The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-09
FREE TO TEACH AND PREACH.
The Opening Of the Prison Doors to the Wee
bnwken Canal Boat RcvIvniist.

Capt Harrison Parkinson. the canal boat
revivalist, who was arrested about two we ks
ago for, as he alleged, driving an abusive In
truder from the canal boat cabin where he held
religious services, regained his freedom yester-
day. Capt. Parkinson, with disinterested gene
rosity which some OF his scoflnR enemies con-
stTued into insanity, spent the little money he
had In procuring tracts to distribute among his
fellow boatmen aud the railroad employees at
Weehawken. Consequently, when he was held
10y Justice Hoffman under the alternative OF pay
ing hve dollars nne or going to Jail Tor thirty
locked up. The sturdy religious faith that had
bafied the jeers of the Weehawken workmen
snH Won ~ s & oi sSas ., M sne ,as'
oned reyivnlist, and he requested his keeper to
be permitted TO preach TO his fellow prisoners
who were out for their daily airing In the corri-
doris" said the keeper, ITO behave themselves
nnS unG nd S% +. prdy Is we
chapters from the Bible and talked 1rst rate but
when lie came to tell how. In answer to priyer,
he had once found his rockets grown heavy
with nickel pieces, the buys wouldn't swallow
any more, and after that they didn't pay much
attention to him"
After this first unfortunate sermon the revival
ist was unable to obtain hearing from the pris-
oners TO explain the apparently miraculous on;
swer to PRAYER OF to enforce his ideas In regard
to the punishment of sin. IL Is said that he was
so much disappointed by the rebuff no bad re-
coived that for a time he seemed to lose conn-
dence In Christianity and human nature. This
did not last long, however. and he remained a
good deal OF the time In his cell, whence the
monotone OF prayer was frequently heard tssu-
ing. ana the Jailer sometimes found him upon
| his knees by his cot. praying fervently.
Several times during his imprisonment he
was visited by clericnl-loOklnR persons, VINO
anxiousy inquired ABOUT his conduct. one of
| these persons a day or two ago visited Weshaw-
| ken and inquired among the boalmen and rail.
| road employees there how Capt. Parkinson had
| conducted himself. These we're evidently eau
| uOus friends OF the reyivalist, who wanted to
| be sure OF his being worthy before they helped
| him out OF his trouble.
| Day before yesterday Judge Hoffman received
telegram from gentleman In Burlington ask
ing what sum would liDerate the Imprisoned
preacher. The Judge ordered the clerk to tele-
graph reply, and yesterday, about noon. two
| mon, one OF whom was recognized a. gospel
| minister by his white neck tie and the clerical
| cut OF his garments entered the Hudson County
| Court House and said that he had sent the in
| curing telegram and had come to lberate the
| reviyalist. These gentlemen sdid that they had
never seen Capt. Parkinson, but that tney had
| read VI him In The sun. aud they thought he
| ought to be helped out OF jail.
They came too late, however, for their gener
Gus purpose had already been accomplished d
| few moments before by ID. A. Newton. who paid
| the fine and costs. amounting to 33O.5. Capt
| Parkinson was imm ediately discharged. He did
| not return to his barge last night, and its cabt
| fellow bOatmen exhibited much Interest wneT
| they learned that "the Captain" as they cal
| him, had been discharged One Of them de
| clared that II was outrage To imprison the
| called MIN li.r out Of bis cabin. It's expected
| that Can't. Parkinson will undauntedly resume
| his labCrs for the salvation Of his fellow boat
| men.
THE Sun acknowle 'ges the receipt OF NIFTY
| cents In an anonymous letter to help pay Capt