A JOKE AT THE MINISTER’S EXPENCE.

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 7, 18 September 1906, Page 2

A JOKE AT THE MINISTER’S EXPENCE.

Not a few preachers would be glad to be the victims of such a practical joke as was recently played upon Rev. Mr. Hageman, of Oxford, Mich. At the annual meeting of the church of which he is pastor, the question of hiring a preacher conies up for discussion. At the last meeting of this society, when the subject was brought up, a good deacon arose and said : “All those in favour of retaining Mr. Hageman for another year, at the same salary will please rise.” Not a person rose, and the minister' who was present, felt as uncomfortable as possible, and heartily wished himself anywhere else. Then the good deacon who had put the question arose again, and said, with a twinkle of the eye ; “I see no one favours that motion, so I will put it again in this way. All those in favour of keeping Rev. Mr. Hageman at an increased salary will please rise.” Everyone got upon his feet. Then it dawned upon Mr. Hageman that he had been the victim of a joke, and a smile lighted his eye and the colour returned to his cheeks. Some of his best friends had planned the surprise, and the little scheme had worked to perfection. —— The Swedish mile it tfie longsst in **r rW