A SAFE HOUSE TO SLEEP IN.
A LAWYER of high reputation, in the city of Philadelphia, was traveling in one of the Southern States; and being belated one evening, after a long day's ride, he was compelled to turn into a house on a solitary plantation, and asked for shelter and hospitality for the night. His request was granted. In the course of the evening, he thought he observed something reserved in the master of the house, which awakened his suspicions. He was at length conducted to his chamber, which was adjoining the family room. There he dwelt on the circumstances which had alarmed him, till his exciting imagination was filled with thoughts of midnight robbery and assassination. He proceeded to barricade the room as well as he could. He fastened down the windows; against the door he piled up tables, chairs, everything that was moveable in the room. While thus engaged, words uttered in a low voice caught his ear, and increased his alarm. He placed his ear at the key-hole. The man of the house was engaged in prayer—family prayer. Among the objects of intercession, he was praying for the "stranger whom the providence of God has unexpectedly brought to lodge beneath their roof that night." When he got through, our traveling friend arose from his stooping posture. Imagine the change of his feelings. All his fears had vanished. Though no Christian himself, he knew that the prayers of Christians are like guardian angels to the abode in which they are offered up; and went to bed and slept soundly and sweetly, feeling that the house where God was feared and worshiped was a safe place to sleep in.—Am. Messenger.