The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-04-16
TIE REYEREyD MIR. ANCIENT.


One incident of the dreadful shipwreck with
serves eommemoration in tablets of brass.
The first officer of the Inflated vessel had been
ten hours clinging to the frozen rigging sup
porting lady passenger, who, unable to en-
dure the cold and fright, died in the brave
officers arms. A little later lie was discover
ed by those on shore, still clinging to the
rigging and apparently shouting for help.
The sea was running high and no one dared
venture TO the rescue. Suddenly appeared
in that throng man-every inch man and
oddly enough clergyman-who called for
rowers to take him to the wreck. His courage
chose -four stout fellows to accompany him
upon his GRAND of mercy. Providing himself
with a lifeline this noble Clergyman and his
brave companions launched forth upon the
angry waves, the very ideal of forlon hope,
and advanced toward the imperilled sailor.
Now appearing upon the white crest of sur
ging wave, now lost to sight in the valley
beneath, they still kept ON and from the shore
were soon discerned close to the wreck.
Then the gallant clergyman was seen climbing
out upon the rigging of the sunken vessel,
and as he hung there by one hand he flung
the life line toward the benumbed officer. But
the first cast true, aim, put the rope within
grasp OF the officer, who made it fast to his
wrist and then sprang clear Of the ropes and
spars into the sea. With a strong arm the
Clergyman drew him toward himself and
finally succeeded in getting him into the boat.
Said the officer afterward: :. MIR. Ancient =
chat is the brave olergymans name-all
honor to it, "Mr. Ancient held fast to the
line, pulled me back, and got me safely in the
boat was then SO exhausted and benumbed
that | was hardly able to do anything for
myself, and but for the clergyman's gallant
conduct must have persisted soon.''
Charles Kingsley, himself Clergyman and
athlete, loved to picture in his free, manly
stories the types OF . muscular Christianity -
but with all his power the minster-noyelist
never conceived SO high an image as this. The
names of men of the cloth are seldom allied to
deeds of physical bravery, being rather called
to the field of moral triumphs and acts of
spiritual courage, Dut lnaSmucn as 1t was
strange and unexpected, does the act of this
gallant parson deserve Immortality. 1t is a
surprising thing to think that the bravest heart
in all that throng of hardy men and sailors
beat underneath the broadcloth of parson--
"meek in spirit and lowly in life yet true
as steel and recognizing duty in the face of
death itself. In what contrast does this clergy
man stand to the poltroon captain of the ship
who "saw fifteen passengers saved and then
went ashore?" Fifteen from a thousand
souls and not woman rescued We hope to
hear more of this deed of Mr.. Ancient We
would suggest it as a theme to the pens that
gloritied ideal heroism in "Jim Budso" and
Jim" 1t is u story that calls forth the en-
thusiasm of the heart in three times three y
from rough breasts and " God bless him - from
gentler tongues. Your sermon on that me-
morable occasion, Mr.. Ancient, affected two
continents by the sublimity of its pathos and
the glory of it's example. Daily Id
gertiSer.