George-Whitefield-Field-Preacher

66 GEORGE WHITEFIELD
or thrice in one night. His composure and faith in God made
so deep an impression on the crew that they would say, ' How
should we have been blaming and cursing one another had not
Mr. Whitefield been amongst us !
The storm left the vessel sadly disabled, besides having
destroyed or washed away a large portion of the provisions.
There was the prospect of a tedious voyage and much hard
ship, and so it turned out. Contrary winds prevailed for a
long time ;
at the end of October the passengers were allowed
a quart of water a day. Their constant food for a long time
was salt beef and water dumplings, which, says Whitefield,
' did not agree with the stomachs of all amongst us.' With a
humble, constant recognition of the working of the Almighty
in all things he held on to the close of this distressing voyage.
Three days before they sighted land, most of those in
the cabin had begun to be weak and to look hollow-eyed.
He exclaims :
' May we patiently tarry God's leisure ! Amen
!
Amen!' On November nth they were reduced to an ounce
or two of salt beef, a pint of muddy water, and a cake made of
flour and skimmings of the pot, as the allowance for each man.
Cold weather had also set in, and, to add to their distress,
they did not know where they were, there being only a prevalent
opinion that they were off the coast of Ireland. That day
was closed with the appropriate prayer, ' May we now learn
that man liveth not by bread alone.' And the next day,
Sunday, November 12th, opened with the grateful ascription,
' Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who this day hath visited
!
a distressed people ' They had entered Carrickaholt Bay, in
the mouth of the Shannon, and were hospitably received and
succoured by Mr. MacMahon, whose house stood at the head
of the bay.
At Limerick and at Dublin he was kindly received by the
heads of the Episcopal Church, and at both places he preached