This is the ordinary way of proceeding in Quaker families, when alone, or in ordinary company.  But if a minister happens to be at the table, the master of the family, conceiving such a man to be more in the habit of religious impressions than himself, or any ordinary person, looks up as it were to him, as to a channel, from whence it is possible, that such religious exercise may come.  If the minister, during the solemn, silent pause, is impressed, he gives utterance as before:  if not, he relieves himself from his grave and thoughtful position, and breaks the silence of the company by engaging in natural discourse.  After this the company proceed to their meals.

If I were to be asked whether the graces of the Quakers were frequent, I should reply in the negative.  I never heard any delivered, but when a minister was present.  The ordinary grace therefore of private families consists in a solemn, silent, pause, between the time of sitting down to the table and the note of carving the victuals, during which an opportunity is given for the excitement of religious feelings.  A person may dine fifty times at the tables of the Quakers, and see no other substitution for grace than this temporary silent pause.

Indeed no other grace than this can be consistent with Quaker-principles.  It was coeval with the institution of the society, and must continue while it lasts.  For thanksgiving is an act of devotion.  Now no act, in the opinion of the Quakers, can be devotional or spiritual, except it originate from above.  Men, in religious matters can do nothing of themselves, or without the divine aid.  And they must therefore wait in silence for this spiritual help, as well in the case of grace, as in the case of any other kind of devotion, if they mean their praise or thanksgiving on such occasions to be an act of religion.

There is in the Quaker-grace, and its accompaniments, whenever it is uttered, an apparent beauty and an apparent solemnity, which are seldom conspicuous in those of others.  How few are there, who repeat the common artificial graces feelingly, and with minds intent upon the subject!  Grace is usually said as a mere ceremony or custom.  The Supreme Being is just thanked in so many words, while the thoughts are often rambling to other subjects.  The Quaker-grace, on the other hand, whenever it is uttered; does not come out in any mechanical form of words which men have used before, but in expressions adapted to the feelings.  It comes forth also warm from the heart.  It comes after a solemn, silent, pause, and it becomes therefore, under all these circumstances, an act of real solemnity and genuine devotion.