Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-13
FROM THE PRIZE RING
 TO THE PULPIT. Salvation Army Captain Was Once a Rruiser-Converted to Better Life p Years Aao.

There was a meeting of unusual fn- terest at the Y. M. c. A. Sunday after noon, the speaker being Capt E. W. Wilbur of the Salvation Army, who spoke on the topic From Prize Ring to Pulpit, telling of his personal life as bruiser, and of how he became. con- verted and took up the work of the Salvation Army. There was music by Swahn's orchestra and short song service preceded the address. Rev. F. o. Cunningham presided and offered prayer Two solos were beautifully rendered by Hugh Kinder Miss Sybil Christman presiding at the piano.
 Ambition to Be Champion.
 In my early days. said Captain Will bur. I had one pride. one ambition, the former my strength and the latter to bully of the world. As a child in dresses I had a passion for liquor and my parents used to give it to me. My grandfather was a heavyweight slug caring neither for heaven nor hell, and his ambition for me was to be hotel bouncer- manager. At the age of 9 or 10 came in contact with a Meth odist preacher and conceived the de- sire to become minister. But where was my chance? I was never sent to Sunday school and received nothing to encourage my desires. When I became If l first felt the calling or the prlZ6 ring. I dreamed of it at night and thought ever of it by day. 1 had an uncle who, like my grandfather. was a heavyweight "ugilist, that my ambition was not to be wondered at. At Is I had my first bout bare listed, in a saloon with another lad of about my own age. After that we would fight in the saloons until both were covered with blood for drink. There were more and bigger bouts and l took to tending bar and dissipation. will pass along to my last battle, which took place in stable with a man difference. I was in no condition and weak from dissipation. but would not give in, and the fight lasted for 80 minutes. with little advantage either way. Fighting desperately to save that man from beating me, conviction seized me The thought came to me that if my life should end there, which was not unlikely, considering my con- ditien. what would be the result, the ende It seemed as if the spirit of God came to me then. "If I leave this life now. in this rendition. geryr with the blood of myself and of my enemy. for what will I have to ansyger?" was the question which came to me, I prom ised God that if He would but save me from defeat I would never fight again Soon after this Stewart was brought home from a bout, dead,
 Conviction in Shadow of Death.
 A year later the light came to me. It was on a New Years eve and I lay in bed sick with dissipation. with no ambition and with little life. I feared that pneumonia had got me. The thought came to me as dn the prize ring. If I die now where am I go- ing2' I had feared not man, had not turned from the sight of blood. but my heart began to fail me and I shook with fear. I feared not death but I feared to fall in the arms of Him who fod aaf nf ry3zF f1 1nyU could I face Him with my past life2 How could answer Him? What could I do? From midnight to day light I fought with myself and at last got down on my knees and prayed to God and begged His mercy to restore me to a new strength with power to live a decent life. Hound pardon at that very hour. now 22 years gone.
 For 22 years I have not touched drop of liquor, and I must admit that of all the things I ever tasted nothing seemed so good to me as liquor 'One thing know. that whereas was blind, now sees From prize ring te the pulpit is as far as the east is from the west, as far as heaven is from he'll and today look back oyer long course and realize how far from the
 Joined Salvation Army.
 the Salvation Army. I had for long time admired this band of Christs workers, trying to save lost souls. I admired their courage, but had lacked the courage myself to take a stand with them Where my heart was filled with evil it is now filled with duty, compassion, love and pity for the lost. Jesus Christ has put clean heart in my body I'm g years from the prize ring today and am travelling farther from it along Gods way. If you see man going down. helpless, hopeless, do not judge him. His appetites ana sur roundings are pulling him down. so reach out helping hand.
 It was announced that the speaker next Sunday would be Rev. c. R. Me- Nai1y of New London whose topic will be The Gospel in Nutshell.