William B. Gurney, [London], to the Revd James Hargreaves, No 6 Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London,  [March 1828].

My dear Sir

         I enclose checks for the Subscriptions of my Brother and myself to the Baptist Building Fund – My Brother’s Check was drawn sometime since but I have not had the pleasure of meeting you as I expected – I have given to I believe two Cases within the year which the Come do not consider as coming within their Rules I mean those where no Churches are formed and not using any ground for a distinction those I propose always to deduct being uncertain however whether there was one or two I have deducted but one –

         I am truly grieved to see that the Amount of Subscriptions is reduced to something about £1100 A good man with a case which I refused today produced to me the book to shew me what a serious evil the Society produced to the Country for that the regular Cases and to receive more than that and the [?] a nearly equal sum – As to my knowledge some individuals give the same sum they were and to give some others of course must be giving less than half I believe I should have no difficulty in pointing out individuals who shelter themselves under the general description of Subscribers to the Society from the importunity of beggars with Subscriptions of one third the amount they used to give and these men are men of prosperity too – I am aware this is a delicate subject but something I am satisfied must be done – either these persons must be brot to give more to the Society or by being marked as small donors they must be laid open to those who shall choose to apply to them or the old system must be reverted to and then as a Minister said to me lately “You have first spoiled the people for giving” – let us take care that we do not bring a reproach on the London Churches while we are professing to serve them –

                     I am

                                 My dear Sir

                                             Yours ever truly

                                                         W B Gurney

I enclose a Check from my Son for £5.5 –

Address: Revd Jas Hargreaves | No 6 Fen Court | Fenchurch Street

Postmark: none

Endorsed: From W. B. Gurney Esqr | March 1828 | Enclosing checks for | 37£ and add

Text: William B. Gurney Letters, RG no. 1115, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta.