At one time it was in contemplation by three brothers, named Eckerlin, of whom the eldest was prior, and had the superintendence of the secular concerns, to make Ephrata a place of more importance in the world than it could acquire from its character of a religious refuge. They were natives of Germany, and they had been educated in the principles of the Catholic faith. They projected the plan of erecting extensive buildings for manufacturing purposes, and of entering into extensive mercantile concerns. For this they had made considerable preparation, such as cutting and hewing the timbers, and were in readiness to erect a town. They had likewise sent to Europe, where they had extensive and powerful connexions, and procured, unknown to the Society, a chime of bells, and likewise a large clock for the tower. These arrived in Philadelphia, and the bill requiring payment being forwarded to the Society, made the brotherhood acquainted with the circumstances. They determined not to receive them, but had them sold, and paid the loss. One of these bells, having upon it, "Sub auspicicio viri venerandi Onesimi societatis Ephratensis præpositi," was purchased for, and is now on, one of the churches in Lancaster. The clock was sold to one of the Reformed Lutheran societies in the same place. This transaction led to an investigation of the conduct of the Eckerlins, which resulted in the timely discovery of a conspiracy they had entered into to possess themselves of the property, which at that time was extensive and valuable. This discovery terminated in the expulsion of Israel, the prior, from his office. The brothers subsequently removed to Virginia, where they obtained considerable notoriety in connexion with Indian affairs. The Society, in its apostolic simplicity, desired no tower, no bells. They even refused to have a bell to summon them to the midnight meeting, which was regularly held at that hour of the night,—Beissel quaintly observing, that the spirit of devotion ought to be sufficient to insure their attendance; and it generally proved to be adequate.