New-York tribune., 1905-12-24
CLERICAL BLUNDERS.

Each profession has its stock jokes its stories
innuulerable. and to each belongs flavor all its
own, says "Chambers's Journal" That the point
of a Jest lies not in the tongue OF him who
makes it, but in the that hears. is the testI-
mony of the great dramatist The doctor on his
rounds and the judge upon the bench have both
an audience ready and willing to accept as tho
highest wit the bon mOts of the speakers; and
there is no club or gathering OF men that does
not acclaim one Of its members as supreme In
this respect, and are ready to yield due recog-
milton of the gift There is. however. a vast
amount of unconscious hurnor always floating
about. and to those who perceive it the world is
ever very amusing. 1t must be admitted that
the bIunders and jests clerical stand for some
reason pre-eminent both in number and in mirth
producing qualities The reason. of course. is
not far to seek; the very surroundings in which
they occur the very upsetting of ones preeon-
ceived notions of reverence. all tend to cause
reaction In the ordinary mental equtlih<sr1n. and
the simplest mistake accident under such
circumstances assumes the proportions Of a
huge comedy.
The divine who In drawing the attention OF
his congregation 10 a special communion service
on the following Sunday informed them that
''the Lord is with US in the forenoon and the
bishop in the evening" is chronicled with pray
ing for the children Of his parish in these
words: And now. Lord, bless the lambs OF
this fold. and make them meet for the Kingdom
of heaven" While a Scotch minister innocently.
perhaps, hit the mark by telling his people:
''WeeL friends, the kirk Is urgently in need OF
siller; and as we have failed to get money hon.
estly, will have to see what bazaar can do
for u.s.
There is a certain amount OF excuse to be
made for the young curate who. remarking that
some people came to church for better reason
than to show of their best clothes. finished u2
as he glanced over his audience: Il am thankful
TO see, dear friends. that none of you have come
here for that reason
An Irish clergyman is credited with having
. concluded a powerful Grafton in this fashion:
my brethren let not this world rob you Of
peace which 1t can neither give nor take away.
Which is coupled with the remark of a fellow
country colleague who in reasoning with
woman who had lost her faith in Christianity
and 1 shall be very sorry. indeed. to see yoa
there"
But what can be said OF the negro student
who conducting the prayers at Of the great
missionary colleges. said: Give us all pure
hearts give us all clean hearts give us all
sweet hearts, TO which the entire congregation
made response. Amen"
The giving out OF church notices has often
proved pitfall for the unwary. During Lent
said a rector lately several preachers win
preach Wednesday evenings but I need not
give their names. they viii be all found
hanging uD In the porch %
It was rector who gave out a hymn begin
ming Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve.'' be-
fore his sermon. and cuTate who read in the
lesson for the day. He sDake the word and
cathoppers came and grassipillars innumerable'.
but Il was at a young wOmar's Bible class that
when asked what hymn should be sung at the
close they ell with one accord chose "Whsrs u
my wandering boy to-night7'