“THE JAIL

“The brethren knowing that they had done no evil, and feeling that to pay their hard-earned money on such a charge would be to put a premium on injustice, decided to go to jail, and suffer for the truth’s sake. The jailer manifested a spirit of kindness, taking them home to supper with his own family, and otherwise doing all the law allowed him to do for their comfort. Being desirous of seeing the jail, I was permitted to enter. From the hall we entered the rooms occupied by the prisoners. The one our brethren occupy is about 8 x 10 ft. Upon the floor were mattresses made of sea-grass, with blankets for covering; but no pillows nor bed linen, nor a piece of furniture of any kind. In this apartment our brethren are placed, to remain nearly six months, for serving God according to their own consciences and in obedience to the Scriptures. Is it any wonder the prophet, as he was shown the acts of this Government, said that it spake like a dragon? Can our opponents say longer that observers of the seventh day will never be persecuted? To deny it to be religious persecution would be to deny the plainest facts in the case. If it is not, why do business men, hack drivers, livery-stables keepers, saloon keepers, hunters, fishers, etc., do whatever they please on Sunday, and yet go free, while these men who conscientiously keep the seventh day and then go quietly about their work on Sunday, are torn from their homes, deprived of their freedom, and imprisoned? As I bade our brethren farewell, I realized as never before the truthfulness of our position. Never had I so felt the importance of doing what lies in our power to advance the cause while it is our privilege to do so.MANA 284.1