The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-07-19
Wit and Justice in Missouri.

es in Missouri are very reluctant to en-
force the law against ministers of the gos-
pei for exercising their profession without
having taken the test oath,. and avail
themselves of every pretense to discharge
those who are accused. We tell the tol-
lowing tale as tits told to us, vouching for
nothing:
Three ministers charged with the crime
of preaching {" the glorious gospel of the
Son of Cod" were arraigned before a
Judge They were regularly indicted,
and it was understood that the proof
against them was very clear.
F" Are you preacherf" said the Judge
to one of them.
eyes, sir" replied the culprit.
"To what denomination do you be-
long," -
nifty
"a Christian What do you mean by
that7 Are not all preachers Christian" /"
II belong to the 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 your"
"I do, sir" (Dignity.)
"Mr. Sheriff discharge that man He
is an innocent man! he is indicted for
preaching the gospel, and there isn't
word of gospel in the stuff that he preach
es it's only some of Alexander Camp
pell's nonsense. Discharge the man."
Exit Campbellite, greatly rejoicing.
care you preacher| said the Judge,
addressing the next criminal
II am, sir" said the miscreant.
"Of what denomination are you"
~ am a Methodist, sir" (His looks
showed it, 49,
"Do you believe in falling from grace ?"
II do sir" (Without hesitation.)
"Do you believe in sprinkling people,
instead of baptizing them 2"
~ believe that people can be baptized
by sprinklng." Much offended.)
"Do you believe in baptizing babies 7"
"It is my opinion, sir, that infants
ought to be baptized Indignantly
q Not word of scripture for anything
of the kind, sir !" shouted his Honor. "Mr.
Sheriff, turn the man loose! He is no
preacher of the gospel The gospel is the
truth, and there isn't word of truth in
what that man teaches Turn him loose
It's useless to indct men on such frivolous
pretcnccs! Turn him loose !'
Methodist disappears, not at all hurt in
his feelings by the judicial abuse he had
received
"What are you, sir?" said the Judge
to the third criminal.
"Some people call me a preacher, sir"
(Meekly)
"What is your denomination 2"
"I am Baptist" Head up.)
His Honor's countenance fell, and he
looked very sober and staid. After
pause he said:
DO you belive in salvation by grace"
al do" (Firmly.)
edo you teach that immersion only is
baptsm?"
THAT is my doctrine" Earnestly
"And you baptize none but those who
believe in Jesus Christ? ?"
"That is my faith and practice" with
my friend, fear it will go hard with
you; see you are indicted for preaching
the gospel, and it appears to me that by
your own confession you are guilty"
Baptist looked pretty blue.
"May it please your Honor" said the
Baptist's counsel, springing to his feet,
''t that man never preached the gospel. l
have heard him say hundred times that
he only tried. I have heard him try my
self"
"Mr Sheriff, discharge this man He's
not indicted for trying. There's nothing
said about the mere effort Let him 60,
sir! Turn him loose! Send him about
his-business / am astonished that the
States attorney should annoy the court
with frivolous indictments"
Exit Baptist, determined to "try"
again.
Court adjourned