The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-07-23


Rev. Thomas Needham, the Baptist
evangelist, whose religious work IN
this city, says the Washington Post, is
NOV exciting considerable attention
among the Baptists. has had, accord
ins to his own story, very remark
able and Interesting history. When
hewas bur ten years of age he went to
sen on board an English vessel bound
for South America. The captain was
very brutal man and often ill-treat-
ed the lad, and the sailors, not slow
to initiate the example of their
superior, also made the beg an OBJ
ject of all manner of petty abuse.
One Of the seamen, just before the
arrival of thevessel ather destination,
took young Needham, and tying him
to the mast, proceeded to tattoo the
boys arms and a portion ofhis body,
the crew regarding the matter in the
light of a joke. Arriving at South
America Needham was placed on shore
and deserted in the midst of ahowling
wilderness. Left to roam at will In
the midst of dangers, it was not long
before the boy was captured by band
of Patagonian Indians, a tribe, which,
according to the reverend gentleman's
statement, had the 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
his arms. One of the figures was q
cross. The emblem of the Christian
religion-for these rude savages had,
on one or two occasions, become inti-
mately acquainted with missionaries
so touched their savage hearts that
they instantly determined to spare
his life. The scene must have been
impressive, for Mr.. Needham states
that he saw tears coursing down the
cheeks of his captors. After that he
was taken care of by the Patagonians
such good care, in fact, that for nine
years, although his efforts were cease
less, he was unable to escape from
them. "They regarded me" he says,
"as god," though perhaps they val
ued him as a work of art. At any
rate, his sciourn among them was of
long duration, and when he was final-|
ly able to return to civilization it was
as man ready to serve his Creator
tor the protection afforded him amid
such peril.
Mr.. NeedhaE1 spoke at the Fifth
Baptist church recently He is an
Irishman, about forty years of age,
and speaks with rich brogue. He is
short OF stature, has around, red, and
feshy face, and not unlike a New York
politician. His hair is very black,
and a heavy mustache of the same
color covers his mouth. In preaching
be speaks rapidly, uses good English,
and renders his subject interesting by
numerous Illustrations and anecdotes.
His manner is earnest and very forci-
BILE. In mis- sermons he spoke OF the
fair appearance of sin and the impos-
sibilitv of resisting it without the
aid of religion. 1t is useless" he said,
"to attempt to curb the human pas
sion. You may pet this old Adam
nature as much as you like. but the
nature remains the same and will as
sert 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 well as in England. he
has been in Washington for some time
and is we'll regarded by Baptist clergy
men.