The Rev. John Ryland Jr. (1753-1825) of Northampton, being on a journey, was overtaken by a violent storm, and compelled to take shelter in the first inn he came to. The man of the inn was friendly, cheerful, and well stored with entertaining anecdotes, and the family did their utmost to make him comfortable. At length, when the hour of rest approached, Ryland became uneasy. His host informed him that his chamber was prepared.

“But,” said he, “you have not had your family together.”

“Had my family together! for what purpose? I don’t know what you mean,” said the landlord.

“To read the Scriptures, and to pray with them,” replied the guest: “surely you do not retire to rest in the omission of so necessary a duty?”

The landlord confessed that he had never thought of doing such a thing.

“Then, sir,” said Mr. Ryland, “I must beg you to order my horse immediately.”

The landlord and family entreated him to stay, observing that the storm was as violent as when he first came in.

“May be so,” replied Ryland, “but I had rather brave the storm than venture to sleep in a house where there is no prayer. Who can tell what may befall us before morning? No, sir, I dare not stay.”

The landlord at last said he should have no objection to ‘call his family together,’ but he should not know what to do when they came. Mr. Ryland then proposed to conduct family worship. He called for a Bible, but no such book could be produced. However, he was enabled to supply the deficiency, as he always carried a small Bible in his pocket. He read a portion of Scripture, and prayed with much fervour and solemnity. When he rose from his knees, almost every individual present was bathed in tears, and the inquiry was awakened in several hearts–”Sir, what must I do to be saved?”

Much interesting and profitable conversation ensued. The following morning, Mr. Ryland again conducted family worship, and obtained from the landlord a promise, that however feebly performed, it should not in future be omitted. This day was indeed the beginning of days to that family; most, if not all of them, henceforth became decided and devout followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[i]-Taken from The New Cyclopedia of Illustrative Anecdote, 1872[/i]

Wow...that story was "awakening"...
I too, would have just gone on to bed, thankful that the Lord had provided a place in the storm.

This tells me that altho I am always recognizing opportunities to give God Glory for His Faithfulness (shelter in this situation),I need to look beyond what God has done for me and add to that prayerful attention to my "responsibility" in this storm.

I can tell from the way this story has struck my heart, I will take a broader perspective at "adverse" situations with a keener sensitivity to the Spirit of God.

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for sharing this.

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Matthew Miskiewicz

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Sean Hobson

Wow... an amazing story...

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Melanie

Good post!

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Gary Eckenroth

I must confess that my first reaction, when only part way through reading this, was why was Ryland so ungrateful to this nice family as to refuse their hospitality? Surely this would set them against the Gospel if a Christian behaved so ungraciously?

And it seemed like sheer superstition when he said...?

Thanks for sharing that story, that warmed my heart.

Great post!

I meditated on this for a while. This is what I concluded: By nature of the word lead, true worship leaders are those who excel out beyond others in worship of God. Jesus spoke in John's Gospel, "God is spirit, and those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Therefore worship must be spiritual and truthful, extending to all corners of obedience in the man's personal life, for God desires "truth in the inward parts" (Psalm 51). It is my firm conviction that for a healthy church, the worship leader of any congregation must be whoever displays most ardent, willing, and joyful submission to the Christ throughout all the duties of his life. Those who worship in spirit with Him will do so by impression of his godliness, with near disregard for his musical abilities. His must be the loudest in songs of praise, the most broken in hymns of confession. His must be the first note and the final bar, eclosing his sheep in a fold of demonstrated adoration and humble thankfulness.