Page:Women worth emulating (1877) Internet Archive.djvu/129

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MISSES JANE AND ANNE TAYLOR.
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many of the very best have to struggle on " through great tribulation." But help comes to them in the struggle. Mr. Taylor recovered, and his ministrations were so valued, that his spiritual teaching was sought after and spoken of far beyond Lavenham, The Independent Church at Colchester gave him an invitation, which he accepted; the family leaving their Lavenham home with sincere regret, but yet as a call of duty.

Anne and Jane were respectively fourteen and thirteen when they went to reside at Colchester. Quiet, observant, graceful girls, very merry among themselves, yet with those bashful, retiring manners not so much seen now as in former times.

They had already begun to use their pens; and they neglected no opportunity of improvement which came in their way among a more extended circle of young friends; always being careful to form friendships with the best companions.

In study, in a full share of household duties, in the care and teaching of their younger brothers, superintended in all things by their admirable parents, their first years at Colchester were passed. One indulgence they had—which, in their own estimation, they considered was a valuable aid in the formation of their mental and spiritual characters—a little separate study for each. It might be, and was, but a slip from an attic chamber, a lumber closet cleared out, or a recess partitioned off; but each of the girls and boys, as they could use it, had respectively