Mr. Thom was requested to preach a sermon in the Tron Church of Glasgow on some very particular occasion, and he brought about half-a-dozen MS. sermons in his pocket, uncertain, as he said, which would best suit a Glasgow audience. He thought if he had the opinion of a few friends it might serve as a key to the taste of the Glasgowegians. He accordingly asked a few acquaintances to join him in a pipe and tankard of ale in a favourite howff.

"I’m invited to preach a sermon to you great folks in Glasgow," said he; "and really, I maun after this think myself a man of some consequence, when I have had such an honour conferred on me. But as I’m ignorant of what will please your wonderful nice preaching palates in this big toun, I have brought a few sermons with me, which I’ll read over to you, that I may judge which will be the most suitable."

He read them over one by one accordingly, until he came to the last, and with each they were equally well pleased; taking it up, he proceeded until he came to a passage that fairly gravelled his auditors.

"Stop," said they, "read that passage over again, Mr. Thom."

"Wait a wee till I get to the end," said Mr. Thorn, and he continued until another halt was called for explanation.