The Difference.
The following anecdote, which we have received as authentic from the lips of a clergyman, sets forth in a very pleasant way the folly of reproaching preachers as hirelings, merely because they receive temporal support from their congregations.
At the meeting of a presbytery in an eastern state, it fell to the lot of one of the ministers to be quartered with a man belonging to a denomination which does not allow of salaried preachers. He was accosted by his host as follows:
"What is thy name, friend? I mean the name thy parents gave thee."
"John."
"Has thee any objections that I should call thee by that name?"
"Certainly not; my mother always calls me John."
"Well, John, I understand thee belongs to the class of hireling preachers."
"You are greatly mistaken, sir; I do not belong to that class."
"I mean thee is one of those preachers who receive pay for preaching."
"No, sir; I receive nothing for preaching to my people."
"How then," said the interrogator, evidently surprised and disconcerted, "does thee manage to live?"
"Why, I work for my people six days, and then I preach for them on Sundays for nothing."
—Yankee Blade.