Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-26
PREACHERS AMUSING sLUNpERs
Stories Told Of Mistakes Made BY Min.
listers In the Pulpit.

lSrerS IN tno Fuipts
Each profession has its stock Jokes,
its stories innumerable, and to each
belongs a flavor all its own. That the
point Of a Jest lies not in the tongue
Of him who makes 1t, but in the ear
that hears, is the testimony of the
great dramatist. The doctor on his
rounds, and the judge upon the bench
have both an audience ready and will
ing to accept at the highest wit the
bon mots Of the speakers; and there
is no club gathering Of men that does
not acclaim one Of its members as
supreme in this respect, and are ready
to yield due recognition Of the gift.
There is, however, a vast amount
of unconscious humor always floating
about and to those who perceive 1t
the world is ever very amusing. 1t
must be admitted that the blunders
and jests, clerical, stand for some rea-
son preeminent both in number and
in mirth producing qualities. The
reason, of course, It not far to seek;
occur, the very upsetting of ones pre-
conceived notions Of reverence, all
tend to cause a reaction in the ordi-
nary equilibrium, and the simplest
mistake or accident under such cir
cumstances assumes the proportions
Of a huge comedy.
The divine who in drawing the at
tention of his congregation to spe-
cial communion service on the follow
ing Sunday, informed them that "the
Lord is with us in the forenoon and
the bishop in the evening is chroni-
cled with praying for the children of
his parish In these words: "And now,
o Lord, bless the lambs Of this fold,
and make them meet for the king
dom Of heaven" While q Scotch
minister ipnocently, 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 honestly we 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 no better reason than to.
show off their best clothes, finished
up as he glanced over his audience:
T am thankful to see, dear friends,
that none Of you have come here for
that reason"
An Irish clergyman is credited
with having concluded powerful
Grafton in this fashion: my breth-
rem, let not this world rob you of a
peace which 1t can neither give nor
take away" Which Is coupled with
the remark Of fellow country col
league who, in reasoning with wo-
man who had lost her faith in Chris
tianity told her: "Well, you will go to
hell, you know; and I shall be very
sorry to see you there"
But what can be said of the negro
student who, conducting the prayers
at one Of the great missionary col-
leges, 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 a pitfall for the un-
wary. During Lent" said rector
lately, several preachers will preach
on Wednesday evenings; but need
not give their names, as they will all
be found hanging up in the porch"
ut was a rector who gave out the
hymn beginning, Awake, my soul,
stretch every nerve" before his SER
mon, and a curate who read in the
lesson for the day: He spake the
words and cathoppers came and
grasspillars innumerable," but 1t was
at a young woman's Bible class that,
when asked what hymn should be
sung at the close they all with one ac-
cord chose, where is my wandering
boy tonight ?"-Chamber Journal.