The distress and anguish of mind that hundreds have been involved in upon this very account, is, I believe, unspeakable¹. And the bare reflection upon it, whilst I am writing, makes my heart almost to bleed within me. Who, who, but themselves, my Lord, can tell the late perplexity of their minds, who have been already arrested, or obliged to break off their respective partnerships? Or what words can express the great concern, which Mr. _Freeman_ and Mr. _Thomas Grace_ must have been necessarily under, when they found that bills had been drawn in their name, unknown to them, to the value of forty-eight thousand pounds?² And how pitiable, my Lord, must the present circumstances of young Mr. _Rhodes_ be, who, to stop a little of the above-mentioned gap, was prevailed on, (your Lordship knows by whom,) about eighteen months ago, to sell his estate of above four hundred pounds a year, and went or was sent off very lately, as I am assured, to _France_, (leaving a destitute mother behind him) and only with twenty-five pounds, for the payment of which he left his watch, bureau, horse and saddle?³
¹ Since my writing this, I have been told of a very singular expedient made use of by Mr. _Peter Boehler_, one of the brethren’s bishops, in order to strengthen the faith, and to raise the drooping spirits of Mr. _William Bell_, who hath been unhappily drawn in (with several others) to be one of their agents. It was this: It being Mr. _Bell_’s birth-day, he was sent for from his house in _Nevil’s-alley_, _Fetter-lane_; but for a while, having had some words with Mr. _Boehler_, he refused to come; at length he complied, and was introduced into a hall, in the same alley, where was placed an artificial mountain, which, upon singing a particular verse, was made to fall down, and then behind it was discovered an illumination, representing JESUS CHRIST and Mr. _Bell_, sitting very near, or embracing each other; and out of the clouds was also represented plenty of money falling round Mr. _Bell_ and the Saviour. This story appeared to me so incredible at the first hearing, that, though I could not doubt the veracity of the relator, yet hearing he might be misinformed, I sent for him again, and he assured me, that Mr. _Bell_ told this story himself some time ago in company, and a person of good reputation of that company related it to an acquaintance of mine. May GOD grant him and all others who have been undesignedly concerned, a more sure and stable prop for their faith, even his own word, in which he causes his people to trust! then, and not till then, even upon the greatest emergency, they may without any fanciful representations, boldly say, “Who art thou, O great mountain? before the LORD JESUS, our all conquering _Zerubbabel_, thou shalt become a plain.”
² This Mr. _Grace_ told me himself in public company; he and Mr. _Freeman_ do live in _Throgmorton-street_.
³ The case of this Mr. _Rhodes_ is very singular. He was of mean birth and occupation, but upon the unexpected falling of many lives, became suddenly possessed of an estate of above four hundred pounds a year; and to serve the brethren, after many importunities, he was induced to dispose of it. Mr. _Lee_ the banker purchased it, and Messrs. _Freeman_ and _Grace_ received six thousand pounds of the money towards what was due to them: besides this, Mr. _Rhodes_ was bound for many thousands more. This made him very uneasy, and fearing the consequence, he one afternoon, about ten weeks ago, stole an interview with two single brethren, and beseeched them, for CHRIST’s sake, to let him have twenty-five pounds, for the payment of which he left them his watch, bureau, horse and saddle. He then took his leave, saying, in all probability he should never see them any more, and having nothing to spare to leave behind for his poor mother, (who I hear is since dead) was content to send her a few parting lines: since he has been gone, the horse, watch, bureau and saddle were sold for twenty-seven pounds three shillings; so that the young man has the balance in bank. GOD grant, that this may prove the last person that may be imposed on in this way!
These are but a few instances, my Lord, amongst many; indeed too too many, that might be given. The brethren’s agents, and those concerned with them, can best tell what horrid equivocations, untruths and low artifices have been used, to procure money, at high interest, wherever it was to be had, in order to keep up the brethren’s credit; and in that poor lame manner, it hath been kept up for a considerable time. Was the whole scene to be opened, I believe every one would be of opinion, that such an ecclesiastical project, never was heard of before, in any part of his Majesty’s dominions.