Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents, and Strange EventsBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
History
Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents, and Strange Events
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Legends -- England -- Yorkshire; Yorkshire (England) -- Miscellanea
Now Tozer was the right-hand man of Lindsay--his faithful witness, who
wrote down the oracles that dropped from his lips. He was, in fact, to
Lindsay what William Lees was to John Wroe. It was to this Tozer that
Wroe bore the message given above, which was a speech wrapped up in the
most flattering and complimentary language, but a snub for all that. Mr.
Tozer was wont to designate himself, "The man clothed in linen, with the
writer's inkhorn," and believed himself, or endeavoured to induce others
to believe, that he was the person spoken of by the Prophet Ezekiel
(ix., 2); and when Mr. Lees appeared on the scene with a white surplice
on and an ink-bottle at his left side it was a distinct throwing down of
the gauntlet, and was likely to lead to unpleasant results. Foreseeing
which, Wroe wrestled in prayer before the congregation that "Satan might
be rebuked within _them_ walls that day." Then Wroe stood up and said
with a loud voice, "Thus saith the Lord, There are in this place those
whose places shall be taken by others who have mocked and despised them.
None shall enter but such as are circumcised or married." Lindsay turned
red, trembled, and knocked over his inkstand. Tozer got up and said,
"Friends, what must be my feelings at this time? This day of the month,
this day of the week, eleven years ago, I addressed 1500 people in this
city, and since that time the visitation has been trodden under foot.
Eleven days were spoken of by the Woman--take them to mean years--(see
the book, and find it). God grant that this may be the beginning of the
Gathering." The people answered "Amen." It is evident he was overawed by
Wroe and Lee in his white surplice and ink-pot.
In the afternoon Wroe was again at the chapel, and again hinted that
there was now a new outpouring upon himself, and that the old prophets
were to yield to him. "Thus saith the Lord, Many in this place that are
first shall be last." Tozer and Lindsay looked uneasy. "If you will sign
for Satan's destruction, let a man be deputed to Ashton on the 17th of
next month. Many dreams have been interpreted there; let the same be
sent to those who profess to be visited, and see who will get an answer
in truth."
Lindsay walked backward and forward, in and out of the room, whilst John
Wroe spoke, but said nothing. At the conclusion of Wroe's speech,
Lindsay, who was greatly agitated, said, "I have received an order from
above to go and see the Living Skeleton now exhibiting in Pall Mall, at
three o'clock to-morrow, and John, with others, must go with me. And
let so-and-so take his clarionette and play a tune before the skeleton,
but for what purpose I know not."
John Wroe answered--"If the Lord hath commanded me to go, I will go; if
not, I cannot go."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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