A Looking-Glass for Presbyterians (Inscribed: J. Arbo) - 17
Let us next examine into the Charity of the Presbyterians so much boasted of, I will not say to other Societies; for that was never heard of; but even to their own distressed Brethren on the Frontiers.
I believe it will be as hard a Task to prove, that ever they, (consider'd as a Society) rais'd a general Contribution, of their own Money, for the Relief of the back Inhabitants, as it is to prove, that Quakers did so; and I think the most difficult Work of the two. Here I suppose some of their passionate Teachers will be ready to fly in my Face, and ask me, with an angry Tone,
if we did not give away Hundreds both at Lancaster Treaty, and afterwards, when every Body was raising Men for them, except Quakers. I readily own it. But the next Question is, pray Gentlemen, whose money were you so liberal of? Was it your own, or the charitable contributions of the Good People of England and Ireland, put into your Hands for that Use?—If it was your own, then you have these charitable Donations still in your Pockets, to supply the Sums you have advanced, and pay you for your Disbursments. And if it was not your own, but the Money rais'd in England, that you and your Brethren paraded away upon at Lancaster. and since made such a Noise about your Charity to the Inhabitants on the Frontiers, as I am apt to believe it was? why in the Name of Sense do you assume the Merit of it to yourselves, as if you were the only charitable, humane People in the Province.—Either you must candidly confess that this is the true State of the Case, or you have impos'd upon the generous People of Europe with false Notions.
As many of my Readers, (who are not of their Profession) may be unacquainted with this Piece of Presbyterian craft, I shall unravel the whole Mystery of their iniquitous Scheme, contriv'd in their most sacred Assemblies, by the best and ablest of their Divines and Lay-Elders.
A few Years ago the Heads of this Society petition'd the Governor of this Province for a Charter to incorporate a certain Number of themselves, to raise Money for the Use of poor, distressed Presbyterian Ministers and their Widows; their Petition being granted with certain Powers and Limitations, the next Consideration was how to procured Fund. One of their own Members who had been a Pedlar, and consequently well qualified for such an undertaking, offer'd his Service. Having had his Education under Mr. T—t, who was a Master Workman at begging, ha was universally approv'd of as one of their ablest Disemblers, fitted out with proper Credentials, and sent abroad. At a secret Committee of this Corporation it was agreed on, that, as collecting Money for a Widows Fund, might prove but a dry subject to declaim on in Europe, their Delegate shou'd have a set of private Instructions directing him, that upon his Arrival, he shou'd make no Mention of the Widow's Fund, but get a Brief drawn up, setting forth the Miseries and Distresses of the back Inhabitants of Penn-
