Fraternity-Testvériség, 1964 (42. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1964-02-01 / 2. szám

FRATERNITY

11

H

eavenly umor

Edited by S. Stevensson

A father was carrying a howling baby down the street, murmuring gently: “Easy now, Lajos. Keep calm, boy. Steady there. Everything’s going to be all right, Lajos.” A passing minister stopped to compliment him: “You certainly know how to speak to an upset child — quietly

and gently. It’s wonderful!” Then, peering into the baby’s face, the

minister said sympathetically: “What’s the matter, Lajos?” “Oh, no”, said the father. “He’s Marshall — I’m Lajos!”

★ ★ ★

Rev. Arpad had just finished his talk to the Brotherhood on

“Miracles”. He was approached by wise-guy Jóska, who asked: “Reverend, is that the straight stuff about Jesus walking on water?” “Yes, it is”, responded the good pastor. “Well, you said if you had enough

faith you could do it too”, persisted Jóska. “That’s right”, asserted the

minister. “Well, Reverend, why don’t you walk out on Lake Erie right

now?” challenged the doubter. “I’ll tell you, son”, replied the pastor, “I’m afraid some darn fool like you might try to follow me.”

★ ★ ★

Rev. Sandorfi, invited to preach in the South Side Hungarian church, told the host pastor he was going to give the congregation “a dose of the milk of human kindness”. His host cryptically replied: “Condensed, I trust.”

★ ★ ★

Rev. Fasori was accustomed to placing his sermon on the pulpit shortly before the church service. One day, just before the congregation arrived, mischievous choir member András removed the last page from the carefully placed manuscript. Pastor Fasori read to the last line of the final page before him: “So, Adam said to Eve . . .” Nervously rifling the pages, he tried to gain a little time by repeating: “So, Adam said to Eve . . .” And then in a low voice, heard by all via

the amplifying system, added: “. . . there seems to be a leaf missing.”

★ ★ ★

Rev. Balazs often had his picture taken at baptisms, weddings and receptions, and some of them subsequently appeared in the local newspaper. Most of them were singularly bad: eyes squinting, mouth open, expression sour. One day his wife asked: “Can’t you remember to say ‘cheese’? You know, that’s supposed to improve your facial expression.” Surprised, he said: “Cheese? I thought the word was mouse!”

★ ★ ★

Rev. Janossy’s post-offertory comment to his congregation: “I have always said that the poor are welcome to this church, and this morning’s collection plates reflect that they have come!”