Joseph Fox, Lombard Street, London, to John Rippon, London, 15 September 1800.

My dear Sir,

         Since I visited you I have not been able to dismiss from my mind your truly pastoral project for the comfort of the aged female members of the church & the education of the children – and I sincerely wish you may see the desire of your heart realized. One cause of my writing at this time is to recommend you to adopt a plan which has been most successful at the Jews’ Chapel that is to have bowls placed at the Meeting House doors into which money may be dropped for your benevolent design. At the Jews Chapel it is surprizing how much money is thus collected, scarcely less than four guineas a week, and last week so much at sixteen pounds. The ministers are usually requested to direct the congregation to attend to them – & the people who subscribe a penny a week, find that the best way of dropping in their contribution.  I am persuaded that if you would determine to adopt the same plan many a shilling – half crown or larger piece would be dropped in – whenever you should request our attention to be paid to them –

         I hope you will be able to accompany me (and Mrs Rippon if agreeable) immediately after the afternoon service to the Jews Chapel where you shall take tea and have the opportunity of seeing all our Boxes for money. The children, library &c &c I believe you have but a faint idea at present of what the Society has been enabled by a superintend[ing] Providence to accomplish, and I trust that you will be rightly gratified.

         I remain

                     my dear Sir

                                 faithfully yours

                                             Joseph Fox

Lombard Street

Sepr 15. 1800.

Address: The Revd Dr Rippon | Grange

Postmark: none

Text: John Rippon Letters, British Library, Add. Ms. 25387, fols. 22-23.