"'1. No person served a second time. "'2. No person served if in the least intoxicated. "'3. No swearing or improper language allowed. "'4. Smoking not permitted. "'5. When you enter a place of business, transact your business, and go about your business.
"The landlord told me that after the experience of a century they had no wish to alter the rules. Twenty-six other Sunday-closing publicans, with whom I conversed, told me that the loss is really small. They lend bottles of various sizes to their customers upon the payment of a small deposit, which increases the Saturday's returns; and as they save one-seventh of wear and tear and gas, the cost of obtaining a Sabbath of rest is to many small indeed. But be this as it may, the old question remains, put by Him who alone knew the value of the world He made and of the soul He created,--for all souls are His: 'What will it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?' You, and many of my friends in the trade, give a practical answer to this question by suppressing drunkenness, though much to your money loss (for I never saw a person the worse for liquor in your house); extend that answer by observing the Sabbath-day to keep it holy."
A few weeks after this conversation the Missionary entered the house again, in company with a clergyman from the Isle of Wight. The landlord asked them into the bar-parlour, and called his wife. He then produced a board, and said, "Since our last conversation, sir, I have considered the cost, and have had this board printed, and intend to put it outside next Monday morning. It will no doubt increase my trade difficulties, but with God's help I shall hope still to get on." The writing upon the board was: "NOTICE. On and after Sunday next, this house will be closed during the whole of the Lord's-day." They were commended for the good resolution, and the clergyman, at parting, observed, "You said wisely, that you hoped with God's help to succeed: that help can only be obtained in answer to prayer. Would it not therefore be well for us to seek the required blessing?" Upon this the landlady rose and locked the door, and while the barmaid was supplying the customers, her employers were kneeling with the Missionary, while the clergyman engaged in prayer.