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1254 NOTES TO VOLUME II.
with a candid mind. He did so. He obtained the "True Christian
Religion," and began to study the doctrines with a glowing and increas
ing delight. He perceived and acknowledged their heavenly nature.
Having thus discovered "the pearl of great price," he joyfully and
fearlessly proclaimed the glad tidings to all around him, under the
pleasant anticipation that all would like himself be equally gratified
and benefited. But he raised around him a host of opposition,
and alarmed at the great change in his sentiments, the General
Baptists drove him from their body.
From 1791-1797 Mr. Proud preached alternately in Birmingham
and Manchester, and, especially in the former place, drew large con
gregations. In 1797 he was invited to preach in London, at Cross
Street, Hatton Garden. "Mr. Proud’s sermons," says Mr. Noble,
who was then attracted to the New Church by his preaching,
"presented the leading doctrines of the New Church in a very striking
and convincing manner, and exposed the opposite errors with great
strength and energy ; while in pressing home moral considerations
they were powerfully persuasive; but his delivery, at the time of
which we are speaking, notwithstanding some provincialisms of accent,
certainly did possess an extraordinary charm: his voice, look, action,
and whole manner, were strongly calculated to rivet attention, and
to send home what he said both to the understandings and the
hearts of his hearers. The consequence was, that many who came to
hear him became affectionate and steady receivers of the doctrines
of the New Church ; though it must be confessed, that the attachment
of many others was more to the man than the doctrines, whence,
after a while, they fell away.
"In 1799 Mr. Proud removed from the church in Cross Street to
the still larger and more elegant chapel in York Street, St. James’s
Square ; where he was also attended by large congregations, espe
cially in the evening ; when, except in the middle of the summer,
there seldom were fewer than 1000 persons in the chapel. Here he
continued fourteen years; and though during the latter part of the
time the congregations were not so numerous as at first, they always
were very considerable. But at the expiration of that period, a
greater rent being demanded in case of a renewal of the lease than
it was thought possible to pay, the Society removed to a small place
in Lisle Street, Leicester Square; a measure which proved imprudent;
for the consequent diminution of numbers and of income became
more than commensurate with the diminution of the expenditure: in
consequence of which, difficulties arising, Mr. Proud determined upon
retiring once more to Birmingham ; whither he went in 1814, and
where he remained till his death in August, 1826.
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