Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/119

Rh come to see thee, John. It is a friend whom thee greatly values.” “From New York or Philadelphia?” “From New York.” “Is it Robert Carter?” “It is.” The old man rose from his chair and held out his arms for an embrace, and then followed the interview which Mr. Carter describes in his letter. At bedtime the old gentleman proposed that they should have family worship together in Mr. Carter’s usual form before they separated, and accordingly Mr. Carter read the Bible and knelt in prayer, while Dr. and Mrs. Griscom kept their seats, as it was contrary to their custom to kneel. Early in the morning there came a knock at Mr. Carter’s door, and Dr. Griscom’s voice said, “I am not allowed to get up in the morning so early, but I wish thee would come to my room as soon as thee is dressed, that we may talk again.” Mr. Carter was soon beside his friend’s bed, and he said to him: “I lie awake much in the night, and last night I was thinking about thy prayer. I am convinced that we lose much in our Society by not having audible prayer, family worship, and blessing at table. If I were to begin life over again, I would do differently.”

They soon after parted, never to meet again on earth, but one of the joys of eternity to them both will be in each other’s society.

Their correspondence had been constant. Even after the Doctor lost his sight, he wrote frequently, his daughter placing his pen at the beginning of each line, and he would then write on till he came to the edge of the paper. He wrote once, “Thee seest what a long letter I have written thee, and yet I have not seen a single word of it.”

A testimony similar to Dr. Griscom’s to the power of Mr. Carter’s family prayers was given by a Unitarian