Rowland Hill and Biddy

There is a beautiful incident told from the life of Rowland Hill. That great old preacher never did things quite as other people did; he dared to be himself. In his conduct of family worship he had the peculiar habit of mentioning every one by name in his prayer—all his servants included. “Lord bless Thou the cook, Susan, and the maid, Jane,” and if the manservant was there he said, “Bless Thou my manservant John.” He loved to tell the Lord whether they were converted or not. The servants became used to it. Once a new cook came into the establishment by the name of Biddy, and at family worship the next day he asked the Lord to bless Susan and Jane and John, adding, “Lord, bless the new cook, Biddy; just come, and change her heart if she is not converted and make her all Thine own.” Directly after family worship there was a knock at the good man’s door; it was the new cook, who said, “If you please, Mr. Hill, I am glad to be in your service, and I hope I shall be very comfortable, but I am not accustomed to having my name mentioned in family prayer. It makes me feel uncomfortable.” “God bless you!” said the old man, “does it? I would not make you feel uncomfortable for anything. I won’t mention it.” The next morning, when he began to pray, he again said: “Lord, bless Susan and Jane and John,” and he added, “Thou knowest, Lord, that I would like to ask some good thing for Biddy; but she tells me I must not mention her name to Thee.” Directly after prayers there was another knock at the study door, and sure enough it was Biddy. “Oh,” she said, “if you please, Mr. Hill, I do not mean that; don’t leave me out; mention my name also, won’t you?” So it is with salvation. The invitation is extended to everybody.