A local preacher was dissatisfied with the small amount in the
collection plates each Sunday. Someone suggested to him that
perhaps he might be able to hypnotize the congregation into
giving more.
"And just how would I go about doing that?" he asked.
"It is very simple. First you turn off the air conditioner so
that the auditorium is warmer than usual. Then you preach in a
monotone voice. Meanwhile, you dangle a watch on a chain and
swing it in a slow arc above the lectern and suggest they put 20
dollars in the collection plate."
So the very next Sunday, the reverend did as suggested, and lo
and behold the plates were full of 20 dollar bills. Now, the
preacher did not want to take advantage of this technique each
and every Sunday. So therefore, he waited for a couple of weeks
and then tried his mass hypnosis again.
Just as the last of the congregation was becoming mesmerized, the
chain on the watch broke and the watch hit the lectern with a
loud thud and springs and parts flew everywhere.