The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-11-17


81 never thought of that before,'' he an
swered as if to himself, but it may be
true" Then in a quiet, serious way he
told me of his many journeys around the
world, one of which involved 13 years alb
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 Oh 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 a
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, 1921,
in Rockbridge 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
blue coat, with brass buttons. His legs ex-
tend three or four inches lower than his
pants, and he wears the broadest toed boots
that have ever been seen in these parts. He
has but little experience in preaching, but
he 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, 1S49, he was sent with his family as a
missionary to California, arriving in San
Francisco, the city of tents, in September,
1S49, after a 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 10 years longer to labor in Africa.
He was % 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 Fer 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 ard
vocation of the missionary from ont Of the
rut and slough into which it was sinking.
and made it respected even in the heart of
Africa. Danger? There is no more dan
ger in even the heart of Africa than here in
Alameda. Inever 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 unbarmed where
Livingstone had gone before him"
And then the good bishop went on to tell
me about his recent visits 10 a remote
African city. He had two young men with
him. The last day il rained necessarily.
and they reached the city wet to the skin.
They were sent at once to the house for
strangers. an institution familiar to ali
these remote heather centers. 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 ami homeless and hungry. She built
a great wood fire with her own hands. and
while they dried their clothes and took
heart at such ksndly welcome she cooked
dinner of chickens, cornbread.
baked yams and fried bananas. This sno
spread on d mat before the fire and then
sat back in silence while they ate, and il
was only after they had eaten and rested
their fill that single question was asked
We'll, well, bishop, said 1 in surprise.
what need can such people have for Chris
.ianitys"
Very steadily the venerable evangelist
looked at fpe for long time. and then ne
said solemnly. They need the salvation Of
our Lord Jesus Christ Il Is this earnest
less OF Bishop Taylor that mas made him
% beloved and such power over the wide
world. The portrait heTr shows his theory
md his proclivity. lie begins with the
.Aildren-b babes in arms. May ne stiu have
,lany years. Joaquin siILLEg