Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1882 — A Scandal That Drew. [ARTICLE]

A Scandal That Drew.

The venerable clergyman arose slowly in the pdlpit, and, glancing around on the thinly scattered congregation, said in an emphatic tone, in which 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 have occasion to reveal a scandal which has long oppressed my heart. It concerns the members 6f 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 was packed. There was, indeed, hardly 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 in silvery cadence broke the hush of anticipation. “Dear friends,” he said, “the scandal I would reveal is this—ypu will gaiher in this place in crowds to hear mischievous gossip, but 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 pay my own expenses.” But no one of the vast multitude took the lesson to himself; he applied it to his neighbor.— Boston Courier. It is stated that after /Mr. Emerson had on one occasion delivered a literary atMress from a pulpit a clergyman was aswkl to make a prayer, and in the prayer came these words: “We beseech Thee, O, Lord, to deliver us from ever hearing any more such transcen-dental-nonsense as we have just listened to from this sacred desk.” And Mr. Emerson simply remarked, upon learnihg his name, that “he seemed a vet> conscientious, plain-spoken roan ” Native merchants in Mexican cities complain that their Yankee competitors, who are becoming numerous, are disregarding the old custom *of eloping the stores between 11 o'clock and 3 every day in hot weather. The laay Mexicans ere compelled to lose either their siesta or considerable trade.