Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-07-16
A Magistrate Outwitted.

The following anecdote is related of the
eminent Richard Baxter. which sets of his
natural shrewdness and knowledge OF human
nature to great advantage:
Several of the ministers elected by the
Act Of Uniformity, in 1892. united wiki Mr.
Baxter in establishing lecture in private
house. The sine OF worship being at
gery early hour. Mr.. Baxter one evening
lett home with view of being there earIy
in the morning. The night, however.being
dark, be lost his way, and alter wandering
for long time he came to gentleman's
house, where he asked directions. Tee SER
-sest informed his master OF this fact. who,
thinking it unsafe thar so respectable
hooking man should be wandering on the
common at so late an hour, invited him to
stay. Mr.. Baxter readily accepted the invi-
tation, and was treated with great hospital
ity. His conversation gave his host high
opinion cf his good sense and extensive in
formation. The gentleman, wishing to
know the quality Of his guest, after suPpe
said:
AS most persons haze some employment
or profession in lie. have no doubt, cir,
that you have yours
Mr.. Baxter replied with smile, 'Yes,sir,
am man catcher
y maa catcher, ARE you' said the gentle
man; Il am very glad to hear you say so for
you are the very person want. am JUS
tice of the peace in this district, and am
comRlissiened 10 secure the person of Dick
Baxter, who is expected 10 preach at con-
venticle in this nsighborhOod early ts- NOR
row morning; you shall 20 with me, snd L
doubt not We shall easily appEehend the
rogue
Mr.. Baxter very prudentIy consented tn
accompany him. Accordingly, the gentls-
man. the following morning, took Ar. Bax-
ter to the place where the meeting was to
be held.-When they arrived there con-
siderable number of people were lowering
about, but on seeing the justice they sus-
pected his intentions, and we're afraid TO
enter the house - The Justice now inti:na-
ted to Alf Baxter, his fears that Baxter had
been apPrised OF his intentions, and would
d.sappoint them, and proposedto extend
their ride, that the people might be encour-
aged TO assemble and give them an oppor-
tunity of fulfilling their commission They
did so, but on their return they stiI found
the people unwilling 10 assemble. The
magistraies now, suPpcsing he would be
disappointed of his object, said to Mr.. Bax-
ter that these people were much disaffected
10 the government, he would feel obliged to
him if he would address them on the subject
OF loyalty and good behaviour. Mr.. Baxter
replied tha;, as they met for worship, II was
probable that uch an address would not
satisfy the people; but thst if the justice
would engage in prayer, he would endsavor
to say something to them. The gentleman
replied that he had not his prayer book with
him, or he would readily comply with hts
proposal; but expressed his persuasion that
Mr. Baxter was able to pray with them, "a
well as to talk with them, and requested
him to begin with prayer.
They entered the house, followed BY the
people; Mr. Baxter prayed with great devo-
ton ana feryor; the magistrate Standing by
xas SOON melted into tears. The good
divine then preached "a his usual fai,h'u
and jealous manner; and when he had con-
Guided, he turned 10 the justice and ssid:
Sir am the very Dick Baxter OF whom You
are in pussai,. am entirelyas your disPo-
SAL
.sTha magistrate, however, had Eel, SO
nren daring the service, and saw sAings'o SO
d fferently - what he had done before, that
his enniiy was changed into love and after-.
ward he became the friend and adsoests Of
DE prosecuted, aud it is believed also sin
cere Christian.