St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-08
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.
How a TattOOed Cross Saved tn,
Life OF MAN from CannibaIs.

Lie Oh a MAN 1rQnl CannEDaIS.
Reu. Thomas Needham, the Baptist
evangelist, whose religious work in this
city, says the Washington Post, is now eX-
citing considerable attention among the
Baptists, has had. according to his story,
a very remarkable and interesting history.
When he was but 10 years of age he went
TO sea on board an English vessel bound
for South America. The captain was
very brutal man and often ill-treated the
lad, and the sailors, not slow to initiate the
example of their superior, also made
the boy an object of all manner
of petty abuse. One of the seamen.
just before the arrival of the vessel
at her destination, took young Needham,
and, tying him to the mast, proceeded to
tattoo the boys arms and portion of his
body, the crew regarding the matter in the
light of Joke. Arriving at South Amer
lea Needham was placed OH shore and de-
serted in the midst of bowling wilderness.
Left to roam at will in the midst of dan
gers, it was not long before the boy was
captured by band of Patagonan Indians.
a tribe, which, according to the reverend
gentlemen'S statement, had a custom of
serving up human flesh at state dinners
This would certainly have been his fate
Hdu HOG GiI6 1HuiduS, VII ItluONllS HIS
clothes, discovered the pictures on his
arms. One of the figures was a cross.
This emblem of the Christian relgion-for
these rude savages had, on one or two Oc-
casiOns, become intimately acquainted with
missionaries-so touched their savage
hearts that they instantly determined
to spare his life. The scene
must have been very impress
sive, for Mr. Needham states that he saw
tears coursing down the cheeks of his cap
tors. After that the lad was taken charge
of by the Patagonians such good care,
in fact, that for nine years. though his eff
forts were ceaseless, he was unable to es-
cape from them. ''They regarded me-"
he says. ''as a god" though perhaps they
valued him as work of art. At any rate
his sojoum among Them was of long dura-
tion and when he was finally able to re-
turn to civilization it was as a man ready
to serve his Creator for the protection af-
forded him amid such peril.
Mr.. Needham spoke at the Fifth Baptist
church yesterday morning. afternoon and
evening. He is an IriShman. about 40
years of age, and speaks with rich brogue.
He if short of stature, has a round, red
and fleshy face, and looks not unlike New
York ward politician. His hair is very
black, and a heavy muStache of the same
color covers his mouth. In preaching he
speaks rapidly. uses good English, and rem
ders his subject interesting by numerous
illustrations and anecdotes. His manner is
earnest and very forcible. In his sermon
yesterday he spoke of the fair appearance
of sin and the imposSiblity of resisting it
without the aid of religion. sit is useless"
he said, ito attempt to curb the human
passion. Y on may pet this old Adam nature
as much as you like. but the nature remains
the same, and will assert itself in the course
of time The only power that will change
it is Jesus Christ"
Mr.. Needham has been preaching for
several years, and has held meetings in
most of the large cities throughout this
country. as we'll as in England. He has
been in Washington for some time, and IS
well regarded by Baptist clergymen.