William Hartley, Chester, to John Sutcliff, Olney, 14 September 1779.

Dear Brother

         Your’s of the 24 of April I duly received, for which testimony of your disintrested [sic] regard – I sincerely thank you. You wonder, I doubt not, why I have not writ sooner. The reason of my delay has been this, I have all along hoped to have some particular account to give you of the designs of providence respecting my fixation; but this I have not yet, been able to do. The congregation here gathers strength in point of number: and considerable attention, and solemnity, rest upon it. More young people incline to meet with us, than could have been expected for the time; and some, appear much affected under the word. It is a thousand pities that such a promising prospect should be blasted; & yet, I fear, this will be the case. My Spouse and Children come over in June on a visit, for sometime, at the earnest request of Friends here. They pressed me to engage to make trial of them for a year; but I only consented to stay with them for an uncertain time. Upon this bottom they promised to solicit the people at large to enter into a subscription in order to support the cause of Christ in Common hall Lane; but some discouraging circumstances have prevented the attempt. M.r Dix, fearing a Baptist Intrest [sic] would be established signified to M.r Mellor his design to withdraw his subscription, except mixt communion would be allowed. M.r Crane, a Johnsonian, did not appear willing to be bound to advance any particular or specified sum. But what is still more painful, M.r Roberts, a steady, generous Baptist, a member with D.r Stennett, and a Grocer & Ironmonger in this City has found it very hard work to keep open his shop for sometime past: and it would have been shut before now, had not M.r Mellor advanced considerable sums of money for him. This affliction has taken off the wheels of their religious Chariots, so that they have moved heavily indeed. Their principles of action have really stagnated. And if those who are leading men in any religious assembly are thunderstruck by any trial so as to fall into the deeps of despondency, what can their minister do? Was not this the case here, I should hope something considerable might be done for the King of Sion; but as it is, my expectations are almost dead. Have had two Letters lately from the Church at Bingley, in which the people press me in the most affectionate manner to return into Yorkshire, and settle with them. M.r Medley of Liverpool is come over to visit a Convict under sentence of death in the City’s Prison: and would have me, if I leave Chester, to make a trial of a people at Tottlebank in Lancashire. Understand that there are considerable Legacies left to that place; so that it would exceed Bingley in a temporal view; but this I hope, is far from being the chief object with me. There have been hurtful counteractions at Tottlebank. Whether they are quelled, or no, I cannot say. The Church gave me an invitation last summer to go over for sometime upon trial; but my hands were too full to comply with it. 

         You ask me a few questions about persons, and Churches: I shall answer them as well as I can. M.r Hughes has been laid up, and entirely incapacitated for preaching above a year and an half. Brassey-Green is entirely destitute: Fear M.r Hughes will never Preach there again. Some of that little congregation are running into strange notions, under the influence of Clegg of Manchester. Chetham [of] Stockport, and Smith of Tarporley, who, once preached at Brassy-Green, and now preaches in private houses to them. M.r Walley of Taten-hall Lanes is averse from their Schemes. Have paid him many visits. Gave your respects to him, as desired, and now return his to you. 

         Hear that M.r Sandys’s congregation does not increase; and M.r Phillips told me lately that there was no prospect of it. M.rs Philips, I found, when I was [at] Salop last Spring, is, by no means, happy in her Pastor. M.r Gentleman is removed to Caermathen. He is the Master of ye Academy there. His successor at Shrewsbury (M.r Lewis if I mistake not his name) gives great satisfaction to the people. – [illegible name] more friendly with M.r Armitage than he is with me; tho’ I have reasons to say, that he is as free as can be expected. Believe his congregation is pretty large. Some of his people are remarkably bitter against the Baptists. M.r G——s spoke of leaving W——m on account of the smalness [sic] of his income: tho’ he is not on the best terms with some of his congregation, which is small. He is finishing the publication of [paper torn] Vol.s of Sermons on Historical subjects  [I] suppose you have heard of them.  Have received [a let]ter from Dan Taylor to day, in which he desired to take a Licence out of the Bishops Court [illegible word] for a Room he has taken lately in the Market place Burnley. What an indefatigable little great man is he!  May his zeal provoke the particular Baptists around him to greater activity! Am stealing this opportunity to scribble this scrawl, from M.r Medley, who has consented to Preach tonight in Common hall Lane. He has contracted a particular hoarseness by preaching too often when in London. He is advised to abstain from preaching for a while, which he designs to comply with. And now Dear Brother you will permit me to exercise freedom with you and confidence in you, as a bosom friend. My Spouse is still inclined, if the Lord s.d point out the way, to remove into your parts, for reasons before given, and at a settlement where I could enjoy now and then a personal interview with you would be very acceptable to me for many reasons, shall take it as a very great favor if [you] will inform me whether any thing suitable has come to your knowledge lately  If nothing of this nature exists in the line of your acquaintances please to give me your advice respecting Bingley and Tottlebank. Should have given the Church at Bingley a final answer before now. I know not how I can defer it another week. Yet in order to have your advice shall attempt it. Do Good Brother, let me have a line by return of Post without fail. And let no man ever know of the freedom I take with you, let me abuse it to my hurt. You are a tried friend; therefore shall rest in your faithfulness. May the Lord cause his face to shine evermore upon you. Spouse joins in tenders to you; tho’ I ought to exceed her, seeing I am

                                             Your Old, tho’ unworthy Brother                                       

                                                               And Friend

                                                                                 W.m Hartley

N.B. Do not mention M.rs Roberts case particularly, lest she s.d be hurt, and I blamed – Pardon   haste

P.S. Please to direct for me at Mellor’s Northgate Street, Chester/ [illegible word]

Tex: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 38-41 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 370, fol. 59b, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. On the back page Sutcliff has written, “Rec.d Sep.r 19.79. Ansd. D.o.”John Johnson (1706-91) was the High Calvinist Baptist minister in Liverpool, 1740-91. Also mentioned above are John Johnson at Liverpool, various members of the congregation at Common-Hall in Chester, the pastor and several members associated with the congregation at Brassy Green, as well as John Sandys, Robert Gentleman, and William Armitage.