It has frequently been granted me to speak with some of those they consider holy and people they worship as saints, but this I can aver, both from their own mouth and what I know from actual experience, that they are anything but saints, and cannot even in the least ways help themselves, let alone anyone else-not by prayers, nor by intercession. For in the other life, prayers for someone else are not answered, not even in the other life for oneself. In fact, neither is someone benefited by the reflection on the part of others, or on the part of saints, that they should be loved-more likely the opposite happens. This I can aver, they can help no one, not even themselves, as they told me in a loud voice, coming toward me to declare it. 1748, 12 Aug.