The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1866-09-20
wit and Justice In Missouri.


es in Missouri are very reluctant to enforce
the law against Ministers of the Gospel,
for exercising their profession without
having taken the test oath, and avail them
selves Of every pietence to discharge those
who are accused An exchange has the
following example:
Three ministers, charged with the crime
of preaching the glorious Gospel of the
Son of God, were arraigned before Ger.
tain Judge. They were regularly indicted,
and 1t was understood that the proof against
them was very clear.
care you preacher7" said the Judge
to one of them.
ayes, sir" replied the culprit.
"To what denomination do you belong ?"
81 am Christian, SIR with dignity.)
GA Christian. What do you mean by
that? Are not all preachers Christians ?''
81 belong to the sect usually called, but
wrongly called Camrbellities. (Not SO
much dignity.)
"Ah, then, you believe in baptizing peo
pie, in order that they may be born again,
do your
81 do, sir" (Defantly.)
"Mr Sheriff, discharge that man He
is an innocent man He is indicted for
preaching the Gospel, and there ;sn't
word Of Gospel in the stuff that h preach
es! It's only some of Alexander Camp
bells nonsense. Discharge the man
Exit Campbellite, greatly rejoicing.
"Are you preacher?" said the judge
addressing the next criminal.
81 am, Sir, said the miscreant
Nnf ,,h,k
81 am Methodist, Sir" (His look
showed it)
"Do you believe in falling from grace ?"
81 do, Sir" (Without hesitation)
ado you believe in sprinkling people in
stead of baptizing them?'
al believe that the people can be bap.
tized by sprinkling" Much offended.
"Do you believe in bap,izing babies p
alt is my opinion, Sir, that infants
ought to lie baptized" Indignantly ]
"Not word of Scripture tor ANYTHING
of the kind, Sir!' shouted his Honor
"Mr. Sheriff, turn that man loose &c
is no preacher. The Gospel is the truth,
and there isn't word of it in what that
man teaches. Turn him loose It's ri
diculous to indict men on such fIivCous
pretensions. Turn him looseY'
Methodist disappears, not at all hurt in
his feelings by the judicial abuse he has
received.
What are you, Sir?" said the Judge to
the third telon.
"Some people call me preacher, Sir?'
(Meckly)
"What is your denomination
81 am Baptist" (Head up
His Honor's countenancc fell, and he
looked sober and sad. After pause, he
said
"Do you believe in salvation by grace 2"
81 do" (Firmly.)
"Do yon teach that immersion Only Is
baptism?"
"That is my doctrine" Earnestly
"And you baptize none but those who
believe in Jesus Christi
"That is my faith and practice with
cmphasis.)
"My friend, fear it will 90 harl with
you | see YOU are indicted for preaching
the gospel. and it appears to me by your
own confession you are guilty"
Baptist looked pretty blue.
"May it please your Honor" sail The
DapliSl COUNSEL. sprihSiilS 10 MS lcct,
"that man never preached the gospel.
have heard him say Il hundred times that
he only tried. | have heard him try my
self"
"Nlr. Sheriff, discharge this man, He's
not indicted for trying! There's nothing
said about the mlre effort Let him 90,
sir Turn him looscl Send him about
his business ! | am astonshcd that the
States Attorney should annoy the court
with frivolous indictments"
Exit Baptist determined to "try" again
Court adjourned.
''God save the State and this honorable
court :" exclaimed the Sheriff
"Amen ~ said the three preachers.
And after all say we, as ridiculous as the
story may seem, it has moral. If the
State has q right to prohibit the preaching
of the gospel, it has n right to decide what
the gospel is F; and when this is done, we
have a national church and the adultcrous
connection between church and State be
comes complete.
s-0DS-eS>
BUCKEYE TACKTIcs-It is seid tha
during General Morgans raid in Ohio, a