Prayer before writing

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Often appears with: tuesday and friday publication · the tatler revived · the rambler · prayer and worship · history and the writing of history · festivals, games, and spectacle

Usually: narrative (1) · detachment (1) · reverence (1)

Quotable

“Almighty GOD, the giver of all good things, without whose help all labour is ineffectual, and without whose grace all wisdom is folly; grant, I beseech Thee, that in this undertaking thy Holy Spirit may not be with-held from me.” James Boswell, Life of Johnson, Volume 1 · precept

Life of Johnson, Volume 1 secondary

James Boswell · Biography composed and written during Boswell’s lifetime (Life of Johnson covering Johnson’s life, as documented in the volumes).
Letter in the General Advertiser to excite the attention of the Publick to the Performance of Comus, which was next day to be acted at > Part of a Review of Grainger's 'Sugar Cane, a Poem,' in the London (74/295)

Boswell describes Johnson launching The Rambler in 1750 as a moral and religious periodical, explaining his choice of title, his prayer before beginning, and the publication schedule of Tuesday and Friday until 1752.

night upon my bedside, and resolved that I would not go to sleep till I had fixed its title. *The Rambler* seemed the best that occurred, and I took it[601].' With what devout and conscientious sentiments this paper was undertaken, is evidenced by the following prayer, which he composed and offered up on the occasion: 'Almighty GOD, the giver of all good things, without whose help all labour is ineffectual, and with…