THAT MISSISSIPPI CRIMINAL
By R. S. Owen
THE editor's note concerning the "Criminal Brought to Book," in the Independence Number of the SIGNS, has doubtless created in some minds an interest to learn the fate of this man. I write to tell you that his trial was held on the 19th of July, and that he is still at large. I am glad to say that the SIGNS is correct in its estimate that "the major part of the people of this State do not believe in this thing," i. e., prosecuting the Adventists. The crime, if such it be, was that of obeying the law of God in regard to the Sabbath. This man had brought an offering to the Lord on the seventh day of the week, and God had blessed him richly in obeying His command, and had respect unto his offering. Now this man had several brothers, being the sons of Adam, and they brought as an offering of their time, the first day of the week, and to their offering God had not respect, and promised them no blessing for so doing. And these brothers became very wroth, and their countenance fell, and it came to pass that, when the Sabbath-keeper was in his garden, attending to his own business, these brothers rose up and took counsel together how they might destroy his influence and put him to shame. So complaint was made to the officer, and the man was arrested and brought into court for not respecting the first day of the week. Now it was supposed that this Sabbath-keeper would be subjected to heavy fines and perhaps imprisonment; but the men to whom the matter was left for decision were honorable men—men who feared God. And they found written in the book of the law these words— "No preference shall ever be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship, but the free enjoyment of all religious sentiments and the different modes of worship shall ever be held sacred."—Constitution of Mississippi. Then said these gentlemen of the jury: "We find the accused not guilty." And further, they added: "We could not condemn a man for obeying the law of God." Moreover, these brothers were not to be discouraged with the first defeat. Learning of another Sabbath-keeper, who had failed to respect the venerable day of the sun, they entered complaint against him, and he was called to attend court two days later. This time they brought with them a certain orator, whose fame extended over no inconsiderable portion of the country. He was a lawyer of such breadth of mind that he was willing to argue either side of the case. Having offered his services for the defense in the first case, he found that it had been entrusted to a Higher Power; so he offered to prosecute the second case for the moderate sum of $2.50. The securing of this amount necessitated some persistent begging, and met several embarrassing rebuffs; but in some way the lawyer was secured, and he stood before the justice to bring the Sabbath-keeper into trouble. Again were honorable men found to sit in judgment on the case, who, when they had heard the evidence, read the law, listened to the eloquence of the lawyer, brought in a verdict of, "Not guilty." And thus has ended an experience which has been attended with sweet communion with God, a refreshing of His Holy Spirit to the church, a wide circulation of the truth, and an acquaintance with many friends, who are brought into a knowledge of the truth by this event.