THE FEW WAS WORTH THE MONEY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3201, 31 December 1892, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE FEW WAS WORTH THE MONEY.

A well-known preacher, who has been considerably advertised of late, related an incident one Sunday which many people may not yet have heard. He said that a man who had not been to church for a long time finally hearkened to the persuasions of his wife and decided to go. He got the family all together, and they started early. Arriving at the church there were yet very few people in it and no vergers about, so the man led his family straight up the aisle and took possession of a particularly comfortable pew. Just as the service was about to begin, a pompous-looking old gentleman came in, walked to the door of that pew, and stood there exhibiting evident surprise that it was occupied. The occupants moved up a little and offered him room to sit down, but he declined to be seated. Finally the old man produced a card and wrote upon it with a pencil : — 'I pay for this pew.' He gave the card to the stranger occupant, who, the preacher remarked, had he been like many people, would at once have got up and left. But the stranger adjusted his glasses, and, with a smile, read the card, then calmly wrote beneath it :— ' How much do you pay ?' To this inquiry the pompous gentleman, still standing, wrote abruptly 'Ten pounds a year, sir.' The stranger smiled as though he were pleased, looked around to compare the pew with others, admired its nice cushion aud convenient hassocks, and wrote back :— ' I don't blame you. It is well worth it.' The pompous gentleman at that stage collapsed iuto his seat.