Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/151

 NOTES BY THE WAY.

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��in 1722, were not included in the sale. This was the first settlement

of the Moravians in England. No. 10 is the fine old mansion

locally known as Chichester House. There is a tradition that it

was at one time occupied by the Bishops of Chichester, who once

owned the site of Lincoln's Inn, and still hold property on both

sides of Chancery Lane. Among the preachers in Nevill's Court

was John Wesley, but the ' History of the Moravian Chapel,' T jj e Moravian

published at 32, Fetter Lane, says that it is a mistake to state Chapel.

that the chapel was taken by Wesley, and that he formed his first

society there.

The Moravians, or rather, as they prefer to be called, " The Church of the United Brethren," still keep their work in Fetter Lane in full activity. Many interesting pamphlets are published from their office. At the old chapel, in which few changes have been made, frequent services are held. The old organ remains, and a portion of the space under the gallery is divided by a glass partition. This is still known as " the nursery," from a tradition that little children were kept there during the services, so as not to disturb the congregation. In former times there was a door in the wall at the back of the pulpit, so that the minister would be able to escape in case of riot. It is curious that the chapel should stand in two parishes, those of St. Bride and St. Dunstan-in-the- West, the boundary passing just in front of the pulpit. On this account the eastern window used to have a sash to admit the passage of a boy to " beat the bounds " on Holy Thursday.* The Moravians claim to number 258,000, and spend in mission work 80,000. per annum.

Another chapel in Fetter Lane, now pulled down, had also a most interesting record. It was associated with the Independents, now more generally called Congregationalists. The precise date of its foundation is unknown, but it was certainly previous to 1660. Praise God The leatherseller in Fleet Street, Praise God Barebones, occasionally Barebones. preached there ; his nephew assumed the name of Nicholas in place of the extraordinary rigmarole given to him by his father, The Royal and was the founder of the Phoenix Fire Office ; his house in Crown Society. Court became the seat of the Eoyal Society. It was under the ministry of Mr. Stephen Lobb that about 1685 the church took StephenLobb possession of the chapel in Fetter Lane. He is described as a man of learning, courage, and ability, and he took a leading part in the controversies that arose when James II. tried to get the laws against toleration altered. Being frequently at Court, he used his influence with the king, considerably to the advantage of the Dissenters.

In 1708 Thomas Bradbury, called by Queen Anne "Bold "Bold Bradbury," took the pastorate. He was such a formidable op- Bradbury." ponent of the High Church party that great efforts were made


 * ' History of the Moravian Church,' published by the Society.

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