Seven o’clock
On his right hand was Brother Bushel , on the left was Brother Scotton , and on the front bench were Brother Wainwright and a few of the more important members , amongst whom was Thomas Broad , who , although it was a week-day , was in full ministerial costume ; that is to say , he wore his black -- not pepper-and-salt -- trousers and a white neckerchief . Mr. Allen and George were at the back of the room . There were no women there , for although women were members as well as men , it was always an understood thing at Tanner 's Lane that they were to take no part in the business of the community . Seven o'clock having struck , Mr. Broad rose and said , `` Let us pray . '' He prayed for about ten minutes , and besought the Almighty to shed abroad His Holy Spirit upon them for their guidance . As the chosen people had been brought through the wilderness and delivered from the manifold perils therein , so God , he hoped , would lead His flock then assembled , through the dangers which encompassed them . Oh that they might be wise as serpents and harmless as doves !