Detained by Contrary Winds

Monday, 27.--Captain Cabot, the master of a Guernsey sloop, called upon us early in the morning and told us that if we chose to go that way, he would set out between five and six. But the wind being quite contrary, we judged it best to wait a little longer. In the evening, being appointed to preach at seven, I was obliged to preach within. We were extremely crowded; but the power of God was so manifested while I declared, "We preach Jesus Christ, and him crucified" [I Cor. 1:23; 2:2] that we soon forgot the heat and were glad of being detained a little longer than we intended.

I thought when I left Southampton to have been there again at this day; but God's thoughts were not as my thoughts. Here we are shut up in Jersey; for how long we cannot tell. But it is all well; for Thou, Lord, hast done it.

Tuesday, 28.--Being still detained by contrary winds, I preached at six in the evening to a larger congregation than ever, in the assembly-room. It conveniently contains five or six hundred people. Most of the gentry were present and, I believe, felt that God was there in an uncommon degree. Being still detained, I preached there again the next evening, to a larger congregation than ever. I now judged that I had fully delivered my own soul. In the morning, the wind serving for Guernsey and not for Southampton, I returned thither not unwillingly; it was not by my choice but by the clear providence of God; for in the afternoon I was offered the use of the assembly room, a spacious chamber in the market place which would contain thrice as many as our former room. I willingly accepted the offer and preached at six to such a congregation as I had not seen here before; and the Word seemed to sink deep into their hearts. I trust it will not return empty.

Tuesday, September 4.--The storm continued so that we could not stir. I took a walk today through what is called the New Ground, where the gentry are accustomed to walk in the evening. Both the upper ground, which is as level as a bowling green, and the lower, which is planted with rows of trees, are wonderfully beautiful. In the evening I fully delivered my own soul by showing what it is to build upon a rock. But still we could not sail; the wind being quite contrary, as well as exceedingly high.