Samuel Pearce, Birmingham, to John Ryland, Jr., Bristol, 8 October 1798.

Birm: Octr 8th 98

         O my dear bror Your letter of the 5th which I received this morning has made me thankful for all my pulpit agonies; as they enable me to weep wh a weeping brother. – They have been of use to me in other respects, particularly in teaching me the importance of attaining & maintaining that spirituality & pious ardor ^in^ which I have found the most effectual relief, so that on the whole I must try to “glory in tribulations also” – I trust I often can alter the conflict in part, but to glory “in” ym, especially in mental distresses – his labor – hoc opus est.[1]

         But how often has it been found that when ministers have felt themselves most embarrassed – the most effectual good has been done to the people – O for hearts entirely resigned to all the will of God!

         How happy shd I be cd I ^always^ enjoy the sympathies of a bror who is tried in those points as I of late have often been! – Were Bristol a Village instead of a City & a Congregation less gay & smaller than my own to desire my services I confess the thought of being near to you wd almost incline me to wish an open door for my removal – As things are I must thankfully endeavor to improve my present station & pray that the great head of the Ch wd be pleased, in giving the people at Broadmead another teacher after his own heart to give you after ^a friend & brother^ after yours.

         The parcel fm Nn [Northampton] wh all its contents came in safety – & I rejoice to find that you had a good day at N—ton on the Friday – I suppose fd Camfield was not among the baptized. From the little I have seen of Dr Stiles’ life I shd much like for Mr C. to read it – If I mistake not their experiences have been in many instances very similar and I trust the Lord will yet stablish, strengthen, & settle Mr Camfield. – I think of being at the Kettering ministers’ meeting the 16th of this Mh & will endeavor to take Dr Stiles’ life thither for Brors F. & S [Fuller and Sutcliff] to judge about sending it to Carey – Dont you think that he wd be vastly pleased wh the IId Vol. of Dr Erskines Sketches? I think he shd have that & the Journal of the Scotch itinerants.

         Cooper fm London is here – I heard part of a Sermon last night fm him, after our service was over, which I shd have very much liked if the fly of Egotism had not spoiled the ointment – eg. “I have found that my preaching has been blessed when I &c” Had he an affectate & judicious friend at hand, I shd hope he has materials for a valuable minister [ministry] in the Ch of God – O what a lovely garment is humility! May the Lord clothe wh it from head to foot.

         Your unworthy but affectate bror

                                             S. Pearce

Mrs P. unites in respects to Mrs R.

same to John & all the Gentn. Is Kilpin likely

To settle of N—ton or Leominster?

I hope to send this by Mr Rees

Address: Dr Ryland | Bristol

Postmark: none

Endorsed (by Ryland): Bror Pearce | Oct. 8. 1798. -- | sent an Extract

[1] A shortened version of a famous line from Virgil’s The Aeneid, Book 6: “hoc opus, his labor est” (“this is the task, this the labor”).

Text: John Ryland Folder, RG no. 1126, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta.