The church building fund was in desperate straights, so the preacher determined that equally desperate measures were needed. A meeting of the congregation's leading members was duly called, but no specific mention of money was made in advance.
Among those invited were old man Stearn and his pal Robinson -- two of the most notorious and disagreeable tightwads in the city. The good preacher himself was curious to see how they would respond.
Getting down to business, he explained the purpose of the meeting. He then announced that a collection would be taken and that the congregates were expected to give liberally of their means.
Upon hearing this unpleasant news old man Stearn promptly fainted ... and Robinson immediately carried him outside.