Ebbs, and had started lectures and secured a large following.
Here young Esseby joined them, sent on it seems by Agnellus from
London to assist in the work; a year or so older than when he first
landed, and having shown in that time unmistakable signs of great
capacity and entire devotion to the work. Esseby was quite able to
stand alone.
Once more the two Richards moved on to Northampton, where an "opening
from the Lord" seemed to have presented itself. By this time the
whole country was on the tip-toe of expectation and crowds of all
classes had given in their adhesion to the new missionaries. No! it
was _not_ grandeur or riches or honour or learning that were
wanted above all things--not these, but Goodness, Meekness,
Simplicity, and Truth. The love of money was the root of all evil.
The Minorites were right. When men with a divine fervour proclaim a
truth, or even half a truth, which the world has forgotten, there is
never any lack of enthusiasm in its acceptance. In five years from
their first arrival the Friars had established themselves in almost
every considerable town in England, and where one order settled the
other came soon after, the two orders in their first beginning co-
operating cordially. It was only when their faith and zeal began to
wax cold that jealousy broke forth into bitter antagonism.
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