The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-05
BRACE on Ruvrr.Ns
A REFORMED PRIZE FIGHTER

THE PREACHING OF BENDIGo SINCE HIS REFoR-
hATIoN-SoAE STRANGE UrTERANOIss FROM
A STRANGER SOURCE.
The London Standard gives an account
OF the preaching Of reformed prize fighter
from which the following extracts ara
taken: Bendigo would say that two years
ago he really did die of his former self: and
according to his own utterances yester-
| DAY, he is more sstonished than anybody
else can be at the spparition from outre
tomoe. ITO think" he said in his evening
photographed address. shat /, who SO
years ago won the champions belt from
Burt, and afterwards thrashed Ben Csunt.
should be here in London to fight for
Jesus Christi am brand plucked from
the burning" In the sensational style of the
| advertisement, Bendigo is a miracle of
| mercy" Thai miracle" Is here used in
Its conventional rather than it's theological
sense, we may learn from the authentic
comment of the superintendent Of the
| Claimants Mission, the Rev. John Dupee
who, in introducing the reformed pugullist
TO the congregation at each of the three
revlvalist services, spoke OF him as 'the
.greatest miracle OF the nineteeth century,
In describing this evening service we are
virtually describing all. Oh course we shall
not bind ourselves not TO incorporate a
| feature or two from the rest. A hymn given
out by Mr.. Dupee came first, and it was
|
in the morning. In the prayer, also by
the superintendent. one was struck with the
mention of "Bendigo" by name. In the
morning the same popularity was re-
marked, even the familiar form "Bendie" be-
ing employed. We chronicle, without criti-
cising, for which, where so much was ex-
| celient, we can find no heart, The Almighty
| was besought to "bless Bsndigo, and grant
that, as he had been valiant in the ring, and
bad never been overthrown in the arena,
so he might be unconquered in hi Christian
| warfare" Although, of course, the prayer
was Thought extempOre there were short
petitions, reminding of those in the Litany,
which were great improvement on the
long wlnded paragraphs too often to be
found in the public prayers OF the
tons. Mr.. Dupee and his brother,
MIR. James Dupee, OF Nottingham,
and known there as the sold Street
Preacher" made some apprc pirate remarks
by the way of introducing their
REFORMED TowNsMAE,
Bendlgo, TO the congregation. The cham
pion was oorn there, it seems, Octber IL, 1911,
so that rs not more than sixty-three
years of age. He has fought 81 pugillstic
encounters and, through drink, has
been % times in goal. Many efforts
had been made in vain TO induce
him to change bis mode OF life. But
about two years ago be WIS Induced to go
and hear the celebrated converted collier,
Richard Weaver, and from that time he be-
came a reformed man. Bendigo, who,
throughout all the three services, sat on the
platform on the superintendent's right
band, is q not unpleasant looking man.
His face reminded us o. more than one
bishop. Nothing of the snesking ignobleness
of Singing or Urish Heep is traceable In
Ills features. Indeed it IS inconceivable
that a wearer OF the champions belt should
ever have been an LITERALLY hopeless man.
wild aud vicious ss his course may too
long have been. He owns himself an
utterly illiterate man. unable, as he deeply
regrets to read the Bible be has learned
thus late TO love. 81 tried this very day."
he said, land read eight or nine letters, but
could make nothing of them" But he pro-
tests that he feels none The less the truths
of the gospel in his heart, and is now quite
happy, which be never was before. when
1 was fighting in the prize ring" be says,
''little did / think i was fighting against
God. But when came to The cross, was
licked in the very first round" Before the
moral crisis, he speaks of having exper-
fenced, he knew full well there was God,
for the stars in heaven taught him that.
Once when he heard that infidels were men
who did not believe in God, he declared as
he doubled his fists significantly, that The
would soon make them believe" God had
now taken possession OF his heart, and he
had found rest. "Whereas L was blind, /" he
said, "now / see. / do not think myself
poor man. live in q house at %. q week,
and with Jesus Christ in that house deem
myself q gentleman" Bendigo's remarks
evineed deep feeling and no choice was pos
sible between the belief in his sincerity and
the conviction that he is the most finished
and artistic actor In the world. This is, we
believe, Bendigo's first appearance in Lon
don since his change of life. But in his ma
tive town, Nottingham, and in the midland
districts in general many thousands have
taken deep intrest in the converted prize
fighter.