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Show Preachers in the frontier settlements have had often ludicrous experiences. They must hold the attention of a congregation in spite of crying babies, and keep their own gravity in circumstances both awkward and ridiculous. Occasionally the strain is too great, and they surrender to the situation. An eloquent Episcopal clergyman was ignominiously driven from the pulpit by a donkey. <br><br> He was a favorite preacher with the frontier families, for he depended little on manuscript and used familiar phrases and illustrations which interested them inh is sermons. In enforcing the lesson of a sermon he was earnest and practical, and made direct appeal to this hearers. <br><br> On one occasion during the summer, he was preaching in a crowded schoolhouse. The windows were open, and cattle were browsing on the shady side. Among them was a donkey, which, having drawn one of the families to the meeting had been turned loose to browse. The preacher was ending his sermon with "And now beloved, what think ye of these things?" <br><br> At this juncture, the donkey put his head through the open window and gave a most unearthly bray. The preacher's self-possession wavered, and hands and handkerchiefs went up to the faces of the congregation. <br><br> The silence grew oppressive; but the preacher managed to add, "I say, my brethren, what think ye of these things?" to which the donkey responded by a second hideous bray. It was too much for preacher and hearers. In a minute the sermon was ended, the congregation dismissed, and the people gathered in groups outside, convulsed with laughter. |