Page:The Judicial Capacity of the General Convention Exemplified.djvu/15

Rh This is the way, too, that Mr. Moffat himself had understood Mr. Wilks to have stated the matter; hence the reason of his saying, "What would you think of Mr. Barrett, if informed that he had done such a thing?” adding, that he would obtain from the evidence that he had done so. And this is the form in which the story circulated, being in all cases traced to Mr. Wilks as the author. If the story had been true, it is plain that Mr. Barrett had done an act which was no better than stealing — stealing in not a very genteel way either—from one of his needy brethren in the Ministry. Indeed, the transaction, as stated by Mr. Wilks, was rather worse than ordinary theft.

Now let any one of my brethren in the Ministry reflect how he would probably feel, on learning that such a story as this had been set on foot about himself by a brother minister, and was being secretly circulated from mouth to mouth while he was many hundred miles away. Let him reflect, too, upon the very aggravating circumstances in this case, as disclosed in the following letter, and I think he will not wonder at, nor find it difficult to forgive, the degree of feeling exhibited in my letter written in answer to Mr. Miller’s of June 23d, and which I here publish:— (No. II.)

, July 1st, 1848. ,


 * —I have this moment received and read your letter of the 23d ult., with feelings of unmingled pain and sorrow. I could not have believed that a man professing what Mr. Wilks professes, and occupying the position that he occupies, could have circulated a report so false and calumnious as he knows the statement to be that he has made to yourself and others, in regard to the transaction referred to between him and me. I will here make a simple statement of all the facts in the case, and I believe that my word will be received by all who are acquainted with me; and should there he any who doubt my veracity, my wife, who knows the facts, will testify to the truth of all I say.

When the Rev. Thomas Wilks first received the doctrines of the New Church, and had communicated to me his desire and intention to devote himself to the New Church ministry, I, of course, felt a good deal of interest in him. I soon learned that he was in indigent circumstances—that he was unable to purchase anything like genteel apparel for himself or family. He himself told me that his wife had not a bonnet or dress suitable to appear in at Church, and that this was why she felt unwilling to attend our meetings with him ; and his own clothes were very rusty. I immediately interested myself in his behalf, and soon obtained from among our friends some cloth or clothing for him. I do not now remember what amount, but all that I obtained was given him. Mrs. Barrett also interested herself for Mrs. Wilks, and obtained from our lady friends, something for her in the way of clothing. I also obtained from our brethren, a