372 THE FRENCH BLOOD IN AMERICA 



able, iudicating the strength of character aud faith that marked this 

 family : 



We are almost wasted l)y the violent motion of the ship, being with- 

 Prayer at Sea out masts ; but we still trust in Thee, O God, aud wait patiently for 

 in Storm ^^^ deliverance by Thy almighty hand. Stretch forth Thine arm to us, 



O Lord, and bear us up in this our distress, lest we sink and fall un- 

 der the weight of our sins. Suffer us not to repine against Thee in our 

 trouble, but let us confess that we merit to be afflicted. Thou hast, O 

 Lord, given for us Thy only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ : to His merits 

 we fly, and through Him we hope for salvation. Do Thou pardon us, 

 O Lord, aud accept of these our imperfect prayers, and if Thou seest fit 

 to take us to Thyself, do Thou also cleanse us, that we may be worthy 

 of appearing before Thee. All these thoughts came now Ijefore us, be- 

 cause we see death as if it were playing before our ej'es, waiting for 

 the sentence of Almighty God to destroy us. Nothing makes this 

 sight so terrible as our sins, and it is our weakness and ignorance that 

 makes us think more of death now than when we are at our homes, 

 and in our accounted places of security. If we rightly considered, we 

 should think ourselves safer here than if we were in prosperity at 

 home, for it is the devil's greatest cunning to put in our hearts that we 

 are in a safe place, that we have long to live, and that a final repent- 

 ance will be sufficient for our salvation. O God, give us grace that 

 while we live, we may live unto Thee, aud have death always before 

 our eyes, which most certainly will not cheat us, but come at last and 

 take us out of this troublesome life, and if we are prepared for it, 

 then shall we have our recompense for past watchfulness ; therefore, let 

 us cast off this world, so far as it may be prejudicial to our everlasting 

 inheritance, and seek after Thy laws, expecting mercy through the 

 merits of our blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. 



Reaching FoF six wGeks the ship was tossed about in almost con- 



irginia 1715 ^j^^^Q^g storuis, before she could again make the English 



coast, the idea of crossing the Atlantic having been 



abandoned on account of the loss of sails aud masts. In 



another month the vessel was repaired and sailed again, 



The First aud tliis time the voyage was made in three months. 



At nine of the morning on May 26, 1715, they saw 

 land, and that night entered the mouth of the Potomac 

 River, Here is the record of his first Sunday on shore 

 of the new world : 



29th, Sunday. — Aljout 8 of the clock we came ashore, aud went to 



Sunday 



