The Preacher and the Boy.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 88

The Preacher and the Boy.

Mr j. T. Trowbridge, the writer of stories for boys, tells in his autobiography of his acquaintance with Father Taylor, the sailocpreaeher of Boston. The little story Mr Trowbridge tells suggests that human qualities of Father Taylor which helped to make him a great preacher, and the young author's appreciation of the incident at the time suggests also that knowledge of how to win the affection of boye which made Mr Trowbridge so successful a writer of boys' books.

Mr Trowbridge had met Father Taylor, and liked him; but as he differed from him in religious opinion, he was always a little afraid that the preacher would spoil tha.r good friendship by attempting to proselytise.

It happened that Mr Trowbridge was spending a vacation at a country town where Father Taylor was preaching. People flocked to the service from all the country round. Mr Trowbridge went to the meeting, but did not stay. He had no sooner left than he was afraid that Father Taylor would be, not offended, perhaps, but honestly concerned for the young 1 man's well-being.

That Sunday evening there was a knock at Mr Trowbridge's door. He was pleased, although a little disturbed, on opening it to find Father Taylor there.

"My boy," said the preacher, "I want a little walk and a little talk with you." They talked pleasantly for a long time. The conversation never came near the edge of the topics which Mr Trowbridge feared the preacher would introduce. Finally Father Taylor turned and said:

" Young man, there's one thing I want to impress on you — there's nothing like being prepared."

"Now." thought Mr Trowbridge, "it is coming."

"We are enjoying a. blessed opportunity," continued Father Taylor, "and must make the most of it. We are to make an early start tip the lake in the morning, and what I suggest is that we should have our finishing-tackle, bait, everything needed for the day's sport, on board the steamer before breakfast."

Mr Trowbridge says: "How I loved the dear old man at that moment."