The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1866-08-29
wit and Justice in Missouri.

Judges in Missouri arc vory. reluctant
to enfore the law agains Ministers Of
the Gospel, for exercising their pro-
fcssion without having takon tho test
oath, and avail themselves Of every
pretense to discharge those who are
accused. An exchange has tho follow
ing example D., :,
crime of preaching tho glorious Gospel
Of the Son of God, were arraigned be-
fore q certain Judge. They were
regularly indicted, and it was under
stood that tho proof against them was
very clear. -, :,
"Are you preacher 7" said the
Judge to one of them.
dyes, sir" replied the culprit.
"To what denomination do you be-
long z"
eT am Christian, sir" (with dig
"a Christian ! What do you mean
by that : Are not all preachers Chris
tians 7"
"I belong the to sect usually called,
but wrongly called Cambellites. (Not
so much dignity,)
"Ah, then, you believe in baptizing
people, in order that they may be born
again, do you :"
O"I do, sir" (Defiantly.)
"NIr. Sheriff, discharge that man
He is an innocent man He is in
dict, for preaching the Gospel, and
there isn't a word of Gospel in the
stuff that he breaches! It's only some
of Alexander Campbcll's nonsense.
Discharge the man J"
Exit Campbollite, greatly rejoicing.
care you preacher % said the
Judge addressing the next criminal.
81 am, Sir" said the miscrcant.
"Of what denomination arc you Z"
ssI am Methodist, Sir" (Tlis look
showed it,
ssDo you believe in falling from
grace 70
"I do, Sir" (Without hesitation ,
edo you believe in sprinl;ling peo-
pic instead Of baptizing them 20
s'I believe that the people can be
baptized by sprinkling." [Much Of
fcnded.1
"Do you believe in baptizing ba-
bics 2' ,r!.
cit is nv opinion, Sir, that infants
ought to be baptized" Indignantly.
"Not a word of Scripture for any.
thing of the kind, Sir ]" shouted his
Honor. ssM-. Sheriff, turn that mar
loose He is no preacher. The Cos,
pei is the truth, and there isn't word
of trutc in what that man teaches
Turn him loose Its ridiculous tc
indict men on such frivolous prctcnscs
Turn him loose J"
Methodist disappears, not at all hurt
in his feelings by the judicial abuse he
had received.
"What arc you, Sir :" said tho
Judge to the third fclon.
ssSomo people call nc preacher
Sir" (Mcckly.)
"What is your denomination 2"
ssI am Baptist" (Head up.)
His Honor's countonance fell, ant
he looked sober and sad. After
pause, he said
"Do you believe in salvation b,
"I do" (Firmly.)
''Do you teach that immersion only
is baptism ~
"That is my doctrine" Earnestly.
"And you baptizc none but thos,
who believe in Jesus Christ %
''That is my faith and practice
| with cmphasis.)
"My friend, I fear it will 90 hare
with you J. see you arc inditod fo,
preaching the gospel, and it appear.
to me by your own confession you ar1
guilty"
Baptist looked pretty blue.
"Nlay it please your Honor" sale
the Baptist's counsel, springing to hi
feet, "that man never preached the
gospel. I have heard him say hun
drcd times that he onlytried I hay,
heard him try ,nysolf.'
"Mr. Sheriff, discharge this man
He's not indicted for trying There.
nothing said about the mere effort
Let him go, sir ! Turn him looscg
Send him about his business I an
astonishcd that the States Attornc,
should annoy the court with frivolous
indictments"
Exit Baptist determined to sstry'
again.
Court adjourned.
"God save the State and this hon
orable court 70 exclaimed tho Sheriff.
"Amen !' said the three preachers
And after all say we, as ridiculous
as the story may seem, it has a moral.
If the State has q right to prohibit the
preaching Of the gospel, it has right
to decide what the gospel is and
when this is done, we have national
church and the ,adulterous connection
between church and State becomes
complete,
THE RAILWAY OVER MoNr GEMS
A Florence letter says: "An interest.
ing experiment has lately been made on
Mont Gents, in presence of M. Behic.
French Minister of Public Works, ac.
companied by several engineers The
portion of the railway already compile
ted on the slopes along the carriage road
of the mountain was gone over by n