THRASHING A VISITING PASTOR.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 117, 31 December 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

THRASHING A VISITING PASTOR.

A “ PABTOEAL visit ” —that is, in everyday language, a morning call by a clergyman upon one of his congregation —is obviously a ceremonious, or, to say the least, a peaceful occasion. A Lutheran pastor of Brooklyn, U. 8., however, tells a tale in a denominational paper which points to other possibilities. A lady residing in the place had been greatly annoyed by “ runaway rings.” She therefore determined one very dark evening to watch for the mischievous young monkeys who played these pranks upon her, and had just stationed herself inside the doorway when the bell rang out sonorously. The lady instantly opened the door, caught the diminutive offender by the collar, and boxed his ears right aud left most soundly. At every whack he protested, “ Madam, why, madam ?” “ Don’t madam me, you young rascal!” she exclaimed, and another blow made his ears burn fearfully. He begged, implored. “ Don’t beg for mercy, you graceless scamp!” was the only reply, accompanied by another thundering thump on the side of the head. Becoming at last exhausted by this exercise, she dragged the little man into the hall that she might recognise the offender by the gaslight, and “ tell his mother,” as she said, when whom should she discover in the person of her victim but her own minister, who had called to pay her a friendly visit! The narrator evidently thinks that the lady’s excuse for this savage assault was genuine; but we have our doubts. Perhaps he preached long sermons. Be this as it may, the experiment is hazardous, and would not answer in some cases, certainly not in that of divines of the calibre of Mr. Spurgeon, or the Archbishop “of Society,” as “Vanity Fair” dubbed his stalwart Grace of York. — Echo.