Before coming to Raveloe Silas was a respected member of a church at Lantern Yard. He had a close friend named William Dane, and he was engaged to marry a serving girl named Sarah. But one day the elder deacon fell ill and had to be tended day and night by members of the congregation. During Silas’ watch on the deacon, a bag of money disappeared from a drawer by the deacon’s bed. Silas’ knife was found in the drawer, but Silas swore that he was innocent and asked that his room be searched. The empty bag was found there by William Dane. Then Silas remembered that he had last used the knife to cut a strap for William, but he said nothing to the others.

The church members resorted to prayer and drawing of lots, and the lots declared Silas guilty. Silas, betrayed by his friend and now by his God, feels crushed. He soon received word from Sarah that their engagement was ended, and a month later she married William Dane. Soon afterward Silas left Lantern Yard.