Mexico weekly ledger., 1907-09-05
"A remarkable Lawsuit.


Co, Mo, there lived IN 1886 q quiet
substantial citizen named Uriel Grif-
| fth. His wife, daughters and daugh-
ter.iu-IaS, we're jealous members or
the Disciples church. This daughter
in-law was attentive to the old gentle
man and was a great favorite OF bis.
The lady members OF bis household
we're earnest workers In the church
and forward in every religious enter
prise. while the old gentleman paid
the bills and talked but little. he CO.
cssionally attended religious meetings,
but bad never manifested any per-
sonal interest or united with any
church.
In the course Of time he was strick-
en- with some serious malady, brights
disease, perhaps, and his decline was 50
rapid that in a short time he was con-
hnedto his bed. His caselwas serious. His
family became alarmed. Physicians
could give no encouragement. A con-
sultation was held. His daughter-in-
law, Mrs. Hannibal Griffith, who had
always been vsrf sdectionate toward
him, took the matter In hand. She
went to him and candidly told him
| that his family and his friends were
uneasy about hin. She said, 'Eather,
you are growing weaker and worse
every day. We are troubled about
you. You have not confessed Christ,
nor been baptized. We don't want
you to gn down TO the grave In this
condition"
Mr.. Griffith promptly told her that
be had not been Indifferent TO the
subject Of religion; that he wanted TO
CONFESS his Savior publicly and be
baptized. Instantly without on
sulting the old gentleman as 10 how
be wished 70 be baptized, they sent
for Elder-of C~larksvilfe, and en-
pIoyed . nearby carpenter to make .
lcapacious box In which TO immense
| the sick man.
The box was made In due time. Az
appointment was made for religious
services at the home OF Uriel Griffith
at q given date. The congregation
assembled and quietly took seats
around the room. The old gentleman
caDed his fayorite daughter-in-law,
who seemed to be manager y CHEZ OF
the occasion and asked her, what
does all this mean?" She told him,
"we are going to have religious ser
vices here. br0ther"is with US TO
conduct the meeting. well that's
all right" said the old gentleman.
The preacher came In, they sang
several hymns and the preacher read
some scripture passages and talked a
while. at a given signal some six or
eight strong men l~aboriously brought
in the big box, half full OF water and
placed it in the middle Of the room.
The old gentleman slowly raised up
in bed and said deliberately, "What
are you going to do with that thing9''
His managing daughter-in-law, who
was near at hand, said, 1--WE are going
10 baptize you ,father,' "BaptiEe mel
said the surprised old man. Eyes you
said you wished TO be baptized. T"
His emphatic reply was, 80 / did
but l don't want to be put in no old
scalding tub" His daughter-in-law
explained, "You are too weak and
sick, father, to go to the creek or pond
and this box was the only way we knew
how TO get you baptized" 81 don't
want to go TO no creek or pond" said
be II want TO be baptized like Mr..
Bernard and Join his church. So you
folks had better all 90 home and
viii send for Mr.. Bernard"
He did send for Rev. Taylor Ber-
nard, then OF GAINESVILLE, who came
with the officers OF his church, had
services at the house, baptized Uric
Grifith and received him into The
Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Mr.. Griffith lived for some months ant
died in peace.
When his will was probated, it wa
found that Mrs. Hannibal Griffith
the favorite and affectionate daugh
ter-in-law, had received about twic'
as much as any one of the other heirs
Immediately charges Of undue 10
fiuencen and 'incompetency OF tn
, testator" were made by the othe
heirs, and a determination to ''breal
! the willn was agreed upon. A lawsuit
was In sight.
The disaffected heirs employed MI
Morrow, of Louisiana, Mo-, al thei
lawyer, and Mrs. Hannibal Griffith
employed Mr.. Ed Smith Of Bowlin
Green, Mo-, as her attorney. Tn
9 case came before the Circuit Court Q
Pike Co. NO., with Judge Elijah Rot
I inson on the bench. Elder-th
: Disciple preacher who did not get I
put Mr.. Griffith into that ''box'', an
Rev. Taylor Bernard, who did baptiz
:, him, we're among the witnesses exam
ined. Elder - testified on oct
that "Mr. Griffith was minde
o and net competent to make a will.
: When Mr.. Bernard was on the vii
. ness stand, Mr. Ed Smith, who vas a 10y
oil member Of the Baptist church, aske
him the question, Ibid you baptize NJ
Griffiths" Quick as a flash, Attorne
Z Morrow called cut II object" "Wha
: is your objection" SAID the Judge.
Mr.. Morrow, who was an earnest Con
munnicant Of the Cumberland Presby
terrain Church vigorously replied I"
object to counsel for the defense cal
E ing that a baptism which Mr.. Bernarl
administered to Nj. Griffith. II wa
only %sprinkling, and everybody know
that Baptidzo never means to sprinkle
no English-G creek Lexicon in exlstenc
: gives sprinkle as a primary meanin|
q lof Ranttdzo ~ And M Morrou fha,