Page:Trial of S.M. Landis.djvu/21

 Landis' objects were in publishing circulating this book?

Objected to.

.— Who did you ever hear speak of Dr. Landis' character as a man of purity?

A.—Various members of our church.

Q.—Name some of them.

A.—Mr. Hall.

Q.—What is his first name?

A.—Robert Hall.

Q.—What church is he a member of?

A.—The First Progressive Christian Church of Philadelphia, Dr. Landis pastor.

Q.—You are one of his congregation, then, are you?

A.—I am Sir.

Q.—The First Progressive Christian Church? Is that known as a free love church?

.—I have no objection to the answer, but I say the question is an improper one and should not be asked. It is an insult to the witness.

A.—I do not understand the question as to what free love means.

.—If you do not understand it I will not undertake to explain it to you.

Q.—You have heard Mr. Hall say he was a man of purity, when?

A.—I cannot say the day.

Q.—Was it within a week?

A.—It was.

Q.—Since the arrest?

A.—Yes sir, and before also.

Q.—How long before?

A.—Well probably for years, occasionally.

Q.—Was his character as a man of purity, under discussion at the time.

A.—No sir, not under discussion, merely mentioned in the course of conversation, I presume.

Q.—Will you please to state under what circumstances he said he was a man of purity?

A.—I cannot say exactly.

Q.—Who was present when it was said?

A.—There was nobody but ourselves.

Q.—Who?

A.—Mr. Hall and myself, at his house.

Q.—At whose house?

A.—At Mr. Hall's house?

Q.—Now was this since the commencement of this prosecution, the occasion to which you now refer?

A.—It was.

A.Q. [sic]—Did you ever hear anybody else say he was a man of purity of character?

A.—I cannot remember of any.

Q.—Then how can you say to this jury upon your oath that his reputation is that of a man of purity of character?

A.—By my knowledge of the man—by being associated with him.

Q.—Then you only know from your own experience and from intercourse with the ma n himself?

A.—Yes sir.

Q.—From that you infer his general character is that of purity?

A. —Yes sir.

.—Do you not know that Dr. Landis is regarded by the whole congregation to be a pure man? Objected to as a leading question, and that he has already stated his means of knowledge.

.—He said he never heard any one speak of it but Mr. Hall.

.—Very well, I will change my question. Do you know the estimate in which Dr. Landis is held by his congregation as a moral Christian minister?

Objected to.

.—What is his general character for purity? Did you ever hear it questioned by any member of his congregation?

A.—I did not.

.—Is his congregation a very large one?

A.—What would you call a large one?

Q.—How many persons go to hear him preach?

A.—On Sunday night I judge there must have been a thousand.

Q.—Is it usual for him to have as many as that?

A.—It is when he has a large hall for their accommodation. When he preaches in a small hall he preaches to smaller congregations.