Part 29 (1/2)

”A Methodist, a Methodist, Mr Prosecutor Oh, you preach the doctrine of the Methodist Church, do you?--infant baptisatories, an affiriven

”Well, don't you know that _that_ isn't the Gospel? He is not guilty of preaching the Gospel, Mr Prosecutor, and will have to be discharged You can go, sir, but if this Court ever learns that you have been really guilty of preaching the Gospel without first taking an oath to support the Constitution of the State of Missouri, you will have to be punished, sir; the Court will see that there is no evasion of this salutary provision of our most excellent Constitution _Go, sir”_

A clean-shaven, benevolent-looking gentlee was next in evidence He had but recently assumed his present pastorate and was a deeply interested and attentive observer of all that was happening In reply to the inquiry from the bench, he answered that he was a Universalist

”A Universalist!” replied the judge, al hith inquired:

”You preach the doctrine of universal salvation, do you?”

A slight bow indicated such to be the fact

”You preach,” continued his Honor, armth well suited to the subject-matter, ”that there is no hell?”

A bow, much more emphatic, was unmistakable evidence that its author was a e of his convictions

”He doesn't believe that _there is any hell,_ Mr Prosecutor,”

thundered the judge, ”he will have to be discharged; it is no violation of the Constitution of the State of Missouri to preach such infernal nonsense as that”

The official admonition, ”Depart, sir,” was prohway followed quickly in the wake of the aforementioned disciples of Calvin and Wesley, in the ”narrow path”

which led straightway out of the crowded court-roo prisoners on the front bench were questioned, and each in turn found ”not guilty” of preaching the Gospel An avowal of his belief in the tenet of ”the Apostolic succession” instantly resulted in the acquittal of the first, while the second ith equal prouilty” upon his adeneration by ----”

There was much confusion in the court-room at thiswords of the confession

Finding hihtfully left on record that both the Episcopalian and the Christian pastor left the court-roo in their ears, that if they were ever actually found guilty _of preaching the Gospel_ they should be duly punished

A lone prisoner ree were not few, and quite probably, except in a figurative sense, not evil He was of sturdy build, quiet reat sincerity In a voice extremely deferential he stated that he had onceConfederate, and it was impossible for him to take the required oath that he had never expressed any syed in the Rebellion

”Of what church are you a e

”The Baptist Church,” was the answer

”The Baptist Church,” instantly repeated the judge, and looking very earnestly at the accused, he asked;

”Do you preach the doctrines of the Baptist Church?”

An affiriven, His Honor said:

”Upon his own confession he is guilty, Mr Prosecutor: the Court holds the Baptist _to be the true church,_ and this defendant has been guilty of preaching the Gospel without first taking the oath to support the Constitution of the State of Missouri He will have to be punished”

Addressing the prisoner, he said: ”You will have to be punished, sir; this Court can perraveyard stillness that now fell upon the little asse aloud the prescribed punish taken the required oath

”Yes, a fine of five hundred dollars or six months in the common jail, _or both_ A clear case, Mr Prosecutor, this prisoner must be made an example of; hand me the docket, Mr Clerk Yes, the full penalty”