John Gill, St. Albans, to John Sutcliff, Olney (By favor of Mr Harris), 29 December 1794.

Dear Brother,

  I chearfully embrace an Opportunity of Sending you a few Lines by Mr Harris of Tilsworth, in which are enclosed 2s for the Letters which came safe to Hand.

  We are exhorted to rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. I have sometimes communicated to you some unpleasant things, But now I trust I can tell you of some of the pleasant things of Zion, the King of glory hath heard our mourning Voice, and hath come in, and comforted our wast places, and caused some little revivings in our Bondage. Early in the Spring the last Day in Feb.y we had the ordinance of Baptism Administered to one Person, it was a remarkable Good Season, and I think will be long remembered by some who were much affected. Surely the Lord was Among us, and I began much to hope for Some Happy Consequences to Appear, but Huge were some intervening Clouds, and any hope was stricken a little, especially when the Separation came on, however, I was unwilling to put off my Helmet, tho’ the Divil told me I might as well do so, but I was enabled to wait and found I trust the presence of God with me in my work and some appearance of the Spirit that moved upon the face of the deep at the Creation, moving upon the Hearts of Some, and Stirring to Unity Love and Zeal.

  We set apart a Time in the month of Oc.tr for prayer, and I think the Spirit of Grace and Supplication was given. I preached from Isaiah 7 Ch. 7 Vers. we met again in the Evening for prayer and I spoke from Nahum ch. 7. We had a Good Season, surely the Lord hath Shewed us some tokens for Good. Since then we have been more comfortable than heretofore, and our prayer meetings have been attended with Double the Number, and some are coming forth to embrace the ordinances of Jesus Christ and unite in fellowship with us.

  Last Thursday I baptized five Persons 4 Women, 1 Man, It was a Solemn and a Rejoicing Season, many were present, the Spectators behaved well, with Serious attention some were in tears, the Subjects were comfortable, and it was a good time to me, tho, a Day or two before the Divil lay hard at me, to put it off on Acct of the Weather, and he raised such a Storm in my mind, as almost frightned me, but I was enabled to resist his Temptation, and found the Grace of Christ sufficient for me, preachd in the Evening from Isaiah 19. latter part 20. 

  Yesterday morn from Acts 8. 39. afternoon from Psal. 27. 1. a funeral Serm for Mrs Packman who hath walked honourably in fellowship 35 years, She had a Good hope thro Grace, which lasted to the end, and had an easy Dismission from this world of Sin and Trouble to the World of everlasting rest and peace.

  In the Evening Lecture I spoke from 1 Thes. 1.5. 

   Our Lectures have hitherto been well attended—

  We have Some expectation of Some others coming who are standing at the door ready to enter in. When the Lord worketh none can hinder  that which is impossible with us is possible with him and easy to perform

  I have been some times much affected with the Goodness of God when I think how he Supports and Supplys me and Carries thro, the Services which he calls one to, and that he is now appearing to save this little part of Zion,—where he hath fixed my Station for many Years past how long my Time may be is not for me to know at present. May the Lord keep me in a humble waiting Posture doing his will with courage and Faithfulness and Crown my poor Endeavors with Success.

  I cannot help mentioning a Circumstance or two which hath Sometimes melted me into tears.

  Mr Gillie who some years back resided here lately sent me a very affectionate Letter expressing his Good will to me and the Interest and in order to encourage us beged [sic] his Name might be put Down as a Subscriber for two Guineas a year. Some friend and minister at a Distance have expressed their concern for me on Acct of the change which hath taken place.

   It is pleasing to have the Good will of our fellow Creatures, but that is changeable, but to have the Good will of him that dwelt in the Bush is far more and of the Greatest importance, that is unchangeable, his Counsels shall stand and he will do all his pleasure.

  If Mrs Andrews is living pray give any kind Love to her, tell her Mrs Packman hath got the Start of her is gone to heaven but a little before   remember me to Mr Andrews and all friends, excuse inaccuracies I have not time to Correct being about to Visit some Friends  wishing you much of the presence of the God of all Grace.   Fare well Affectionately

                                                                        John Gill

St Albans                                                                                                     

Dec.r 29. 1794.

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 72-74 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 370, fol. 53, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. On back page in Sutcliff’s hand we find, “Rec.d Jan. 5. 1795. Good news. Ans.d July 9. 95.” John Gill (d. 1809) was the nephew of the legendary John Gill (1697-1771) of Carter Lane.