ANECDOTES OF PREACHERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3246, 25 November 1881, Page 4

ANECDOTES OF PREACHERS.

It is related of the Bey. Mr Howe, late of Hopkinton, Mass., that during the period his people were discussing the subject of a new meeting-house, one day while lie was preaching he observed hi 9 congregation to be in rabher a lethargic state. He stopped in the middle of his sermon, and, casting his eyes around, remarked they were talking about erecting a new meeting-house; but he did not know that it was worth while, as the timbers looked in pretty good condition, and he was sure the sleepers were sound. A shrewd, eccentric, but withal talented [preacher, of unbounded influence among his people once, administered reproof in a very effectual manner. One warm summer afternoon his congregation, like some other congregations, got drowsy, and not a few went off into a regular dose. The orator went on, apparently undisturbed by the apathy, and finished his discourse. Ho paused ; the silence, as is often the case after the humdrum of a not very animated preacher, roused up the congregation ; some rubbed their eyes, and all stared ; for there stood the minister sermon in hand. Ho waited till he saw them all fairly tiwalce and then very calmly said —My good friends, tin's sermon cost me a good deal of labour, rather more than usual; you do not seem to have paid to it quite as much attention as it deserves. I think I will go over it again. And he was as good as his word, from text to exhortation. —Sword and Trowel.