The Commencement of the Public Ministry of the Church.
[Sidenote: The First Public Discourse.]
On Sunday, April 11th, 1830, Oliver Cowdery preached the first public
discourse that was delivered by any of our number. Our meeting was
held, by previous appointment, at the house of Mr. Peter Whitmer,
Sen., Fayette. Large numbers of people attended, and the same day the
following were baptized, viz., Hiram Page, Katharine Page, Christian
Whitmer, Anne Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Elizabeth Whitmer; and on the
18th day, Peter Whitmer, Sen., Mary Whitmer, William Jolly, Elizabeth
Jolly, Vincent Jolly, Richard B. Peterson, and Elizabeth Anne
Whitmer--all by Oliver Cowdery, in Seneca Lake.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Ministry at Colesville.]
During this month of April, I went on a visit to the residence of Mr.
Joseph Knight, of Colesville, Broome county, New York, with whom and
his family I had been for some time acquainted, and whose name I had
previously mentioned as having been so kind and thoughtful towards us
while translating the Book of Mormon. Mr. Knight and his family were
Universalists, but were willing to reason with me upon my religious
views, and were, as usual, friendly and hospitable. We held several
meetings in the neighborhood; we had many friends, and some enemies.
Our meetings were well attended, and many began to pray fervently to
Almighty God, that He would give them wisdom to understand the truth.
{82} [Sidenote: Labors of the Prophet with Newel Knight.]
Amongst those who attended our meetings regularly, was Newel Knight,
son of Joseph Knight. He and I had many serious conversations on the
important subject of man's eternal salvation. We had got into the habit
of praying much at our meetings, and Newel had said that he would
try and take up his cross, and pray vocally during meeting; but when
we again met together, he rather excused himself. I tried to prevail
upon him, making use of the figure, supposing that he should get into
a mud-hole, would he not try to help himself out? And I further said
that we were willing now to help him out of the mud-hole. He replied,
that provided he had got into a mud-hole through carelessness, he would
rather wait and get out himself, than to have others help him; and so
he would wait until he could get into the woods by himself, and there
he would pray. Accordingly, he deferred praying until next morning,
when he retired into the woods; where, according to his own account
afterwards, he made several attempts to pray, but could scarcely do
so, feeling that he had not done his duty, in refusing to pray in the
presence of others. He began to feel uneasy, and continued to feel
worse both in mind and body, until, upon reaching his own house, his
appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much. He requested her to
go and bring me to him. I went and found him suffering very much in his
mind, and his body acted upon in a very strange manner; his visage and
limbs distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to
imagine; and finally he was caught up off the floor of the apartment,
and tossed about most fearfully.
[Sidenote: The First Miracle in the Church.]
His situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives and in
a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got together to
witness the scene. After he had thus suffered for a time, I succeeded
in getting hold of him by the hand, when almost immediately he spoke to
me, and with great {83} earnestness requested me to cast the devil out
of him, saying that he knew he was in him, and that he also knew that I
could cast him out.
I replied, "If you know that I can, it shall be done;" and then almost
unconsciously I rebuked the devil, and commanded him in the name of
Jesus Christ to depart from him; when immediately Newel spoke out and
said that he saw the devil leave him and vanish from his sight. This
was the first miracle which was done in the Church, or by any member
of it; and it was done not by man, nor by the power of man, but it was
done by God, and by the power of godliness; therefore, let the honor
and the praise, the dominion and the glory, be ascribed to the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
[Sidenote: Remarkable Experience of Newel Knight.]
The scene was now entirely changed, for as soon as the devil had
departed from our friend, his countenance became natural, his
distortions of body ceased, and almost immediately the Spirit of the
Lord descended upon him, and the visions of eternity were opened to his
view. So soon as consciousness returned, his bodily weakness was such
that we were obliged to lay him upon his bed, and wait upon him for
some time. He afterwards related his experience as follows:
I now began to feel a most pleasing sensation resting on me, and
immediately the visions of heaven were opened to my view. I felt
myself attracted upward, and remained for some time enwrapt in
contemplation, insomuch that I knew not what was going on in the
room. By and by, I felt some weight pressing upon my shoulder and
the side of my head, which served to recall me to a sense of my
situation, and I found that the Spirit of the Lord had actually
caught me up off the floor, and that my shoulder and head were
pressing against the beams.
All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonishment and
satisfaction, when they saw the devil thus cast out, and the power of
God, and His Holy Spirit thus made manifest. As may be expected, such
a scene as {84} this contributed much to make believers of those who
witnessed it, and finally the greater part of them became members of
the Church.
[Sidenote: Effect of Publishing the Book of Mormon.]
Soon after this occurrence I returned to Fayette, Seneca county. The
Book of Mormon (the stick of Joseph in the hands of Ephraim,) had now
been published for some time, and as the ancient prophet had predicted
of it, "it was accounted as a strange thing." No small stir was created
by its appearance. Great opposition and much persecution followed the
believers of its authenticity. But it had now come to pass that truth
had sprung out of the earth, and righteousness had looked down from
heaven, so we feared not our opponents, knowing that we had both truth
and righteousness on our side, that we had both the Father and the
Son, because we had the doctrines of Christ, and abided in them; and
therefore we continued to preach and to give information to all who
were willing to hear.
During the last week in May, the above-mentioned Newel Knight came to
visit us at Fayette, and was baptized by David Whitmer.
[Sidenote: The first Conference of the Church.]
On the ninth day of June, [1] 1830, we held our first conference as
an organized Church. Our numbers were about thirty, besides whom
many assembled with us, who were either believers or anxious to
learn. Having opened by singing and prayer, we partook together of
the emblems of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We then
proceeded to confirm several who had lately been baptized, after which
we called out and ordained several to the various offices {85} of the
Priesthood. Much exhortation and instruction was given, and the Holy
Ghost was poured out upon us in a miraculous manner--many of our number
prophesied, whilst others had the heavens opened to their view, and
were so overcome that we had to lay them on beds or other convenient
places; among the rest was Brother Newel Knight, who had to be placed
on a bed, being unable to help himself. By his own account of the
transaction, he could not understand why we should lay him on the bed,
as he felt no sense of weakness. He felt his heart filled with love,
with glory, and pleasure unspeakable, and could discern all that was
going on in the room; when all of a sudden a vision of the future burst
upon him. He saw there represented the great work which through my
instrumentality was yet to be accomplished. He saw heaven opened, and
beheld the Lord Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of the majesty
on high, and had it made plain to his understanding that the time would
come when he would be admitted into his presence to enjoy His society
for ever and ever. When their bodily strength was restored to these
brethren, they shouted hosannas to God and the Lamb, and rehearsed the
glorious things which they had seen and felt, whilst they were yet in
the spirit.
[Sidenote: Effect of Spiritual Manifestations.]
Such scenes as these were calculated to inspire our hearts with joy
unspeakable, and fill us with awe and reverence for that Almighty
Being, by whose grace we had been called to be instrumental in bringing
about, for the children of men, the enjoyment of such glorious
blessings as were now at this time poured out upon us. To find
ourselves engaged in the very same order of things as observed by the
holy Apostles of old; to realize the importance and solemnity of such
proceedings; and to witness and feel with our own natural senses, the
like glorious manifestations of the powers of the Priesthood, the gifts
and blessings of the Holy Ghost, and the goodness and condescension of
a {86} merciful God unto such as obey the everlasting Gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ, combined to create within us sensations of rapturous
gratitude, and inspire us with fresh zeal and energy in the cause of
truth.
[Sidenote: Baptisms.]
Shortly after this conference, David Whitmer baptized the following
persons in Seneca lake: viz., John Poorman, John Jolly, Julia Anne
Jolly, Harriet Jolly, Jerusha Smith, Katherine Smith, William Smith,
Don C. Smith, Peter Rockwell, Caroline Rockwell, and Electa Rockwell.
[Sidenote: Labor of the Prophet at Colesville.]
Immediately after conference I returned to my own house, and from
thence, accompanied by my wife, Oliver Cowdery, John Whitmer and David
Whitmer, went again on a visit to Mr. Knight, of Colesville, Broome
county. We found a number in the neighborhood still believing, and
now anxious to be baptized. We appointed a meeting for the Sabbath,
and on the afternoon of Saturday we erected a dam across a stream of
water, which was convenient, for the purpose of there attending to
the ordinance of baptism; but during the night a mob collected and
tore down our dam, which hindered us from attending to the baptism on
the Sabbath. We afterward found out that this mob had been instigated
to this act of molestation by certain sectarian priests of the
neighborhood, who began to consider their craft in danger, and took
this plan to stop the progress of the truth; and the sequel will show
how determinedly they prosecuted their opposition, as well as to
how little purpose in the end. The Sabbath arrived, and we held our
meeting. Oliver Cowdery preached, and others of us bore testimony to
the truth of the Book of Mormon, the doctrine of repentance, baptism
for the remission of sins, and laying on of hands for the gift of the
Holy Ghost, etc. Amongst our audience were those who had torn down our
dam, and who seemed desirous to give us trouble, but did not until
after the meeting was dismissed, {87} when they immediately commenced
talking to those whom they considered our friends, and tried to turn
them against us and our doctrines.
[Sidenote: Adventures of Emily Coburn.]
Amongst the many present at this meeting, was one Emily Coburn, sister
to the wife of Newel Knight. The Rev. Mr. Shearer, a divine of the
Presbyterian faith, who had considered himself her pastor, came to
understand that she was likely to believe our doctrine, and had, a
short time previous to this meeting, come to labor with her. But having
spent some time with her without being able to persuade her against
us, he endeavored to have her leave her sister's house and go with him
to her father's, who lived at a distance. For this purpose, he had
recourse to stratagem; he told her that one of her brothers was waiting
at a certain place desirous to have her go with him. He succeeded thus
in getting her a little distance from the house, when seeing that her
brother was not in waiting for her, she refused to go any further with
him; upon which he took hold of her by the arm to force her along. But
her sister was soon with them, and as the two women were too many for
him to cope with, he was forced to sneak off without accomplishing his
errand, after all his labor and ingenuity. Nothing daunted, however,
he went to her father, representing to him some thing or other, which
induced the old gentleman to give him a power of attorney, which,
as soon as our meeting was over, on the above-named Sunday evening,
he immediately served upon her, and carried her off to her father's
residence by open violence against her will. All his labor was in
vain, however, for the said Emily Coburn in a short time afterwards,
was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.
[Sidenote: Baptisms.]
Early on Monday morning we were on the alert, and before our enemies
were aware of our proceedings, we had repaired the dam, and the
following thirteen {88} persons baptized, by Oliver Cowdery, viz., Emma
Smith, Hezekiah Peck and wife, Joseph Knight, Sen., and wife, William
Stringham and wife, Joseph Knight, Jun., Aaron Culver and wife, Levi
Hale, Polly Knight, and Julia Stringham.
[Sidenote: Mobbings.]
Before the baptizing was entirely finished, the mob began again to
collect, and shortly after we had retired, they amounted to about
fifty men. They surrounded the house of Mr. Knight--whither we had
retired--raging with anger, and apparently determined to commit
violence upon us. Some asked us questions, others threatened us, so
that we thought it wisdom to leave and go to the house of Newel Knight.
There also they followed us, and it was only by the exercise of great
prudence on our part, and reliance in our heavenly Father, that they
were kept from laying violent hands upon us; and so long as they chose
to stay, we were obliged to answer them various unprofitable questions,
and bear with insults and threatenings without number.
[Sidenote: The Prophet Arrested.]
We had appointed a meeting for this evening, for the purpose of
attending to the confirmation of those who had been the same morning
baptized. The time appointed had arrived and our friends had nearly all
collected together, when to my surprise, I was visited by a constable,
and arrested by him on a warrant, on the charge of being a disorderly
person, of setting the country in an uproar by preaching the Book of
Mormon, etc. The constable informed me, soon after I had been arrested,
that the plan of those who had got out the warrant was to get me into
the hands of the mob, who were now lying in ambush for me; but that
he was determined to save me from them, as he had found me to be a
different sort of person from what I had been represented to him. I
soon found that he had told me the truth in this matter, for not far
from Mr. Knight's house, the wagon in which {89} we had set out was
surrounded by a mob, who seemed only to await some signal from the
constable; but to their great disappointment, he gave the horse the
whip, and drove me out of their reach.
[Sidenote: The Prophet Escapes the Mob.]
Whilst driving in great haste one of the wagon wheels came off, which
left us once more very nearly surrounded by them, as they had come on
in close pursuit. However, we managed to replace the wheel and again
left them behind us. He drove on to the town of South Bainbridge,
Chenango county, where he lodged me for the time being in an upper room
of a tavern; and in order that all might be right with himself and with
me also, he slept during the night with his feet against the door, and
a loaded musket by his side, whilst I occupied a bed which was in the
room; he having declared that if we were interrupted unlawfully, he
would fight for me, and defend me as far as it was in his power.
[Sidenote: Excitement Over the Prophet's Case.]
On the day following, a court was convened for the purpose of
investigating those charges which had been preferred against me. A
great excitement prevailed on account of the scandalous falsehoods
which had been circulated, the nature of which will appear in the
sequel. In the meantime, my friend, Joseph Knight, had repaired to
two of his neighbors, viz., James Davidson and John Reid, Esqrs.,
respectable farmers, men renowned for their integrity, and well versed
in the laws of their country; and retained them on my behalf during my
trial.
[Sidenote: The Trial.]
At length the trial commenced amidst a multitude of spectators, who
in general evinced a belief that I was guilty of all that had been
reported concerning me, and of course were very zealous that I should
be punished according to my crimes. Among many witnesses called up
against me, was Mr. Josiah Stoal--of whom I have made mention as having
worked for him some time--and examined to the following effect:
{90} "Did not the prisoner, Joseph Smith, have a horse of you?"
"Yes."
"Did not he go to you and tell you that an angel had appeared unto him
and authorized him to get the horse from you?"
"No, he told me no such story."
"Well, how had he the horse of you?"
"He bought him of me as any other man would."
"Have you had your pay?"
"That is not your business."
The question being again put, the witness replied:
"I hold his note for the price of the horse, which I consider as good
as the pay; for I am well acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jun., and know
him to be an honest man; and if he wishes, I am ready to let him have
another horse on the same terms."
Mr. Jonathan Thompson was next called up and examined:
"Has not the prisoner, Joseph Smith Jun., had a yoke of oxen of you?"
"Yes."
"Did he not obtain them of you by telling you that he had a revelation
to the effect that he was to have them?"
"No, he did not mention a word of the kind concerning the oxen; he
purchased them the same as any other man would."
[Sidenote: Daughters of Mr. Stoal as Witnesses. The Acquittal.]
After a few more such attempts, the court was detained for a time, in
order that two young women, daughters of Mr. Stoal, with whom I had at
times kept company, might be sent for, in order, if possible, to elicit
something from them which might be made a pretext against me. The young
ladies arrived, and were severally examined touching my character and
conduct in general, but particularly as to my behavior towards them,
both in public and private; when they both bore such testimony in my
favor as left my {91} enemies without a pretext on their account.
Several other attempts were made to prove something against me, and
even circumstances which were alleged to have taken place in Broome
county, were brought forward, but these my lawyers would not admit of
as testimony against me; in consequence of which my persecutors managed
to detain the court until they had succeeded in obtaining a warrant
from Broome county, which warrant they served upon me at the very
moment that I was acquitted by this court.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Second Arrest.]
The constable who served this second warrant upon me had no sooner
arrested me than he began to abuse and insult me; and so unfeeling
was he with me, that although I had been kept all the day in court
without anything to eat since the morning, yet he hurried me off to
Broome county, a distance of about fifteen miles, before he allowed me
any kind of food whatever. He took me to a tavern, and gathered in a
number of men, who used every means to abuse, ridicule and insult me.
They spit up on me, pointed their fingers at me, saying, "Prophesy,
prophesy!" and thus did they imitate those who crucified the Savior of
mankind, not knowing what they did.
[Sidenote: Unnecessary Severity.]
We were at this time not far distant from my own house. I wished to
be allowed the privilege of spending the night with my wife at home,
offering any wished for security for my appearance; but this was
denied me. I applied for something to eat. The constable ordered me
some crusts of bread and water, which was the only food I that night
received. At length we retired to bed. The constable made me lie next
the wall. He then laid himself down by me and put his arm around me,
and upon my moving in the least, would clench me fast, fearing that I
intended to escape from him; and in this very disagreeable manner did
we pass the night.
[Sidenote: The Second Trial.]
Next day I was brought before the magistrate's court at Colesville,
Broome county, and put upon my trial. My {92} former faithful friends
and lawyers were again at my side; my former persecutors were arrayed
against me. Many witnesses were again called forward and examined,
some of whom swore to the most palpable falsehoods, and like the
false witnesses which had appeared against me the day previous, they
contradicted themselves so plainly that the court would not admit their
testimony. Others were called, who showed by their zeal that they were
willing enough to prove something against me, but all they could do was
to tell something which somebody else had told them.
[Sidenote: Newel Knight vs. Lawyer Seymour.]
In this frivolous and vexatious manner did they proceed for a
considerable time, when, finally, Newel Knight was called up and
examined by Lawyer Seymour, who had been especially sent for on this
occasion. One Lawyer Burch, also, was on the side of the prosecution;
but Mr. Seymour seemed to be a more zealous Presbyterian, and appeared
very anxious and determined that the people should not be deluded by
any one professing the power of godliness, and not "denying the power
thereof."
Mr. Knight was sworn, and Mr. Seymour interrogated him as follows:
"Did the prisoner, Joseph Smith, Jun., cast the devil out of you?"
"No, sir."
"Why, have not you had the devil cast out of you?"
"Yes, sir."
"And had not Joe Smith some hand in its being done?"
"Yes, sir."
"And did not he cast him out of you?"
"No, sir; it was done by the power of God, and Joseph Smith was the
instrument in the hands of God, on the occasion. He commanded him to
come out of me in the name of Jesus Christ."
"And are you sure that it was the devil?"
"Yes, sir."
{93} "Did you see him after he was cast out of you?"
"Yes, sir! I saw him."
"Pray, what did he look like?"
[Here one of my lawyers informed the witness that he need not answer
the question.] The witness replied:
"I believe I need not answer your last question, but I will do it,
provided I be allowed to ask you one question first, and you answer me,
viz., Do you, Mr. Seymour, understand the things of the spirit?
"No," answered Mr. Seymour, "I do not pretend to such big things."
"Well, then," replied Knight, "it would be of no use to tell you what
the devil looked like, for it was a spiritual sight, and spiritually
discerned; and of course you would not understand it were I to tell you
of it."
The lawyer dropped his head, whilst the loud laugh of the audience
proclaimed his discomfiture.
[Sidenote: Plea for the State.]
Mr. Seymour now addressed the court, and in a long and violent harangue
endeavored to blacken my character and bring me in guilty of the
charges which had been brought against me. Among other things, he
brought up the story of my having been a money-digger; and in this
manner proceeded, hoping evidently to influence the court and the
people against me.
[Sidenote: Plea for the Defendant.]
Mr. Davidson and Mr. Reid followed on my behalf. They held forth in
true colors the nature of the prosecution, the malignancy of intention,
and the apparent disposition to persecute their client, rather than
to afford him justice. They took up the different arguments which had
been brought by the lawyers for the prosecution, and having shown their
utter futility and misapplication, then proceeded to scrutinize the
evidence which had been adduced, and each, in his turn, thanked God
that he had been engaged in so good a cause as that of defending a man
whose character stood so well the test of such a strict investigation.
In fact, these men, although not regular {94} lawyers, were upon this
occasion able to put to silence their opponents, and convince the court
that I was innocent. They spoke like men inspired of God, whilst those
who were arrayed against me trembled under the sound of their voices,
and quailed before them like criminals before a bar of justice. [2]
{95} [Sidenote: Change in Sentiment.]
The majority of the assembled multitude had now begun to find that
nothing could be sustained against me. Even the constable who arrested
me, and treated me so badly, now came and apologized to me and asked
my forgiveness for his behavior towards {96} me; and so far was he
changed, that he informed me that the mob were determined, if the court
acquitted me, that they would have me, and rail-ride me, and tar and
feather me; and further, that he was willing to favor me and lead me
out in safety by a private way.
[Sidenote: The Prophet Acquitted.]
The court found the charges against me not sustained; I was accordingly
acquitted, to the great satisfaction of my friends and vexation of my
enemies, who were still determined upon molesting me. But through the
instrumentality of my new friend the constable, I was enabled to escape
them and make my way in safety to my wife's sister's house, where I
found my wife awaiting with much anxiety the issue of those ungodly
proceedings, and in company with her I arrived next day in safety at my
own house.
Footnotes
1. The date of this conference, in the _History of the Prophet_,
published in the _Times and Seasons_ and the _Millennial Star_,
as also in the History in manuscript in the custody of the Church
Historian--from which the history published in those periodicals
was taken--is given as the "first day of June;" but the minutes of
the conference, written, as the minutes themselves state, by Oliver
Cowdery, and recorded in the _Far West Record_, are dated "June 9th,"
1830. It is for this reason that the date is changed in the text. These
minutes also state that this conference of June 9th, was adjourned to
convene again at the same place on the "26th of September, 1830."
2. In a speech made at a public gathering in Nauvoo, on the 17th of
May, 1844, the above-mentioned Mr. Reid who defended the Prophet in
these early prosecutions before the courts of New York, very strongly
corroborates the statements of the Prophet's History with reference
to those court trials and the Prophet's vindication in them. Mr. Reid
never became a member of the Church, but was always the Prophet's
staunch and true friend. His remarks on the occasion referred to were
as follows: The first acquaintance I had with Gen. Smith was about the
year 1823. He came into my neighborhood, being then about eighteen
years of age, and resided there two years; during which time I became
intimately acquainted with him. I do know that his character was
irreproachable; that he was well known for truth and uprightness; that
he moved in the first circles of the community, and he was often spoken
of as a young man of intelligence and good morals, and possessing a
mind susceptible of the highest intellectual attainments. I early
discovered that his mind was constantly in search of truth, expressing
an anxious desire to know the will of God concerning His children
here below, often speaking of those things which professed Christians
believe in. I have often observed to my best informed friends (those
that were free from superstition and bigotry) that I thought Joseph was
predestinated by his God from all eternity to be an instrument in the
hands of the great Dispenser of all good, to do a great work; what it
was I knew not. After living in that neighborhood about three years,
enjoying the good feelings of his acquaintances, as a worthy youth, he
told his particular friends that he had had a revelation from God to go
to the west about eighty miles, to his father's, in which neighborhood
he would find hid in the earth an old history written on golden plates,
which would give great light and knowledge concerning the will of God
towards His people in this generation; unfolding the destiny of all
nations, kindreds and tongues; he said that he distinctly heard the
voice of Him that spake. Joseph Knight, one of the fathers of your
Church, a worthy man and my intimate friend, went with him. When I
reflect upon our former friendship, Mr. Chairman, and upon the scenes
that he (i. e. Joseph Knight) has passed through in consequence of
mal-administration, mobocracy and cruelty, I feel to lift up my voice
to high heaven and pray God to bless the aged veteran, and that his
silver locks may go down to the grave in peace, like a shock of corn
fully ripe. In a few days his friends returned with the glad news that
Joseph had found the plates and had gone down to his father-in-law's
for the purpose of translating them. I believe he remained there until
he finished the translation. After the book was published, he came
to live in the neighborhood of Father Knight's about four miles from
me, and began to preach the Gospel, and many were pricked in their
hearts, believed and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
He soon formed a church at Colesville, his meetings were numerously
attended; the eyes of all people were upon him with astonishment. O,
Mr. Chairman, the world was turned up side down at once, and the devil,
always ready to assist and help along in all difficulties that arise
among men, personified in some of the religionists, begun to prick up
his ears and jump and kick and run about like Jim Crow, calling for
rotten eggs to help in the wake; you would have thought, sir, that Gog
and Magog were let loose on the young man. He called upon the world's
people (as they are called) but got no help; he then flew about in the
sectarian churches like lightning, and they immediately came to his
aid, and uniting their efforts, roared against him like the thunders
of Mount Sinai. When those fiery bigots were let loose, they united in
pouring the red hot vials of their wrath upon his head. The cry of a
"False prophet! false prophet!" was sounded from village to village,
and every foul epithet that malice and wicked ingenuity could invent
was heaped upon him. Yes, sir, the same spirit that influenced the
Presbyterians of Massachusetts, about one hundred and fifty years ago,
in their persecution of the Quakers, when they first began to preach
their doctrines in that state, was fully manifested by those religious
bigots who were afraid if they let them alone their doctrines would
come to nought. * * * But, Mr. Chairman, I am wandering too far from
the subject. I will return to the persecutions which followed General
Smith, when his cheeks blossomed with the beauty of youth, and his eyes
sparked with innocence. Those bigots soon made up a false accusation
against him and had him arraigned before Joseph Chamberlain, a justice
of the peace, a man that was always ready to deal justice to all, and
a man of great discernment of mind. The case came on about 10 o'clock
A.M. I was called upon to defend the prisoner. The prosecutors employed
the best counsel they could get, and ransacked the town of Bainbridge
and county of Chenango for witnesses that would swear hard enough to
convict the prisoner; but they entirely failed. _Yes, sir, let me say
to you that not one blemish nor spot was found against his character,
he come from that trial, not withstanding the mighty efforts that were
made to convict him of crime by his vigilant persecutors, with his
character unstained by even the appearance of guilt_. The trial closed
about 12 o'clock at night. After a few moments' deliberation, the court
pronounced the words "not guilty" and the prisoner was discharged.
But alas! the devil, not satisfied with his defeat, stirred up a
man not unlike himself, who was more fit to dwell among the fields
of hell than to belong to the human family, to go to Colesville and
get another writ, and take him to Broome county for another trial.
They were sure they could send that boy to hell, or Texas, they did
not care which; and in half an hour after he was discharged by the
court, he was arrested again, and on the way to Colesville for another
trial. I was again called upon by his friends to defend him against
his malignant persecutors, and clear him from the false charges they
had preferred against him. I made every reasonable excuse I could, as
I was nearly worn down through fatigue and want of sleep; as I had
been engaged in law suits for two days, and nearly the whole of two
nights. But I saw the persecution was great against him; and here let
me say, Mr. Chairman, singular as it may seem, while Mr. Knight was
pleading with me to go, a peculiar impression or thought struck my
mind, that I must go and defend him, for he was the Lord's anointed. I
did not know what it meant, but thought I must go and clear the Lord's
anointed. I said I would go, and started with as much faith as the
Apostles had when they could remove mountains accompanied by Father
Knight, who was like the old patriarchs that followed the ark of God
to the city of David. * * * * * The next morning about 10 o'clock the
court was organized. The prisoner was to be tried by three justices of
the peace, that his departure out of the county might be made sure.
Neither talents nor money were wanting to insure them success. They
employed the ablest lawyer in that county, and introduced twenty or
thirty witnesses before dark, but proved nothing. They then sent out
runners and ransacked the hills and vales, grog shops and ditches,
and gathered together a company that looked as if they had come from
hell and had been whipped by the soot boy thereof; which they brought
forward to testify one after the other, but with no better success than
before, although they wrung and twisted into every shape, in trying to
tell something that would criminate the prisoner. Nothing was proven
against him whatever. Having got through with the examination of their
witnesses about 2 o'clock in the morning, the case was argued about two
hours. There was not one particle of testimony against the prisoner.
No, sir, he came out like the three children from the fiery furnace,
without the smell of fire upon his garments. The court deliberated upon
the case for half an hour with closed doors, and then we were called
in. The court arraigned the prisoner and said: "Mr. Smith, we have
had your case under consideration, examined the testimony and find
nothing to condemn you, and therefore you are discharged." They then
proceeded to reprimand him severely, not because anything derogatory
to his character in any shape had been proven against him by the
host of witnesses that had testified during the trial, but merely to
please those fiends in human shape who were engaged in the unhallowed
persecution of an innocent man, sheerly on account of his religious
opinions.
After they had got through, I arose and said: "This court puts me in
mind of a certain trial held before Felix of old, when the enemies of
Paul arraigned him before the venerable judge for some alleged crime,
and nothing was found in him worthy of death or of bonds. Yet to please
the Jews, who were his accusers, he was left bound contrary to law; and
this court has served Mr. Smith in the same way, by their unlawful and
uncalled for reprimand after his discharge, to please his accusers." We
got him away that night from the midst of three hundred people without
his receiving any injury; but I am well aware that we were assisted by
some higher power than man; for to look back on the scene, I cannot
tell how we succeeded in getting him away. I take no glory to myself;
it was the Lord's work and marvelous in our eyes.--_Times and Seasons_,
_vol. v, pp. 549-552_.
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