William B. Gurney, Muswell Hill, London, to Mr. Paxon, [Grays’ Inn Terrace, Gray’s Inn Lane, London], 19 April 1833.

Dear Sir

         The Committee of Stepney College had lately upon them a case similar to that mentioned in Mr Blackmores letter but declined it considering that their funds in the first instance must be applied to the [?] of Students in the College and that as they are deficient in accomplishing that object they must not go out of their way to take up other cases. I should be sorry for once to see the plan carried to any extent for in the state in which our Academies now are with none of that frivolity and inconsistency which I fear has been too prevalent in former times I feel that a young man is essentially benefitted by passing thro’ one of them – and if a young man is fit for a station before his four years have expired it is in vain for us to think of keeping him – the fact [is] we keep none four years one has just left at 2 years and another at three because their services are acceptable to Churches which are vacant we have now a student at 36 years of age who is making good progress in Classics – we took him with a view only to English Literature and Divinity and then to go out to Jamaica but that being thot agt new comers and his facilities of learning being greater than was expected he is going thro a regular course – It is quite a mistake to suppose our young men are not doing good while at Stepney they have plenty of openings for preaching and if their talents are good find plenty of work and I wish all our preachers passed their Academics for one thing and that is a good theological course which would prevent a good deal of the hypercalvinism we have among us and of the spurious and fanciful notions now so destructive of the order and peace of our Churches.

         Mr Steane desires his fellow student Mr B. will rejoice in hearing that the Church under Mr S. is prospering – If Mr Walton shod make up his mind to apply to Stepney I shod recommend an early applicn we shall have several vacancies after Midsr but applicns are now increasing upon us.

                     I am

                                 Dear Sir

                                             Yours ever truly      

                                                         W B Gurney

Denmark Hill

19 April 1833

If you like to copy my note above into your answer to Mr B. you are at perfect liberty to do so.

Address: Mr Paxon

Postmark: none

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