THE

EVENTFUL LIFE AND TRAVELS

OF

CHARLES GEE TAYLOR,

SPEENHAM LANDI), NEWBURY, BERKS,

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged.

,, T was at Longcott, near Faringdon, Berks, on the 4th of April, 1806, when my eyes first saw the light, and my mother believed that her first-born was a beauty. When quite a babe I was taken to Little Hinton, near Swindon, to live with my grandmother. Sarah Gee, and while living there many things transpired only known to God and myself, although very young, which if known to some would be very pleasing, but disbelieved by others, and for want of space I must pass over. When five or six years old I was sent to Market Ilsley, to live with a woman and her cruel husband , he spent much of his money on strong drink and other wickedness , he was a vicious agent and child of the devil. He. after harvest, took some pounds of his master, and, as his custom was, on Sunday he got drunk, came home, misused his wife, packed up his clothes, left the grocer, baker, shoemaker, and rent unpaid, enlisted in the army, and he very soon fell from the horse and broke his hip bone, from which he died, and the devil claimed his own , for such that do such things cannot enter heaven. From his cruelty I suffered with sores nearly all over. Often neither his wife or myself dared to look or speak in his presence. Strong drink is raging, and whoso is deceived thereby is not wise ; but fools make a mock at sin, and are willing to work hard to get into hell. Before I was eight years old I was sent to Kintbury to live with relations.

2 After a few weeks on a Sunday I was enticed by a cousin which was older than myself, to go with him to a farm, where he had to feed cattle, and in the journey I fell down and soiled my new clothes. When I got home I had a bad flogging from a spiteful, unfeeling monster, not worthy the name of a man, with a staff,. on my head, back, and hips ; not a good breaking in,. before was eight years old, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. At this time I did not know a letter, but after some months I was sent to a dame's school, but often kept at home to work, so that I had a very poor chance for learning, I was told there was a school on Sunday mornings at the Methodist Chapel, when I got permission to attend, my teacher's name was Thomas Toe, and when he saw that I was willing to learn he encouraged me with kind words. After a while I was sent to work at a silk mill, where the looker-on was an old soldier ; whether he had been accustomed to use the cat-o'-nine-tails on his comrades it is not for me to say, but he very sharply used the strap on the poor children's backs instead of teaching them the manner to work the courtly silk, but with all his cruelty the children destroyed it in different ways, which was a very great loss to the proprietor. After working eighteen months, at the mill my drunken governor employed me to drive and look after his horses ; and although I was so young an inexperienced with the work, I was expected to clean and drive the horses as clever as a man that had been accustomed to the work ; loading hay, corn, faggots, or anything I wasputto, and expected to be performed to perfection. I cannot state the hundredth part of undeserved bad treatment I endured in my youth from a ungodly barbarous man, guided by his father the Devil. I was sent two miles and a half with a peck of salt, and was allowed only one hour and a half to walk the five miles ; when I delivered the salt I waited some time expecting to take the bag back, but the servant told me the bag belonged to her mistress. I hastened home, knowing if I was not there at the appointed time what to expect, and being half an hour over, my governor would not hear a word about my waiting expecting to bring the bag back, neither did he regard my youth and weakness, for at that time a little exertion brought on a pain in my left side, which at times caused me to sweat with agony, but the child of wrath gave me an unjust thrashing with a walking staff. While I am writing I feel almost overcome with grief. About this time I had to carry a tub of grease and tar nearly four miles, and allowed one hour to walk the distance with a heavy load, but I was a quarter of an hour over the allotted time ; at once the slave driver, in the same manner as men

thrash corn with a flail, the earthly fiend thrashed a poor weak helpless, innocent boy. I remember being at plough, at B amp-stead, when I was chastised because a little hair was off the horse's shoulder, I was sure that I was not to blame for it was the governor's neglect, and I began to explain the cause, when the wretch told me to go into the copse and hide myself, when like lightning it came to my mind, Go there and hang thyself and have no more of his cruelty, and I believe if I had had a cord I should have done so. Many times I made up my mind to commit self-murder, even left home with full intent to do it, but the good Lord prevented me from plunging into Hell, caused by the wickedness of a drunken wretch. I always worked in dread, the distress of mind_ I suffered I never can state. As the governor and me were passing through Aldermaston we met an old toper, a drunken companion of the governor's from Reading. These two children of the Devil entered Satan's workshop, sent me on with the horses, and as my master did with an unloaded waggon, I sat on the front with my feet on the shafts ; I met a magistrate who told me for riding without reins, he would have me before the magistrates at Newbury ; before my governor came up to me someone had told him what had happened. When the governor overtook me he took the big whip and belaboured me in such a blood-thirsty manner that it frightened the horses so, that they started off and could not be stopped till they got near the end of Crookham Common. Oh, my poor legs swelled in large black lumps, but it was no good to complain. I had but two chances, either endure barbarous treatment, or to put an end to my life. What made the punishment to me worse was, on the same day this monster of wickedness did the same thing, and also each time he went out with the waggon, but no one stopped him. Two days after I went to the gentleman, when he asked me many questions, I told him the truth and he was pleased with my answers and frankly forgave me. I cannot tell what a heavy crushing burden was removed from my mind. If the good magistrate had not cancelled the case I expect the governor would have again severely bruised me with sores from the top of my brain-box to the soles of my feet. When he was driving in the same manner as above, the waggon was over-turned on him, broke his ribs, tore his foot out of joint, skinned his head, and nearly killed him ; he was confined to his bed for months. On passing through a town I found a note, at once the governor grabbed it, notgiving me a penny. I had a nice weaning calf given me, the above robber sold it for a sovereign and kept the cash. Now if he had acted

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honestly he would have invested the £2 in the savings' bank in my name, that would have helped me very much in after-life, as you will see further on, Now this two-faced limb of the devil would stay at the publichouse for days together, and kept on repeating the following, " Do as you would be done by ' that is my zong," and repeated it for hours, but his life was quite the reverse. I believe it was in the winter, 1822, that the fish pond belonging to Mr. Bebb, of Donnington, was cleaned out, when my governor contracted to draw with horses and carts one acre of mud out, I had to set the cart, and two men stayed in the pond to fill, then I walked out with each load, and saw to the horses while the loads were emptying, then drove the horses into the water again. Many mornings I had to break the ice in the water knee deep ; I did this barbarous work all the winter, and all the pay I received over food, were bad shoes, thin clothing, hard work and grumbling. One time I had such a cold I almost lost my voice, I coughed. night and day but obliged to keep on with this killing work although so ill, not a thing was given me to relieve the almost fatal disease. What a wonder I am alive to relate this story. The governor took care of himself, and said he did not wet either of his feet during the winter, but took care to wet his greedy appetite at the devil's workshop at night, while I was cleaning and feeding the horses, this spews up a selfish man without natural feeling. As myself and the governor got partly up Marlborough-hill, we remembered that the large tar cloth was left where we fed. the horses, and instead of his fetching it, he sent the little lad for the large heavy cloth, for which I had to go nearly a mile, with orders from him to over-take him by the time he arrived on the top of the hill, but when I got there he was gone, and left orders with the gate-keeper that I was to make haste and overtake him. When I had done so, I received for my trouble another severe thrashing. At another time the poor horses had a heavy load and the roads were covered with ice, and instead of having the horses roughed, the taproom bragger spent the cash on drink and because the willing horses could not get up Marlborough-hill, to please the swill-tub emptier, the cruel child of his father the devil laid many and furious stripes on me and the horses. For his cruelty two men shamed him, but that did not cure him. Satan's children are willing at all times to do the devil's dirty hell-fillina. work. For want of space I am compelled to pass over many Tears of cruelty to the month of November, 1827, when myself with two others was to perform a certain quantity of work by a stated time, we drove on with all our might but could not finish so soon

by one hour. When the governor came from the " Blue Ball Inn " maddened with cursed drink, the storm was very hot on poor Charles, but no one deserved. it. With this and so many unmerited. things heaped on me, after almost night and day striving to get on and earn as much as possible, although a big lad always at work, I did not get one shilling in a year, after hearing daily abuses I felt I could stand it no longer. That daily  night I left, went to a person that had* been expecting my escape from the house of bondage, for a long time ; next day the person gave me a shilling, then off I trudged, taking no clothing but what I had on., and that very much out of repair. I went to Little Hinton, and saw my uncle, Abraham Gee, who was a dealer, doing a large trade, and who had sometime before wished me to live with him and help him in his business, lie wished me first to go hack to Kintbury and get my clothes, but I made up my mind I would not be beholden to any of my kindred, but would try my luck in the wide 9ci.de world, and first go to London. When I got to Turnham-green by the side of the road there was a waggon and three horses, I asked the master if he wanted anyone to travel with him, when he said no. I gave him a true statement of my case, when lie said I might come one week on trial. His name was Thomas Appleby, a carrier from Watlington, our journeys were from Oxford to London TV eekly. During my stay in Oxfordshire my old governor at Kintbury several times sent for me, wishing me to come and work for him again, as lie confessed no one had .taken care of the horses and done the work so well since I had been away he also promised to be kind and. pay me wages, and after , five months I returned with 'some cash, and that he got out of me, and never paid me again, neither any wages, only in hard slavish work and foul language. I must now go back a few years. We often had to remove furniture for gentlemen. My relations wished to give me the smallpox, as they said I could then travel without danger. I think it was in 1819 that killing disease broke out in a family near our house, when poor me was told to go and sit in the house wiLire the children's faces were completely covered with sores, I dared not refuse the orders. Two days after my cruel matron inoculated me with I believe a quarter of a ounce of matter which she had taken from a boy who had the smallpox. All this was kept very sly, but it came out all over me. I was then ordered to be taken where the others bad been sent, to a very lonely farm, about three miles. These know-nothings took me late at night in an

open cart, and by that foolhardiness, and the night being cold, and my body covered with sores, the eruptions were struck in, and having a bad nurse for some days it was with much difficulty it could be brought out again for some weeks. I was unconscious during that time. Dr. Maj or, of Huncrerford, that attended me, said he had been abroad and seen many bad cases in the hospitals, but never witnessed any-thing so distressing before, and assured the brute I must die, and nothing would save my life ; but nearly 60 years have been added to my up and down life. After a time I got about again, but my arms and legs were in a very bad state with wounds. My finger and toe nails all came off, my head was also in a bad state : flesh and hair came off ; and when consciousness returned the weakness and pain I endured no one can describe, and all from the ignorance and wickedness of lovers ofdarkness ; for all liars shall have their portion that burns with brimstone and fire, for the Lord's word declares it. When the doctor left off attending me he said my inside was in as bad condition as the outside, and he wished them to give me plenty of medicine, but my unkind relations did not heed his advice. The tender mercies of fools are cruelty. Again, the family from which I was inoculated was consumptive, asthmatical, and dropsical, and of course the complaints rooted themselves in me, and I have to suffer for it, having always a disease on the chest which cannot be cured, A gentleman said, I saw Taylor boy before he had the smallpox, he was as pretty as an angel; but now he has had the smallpox he is as ugly as the devil. When hardly able I as again obliged to resume my labours and to endure hard blows and curses. My poor dejected spirit was daily broken down with grief, nothing but God kept me from cutting short my life with my own hand. Some years after, when suffering with my chest and other complaints, Doctor Thomas Carter attended me, when I told him the manner I was treated with the smallpox, he was aston-ished at my recovery, and said the quantity of matterput on my arms was enough to inoculate every person in New-bury and several parishes round, so the reader must believe what a burden of rottenness, and suffering was laid on me by ignorant people. I will again refer your attention to my return from Oxfordshire. From often being very wet, I had a bad cold from which I felt suchpains in my limbs, but especially in my back, that I could not stoop. I got so ill that I could neither sleep nor move without being in dreadful pain my legs were swollen and the whole system was full of

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impurity. I applied to Charles Alderman, Esq., a retired doctor at .Kintbury, when he promised he would do his best, but after he had tried some-time he told me he had never had such an obstinate case before,he then prescribed the powders for purifying the blood, which removed the lumps from my suffering body, but the gnawing pains were not removed from my limbs, I could not get ease in bed or out, my good doctor then said my complaint was rheumatic gout, he then prescribed the original drops, and the first night 1 took a dose I slept free from pain and very soon the gout was eradicated several times the doctor conversed with me about medicines, and stated how they acted and what they would cure, for which I was very glad as I wished to be instructed in its right application, as my mind was con-tinually leaning towards the use of medicines, as he said it was a pity I was not a Doctor. In May, 1826, I was offered a donkey, cart, and harness, for which I was to give £5, and pay for it as I could get the money, for I had not got it then, and was obliged to borrow four shillings to begin with, not being possessed of a farthing, and but one shirt, and an oid shaker. I then began very industriously as a carrier from Kintbury to Newbury, but as the old cart and harness were so often out of repair it took nearly all the money I earned to keep it fit for the journeys. I have been to Newbury and back several times and not earned a shilling. Other days I have had very heavy loads then I tied a rope on the cart and pulled by the side of my companion, the noble donkey, which was very pleased with a help mate, as we agreed quite well. I put up at the " Catherine Wheel," where I spent twopence each day for a pint of ale and no more. I always brought goods for the landlord of the " Jolly Sailor," and there I had half-a-pint of beer. While my donkey was eating her hay I felt a perfect hatred to stopping at a public-house. 1 knew the want of cash, therefore I felt its value. I had saved three half crowns towards paying debts, but one day I and my donkey and dog were passing a farm-yard, when the dog ran after some geese, when he killed one and crippled another, for which I had to pay five shillings, and the farmer kept the poultry, then I was nearly broken down for want of cash, but I plucked up courage and my loading began to increase. I had a small new cart, which cost£7. Several persons wished to buy my beautiful donkey, I sold her for £3, and the purchaser sold her to a lady for 15. I then bought a pony, but as my trade increased I was obliged to have a larger cart, then a strong horse and new harness, all of it together cost £40, and by working and taking great care of' all I earned., I paid for the above and for another new cart for farming and other purposes.

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If' anyone has an 110n0St employment ho is sure at times to have bard fighting, but never give up, you will be sure to gain the victory. and their mothers were daily Now widows, lasses, telling m 0 to have a wife, as they felt sure I could make a com-fortable home. And being told by friends that I could. stoop at any time and pick up nothing, therefore their advice was to take a wife with plenty of money. z..o I took their advice but I did not marry my wife fur the sake of her fortune, but it turned out lucky, as ',he told me all she possessed was 3s. 6(1., and that sum she laid out on a bride's cake, the day we agreed to be one. IN o person can accuse me for spending my wife's money, but the best of all is she has been a fortune to me. We were married at Kintbury, by Mr. Fowle, October '26.01, 1833. Six children has been our stock in hand, two left us when very young, four we paid rather dear to be educated and apprenticed, and we tried to instil into each knowledge-box to be strictly honest and not spend their cash on smoke and strong drink, as they cannot upbraid their parents of either. Two years after I began as a carrier, I took some land of C. Johnson, Esq., of Wallington-house, and agreed to pay him £4 per acre for it, having been neglected for some years it had become full of noxious weeds. The first year it produced only three sacks of wheat to the acre. My late master reproved me very sharply for being so foolish, for taking land in such bad condition, and rented at so high a price, when I told him I had been a very silly fool, as a slave to him for many years, and now I was determined to try for myself did you blame me ? when I took the land. I knew quite well I shall have plenty of slavish work, and made up n-iy mind to do so. I have been carting manure at one o'clock in the morning, by moonlight, in the month of October ; and during the summer I was seldom on the bed after two or three in the morning, as I had to go to Newbury five days hi the week but I felt such a joyous sensation, on account of my deliverance from the house h- of bondaor•e into an independent condition. 1 had now become my own master, and all my hard labour was for my own profit. Some persons told ni© that I should kill myself with. hard work, and then be buried under the gallows But I worked on cleaning, and enriching the land, until it abundantly recompensed nie for all my sell-denying labou.rs • and the sa - 1 MO and which the —t arvest only produced three sacks to the acre, in two years after yielded sixteen sacks ; all this difference resulted from my early rising and labour. I worke4 early and late without the aid of strong drink but I had never heard. of teetotaller. I harvested six crops, and planted

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the seventh, but previous to the last named planting I removed to another house, and by so doing I incurred the heavy expense of removing, and fittimg up a new building for my convenience. But that was not all the loss, I gave warning to my old landlord at the wrong time, and he took advantage of my ignorance, com-pelling me to pay him three quarters rent after I left the house although he had kept the key in his possession for the time. This is precisely how he rewarded me for the great improvement I had made in the value of his property, all at my own expense. When the new Poor Law came into operation every business seemed to undergo a change, people were almost everywhere badly off, and my expenses became double my income, besides having been so unjustly treated by the landlord of the house, before stated, and the expense of removing, and building, and the failure of four horses. These calamities came upon me like a violent storm. I went to C. Johnson, Esq., and stated my case, when he advised me not to give up, and he would let me have more land, and said I might pay the rent when convenient, he also offered to lend me as much money as I needed. Many well wishing friends offered to lend me cash, as they stated I took orders, delivered the goods, paid all bills without any anxiety to them. During nine years and ten months I was entrusted with many thousand pounds, and all parties found it just, neither grocers or other merchants sent outrides, as I went for them, but I was badly paid. At this time the future appeared all darkness, and getting into debt with no prospect of paying did not agree with my pride, so I sold off at a great sacrifice and paid all I owed, and engaged with Mr. C. Wright, as a grocer's porter, in Mlarch, 1838 and after I came to Newbury, I almost daily saw persons from Kintbury, who informed me what a beautiful crop was on the land I had left, then I wished I had taken friends' advice and kept the land and carrying. The person who took to my land paid me honourably, and his first crop paid a small fortune, as he had good crops resulting from my hard work, and corn sold at a higher rate than it had for several previous years owing to making the railroad through Kint-bury, and the demand for many additional labourers, my business would have doubly increased, my old customers often said to me, I wish you had never given up ! and well they might they tell me so, as I took all orders, delivered the goods, got the goods cashed, paid all bills, and kept upright and down straight with all my employers. But they found out after I gave up that every man was not so obliging and good tempered as the poor old Dunce. One day as I was working in the warehouse, quite unexpectedly,

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Mr. C. Wright said to me, you are deserving of a better place, than grinding at my sugar mill ; and if you see anything better that would suit you, I will advance you an amount of cash to enable you to take it. About the same time I saw my old land-lord, Cuthbert Johnson, Es , when he very kindly asked me how I was doing in worldly matters, and said if I saw anything worth taking, he would assist me by the aid of his purse. I was not aware I had so many kind friends, but I did not accept either of thosegenerous offers, but I still remember them as being worthy of my best and sincerest thanks for their dis-interested kindness. I went to London in expectation that I might get a business, but I failed. But while there I was introduced to persons of high stations in life, who tried to teach me politeness, but I could not allow my brain-box to be filled with false pretence, so I came home no better for their attempts to educate me. During my stay, Her Gracious Majesty was crowned Queen of England ; in the streets, and parks, there was such a concourse of people, 1 never again expect to see so many, until that day, when kings, queens, dukes, lords,ijuclges, magistrates, lawyers, parsons, rich, and poor, shall stand on a level before a just judge, to receive the reward due to them,—you and I will be there. After my return from London, Mr. Gale, wine merchant, of Speenhamland, sent for me, he stated that he wished to see my wife, as he wished to ascertain whether she was competent to conduct a business. An agreement was arranged, and my wife entered upon the management of a publichouse, with the distinct understanding that she should not serve anything on Sunday. By that rule I thought I could keep a clear conscience, but very soon I found out what a sad mistake I had committed, as we had to contend with much wickedness. My reader, if you have ever felt anything of the love of God. beware, never take a publichouse, not even with the excuse that you will not sell on Sunday ; if you do so you will be wofully deceived. Mr. Gale was a coach proprietor, a brewer, also an evil-spirit merchant, and he wished me to be his servant, and help his men, and I complied with his request to my sorrow, for I had a lar.re number of horses to look after, get hay, and corn ready, and take it every week, some-times to Devizes, and other tinles to different parts of the country. I had pigs to feed, clean, a largegarden to cultivate, and water the streets of Speenhamland. My work was never kept under, although I was at it almost night and day, but worst of all my fellow worrimen were false, and disagreeable to me they were jealous, and told me I must not suggest any impr , ove-ments to the master. Oh, what muffs mastersput dependence in !

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sinful lusts of the flesh ; and believe all the articles of the christian faith ,- and keep God's holy will and commandments and walk in the same all the days of their lives. Do all these persons fulfil this solemn promise which they made when kneelino-in the sight of a just and holy God ? who will bring all men to judgment to give account of their conduct, whether good or bad. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. On the same day the following conversation took place between Taylor and the Churchwarden, T.—The Bishop appears to be a very humble good man. I hope he enjoys that which he teaches in the catechism, namely, the new birth unto righteousness, being born in sin, and are by nature children of wrath. No creed or outward form of man's tinkering together can save any poor sin-born child of man from hell. No man can enter heaven except he is saved by God's only remedy, coining as a guilty, lost, condemned criminal, and believe on the precious blood of Jesus with all his heart, might, and strength ; Ye must be born again (see iii. chap. St. John's gospel). This is the teaching of God's word, and all good church people believe it, and by living holy, godly, and consistent lives they enjoy the peace of God that passeth all understanding. Be not conformed to this world. After pride a fall. C.—I do not believe you or anyone understands the being born again, you are talking at random. T.—Sir, by you thus speaking it plainly appears you do not believe the doctrines of your own Church Prayer Book— read the Article 13 therein. C.—I tell you such things are not for any of us to meddle with, we cannot comprehend them. T.—Search the scriptures, pray over them that the mist of ignorance may vanish, and those things will be made plain to the man that to this world is counted a fool and madman. Neither baptism, confirmation, or partaking of Holy Communion can possibly save any sinner, only by coming as a hell deserving wretch to Christ, and fully believing in his precious atonement. After this pleasing conversation my friend took a brisk walk, leaving T to go on his way rejoicing. Every person has a right to worship under their own vine and fig-tree ; but if a man do exercise the reason that God has given him he will attend where the plain bible truth is preached, not where Christ is wrapped round and hidden from the people by pharisees, who are trying to establish their own righteousness with copes, stoles, crosses, bowings, mincing rituals, intoning,. millinery, and other theatrical ceremonies. No wise persons I would spend their time in such. hell-filling company, the Prayer

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Book declares such silly practices are contrary to the Word of God, and are blasphemous and dangerous deceits ; is it true that there is in the State Church such soft brained lunatics that say no men are authorised to preach or visit the sick but themselves, as they are successors of the Apostles. But it is very certain that the Church ofEngland was not established. by Christ, but by Acts of Parliament and such are barbarous cruelties never before known. History states the English Church was established in the reign of King Edward by Acts of Parliament, when the Bishops declared they were aided by the Holy Ghost to make the Prayer Book ; but when Queen Mary came to the throne these turnabouts were led to destroy it, and become Catholics to keep lands and tithes. Mary died also ; then came Elizabeth ; she was a Catholic but did not agree with the Pope, she turned Protestant ; and again these Bishops, Priests, and Aristocracy apostatized, and again introduced the present Prayer Book. The people that would not attend to hear it read on Sundays and holidays w ere subjected to banishment and torments of every description. 0 sweet Christian Church established by Act of Parliament Be sure you read the Bible, Cobbett's Legacy to Parsons, and Macgowan's Dialogues of Devils. Avoid those parsons that are trying to overturn Protestants by introducing the dark days of of popery ; such men are running up a bill with the Devil, and when pay day comes try to sneak out by pleading church ceremonies, but Satan will claim his own servants. Many of the Clergymen, and all other pious ministers are trying to bring men to the converting power of God ; help them by your Prayers and presence. But a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. The Dissenters have become very courteous with the old harlot ; .see their Chapels oramented with crosses and other Popish trash, members wearing crosses, not following Christ, but all the vanities and fashions of the world. Avoid such. Now the Devil has got Chapels and so-called Churches turned into weekly show rooms of fashion. He will ring the bell himself rather than it should lack a congregation. It is quite time ministers spoke out strongly on the subject, for the house of God is as much a place for display as the ball room and play house. Pride goes before a fall. Is it true that some parsons are allowed to spend their time in gambling at billiards and bagetelle tables, and other forbidden games, and if such are appointed leaders, instead of meeting on the night appointed are they busily engaged gratifying the flesh and pleasing their father the Devil, has 'the expense of sending such to college improved them ? No marvel that such do not visit the poor and sick either in towns or

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villages • and when they pretend to preach or pray pious people say there is no power in either. .It is like a school boy repeating his lesson. Again it is very vexing for God's servants to read nearly a column in a newspaper, stating that there were three p , arsons partly paid by the pence of the poor, at the head of a donkey race, namely, Hi—C.—L. Will you again insult God by affixing to such gambler's name Rev. Can it be true that some parsons seldom visit only where they can indulge in smoking, drinking whisky, and other evil spirits, draining the last drop from the decanter, keeping servants from bed until " we wont go home till morning. Is itnot sad to hear servants say they hate to see such enter their master's house. Such are not employed by God, but by an impure motive. Read the Recorder during Conference, 1879. A paid parson warned a young man not to have anything to do with me as I was a very dangerous character. What reply did this society rule breaker receive ? Was it, did C. G. T. neglect his solemn promise by spending much time in people's houses smoking and drinking evil spirits, and when he leaves staggers like a drunk en man, and when he attempts to preach his voice is so disagreeable and offensive that people complain saying be speaks like a smoker and a drunkard ? A paid minister in London, was asked to visit one of his sick mem-bers, but he declined, saying, he was not paid to do that sort of thing but only to preach. The people often say the parsons will not preach if they are not well paid, and the above is a plain proof in many cases. If the class-leaders and local preachers did not visit the members they would very soon have to close their chapels. In many cases the local preachers are working very hard all the week, and on Sunday they are called upon to walk from eight to ten miles, and preach twice a day, then have to walk home at night in all kinds of weather, and all they get is to help keep those lazy parsons. Another parson had to visit a village and having arrived before the meeting commenced, he was asked to go round the village and invite the people to attend the meeting, but the ignorant low bred lazy unfeeling coxscomb replied, I am a gentleman and will not be talked to in such a manner. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. I asked a preacher to visit a few aged persons as he was near their homes and several of them attended his chapel when able, but he showed his low breeding in bad style ° by snapping at me like a hoo., but he went straight into a fine house where there were neither sickness or poverty, itplainly showed that he loved his stomach and laziness in preference to trying to do good. If I had asked him to spend a few hours at bagatelle

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he would at once complied. Another was asked to visit the,eick but in reply he said, if you want a missionary you must pay ono, but when ordained these lazy so-called ministers promise to do all to the Glory of God. The Lord would have been driven in a corner if He had had in His day such men to help publish the Gospel ; such whitewashed goats are a disgrace to any society. Thus saith the Lord, Woe unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pastures. Ye have driven them away, and have not visited them, behold I will visit upon you the evil of your doings. You have

destroyed and trodden my portion and vineyard underfoot. Shall not my soul be avenged on such, They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge ; therefore they have taught the wicked their ways and in their skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents. if thou dolt not warn the wicked of his bad ways that man shall (lie in his sins, but his blood will I require at thy hands. The ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them ; but unconverted lazy worldly duty-neglecting parsons will fall into hell with other unbelieving sinners. It matters not which church such belong to, the curse of God is on them ; to prove it search the scriptures yourselves. What ought to be a Publican's Advertisement.— Friends and Neighbours,—I am grateful for the liberal encourage-ment received from you and others for many years, and having supplied my cellar and well lighted and warm tavern with a good stock of choice wines, spirit, and malt liquors, I have to inform you that I continue to make drunkards, paupers, and beggars, fill unions, prisons, and asylums ; cause murders, and work for the hangman, for the sober, industrious and respectable people to support. My liquors may excite you to rioting, robbery, and shedding of blood, and certainly prevent your comforts, increase your expenses, and hasten your death. I can recommend them as sure to multiply fatal accidents and distressing diseases, and to render these incurable they will deprive many of life, reason, character, and all of peace. It will make fathers fiends, wives widows, mothers cruel, children orphans and poor ; will train the young in ignorance, dissipation, infidelity, lewd-ness, and all kinds of vice ; corrupt ministers, obstruct the gospel, defile the church, and cause as much temporal and eternal punishment as possible. I can—I will accommodate the public, although it may be at the fearful risk of my never-dying soul. I have a family to support, the trade pays, and the public encourage it. I have a chaTiacter from my minister and a license from the magistrates, therefore my traffic is considered by the unwise to be lawful. Many so-called Christians patronize it, and if I dent bring these evils upon you someone else will. I know

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the Bible says, Thou shalt not kill, also pronounces Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour strong drink, and He that puts a stumbling block in a brother's way, also A wicked man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him unto the road to Hell, such are an abomination unto the Lord. Where God's servants erect a house for prayer, Satan's agents try to build a devil's workshop near ; And it will be found upon examination, The publicans get the largest congregation. A tradesman left of taking moderate doses of wine, when a physician told him his work needed stimulants, and if he refrained from taking them death might be the result, but the man of good sense was determined to set a good example to others by working hard without taking what God curses. In a few months after-wards he saw the above physician who was surprised at the tradesman looking so jolly, and told him if everybody left off strong drink he must close his shutters as he would have nothing to do. I said to a doctor, you medical men will have a fearful account to give to God for recommending those evil working drinks, knowing they are very very injurious both in health and sickness, but he said it was to their advantage. A wine and spirit merchant, doing a large trade, asked me what I had to say against his port wine, so I told him he had not a drop on his premises. I told him what the so-called wines were made with, he said he was not accountable as he bought them already made. Part of a discourse delivered at Enborne,—and whilst doing so some that were present declared they would never hear me again as the following truths were rather polite.--When the unconverted are taken ill the cry was, go for the doctor, bring the Bible, send for a parson, but when restored, put the Bible out of sight. I dont wish to see the minister again, the doctor must or.o unpaid at present ; again, drunkards live like hogs, some die as easy as lambs but roar in hell like mad lions. God's word declares such shall not enter his kingdom, it is the moderate drinkers that sow the seed of drunkenness. My Dear Readers, having brought my book to a close, I hope all will reap more or less benefits by perusing its pages, my chief object in writing being to do good to my fellow-creatures, and though simple may seem its stories, I hope none of you will ever suffer like I have done. My suffering and trials have been great, but thanks be to God I have passed very many happy days of my life in teaching and administering God's truths, also in giving lectures at temperance and other meetings. In conclusion I only ask my kind readers to publish the book among their neighbours and friends.

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY W. J. BLACKET, PRINTER, NEWBURY.

Author: Charles Gee Taylor
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