The Helena independent., 1893-11-20

II never thought Of that before" he an
swered as If to himself, ''but it may be
true" Then in quiet, serious way he
told me of his many journeys around the
world, one of which involved Is years ab-
sence from his family here in Alameda,
Cal. He came to US here in 1s49, preach
ing from one end of the state to the other,
often in the streets, always among the poor
or depraved, always alone and on foot al
ways poor and without pay, remaining only
long enough in one place to found mis-
sion or church and then passing on to
place among strangers. He was always
known among US as Father Taylor" and
though he has long been Bishop Taylor,
still we old boys of the old days speak OF
him reverently, and often with uncovered
heads, as Father Taylor.
Here Is a paragraph given me by one OF
his sons which may throw some light on
the early life Of this most beloved of all
living men:
"William Taylor was born May 2, 1881,
in Rock kbridg sc county, Va. He was first a
Junior preacher to Franklin circuit in the
Baltimore conference. He was reported to
the preacher in charge as follows: He is
tall and slender, active and strong. wears a
blue coat, with brass buttons. His legs ex-
tend three OF four inches lower than his
pants, and he wears the broadcast toed boots
that have ever been seen in these parts. He
has but little experience in preaching, but
be is desperately in earnest and has the
stuff in him to make a preacher, and he
can sing Just as loud as he likes. In Octo-
Der, 1S!9, he was sent with his family as a
missionary to California, arriving in San
Francisco, the city of tents, in September,
l849, after 8 five months voyage round the
Horn
'He has been 81 years in service Says he
was put up to keep in all climates
counts on Is years longer to labor in Africa.
He was 70 years old last May l. In Africa
he walks everywhere, sleeping under the
stars"
This remarkable man has been called the
Napoleon of missions because of his great
good sense, his discipline and capacity to
bring order out of chaos and found mis-
sion churches, that pay their own way,
even where the most patient and sincere
Catholic priests have failed. For example
he has self sustaining seminary in one of
the South American capitals-nearly 500
girls, all eager to learn, in his Methodist
seminary! And all around the globe he
has done and is still doing something Of
this sort. He has lifted up the name and
rut and slough into which it was sinking
and made it respected even in the heart of
Africa. Danger? There is no more dam
ger in even the heart of Africa than here in
Alameda. never was armed in my life
nor had an escort of armed men. Stanley
was wrong in this. Surely Stanley could
have gone in peace and unharmed where
Livingstone had gone before him."
And then the good bishop went on to tell
me about his recent visits to remote
African city. He had two young men with
him. The last day it raned necessarily,
Z and they reached the city wet to the skin.
They We're sent at once to the house for
strangers, an Institution familiar to all
these remote heathep centcrs. The queen,
head wife of the king, received them at the
door. She did not know them or their
business; she only knew they were strang-
gers and homeless and hungry. She built
great wood fire with her own hands, and
while they dried their clothes and took
heart at such kindly welcome she cooked a
sumptuous dinner Of chickens, cornbread,
! baked yams and fried bananas. This she
spread on a mat before the fire and then
sat back in silence while they ate, and it
was only after they had eaten and rested
their fill that single question was asked.
! well, well, bishop,' said | in surprise,
| what need can such people have for Chris.
tianity?"
Very steadily the venerable evangelist
| looked at me for a long time, and then he
/ said sOieulnly, ''Ihey need the salvation OF
| our Lord Jesus Christ" 1t is this earnest
ness of Bishop Taylor that has made him
SO beloved and such u power over the wide
world. The portrait here shows his theory
and his procIivity. He begins with the
children-babes in arms. May he still have
many years. JOAQUIN MILLER