The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-17

" They give him fair warning that n he again
repeated any OF his imposttons on their father.
either by word or deed. they would repeat their
| punishment but with still greater severity.
They warned him not to rely upon their fathers
means Of procuring swift intelligence respect
ing his conduct. and secret and certain means
thousand mon were guarding his door
Ihe minister was very superstttous. nnd
some. secret league with the devil This thor.
oughly frightened him. and having no desire to
be t9rmenied before his time, he ever qfterward
| let Edward Wanton most religiously alone.
"On coming out Of thu house they found
Caesar at the door with two horses. and OF. they
started for Rhode Island. knowing full we'll that
as soon as the whipping was known 70 the
faithful. both scituate and Plymouth Colony
would be too bot TO hold them.
tho p aH which had been incsd On
their minister. when twenty strong fellows,
on in pursuit Of the fAgellant fuRitlyes.
About 3o,cock in the morning william and
the hard pace al which they had travelled and.
spying large tavern with lights in tho win
dows. indicating that the people were awake 10
horses, and get some reireshment for them
selves.
road. and had made second change Just be-
fore their arrival at the tavern. thereby en-
faster than the wantons. Seeing the lights In
the tavern. and feeling pretty sure that under
able. they ali agreed to halt and refresh them
selves, and at the same time mako inquiries in
"Just as William and John were getting
something TO eat, the pursuing party drove Up.
tons. having discovered their pursuers "G rus6si
out 10y a back door and, without waiting n mo-
ment took two OF their best horses. and rode Oh
THE Presbyterians werc not long in follow
ing. but the WSntons. having 9 good start OF
thom. After a long and exciting chase the pur.
suers. with faded horses, reluctantly turned
tasted when they were disturbed by The escape iI
Of tho young men. Finding the cheer ut tho
tavern pretty good. they resolved 70 repay them
that d"y ana oG nsb ' and fss
rode home. and gave the people OF Scituats u
fearful account Of thrr hardshfps, and reseiycd
credit among their neighbors for having ridden
in.e.Sisfantly for thirty-six hours, vi,
when thu Wantons arrived at Fall River
their minds wore relieved. Hero thay rested
themselves and their horses, and on the next
day reached Newport in safety"
William Wanton became deputy In the
General Assembly as carly as 1905. and re-
NAMED member OF that body until no wss
chosen Governor In 1884, when Bishop Berke-
ley visited Newport. he was Gov. wanton's
guest at dinner every Sunday. and on his de-
parturo from the colony he gave Mrs. wanton
an elegant diamond ring. The varied military
and political experiences Of William wanton
did not affect his religious views The charac-
toristic bcnevolenco Of the Friends was mani
tested in his public dutlcs rs we'll as his bust
ness and he said In his friends and family
whom they gathered about his death-bed Ny
fathers God is my God. and die in the faith
OF the Quakors."
His brother John was tho second Governor ot
the Wanton namo. Ho is described as having
Iaa
house was the intellectual centre Of the colony.
His library and philosophical apparatus were
famous throughout New England He was the
wealthiest merchant in Rhode Island AMI he
used bis wealth 50 wisely and was withal so
patriotic as 10 become the most popular mau
the colony had ever known. Before he sue.
ceeded his brother his acts as Deputy Gov
ernor had twice been the subject OF complaint
10 tho homo Government 10 Great Britain, but
in both instances he escaped censure. While
he was Governor the war between England aud
Spain broke out. In lTi0 and soldiers were co.
listed in the colony for service in the West 10.
dies. He was called 10 account for a breach OF
Quaker disci pline in his adm stratlon Of the
military affairs connected with this war but ho
defended himself successfully by pleading his
legal duty. which he had endeavored 20 do
without violence 70 the law Of conscience. bur
In all concerns listening TO the stlll small voice
Of divine emanatlon. and being obsdien,
thereto"
This may scem strange language 70 come
from one VINO had been engaged in the Sci,urt.
exploit and who during all his early life Ia.
himselibeena soldier. II appears. however that
after having risen to the rank OF Colonel Mt the
time ofthe celebrated expedition against Canada.
he reinquished military pursuits. devoted him
seltt his business rs a merchant. Joined tho
Society OF Friends. and finally became an ex-
coedinGly powerful preacher Of their faith
Frequent and radical changes OF vocation con-
stituted a characteristic trait Of Americans even
then. The following account Of a sermon
preached by John wanton after he became
Governor furnishes vivid illustration OF the
manners and customs OF the time
NO elo1uence like his, II Is said. had boon
heard in New England Multitudes focked to
70 be present He travelled exisnsiyeiy IN IN NV %S
In which missionary tours he gathered multi.
tudes 10 the Society OF Friends. On one osq.-
sion there was TO be marriage ut the Friends
and adjourned that they, might attend 1t in a
week meeting OF Friends An Immense throng
crowded the two tiers OF gallery and the aisles.
standing room. The members Of tho General
Assembly came in, preceded by their sergeant
ht-ilrms, and TOOK tho seats reserved Tor them.
while Gov Wapton. dressed In n bright scarlet
cloak. lined with blue. walked up with great
dignity into the minister's gallery. where he
took the post OF honor.
After period Of silence customary In gath.
erinGs OF Friends the Governor arose aud
quietly stood few moments with his eyes
turned toward ,henyon; then slowly rolling
them downward toward the eXpeCtant e0u-
grngat!on. he announced for his tpXt:
rhero was marriage in Cana o, Cali,
lee, and the mother Of Jesus was there
Ne spoke Of the dignity which was, con
terred upon the institution OF marriage by the
presence OF tho worlds k"deemer on that o'c,t.
SION. aud then showed the implrtqnre NJ II.
First, us Il safeguard Of morality: srcanA. M
school for the culture and development of u,
best feelings 81 our nature; Third. rs admirably
calculated Tor the pr9teetion 81 our race luung
the helpless period OF infancy. and. fourth as
symbol OF the mystqrinus union which exists
between Christ and His church. On this
latter point he WIS exceedingly eloquent. AMI
for three-quarters OF an hour he tairiy nn-
tranced his hearers. PHusing fora moment. hs
spoke OF The suprrior, adaptation ot thu ccrc-
mony OF tho Society Of Friends 10 the m ilm"nt
al these condti )ns, ana cOLtrisird II Win IN,
ceremony hich III" British ldriiHmrut mad M
ddined Tor the Church Of England. quoting the
words OF the Book NJ Common PRAYER: With
this ring thee wed. with al my worl lly goods
] thee endow. and with my body tneeworship
hal /. N.a t \ L.