The River A preacher was completing a temperance sermon: 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 even greater emphasis he said, ""And if I had all the wine in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."" And then finally, he said, ""And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd take it and throw it into the river."" He sat down. The song leader then stood very cautiously and announced with a smile, ""For our closing song, let us sing Hymn # 365: ""Shall We Gather at the River.""