A Blessing on the Drinkables
A well-known Methodist preacher was invited to occupy the pulpit of a chapel in a country village not many miles from Bradford, England, one Sunday evening. After service the chief inhabitant invited the minister to supper at his house, to which he had also asked several other friends. The supper table was laden with good things, among which decanters and glasses figured prominently. When all were seated at the table the host requested the minister to ask a blessing. The latter rose, and quietly taking all the glasses and decanters, placed them at one end of the table, opposite the host, remarking that he would ask a blessing on the eatables if the host would do the same on the drinkables. The host appreciated this practical reproof and refrained from asking a blessing on the liquors. The supper was eaten, but only one glass was touched.