Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-11-05


| heart would have found reason for protecting tn
weak against the strong while it indulge d the lux
ury of gratifying the desire of one whose deyC
ton was so sincere and ardent But those wer
no times for the exercise of the gentler virtues
and the genius of the age seemed dissatisfied un
til it had elevated men 10 the bench, and inve ,teC
with the ermlne that incarnation of brutality
Jetfries. The fiery Bonner expressed the rea
spirit of those in power toward those who dare,
to cherish liberty of opinion: ''you will nevc
mend till more of you burn" Such was the eff
cacy of fire to convince and persuade men to b,
of the right opinion
To the vOciferation of Chester that at was re
corded" Elizabeth replied in a calm and decisive
manner, that she had been at London 10 obtair
her husbands liberty; and delivered a petition tc
lord BarkwoOd, and others of the House of Lords
to that effect, all of whom said they had no power
to set him at large, but committed his releasmen
TO the Judges, at the next Assizes. "And now ,
she added, Il am come TO appeal 10 YOU, whose
great duty is to temper justice with mercy, to dc
liver the oppressed, and, our Holy Scriptures
say, to give liberty to the captiyeS, and the op
cning of the prison to them that are bound, &c
judge the tatherless, plead for the widow, and av
enge Us Of our adycrsarcs," lest the cry of the in
Jured come up into the ears of the Lord of the
Sabbath, and he come down in wrath against YOU
and against this nation, that has drunk the blood
of the saints. Hath he not said, that when he
hold on judgment; he will render vengeance TO his
anniversaries, and reward them that hate him -
That he shall have judgment without mercy who
hath showed no mercy | appeal then TO your
lo;dship, Whose only hope of pardon and saliva
ton is in the mercy of God, that We adjudge and
avenge me this day, as one whom We are shortly
to meet at that tribunal where YOU and all the
Judges of the earth to be tried for the life
nal"
As she uttered these words in an earnest and
piercing voice, they sounded through the court
like the prophetic tones of one who had indeed
spoken in the name of Him whose words cannot
fall TO the ground.
And these ministers of the law, if not convinc-
ed were for time Silenced. The historian tells
us ," they made as if they heard her not" and
Chester reiterated his old song, lit is recorded
a record, which, written by bgotry, charity would
have tan blotted out with her tears.
If it be recorded" said Elizabeth, ''the record
is ttiSe! And wo to them who call evil good and
good evil who put darkness for light and light for
darkness, talSehood for truth and truth for false
hood. They shall have their reward"
MY lord, said Chester, endeavoring to forget
the heroic supplant that stood before him, this
Bunyan is pcstilcnt fellow, Il man that deals in
dreams and visions blaSphcmer who prctcnds
to have seen the Devil, and wrestled with him ;
who thinks himself John Baptist, and has set up
for Il rctOrmer, whereas he is only Il tinker, and
has left tinkcring for preaching. There is not
such Il fellow in the country again. But we will
cure him of his diseases. We want no sou-tink-
cring in the land. Men may think as they list,
but let them keep to thcir trades neither to be too
free of their thoughts. He is convicted and it is
recorded"
Whercupon Twiston, as if desiring to reinforce
these hard words, and rob the lone woman of all
hope, asked her: ''will your husband now leave
preaching, and conform to the laws of the realm
Visit We not that we have power to grind him to
the dust If he will leave preaching then bring
him hthcr."
My lord, you may grind lin to the dust, but
YOU cannot grind the truth he helps and de
livcrs. You may scatter his ashes TO the four
winds of Heaven, but they will be like the seed
that hyeth all abroad and taking root will bring
forth thousand fold He cannot, he dareth not
leave preaching, and though you bind him, ''thc
Word of God is not bound, " as testify the Scrip
lures themselves. Therefore, loose him and let
him 90 his way"
The patience of the Judges seemed now to be
fast waning, for they began to feel there moth
ing harder to contend with than the reused spirit
of injured woman, nothing more obnoxious than
official intrusion upon the rights of 90 lScicncc
and the sanctity of domestic life.
See here; ;" said Twaton, '"why should we
tax any more about such fellow Must he do
what he lists ! He is Il breaker of the peace and
should be broken of his wickcdncss."
There was one subject which the wife of Bun
yam had not yet touched, in the hope that a sense
of Justice would lead the court to grant the re-
quest, without too minutclv spreading before them
the painful necessities of that little family over
which, in the midst of all her atflicion she never
failed to extend the shield of a mothers love-
Hitherto she had withheld the mention of this, in
the expectation that her simple arguments would
prevail with the men whose business it was to do
Justly, as well rs love mercy. But that cXpeCta-
ton failing, She again addressed the court while
the sadness of her countenancc too truly reflected
the SORROW of her heart.
Can need to assure you, my lord, that my
husband dcsireth to live pcacibly with all men, and
TO follow his calling that he may maintain his fam
lily Moreover have four small children, that
cannot help themselves, one of which is blind 50
we have nothing to live upon but the charity of
good people"
Such was the state of Bunyans family while
the court OF Charles II. revclling in vice lux
urv, and all manner of dcbauchcry. And there
sat his ministers to pronounce Judgment against
men for exercising that freedom which is derived
by charter directly from God himself and to alb
ridge which Is to invade the prerogativc of God
Justice Hale mdo ed, seemed touched with pity
at the mention Of her children, and exclaimed
"Aa>, poor woman =
TWi>ton, however, the network of whose heart
seemed 10 have been constructed of steel and to
have been is destitute of ScnSihility as IA rock ac-
cuSCd Mrs. Bunvau of using poverty as Il cloak
and declared that she better maintained nv
her husbands running up and down, preaching,
than by following his calling for a living.
- What is his calling, asked Sir Mathew
Hale
a tinker, my lord, answered some one pres
cnt.
Yes" answered Elizabeth, "and because he i,
a tinker, and poor man, therefore he is dcspised
and cannot have justice. But there is one tribu
nal, whereof the judge will not regard the per
sons of men, but Judge righteous Judgment. w
shall all meet there"
Meanwhile, Sir Mathew Hale, who had u.tu
rally a warm and tender heart, had been -upprcs
sing emotions, for though he sat as a jud-c, he
felt Is Il husband and tather-and brushing away
an unbidden tear, and addressing the petition
cr in a tone of kindness, said Seeing it is SC
that they have taken what thy husband Spakc fol
n conviction, l recommend thou apply myself tc
the Hing. or out his pardon or yet a writ o
error And the Judge looked mtenty on the ob
Get Of his address.
a writ of error, my lord, exclaimed Chester
who was offended by the whole strain of kindlr
advice given by Mr. Hale, and especially witt
the last clause of ia writ of error to the behoo
of such fellow as this He will preach and d.
! what he lists"
| " He preacheth nothing but the word Of God
rcioned Elizabeth with much emphasis, cncourag
| ed rs she was by the chief justice.
- He breaches the word of God ~ anCrilv erie
! ;,I 81 =