Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-07-24
PRAYING In COURT.
A Novel Scene in the Primitive Days
of Meth Odtsm.

Ol
At the recent Primitive Methodist
missionary meeting at Birmingham Rev.
R. W. Burnett told the following story:
In the early days of primitive Metho'
dism, under the labors of one of our
veteran home missionaries, a notoriously
bad character was converted. Quite in
harmony with the custom of those
times, he soon began preaching. On
one occasion he had large crowd OF
people gathered by the wayside, and to
these he preached Jesus. An ofhcious
constable came up and took our friend
into custody. The news spread like
wild-6re that old Tom was locked up for
preaching. Had it been said poaching
no one would have doubted it, but this
preaching gave quite different char
acter to the affair On the following
morning the court was crowded to hear
the trial. The charge was read over,
and the prisoner asked what he had to
say in reply. Now, this man had been
in that dock so often that he did not
feel at all concerned-seemed quite at
home. Very quietly folding his arms,
he addressed the magistrates to the fol-
lowing effect: Gentlemen, do you
mean business2"
Business, business of course we do. ="
"Well, gentlemen, please excuse me,
but if you mean business, allow me to
say that of late great change has come
over me, and never now commence any
business without first praying about it..
If you please, we'll pray"
H. d;J not MOTT m know whafhnr thew
pleased or not but with all the fervor of
new convert poured out his soul in
prayer. All in the court and on the
magistrate bench were deeply moved
some to tears. But he prayed rather
long, and good as it was, they thought
he might now close; SO the presiding
magistrate said in an undertone, THAT
will do; Just stop him" The constable,
shaking our friend sleeve, said Stop"
cut he prayed away. Pulling his sleeve
yet more vigorously, he said, Stop,
man, stopi" and he prayed with in
creasing fervor.
One Of the magistrates saw one Of our
preachers in the body Of the court and
calling to him, said, Mr.. - you
come and stop him" But our dear old
brother enjoyed this novel prayer meet
ing too much to be induced to stop it;
SO he replied loud enough for all to hear,
Nay, nay, you've started him; can't
stop him.
However, our friend in the dock drew
his devotions to a close, stood upon his
feet, and again folding his arms, said,
with becoming meekness-
"Now, gentlemen, il you please, l am
quite ready for business.
The prisoner was ordered into an ante
room while his case was considered. One
of the magistrates, moved to tears, said,
=" We have often had this man before Us,
but never under such circumstances. If
this is a sample Jf the work achieved by
the Primitive Methodists, l wish them
success wherever they 60. 1t did not
take them long to decide that he had
broken no law, and therefore they would
very gladly acquit him.
Well, gentlemen" said an officer of
the court, shall we call him in and say
that he is acquitted"
What, what call him in No, never
or you'll have him on his knees return
ing thanks. Let him 90 out at a side
door, but tell him he is fully at liberty to
carry on his good work. odd School
Presbyterian.