The sun., 1894-10-21
PROPHET AZ NELL As PREACHER.
Parsoa Thomas's Missionary Work AAoaG
ths. Che 90 RaakA IsIaAas.

High and dry Om the edge OF Pungoteague
Greek, in Aceomank county. Va, lies ths mis-
siOnary canoe OF Joshua Thomas, the parson of
the islands. The pars0II has beeI. dead more
than forty years, but the canoe rsputed to DO
the largest craft ever followed from single
log in that region. survives in fairly sound con-
dition, while the good mans memory Is likely
10 he chsrished with reverence long after the
canoe shall have rotted 10 the sands.
Parson Thomas was born on Tangier Island =
low tract Of sand elevated scarcely six feet
above the high tide OF the Chesapeake. He came
Of plain island folk. his father having been
fisherman and gunner. He becane a fervent
Methodist early in life, and WAS already an in
nuential preacher when the British came up the
Cllesa peake In the war OF lsla, Part of the
fleet touched a. Iangier island. and farson
III s.,idern- Nd. did prsach. ana. in The course
OF his sermon. warned the British that they
would never reach Baltimore. but would be
The fulthnsnt of this warning strengthened
the parsons growing influence among the thick
rsld, and he sOOn had wide reputation as
prophet. II Was believed that what Joshua
Thomas prayed for would be granted, and what
hs proDhssisd would come 70 pass. This Captain
OF paRgy sailing mp to baltimore stopped at
..sos 70 az Ii. oPaopy pas IS StS he eoS
tributi0n box. At that the parson prayed that
the Eiver might have a fair wind and quick
passage 10 his destination. The Captain started
onward With the prospect that the parsons
prayer would be answered. Another Captain.
calling also for Baltimore, said TO him as they
lsft fangier:
al gave nothing but III get as much out of the
Bnt the seoffsF's punsy drove lahore miIss
from Baltimore while the generous gtVor sped
and SOLD bis oysters at the highest rate,
some of the parsons aIaphibian paFishi0neFs
were auArrslling aveF the right 10 a famous nsh-
ing ground until blOOdshed was threatened
Then the paTson la powerful sermon warned
them With uplifted hand that unless they ceased
their profanity aud threats no more hsh would
be caught IN those p4Rts BY amy OF the warning
dcnly the 1uek of the hsheTulen vas utterly
gone. 70 this day, Il L. said. no hsh can be
caught In the wAesrs that fell under ParsOn
JOshuA's curse.
fhs parsons great canoe carried him up and
down The Chesapeake among the islands and
acFlsA to the western shore. His hOnors in
creased with bis years and prosperity came to
TaREisr, his 6irthDlacs and his home. Is now
deAssly popAlaks1 With race of prosperous hsh-
eFmsa. WhO reap tbs untitled helds Of the Cheaa-
psAke aAd ealtiVato ashore the 1nest gardens
that one sees AAy y hers along the bay. Nobody
l. pool il TaRsisr. Neariy all the men earn
their bread upon the waters, bat here and these
an islARdsr Wlth beach party cultivetes the
gardens Of tAase whO are 100 busy TO trouble with
trivial matters ashore, Grapes grow In mar
scapsTnong Is there and the eAtsW - attains
gRsAt size. Msanwhile there are sell stocked
stores. substantial churches. and good schools.
AA' niRa yea" sad mAR from the main"
Who kaoWs the island. they always have good
pEaAeksss thaHsA They dont think nOthin' of
EoIn' 10 Baltimore an 0nerin 81 zoo or 81 500
year for the preacher thsy want"