The Republican journal., 1872-08-29
Wit and Justice in Missouri

If is well known that some OF the Judges
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
themselves of every pretence to discharge
those who are accnsed. We tell the fol-
lowing tale rs it is told to us. vouchino
for nothing
Three ministers, charged with the crime
of preaching, ''the glorious gospel of the
Son of God" We're arraigned before a
certain Judge, They We're regularly in
dicted, and it was understood that the
proof against them was very clear
Are You preacher ?' said the Judge
TO one of them.
"Yes, sir" replied the culprit.
ITO what denomination do You be
long ,"
II am a Christian, sir" with dignity. }
"A Christian What do you mean by
that Are not all preachers Christians p
II belong to a sect usually called, but
wrongfully, Complexities. Not so much
dignitv.)
"Ahi Then you believe in baptizing
people, in order that they may be born
again. do you?"
.
Mr.. Sheriff, discharge that man He
is an innocent man! he is indicted tor
preaching the Gospel, and there isn't a
word Of Gospel in the stuff he breaches f!
IFS only some of Alexander Campbells
nonsense that he breaches. Discharge
the man ~
Exit Campbellitc, greatly rejoicing.
"Are you a preacher ?" said the Judge,
addressing the next criminal.
Il am, sir" said the miscreant
''Of what denomination are you ?"
"A Methodist, sir" (liis looks showed
it.)
"Do you believe in falling from grace ~
II do, sir. with hesitation)
"Do You believe IN sprinkling people,
instead of haptizing them ?''
II believe that people can be baptized
by mixing" Much otfended)
"Do you believe in baptizing babies ?''
''lt is my opinion, sir, that infants ought
to be baptized" Indignantly
''Not a word of Scripture for ANYTHING
of the kind, sir!' shouted his Honor
"Mr. Sheriff, turn that man loose He 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 tlimsy
pretenses. 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
"Some people call me a preacher, sir''
"What is your denomination ?''
Il am II Baptist" (Head up.)
His IIonor's countenance tell, and he
looked sober and sad After ii pause, he
said:
''Do you believe in salvation by grace?''
81 do" (Firmly.)
"Do you teach that immersion only is
baptism ?"
THAT is my doctrine" Earnestly
"And you baptise none but those who
believe in Jesus Christ ?"
THAT is my faith and practice with
emphasis.)
"Mv friend, | fear it will 90 hard with
you; see you are indicted for preaching
the gospel, and it appears by your own
confession that you are guilty"
Baptist looked pretty blue.
MAY is please your honor" said the
Baptlst's counsel, springing to his feet.
''thft man never preached the gospel. |
have heard him say hundred times that
he only tried. l 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 90,
sir | am astonished that the States At
torney should annoy the Court with frivo-
lous 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 rs
the story may seem, it has Il moral. II
the State has The 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.