ECCENTRIC PRAYERS.
 
Some very eccentric expressions were used in the prayers of clergymen of the last century.
 
An Edinburgh minister was inclined to grumble when he prayed,    "Give us not evil to think Thee neglectful of Thine own, for we are Thine own family, and we have been but scurvily provided for this long time."
 
The following is a specimen of a baptismal prayer ... "Lord, bless and preserve this young calf, that he may grow an ox, to draw in Christ's plough."
 
We wonder whether the municipal gallery was occupied when MR. ERSKINE prayed thus: ... "Oh Lord have mercy upon all fools and idiots, and particularly on the magistrates of Edinburgh."
 
MR. DICKSON once indulged in the following kitchen garden allegory: ... "Dibble Thon the kail of Thy grace into our hearts, and if we grow not up to the nature of good kail, Lord, make us good sprouts at least."
 
Another of something in the same style was the following: ... "Unless our hearts are mucked with the sharn (dung) of grace, we shall never thrive.
 
...from "London Scotsman".
 
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