Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-08-13
A THRILLING ADyENTURE.



Rev. Thomas Needham. the Baptist
evangelist, whose religious work in this
city. says the Washington Post, is now
exciting considerable attention among
the Baptists, has had. according to his
own story, very remarkable and in
teresting history. When he was but
ten years Of age he went to sea on
board an English vessel bound for South
America. The captain was very brutal
man and often ilI-treated the lad, and
the sailors. not slow to initiate the ex-
ample 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 st her destina-
tion. 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
America Necdham was placed on shore
and deserted in the midst of bowling
wilderness. Left to roam at will in the
midst of dangers. it was not long before
the boy was captured by a band of
Patagonian Indians, tribe which, ac-
cording 10 the reverend gentleman's
statement, had custom of serving up
human flesh at state dinners.
This would certainly have been his
fate had not the Indians, on removing
his clothes, discovered the pictures on
bis arms. One of the figures was a
cross. This emblem of the Christian
religion-for these rude savagcs had, on
one or two occasions become intimately
acquainted with missi0naries-so touch
ed their savage hearts that they Instant
ly determined to spare his life. The
scene must have been very impressive,
for Mr.. Needham states that he saw
tears coursing down the cheeks of his
captors. After that the lad was taken
care of by the Patagonians-such good
care, in fact, that for nine years, al
though his efforts were ceaseless, he was
unable to escape from them. .sThey re-
garded me" he says, ''as god,
though perhaps they valued him as a
work of art. At any rate. his soiourn
among them was of long duration, and
when he was finally able to return 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 Bap-
list Church yesterday morning. after
noon, and evening. He is an Irish
man, about forty years Of age, and
speaks with rich brogue. He Is short
of stature, has 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 renders 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 impossi-
bility of resisting it without the aid Of
religion. 1T is useless. he said, ITO
attempt to curb the human passion.
You may pet this old Adam nature as
much as you like, but the nature re-
mains 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 the
country, as well as in England. He
has been in Washington for some time,
and is well regarded by Baptist clergy
men.