Acts 8:32-38 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer… I remember, years ago, one Sunday that I had to preach at the Chapel Royal; and in those days the old duke used to attend service there, and when he was in town the congregation may have numbered generally some seven or eight persons, but when he Was out of town perhaps two or three. And on this occasion he was out of town. Well, the morning prayer was over, and the clergyman who had said it had to leave for duty elsewhere; and by the time I had mounted the pulpit the clerk had gone into the vestry to stir the fire. I was left alone with the congregation! Under the circumstances it would have been ridiculous to have preached the sermon, and I went down to the congregation and told him so. He said — it was a young man I knew — "Oh! I have come a long way on purpose to hear you preach. I beg you will proceed." "No!" I said, "I really can't. Besides, how personal you would find the sermon. But I will walk across the park with you, and give you the heads of my sermon as we walk along." Then I and Samuel Wilberforce, Esquire, walked across the park together. (Dean Hook.) Parallel Verses KJV: The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: |