The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-04-08
chs Hni0n 9smorrat.


On Sunday afternoon last scene trans
uired on the banks Of White river, 10 this
civ. which has caused large ameuns Of dis
cussion In religions and other circles, and
which created an intense excitement. while
II was being enacted. The facts % related
70 us By various persons, are a. follcws:
Some weeks $50. . daughter 81 Mr.. s:
Rodmans Of this city. while attending SER
vices at tbs Baptist church became deeply
interested in religious questions, and finally
expressed desire 70 become member Of
that church by being baptized in accordance
with it's usages-that is, BY immersion.
The young lady ;s in very delicate state
Of health, and her father required her to post
pcne the rite tiiLa more propitious condition
OF the weather should arrive, he fearing that
the shock Of an immersion in ice-cold water
would seriously. il not fatally, injure her.
ShestiIl however, expressed desire to have
the right administered, and Rev. j. NJ. Ben
pett, pastor Of the Baptist Church, agreed 70
receive her into the Church. by immersion. on
last Sabbath, Hearing this, her father took
her 10 the residence Of Mr.. Bennett, showed
him how fragile was her physical condition.
and urged him 70 postpone the ceremony to
q more propitious season. He had no other
objection, he said, TO the immersion Of his
daughter but the ona--his fears that her
health would be permanently injured by il.
Elder Bennett, however, determined 10
proceed with the affair. and appointed last
Sunday afternoon "a the time, and White
river, 1t the foot Of High street. rs the place.
Mr.. Rodman then endeavored 60 prevent his
daughter from being present, bat in this he
was unsuccessful, and ut the hour appointed
Elder Bennett, with number OF his parish
ioners. male and female, and Miss Rpdman
repaired to the banks of White river. and
prepared for the administration OF the sacred
ordinance. MIR. Rodman heard OF it, end
hurried to the spot anl forbade the minister
from proceeding any further in the matter.
His protests were disregarjed, however, and
the minister and the young lady stepped into
the water. Mr.. Rodnan's protests became
more and more emphatic and determined,
and finally Mr.. Martin Gailiher. one of the
members of the Church present. ordered Sher-
iff Swain and City Marshal Robinson to seze
and hold him until the ceremony was over,
which they did, he continuing his verbal pro-
test, however, in which he was seconded ny
an elder sister of the penitent.
Before, however, she ceremony was over
Mr.. Rodman asked the minister TO desist TIL
his lawyers could be present and bis rights
in the premises determined by them, promis-
ing to cease his opposition if they should de-
eide that be had no rightto control bis dangh-
ter in the matter. lie accordingly sent for
Mr.. Kilgore and Gregory, but before they ar
rived on the scene the ceremony was over.
AS soon as the young lady was baptized
she was put into carriage and driven rap
idly away, and the crowd dispersed.
The affair excited considerable feeling and
discussion, and one or two lawsuits will
probably grow out Of it, as Mr.. r. says he is
determined to know whether the law gives
him the rightto control his minor children or
not. IL the affair takes this course, it will
make one Of the most interesting and impor-
taut cases ever tried in our State courts.-
Muncie (Lad.) Times, March ID.