A story of Henry Ward Beecher is told in _Christian Work_.
Mr. Beecher had been addressing an association of Congregational
ministers somewhere in New York State, and when he had finished
his address he said he would be glad to answer any questions if
any of the younger brethren had anything that perplexed them.
Immediately, a young clergyman arose and said, “Mr. Beecher,
we have in our little church at ---- a very estimable man, but
the moment I begin preaching he falls asleep and snores, so he
disturbs the whole congregation and absolutely spoils the effect
of the sermon. But he is the only rich man we have, and he is
the main support of the church, and we dare not say anything
to him for fear we might offend him. Now, what would you do in
such a case as that?” Mr. Beecher admitted it was a puzzling
situation, and then he said: “We get around it in Plymouth
Church in this way: I give my sexton orders to keep close watch
of the congregation, and the moment he sees any man asleep to go
right up and slap me on the back.”
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