Increase Mather, in a sermon entitled “Be Very Courageous,”
tells the story: “It has been reported that a minister,
preaching to the Earl of Stratford, then lord deputy of Ireland,
faithfully reproved some corruptions which that governor was
known to be guilty of, but at which he was displeased; and the
next day, in a great passion, he sent for the minister, and
began his discourse thus: ‘Yesterday, when you were before
me, you said such and such things.’ The minister replied to
him: ‘You are mistaken, sir; I was not before you yesterday. I
confess I am before your excellency to-day, but you were before
me yesterday. You represent the kingdom; but yesterday I was
made representative of the Almighty God, who is infinitely
above the greatest kings on earth.’ Upon that, the earl was so
affected as to dismiss the minister without saying anything more
to him.” Here was a man who magnified his office, who spoke with
authority, and not as the scribes.--_Christian Register._
(1948)
=Magnifying Objects=--See SCIENCE, IMPROVEMENTS BY.
=Mail, Handling=--See CARE IN PERFORMING DUTIES.
=Main Objects versus Incidentals=--See TASKS, THE REAL.
=Majority Not Always Right=--See CONVICTION, UNYIELDING.
=Majority-rule=--See JUSTICE BY MAJORITY; TACT.