The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1888-04-19
HE WOULD NOT SWEAR,
A Juror Committed to Jail Because He
Would Not Take the Oath.
(From the Atlanta Constitution.>

(From the Atlanta Constitution.)
"Be steadfast in the right and the
Lord will uphold thee and give thee suo.
cor in the hour of thy extremity"
These words were delivered with unc-
ton, in a solemn voice, and they
emanated from dreary abode-the Full
ton county Jail. The speaker was Mr..
w. L.. Lively, who is devoting his days
and his nights to very sombre nows-
paper with the appropriate name of
"Last Days"
"Why are you in here?" was asked the
prisoner by sleek moonshiner, who was
taking his afternoon airing.
81 am here" was the quick reply,
"because l would not sacrifice my re-
| Ggious principles; would not trample
upon the teachings of the holy Scrip
lures, and would not disobey the pre-
certs Of our Lord aud Master Jesus
Christ"
elbow did all that happen?" asked the
inquisitive moonshiner, and group OF
prisoners stopped their exercise to catch
the reply.
cit happened in this wise. 1 refused
to take an oath in the court and the
Judge sent me to this dismal retreat-to
this abode of malefactors. But do re-
pine? DO L seek to escape the conse-
quences of my righteous action? No,
sir, never. Lam here to stay until my
Lord ransoms me. Paul and Silas and
the apostles and our Redeemer were i'm
prlsoned by tyrants, and L count it an
honor to be incarcerated for maintaining
the right. l was firm and shall remain
firm. am minister of the gospel and
shall not lose this opportunity to work
for the salvation of those l find around
me. l may be an instrument in the
hands of Providence to save souls"
Tho conversation was interrupted by
the turnkey, who conducted the clerical
prisoner to his apartment.
How came Mr.. Lively to be sent to
jail? Briefly told, the facts are: Yoster-
day morning when the superior court
was organized a panel of jurors was
draw, and Clerk Walter Venable pro-
ceeded to administer the customary oath.
One OF these jurors was Mr.. w. j.. Live
ly, who is widely known i'll Atlanta.
When the Bible was handed Mr.. Lively
he declined to take an oath.
"You may affirm if you have religious
scruples, remarked Clerk Venable.
81 will neither swear nor affirm" re-
Joined the recalcitrant juror, "for is it
not written, Swear not at ALP Besides,
| will not sit in judgment over my fell
low man. Christ said, Judge not that
ye be not Judged and he was too mcrc-
full to condemn even her who was ap-
pretended in the act. Can 1 be less?
No; I'll not be sworn, for L am not a
proper juror"
e~r.."What az. is all that Interruptions" Judge
Clarke asked.
"This juror refuses to be sworn" said
the clerk.
"Why?" gueried the court.
"Becsuse, answered Mr.. Lively, "l
will not swear or affirm. My religion
will not allow me to do SO, and 1 am op
posed to courts and juries.''
can inadequate excuse" said the
court. "You must take the oath, Mr.
Lively"
81 refuse to do so, because"
The reason was cut short by his honor
who directed a bailiff to take the Juror tC
jail for contempt of court.
The bailitf took Mr.. Lively to the
county jail. On the way thither the
stubborn juror spoke many strange
things. He declared that he did not OBJ
ject to- going to Jail, because the judg,
ment day was near ut hand, and he ex,
pccted to be liberated by the interposi,
tion of Providence.
MIR. Lively was quiet aud reticent last
night, and was in a sound sleep by 1C
o'clock. Some of his friends will make
an effort to get him out to-day.
Judge Clarke says that he is com
mitted for five days for contempt ol
court.