Watching: You Prayed Well But Did Not Watch
By C. H. B.
IN the time of George III., there were messengers about the court called runners, and one of them was very anxious to secure his master's good opinion. Among that master's virtues was his practice of attending worship every morning. On one occasion, the runner was present, who, by the loud tone in which he repeated his prayers, tried to attract the king's notice. After the services were over, the king saw him bustling about, hunting after something, and asked, “What is the matter?” “Please, your majesty,” he replied, “I have lost my hat.” “Lost your hat, lost your hat have you? You prayed well, but you did not watch!” And of how many it will perhaps be said at last, “You prayed well, but you did not watch.” Every false religion and every true one which has developed itself into simply a form is generally noted for two things: 1. The disposition on the part of its adherents to spend a great deal of time in formal worship. 2. A great slackness in, and sometimes entire abstinence from, practical godliness. C. H. B.