James Ashworth, Gildersome, Yorkshire, to John Sutcliff, Olney [via Northampton], 9 October 1775.

Very dear Brother

        Your kind letter of the 23rd Sept came safe to hand. I readily grant your excuse, for your long silence, when I see the reasonable reason. I own I expected hearing from you before I did, but never once doubted your reception of mine, but thought you had took the hint which I gave you, viz. that my letters wou’d not be worth postage.  Shou’d this have been the reason, it wou’d not have grieved me, because I wrote what I thought.

         I am still pleased to hear of the success of the ever blessed gospel; and more especially others you told me, chiefly amongst the BAPTISTS. Writing baptists in large hand, is to let you know how greatly I love the cause, and trust I shou’d abide by it was it as much upon the decline, as I believe it upon the advance. No cause in reference to its goodness, can be known by the numbers that espouse it, but by its corresponding with the scriptures of truth. In this view, I apprehend, ours has greatly the preference.

         We have had no additions to our Chh since I last wrote you, except one man from Pudcy [Pudsey], which has join’d us. We have had a considerable increase of hearers this summer, of strangers yt I do not know, that seem to settle. We have no spare room in our meeting house, especially in the latter part of the day. I hope the Lord has some kind end in view by bringing them under the word. I have been well helped, lately in my work; do generally preach with good liberty; you know that then the work is pleasant.

         We are still at peace among ourselves, except one woman member, who has been very disorderly in her walk; one of Pauls busy bodies in other mens matters. I believe we shall be obliged to cut her off, in order to preserve the body from being hurt. It is altogether heavy work to me; any thing of this nature; but it is necessary to be done, and must be done, or Churches cannot be kept from disorder & corruption. 

         My health sometime back has but been poor, have found an inward weakness, and faintness attending me, which ended in the jaundice, to a great degree. I believe this bodily disorder was one cause of my work being so burdensom. It cost me many a wrestling hour at the throne of grace, for the quickening influences of God’s holy spirit. It has given me a fresh proof of the influence ye body has upon the soul, as well as the soul upon the body; the union is so close, near & nice. I have been down at Scarborough, the middle of last month, for the benefit of the waters, both drinking and bathing, and have found surprising advantage, under a divine providence from them. I have got to my own feeling, a quite new inside, and my natural spirits are become a great deal more brisk & lively than before. Help me, dear Br to be thankful!

         There is a small interest of baptists at Scarbro’, much upon the revival. They have had eleven members added to them last year. I doubt not this acct will be pleasing to you. The minister’s name is Hague, a sober, serious & judicious man. He has but had small advantages for improvement, but I am informed, he has grown abundantly in ministerial qualifications. I heard him preach once, he was upon redemption, was much pleased with his performances. He seems to reign in the affections of his audience, and is of good report in the Town. They have at present only an upper room which they have took to meet in, but are now intending to build. One Mr Flight of London has engaged to secure them a hundred pounds towards defraying the expence. I was there nine days & preach’d three times to them. The last time, the place was so crowded that all cou’d not get in but obliged to return.

         I make no doubt you have heard they have had some uneasiness in the Chh at Halifax on acct of our Brother’s amours; it had like to have ended in a seperation [sic], but I believe things are now comfortably settled. I believe, dear Br Hartley has been to blame in equivocating. Let this learn us to be quite plain, explicit & upright in every thing we do, for plain truth will stand its ground. I think our Br is not very happy in the choice he seems to make of a companion for life. Whenever, my dear Br, you shall think of taking such a step be prudent in it, and much in prayer to the Lord for direction. Much of the happiness of life depends upon a suitable companion, in a marriage relation. Ever remember, that a prudent wife is from the Lord. From him, therefore, seek her.

         You ask me the reason of Mr. Whitford’s leaving Kipping, I do not [know], any further than hearing that the people there are never long satisfied with any man as their minister. I believe they are a restless uneasy Chh. I have never had much acquaintance with Mr. Whitford, and never heard him preach but once, and that was before he came to settle in Yorkshire, perhaps it is 16 years since. If I remember right I was well pleased with his discourse, according to the judgement I then had. However, I believe he is not in great repute as a preacher, even amongst his independant [sic] Brethren. I believe, according to what I have heard, he is a man of a hasty spirit, soon moved. I suppose the reports that have been spread, of his being fond of women, cannot be proved. I have now told you all that I know materially concerning him. Accept my fraternal respects to you in wh my wife joins, from, Sir, yr affectionate Brother in Xt

                                                                                                                     Jas Ashworth

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 29-31 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 369, fol. 8, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. On the back page Sutcliff has written, “Rec.d Oct.r 13. 75. Ans.d Dec.r 27. 75.” Other ministers mentioned above incluide William Hague, John Whitford, and the Baptist layman Thomas Flight.