WHY HE STRUCK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2513, 9 April 1881, Page 4

WHY HE STRUCK.

1. And it came to pass that all the people went up into the Temple to pray. It being the Sabbath day.

2. And the High Priest waxed eloquent and exhorted the multitude to give to the poor, and thereby they would be lending to the Lord. 3 But lo ! when the plate was passed, the pieces of silver, which are known as threepennies, were in the ascendant. 4. And the High Priest waxed eloquent again and smote his breast and cried—- “ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and thieves break through and steal.”

6. But lo! the plate was filled as before with the pieces of money known as threepennies. 6. And the High Priest waxed eloquent once more, and said : “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” 7. And the people that heard him were moved to tears. Nevertheless, when the plate passed again, the pieces of silver known as threepennies were much therein.

8. And the people spake to one another and said ; “We come to the Temple, armed with the pieces of silver known as the threepennies, which we change for small pieces on a Saturday night, and we give them freely. What more does the High Priest want ?” 9. And when the High Priest heard their words he cried aloud, and said : “ I will preach no more eloquent sermons, for threepence is all I can extract from the people.” 10. And so it came to pass that he bought his sermons and read them to the people. And the people were satisfied.