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Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1039, 22 June 1894, Page 3

Not long ago a certain bishop had occasion to send to a most devout but not highly-educated layman an official documeut in which he was described as 'By Divine permission bishop of the diocese. A little later it was th^duty of the layman to draw up and sign an official document relating to some church business, and, noticing the phrase referred to in the bishop's paper, he thought it was incumbent upon him also to recognise the Divine guidance. So in entire good faith he described him • self as ' John Smith, by Divine permission grocer and dealer in all kinds of flour and horse feed.'

The beadle was in by-gone days always a prime hand at throwing in a little bit of sarcasm at the expense of some young sprigs of the ministry. A young minister with rather an exalted opinion of his. own powers said to the beadle, ' I don't think I need put on the gown, John. It's only an encumbrance, though some folk seem to think it makes a preacher more impressive.' To this John, who had a less exalted opinion of the preacher's power, quietly replied, '"Ay, sir — that's just it, sir. Pit it on for ony sake. It makes ye mair impressive ; and ye need it a ? ,ye need it q.'!'