Instant in Season
At the beginning of the present world war (World War I) it is said that a clergyman appeared before Bishop William Taylor-Smith, Chaplain General of the British army, and applied for a chaplaincy. Because he was a part of the great Church of which the Bishop was a leader, he felt reasonably sure of an appointment.
It is said that Bishop Taylor-Smith looked intently at him for a moment, then taking his watch from his pocket, said: “I am a dying soldier on the battlefield—I have three minutes to live—what have you to say to me?”
The clergyman was confused and said nothing.
Then the Bishop said: “I have two minutes to live—what can you tell me to help my soul?” and still the waiting clergyman made no response. Then said the Bishop solemnly: “I have only one minute to live.”
With that the clergyman reached for his Prayer-Book, but the Bishop is reported to have said: “No, not that at such a time as this,” and because the clergyman had nothing to say to the dying soldier upon the battlefield, he did not received his appointment.
—J. Wilbur Chapman
Universal Gospel
The late Duke of Wellington once met a young clergyman, who, being aware of his Grace’s former residence in the East, and of his familiarity with the ignorance and obstinacy of the Hindus in support of their false religion, gravely proposed the following question: “Does not your Grace think it almost useless and absurd to preach the Gospel to the Hindus?” The Duke immediately rejoined: “Look, sir, to your marching orders, ‘Preach the Gospel to every creature.’”
—F. F. Trench
It is said that Bishop Taylor-Smith looked intently at him for a moment, then taking his watch from his pocket, said: “I am a dying soldier on the battlefield—I have three minutes to live—what have you to say to me?”
The clergyman was confused and said nothing.
Then the Bishop said: “I have two minutes to live—what can you tell me to help my soul?” and still the waiting clergyman made no response. Then said the Bishop solemnly: “I have only one minute to live.”
With that the clergyman reached for his Prayer-Book, but the Bishop is reported to have said: “No, not that at such a time as this,” and because the clergyman had nothing to say to the dying soldier upon the battlefield, he did not received his appointment.
—J. Wilbur Chapman
Universal Gospel
The late Duke of Wellington once met a young clergyman, who, being aware of his Grace’s former residence in the East, and of his familiarity with the ignorance and obstinacy of the Hindus in support of their false religion, gravely proposed the following question: “Does not your Grace think it almost useless and absurd to preach the Gospel to the Hindus?” The Duke immediately rejoined: “Look, sir, to your marching orders, ‘Preach the Gospel to every creature.’”
—F. F. Trench