Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-09-09
A Magistrate Outwitted.

| The following anecdote is related of the emf.
nent Richard Baxter, which sets off his natural
shrewdness and knowledge of human nature ia
the best advantage:
Several of the ministers rejected by the Act
of Uniformity, in 1892, united with Mr.. Baxter
in establishing lecture in private house,
The time of worship being at very early honr,
Mr.. Baxter one evening left home with view
of being there early in the morning. The night,
however, being dark, he lost his way, and after
wandering for long time, he came to gentle
mans house, where he asked directions. The
servant informed his master of this fact, who
thinking it unsafe that SO respectable looking
man should be wandering on the common at go
late an hour, invited him to stay Mr.. Baxter
readily accepted the invitation and was treated
with great hospitality. His conversation gave
his host high opinion of bis good sense and
extensive information. The gentleman, wishing
to know the quality Of his guest, after supper
said: i ..g
"As most persons have some employment or
profession in life, have no doubt, sir, that you
have yours"
Mr. Baxter replied with smile, "Yes sir,
am mari-catcher." 9.j Oh --l '.ia.
"a man-catcher, are you ? said the gentleman,
am very glad to hear; you are the very person
want. ! am justice of the peace in this dis
trict, and-am commissioned to secure the person
of Dick Baxter, who is expected to preach at a
conventical in this neighborhood, early to-mor-
row morning. You shall 60 with me- and l
doubt not we shall easily apprehend the rogue"
Mr. Baxter very prudently consented to ac-
company him. Accordingly, the gentleman, the
following morning, took Mr.. Baxter to the place
where the meeting was to be held. When they
arrived there considerable number of people
were lowering about, but on seeing the justice
they suspected his intentions, and were afraid 10
enter the house. The justice now intimated to
Mr.. Baxter his fears that Baxter had been ap-
prised of his intentions, and would disappoint
them, and proposed to extend their ride, that
the people might be encouraged to assemble and
give them an opportunity of fulfilling their COM
mission. They did SO; but on their return they
still found the people unwilling to assemble
The magistrate now supposing that he would be
disappointed of his object, said to Mr.. Baxter,
that as these people were much disafeoted to
the government, he would feel obliged to him if
he would address them on the subject of loyalty
and good behaviour Mr.. Baxter replied that,
as they met for worship, it was probable that
such an address would not satisfy the people;
but that if the justice would engage in prayer,
he would endeavor to say something to them
The gentleman replied that lie had not hispray-
er.book with him, or he would readily comply
with his proposal; but expressed his persuasion
that Mr.. Baxter was able to pray with them, as
well as to talk with them, and requested him to
begin with prayer.
They entered the house, followed by the peo-
Pile; Mr.. Baxter prayed with great devotion and
fervor; the magistrate standing by was soon
melted into tears. The good divine then
preached in bis usual faithful and Jealous man
ner; and when he had concluded, he turned to
the justice and said: "Sir, am the very Dick
Baxter of whom you are in pursuit. l am en-
tirely at your disposal"
The magistrate, however, had felt much dur
ing the service, and saw things SO differently to
what he had done before, that his enmity was
changed into love, and ever afterward he be-
came the friend and advocate of the persecuted,
and it is believed also a sincere Christian.