The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-01-21
FAMILY WORSHIP.

FAMILY WORSHIP.
ASEcDoTE OF Mr.. CLAY.-A highly re-
spectacle Baptist minister OF Kentucky, still
living, related to us the following anecdote
He had just commenced preaching, and
had for few years been married and house
keeping. He was in humble circumstance
and OF limited education-modest and re-
tirng to fault. 1t was with great difficulty
that he could summon resolution to address
a congregation. Dir. Clay, in the discharge
of his duty as lawyer, came to the neigh
borhood Of our informant, c'Clover Bottom"
Woodwork Co.. to have surveys made of
some land then in litigation. He was ac-
companied by another lawyer of note. They
made the humble cabin of Bro. B. their home
On the first night they staid- with him, our
brother was reduced to great extremity. He
was in the habit of holding family worship
morning and evenings; but he trembled at
the thought of doing so in tue presence of
guests SO distinguished as Mr.. c. and his
friend. His little children were becoming
sleepy, and his wife, by significant gestures,
suggested that the time for prayer had come
Bro 3. limited to his guests that perhaps
"they would choose bed" But Mr.. Clay,
with great polteness said "tbat lie did not
feel at all sleepy, and that unless it was in
trusive, would be happy to enjoy his society
longer" Of course Bro. B.. could not OBJ
ject. Still the matter Of prayer could not be
postponed Wfthoat sending iis ehildrsn to
bed in advance, which was contrary to his
settled principles of procedure. AT last with
considerable trepidation, he stated to Mr.
Clay and his friend what was his custom
and said that they could stay and unite with
his family in their devotions, or retire al their
option. Mr.. Clay promptly and with some
feeling replied, "that they would remain by
all means-lhat the earliest recolections of
lie were associated with such exercises
that his father was n Baptist minister, and
his mother was still member was Of that
communion, and that they had taught
him to reverence the institutions of
religion, and that none more so than fam
lily worship.
Bro. b. then proceeded with his wonted
exercises, but with much fear and trembling
He says that he never felt SO much embar-
rassed in his life. When the season of prayer
was asscd, Mr.. Clay approached him aud
said:
"Mr. B. never again feel the least hesita-
ton in the discharge of your duty to God on
account Of the presence Of men. | saw your
embarrassment, and remained on purpose
that You might never feel 1t again. Remem-
Der, my dear sir, that every man of sense
will respect the individual, who is not asham-
ed to acknowledge his dependence upon his
maker; and he deserves only contempt who
can cherish any other feelings than reverence
for 'the consecrated hour of man in audience
with the Deity And what are myself and
friend here but frail and feeble mortals like
you and your little children-indebted for all
that we are to the great fountain of good, and
dependent on Him for every blessing Of life 1!
We and you are destined to the same grave
and to the same final retribution. The king
upon his throne, and the beggar in his rags,
are the same in the eyes OF theO Omniscient.
Think of this, Mr.. b. and you will never hesi-
tate again to enga ge in prayer to God on
account of the presence of men. For myself
would rather know that the prayers Of a
pious man, no matter how humble his posi-
tion in life; were ascending in my behalf
than to have the widest applause of listen
ing senator's"
Mr. Clay and his friend then retired for
the night. Bro. B. says it was the best les
son of his life. He afterwards heard the
great statesman in all his resistless eloquence,
Hit he insists that in no effort he ever heard,
was he SO impressive as on the occasion ma
med. Western Recorder.