PASTOR'S SECRET.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 149, 24 June 1911, Page 17

PASTOR'S SECRET.

During morning service Iα the Protestant Church of the Hungarian, village of Okany a remarkable incident occurred on a recent Sunday. The pastor, a young and brilliant preacher named Alexander Ekel, addressed his congregation on the subject of the duty of forgiving injuries. lie spoke with such eloquence that there was not a dry eye in. the church when he completed his sermon. He concluded with a most touching peroration and proceeded to the altar, walking as if in rapt contemplation.

A woman who had been sitting at the back of the church had come to the front without anyone noticing her. She threw herself at the pastor's feet, saying: "Ton preach forgiveness and reconciliation. Now forgive your poor wife, who does not know what wrong she has done you, and let her return to her home!"

The pastor was struck dumb at the sight of his wife whom he believed to be far away, and the congregation, who had believed that he was unmarried, crowded round to see the woman who claimed to be his wile. The pastor declared coldly that she knew why he had sent her back to her parents after a few weeks of marriage, and that he would not take her back on any condition.