conducted themselves with the utmost decorum.

On Monday 27th, the winds were contrary, but not violent; so that although their progress was retarded, their peace was not interrupted. The exercise of patience was indeed necessary, and they experienced a calm resignation to the will of God.

On Tuesday 28th, the weather continued much the same as on the preceding day; and although they had scarcely advanced a league towards their port during this and the two preceding days, they still found themselves about two hundred and fifty leagues from Bristol. And as they were now so accustomed to the motion of the ship, that their sickness was gone, and a regular mode of living was established, they set apart a given hour every morning for social prayer. To these prayer-meetings the sailors regularly resorted, and, unless prevented by the duties of the ship, they persevered in this practice during the remaining part of the voyage.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, nothing remarkable occurred. The winds had been rather unfavourable, but the weather was fine, and with patience and resignation their time passed pleasantly away.

On Saturday, October 2d, a brisk gale sat in from the east, and carried them onward with more than common rapidity, so that on the whole they found themselves about three hundred and fifty leagues from Bristol, under an auspicious gale that wafted them in a direct line towards their desired haven.

On Sunday 3d, divine service was again performed both in the morning and in the afternoon; and the same degree of attention was paid by the sailors, that had marked their former conduct.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, nothing remarkable happened. The gale became less flattering, but still it continued to propel them forward, although the weather was now grown variable.

On Thursday 7th, as the morning brought with it a perfect calm, the captain directed all the sails to be set. This was done accordingly; and, during the whole forenoon, without any anticipation of approaching danger, they waited for an auspicious breeze. But about noon a sudden squall attacked the vessel with all her canvass spread, in consequence of which she was laid down, and it was with the utmost difficulty they could prevent the main-mast from being snapped in two. During these moments of alarm and danger all was hurry and confusion; but so far had the minds of the sailors been impressed with the solemnities of religion, that the mate observed to Dr. Coke, "not an oath was to be heard among the sailors during the squall, and the bustle to which it immediately led."

Several days succeeded to this, without bringing any remarkable occurrence. To morning and evening prayer the sailors were induced to attend, and their behaviour was uniformly decent. Every Sunday their seasons of public worship were regular, and the means of grace were also diligently attended. But although an outward reformation was visible in the language of the sailors, there was but little reason to believe that divine grace had made any deep impression on any of their hearts.

They had now made so considerable a progress in their voyage, that instead of calculating the distance they had sailed from Bristol, they began to anticipate their approximation to the continent. In the expectation of their speedy arrival in sight of land, they were confirmed on Friday 22d, by a sparrow which paid them a visit. The intimation which

it gave was not delusive, although they were not permitted to reach the shore so early as they expected. Among the sailors they now thought that one was given to them as a seal to their ministry; but as they were about to remove, they had no opportunity of observing that infallible characteristic of the Christian-"By their fruits ye shall know them."

On Sunday 24th, expecting it would be the last time of public worship, they preached their farewell sermons, and gave their final admonitions. To these the seamen listened with apparently more attention, than they had ever manifested before; and none among them seemed displeased with the simple truths which were delivered without any disguise. Another week, however, elapsed, before they could get on shore; so that on the following Sunday, they were enabled once more to warn the sailors to flee from the wrath to come. On this occasion all behaved with the utmost decorum, and appeared like men who began to believe they had an interest in eternity. But beyond this it is difficult to say what effect the word preached had upon their minds. It is, however, the duty of Gospel ministers to be instant in season, and out of season; and, having used with conscious sincerity the means which God has appointed, to leave the event to him. It was upon this principle that Dr. Coke and his companions acted during their voyage, which terminated on the 3d of November, on which day they landed at New-York.

The leisure portions of time which this passage across the Atlantic afforded, were employed by Dr. Coke chiefly in perusing such books as related to his present undertaking, and to the important occasion for which he had left his native land. In the lives of Francis Xavier and David Brainerd, he beheld an employment similar almost to this in which he was personally engaged; and the breathings of his soul appear to have been for a spirit, which, like the spirits of those holy men, should be filled with humility, with self-denial, with patience, with perseverance, and with an inextinguishable zeal for the glory of God. In prayer, and in the meditations of St. Austin he found many spiritual blessings, and much