The Baptist Historian David Benedict speaks of his first visit to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1810 and his stay with Pastor Richard Furman (of Furman University fame). He speaks of a custom handed down from England and then practiced in Charleston. "When a visiting minister was invited to tea among the members, it was expected that he and all company would spend the evening at the house, and that a short off-hand discourse would be delivered." Can you imagine? A preacher comes to visit. After refreshments, you gather the family and anyone else available together and ask him to give some words of help to all of you. Perhaps we should begin a new custom of family preaching.
