AN ECCENTRIC CLERGYMAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1005, 16 September 1882, Page 3

AN ECCENTRIC CLERGYMAN.

A Cincinnati paper tells the story of ah eccentric clergyman, who, not being a very animated and interesting preacher, was often deserted by most of , his flock on the Sabbath. The old gentleman finally adopted rather a nov«l method of keening the delinquents up to the point of duty. When any family was absent two or three Sabbaths in succession, Mr S. would publicly state to the congregation that, as Mr ’s family had been for some time absent from public worship, he presumed there was sickness, or trouble in their honschol 1. • ami would appoint a prayer meeting at there house on the next Tuesday afternoon. The old gentleman also, on one occasion, caught the wanderers by the following piece of “ guile.’' On a Sabbath afternoon he told his people that he should take a short journey the next day and be absent for a short time, but lie would take care that some person should come from Boston and supply his desk the next Sabbath. On the next Sabbath morning the meeting-house was filled. The whol* town turned out to see the Boston minister They waited a while in eager expectation of his entrance, when in marched the Rev Mr 8., and walked up the broad aisle, as ho had been accustomed to do many years gone by. Upon ascending bis pulpit he smiled graciously upon his large audience, and said, “ I am glad, my dear brethren, that I have got yon out. You are all here, as you ought to be, and i hope your minds arc prepared to receive instruction. I came from Boston yesterday myself ; t.