closet A private oratory or place of prayer. These were usually in the upper part of the house. The Greek word in the original is translated (1) "Secret Chambers," ch. Matthew 24:26; (2) "Storehouse," Luke 12:24.

pray to thy Father which is in secret Christ was the first to enjoin clearly secret and silent prayer. Certainly to pray aloud and in public appears to have been the Jewish practice; it is still the practice with the heathen and Mahomedans. The Roman looked with suspicion on private prayer: "quod scire hominem nolunt deo narrant" (Seneca). Cp. Hor. Ep. i. 16. 59 62, where see Macleane's note. Cp. also Soph. Electra, 638, where Clytemnestra apologises for offering up a secret prayer.

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