¹ I might here take notice of the married women’s being ordered to wear blue knots, the single women pink, and those that are just marriageable, pink and white; the widows that are past child-bearing, to wear white, and those that are not so, blue and white knots; and also of the episcopal knot of Mrs. Hannah Nitschman, (who is, I am informed, the present general Eldress of the congregation) which is sometimes of a purple, and sometimes of a rose colour. These, with many other fanciful things, might be considered; but my mind at present is too full of concern to dwell upon any thing but what more immediately strikes at the welfare of society, and what hath a still more fatal tendency to draw away unwary souls from the simplicity of the gospel. Would to God I could with a safe conscience be excused even from this!

¹ A like scene to this was exhibited by the single brethren, in a room of their house at Hatton Garden. One of them, who helped to furnish it, gave me the following account. The floor was covered with sand and moss, and in the middle of it, was paved a star of different coloured pebbles, upon that was placed a gilded dove, which spouted water out of its mouth into a vessel prepared for its reception, which was curiously decked with artificial leaves and flags; the room was hung with moss and shells; the Count, his son, and son-in-law, in honour of whom all this was done, with Mrs. Hannah Nitschman, and Mr. Peter Boehler, and some other labourers, were present. These were seated under an alcove, supported by columns made of pasteboard, and over their heads was painted an oval, in imitation of marble, containing the cyphers of Count Zinzendorff’s family. Upon a side-table, was a little altar covered with shells, and on each side of the altar was a bloody heart, out of, or near which proceeded flames. The room was illuminated with wax tapers, and musicians placed in an adjacent apartment, while the company performed their devotions, and regaled themselves with sweet-meats, coffee, tea, and wine. After this the labourers departed, and the single brethren were admitted in. I am told, that most, if not all of these leading persons were present also at the celebration of Mrs. Hannah Nitschman’s birth-day.

¹ M. Rimius, aulic counsellor to the late King of Prussia, in a treatise he lately published, I think makes it plainly appear, that the agents for the Moravian affairs, have misinformed the parliament in several respects, and upon the whole, treated that august body little better than the Gibeonitish ambassadors once treated Joshua, the captain of the Lord’s host. To this I refer the reader. It is written with great candour, and contains such incontestable proofs of the many dangerous principles and practices of the leading brethren, that must, I think, constrain all that read it to say, “My soul, come not thou into their secret, and to their assembly, mine honour be not thou united.”

I suppose it was a consciousness of this, that induced Mr. Cossart, one of the Count’s chief agents, to suggest to Mr. Linde some time before its publication, that it would be as good as three hundred pounds in his way, if Mr. Rimius’s book could be suppressed. This looks bad; but I think it was still worse in another of the brethren roundly to affirm, in order to quiet some who were dissatisfied by reading this book, “that the author of the above-mentioned treatise, was one that personated Mr. Rimius, and that the whole was lies.” Now they cannot but know, that this gentleman resides in Oxenden-street, and addressed his book to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, by permission, and that he proves almost every word he says, from the brethren’s own writings. The above-mentioned brother was pleased to add, “that the real M. Rimius was a friend, and therefore would not write against them.” I answer, that I verily believe he therefore wrote, as God knows I do, because he is a friend; or to use his own words, “from a strict regard to truth, justice, and the public good.” And I think, if instead of adding sin to sin, by continuing still to misguide, enslave, and put out the eyes of many of God’s dear children, who, I am persuaded, know no more of their secret mysteries and intended purposes, than those who never heard of them at all, it would shew a much better spirit in the leading brethren, either publicly to refute, or ingenuously confess, and amend the things laid to their charge. This is what God and the world may justly require at their hands, and without this, I cannot see how they can expect any future blessing from above; since the wisest of men hath told us, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Grant us all this mercy, heavenly Father, for thy dear Son’s sake!

As I am not personally acquainted with Mr. Rimius, I take this opportunity of informing him, that it is the desire of many, the Latin appendices may be translated into English, and the whole printed in a small edition, in order to make it more extensively useful.

¹ The buildings in Yorkshire, Bedfordshire, &c. Besides this, there are some thousands due to others upon bond, and many thousands to a particular gentleman, for which the Count has mortgaged one of the German settlements; I think it is Marienburg.

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!

¹ It appears too plain from Mr. Rimius that this hath been the case. And no wonder, since he quotes this assertion of the Count’s from his own writings, “The œconomists of the society may say to a young rich man, either give us all thou hast, or get thee gone.”