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Often appears with: the rambler · the passions and the emotions · prayer and worship · johnson prayer for the undertaking · comparison to tatler and spectator · books, libraries, and learning
Usually: narrative (1) · reverence (1)
“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, but that I may promote thy glory, and the salvation of myself and others: grant this, O LORD, for the sake of thy son JESUS CHRIST. Amen.” James Boswell, Boswell's Life of Johnson · vivid
Boswell narrates Johnson’s start of “The Rambler” in 1750 as a moral and religious periodical, including its publication schedule, Johnson’s prayer for divine help, and his claim of writing in haste.
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.' 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 without who…