Continuation of Journal During the Time Detained in England by the Embargo, Journal entry 39
PENNSYLVANIA. Lewes-Town.
Tuesday, October 30. Had sweet Communion with GOD last Night. Prayed with, exhorted and solemnly recommended my Family to the Grace of our dear LORD JESUS, expecting to go on Shore. This Morning, being near Cape Hinlopen, a Pilot came on board, in whose Boat Brother Seward, myself, and another dear Friend, went to Lewes-Town, in Order that we might go to Philadelphia by Land, and get a House in Readiness before the Ship arrived in that Place.—Whilst in the Boat, I hope each of our Hearts was filled with a Sense of GOD's Love; and when we reached Lewes-Town, which was about Evening, I took the first Opportunity of retiring to vent my Heart in Praise and Thanksgiving, for his abundant Mercies conferr'd on me and mine.—Oh how can I be thankful enough for this blessed Voyage! I have been on board just Eleven Weeks, but they have seem'd to me only as so many Days;—My inner Man has been much better'd by it; my Knowledge, I trust, in spiritual Things increased; my Understanding enlightned to see my Corruptions, and my Heart much enlarged in writing Letters and other Things. The Remembrance of my Humiliation is sweet unto my Soul; and the Freedom which GOD has given me over some darling Failings, fills me with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory. My Family also have great Reason to be thankful: GOD has been pleased to work upon many of their Hearts, and I believe none of them repent Leaving their Native Country. A remarkable Alteration is to be seen in two Friends Children, a Boy and a Girl, which I brought with me:—They are little more than 3 Years old, and can read in the Primer, and sing Part of Kenn's Hymns very prettily; they have born the Voyage better than any in the Ship, and are under great Discipline; they are both generally employed either in Working or Reading, and are taught to make Work their Diversion; the little Boy picks Pease, and the little Girl sews with her Needle; the Proficiency they have made gives me great Satisfaction, and I hope is an Earnest of the Improvement that will be seen in the poor Children that are shortly to be committed to my Care. I cannot say any remarkable Conversions have been wrought on board, but many have had strong Convictions. LORD, cause them to end in a … Conversion. Amen.
But to return: About 5 in the Evening we landed at Lewes-Town, situated in the Southern Parts of the Province of Pennsylvania, and about 150 measured Miles from Philadelphia,—The Houses are most of them built of Wood; it is not above half so big, but more plentiful in respect of Provision, than Savannah in …. We had not been long in the …, but GOD soon shewed us … had pr…p…'d our Way; for News had been brought a …, of my coming hither. Two or Three of the Head-Inhabitants being apprized who I was, came and spent the Evening with us, and desir'd me to give them a Sermon on the Morrow, which I promised to do. We s…pped very comfortably together, and after Singing and Praying with the Family, I and my dear Companions went to rest, admiring to see more and more of the Goodness and Providence of the all-wi…e GOD. He is the great Housholder of the whole World; and I look upon all Places as so many little Parts of his great Family. I pray to him before I go; and I find, in Answer to my Prayers, he always commands some or other of his Houshold to take Care of, and provide for me. As here's the same Sun, so here's the same GOD in America as in England. I bless GOD all Places are equal to me, so I am where GOD would have me to be. I hope I never shall count myself a… home, till I arrive at my heavenly Father's House above,—My Heart is there already,—I long to s…ake off this Earthly Tabernacle; it sadly confines my Soul: However, I desire patiently to tarry till my blessed Change cometh: I would not desire to reign till I had suffered with my Master:—Heaven will be doubly sweet when I am worn out with Distresses and Persecutions for the Sake of JESUS CHRIST. LORD grant I may continually be looking up to the Glory which is to be revealed hereafter, and then deal with me as it seemeth Good in thy Sight, during my Pilgrimage here.
If rough and thorny be my Way,
My Strength proportion to my Day,
Till Toil and Grief, and Pain shall cease,
Where all is calm, and Joy and Peace.
Wednesday, October 31. Spent the Morning in Writing, and sent some Provisions on board for my Fellow-Travellers. Wrote some Letters, and preached in the Afternoon to a serious and attentive Congregation: Persons of different Denominations were present, and, as I heard afterwards were very much affected; some I observed to weep, and the Congregation was larger than might be expected in so small a Place, and after such short Notice. After Sermon, the High-Sheriff, Collector and Head Men of the Place, came and took an affectionate Leave of me: And by their Means being provided with Horses, and a Guide for our Journey, at a very reasonable Expence; about 5 in the Evening we left Lewes-Town, and rode very pleasantly near 27 Miles through the Woods; about 10 we stopped at what they call a Tavern, which was not very commodious, but the Host and Hostess were plain well-meaning People; they made us a Cake of unleavened Bread; let us have a little Cyder and a few Eggs, and we went to Bed rejoicing exceedingly. I know not that I have felt more Intenseness of Love, Peace and Joy in my Soul, since I left England. How does GOD delight to visit when we are out of the World! Oh that my Heart may be made meet for such a Divine Guest to reside in! Amazing, that the HIGH and LOFTY ONE, who inhabiteth Eternity, should condescend to dwell in Earthly Tabernacles! What shall I say unto Thee, O thou Preserver of Men! I am lost in Wonder! A Sense of thy Mercies strikes me dumb.
A guilty, weak, and helpless Worm,
Into thy Arms I fall:
Be Thou my Strength and Righteousness,
My JESUS, and my All.
Thursday, November 1. Set out from our little Inn about 8. Dined at Dover, a little Town about 19 Miles distant from our Lodging. Left … Books, and rode as pleasantly, and with as much Ease, as tho' we were Riding thro' Hyde-Park. About 8 we came to a more polite Inn, near 50 Miles distant from where we lay last Night. Our LORD was with us as we came on our Way; our Hearts burn'd within us whilst we talked to one another, in Psalms, and Hymns, and spiritual Songs. Oh how gloriously must the Children of Israel pass through the Wilderness, when they saw GOD's Presence go along with them. O LORD let it always accompany thy unworthy Servants, in as sure, tho' not visible Manner! for without it we can do nothing.
Friday, November 2. Rode near 60 Miles without Fatigue, and reached Philadelphia before 11 at Night. As I travelled I observed the Country was more open, and many plentiful Plantations lay on each Side the Road▪ so that I frequently thought I was, as it were, in England. Going abroad, if duly improved, cannot but enlarge our Ideas, and give us exalted Thoughts of the Greatness and Goodness of GOD. Lord enable me to learn this, and every other good Lesson, for thy dear Son's sake.