Apprehensive.

Otago Witness, Issue 2571, 24 June 1903, Page 72

Apprehensive.

A clergyman who was carrying in his hand a small packet of handbills the other evening was proceeding down the village street when he encountered sax old parishioner who was ]ust hobbling home after his day's work. "And now, John," said the minister pleasantly, as he put one of the leaflets into the peasant's horny hand, "we are going to have a missionary meeting in the echoolroom to-morrow evoning^amd hope to see you there. There will, of course, /be the usual collection at the close in order to raise sufficient funds to send out a missionary to convert the South Sea Islanders." "Now, minister," remarked the Did rustic solemnly, "do as you like, of course, but if ye take my advice yel l be careful." ''Indeed, John, I don't understand you," said the minister wonderingly. "Wecl," continued the old villager, "it's like this. When they South Sea Highlanders ha' been converted there'll be more money wanted to buikl a church, then there'll be the minister to provide for, and presently curates' salaries to be thowt cf, as wt-cl as choir excursions every year ; then think of what it'd ccfit for coal, clothing, and blankets to be given away to the poor and indigent at Christmas time, besides soup kitohrais and what not. I tell 'co, zur, unless ye can se>s ycr way cWr to be a-con-tinually piovidm' money for all theee here things, ye'd best be caieful and leave very wee-1 alone."