14. An Expostulatory Letter, Addressed To Nicholas Lewis, Count Zinzendorff, And Lord Advocate Of The Unitas Fratrum.
AN EXPOSTULATORY LETTER,
ADDRESSED TO NICHOLAS
LEWIS, COUNT ZINZENDORFF,
AND LORD ADVOCATE OF THE
UNITAS FRATRUM.
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?
Galatians iii. 1.
AN EXPOSTULATORY LETTER, &c.
London, April 24, 1753.
My Lord, ALTHOUGH I am persuaded, that nothing hath a greater tendency to strengthen the hands of infidels, than too frequent altercations between the professors of Christianity; yet there are certain occasions, wherein the necessary defence of the principles of our holy religion, as well as the practice of it, renders public remonstrances of the greatest use and importance. The sacred pages afford us many examples of this nature.
When Aaron was prevailed on by the Israelites, to make a golden calf, and offer sacrifice to it, what an holy indignation did Moses express against him and them? When Peter and Barnabas were carried away with the dissimulation of the Jews, how openly did the Apostle Paul withstand them
to the face, and reprove them before all, "Because they were to be blamed?"
And when this same Apostle saw the churches of Corinth and Galatia in danger of being drawn away from the simplicity of the gospel, what a fervent testimony did he bear against the authors and abettors of such a destructive scheme?
I mention these instances, my Lord, because I hope they will serve as a sufficient apology for my troubling your Lordship with this letter. For these many years past, have I been a silent, and I trust I can say, an impartial observer of the progress and effects of Moravianism, both in England and America; but such shocking things have been lately brought to our ears, and offences have swelled to such an enormous bulk, that a real regard for my king and my country, and, if I am not greatly mistaken, a disinterested love for the ever-blessed Jesus, that King of kings, and the church which he hath purchased with his own blood, will not suffer me to be silent any longer.
Pardon me, therefore, my Lord, if at length, though with great regret, as the Searcher of hearts knows, I am constrained to inform your Lordship, that you, together with some of your leading brethren, have been unhappily instrumental in misguiding many real, simple, honest-hearted Christians; of distressing, if not totally ruining numerous families, and introducing a whole farrago of superstitious, not to say idolatrous fopperies, into the English nation.
For my own part, my Lord, notwithstanding the folio that was published (I presume under your Lordship's direction) about three years ago, I am as much at a loss as ever, to know what were the principles and usages of the ancient Moravian church; but if she was originally attired in the same garb, in which she hath appeared of late amongst many true-hearted though deluded protestants, she is not that simple, apostolical church the English
brethren were made to believe about twelve years ago. Sure I am, that we can find no traces of many of her present practices in the yet more ancient, I mean the primitive churches, and which we all know were really under an immediate and truly apostolical inspection.
Will your Lordship be pleased to give me leave to descend to a few particulars? Pray, my Lord, what instances have we of the first Christians walking round the graves of their deceased friends on Easter-day, attended with hautboys, trumpets, french-horns, violins, and other kinds of musical instruments? Or where have we the least mention made of pictures of particular persons being brought into the first Christian assemblies, and of candles being placed behind them, in order to give a transparent view of the figures? Where was it ever known, that the picture of the Apostle Paul, representing him handing a gentleman and lady up to the side of Jesus
Christ, was ever introduced into the primitive love-feasts? Or do we ever hear, my Lord, of incense, or something like it, being burnt for him, in order to perfume the room before he made his entrance among the brethren? Or can it be supposed that he, who, together with Barnabas, so eagerly repelled the Lycaonians, when they brought oxen and garlands in order to sacrifice unto them, would ever have suffered such things to be done for him, without expressing his abhorrence and detestation of them? And yet your
Lordship knows both these have been done for you, and suffered by you, without your having shewn, as far as I can hear, the least dislike 1.
Again, my Lord, I beg leave to enquire, whether we hear any thing in scripture of eldresses or deaconesses of the apostolical churches seating themselves before a table, covered with artificial flowers, and against that, a little altar surrounded with wax tapers, on which stood a cross, composed either of mock or real diamonds, or other glittering stones? And yet your
Lordship must be sensible this was done in Fetter-lane chapel, for Mrs.
Hannah Nitschman, the present general eldress of your congregation, with this addition, that all the sisters were seated, cloathed in white, and with German caps; the organ also illuminated with three pyramids of wax tapers, each of which was tied with a red ribbon; and over the head of the general
Eldress, was placed her own picture, and over that (horresco referens) the picture of the Son of God. A goodly sight this, my Lord, for a company of English protestants to behold! Alas! to what a long series of childish and superstitious devotions, and unscriptural impositions, must they have been habituated, before they could sit silent and tame spectators of such an antichristian scene. Surely, had Gideon, though but an Old Testament saint, been present, he would have risen and pulled down this, as he formerly did his father's altar. Or had even that meek man Moses been there, I cannot help thinking, but he would have addressed your Lordship, partly at least, in the words with which he addressed his brother Aaron, "What did this people unto thee, that thou hast introduced such superstitious customs among them 2?"
But this is not all: I have another question to propose to your Lordship.
Pray, my Lord, did any of the Apostles or leaders of the primitive churches, ever usurp an authority, not only over people's consciences, but their properties also? Or draw in the members of their respective congregations to dispose of whole patrimonies at once, or to be bound for thousands of pounds more than they well knew they were worth? And yet your Lordship knows this has been done again and again, in order to serve the purposes of the brethren for several years last past; and that too, at, or very near the time, when, in order to procure an act in their favour to go abroad, (which
now appears to be rather a scheme to settle at home) they boasted to an English parliament, how immensely rich they were 3.
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.
Your Lordship cannot but be sensible, that at this present time you stand indebted to sundry persons to the value of forty thousand pounds sterling; and unless some of your brethren had agreed to stay six years for about twenty thousand pounds, due to them; (though after the expiration of that term, as they have no security, in all probability they will be just where they are now) and if the other creditors also, upon consideration of some bonds given, and mortgages made 4 for principal and interest, had not agreed to stay four years, for twenty one thousand pounds more, many of the English brethren, who, out of I know not what kind of infatuation, have not only given their all, but have been bound for thousands more than they are able to pay, must either have immediately become bankrupts, and thereby the creditors perhaps, not have had a shilling in the pound, or have been obliged to shut up their shops, go to prison, or be turned out into the wide world, to the utter ruin of themselves and families.
The distress and anguish of mind that hundreds have been involved in upon this very account, is, I believe, unspeakable 5. 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? 6 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? 7
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.
Of this, my Lord, the Royal-Exchange hath long since rung; and if the same part hath been acted abroad, 8 how many families must have been ruined there, and how many more may be yet ruined, in order to fill up the present English chasm; and consequently, what loads of guilt must needs lie at the door of somebody? Surely, the Lord of all Lords, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and who requires truth in the inward parts, will one day or other visit for these things, by bringing to light the hidden things of darkness, and thereby making manifest the counsels of the heart.
I need not inform your Lordship, that Babels are generally suffered to be built pretty high, before God comes down to confound the language of the
builders. If knaves are employed (as commonly they are) God's honour is concerned to discover them. And if any of his own children are undesignedly drawn in, (which is frequently the case) he, who hath promised not to suffer them to be tempted above what they are able to bear, will in mercy, some way or other, rebuke the tempter, and make a way for them to escape. It is true, this, in public concerns, may sometimes expose them to a little worldly contempt, and for a while they may seemingly be crushed under the rubbish of the fallen fabric, but even this shall work together for their good; and happy will it be for them, if after all, they at length learn this important lesson, "That it is dangerous, upon any pretence whatsoever, to go from the written word, or give up their consciences to the guidance of any man, or body of men under heaven." This, your Lordship well knows, is what weak and unstable souls are too apt to do; and artful and designing men, who are fond of power, especially if naturally they are of an ambitious turn of mind, easily catch at the pleasing bait. But honesty, my Lord, will be found to be the best policy after all; and therefore, God forbid that any who call themselves the followers of the Lamb, should glory in any thing save the cross of Christ.
At present, I shall add no more, but earnestly say amen, to that part of the brethren's litany, however exceptionable in other respects, "From untimely projects, and from unhappily becoming great, keep us our good Lord and God!" And I as heartily pray, that the glorious Jesus may prosper all that is right, and give grace to correct and amend all that is wrong, among all his people of all denominations. I subscribe myself, my Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, George Whitefield.
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!
2. 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 sidetable, 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.
3. 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."
4. 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.
5. 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."
6. This Mr. Grace told me himself in public company; he and Mr. Freeman do live in Throgmorton-street.
7. 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!
8. 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."