Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-06-23
BosToN, Feb, 20, 1885.
TUE SAILOR TURNED PREACHER

At the Foreign Missionary meeting, on
Wednesday, Of last week, Rev, Mr. Choules,
of New-Bedtord, related the following anec-
dote to illustrate the peculiar adoption of the
Gospel for the conversion of sinners. He
received it during his recent visit to Eng
land, from Rev. Mr. Chapman, agent of the
British Seamen's Friend Society, who was
personally acquainted with the facts of the
case.
The subject was sailor, who had lost
one leg, one arm, one eye, and nearl y half
his face, in fighting on board man-of-war.
He was wicked, drunken man, and was
considered the pest of the place where he
was supported at the public charge. A
christian lady became interested in his well
fare, and through her Instrumentality he was
converted. But when he applied for admis-
sion to the church, so desperate had his case
been considered, they were afraid for long
time to admit him. At length, convinced Of
the reality of the change, they welcomed
him as brother, and raised subscription
to enable him to live more comfortable
Mr. Chapman, hearing of his case, visited
him; and found him living in small house,
which the libcrality of his christian friends
had enabled him to build After some con-
versation, in which he thankfully ascribed
all his comforts to Christianity Mr. c., in
quired why his house was built in such an
awkward shape; for he noticed that it was
all one-sided, like its owner. He said he
had reason for it, which he must guess
He could not, however, ii on looking over
the house he saw one of the rooms of con-
siderable size fitted up like chapel. ''And
so you have a Westinghouse here" said
Mr. c.. eyes," said the sailor, II have a
meetng-hous and good many folks come
here to meeting" But who breaches for
vou?" 80, you must guess that too.' MI
G.. assured him that he could not. "Why
sir, ask any good minister that comes
along:-won't you preach for us p 81 can
not; for am engaged to address public
meeting this evening in the neighboring
town." "There, that's just what they al
tell me; and so, because nobody else viii
preach for me, Pm obliged to preach myself
"And can you read ?" Eyes sir; bui die
not know letter till after was forty year:
. DID," used to 60 to meeting, and | al
: ways minded that when the minister read
it suited me, and my mind felt better for it
r but when he talked, did not feel so WE'LL
{ So asked him one day why it was so; anc
> he told me that when he read, it was Coz
' Almighty's own words that | heard; bu
when he talked, it was only his own words
No wonder God Almighty's words did mt
' more good than mans! So thought Pt
/ learn to read them for myself; and kind
= little boy, that lives close by, said ne Woul'
y show me. BY and by got me Bible, AM
q made out to spell easy words. read, Coz
so loved the world that he gave his only
!. but the letters in the next word were 50 Ions
!" and crooked that they puzzled me: ate
e awhile made it out, and read his only be
e gotten Son, that'-but couldn't get owe
|, the next word. So asked the boy, and n
l., read that whosoever belieyeth on him nigh
y not perish, but have everlasting life Boy
said |, what does that 1rhOsoereT medn?-
l tmeans any one. Are you sure it mean
+ any one He said he was, and asked an
d other boy, who said it was true. We'll
= said |, if whosoever means any one, and Go
Ii Almighty says that any one may believ
l. and be saved, then any one may tell of it,
d and its my duty to tell of it. So / begun t
m tell all who would come to hear, as we'll a
a. l could, that God so loved the world, thu
" he gave his only begotten Son, that whose
~ ever believeth on him might not perish, b.
re have everlasting lfe;' and l thank God thu
p many have believed on him here"
l. Mr. c., said that the labors OF this POI
n mutilated sailor In his little chapel had Dee
We blessed to the conversion Of scores OF soul
a. and himself, instead ola pest OF socle'!, III