Francis Rouse, provost of Eton, was elected speaker--before which proceeding the members prayed without a chaplain--"Eight or ten speaking in prayer to God, and some briefly from the Word." "Much of the presence of Christ and His Spirit," says a person who was present, "appearing that day to the great gladdening of the hearts of many--some affirming they never enjoyed so much of the spirit and presence of Christ, in any of the meetings and exercises of religion, in all their lives, as they did that day." On the day following they again spent some time in prayer, and prayer, it is recorded, "was daily performed by one member or other, as they were found free to perform it." Presently again they devoted a day to prayer, which "was done by the members, principally by such as had not done service before, when also the Lord General was present, and it was a very comfortable day."[48] The Lord General had been specially invited to join the Assembly, together with Harrison, Desborough, Lambert, and Tomlinson. Major-General Harrison--a rather noble though not refined-looking man, with flowing locks, irregular features, aquiline nose, and black eyes, often flashing with enthusiasm--had distinguished himself at Basinghouse, Preston, and elsewhere, as a stern soldier, and had been heard by Baxter breaking out into a rapture at Somerton. He was now getting deep in the study of prophecy, and was expecting the reign of the saints to succeed the four great monarchies described by the prophet Daniel. Desborough--a ruder and coarser man than Harrison, as his face, eyebrows, form, and gait all betokened--who had shewn himself a gallant soldier in the storming of Bristol, and had become brother-in-law to Oliver Cromwell--was an Independent, and, after the Restoration, became a member of Dr. Owen's church, in London. Major General Lambert--who had done good service in the wars, had routed the Scots at Linlithgow, and achieved daring feats at Worcester--was Cromwell's particular friend, and adhered to him throughout his career, when others turned their backs; a shrewd, clever, practical sort of person. Tomlinson, Colonel of the Guard at King Charles' execution, was not, beyond that circumstance, at all a noteworthy individual.[49] [Sidenote: 1653, July.]