Inquest on the Devil

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 9, 3 July 1886, Page 4

Inquest on the Devil

The vagaries of the Salvation Army at Lindmoss are becoming notorious. About two years ago a zealous " Captain," stationed at Brompton barracks gained for himself the name of "the. donkey rider," because he burlesqued Christ's entry into Jerusalem, by. attempting to ride a stubborn donkeyj at the head of a monster Salvation, Army procession. On Thursday even-' ing this was outrivullcd by. a mock trial being held in the same barracks, .which was absurdly called " an inquest on the devil." The court was conilTisted in the orthodox manner and .counsel addressed the Judge for anc : »gainst the defendant. The devil wacharged, first, with " sowing seed by the wayside ;" second, with causing thorns to choke the seed ; third, witL: causing drunkeness ; <md fourth, with: hardening the heart. Witnesse.s; gave evidence that although his rgatanic Mayjesty was not ;seen in per-! in the dock, one witness had seen' him some time, ago in his domicile dressed in black clothes with a bell-: topper on his head. The judge; Captain Xaurenson, summed up agaiiist the. devil, and pronounced him guDty but he stated nevertheless that be was still alive. The verdict of the jury Vas riot asked for, but " his son" made 'an eii-nest appeal to tlaose present to fight against the devil, whom they ha d pronounced guilty of the charge; luid against him. There, was a largej attendance, andnt is almost needless; to say there was much interruption,, policemen having to be called in. The 1 , enquiry lasted about an hour and ahalf. ■■•■