The Hero of the Humber; Or, The History of the Late Mr. John EllerthorpeWoodcock, Henry
Religion
The Hero of the Humber; Or, The History of the Late Mr. John Ellerthorpe
Woodcock, Henry
Ellerthorpe, John, 1806-1868; Heroes -- England -- Biography; Sailors -- England -- Biography
I then recounted the interview with Mr. Ellerthorpe before
attending the meeting, when I asked him 'what he wished in the
matter,' when he made this reply, Sir, I feel sufficiently rewarded
in my own breast, without receiving any reward excepting the
approbation of heaven, and the satisfaction of having won for
myself the gratitude of my fellow townsmen.' This was responded to
by loud and long cheering. I then called upon Mr. W. Turner to move
the first resolution, and Mr. Steadman to second it, because they
were the pioneers of the movement. _Just at this crisis of the
meeting John Eaby came forward and publicly thanked Ellerthorpe for
what he had done_, which called forth the most exciting cheering.
Then the late Rev. Charles Rawlings (Wesleyan) rose from amongst
the people, and, in a sententious speech delivered with a
stentorian voice, asked, 'How much does the meeting feel towards a
testimonial,' and offered the first donation as a proof of _his
feeling_ for Mr. Ellerthorpe. Our fears were then scattered to the
wind; the vessel I saw was well launched. Another gentleman, Mr.
Henry Taylor, came forward and said, in anticipation of a
subscription being made towards a testimonial to Mr. Ellerthorpe,
he had already collected a nucleus of L35. A committee was then
formed of which I was chosen chairman, Mr. E. Haller, secretary,
and Mr. Taylor, treasurer. Three cheers were then given for the
success of the 'Testimonial Fund,' and when I rose and christened
John Ellerthorpe, 'The Hero of the Humber,' and 'Champion Life Buoy
of England,' the people rose _en masse_ cheering in the most
enthusiastic manner. The next morning found the Humber Dock foreman
a household word. I will not weary you with recapitulating the
result of our labours. From the Premier of England down to the
humblest dock labourer, all vied with each other in subscribing to
the homage of this valorous, humane man.
And, sir, I think a moral may be drawn from this,--that no person,
however humble he may be in his circumstances, but has it in his
power to bless the world. One man can do so by deeds of valour,
another by hard and plodding industry, and a third by thought and
mental efforts. It has been well said, 'they build up a loftier
population making man more manly.' It is evidently our duty to lend
a helping hand in the hour of need, either by our wisdom, power, or
benevolence. This thought should act as an incentive, more or less
powerful, on each person, and make him restless until he becomes
satisfied that he is doing something to ameliorate the condition of
his fellow men. Men should thus fulfil their mission until called
to receive their reward, namely, 'Rest for their souls under the
tree of Life.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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