Scraps of Biography: Tenth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints — John Shaqi
Scraps of Biography: Tenth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day SaintsVarious
Religion
Scraps of Biography: Tenth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints
Various
Latter Day Saints -- Biography
JOSEPH'S SECOND ARREST--CRUELTY OF HIS GUARD--HIS TRIAL--I,
WITH OTHERS, AM CALLED AS A WITNESS--CHAGRIN OF PROSECUTING
ATTORNEY--ELOQUENCE OF JOSEPH'S LAWYERS--THE CONSTABLE BEGS JOSEPH'S
FORGIVENESS FOR HIS CRUEL CONDUCT--HE DELIVERS THE PROPHET FROM THE
HANDS OF THE MOB--THE ACQUITAL--AT MY HOUSE OUR LEADERS ARE AGAIN
PERSECUTED--THEIR ESCAPE--NAMES OF OUR LEADING OPPONENTS.
The constable who served this second warrant upon Joseph had no sooner
arrested him, than he began to abuse him; and so heartless was he,
that, although Joseph had been kept all day in court without anything
to eat since the morning, he hurried him off to Broome county, a
distance of about fifteen miles, before allowing him to eat. The
constable took him to a tavern, where were gathered a number of men,
who used every means to abuse, ridicule, and insult him. They spit upon
him, pointed their fingers at him, saying, "Prophesy! prophesy!" and
used their utmost ability to pain and torment his mind; and thus did
they imitate those who crucified the Savior of mankind, not knowing
what they did. The tavern was but a short distance from Joseph's own
house; he wished to spend the night with his wife, offering to give any
bail desired, for his appearance; but this was denied him. He applied
for something to eat. The constable ordered him some crusts of bread
and some water, which was the only fare he received that night. At
length he retired to bed; the constable made him lie next to the wall,
he then laid himself down, threw his arms around Joseph, as if fearing
that he intended to escape; and in this not very agreeable manner was
Joseph compelled to spend the night. Next day he was brought before
the magistrate's court of Colesville, Broome county, and placed on
trial. His friends and lawyers were again at his side, and his former
persecutors were arrayed against him with the rage and fury of demons
visible upon their countenances, and manifested in their actions.
Many witnesses were again examined, some of whom swore to the most
palpable falsehoods, just as those had done who appeared against him
the previous day. But 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 to prove anything against him, but
all they could do was to tell some things they had heard somebody else
say about him.
They proceeded for a considerable time in this frivolous and vexatious
manner, when finally I was called upon, and examined by Lawyer Seymour,
who had been sent for specially for this occasion. One lawyer, Burch,
was also retained on the prosecution, but Mr. Seymour seemed to be a
more zealous Presbyterian, and seemed more anxious and determined that
the people should not be deluded by any one professing godliness and
not denying the power thereof.
As soon as I had been sworn, Mr. Seymour proceeded to interrogate me as
follows:
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