as it was called-and notwithstanding Mr. Pierson's encouragement that the kingdom operations would soon react, return some tenfold and some a hundredfold, yet he saw that unless he could get through the winter and spring of 1834, he should probably be totally ruined. He believed himself abundantly able to carry all through-Mr. Pierson often examined and advised—and Mr. F. made great efforts; but in the mean time, his credit had become so deeply wounded, and the times so seriously severe, that, after struggling against every thing, he found himself compelled to suspend payment at the close of March, 1834. He, however, still believed that he would pay all he owed and save a handsome property, as he showed a large surplus, although much extended. But the continued depression in

the times, with the severe loss attending all the operations commenced with Mr. Pierson for the benefit of 'the kingdom,' together with the large sacrifices he was compelled to make in closing several branches of legitimate mercantile business, not only swept off all his own property, but also the property he had belonging to Mrs. Folger's estate, and received in trust for her individual use from that of her father. This was, however, unavoidable, as the law would not allow of its being protected, and we had no wish to be guilty of any cheating towards any

one.

"It is proper to give here a copy of the letter which Mr. Pierson addressed to Mr. Folger, upon the occasion of the execution of the deed of the Mount Pleasant mansion on the 2d November,

1

1833, and likewise to mention that under one pretence and another, Matthias withheld the deed from Mr. Folger, until full eight months after the time it was annulled by his agreement.

"Mr. Benjamin H. Folger,

"SIR,

(COPY.)

"Mount Pleasant, Nov. 2, 1833.

"Your letter of this date I have received, which informs me that you have, in agreement with our verbal understanding, executed a deed of your mansion and farm, lately known as the Heartt place, to Mr. Robert Matthias, for the setting up and establishing "the Father's House." This act has my cordial approbation, inasmuch as it is intended to advance the establishment of the kingdom of God. I agree to bear one half of the charge, and hereby authorize you to debit my account with my proportion, deducting the same from any moneys you may receive of mine, and charging me with one half of the mortgage, when you may see fit to discharge it, together with the interest, making a total debit to me of from three thousand seven hundred and fifty, to four thousand dollars, for this purpose. 666 "Yours with esteem, "ELIJAH PIERSON.'

"This matter being, as before said, annulled, and Mr. Folger's difficulties and embarrassments calling him to New-York and elsewhere much of the time, afforded opportunities for Matthias to make other arrangements with Mr. Pierson. Early in March following, Mr. F. gave Mr. Pierson, at his request, a deed of his place at Mount Pleasant, and a bill of sale of his furniture. Mr. Pierson immediately conveyed both to Matthias; but it has since been obtained for Mr. Pierson's daughter, through the legal proceedings instituted by the attornies of the estate for that purpose.

"When Mr. Folger suspended payment, he owed about two hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Soon after this, Matthias, in presence of Mr. Pierson and Mrs. Folger, undertook a very ingenious argument to show that all the property in the world belonged to the children of God-that all the Gentiles had was, in fact, stolen from God's peopleand that there could be no real indebtedness to the Gentile world.

"The object of this was very plain. Mr. Pierson made no reply; but Mr. F. immediately said to him, that however true it was, yet, for himself, he had committed himself to the Gentile world-so to call it that all his property was pledged to them, until every debt he owed them was paid-and he should certainly persevere until this was done. Matthews had evidently thrown this suggestion out to make a trial, and perceiving that it would not take, he at once changed his ground, and pretended to regard the course Mr. F. decided upon as the

true one.

"In the spring of 1834, the excitement was so strong that Matthias could no longer pass up and down in the steamboat with safety. Indeed, the probability is, that, but for the protection which Mr. and Mrs. Folger afforded him, he would have been severely handled before that time, owing to his highhanded impudence in pronouncing every one a devil who refused to receive his doctrines. The consequence was, that whenever he visited New-York, he came with the carriage and horses. In May of that year, on the way up, about twenty miles from

New-York, his son driving, one of the horses became troublesome, and after the difficulty had continued some time, Mr. Folger concluded to take the reins: they were then about to descend a steep hill ; the fractious horse became exceedingly troublesome, and finally broke the pole of the carriage. This accident threw the carriage upon the horses,—they ran with great fury, tore the harness to pieces, and upset the carriage, but with the exception of Mr. Folger, who was stunned for a few moments, no one was hurt. It was a most providential escape. This perilous incident occurred three miles from Yonkers. Mr. Folger endeavoured to get some of the farmers' wagons to take them on, but could not succeed. He at last obtained wagons from Yonkers, to which place they returned and lodged there that night. Early in the morning Mr. Folger made arrangements for a conveyance to take all to Mount Pleasant, but Mr. Matthias refused to ride unless he could have the ordering of the arrangement. This was a very petty business, and Mr. Folger endeavoured to persuade him to ride, offering him an entire wagon for himself; but he refused, and was left to walk the fifteen miles on foot. Mr. Pierson, however, thought it best to send a saddle-horse for him, which met him about two miles from our residence.

"On Sunday, June 1, 1834, Mr. Folger was detained at New-York by unavoidable circumstances. The rest of the family were at Mount Pleasant. He became very much concerned respecting Matthias's doctrines, and after contending for a while,

he sought relief in prayer. At length he concluded to go and hear the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Dubois, the pastor of the Reformed Dutch church in Franklin-street, whom he had always respected and esteemed as a minister earnestly and honestly engaged in doing good. His sermon (as they generally are) was very powerful-Mr. F. was entirely overcome, and although he endeavoured to resist it, yet he could not avoid weeping and exposing his exercises to others. He sat in the pew of his mother-in-law,went from the church to her house, and told her privately of his fears that we were all in error. In the afternoon he attended the Rev. Mr. White's church, in Allen-street. On the following morning, he went to Mount Pleasant, intending to withdraw his family from there. The first person he met was Matthias, who approached him with the offer of his hand, but it was rejected, and he was rudely thrust aside; upon which Matthias stepped briskly into his room, obtained his sword, and headed Mr. Folger in the hall. This enraged Mr. F. to a high degree; he seized Matthias by his throat, carried him back into the sitting room, and thrust him upon the settee. He has always been unable to account for his strength on that occasion, for he has not usually half the strength of Matthias. Matthias, however, is a very great coward, and it is probable that his fears destroyed all his strength. Nothing but the interference of others on that occasion, probably, prevented such a treatment of the impostor as he merited. Mr. Pierson, and all others, protested against his conduct as being wrong, and