by Mark Twain

In recent issue "Independent," the Rev T De Witt Talmage, of Brooklyn, following utterance of "Smells":

good Christian friend who, if he sat front pew in church, and working man should enter the door other end, would smell him instantly My friend to blame sensitiveness nose, any more than flog pointer for being keener scent than stupid watch dog The fact is, , had all the churches free, by reason mixing up common people uncommon, keep one-half of Christendom sick at their stomach going to kill the church thus with bad smells, nothing work of evangelization

reason that labouring men in heaven; and also number of negroes, and Esquimaux, and Terra del Fuegans, and Arabs, and few Indians, and possibly even some Spaniards and Portuguese All things are possible with God all these sorts of people in heaven; but, alas ! in getting them lose the society of Dr Talmage , lose the company of one give more real "tone" to celestial society than contribution Brooklyn could furnish And what would eternal happiness be without the Doctor ? Blissful, unquestionably-- that well enough but would it be 'distingue,' would it be 'recherche' without him ? St Matthew without stockings or sandals; St Jerome bare headed, and with coarse brown blanket robe dragging the ground; St Sebastian with scarcely any raiment at all--these we , and should enjoy seeing them; but would we not miss spike-tailed coat and kids, and turn away regretfully, and say to parties Orient: "These are well enough, but you ought Talmage of Brooklyn " me that better world even have Dr Talmage's "good Christian friend "

For if he were sitting under the glory Throne, keeper keys admitted Benjamin Franklin or other labouring man, that "friend," fine natural powers infinitely augmented by emancipation from hampering flesh, would detect him with single sniff, and immediately take his hat and ask excused

To all outward seeming, the Rev T De Witt Talmage is same material used construction early predecessors ministry; and yet one feels that difference somewhere between him Saviour's first disciples It because here, nineteenth century, Dr T has had advantages which Paul and Peter others and have lack of polish , and looseness of etiquette, and want of exclusiveness, which one cannot help noticing They healed the very beggars, and held intercourse with people of villainous odour every day subject remarks chosen original Twelve Apostles, have associated rest, because have stood the fishy smell of some comrades who came from around the Sea of Galilee resigned his commission with some such remark as he makes extract quoted above: "Master, if thou art going to kill the church thus with bad smells, nothing work of evangelization " disciple, and makes that remark Master; the only difference is, that he makes it nineteenth instead first century

choir in Mr T 's church ? And does it ever occur that no better manners than to sing that hymn so suggestive of labourers and mechanics:

"Son Carpenter ! receive This humble work ? "

Now, can it be possible that in handful of centuries the Christian character has fallen away from an imposing heroism that scorned even the stake, the cross, axe, to poor little effeminacy that withers and wilts under an unsavoury smell ? prepared so, the reverend Doctor friend contrary notwithstanding