The elderly minister, noted for years for his "hellfire and damnation" sermons, looked severely at the congregation. Said he,
"What a fearful thought it is that everyone in this congregation must, sooner or later, face the dreadful judgment of the Almighty."
Everyone in the church stirred uneasily and looked fearful, save for one little man in the front row, who smiled pleasantly.
The minister noted the dissenter and turned the heat of his oratory up still further.
"I say," he intoned, "Every person in this congregation must face the Judgment."
The man laughed silently to himself.
The minister, whose "High Church" dignity could bear no further affront, now addressed the little man directly.
"You there," said he, "May I ask what you find so amusing about the sermon and the awful burden it discusses?"
The man replied, "I am not amused, Reverend. I am relieved, as I am not a member of this congregation."