The Newtown bee., 1907-10-25
HOME NEWS.
A STRANGE MINISTERIAL EX-
 FERENCE.

The following remarkable incident occurred during Rev J. P. Hoyt's Con- necticut pastorate and was first pub lished in the Congregationalist and cop jed in other papers. It is an expert. ence which his former parishioners and friends in Newtown have heard him relate. Mir Hoyt was delegate to the National Council at Cleveland, O., but was unable to attend or to visit in Con necticut as at one time expected. He however attended and was the first moderator of the Southern Congrega- tional Congress at Dallis, Texas.
 1 had been minister and pastor for lover quarter of century and yet, on one occasion, through circumstances which were certainly remarkable" in the sense of being the subject of re- mark, comment and laughter on the part of all who knew them, 1 failed to retain certain pulpit for even fifteen minutes.
 While in the Theological Seminary l often visited suburb of the city and noticed church in commanding loca- tion with tall spire which l was told was the Congregational church of that place. For twenty-five years or more 1 carried that impression and took such root in my mind that, as you will soon see, l could not readily get rid of. When, therefore, an invitation came to me from the pastor of the Congre- gational church in that place to ex- change with him, 1 naturally supposed this church was the one in which was to preach; but it seemed that my or iginal information was wrong, the church was a Methodist church, fine, large edifce recently repaired and in splendid condition, while the Congrega- tional church was on a side street, in- feror in equipment and appearance.
 On arriving at the Congregational parsonage Fortunately 1 did not make mistake there) told the family 1 would go early to the church, so as to select hymns, etc., remarking, "I am glad to see you have such fine edi- fice." They looked at me in surprise and said, "We think our church is sadly in need f repairs. "No", l said, "it seems to me model church and its beautiful tall spire is one of the land marks" " "Why they said, We have no such spire." l said nothing, but thought such humility or stupidity was unusual.
 l went to the church alone, walked up the aisle to the minister's room, left my hat and overcoat there, walked on the platform, selected the hymns and sat down. Then 1 noticed commotion; the organist behind me stopped playing; the ushers stopped in the middle of the aisle and cast won dering looks at me; the people as they entered the church would whisper and point at me. became uneasy and look ing around saw group of excited men gathered about clerical looking in- dividual, gesticulating and eyeing me. "Well," thought, this is the strang- est audience l ever faced" Then l mo- ticed railing around the pulpit, and thought "I never saw such railing and altar in Congregational church. Why, this looks like a Methodist church; No, it cannot be; what is it? Where am l? What am r.? My head swan. I rose and approached the group of men, singling out the clerical look ing individual 1 said to him, What church is this?' This is the Methodist Episcopal church and 1 am the pastor. Who are you, Sir? We think that you are a crazy man and hope that you will quietly leave the house." Did you ever hear of such a predicament even in fiction? 1 explained the situation and asked the way to the Congregational church. l then gave the hymn book which I held in my hand to my brother minister, remarking, Although 1 have tried to steal pulpit I would not steal the hymn book" Then, most em- barrassing of all, was obliged to cross the platform for my overcoat and hat before the large congregation, who by that time understood the blunder and focused glances and smiles on the inter- loper like sburning glass. Fastening to the other church I did my duty and hurriedly left the place to avoid town talk. ."-[Phillips.