p. 20 | In Jail for Conscience’ Sake by Morris Lukens

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 23, 1907

In Jail for Conscience’ Sake

By Morris Lukens

BROTHER JOHN CURLETT, a member of the Fords Store (Md.) church, is now in the Centerville jail because his conscience will not let him pay his fine for working on Sunday.

The constable who arrested him (and by the way, this officer had been appointed only the day before) said, “I am in this work for all I can get out of it.” Taking advantage of an old law in the State of Maryland, he drove to Fords Store to see if he could find Brother Curlett at work. Passing several others who were breaking the law, he drove around a back road, then through another man’s farm. Tying his horse here, he went through a woods, and there found Brother Curlett quietly working on the back part of his farm, fully one-half mile from the public road, and took him to a magistrate, who placed him under bond to appear at court.

His case came before the court May 8. He was tried before a jury, convicted, fined, and because his conscience would not let him pay the fine, he was placed in the Centerville jail for thirty days.

It was my privilege to visit Brother Curlett in the jail, May 14. I remarked to him, “You seem very happy under the circumstances.” As we sat on the side of the prison bed, he told me the reason. I will give it in his own words.

He said: “As the sheriff opened the iron door to put me in, he said to another prisoner, ‘Here is company for you.’ My fellow prisoner immediately told me his troubles. I told him he had broken the law, and was now trying to carry the burden alone; that if he would confess his sin, and ask God to forgive him and bless him, he would do so. He said that life was not worth living, and that he was about to kill himself when I came. After talking with him about the promises of God, I suggested that we have prayer. As we arose from prayer, he said, ‘I praise God for sending you here to comfort me,’ and then we quietly sang the hymn, ‘Jesus, lover of my soul.’ I tell you it was the best prayer-meeting I ever attended, and as I have since seen that man give his heart to the Lord, I am thankful I am here. These have been the happiest days of my life.”

As I stood locked in behind those prison bars, listening to this man, deprived of liberty, separated from his wife and children; rejoicing in the thought that God can use him there to help others, and then looked upon the other prisoner who had but a few days before contemplated committing suicide, I realized more fully than ever before that the same God rules to-day that directed Paul to the jail in Philippi, to save the jailer and his family.

During the trial, Brother Curlett was granted the privilege of speaking. He meekly told the court that he would not knowingly break any of the State laws unless that law conflicted with the law of God. “This court says, ‘The first day is the Sabbath,’ but a higher court the says, ‘The seventh day is the Sabbath.’ I must obey the higher court.” As he reasoned from the Scriptures, the crowded court room paid strict attention to every word spoken, and in the language of the poet—

“Every one in the court room, Gray beard and thoughtless youth, Knew, as they looked upon him, That the prisoner spoke the truth.”

A good impression was made upon all present. In giving the sentence, the judge said that he did not like to deprive him of his liberty, and advised him not to work on Sunday in the future where he will be seen. “I arrange to do all my Sunday work,” said Brother Curlett, “where no one will be annoyed, and, as was testified here in court, the constable found me at work a half mile from the public road. Unless the constable can be restricted from coming on my farm to spy me out, I can only ask you to be as lenient as possible with me whenever I come before you.”

Sister Curlett was asked many questions by lawyers and others, which gave her an excellent opportunity to present the truth for this time. Remember this brother and his family in your prayers. If you desire to write to Brother Curlett, address him at Centerville Jail, Centerville, Md.

MORRIS LUKENS.