ten o'clock
In the religious world he was a very active and prominent man -- punctual in his devotional exercises , and always on the lookout for some of those unfortunate brands with which society abounds , that he might , as he termed it , have the pleasure of plucking them out of the burning . He never went without a Bible and a variety of tracts in his pocket , and seldom was missed from the platform of a religious meeting . He received subscriptions for all public and private charities , and has repeatedly been known to offer and afford consolation to the widow and orphan , at a time when the pressure of business rendered the act truly one of Christian interest and affection . The hour was not more than ten o'clock , a.m. when Darby entered his office , in which , by the way , lay three or four Bibles , in different places . In a recess on one side of the chimney-piece , stood a glass-covered bookcase , filled with the usual works on his profession , whilst hung upon the walls , and consequently nearer observation , were two or three pensile shelves , on which were to be found a small collection of religious volumes , tracts , and other productions , all bearing on the same subject . On the desk was a well-thumbed Bible to the right , which was that used at family prayer ; and on the opposite side , a religious almanack and a copy of congregation hymns . Darby , on reaching the hall door , knocked with considerable more decision than he had done at M'Clutchy 's , but without appearing to have made himself heard ; after waiting patiently for some time , however , he knocked again , and at length the door was opened by a very pretty servant girl , about seventeen , who , upon his inquiring if her master was at home , replied in a sighing voice , and with a demure face , `` Oh , yes -- at family prayer . ''