1830.
BAPTISMS AT COLESVILLE--JOSEPH ARRESTED--DAVIDSON AND REID ON THE
DEFENSE--SUFFERING LIKE THE MASTER--NARROW ESCAPE FROM MOBS.
When the conference of June 1st, 1830, was over Joseph went to his home
at Harmony after a somewhat long absence. He had no time, however, to
settle down and rest; he was still needed in the work of our blessed
Master, and so taking his wife with him he set out for Colesville
accompanied by Oliver Cowdery, David and John Whitmer.
Many persons were there who had faith in the Lord and in His work and
had repented of past wrong doing. They now desired to be cleansed from
sin by baptism, and to be given the Holy Ghost that they might be
numbered with the Saints.
It was Joseph's intention to have the baptism performed on Sunday, and
on Saturday afternoon he and the others placed a dam across a stream
near Mr. Knight's house so that the water would be deep enough. The
baptizing had to be put off, however, for during the night the dam
was torn away by a mob that had been aroused by the ministers of the
neighborhood. It would be interesting to know the texts used that
Sunday by these pastors who were hired to lead their flocks in Godly
and peaceful paths.
Monday morning early the dam was again built before the mob was astir,
and Oliver Cowdery baptized thirteen persons. Among these was Emma
Smith, the Prophet's wife. It was a joyful occasion for Joseph. Before
the baptizing was finished the mob had come together and begun to show
an ugly spirit. Joseph and his friends retired to Mr. Knight's house.
The mob followed and tried to pick a quarrel, but the brethren would
not quarrel and so these bad men had no excuse to hurt them although
they would have liked to do it.
A meeting was set for the evening, to confirm those baptized. The
people had gathered and were just ready to commence when in walked
a constable and arrested Joseph on the charge of being a disorderly
person, and of setting the country in an uproar by preaching the Book
of Mormon. What a charge! Joseph had held a few quiet meetings in
private houses, and the uproar was not begun by him.
You can imagine that the people were surprised and some, no doubt, were
pretty angry, but Joseph allowed himself to be arrested quietly. He
acted so like a true gentleman--he always was a gentleman--and had such
an honest face and manly bearing that the officer made up his mind that
he was no rascal but a true man, and straightway became his friend.
And it was fortunate for Joseph that he did, because he had intended
to lead the Prophet into a trap. Of course, now he changed his mind
and told him that the arrest was only a trick to get him away from his
friends and let him fall into the hands of the mob, which was lying in
wait for him on the road. The constable determined to try a trick of
his own on the mob, and they set out together in a light wagon.
They had not gone very far before they came upon a crowd of
evil-looking men, who gathered about to seize Joseph as soon as the
wagon stopped. The constable drove in among them and they awaited his
signal. Suddenly he seized his whip and gave his horse a cut and before
the ruffians could stir the wagon was just out of their reach. Then
began a great race--horse against man, and the horse was getting the
best of it. The mob, though they ran as fast as they could, were being
left behind, and Joseph and the officer were breathing more easily,
when suddenly off came the wagon-wheel. What a plight they were in! If
they had stopped to say bad words about their luck they would probably
have been caught, for the mob were racing down the road like mad, but
they did not swear, they jumped from the wagon, replaced the wheel,
fastened it, and away they sped again just in time to escape.
They continued to South Bainbridge in the adjoining county and here
secured a room in a tavern for the night. The constable gave Joseph the
bed while he slept with his feet against the door with a loaded musket
at his side. They were not disturbed.
Next day the Prophet came as prisoner into court. It was the first time
that he had ever been tried on any charge. Many times afterwards he was
taken before courts for trial, and yet in no case was he ever found
guilty. But though he suffered so much from wicked persecutors he never
refused to submit himself to the law.
When the constable had come and taken Joseph away from the meeting,
it broke up, and Joseph Knight went to two of his neighbors, James
Davidson and John Reid to engage them to defend the Prophet in court.
These men were honorable, intelligent farmers who understood well the
principles of justice and the laws of the land. Though they had never
seen Joseph and were in no way connected with the Church they consented
to take his case in spite of the violent prejudice against him.
Mr. Reid afterwards said that when asked he was at first unwilling on
account of other work, but before he could refuse he heard a low voice
say, "You must go to deliver the Lord's anointed!" The messenger had
not spoken and had not heard the voice, and Mr. Reid felt that he had
received instruction from heaven. He willingly took the case, feeling
sure of success.
The prosecution was carried on by a Presbyterian named Seymour, and he
tried by false witnesses to win the case, but Joseph's lawyers pleaded
well, and the judge set him free. He was immediately arrested again
by another constable and taken back to Colesville, Broome county, to
be tried there. They stayed over night at a tavern, and during the
evening, the officer invited bad men in to join him in abusing the
Prophet.
What they did there would have shocked a decent heathen, Joseph was a
helpless prisoner in the hands of an officer of the law and there was
no reason for thinking him guilty of any crime. Yet that coward officer
with his associates spit upon him, and cursed him, and then pointing
their fingers at him told him to prophesy. You all have heard how Judas
led the multitude against Jesus as he prayed on the mount of Olives,
and how they took Him to the house of Caiaphas the high priest to bring
false witness against Him. And there they buffeted Him, and spit upon
Him, and told Him to prophesy. Joseph thought of this, and though his
sensitive nature must have sickened at the treatment, yet he remembered
that he was only servant and that the Master had suffered thus. In both
cases it was the same low, cowardly spirit of Satan, the spirit that
always seeks to pollute the pure and unprotected.
The Prophet had eaten nothing since morning and was hungry and tired.
He asked for food, and the constable gave him a few crusts of bread.
He then offered security for his appearance and asked that he might be
allowed to spend the night at home. This was refused. He was compelled
to sleep against the wall and the constable took away all chance of
comfort by lying at his side and holding him all night long.
Next day Joseph was again tried, and the same lawyers and witnesses
were present to prosecute him, as on the day before. He was glad to
find there also the men who had so ably defended him. The evidence
against the Prophet was shown either to be false or to have no
bearing on the subject. Lawyer Seymour sought to prejudice the court
by a violent speech, but Mr. Davidson and Mr. Reid spoke with such
astonishing power in his behalf that the accusers cowered before them.
They each thanked God that they were permitted to defend a man whose
character was so free from guilt.
So effective was the defense in this case that many who had wished the
Prophet harm now became his friends. Even the constable who had been
so unmanly, asked his pardon and offered him aid. The officer told him
that the mob had gathered and was determined to tar and feather Joseph
and ride him on a rail, since he could not be injured legally. He led
the Prophet out by a secret way and Joseph escaped. Next day with his
wife he returned to his home in Harmony.
Those baptized at Colesville had not yet been confirmed members of
the Church, because such a bad, un-American spirit had taken hold of
the people there that Joseph and his friends hardly dared to be found
in the neighborhood for fear of being hurt or killed. After a little
while, however, he and Oliver came on foot from Harmony, but they had
no sooner reached Mr. Knight's house than their enemies, learning they
were there, formed a mob and came to capture them. Now what should
the two men have done in such a position? They might have remained,
determined to have their rights, and with the help of their friends
fought the mob. They were not afraid, Oliver was brave, and Joseph
Smith did not know what fear was. But they were ministers of peace,
and peace could be had only by going away, and they went. They did
not stop for food or drink, but hurried to escape, for their enemies
were following like a pack of bloodhounds. Several times they were
nearly caught, but they were strong men and outran their pursuers. They
traveled all night and reached home in the morning, pretty thoroughly
tired out.
In July, 1830, Oliver Cowdery left Joseph and went to Fayette to labor
there. In his place, as scribe to the Prophet, came John Whitmer and
Joseph with his help began to re-write and arrange the revelations
that he had received up to this time. Many had been given, and it was
necessary that they be kept for the use of the Church in the future.