Nevertheless, some of Mammon’s worshippers have found time and money for better things, and have consecrated their wealth to noble ends. In Roman Catholic times this was to be expected. A princely bequest, at the dictation of the priest, was a fitting atonement for ill-gotten wealth or an ill-spent life; but Protestantism has been equally conspicuous—and, it is to be believed, from better motives—for good works, and that charity which covereth a multitude of sins. In illustration of this, there is, perhaps, no brighter name than that of Joseph Hardcastle, of whom it is well known that, amid all his varied and extensive engagements, he maintained a character for spotless honour and unsullied integrity, which even calumny itself never ventured to assail. To him, from the very outset, belonged the reputation of the English merchant of the old school, and years served only to augment that weight of character which he bore on the Exchange, as well as in the missionary and other societies. He was one of the founders of the Sierra Leone Company, along with Wilberforce and Thornton. Also he was treasurer of the Missionary Society. In 1799, the Religions Tract Society was founded under his roof. And at his offices, Old Swan Stairs, the Bible Society was first launched into existence. The Hibernian Society and the Village Itinerary Society were aided by his purse and presence. Of the latter society he was treasurer sixteen years. As he came of an old Nonconformist stock—one of his ancestors was an ejected clergyman—Mr. Hardcastle, who lived mainly at Hatcham, was buried in Bunhill Fields.