Keren of Lowbole

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1913 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIX OF THE COMING OF TOBIAH TO COLCHESTER AND OF HIS GOING TO WYTHES HALL CONCERNING the doings of Tobiah the Dissenter in Colchester that summer there is not space to write in full. They were many, we may be sure, and profitable we may be equally, or even more, sure. He was returned to the town by the end of June and at once and mightily wrought with his flock there, in general and particular. With Samuel Calderbeck he had to do without waste of time, forcibly reasoning with and reproving him in public and private, convicting him of error and of mischief done, in the ears of many. In the course of time, and that no long one, Calderbeck withdrew and troubled the town no more. Indeed, he largely gave over preaching soon after that, having got himself seriously mishandled by boys, who were in the habit of running after him, calling upon him jeeringly to show them the devil, and casting stones and refuse upon him. Some one missile among the rest struck him upon the head, and more weightily even than the strong words of Tobiah; at least, it was more powerful to persuade him to silence. As I say, he gave over preaching, left the town, and ultimately joined the Church, though whether from conviction or convenience is not known, certainly at that time there was a fresh persecution against Dissenters. At the close of his days he might have been found in Braintree, mending shoes, which he did badly, and snuffing the candles for parson and ringing the bell--which he did worse. With the Shipps Tobiah also dealt early upon his return--both with Simon and his sister Rachel. With Rachel he dealt the more, for Simon was already a good deal reduced by his wife and by his own experience. With Rachel, Mistress Shipp had had less to say; on one occasion only had her t...