Philip Gibbs, Plymouth, to John Rippon, Grange, Road, Southwark, London, 15 April 1795.

Plymouth April 15. 1795

Revd & dr Sir

         Though you have a multiplicity of things on your head and hands yet permit your friend to interrupt you for a few moments – to inform you of his situation & Trials, and to solicit your counsel and Advice, which he never more needed than at the present juncture – You know I am grown old and consequently less able to encounter difficulties and perform extra Service than in past years – yet I am now again left to serve alone – Bror Sprague’s Time is expired – The Church renewed their Call to him, and a Considerable majority was in his favor, but as the Numbers against him were respectable, he declined acceptance, and intends to leave us in a few days, to be at Bovey a few weeks, then to return and spend, at least two Lord’s days in Plymouth – Many Persons much lament his leaving us – He is a dear, good man, sound in the faith, present and circumspect in his Life and Conversations, and of a sweet natural disposition; but hath something in his delivery, rather displeasing to many of his hearers. Yet as he is already much improved, I think this in Time, may be done away – just before Bror Sprague came among us, I was informed that Mr Middleton of Lewes had Thoughts of leaving his People, have in Consequence given him an Invitation to visit us, and received his Answer, which is not altogether satisfactory, the result is, if he should pay us a visit, it cannot be till midsummer, this interval of Time, without assistance, will not a little embarrass me – hence dear Sir, I have particularly to request, of you a Line, as soon as possible, informing me of his Gifts, Faith & Practice – If you say he will do for Plymouth, I will, without delay, give him another Invitation, and shall think it necessary and prudent to wait for him – I long to see the Church comfortably settled before my decease – Have you sent us any baptist registers [?] the last half year, we have received none since you were with us. Sickness and sudden deaths prevail among us, I suppose we have buried in this Town, for some considerable Time, not less than 100 per week – Tumults are common both here and in the Neighbourhood on account of the Scarcity of Grain, and the exorbitant Price of almost every necessary of Life, and I much fear, these are but the beginning of Sorrows – But the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth &c – He hath founded Zion – May the Churches have Peace  -- May the Peace of God rule in our hearts – Mrs Gibbs joins me in xtian respects to self Mrs Rippon &c – May your health and usefulness be long continued – The favor of a Line, as soon as possible will much oblige your very sincere friend &c &c –

                                 Philip Gibbs –

Address: Revd Dr John Rippon | Grange Road Southwark | London

Postmark: Plymouth |17 April 1795

Text: John Rippon Letters, Vol. 2, British Library, Add. Ms. 24287, fols. 79-80.  Joseph Lee Sprague (1766-1843) was the nephew of Daniel Sprague (d. 1811), who served as the Baptist minister at Tiverton for many years. The younger Sprague was ordained the following year and served several Baptist churches thereafter.