A REMINISCENCE OF THE WAR.
It is well known that some of the judges in Missouri were very reluctant to enforce the law against ministers of the gospel for exercising their profession without having taken the test oath, and availed themselves of every pretense to discharge those who were accused. We tell the following tale, says an exchange, as it was told to us, vouching for nothing:— Three ministers, charged with the crime of preaching "the glorious gospel of the Son of God," were arraigned before a judge. They were regularly indicted, and it was understood that the proof against them was very clear. "Are you a preacher?" said the judge to one of them. "Yes, sir," replied the culprit. "To what denomination do you belong, sir?" "I am a Christian, sir." (With dignity.) "A Christian! What do you mean by that? Are not all preachers Christians?" "I belong to a sect commonly, but wrongly, called Campbellites." (Not much dignity.) "Ah! Then you are in favor of baptizing people in order that they may be born again, are you?" "I am, sir." (Defiantly.) "Mr. Sheriff, discharge that man! He is an innocent man! He is indicted for preaching the gospel, and there is not a word of gospel in the stuff he preaches! It's all some of Alexander Campbell's nonsense. Discharge that man." Exit Campbellites, greatly rejoicing. "Are you a preacher?" said his honor, addressing the next criminal. "I am, sir," said the miscreant. "Of what denomination are you?" "I am a Methodist, sir." (His looks showed it.) "Do you believe in falling from grace?" "I do, sir." (Without hesitation.) "Do you believe in sprinkling people, instead of baptizing them?" "I believe that people can be baptized by sprinkling." (Much offended.) "Do you believe in baptizing babies?" "It is my opinion, sir, that infants ought to be baptized. (Much offended.) "Not a word of Scripture for anything of the kind!" shouted the judge. "Mr. Sheriff, turn that man loose! He is no preacher of the gospel! The gospel is the truth, and there is not a word of truth in what that man teaches! Turn him loose! It is ridiculous to indict men on such frivolous pretenses! Turn him loose?" Methodist disappears not at all hurt in his feelings by the judicial abuse he had received. "What are you, sir?" demanded the judge, of the third felon. "Some people call me a preacher, sir." (Meekly.) "What's your denomination?" "I am a Baptist, sir." (Head up.) His honor's countenance fell, and he looked sober and sad. After a pause he said:— "Do you believe in salvation by grace, sir?" "Do you teach that immersion only is baptism?" "That is my doctrine." (Earnestly.) "And you baptize none but those who believe in Jesus Christ?" "That is my faith and practice." (With emphasis.) "My friend, I fear it will go hard with you; I see you are indicted for preaching the gospel, and it appears to me that by your confession you are guilty." Baptist looked pretty blue. "May it please your honor," said the Baptist's counsel, springing to his feet, "that man has never preached the gospel. I have heard him say a hundred times that he only tried. I have heard him try myself." "Mr. Sheriff, discharge that man! He's not indicted for trying! There's nothing said about the mere effort! Let him go, sir! Turn him loose! Send him about his business! I am astonished that the State Attorney should annoy the court with such frivolous indictments." Exit Baptist, determined to "try" again. "God save the State and this honorable court!" exclaimed the Sheriff. "Amen!" exclaimed the three preachers. And, after all, say we, as ridiculous as the story may seem, it has a moral. If the State has a right to prohibit the preaching of the gospel, it has a right to decide what the gospel is; and when this is done we have a national church, and the adulterous connection between church and State becomes complete.