The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-31
PULPIT COlNCIOENTS.
Curious Parallels of Phrase and Idea
That Indicate Plagiarism.

Curious Parallels of Phrase and Idea
That Indicate Plagiarism.
If there is anything which pleases the
average intelligent reader in the present
day better than the detection Of piece of
manifest and unblushing plagiarism, it is
an allegation Of plagiarism which is not
quite manifest, and for which the author
would undoubtedly blush if he were proved
to be nothing but jackdaw in borrowed
plumes. Perhaps it is sad that men and
women should be so readily pleased at the
castigation of the detected plagiary, but if
any one entertains a doubt as to the ex-
istence of a keen relish &or literary expo
sures OF this kind he eitdsR does not look
at the journals, which have a particularly
keen scent for curious parallels of phrase
and ideas, or studies them to little pUr-
pose.
For some time past there has been what
| should call, If | were addicted TO slang, a
boom in plagiarism; and connected with
one incident in this boom we have had a
run upon the family anecdotes of sermons.
which have been made 20 do double and
treble duty. These anecdotes are nearly
all amusing, and every parson could reel
off Il dozen Of them at one sitting. But,
my ingenious reader, we do not call this
sort Of thing plagiarism-it is no more
than an ordinary coincidence of the pulpit.
The greater divines Of every communion
have been rehearsed at least as often as the
Greek dramatists have been re-edited, and
the wisest bishops and elders have often
recommended young preachers TO practice
this very pious fraud. "a sermon OF South
in cUrate's mouth" viii scarcely raise
the eyebrows of an experienced or case
hardened country clergyman.
1t may be permitted to add another 10
the large stock of sermon stories. one
which has not hitherto found its way into
print, and which has the merit OF being al
solutely true 4 young curate fresh from
Cambridge and from the hands of the
bishop found himself very comfortably
settled in a midland parish, under rector
whose chief fault was an excess Of naughty
self imitation. For some time he was not
allowed 70 preach, being expected 20 fetch
and carry in the parish for the rector's
wife, TO exercise authority over the village
boys, and occasionally TO take hand at
lawn tennis with the rector's daughters
and their governess-
In an unguarded momentum various
unguarded moments-he and one Of the
daughters fell in love with each other, and
by instinct this. curate knew that II an
inkling OF the truth should reach the rec
tors ears be would never be able to enter
the house again. But luckily the mother
saw through the transparent couple, re-
solved that the match would do" and
waited for an opportunity Of promoting it.
4 day came when the curate was asked
20 preach in his rector's absence, and being
nervous, with only few hours TO prepare
for the ordeal, he took down a volume OF
Barrow, selected text, and strung to-
gether a few sparkling beads on a slender
thread of commonplace. The sermon was
a success IN more senses than one. The old
people and the children went 70 sleep IN
der it, bat it riveted the attention OF the
intelligent adults, and especially OF tia
recuor's family.
There is matter for a novel in all that
took place as q result of the curate's lucky
stroke Of plagiarism: but it must be dis
posed Of in s sentence or two. No one at
the rectory complime1ted him on MS ser
mon. but outside be received a great deal
more praise than be cared for, because u
was evidently sarcastic and insilcsre Next /
morning he met his Lucy on the village
green. and, as she was a downright Young
person, the veil OF nyst.ry was torn away.
He was supposed - 1--WE flched al old
sermon Of the rectors, 70 have covered i
with a thin disguise and passed i CT as his
ownl The rest may be imagined Lucy
told her mother all that there was 70 telI:
the mother secured that volume OF Barrow
and turned il 70 good account. Suffice il
10 say that the rector and MS cura-e under {
stood each other better from that time for T.
ward and that Mss I,QCv after 4 fairly
long engagement. was eventually married .
70 the man of her chojce--Loadoa Illus f
trated News