A History Of The Rise Of Methodism In America - Media Sabda Org

31 As to sentiment and language, better written prayers are not to be desired, than those of the prayer
book used by Mr. Wesley, and recommended by him to the Methodists, at the time of Dr. Coke's first
visit to this country. We believe in all manner of prayer, except the implorings of the wicked heart
for vengeance on the objects of its hate. We doubt not of the general moral benefit of the prayer
book, especially before extempore prayer came into use, in modern times; and, since extempore
prayer has been in use, there may be persons who are more benefited by reading prayers, than by the
extempore mode; such should use the prayer book. Ministers of the gospel should not, however, be
absolutely dependent on written prayers, as cases have occurred that have called for prayer, when
no written prayer was adapted to the case. Many have heard the anecdote of the unfortunate man
whose leg was broken. In his pain, he sent for his minister to pray for him. The minister came with
his prayer book, and looking through it, could find no prayer for a broken leg; and went away
without offering up prayer for the suffering man.
It is related of the eccentric Daniel Isaac, a Wesleyan preacher, that he had to officiate in a chapel
that had been furnished with a fine large prayer book that was to be used, to gratify some of the head
men of the congregation. On his first visit to this chapel, he did not use the prayer book. A complaint
was made about this omission, and he was requested to read the liturgy. He told them to come out,
and on his next visit to that place, he would read prayers for them. When the hour came, the friends
of the liturgy were there. He began with the first prayer that he found in the book, and read prayer
after prayer, as they came, in regular order, not omitting any -- not even the prayer for parturition;
(and had there been a prayer for a broken leg it would have received the same attention.) After
spending more than an hour in this exercise, he stopped and inquired -- "Ha! have you enough of
hearing prayers read?" (The friends of the liturgy were more than satisfied with his way of reading
prayers.) He folded the big prayer book and laid it aside, saying, "This is an accommodation wagon,
and I will not ride in it," and the friends of the prayer book were well satisfied that he should not
open it for use any more in the chapel.