THE STORM OF SURRENDER

The Storm of Surrender

  Painting by Joseph Vernet,

 1748, Paris, France

    Inspiration for the Painting:

This maritime painting by Joseph Vernet captures the harrowing moment when Captain Thomas Montgomery and his crew faced a violent storm off Ascension Island. The painting, titled "The Storm of Surrender," depicts the shipwreck, with crew members clinging to debris as they pray for divine intervention. Subtle angelic figures can be seen in the clouds, symbolizing the spiritual awakening that occurred during this trial.

Captain Thomas Montgomery's Personal Journal

  Saturday, June 12, 1745

  Early Morning:

Yesterday, we faced the most terrifying storm I have ever encountered. The winds howled with an unrelenting fury, and the waves towered above us, crashing onto our vessel, the Highland Glory. Our ship groaned under the immense pressure, and I feared it would not hold much longer. As the storm reached its peak, the ship began to break apart. We were cast into the merciless sea, clinging to debris for our very lives.

In the midst of this chaos, Father Patrick yelled out, "Hold on, lads! Remember Jonah and the great fish! Call out to God as Jonah did in his despair!" His words resonated deeply within us, giving us a glimmer of hope.

We huddled together on the floating wreckage, praying fervently for God's intervention. Father Patrick continued, "God saved Paul and his men from the storm; He can save us too! Pray, lads, with all your heart!"

As we prayed, the storm began to calm, mirroring the biblical account of Jesus calming the sea. The violent waves subsided, and we could finally see the outline of an island in the distance. Exhausted but filled with renewed hope, we paddled towards it, trusting in God's providence.

By the grace of God, we reached the shore of Ascension Island. The island was mostly barren and volcanic, but there were signs of life, with some vegetation and seabirds flying overhead. Among the few items we managed to save was my journal, carefully wrapped in an oilcloth to protect it from the water. This journal has become my lifeline, a record of our trials and God's faithfulness.

  Afternoon, Same Day:

Our first day on the island was spent gathering the remnants of our supplies and setting up a temporary camp. Despite our dire circumstances, Father Patrick's unwavering faith continued to inspire us. He quoted from the book of Jonah, "For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me" 

(Jonah 2:3).

As the days turned into weeks, our faith and endurance were tested. We faced hunger, thirst, and the constant threat of the elements. Yet, in our trials, we found strength in each other and in our faith. Father Patrick's unwavering belief in God's providence became a beacon of hope for us all.

  Monday, August 15, 1745

  Afternoon:

Today, after weeks of survival on Ascension Island, we saw the signs of rescue. A French naval vessel spotted our signal fires and came to our aid. As they approached, we waved frantically, shouting and rejoicing at the sight of our salvation. The crew of the rescue ship cheered us on, and we knew that our ordeal was finally over. Our time on this desolate island, though harrowing, had forged a bond among the crew and strengthened our resolve. I vowed to dedicate my life to God's service, understanding that true surrender comes only when one has lost everything.

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."

Hebrews 6:13-19 (KJV)

  Captain Thomas Montgomery

 Highland Glory

  #ShadowsInJericho #HistoricalFiction #CaptainThomasMontgomery #TheStormOfSurrender #MaritimeArt #JosephVernet

Learn more about Claude-Joseph Vernet here: [Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Vernet)"

Learn more about the history of Ascension Island here: [Ascension Island - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascension_Island)."

 Learn more about the historical significance of Ascension Island here: History(https://www.ascension.gov.ac/section/history).