FIRST CASE. Eld. F. W. Scoles

Eld. J. W. Scoles, a Seventh-day Adventist minister, had gone from Michigan to Arkansas in June, 1884, to assist Eld. D. A. Wellman in holding some meetings at Springdale, Washington Co. As the result of these meetings, quite a number of persons adopted the faith of that body, and practiced accordingly. In August, 1884, Eld. Wellman died, and Eld. Scoles continued the work in that place. In the winter of 1884-85, Eld. J. G. Wood went from Appleton City, Mo., to assist Eld. Scoles at Springdale. A church was organized in that place early in 1885, and the erection of a meeting-house was begun at once. In addition to his subscription to the enterprise, Eld. Scoles agreed to paint the house when it should be ready. Further than this, we have the words of Eld. Scoles himself. He says:—CGRAS 114.1

“I volunteered to do the painting as my share of the work, in addition to my subscription. I worked away at the church at odd times, sometimes half a day and sometimes more, as I could spare the time. The last Sunday in April, 1885, in order to finish the work so I could be free to go out for the summer’s labor with the tent, and expecting to go the next day twenty miles, I went over to the church, and finished up a small strip of painting on the south side of the house, clear out of sight of all public roads; and here I quietly worked away for perhaps two hours, in which time I finished it, and then went home. It was for this offense that I was indicted.”CGRAS 114.2

At the fall term of the Circuit Court held at Fayetteville, Mr. J. A. Armstrong, of Springdale, was summoned before the Grand Jury. He was asked if he knew of any violations of the Sunday law. He said he did.CGRAS 114.3

Grand Jury.—“Who are they?”CGRAS 114.4

Armstrong.—“The ‘Frisco Railroad is running trains every Sunday.”CGRAS 114.5

G. F.—“Do you know of any others.”CGRAS 115.1

A.—“Yes; the hotels of this place are open, and do a full run of business on Sunday, as on other days.”CGRAS 115.2

G. F.—“Do you know of any others?”CGRAS 115.3

A.—“Yes, sir; the drug-stores and barber-shops all keep open, and do business every Sunday.”CGRAS 115.4

G. F.—“Do you know of any others?”CGRAS 115.5

A.—“Yes; the livery-stables do more business on Sunday than on any other day of the week.”CGRAS 115.6

After several repetitions of this same form of questions and answers, in much the same manner, in relation to other lines of business, this question was reached:—CGRAS 115.7

G. F.—“Do you know of any Seventh-day Adventists who ever work on Sunday?”CGRAS 115.8

A.—“Yes, sir.”CGRAS 115.9

After getting from the witness the names of his brethren, indictments were found against five persons, all of whom were Seventh-day Adventists. Eld. Scoles was one of the five. The indictment read as follows:—CGRAS 115.10