American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-10-10
Wit and Justice in Missour;

"
ltis well known that some of the
judges In Missouri are VERY reluctant in
enforcing the AZ against ministers of the
gospel for exercising the profession with
out having taken the test oath, and avail
themselves every pretence to DISCHARGE
those who are accused. We tell The
following tale as it was told to us, vouch.
ing for nothing;
Three ministers, charged with the
crime OF preaching "the glorious gospel
OF the Son of God,' we're arraigned be-
fore certain judge They were regu-
larly indicted, and it was understood that
the proof against them was very clear.
Are you preacher?" said the iudge
to one of them.
"Yes, sir" replied the culprit.
ITO what denomination do you be.
long ?"
81 am a Christian, sir" with digni.
ty)
"a Christian What do you mean by
thatY Are not all preachers Christians"
belong to the sect usually called,
out wrongly called, Jampbellites. -
mot so much dignity.)
,Ah then you Believe in baptizine
people, in order that they may be born
again, do you ?"
81 do, sir" (Defantly.)
"Mr. Sheriff discharge that man He
is an innocent man! lie is Indicted for
preaching the gospel, and there amt
word of gospel in the stuffthat he 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.
"Of what denomination are your
II am Methodist, sir" (His look
showed IT'D
"Do you believe in falling from gracei
II do, sir" without hesitation)
"Do you believe in sprinkling people,
Instead of baptising them ?"
81 believe that people ean be baptized
by sprlnkling." (Much offended.)
"Do you believe in baptizing babies ?"
ut is my opinion, sir, that babies
ought to be baptized" (indignautly)
"Not word Of Scripture for anything
of the kind, sir" shouted his honor.
"Mr' Sheriff, tura that man loose Ho
is no preacher. The gospel is the truth,
and there isn't word Of truth in what
that man teaches. Turn him loose -
It's ridiculous to indict men on such friy-
olous pretences. Turn him loose p
Methodist disappears, not at all hurt
in his feelings by the Judicial abuse hs
had received.
"What are you, sir! said the Judge
to another.
"Some people call me preacher, sir"
(Meckly.)
wv hat is your denomination :"
81 am baptist" (Head up.)
His honor's countenanco fell, and he
looked sober and sad. After a pause he
said:
"Do you believe in salvation by grace?
81 do (Firnlly
"Do you teach that immersion only is
,aptized p
That is my doctrine Earnestly,
"And you baptize mona but those who
believe in J Jesus Christ Z"
THAT is my faith and practice. -.
(Wlth emphasis
"Niy friend, fear it wi 90 hard with
you; lsee you are indicted for preaching
che gospel. and it appears to me that by
our own confession y'u are guilty"
Baptist looked pretty blue.
May it please your honor" said the
Baptists counsel, springing to his feet,
that man never preached the gospel. /
have heard him say hundred times that
he only tried. heard him try myself
Mr.. Sheriff, discharge this mani
Hes not indicted for trying There's
nothing said about the mere effort! Let
him 90, sir Turn him loose Send
him about his business; am astonish-
ed that the States Attorney should an.
noy the Court with frivolous indict.
ments?"
Exit Baptist, determined to "try'
again,
Court adjourned.
"God save the State and this honors.
bic Court" exclaimed the sheriff.
Amen" said the thee preachers
And after all, say we, as ridiculous a,
the story may seem, it has moral. If
the state has a 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 co meet on lctwee6
=hureh and s.sse bsrvms ccnpbtv :