Among the settlers on board were 26 German Moravians under the leadership of their bishop, David Nitschmann. It was at their hands that Wesley was to receive the first lesson of this momentous voyage, momentous not for what Wesley did for the New World, but for what God began to do for Wesley.

In mid-Atlantic, great storms hit the little ship. Wesley was afraid, and disturbed by being afraid. By January 23, he was asking himself: “Why is it that you have no faith?” This was driven home to him by the evident faith of the Moravians. He had noticed that in contrast to the Englishmen aboard, they were ready to do the most menial tasks, never complained when struck or pushed and showed “great seriousness”. Were they, he asked himself, delivered from fear, as well as pride, anger and revenge? He noted on January 25: “In the midst of their psalm (song service) wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the main sail in pieces, covered the ship and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English. The Germans calmly sang on. I asked one of them afterwards, “Was you not afraid?” He answered, “I thank God, no.” I asked, “But were not your women and children afraid?” He replied mildly, “No: our women and children are not afraid to die.” The demeanor of the Moravians shook John.

This experience helped John Wesley see that as religious as he thought he was, he did not have a full revelation of the truth. Within a short time he became truly born-again and then went on to change the course of history both in England and in America.