Samuel Medley, Liverpool, to John Rippon, London, 23 February 1789.

Liverpool 23 Feby 1789

Dear Brother Rippon

         On Saturday eveng last Bror Hunter presented me a Letter from You which came to his hand in a Box from London – I am sorry indeed I am that I can give You no favorable intelligence concerning the Parcel which I forwarded by our Coach to London – ever since this Day three weeks viz Monday the 2d of February – I took it to the Coach Office here, myself. I saw it Book’d and did every thing needful – They sent it off that same Day – should have been in London on Wednesday the 4th of this Month – It was addressed to Mr Surgey’s in St Martins Court London. And I expected it would have been ready to be delivered to You on Thursday as I mentioned in my last to You – To my surprize & grief I last week received a Letter from Young Mr Surgey informing me that no Parcel had come to their hand from me – I have made every enquiry here concerning it – that is in my power – And can hear nothing farther than That it was regularly forwarded from hence by Coach on the Day aboe mentioned – the Proprietor here has promised me to make all diligent enquiry concerning it I have wrote some days since to Mr Surgey desiring him also to make particular Enquiry after the Parcel at the Inn in London viz. The Castle and Falcon in Aldersgate Street – I am on Your Account much pained that the Parcel is missing – And from the length of Time since it was sent from hence I begin to fear it is like to [be missing] [fol. 36v.] I shall be glad to find myself mistaken herein – As I have an Opportunity of Conveying this Line to You by a Neighbour who sets off for London tomorrow Eveng in our Mail I have herewith sent You also – my Notes – (or Blots) of the Sermon I preached at Eagle Street on the Death of Dr Bror Hopkins – whether you can make sense of what I have written (or Scrawled) I know not – Howver at best it will serve as an Exercise and trial of Your Patience – since I wrote You last I have fallen upon the written account which was given to me of Bror H—s Illness and Death-bed Experience which I likewise send You. My last Letters from America are full of pleasing Intelligence of the Spread and Success of the Gospel in that Land – particularly in the Churches of our Denomination Bror Stilman [sic] of Boston and Bror [Richards?] of Baltimore in Maryland both mention it very particularly – Ah my Dear Bror Rippon – it is a Mercy for America that the Lord Jesus Christ has received Gifts – for The Rebellious also that he the Lord GOD might dwell among them – was it not for These Glad Tydings – I should almost despair of receiving any from that That land of Rebels. – But notwithstanding all this – as far as any of them are, and appear to be Conquered & Renewed by Sovereign and Almighty Grace I do Love receive and rejoice in them in the Lord Jesus Christ – and however I and them Differ (as we most certainly and very widely do) in Political Matters – I am free to own and confess that ^I^ receive and Enjoy much Spiritual Profit & Pleasure in my Correspondence with several of my Dear brethren on that Continent and wherein we differ in other Matters – we say nothing about it – But to be sure You my Dear Dear Bror Rippon must have a most Extraordinary Predilection for America when You reprinted that most curious Paper respecting The Indian Language – what in all the world had got into Your Dear Head to lead You to it – Why, their Words (to an Englishman) are as frightful as their Countenances – Savage Indeed! – especially those of that curious tribe who have no Sobriety in their Language – I suppose that their Speech must be just as pleasing & [fol. 37r.] harmonious as the howling of the wolves in their forrests – Well, my Dear Brother I do think from the Specimens You have handed forth to us very few, if any from hence will be induced to visit the Country, for the sake of Learning the Language – I will not answer – (for the sake of the affixes and suffixes) indeed whether – some super-curious Professor of the Hebrew tongue may not take it into his head some day or other to make a trip there – well if he does – A good Voyage to him – to be sure he will return if they let him get away alive – fiercely frought! – But enough of this – I ask Your Pardon. – O how surprized! how pleased! am I to hear there is if it please God – a hope – a prospect – a somewhat – of Your being at Liverpool in the Course of this Summer – I know and say for one it would much rejoice my poor heart to give You my hand here – do drop me a Line and say – when – where – how and all about it should it please GOD to share and permit me I am going from home for some weeks this Spring – to Bristol Bath &c I purpose to go early in April and return by the latter end of May or beginning of June – I hope You and dear Mrs Rippon & family are well – And that Your dear Lord and Master is much & mercifully with You – And then I know You will have much very much to be truly thankful for – Myself and Family are thro tender Mercy Indifferent well as is Dr Bror Hunter and friends in General many of whom join me in best Love to You and Yours and all GODs People with You – Pray forgive my freedom – You know the Mortal – he may probably grow better when he mends – but with all the Rubbish about him he dares avow himself to be – Sincerely and Increasingly

                                 Your very affectionate Brother in the Lord Jesus Christ

                                                                     Sam Medley

Address: Revd Mr Rippon

Postmark: none

Text: John Rippon Letters, British Library, Add. Ms. 25388, fol. 36-37.