exalted, to give repentance and remission of sins. And God so confirmed the word of his grace, that I marvelled any one could withstand Him. However, the prodigal held out till the evening, when I enlarged upon her sins and faith, who washed our Lord's feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. She was then utterly broken in pieces, (as, indeed, was well nigh the whole congregation,) and came after me to my lodging, crying out, "O, Sir! What must I do to be saved?" Being now informed of her case, I said, “Escape for your life; return instantly to your husband." She said, "But how can it be? Which way can I go? He is above a hundred miles off. I have just received a letter from him, and he is at Newcastle-upon-Tyne." I told her, "I am going for Newcastle in the morning; you may go with me. William Blow shall take you behind him." And so he did. Glory be to the Friend of sinners! He hath plucked one more brand out of the fire. Thou poor sinner, thou hast received a prophet in the name of a prophet; and thou art found of Him that sent him. Wednesday 26, I enlarged upon those deep words, Repent and believe the Gospel. When I had done, a man stood forth in the midst, one who had exceedingly troubled his brethren, vehemently maintaining (for the plague had spread hither also,) that they ought not to pray, to sing, to communicate; to search the Scriptures, or to trouble themselves about works, but only to believe and be still, and said with a loud voice, "Mr. Wesley, let me speak a few words. Is it not said, A certain man had two sons? And he said unto the younger, Go and work in my vineyard. And he answered, I will not: but afterwards he repented and went? I am he. I said yesterday, 'I will not go to hear him; I will have nothing to do with him. But I repent. Here is my hand. By the grace of God, I will not leave you as long as I live.' William Blow, Mrs. S., and I set out at six. During our whole journey to Newcastle, I scarce observed her to laugh or even smile once. Nor did she ever complain of any thing, or appeared moved in the least with those trying circumstances which many times occurred in our way. A steady seriousness, or sadness rather, appeared in her whole behaviour and conversation, as became one that felt the burthen of sin, and was groaning after salvation. In the same spirit, by all I could observe or learn, she continued during her stay at Newcastle. Not long after, her husband removed from thence, and wrote to her to follow him. She set out in a ship bound for Hull. A storm met them by the way. The ship sprung a leak. But though it was near the shore, on which many people flocked together, yet the sea ran so exceeding high, that it was impossible to make any help. Mrs. S. was seen standing on the deck, as the ship gradually sunk; and afterwards, hanging by her hands on the ropes, till the masts likewise disappeared. Even then for some moments they could observe her floating upon the waves, till her clothes, which buoyed her up, being thoroughly wet, she sunk-I trust into the ocean of God's mercy. END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. |