The Cadi's Decision

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 24, 1872

The Cadi's Decision

A poor Turkish slater of Constantinople, being at work upon the roof of a house, lost his footing, and fell into the narrow street upon a man who chanced to be passing at the time. The pedestrian was killed by the concussion, while the slater escaped without material injury. A son of the deceased caused the slater to be arrested and taken before the cadi, where he made the most grave charge, and claimed ample redress. The cadi listened attentively, and in the end asked the slater what he had to say in his defense. “Dispenser of justice,” answered the accused, in humble mood, “it is even as this man says; but God forbid that there should be evil in my heart. I am a poor man and know not how I can make amends.” The son of the man who had been killed thereupon demanded that condign punishment should be inflicted upon the accused. The cadi meditated a few moments, and finally said: “It shall be so.” Then to the slater he continued: “Thou shalt stand in the place where the father of this man stood when thou didst fall upon him.” And to the accuser he added: “And thou shalt, if it so please thee, go upon the roof, and fall upon the culprit, even as he did fall upon thy father. Allah is great.” —Our Young Folk’s Budget.