“‘Received thirty dollars and — cents of James Duval, for the use of the Ray county Enrolled Militia. Same being in part the amount assessed against him for that purpose by the committee appointed under Special Order No. 30, dated Oct. 27, A. D. 1862, Headquarters Ray county E. M. M.
“‘D. P. Whitmer,
“‘E. Riggs,
“‘A. K. Reyburn,
“‘Collecting Committee.’
“Thus you see some of the unjust restrictions laid on the ministers of Christ. When Christ says, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,’ the party in power say, first obtain leave of us. Judge ye whether it is right to obey man or God.
“Do you not think that we have great need of faithful gospel ministers, who will cry aloud and spare not; shew Israel his sins and Jacob his transgression? Are not these living evidences in this day of boasted light and knowledge of man’s blindness and corruption?
“I will here notice another evidence of blinded Christianity that came under my personal observation. In September, 1862, when our Association met at Crooked river, Ray county, the introductory sermon was preached, by previous appointment, by Elder G. W. Stout, a man of most exemplary Christian character, and held as such by his brethren, and even the world itself honors him as such; and after the Association had transacted its business and finally adjourned, and Elder Stout was on his horse for home, at somebody’s instance Capt. John Hawkins arrested Elder Stout for traveling and preaching without first obtaining a pass.
“Elder Stout’s friends interfered in his behalf and vouched for him that he would report himself to Col. J. H. Moss, in command at Liberty, which he did; and I reported the case back to Captain Hawkins. Colonel Moss gave Elder Stout a permit to go to Nodaway Association, and where his business called him.
“Who of Elder Stout’s former brethren and friends stood by and witnessed this thing but did not interfere? You who were present and in the confidence of Captain Hawkins answer: ‘We ought to lay down our lives for our brethren,’ but not arrest them and put them in jail.