The Circus Clown’s Sermon
Down in Virginia, the other day, a circus clown took occasion to preach a sermon in behalf of the clergy, which had some unexpected results. At the same time with the visit of the menagerie and circus a religious convocation was in session. The jester in his painted face and mottled garments, arose in the tent and delivered the following speech:— “We have taken in six hundred dollars today; more money, I venture to say, than any minister of the gospel in this community would receive for a whole year’s services. A large portion of this money was given by church-members, and a large portion of this audience is made up of members of the church. And yet, when your preacher asks you to aid him in supporting the gospel, you are too poor to give anything. But you come here and pay dollars to hear me talk nonsense. I am a fool because I am paid for it; I make my living by it. You profess to be wise, and yet you support me in my folly. But perhaps you say you did not come to see the circus, but the animals. If you came simply to see the animals, why did you not simply look at them and leave? Now, is not this a pretty place for Christians to be in? Do you not feel ashamed of yourselves? You ought to blush in such a place as this.” This candid review of the situation startled the “congregation.” The local preachers took advantage of it, started a revival, and we trust will hereafter be better paid.—Detroit Post.