Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-09-18
FATHER TAYLOR.

his arduous labors among seamen, a minister Of
the gospel, and, Of course, an advocate Of temper
ancel lie is one Of the most efficient and popular
speakers Of the day. The New England Washing
tonian gives brief sketch Of one Of his discourses
Brethren said Mr.. Taylor about three years
since called TO see widow one ofour sisters, who
had long been expecting her only son, a noble
young sailor, from sea. The ship in which he
sailed had been due over three months, and the
poor widow began to think that her darling boy,
her only support had found watery grave. Well,
talked the matter over with her, and endeavored
TO cheer her with the hope of seeing him SOON
you know, gentlemen my motto is, never say die,)
and while was yet speaking. she siezed me by the
arm, and exclaimed, hush hush that's my Will
liams VOICE. know il is--his step, too on the
-.-i--' '.~'~s..sss s---ny own " ilIam comes 20
pen flew the door, and there stood the noble youth,
with arms extended ready for a spring. He gazed
an instant-his eye caught his mothers and they
were locked in each others embrace They kiss
ed, and wept, and kissed again, and wept too
and there we all three Stood weeping with 10y
Oh, il was glorious sight II was truly happy
returnl Well, brethren, when we had recovered
breath, the old lady simpering. inquired what had
detained her William so long why, mother re-
piled he, you see we lost masts in a gale, off
the cape, and have been hobbling along ever since
under jury-masts-nobody got hurt--ship's fine
sea-boat-captaiu a noble fellow; but what's this
Father Taylor Turning to me. God bless you
am glad TO see you how are all your folksr and
he grasped me with both hands ard shook me as
i'll had been aboriug under the Florida ague.-
But come continued he, my traps (chesl and
pack) are below, and must get them, so you must
excuse me- few minutes afterwards we separated
The next Sunday stood where | now stand !;
the greater part OF the seats were nearly full and
brother Foster was getting some settees ready
when my attention was arrested by the young sail
or with his fond mother on his arm. Oh, he was
noble looking fellow straight as an ash, firm as
pillar, yet when he walked, seemed plant as a will
low Shall forget hint No, never. That day
(itwas summer at the tme) he wore a blue jacket,
white trowsers, and on the turned down collar Of
his snowy shirt dangled the glossy locks Of raven
hue. His face and neck were deeply bronzed by
the sun, but the easy smile that played about his
mouth, and the Observation-Disclosures that CLEANED in
his hazel eyes, threw his whole countenance
halo of intellectual sunshine. As he walked up
the aisle, the fond mother looked around with an
alT of admiration, as much to say, See you not
my noble boy i--why don't you rejoice with me 2
But there was no occasion for it, if such were her
thoughts for wherever he came in view he was the
observed Of all observers Nor was his exterior the
better part ofhim; his heart was noble, and his
soul large enough to take in all mankind | had
frequent opportunities Of seeing him during the
next week, and still he seemed unchanged /; but
(my heart bleeds while tell it, Yin the early part Of
the second week, he standing at the corners of
streets smoking and talking with some Of his ship
mates; the day on which they received their wages,
sailor-like, they all assembled in a rum shop, TO
take parting glass; that glass was fatal to William
Each treated IN his turn, and ere they separated
they were nearly all Intoxicated William was one
oil those proud spirits, who at times are possessed
OF considerable hrmness, and believe that they can
abstain from the free action of their own will rather
than to be tied down by pledge. The first de-
bauch had diseased his appetite, his seEpossession
had left him, and more rum was required 10 quench
ho burning thirst. Need tell you that before sat
urday night he was confirmed drunkard, Keeling
about the streets and waowing in the gutter At
last nature gave way, and he was carried to his
mothers dwelling drunk and insensible that DWELL
ing, which but fortnight before, his presence had
rendered the scene Of so much happiness l called
TO see him, and there he lay on a matrass, his once
glossy locks eloted with mud, and his manly face
smeared with sun-dried gore. And there too, by
his pillow, sat his disconsoaie mother, bathing his
feyered temples with vinegar, and weeping as fher
heart would break ! endeavored to sooth her, but
she was like Rachel, weeping for her children--re-
fused to be comforted When he heard nv voice
he raised his head, and in rough and savage
voice, demanded of his mother more rum RUM
he exclaimed, rum want curse you, give me
some rum, and stop your foolish prating! Here,
WI dliOF lhItN MS arms upWdEuS, anu gazing 10
the same direction, as il his whole soul was in his
eyes, raised his voice, and continued Curse his
mother Holy God, shut the windows of Heaven
down, and let not the sound go up He curse his
mother Rum, brethren, did this for the nobIest
of Gods creatures Here Mr. Taylor paused, but
such was the interest the narrative excited that sew
eral voices inquired, what became Of hint What
did he dol He did, resumed Mr.. Taylor, what
want you all TO do to-night-when he recovered, he
signed the pledge, and now commands a vessel out
Of this port and his mother is still with us, singing
glory to Cod He sat down. and when all was
quet,a tall, gentlemanly man rose up and after sur
veying the audience moment, and wiping the per-
spiration from his forehead he said, i am the man,
and resumed his seat again.
I'm GLAD TO SEE YoU,'-There are more lies
contained in these few words than in all the writ
ten speeches of a law shop, and yet the expression
is on the tip end Of almost every ones tongue
Take an instance; Madam has pickles or sausa-
ges to make, and is up TO her in pots and ket-
ties, when Mrs Somebody enters with her six little
ones all dressed off as neat as il they had Just been
for six months imprisoned in handbook. Bless
me Pm extremely glad to see youg It's whap-
per-its downrightlie lie. In her heart she wishes
her and all herIbrood to the -; we'd like 10
have said it. When we hear person say, do call
again aud see me- ii sounds SO much like, John
show the gentleman the way out There is no
such thing as poeness To be what the fashion
able would term polite we must necessarily be hyp-