PARSONS AND PERSONS.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

PARSONS AND PERSONS.

Since the first i elation of the offer made by the sailor who had wandered into church just as the preacher was giving out his text, to accompany "his honour to Ramoth Gilead to battle," many annecdotes have been told of somewhat similar contretemps. Of course some 'of the best come from the other side of the Atlantic as the following will prove. A typical " knight of the gripsack " or "drummer," as commercial travellers are called in America, was detained at a small town in Western New York a while ago where a revival meeting was in progress. He* had met a party of convivial friends during his stay there, and had what is popularly known as a " load on." Nevertheless he drifted into the re vival meeting and took a seat well up in the frout. It was rather close in the chuVch and the warm air was conducive to sleep. The drummer yielded to the drowsy god, and, after nodding a little, fell into a profound slumber, and slept through the Ministers rather long and dry discourse. The audience saug a hymn and the drummer slept on. Then the Evangelist began bis address, and wound up his fervent appeal with this re quest, " Will all of you who wish to go to heaven please rise ? " Everyone in the church except the sleepy drummer rose. When the Evangelist asked them to be seated, oue of the Brethren in the same pew as the sleepy drummer accidentally brushed against him as hesat dowu. The drummer rubbed his eyes, and partially awake, beard the latter portion of the Evangelist's next request, which was, ' No w, I want all of you who want to go to bell to stand up." The Bpeaker have ing raised his voice towards the end