The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-10-11


When Williams sailed from England no brought
with him largo quantity of anti-baplis divinity both
in his head and in his ches, Of books. For some
months he seemed TO act in accordance with his pro.
fessons. Every Sabbath he went with his wife and
children ohear the preaching Of that eminent divine
the Reverend Dr. Foster, in the Baptist chapel in
Gold street: but he was soon led away by some Of
the hoay headed philosophers to tho Temple of Rca.
son. to hear the preaching of Palmer--that blind
leader of the blind. lie drank deeply Of the cold
and cherries waters Of TINT well of despair-und
shortly afterwards proclaimed himself thorough dc.
ist. Now the church bell chimed no more FOR him
and his. His wife sat at home like the mother OF
desolaon on the mount Of misery-his children wan
dered through the by-ways aud highways Of tho
town, like sheep without a shephord-whe he him
self descended into some wrctched tavern 10 deal out
under the sanction Of the sacred name Of liberty,
death and deism to his gaping companions.
Williams was an excellent workman, and he was
the first man who IN ado coach-spring in tho New
York. Previously to his entering the den of death
IN William street, he had commenced business on
his own account, and was in thriving way. Now
every thing went wrong with him. In his easernoss
10 propagate his now doctrines. he neglected his bel
lows and his business-his affairs went to decay and
he removed to the upper part ofthe city, pennyless
and friendless.
had moi seen him FOR some years, when, one
morning he came to my store about eleven O'Clock.
He asked me for quarter Of dollar to purchase
something to eat.-
Williams said ], 'has it come TO this with Won;
Have you no friend-no child
q have neither friend nor child in the world to
help me- was the sad reply
This occurred in the early part of June | was
then doing business n the Friends (ate) meeting
house in Library street. The appearance of the
place. and the of the year, made every thing
look like garden which the Lord had blessed. MY
three were behind the counter waiting upon the
customers asked Williams about his children, land
called them all by name. Some dead some
had gone away, he knew not where; and all, boys
and girls had turned out good for nothing.
Williams said there my three children
they never gave me pang in all their lives. No
neghbor ever brought complaint against thens--and
have nothing to reproach them with. We orc old
acquaintance; your children and mine grew up To-
gether-theY weren next door neighbors. Why should
your children be so different from minc?'
Glow can teli?' replied he.
80 You remember, Williams said T., 'tho kay
you brought your Bible, your Gospel Magazines and
huge volumes of Baptist divinity into work shop,
that you laid them the fire and began TO blow the
bellows. interposed and bought them all from you
for three dollars, to them from the flames. ]
told you, then, you would ruin your children in this
world, whether there was another world or not You |
remember ths?' ... ...
Il do was his reply
WAS not right then? You sent your children
forth in the streets, where they exposed to c7-
cry evil led mine to Church, where, ifthe sermon
a., - H., ~;
exposed your children to evi! example. kept mine
under mine own eyes, until they were old enough to
Judge and reason for themselves.
Tle confessed that the event had shown that was
right, and that he wrong.
But, said he, sit is too late to retract. Had
adhered TO the religious principles brought with
me from England, believe that |, this day, would
have been in comfortable circumstances any
mechanic in York;.
believe so too.
Williams however, continue ed steadfast in his des
teal opinions to the last. lie sheltered Thomas
Paine, when, Of his dissipated habits and
sloveny dress, but few persons would allow The phi
losopher to enter their doors. William Carver con-
tinued to live through poverty and pain, sometimes
out Of the aims. house--sometmes in At length I
however, both philosophers slept with their fathers,
leaving their example of 'perfeclbility of human
ure' to speak for Itself.
The passengers and crew on board the ship in
in which arrived, numbered in all, abou; hun
lred souls. On her return voyage the vessel was
ost Nothing was ever heard Of either captain or
,rew after she left the Narrcws.
OF all passengers, most of them young men,
know of only three who now alive The first
hat shall mention is Hugh Maxwell, Esq. lie was
hen mischievous little fellow, mere lad. l car
RED him in my arms part Of the way across the At
antic remember anecdote of him which will
lake tho liberty Of relating: One dark night, during
an awful squalI, the ship gave tremendous lurchthe
passengers were thrown form their berhs; the sheets,
crociery, dead and live lumber, were ereaki1g, roll
ing aud screaming the laoward side Of the vessel
The IN en- prayed, the women screamed, and scene
Of confusion ensued which is Impossible FOR one 10
describe In the midst oft all, however, little Hugh
cried at the top Of his voice, 'lIurrah =
sIrthat boy lives said |, 'he will be shining
light in his day aud generation
My prophecy has been fulfilled.
NV brother one or our members, twenty months
my senior yet lives in this city.
None of our company never made much noise IN |
the world except james ROnaldson and the gentleman
ID. 4 Id in iindn lVt in .ha