After reading aloud the penalty imposed for the commission of the offence mentioned, and with pen in hand as if about to make the appropriate entry upon the docket, His Honor again turned to the prisoner and inquired:
"Of what church are you a minister?" The steady reply, as of one prepared for the worst, was,
"I am a Presbyterian, Your Honor."
"Presbyterian! Presbyterian!" quickly observed the sage interpreter of the law. "Oh, you preach the tenets and doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, do you?" An affirmative reply was modestly given.
"You preach," continued His Honor in apparent amazement, "the doctrine of infant baptism, and of the final perseverance of the saints, do you?" An answer like the last being given, the judge remarked:
"You appear to be a man of intelligence, but don't you know, sir, that that isn't the Gospel? He has not been guilty of preaching the Gospel, Mr. Prosecutor, and will have to be discharged. You can go, sir, but if this court ever hears that you have been actually guilty of preaching the Gospel, you will be punished to the full extent of the law."
Addressing himself now to the comparatively youthful occupant of the lately vacated seat, His Honor inquired:
"What is your church, sir?"
In a manner by no means aggressive, and with tones the counterpart of the humblest that ever came from an Amen corner, the reply was,
"I am a Methodist, may it please the Court."