Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-10-09
Pulpit Wit.
PLAYFUL HINTS AT SOME INATTENTIvE
CONGREGATIONS.
Robert Collyer in Chicago Current. [

Robert Collyer In Chicago Current.
1t is a matter of debate also, touching
this question of true preaching. whether
grain of wit or humor should ever be
admitted within the pulpit. And this seems
to have been a long debate. | notice Sher
lock girded at South, that primate of fine
wit two centuries ago, for some bright
strokes in a sermon, whereat South replies :
"Wel, now, Sherlock, suppose it had pleased
God TO give you wit, what would you have
done about it?' Sydney Smith did net
often give play TO his ever flashing wit in
the church. Still now and then it would fly
forth in despite Of all his care. He was the
preacher once for some great charity, and,
thinking to get on the giving side Of his
hearers, he said "Of all nations on the
earth the English are the most distinguished
for love of their species" But it turned out
poor collection after all. So he was much
disturbed at the mean show the boxes made
when they came to the table and said "My
friends, | have made mistake. | should
have said: You were distinguished among
Engishmen for love Of your specie He
disliked dull sermons and preachers, and
after hearing one who was past grand master
in this art, he said Bless me he breaches
as if sin was to be taken out Of men, as Eve
was taken out Of Adam, by putting them to
sleep"
| heard a story last summer from fine
old friend in London which have not seen
in the books. NV friend said he was dining
with him in company when some talk was
made about the curious fact we have to note
so often of ministers who do not know when
TO stop on account of their age, but keep
right on preaching long after people have
lost all interest in what they have to say.
"ies, yes the old man cried, "it's all true.
We are all alike there. Why, if | was
forced to retire from the pulpit should still
take my old sermons in the garden and read
them to my gardener until he went off into
deep slumber with his hoe in his hand
wonder also, as write this, whether we
shall ever hit on any sure method of keep
ing our people awake to the end of the ser
mon. The finest preacher, to my mind, on
the planet, heard once of a plan 10 go about
with feather brush well laden with snuff
and put it under the sleeper's nose, but he
said he thought the better plan would be to
put the snuff in the sermon | see note
of worthy man who was preaching one
sultry day and, noticing how his hearers
were nearly all asleep, came to dead stop,
which woke them up; and then he said :
my dear friends, this sermon cost me a
sight Of pains. It's a pity TO throw it away,
SO we will begin it again with the text
Here in New York, in the last age, a
sound but sleepy divine adopted another
plan lie said II notice about forty of
Us are asleep; SO will postpone the rest Of
nv discourse until we are all awake" \
preacher down in Connecticut In a like
sorrow and trial said; Il come now to the
third head Of my discourse, to which ask
the candid attention Of those who are still
awake y and a good old man in Massachu-
setts fell on this plan. He said brethren,
this is big church. Now if | speak to you
softly. those who are near the doors will not
be able to hear me, while if | speak loud, |
shall waken good many who sit near the
pulpit. Now what shall | do in this sore
dilemma -"