Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-12-02
AMENITIES OF CLERICAL LIFE.
A Chapter Which shows there IL wit
as well az Wisdom In the Pulpit.

A Chapter Which shows there IL wit
rs well as Wisdom In the Pulpit.
The Rev. A. Dean In the Independent.
In the early part of the present CEN
tury DR.. Asa Burton, pastor of the Con-
pregational church at Thetford, VT, was
one day officiating as moderator of the
Orange association of ministers, of which
he was member, and, toward evening.
while the brethren were engaged in crit
icising an essay which had Just been
read by one of their number, tea was
brought in and passed around. One Of
the juniors at once arose and said: "Mr.
Moderator, shall we continue our criti-
cisms while'we are eatingw The doc
tor pithily replied; young man, let your
victuals stop your mouth"
A young minister once preached for
the celebrated DR.. EmmOns, of Franklin,
Mass. and as he was about commencing
the services he said to the doctor: 81 will
be glad II you will offer the long prayer
before the sermon" The doctor testify
calculated: "Whet your own scythe."
DR.. David Parsons, the Old-time pastor
of the church in Amherst, was noted for
his eccentricties, and, among other va
carries, used to have a plate set at his ia
BILE for his favOrite cat. One day while
asking blessing at the morning meal
he was taken with fit of coughing, and
before the parOXysm was over the cat
mewed. AS soon as the parsOn could
speak, he turned to the cat and exclaim-
ed: "Shut up! can get along without
your help" and then struck in where he
had left off, and finished the blessing.
"Father MARSHALL as he was familiar
ly called, an early missionary in YER
mont, was generally regarded as very
gOdlv man, and it Is said used to pray
alone, as he rode on horseback from one
town to another. He was in the habit of
mentioning his horse in his petitions
and thanksgivings,and tradition reports
that having spent night at New Haven
VT. at lhe home of "Father Bushnell" he
officiated at family prayers in the morn
ing, and. in enumerating his mercies,
thanked his HeavenlyFather that his SER
wants horse did not fall the day before
Lord, thou knOwest"- and gave thanks
also for comfortable nights rest, cal
belt the bed was shorter than man
could stretch himself on it, and the
covering narrower than he could wrap
himself in it," The old gentleman was
once present at a meeting of the north
western association at st. Adams, and
was invited to preach the sermon at the
public service. He accepted the invit-
alton but broke down in the middle of a
sentence and called on brother minis
ter to dismiss the meeting. The next
morning he took an early walk and met
one of the minister's, who shook hands
with him and asked him how he felt.
First rate First rate! | took a good
dose of modification last night and it
worked WE'LL"
If am correctly informed, Father
Marshall offered the installing prayer at
DR.. Benjamin WOOster's settlement in
Fairfield, VT. 1t is said this petition Oc-
cured in the prayer; 0 Lord, bless bro
Their WOoster Give him wisdom; give
him discretion; for o Lord thou knOwest
he will take a sledge-hammer to knock
a fly off mans nose when feather
would dOa great deal better"
Father Lyon, pastor of the church on
Grand Isle, was reputed to be a man of
considerable wealth but clOsefisted with
al. The Rev. Mr.. Dorman of SwantOn.
accompanied by aIyounger brother in the
ministry, one morning called on Father
Lyon on ecclesiastical business, and,
their errand accomplished, they were in
vited to dinner. When seated at the
table, Father Lyon looked around and
said: "We don't seem to have anything
to-day but roast potatoes; put suppose
that is as good as we deserve" Mr.. Dor
man shook his head and said: ut is bet
ter than we deserve at the hand of the
at gOur hand, Father Lyon"
Some forty or fifty years ago, when
Mr.. Burchard was itinerating at an
evangelist in Vermont, he had a four
days. meeting in Burlington, and on
one occasion, Immediately after the SER
mon he left the pulpit, as was his won't,
and went up and down the church aisles
catecLizing the congregation. Stepping
up to Prof. Farren Benedict he
asked" Are you professor, sir?"
"Yes sir. lam a professor of maIh-
ematics and civil engineering" was the
cool reply.
you'll 60 to hell, sir"
Demonstrate that, if you'please, sir"
Mr.. Burchard apparently concluded
the enemy carried too many guns for
him, and passed on.
DR.. Woods, of AndOver, is credited with
a stroke of humor which deserves to be
nut on record. At the time of the Uni
tartan controversy the wits of Cambridge
got out caricature of the theological
seminary at Andover, under the guise Of
a cider mill. Prof. Murdoch was employ
ed In throwing green pumpkins into the
mill; and Prof. Porter in brushing off
the black coats, the product of the grind
ing. Prof. Stewart was the horse, and
was depicted in cutting up all sorts Of
antics; and DR.. Woods held the reins,
piteously iterating; "Not so fast, brother
Stewart! Not 80 fast, brother Stewart
It was very good, and the laugh was on
the side of the wits. The next summer