A WELSH SERMON.

The Rev. John Jones, formerly vicar of Llansoy, was an eccentric but earnest preacher. After ministering many years amongst his parishioners, he was impressed with the idea that they had made little way in spiritual life; so one morning he opened his discourse to them in the following fashion; - “My friends, I have been so many years your minister, with the awful reflection at this moment that were I to ask my heart the question, have I been the means of converting a single soul, I could not answer it to my own satisfaction. See, then, how either I or you shall stand in the great day of account – I, if I have not done my duty by you – you, if you have not profited by my advice. For myself, unless you show more signs of spiritual life I shall disown you on that great day. When the books are opened, and the Archangel calls out in the face of the countless multitude ‘John Jones,’ I shall not answer, for there are many John Joneses. He will then call out ‘the Rev. john Jones,’ but I still shall not answer, for there are many more Reverend John Joneses than me. He will then the third time call out ‘John Jones, vicar of Llansoy,’ and then, my friends, I cannot help answering, and I will reply, ‘here am I.’ And then the question will be put to me ‘John Jones, where are the sheep I gave you to tend?’ and then I fear I must reply, ‘Sheep I have none, Lord, for all proved to be goats.’”