ker and his brother took up their
hats, `to shake off the dust of their feet,' and turn away to a more
hopeful subject. The clergyman bowed them very civilly out of doors,
expressing his wish, as they departed, that the shoe business might soon
revive. Of course, these lay apostles, in this instance, were
horror-struck; and it cannot be supposed they were much inclined to
leave their blessing behind them.

"I believe I do not mistake in expressing the conviction that there are
hundreds, not to say thousands, of the Presbyterian and Congregational
clergy, who will sympathise with me thoroughly in these strictures on
the encroachments of the laity upon pastoral prerogative; who groan
under it; who feel that it ought to be rebuked and corrected, but
despair of it; and who know that their usefulness is abridged by it to
an account that cannot be estimated."

[The Reverend Mr Reid mentions a very whimsical instance of the
interference of the laity in every possible way. He says, that being at
church one Sabbath, there was one reverend old man, certainly a leader
among them, who literally, as the preacher went on with his sermon, kept
up a sort of recitation with him as, for instance, the preacher
continuing his sermon--

The duty here inferred is, to deny ourselves--

_Elder_. And enable us to do it.

_Preacher_. It supposes that the carnal mind is enmity against God--

_Elder_. Ah, indeed, Lord, it is.

_Preacher_. The very reverse of what God would have us to be--

_Elder_. God Almighty knows it's true.

_Preacher_. How necessary, then, that God should call upon us to
renounce everything--

_Elder_. God help us!

_Preacher_. Is it necessary for me to say more?

_Elder_. No--oh--no!

_Preacher_. Have I not said enough?

_Elder_. Oh, yes, quite enough.

_Preacher_. I rejoice that God calls me to give up every thing--

_Elder_. Yes, Lord, I would let it all go.

_Preacher_. You _must_ give up all--

_Elder_. Yes--all.

_Preacher_. Your pride--

_Elder_. My pride.

_Preacher_. Your envy.

_Elder_. My envy.

_Preacher_. Your covetousness--

_Elder_. My covetousness.

_Preacher_. Your anger.

_Elder_. Yes--my anger.

_Preacher_. Sinner, then; how awful is your condition!

_Elder_. How awful!

_Preacher_. What reason for all to examine themselves.

_Elder_. Lord, help us to search our hearts!

_Preacher_. Could you have more motives? I have done.

_Elder