William Hartley, Halifax, to John Sutcliff, Dr. Evans’s house, No. 2 Stokes Croft, Bristol, 16 November 1773. 

Halifax Nov 16—73

Dear B.r

            This is the second time I take up my pen to write to my dear friend, since I either see him, or heard from him. My last scrawl after a considerable delay came to hand again; since which time I have been very poorly as to my health. My disorder, of which I had been better for some time, returned again with renewed vigour. But I hope, I shall get the better of it soon; if not, the will of the L.d be done. “Good when he gives, supremely good. Nor less when he denies; Ev’n crosses from his sovereign hand, are blessings in disguise.” Jehovah leads his people thro’ the fire & the water unto a wealthy place   Our afflictions are weighed in the balances, of ye [Contrary?]; and will work together for our best intrest [sic] – And tho’, in themselves they are not joyous, yet the effects thereof under the teaching of divine grace are useful & salutary. David could say, before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now have I kept thy word   One of the antient fathers, being for a considerable time afflicted with a violent head-ach, prayed earnestly to God for the removal of it. God heard him, but withal thought meet to exercise him, with the powerful workings of lascivious lust. The old Father after strugling [sic] for a season with his new affliction, prayed to God for the removal of it and the return of his old companion. Thus you see, he judged it wiser to be exercised with a pained head than with unclean desires. Yet after all it must be acknowledged that health in itself considered is one of the greatest blessings in life. Nay may I not say the greatest. For, not all the variegated beauties of summer can charm, nor all the musick of the woods in that intervening season can delight us, when health is departed. Food is the object of lothing [sic], friends are dull companions, & our favourite studies are painful labours when destitute of health. May you, & I, improve every d[e]gree of it we are, or may be the subjects of, to ye praise and glory of God – 

           Your uncle W.m S—f informed me that you was quite clear of your complaint; on which account I rejoice with you, may the Lord establish and continue it.

            I heard a few days ago that the Baptist church at Shrewsbury had given you a call – & that you had accepted of it, may the Lord make ye step happy & prosperous. I rejoice in hope of your settlement – near your native country. May ye God of Israel smile upon it I hope when you are settled there, that a circulation of letters will be more easy, & that we can mix our joys & sorrows more feelingly, as our work then will be similar.            

            You wished in your last that the suspended affair between S— M— & me, was agreeably decided. I have the pleasure to inform you that it is (I hope) honorably concluded. I gave her a letter at the appointed period instead of going over, in which I informed her of the State of my mind relative to it – of the difficulties lying in the way—and of what our friends said concerning it. In answer to which she told me yt she had been much affected with it, and was willing upon the above considerations (at present) to drop it.  So that now I am on that [paper torn] entirely at liberty. Nor have I any engagements [of] the like nature any where else. Have never been [illegible word] since you left Yorkshire. The affair concerning MP. have laid honestly before a judicious friend, who declared he is amazed that any person (who has any knowledge of those concerns) should say that I ever proposed to that wo—n in what I had said – 

              My child has had ye smallpox since she came to Halifax, in which she was sorely afflicted; but is well again.

           The relation between M.r Dracup and his flock, at Bingley is dissolved. He is where he was; & the church is supplied from Wainsgate. M.r George Haines from M.r Francis’s church, is, I hear come to Shipley. George Townsend I hear is inclined to Hawkshead-hill. I am informed that John Hindle is under the eye of the church – at Bingley. I heard Peter is entered upon his studies at Wainsgate.

           Dear B.r if you would be so obliging as to inquire secretly & juditiously [sic] into the circumstances of ye widdow [sic] Lady you mentioned; I shall lay it before M.r Haldene if you are kind enough in your next to give me some knowledge of it. Write soon and seal it up safe, as the last came to hand open. Ever, ever yours, 

                                                               Wm Hartley

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 15-17 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 370, fol. 59a, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. On the back page Sutcliff has written, “Rec.d Nov.r 28. 73. Ans.d Dec.r 22. 73.” William Sutcliff was John Sutcliff's uncle and a member of John Fawcett’s congregation at Hebden Bridge, Wainsgate. Other ministers mentioned above include John Dracup, George Haines, Benjamin Francis, George Townsend, and John Hindle.