The Atlanta constitution., 1894-05-21

posed that all should dine alligator steak
fon supper 1t was a royal dish. The stutl
tasted more like a pie made out OF hddie
strings than anything else. This by the
way, was the Same place that Aaron 6urr
stayed at when he made his trip south
'The view is magnificent and was con-
t1nual source of pleasure to Mr. Leigh. Inc
Hmltless expanse of waving marshes, cut
here and there by some shining stream,
while far in the distance Sapelo and Doboy
rose to view, all made an impressive pic
ture.''
Ye es, Leigh was splendid man. He and
Rosebery were fast friends and I not
surprised that he should receive the first
appointment made by the new premier, and
if the archbishopric of Canterbury should
follow, it would not be surprsing.''
THE REV. 4. DEWIrT.
The Distinguished Divine of the Brooklyn
Tabernacle in Atlanta.
There was a day when the actress, Kate
ClaXton. seemed to have a monopoly of
fires. but of late years the Rev. L. Dewitt
IalmaSe, of the greater New York. has
usurped that distinction.
just from the scene of his third fire dis
aSter, Dr. Tamage was III Atlanta w ednes-
day morning. He is on his way for tour
of the world, which will consume about six
months. On Sunday he preached his fare-'
well sermon before making the trip and just
alter the services, which were naturally
very largely attended, were concluded,
the fire which destroyed the taber-
nacle and the hotel next door broker
out. AT first it thought that the dis
aster would necessitate Il change in DR..
Talmages plans, but the officers of his
church met at once, resolved to reoulld
and insisted upon his taking the tour and
the rest he SO much needed.
So he has started and yesterday was here.
Il like Atlanta very much" he said, as
IA TlI1ro Frr. ss 10 hnh
gone to the Kinball, but it was too early
for breakfast, SO he glad to avail him
self of the restaurant at the union depot.
YES he continued, Il like Atlanta and the
south. My visits here have been pleasant
always. The southern people are always
cordial and hOspitable and some of the best
friends L have among them. BY the
way he continued, glancng at The Con-
stitution, Il have felt great deal of in
terest i'll this exposition movement whlch
has taken d number of your prominent ctt-
to Washington this week. 1t is a, Splen-
did idea and I'm sure the government ought
to give you every encouragement. l think
the whole country would be attracted to it.
and L m sure that the exhibit Of the colored
people will attract the attention OF the
whole world. [ sincerely hope you will get
from the government all you desire.
story of the Fire.
The doctor was asked to tell the story OF
the big fire and said:
"At the close of the service he said Il
was standing at the foot of the pulpit shak-
ing hands with crowd of people from all
lands. | was about thrOuGh-had SAID the
last farewells-and was walking over 10
where my wife stood. in the center of the
church when she called my attention to
fire sprnging out from the top OF the or
gan | realized at once that II was UNDER
full headWay, and my first impulse WAS 10
look around and see how many people We
then i'll the house. To my great JOY Iouhu
there were only about twenty people, and
with twenty-five doors to get out through
[ felt they would all escape Against the
entreatles of Mrs TalmaSe, L went into
my study, back of the pia1or1n passing
under the blazing piping, 10 get my nat anu
coat ! walked up ana DOWN me STUDY room
rejoicing mentaIIy tnat the IRE hau occur
reu Wnen there no cnance OF 1ataIlty.
w nile i'll this sort of Il brown STUDY d New
y orK friend rushed into the room 2"
taking my arm, said; get out OF -
Immediately OF you'll sAot@eef
come aiong! ly-oIloWed
/ was standing on the Ilat.
the IianeS| When Mrs. IalilatsSsA
arm andg insisted that L Should iGdve.
lneI~he continued, giving evidence u
cons uerable emotion; There is mercy
on top OF the disaster. If IL hac occurfed
or.e-half hour before, it would have been
tie worst calamity OF the century. IhG
cnurcn and all The rooms adjoining were
packed with people, and the panic would
have left the whole scene one lndescrlba-
bic horror, Or, If it had occurred two or
three hours later. when the Sunday school
would have been in session, there would
have been thousand houSholdS Derett IN
Brooklyn. Little Children-IIelpleSs children
what would they have done? God cared
for them, and even in TINS calamity Ills
mercy is infinite. Personally, l 1eel not
the least 9,tom of disappointment, nor less
faith in God, not less OF hope, for the
future. This long procession OF disasters is
inexplicable We must simply accept the
fact. Our church has been burned three
times and it has always occurred Sun
day 1t is a mystery that l adjourn till the
next world shall let know.
- 1t is the Lord. Let Him do what SEEM
eth good in His sight!
Two of our trustees had a narrow es-
cape; they were in their room and knew
nothing of the fire until it was nearly too
late for their escape. They were Mr.. Mat
assistance i'll their escape"
When asked for his opinion as 10 the
cause of the fire, he SAID empha t"ally:
"Flectric lights! electricity caused this fire,
Schermerhorn street" The doctor then
crossed two fingers and continued: "It was
some misarrangement Of the wires. Elec-
tricty is a force that is only partially har-
of benefcence and power III the future,
but just it has the bit in its mouth,
and Is almost beyond our control. Electric
lty was undoubtedly the cause of the tire
officers Of the church in deciding to rebuild.
we must have a 5000 000 building" he said,
land think we will have it,"
The doctor talked at some length about
his trip. He will make several stops on his
way to san Francisco. From there he VIII
go to Honolulu and then to Australia.
While here he telegra phed his wife and
daughter, who sailed yesterday on the Ma
jestc for Switzerland, where they will
spend the summer. They will, later, meet
mr.