Why a Woman Remembered a Sermon.
A LADY was complimenting a clergyman on the fact that she could always recollect and recite more of the matter of his sermons than those of any other minister. The clergyman thought he could explain the cause. “I happen,” said he, “to make a particular point of classifying my topics—it is a hobby of mine to do so; and therefore I never compose a sermon without first settling the relationship and order of my arguments and illustrations. Suppose, madam, that your servant was starting for town, and you were obliged hastily to instruct her about a few domestic purchases, not having time to write down the items; and suppose you said, ‘Be sure you bring some tea, also some soap, and coffee too; by-the-by, some powder blue; and don’t forget a few light cakes, and a little starch, and some sugar; and now I think of it, a little soda,—you would not be surprised if her memory failed with regard to one or two of the articles. But if your commission ran thus, ‘Now, Mary, to-morrow we are going to have some friends to tea, therefore bring a supply of tea, and coffee, and sugar, and a few light cakes; and the next day, you know, is washing day, so that we shall want soap, and starch, and soda, and powder blue; ’ and it is most likely she would retain your order as easily as you retain my sermons.”—Sel.