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John
Wesley, with some of his co-workers, had been laboring in the Norman Islands, and had
appointed a day to be at Bristol.
Taking passage with Dr. Clark, Dr. Coke, and Joseph Bradford, in an English brig
which had touched at Guernsey,
on its voyage from France,
they left Guiernsey with a fine, fair breeze, and every prospect of making a
quick passage. In a short time the wind died away, and a contrary wind arose,
and blew with great force. Mr. Wesley was in the cabin, reading; and hearing
the bustle on deck, occasioned by putting the vessel about, he put his head
above deck and inquired the cause. Being told that the wind was contrary, and
they were obliged to tack ship, he said; “Let
us go to prayer.” - At his request, Coke, Clark, and Bradford prayed. As
they concluded, Mr. Wesley broke out into fervent supplication, which seemed,
says Dr. Clark, to be more the offspring of strong faith than mere desire.
He said: “Almighty and everlasting God, thou hast thy say everywhere, and all
things serve the purposes of thy will; thou boldest the winds in thy fists,
and upon the water-floods, and reignest a king forever -- command these winds
and these waves, that they obey THEE, an take us speedily and safely to the
‘haven where we would be,” etc. The power of his petition was felt by all, He
from his knees made no kind of remark, but took up his band continued his
reading Dr. Clark went on deck, surprise, found the vessel standing on her
course with a steady breeze, which did not abate, but of nine or ten miles an
hour, until they were safely at their desired port. Mr. Wesley made no remark
on the sudden change of the wind. “So
fully,” says Dr. Clark, “did he expect to be heard, that he took it for
granted he was heard. Such answers
to prayed he was in the habit of receiving, and therefore to him the
occurrence was not strange.”
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He who
hath “gathered the wind in his fists,”
(Prov. Xxx:4,) and who rules the raging of the sea, bends low to hear
his children cry, and deigns to hear their prayer. “Oh, that men would praise
the Lord for his goodness, and his wonderful works to the children of men
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