Mr. N. I was not indeed acquainted with all the facts which I have learned since. I saw what was public before all. I knew what had happened to myself. I suspected nothing, and, from beginning to end of this history, the truth is, grace has kept smothered up what pained individuals in the character of Mr. N. For my own part, much as I mourned many things, I was the last to suspect any plan or purpose. I sought for years to soothe and make peace, and maintain union, and link all together.
After the departure of Capt. Hall, two other brethren became the objects of attack—Rowe and Saunders: and in the first instance, the latter. I interfered myself at that time to soothe and tranquillize matters, and soften the effect of the evident assumption and conduct of Mr. N. Subsequently to this I was, as is known, much abroad, and do not pretend to give the detail of what passed.
There is only one circumstance, to which I may allude in passing, as it has been often referred to. At a time when Capt. Hall and myself were leaving Plymouth, there was some anxiety as to pastoral care, the value of which I fully recognise. Some minds were restless as to the nomination of elders, or recognised authorities: some fearful of it. The question had been slightly mooted in a private meeting, after one of the Irish prophetic meetings. I had been there, I may say, accused of swamping the question. I stated, what is my present conviction, that the right-minded saint would surely own and “know” those who laboured, admonished, and took, by the Holy Ghost, a pastoral interest in them: but that still it could only be, in the present state of the Church of God, by spiritual power, wisdom, love, and faithfulness, that such a place could be acquired and maintained. To attempt to authorize them, would unsettle every right principle. There was no competency for it. The moment an authorised position is assumed,—a title to it—I raise the enquiry, what is this title? and I defy any one to allege any which is not at once the formal recognition of a sect; or otherwise the Popish
