A preacher was delivering a temperance sermon one hot Sunday afternoon.
With great expression, he said,
"If I had all the beer in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
With greater conviction, he banged his fist on the pulpit;
"And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
Finally, he said,
"And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."
Sensing he delivered a powerful sermon, he wiped his brow and sat down.
The choirmaster, with shock on his face, looked over the congregation, stood very cautiously, and announced with a wry smile,
"For our closing song, let us sing Hymn #365:
"Shall We Gather at the River?"