There is one subject connected with the history of this people, which, from deference to my country and its institutions, I would willingly pass over in silence; justice, however, compels me to do otherwise. These societies, harmless and inoffensive as the members are, have, for a number of years past, been very much annoyed and disturbed at their annual meetings by a number of wicked and licentious persons. Being entirely averse to litigation of any kind, they patiently bore with all. This only seemed to encourage increased disturbance, until the 17th of May, 1845, when it became so outrageous at their annual meeting, that an individual who was not a member, instituted a prosecution against several persons for a riot. This resulted in the condemnation and punishment of sixteen individuals, whose friends, from malicious and revengeful motives, immediately commenced suits against these Seventh-day Christians for labouring on the first day.
To this they plead guilty, and cheerfully paid their fines and the costs; but in consequence of the great inconveniences to which they were subjected, they petitioned the legislature for relief, though without effect.[44]
[43] Those who desire a more particular account of the German Sabbatarians, their leaders, literature, and music, may consult the fifteenth volume of Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania.
[44] It may be interesting to posterity to know that in the United States of America, and about the middle of the nineteenth century, Plymon Seaver, of Vermont, was confined in jail for a long time, for attending to secular concerns upon the first day of the week. About the same time, or August 26, 1845, Obed Snowberger was fined four dollars, for being engaged in worldly employment upon the first day of the week. Mr. Snowberger was a worthy member of the German Seventh-day Baptist fraternity in Pennsylvania, and the prosecution was carried on in Quincy Township, Franklin County, and before Samuel Sibbet, as justice of the peace. Subsequently nine others of the same people were subjected to prosecution and fines for the same reasons.
THE END.