The Holy Deacon


  AN Itinerant Preacher who had wrought hard in the moral vineyard 
for several hours whispered to a Holy Deacon of the local church:

  "Brother, these people know you, and your active support will bear 
fruit abundantly.  Please pass the plate for me, and you shall have 
one fourth."

  The Holy Deacon did so, and putting the money into his pocket 
waited till the congregation was dismissed and said goodnight.

  "But the money, brother, the money that you collected!" said the 
Itinerant Preacher.

  "Nothing is coming to you," was the reply; "the Adversary has 
hardened their hearts, and one fourth is all they gave."