North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-07-10
Inc ,dent. In Clerical Lie.


ton in Boston, several clergymen met in a
study and discussed parish matters. One
of those present has written an interesting
account Of the meeting for the Christian
Witness. The writer says:
One of the brethren had been settled for
more than a third of century in rural
parish, which he had left short time be-
fore, and the brother with whom he was
talking was his successor. The converse
ton turned upon clerical experience in
that parish. No near relative could have
inquired more earnestly about the various
members of the parish than did my ven
erable friend. But those inquiries were
interspersed with anecdotes too rich to be
lost. / noted them, and cannot but think
a few of them may be repeated with ben
eft, though it is impossible to state all the
circumstances which gave them their in
tercst.
THE VINEGAR STORY.
"Mr. - is still living"
go yes one of the best men in the par
ish not very liberal, but a good man, and
very rich
"What does he do for your support p
swell, not much, but he pays his pew
rent
"Does he sell vinegar now ?''
"Oh, yes he has one of the largest or
chards in the parish, and is so conscien-
tiOus that his cider is made into vinegar"
Does he give you any of his vinegar?'
"Not he."
$50 it was in my day. His vinegar was
made to sell. When his daughter sicken-
cd and died, went there almost every
day, about FIVE miles off. When she died
she had great funeral, and sat up most
of the night to write funeral sermon. /
called next day. Then q few days after l
went, and thought l would carry my vine
gar jug, which then happened to be empty.
The jug was filled. I did not like to take
it away without Offering to pay, and SO l
said, rs mcekly as possible, What shall l
pay youy Well, said my good parish
ioner, l generally charge 25 cents gal
lon, but seeing as how you havd been so
kind to me in my trouble, etc., l won't
charge you but 20 cents At this time l
had eleven children and was living on o
salary of $500 per annum.
THE DOG STORY.
"Does Mr.. - keep any dogs now ?''
"Oh, yes." ..
"Does he bring them to church ~
"No, don't remember"
swell, am glad to hear that, for when
| was in the parish he generally brought
them with him, and occasionally they
would set up tremendous barking-as,
for instance, if there was a strange clergy.
man in the pulpit, or when some particu-
lar tunes were sung, the dogs began to
yell, and then my parishioner chased them
about the aisles of the church; finally sue
ceeding in expelling them from the meet
ing house,
THE sTAGE-DRIvER STORY.
"On one occasion, when the bishop of
the diocese made his annual visit to the
church, We had an uncommonly large con-
gregatiOn. One good lady had come from
neighboring town in the daily stage, re-
questing the driver to call for her at the
church. In the midst of the sermon, the
driver put his head into the door, cxclai M
ing, with stentorian voice, Is there wo-
man who wants to 90 to -?'
THE STORY OF THE LOST HORSE.
On one occasion our reverend rector had
brother to preach for him, with whom he
had exchanged. The brother neglected to
tie his horse in the shed sufficiently strong,
and he strayed. Most unfortunately the
text of bis sermon was that passage in
Job, 20 that l knew where l could find
him. etc. But no sooner had the text
been announced, than good man rose,
with great solemnity, informing the minis
ter that the horse had been found-when
and where.
CHURCH CHORES.
"Does the wife Of your Junior warden
come to church now p
"Oh, yes, she always makes her appear
ance just before the Sermon
Have you ever talked with her about
itY'
80, yes, but she says she can't come to
church till the chores are ovcr.''
"What does she mean by chores p"
80, she means the prayers, for she has
told me repeatedly that the prayers arc
choros ~