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. 1907. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX. Friends In Essex. DY the sensational and pathetic death of the young Parnell, Quakerism in Essex received such a startling impetus that before long the Castle cells were crowded with sober decorous prisoners brought from all parts of the county on one pretence or another of breaking the law. Some of the offences laid to their door were trivial and absurd. A great many, both men and women, were committed for the crime of "speaking to the priest." Either in Church, after service was over, or when they met upon the highway, they invited him to advance scriptural authority in support of his practices. Not to take an oath was, of course, another of their first principles. Christ has said " Swear not at all," and their literal interpretation of this injunction resulted as we know, in their obtaining, some fifty years after the first rise of Quakerism, an Affirmation Bill under which any person, conscientiously objecting to take an oath, may find shelter. Attending a meeting, or riding to hold one, on Sunday, was another offence. On a Sunday in 1658, John Child, of Felsted, was arrested when proceeding to Wethersfield to be present at a gathering there. His horse was taken from him under a warrant, issued by Dudley Templar, a magistrate of Castle Hedingham, or near there, who had been a colonel of militia, and who was particularly energetic in granting summonses against the North Essex Friends. Child's horse was detained for three weeks, and when, at the end of that time, it was again restored to him, his saddle, bridle, pillion and cloth were detained for the keep of the horse during the period. He had already spent some time in the Castle for not paying tithes to the Earl of Warwick, and he was destined to end his days there, while undergoing a mos...
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