The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-04-17
.Ihs 7aistcsssi,n Of the tUifs Of
John 8ungaa.

II has been observed by some one, we can
not recVllect who, tha. there is oulv one in
stance in the whole history of England
of a woman making her appeaian
at Westminster Hall, and before the Judg, 8
Of Assize in order to make formal defence
IN fa,o of the unfortunate. The woman
was the young and interesting wife of John
Bunyan, who had become q sacrifice for con-
science sake.
Although Elizabeth stands alone among
her sex as an advocate, yet there never was
offered a more eloquent and unsophisticated
defence than that which she made on behalf
OF her husband. She first of all had ia,
courage to appear before the House of Lords
TO ask the Supreme Court of Appeal to re-
lax the rigors Of prosecuting law. Thei,
flordships. IL is said, rudely told her to go t.
the'Judges Of the Assize who had condemn.
ed her husband, and without fail she did so.
AT the Assize Court, Sir Matthew Hale pre-
sided, and he was accompanied 10y Mr.. Judge
Twisden, u magistrate Ut terocious tempera
inent, whose countenance and demeanor
strangely contrasted with the mildness and
placidity of the Loid Chief Justice We are
indebted TO John Bunyan himself for de.
scription of The conduct OF Judge Twisden ON
this memorable occasion. He says, Judge
Iwisden snapt at my poor wife, Elizabeth,
and angiily told her that her husband was
a convicted person, and could not be released
unless he would promise to preach no more"
But Elizabeth, however she loved her
husband, was more enamoured the gospel
and she gave the court to understand that
her husband could not purchase freedom at
the expense OF keeping silence about the
mercy and compassion of God.
at is FALSE" continued Elizabeth, ito say
that he has done wrong, for at the meetings
where they preached they had Gods pres.
enee with them."
will he leave off preachipgi" roared
Twisden.
MY lord" said Elizabeth, "he dares not
leave of preaching as long AS he can speak.
hut, my lords" she proceeded with tears in
her eyes, lust consider that we have four
small children one Of them bind, aud all Ut
them have nothing to live upon while the
father is in prison, but the charity Of Chris.
tIan people. o, my lords, | myself 'smayed
at the news when my husband was app.e
hendcd. and being but young aud unacc,is-
TONED To such things fell in labor and WAS
delivered of dead child"
This was too much for Sir Matthew Hale.
who now inlerposed with the ejaculation. Al
as poor woman He then inquired what
was her husbands calling
"a tinker, please you, your lord" )" said his
wife; "And because he is n tinker and a
poor man he is despised, and cannot have
Justice"
Law is stronger than tears. The Lord
Chief Justice told the woman there was a
law /: he told her that there was only one
person in the realm who could pardon her
husband aud that person was the king. But
how WAS the broken hearted wife of tinker
TO lind her way to the footstool Of "a mon.
arch2 .Alas poor woman" he said, I'm
sorry for your pitiable Case"
Elizabeth now became convinced how vain
it was to expect justice and mercy from all
earthly tribunals, and with an heroic glory
which only can be found in the annals vi the
Christian faith, she pointed to her tears
rs she departed and uttered words which
never should die as long as the English Ian.
guage exists.
See these tears" said she, "but do not
weep for myself: weep for you, when
think what an account such poor creatures
rs you will have TO give at the coming Of
the Lord"
This scene took place, we will add, n ).
only before John bunyan was known as he
author OF a book, but before hs ,,ata. sssf cen
ceiSed the outline of bis Pilgrims Progress
He was kept in Jail in order that lie might
not preach; but by this persecution he was
enabled to write a book in his prison cell
which has been preaching to England for
many generations, and which will edify and
enlightsn the world to thersmotest posterity.
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