Local Parson Tries to Call Out Editor in Church Sermon, 1919

From the Elizabeth City Independent, April 11, 1919

The proprietor and editor of a certain local paper has been indulging in a little plain talk and prophesying disaster to the little town if certain improvements and sanitary reforms were not forthwith adopted.

A local parson sided with the rural council which neglected these things and, after a sermon evidently pointed at the newspaper man, said: “You should remember the fate of Balaam.”

“I do, was the prompt reply from the pew, “and I also remember who it was that warned the prophet.”