_To Mr. ――――._
_York (New-England,) Oct. 30, 1744._
_Dear Friend_,
DON’T judge me for not writing more frequent. It was impracticable. I
have been laid on a bed of sickness, and was, in the apprehension of
myself and others, at the very mouth of the heavenly harbour; but as
that more than once hath been the case, I am putting out to sea again.
O who would but follow the Redeemer blindfold? No convoy like him
who is the GOD of the sea and the GOD of the dry land. After eleven
weeks passage he hath brought us hither, but through my impatience
and imprudence I and my friends were like to suffer loss. A little
smack coming up to us just as we were near port, and being told that
she would be in several hours before the ship, I, with others in
complaisance to me, though persuaded to the contrary, ventured in her.
It soon grew dark, our pilots missed their inlet and we were tossed
about all night. My pain was great, having had for some time a nervous
cholic, and I was so hungry that I could have gnawed the very boards.
The fishermen had nothing but a few potatoes, of which I partook
most eagerly; but withal, thought my situation to be like the poor
disciples, who were rowing and toiling all night, when the wind was
contrary. About the fourth watch of the night, deliverance came; the
men discovered the proper inlet; but what passed before our arrival is
somewhat striking to me. One of my friends, on asking what news, was
answered, that the _New-England_ people were turned _new lights_; which
with us you know is a term for _heterodoxy_; but however, added the man,
not knowing that I was lying down at his elbow, they are all expecting
one Mr. _Whitefield_; and my sister, and a great company of her stamp,
were yesterday all praying for his safe arrival. This made me to take
courage. I continued undiscovered; and in a few hours in answer I trust
to _new light prayers_, we arrived safe at _York_, a few miles off
_Piscataway_, the place to which we were bound.――But you must excuse
enlarging; as I recover strength you shall hear again from
Yours, &c.
_G. W._