First Family Prayer at a Tavern.
Rowland Hill was once driven by a storm into a village inn, and compelled to spend the night. When it grew late, the landlord sent a request by the waiter that the guest would go to bed. Mr. Hill replied, "I have been waiting a long time, expecting to be called to family prayer." "Family prayer! I don't know what you mean, sir; we never have such things here." "Indeed! then tell your master, I cannot go to bed until we have had family prayer." The waiter informed his master, who, in consternation, bounced into the room occupied by the faithful minister, and said, "Sir, I wish you would go to bed. I cannot go till I have seen all the lights out; I am so afraid of fire." "So am I," was the reply, "but I have been expecting to be summoned to family prayer." "All very good, sir; but it cannot be done at an inn." "Indeed! then pray get me my horse; I cannot sleep in a house where there is no family prayer." The host preferred to dismiss his prejudice rather than his guest, and said, "I have no objection to have prayer; but I don't know how." "Well, then, summon your people, and let us see what can be done." The landlord obeyed, and in a few minutes the astonished domestics were upon their knees, and the landlord called upon to pray, "Sir, I never prayed in my life; I don't know how." "Ask God to teach you," was the gentle reply. The landlord said, folding his hand, "God, teach us how to pray." "That is prayer, my friend," cried Mr. Hill, joyfully, "go on." "I am sure I don't know what to say now, sir." "Yes you do; God has taught you how to pray, now thank him for it." "Thank you, O Lord, for letting us pray to you!" "Amen! Amen!" exclaimed Mr. Hill, and then prayed himself. Two years afterward, Mr. Hill found in that same village a chapel and school, as the result of the first effort of family prayer at the "Black Lion."—Sel.