A QUESTION--MAL-APROPOS.

When Dr. Beadon was rector of Eltham, in Kent, the text he one day took

to preach from was, “Who art thou?” After reading it he made a pause,

for the congregation to reflect on the words; when a gentleman, in a

military dress, who at the instant was proceeding up the middle aisle

of the church, supposing it a question addressed to him, replied, “I,

sir, am an officer of the sixteenth regiment of foot, on a recruiting

party here; and have come to church, because I wish to be acquainted

with the neighbouring clergy and gentry.” This so deranged the divine

and astonished the congregation, that the sermon was concluded with

considerable difficulty.

* * * * *