HOW TO FILL A CHURCH.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1304, 3 April 1883, Page 4

HOW TO FILL A CHURCH.

Thu venerable gentleman slowly arose in the pulpit, and, glancing around on the thinly scattered congregation, said in an effect in whieh there was more of sorrow than of anger : “My beloved brethren, I am in hopes that there will be more present next Sabbath, as I will then have occasion to reveal a scandal which has long oppressed my heart. It concerns the members of this church very deeply, and no one who has a regard for eternal happiness should be absent," When the benediction was pronounced the handful of people slowly dispersed, but, behold how much good seed a few can scatter ! The next Sunday the sacred edifice wee packed. There was indeed, scarcely breathing room when the white-haired sage once more lifted his head above the pulpit cushions, and a silence as of death fell upon the expectant throng. He stood a moment looking upon the unwonted scene, and then his voice m silvery cadences broke the hush of anticipation. “ Dear friends," he said, “ the scandal I would reveal to you is this s You will gather in crowds to hear mischievous gossip, but you will not listen to explanations of the inspired Word. Now, my children, I offer my resignation, lam going to Europe for six months, and I shall par my own expenses." But no one of the vast multitude took the lesson to himself ; he applied it to his neighbor.