THE MISER'S PRAYER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2614, 13 April 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE MISER'S PRAYER.

The great Hackney miser, John Ward, who died many years ago, was once a Member of Parliament, and worth over £200,000. He is said to have left among hia papers the following remarkable prayer :— " O Lord, Thou knowest that I have nine estates in the City of London, and likewise that 1 have lately purchased one estate in fee simple in the county of Essex ; I beseech Thee to preserve the two counties of Middlesex and Essex from fire and earthquake ; and as I have a mortgage in Hertfordshire, I beg of Thee likewise to have an eye of compassion on that county ; and for the rest of the counties Thou mayest deal with them as Thou pleasest. O Lord, enable the bank to answer their bills, and make all my debtore good men. Give a prosperous voyag* to the Mermaid sloop, because I have not insured it ; and as Thou said the day of the wicked are but short, I trust in Theo that Thou will not forget Thy promise, as I have purchased an estate in reversion, which will ou the death of that profligate young man, Sir J L , keep my friends from sinking, and perserve me from thieves and house-breakers and make all my servants so honest and faithful that they may attend to my interests, and never cheat me out of my property night or day."