Little Falls transcript., 1886-07-23
rs Thrilling Adventure.

# Rev. Thomas Needharn, the Baptist
evangelist, whose religious work ia.
this city. says the W flashing on Post, IS
now exciting considerable attention
among the Baptists, has had, accord
ing to his own story, q very remark
able and interesting history. When
he was but ten years Of age he went to
sea on board an English vessel bound
Tor South America. The captain was
= very brutal man and often iIl-treat-
ID the lad, and the sailors, not slow
TO initiate the example Of their
superior, also made the, boy an OBJ.
ject OF all manner Of petty abuse.
One of the seamen, just before the
arrival of thevessel at her destination,
took young Needham, and tying him
to the mast, proceeded to tattoo the
boys arms and 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 a bowling
wilderness. Left to roam at will in
the midst of dangers, it was not Ion,
before the boy was captured by a band
OF Patagonian Indians, q 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
late had not the Indians, on removing
his clothes, discovered the pictures on
his arms. One Of the figures was g.
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 MIR. 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,
'Sas O. god," though perhaps they val
ued him as a work OF art. At any
rate, his soiourn 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.. Needham spoke at the Fifth
Baptist church recently. He is an
lrlshman, about forty years of age,
and speaks with a 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 q 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 anecdot tes.
His manner is earnest and very forci-
bic. In his sermons he spoke OF the
far appearance of sin and the impos-
eibility of resisting it without the
aid of religion. It is useless" he said,
ITO 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 we'll as in England. He
has been in Washington for some time
and is well regarded by Baptist clergy