Samuel Greatheed, Newport Pagnell, to John Sutcliff, Olney, 14 March 1795.

Newport Pagnel

                                                                                                            14 March 1795

Dear Sir,

  I thank you for the trouble you have taken to get me the Books, and am glad to have them on the whole, altho’ several of them are imperfect, which Friend Button ought to have mentioned in his Catalogue.

  The loss of a cordial Friend and pious Housemate, of so long standing, must doubtless be felt by you. I heartily pray that you may find it sanctified, and your future situation rendered comfortable and profitable by the Guidance and Blessing of Him who is alone the same yesterday, today, and forever.

  The request of our late worthy Friend, about the funeral Sermon, was, I am confident, from a good motive; yet I think it a pity the occasion should not be improved for the benefit of the living; and I suppose you will endeavour to do this, as much as you can without infringing upon her injunction. Her death will certainly be mentioned in the Magazine; and you are best qualified to give a proper account of it. Any hint that may tend to vindicate our deceased Friend from the common charge of parsimony, will, I think, be seasonable. If you favor me with the Account, I will take the care of its insertion. If done in a day or two it may yet come into the next number.

  When your spirits are sufficiently reestablished I shall hope you will oblige me with some further help in the Review. I have much need of it. I have requested for dismission from my Charge in this matter on account of the irregularity & deficiency of assistance; but the reply is, that, if I dont persevere, neither will Mr Eyre in the final Editorship; which I fear would be very detrimental to the Cause. If I dont hear from you on the Subject I shall conclude you are offended at the alterations I made in your last favour.

  “Whatsoever thy Hand finds to do” &c never struck me more forcibly than of late. Death does not limit his attacks to the aged and infirm. At Woburn, young Dover, who used to be at Mr John Butfield’s, has lately gone off very suddenly. You have doubtless heard of MrHumphrey’s decease, at Daventry, in the midst of usefulness & comfort, after very few days illness.

  The sudden & severe changes of weather, affect most people here, and myself with a slight sore throat. Mrs G. desires you to accept her cordial respects & best wishes.  I am,

                                             Dear Sir,

                                                      Yours affectionately in Xt.

                                                                             Sam.l Greatheed

P.S. I inclose 1 1/2 Guinea, and when you find a convenient Opportunity you may send me another of Carey’s Enquiries, & make up the Charges, but for this there is no hurry.

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 76-77 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 370, f. 54a, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Samuel Greatheed (d. 1823) was the Independent minister at Woburn, Bedfordshire. Also mentione above are William Button, Baptist minister and bookseller in London; and John Eyre (1754-1803), Anglican clergyman at Homerton and one of the first editors of the Evangelical Magazine; possibly the Rev. Samuel Humphreys, Anglican minister at Daventry; and possibly a relation of William Butfield of Thorn.