Works of Abraham Booth Vol.1 - SAMPLE

eing able to pursue his studies with less interruption, he had
applied himself to learn the business of a stocking-maker, but
was never articled as an apprentice to the trade. He, however,
managed to support himself by that means, from the age of
sixteen to that of four-and-twenty, at which period he married
Miss Elizabeth Bowmar, the daughter of a neighbouring
farmer, with whom he enjoyed much domestic felicity during
more than forty years.
But, possessing so vigorous a mind, it was not likely that Mr.
Booth should long continue a mechanic. He had now been
diligently occupied for several years in the acquisition of useful
knowledge; his capacity had attained to a considerable degree
of maturity; he had entered into an important domestic
relation; and he had before him, the prospect of a numerous
family for whom he was bound to provide; and he, therefore,
adopted the resolution of opening a School at Sutton Ashfield,
about two miles from Kirby, for the instruction of youth. Mrs.
Booth assisted the undertaking by instructing the female pupils
in the useful branches of needle work, for which she had been
eminently qualified by her education, in respect of which she
had been privileged far beyond what commonly falls to the lot
of young women in the same rank of life. They also wished to
take a few boarders, but that part of the plan met with but little
success, for the number seldom exceeded two or three.
The society of General Baptists, with which Mr. Booth now
stood connected, had sufficient discernment to perceive that
he possessed abilities which only required cultivation to mature
and raise to excellence. They accordingly invited him to assist
occasionally in the public preaching of the word; and so rapid
was his improvement, that, in a little time, he was considered
as a leading person among them. Their profession increased