The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-02-14
4 TFue Nan.

A thoroughly person is al
ways mighty-in the line where his con-
viction lies. A true man of faith is one
religiously convinced. Mr. Muller, OF
Bristol, England, is prominently such
q man; and his wonderful success is seen
not only in his planning and maintaining
the celebrated orphen asylum, but in the
strong impression which his example has
left upon its inmates.
We find a specimen instance related in
a letter to the New York Weekly Wit
ness. During the earlier history of the
orphanage. there was among its benef-
Charles a boy named Wilkinson. He was
in 10 wise remarkable, but was one of
many who learned the lesson of divine
confidence laugh there.
Wilkinson stayed at the Bristol instr
tuition till he was twelve years old. Sub
sequently he came to America, and, at
the breaking out of the war, became q
sailor in the United States navy. He
was young man then, and very earnest
and devoted in the service of Christ. He
was on the gunboat louisiana, one OF the
biockading feet in Pamlico Sound. His
| shipmates, like most naval crews. had no
real knowledge of the bible or respect
for sacred things.
! fanatical. He did his duty in a still,
willing way, and when he was reviled
Tevileu net again. But the influence OF
his excellent life soon became apparent in
the ship.
Once, while lying in the mouth of Tai
river, near the town of Washington, N
c., he was detailed ashore with two
others to work in sail loft. he worked
there two weeks.
| His companions were rough, reckless
men, and their language distressed him
almost beyond endurance. He said little
and his reticence made more weighty the
few words he spoke.
One remark was the means of leading
| both those men to serious reflection and
ultimate acceptance of Christ as Master
Before this, the silent power of young
/ Wilkinson's high character and fidelity
| had been blessed to several sailors on
board the Louisiana, and he and they
met every night in the chain-locker te
pray.
His fortnight of day duty on shore wa:
not over when these two others were
added to his little band, who kneelec
among the cables by the light of theil
| little lamp, to talk with God.
The chain-locker meetings originated
III suggestion 10 WHICH w uKlHSOn wa!
led while in company, one evening, will
a comrade more serious than the rest
Turning the conversation naturally OF
religious themes, he found his companion
in receptive mood, and before they
parted, the prayer appointment wa
agreed upon for the following night.
That was the beginning of series O
meetings uninterruptedly kept up TO
nearly two vears-till necessary change
and separations brought them to an end
In that time the number of praying mel
continually increased, and the Louisiana
became known as the gunbOat with tn,
Christian crew."
The dull duty of harbor guard CAV
much leisure on board, and Wilkinsel
gathered bible class, which met at
certain hour every day, and at anothe
{ hour he taught the sailors to read ant
write.
The pious fidelity ofthat modest youn
man, bis steady earnestness of faith, an
his quiet spiritual power, reflected an
preserved the teachings of his own earl
years. None who knew him on the oil
war-ship will ever forget him, or think c
him without greater reverence for hi
Master.
His story shows that, even amid tn
most unfavorable surroundings, a tru
follower of the Divine Master may SO liv
as to win men to the same nobl
service.-[ Youths Companion.