Sermons and Biblical Studies

The Gerbil A professional carpet-layer stepped back to survey a newly installed carpet. Reaching into his shirt pocket for a cigarette, he realized the pack was missing. At the same time he noticed a lump under the carpet in the middle of the room, about the size of the missing cigarette pack. There was no … Continue reading “Conclusion”

Long Title Original title of Noah Webster’s first spelling book was “A Grammatical Institute of the English Language, Comprising an Easy, Concise, and Systematic Method of Education, Designed for the Use of English Schools in America, Part I, Containing a New and Accurate Standard of Pronunciation.” Source unknown

A Good President Dwight Morrow, the father of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, once held a dinner party to which Calvin Coolidge had been invited. After Coolidge left, Morrow told the remaining guests that Coolidge would make a good president. The others disagreed. They felt Coolidge was too quiet, that he lacked color and personality. No one … Continue reading “Concern”

The One Who Dropped His Pants Steve Lyons will be remembered as the player who dropped his pants. He could be remembered as an outstanding infielder … as the player who played every position for the Chicago White Sox … as the guy who always dove into first base … as a favorite of the … Continue reading “Concentration”

Male Antagonism Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman ever seated in the British House of Commons, encountered a lot of male antagonism – but proved herself capable of giving as well as receiving in that arena. Once, at a formal dinner, Lady Astor said to her neighbor that she considered men to be more conceited … Continue reading “Conceited”

Income Tax When the federal income tax was signed into law in 1913, a senator speaking in opposition to the bill stated: “If we allow this 1 percent foot-in-the-door, at some future date it might rise to 5 percent.” Bits & Pieces, March 2, 1995, p. 1 The Hunter and the Bear Winter was coming … Continue reading “Compromise”

Big Title Original title of Noah Webster’s first spelling book was “A Grammatical Institute of the English Language, Comprising an Easy, Concise, and Systematic Method of Education, Designed for the Use of English Schools in America, Part I, Containing a New and Accurate Standard of Pronunciation.” Source unknown

Carol Burnett Actress Carol Burnett got out of a cab one day and caught her coat in the door. The driver was unaware of her plight and slowly began to edge out into traffic. To keep from being pulled off her feet, the comedienne had to run alongside down the block. A passerby noted her … Continue reading “Composure”

Not Cross-Eyed The brilliant physician and writer Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., and his brother John represent two radically different views on the subject of flattery. Dr. Holmes loved to collect compliments, and when he was older he indulged his pastime by saying to someone who had just praised his work, “I am a trifle deaf, … Continue reading “Compliments”

Resources •      Pages in 1891 rule book: 2. •      Pages in current rule book: 114 (of basketball, quoted in U.S. News and World Report, 11–25-91, p. 9)