Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-15


wouldst say to this mountain, at the same time
laying his hand on his breast: Be removed and be
cast into the sea (see)." The king laughed heart
lily, and forthwith conferred the preferment the
facetious doctor.
Getting the right word in the right place often
makes wit while getting the right word in the
wrong place becomes humorous. y young preacher
having charge of his first funeral knew that it
customary to after the service that those
who wished might step up to view the remains;
but he thought this hackneyed phrase, and
instead he said: The congregation will now pass
around the bier.
If dizziness divine power the world would
have been converted long ago, for the pulpit has
never been without abundant supply OF dryness;
and if Wit be a contraband commodity, it is
vel that many of those who had wit and hurnor
have taken the highest rank for usefulness. The
preachers who have gone about with a countenance
grave enough to break undertaker's heart have
seldom been the most useful men. That sermon
may without irreverence be lighted up with
CLEAN of humor is only going back to the example
set by the men whom God wonderfully used to
make the world happier and better.
Take Rowland Hill minister of the type which
may be said to lie apostolic: he allowed his whole
redeemed nature to have harmonious play. Men
called him eccentric because they themselves
out of center How sharply did he deal with
aiIront put upon him in the pulpit! 1t was his
custom to read out any requests for prayer that
were sent up to him. One day he began thus:
1.-The prayers of the congregation desired for
veil | suppose | must finish what | have began
for the Rev. Rowland Hill, that he will not go
riding about in his carriage Sundays. If, he
gravclv continued the writer of this piece of folly
and impertncnce is present and will go into the
vestry after service, and let put saddle on his
back | will ride him home, instead of going into
my carriage
On one occasion Rowland Hill w&s preaching for
a public charity, when a note VAS handed to him,
inquiring if it would be right for bankrupt to
give to the contribution. He noticed the question
in course of his sermon and pronounced decidedly
that such person could not do in Christian
honesty. But, my friends he added, Il would
advise you who not insolvent not to pass the
plate this evening the people Will be sure to say
There goes the bankrupt"
The humor of Joseph Parker leaned rather to the
sardonic 1t was often employed in covering
directors and nterruptors with ridcule at the
famous conference preaching in which Gladstone
took part, when man rose from the back of the
church to complain of the doctors eNasperating
trick of dropping his voice at the end of each
tence until he became naudible. Il have often
noticed, was the rctort, that when man IS deaf he
takes seat far away from the preacher
possible.
At the meeting at the Cannon Street Hotel to
support his candidate for the City of London one
of the audience refused to his hat in spite
of the eXhortations of those around him. Vt last
DR.. Parker interviewed. Let him alone, gentle
men, and let his hat alone; believe me- there is moth
ing in it" he said, amid roars of laughter.
Robert Hall, the famous Baptist preacher,
brilliant wit: his social intercourse abounded with
jest He had an extremely large mouth. He
well aware of this anyone else, and one morn
ing at a breakfast party at Bristol on the occasion
of family prayers young minister, referring to
sermon about to be delivered by the distinguished
divine prayed that the Lord would "open his mouth