Sabbathkeepers Prosecuted Under Sunday Law
OPPONENTS of the Sabbath truth near Amory, Miss., are trying to silence the testimony of its adherents by an appeal to the State Sunday law. On July 11 Brethren Dan W. Burton and Bruce Baugh were summoned to appear for trial on a charge of having done secular work on Sunday, and on the following Friday were brought before the court. Brother Burton's offense was that he had done some hoeing in his garden; at least several witnesses testified that they had seen him in his garden with what appeared to be a hoe in his hands, though they could not be positive that he was using a hoe. Brother Baugh testified that he had repaired his fence to keep cattle from coming through it into his cotton. The prosecuting officer owns a mill which he is accustomed to operate on Sunday, justifying his action on the ground of necessity. But at the trial he declared there was no exemption in the law except for railroads and steamboats. The brethren were fined five dollars and costs each. Brother Baugh paid the fine, but Brother Burton refused to pay, and the officer made ready to take him to jail. It was necessary to go to Amory, and there take the train for Aberdeen, the county seat. The train being two hours late at Amory, the sheriff allowed his prisoner to walk about the town; and while so engaged, Brother Burton met a lawyer, who on learning of the facts in his case said he ought not to go to jail, and offered to go on his bond and have his case put over till September. It was thought best to accept this offer, so Brother Burton returned to his home. This brother being well advanced in years, two of the younger brethren had offered to serve out the sentence in his place, and all were much rejoiced to see him at church the next day, when they had supposed he would be in jail. The little company enjoyed a most excellent service that day, marked by the special presence of God and testimonies of confession on the part of some who had been on the background. Thus the result of this effort against the truth has been a spiritual revival in the church.