Booth And The Lord's Prayer

Jumus -brutus J5ooth (Uiu fatlior of J. Wilkes Booth) and soveral frionds had been invited to diue with an old man in Baltimore, uf distinguished kindnoss, urbanity and piety. The host, though disapproving of theatre-going, had heard so much oí Booth's remarkable powers, that curiosity to sec tho man, iu ttlïa instance overoame hisprejudices. Aiter the diuoer was over, somo ono requosted Booth, as a particular favor, and one which all present would appreciate, to readthe Lord's Prayer. Booth rose slowly and reverently from his chair. It was wonderful to watch the play ofemotion that convulsed his countenance. He became deadly palo, and his eyes, turned tremblingly upward, wero wet wilh tears. As yet, he had not spoken. Tho silcnoo could be feit. It became painful, until at last the spell was broken, as if by an electric shock, as a rich-toned voice, from white lips, syllabled forth, " Our Father, who art in Heavon," with a pathos and solümnity that thrillcd all hearts. He finishod ; the silonce continued. Not a voice was heard, or a ínuscle moved, in his rapt audience, until from a remóle corner of the room a subdued sob was heard, and tho old man, their host, stepped forward with streaming eyes and tottering frame, and seized Booth by the hand. " Sir," said he, in broken accents, " you havo aftorded me a pleasure for which my whole future life will feel grateful. I am an old man, and oeery day from boyhood to the present time, I have though t that I had repeated tho Lord's Prayer, but 1 have never heard it before- never." " You are right," said Booth. " To read that Prayer as it should be read, has caused me tho severest etudy and labor for tlrrty years, and I am far from being yet satisfied with my rendering of that woiiderful production. Hardly one person in ten thousand comprehends how much beaty, tenderness and grandeur can be condensed into a space so small and in words so simple. The Prayer itself Bufficiently illustratos the truth of the Bible, and stamps upon it the seal of Divmity." So great was the effect produced, that couversation was Pustaiued but a short time longor in subdued monosyllables, and almost cntirely ceastd, and soon aftur at au early hour the company broke up, and retired to thcir sovaral homes with pad and ful' hearts. The Riebmond Rcpnhhc says tbat the mili where Hcnry Clay, when a boy, used to ride with his meal bagp, is stiïl standing and performing its old work. It is abont three milos north of Ashland, oi) the Frcdcricksburg Railroad, and nbout ninetcon luilcw Irom thig city.