The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-09-19
AnecdOte OF MIR. Clay.


Kentucky, still living related to US the follow
ing anecdotes: He had just commenced preach
ing, and had for few years been married and
He was in humble circuInstan-
ces, and Of limited education-modest and re-
firing to a fault. 1t was with great difficulty
that he could summon resolution to address
congregation. Mr.. Clay, in the discharge of his
duty as lawyer, came 10 the neighborhood Of
our informant, C'Clover Bottom" Woodford
county, to have surveys made Of some land then
in litigation. He was accompanied by another
lawyer of note. They made the humble cabin
of Mr.. 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 evening; but he
trembled at the thought of doing so in the pres
ence of guests so distinguished as Mr.. Clay and
his friend. His little children were becoming
sleepy, and his wife, by significant gestures,
suggested that the time for prayer had come
Mr.. B. limited to his guests that perhaps they
"would choose bed" But Mr. Clay, with great
politeness, said, that 'he did not feel at all
sleepy, and that, unless il was intrusive, they
would be happy TO enjoy his society longer"
or course Mr. B. could not object Still the
matter of prayer could not be postponed without
sending bis children to bed in advance which
was contrary to his settled principles ofproce-
dure. At last, with considerable trepidation, he
stated to STr Clay and his friend what was his
custom; and said that they could stay and unite
with his family in their devotions, or retire at
their option. Mr. Clay promptly and with some
feeling replied, shat they would remain by all
means-that the earliest recollections Of life
were associated with such exerciscs-that his
father was Baptist minister, and his mother
was still member of that communion, and that
they had taught him to reverence the institutions
of religion, and none more SO than that of family
worship"
Brother B. then proceeded with his wonted
exercises, but with much fear and trembling
lie says that he never felt so much embarrass-
ment before in his life. When the season of
prayer was passed, Mr.. Clay approached him
and said, 'Mr. b., never again feel the least hes
itation in the discharge of your duty to God on
account of the presence Of men. I saw your
embarrassment, and remained on purpose that
you might never feel it again. Remember, my
dear Sir, that every man of sense will respect
the individual who is not ashamed to ucknowl-
edge his dependence upon his Maker; and he
deserves only contempt who can cherish any
other feeling than reverence for the consecratcd
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 Foun-
tain of Good, and dependent on Him for every
blessing Of life )? We and you arc destined to
the same grave, and to the same final retrbu-
ton. The king upon his throne and the beggar
in his rags, are the same IN the eyes of the ON
niscient Think of this, Mr.. b., and you will
never hesitate again to engage in prayer to God
on account Of the presence of men. For myself
/ would rather know that the prayers Of pious
man, no matter how humble his position in life,
were ascending in my behalf, than to have the
widest applause oflistening Senators"
Mr.. Clay and his friend then retired for the
night. Brother b. says it was the best lesson
of his life. He often afterwards heard the great
statesman in all the grandeur of his resstless el
oquence, bnt he insists that in no effort he ever
heard was he so impressive as on the occasion
named.