Opening Court With Prayer

1895

One of the learned justices of the Maine supreme court, than whom no man better knows how to appreciate a really amusing thing, was holding court at Ellsworth, and, according to honored custom, called in a local clergyman to open the session with a supplication to heaven. This worthy gentleman came, and after a chat with the justice proceeded to address the giver of all good and perfect things thus:

"Almighty God, we beseech thee to bestow upon the presiding justice the wisdom which he so greatly needs!" It is said that the same judge once opened court after prayer which began this way: "O Lord, we pray thee to overrule the decisions of the court, to thine own honor and glory." — Bangor Commercial.