John Collett Ryland, Northampton, to John Robinson, stationer, Horsley-down, Southwark, undated [postmark 16 December, and most likely from 1769]. 

To M.r Robinson

Dear Sir

   M.r Hartley and M.r Sandys have both exercised on a Text of Scripture from Time to Time at our Meeting House, I make no Doubt but the LORD is calling them to the Work of the Ministry – It would be very happy if we had an elderly solid Gospel Minister who is a good Scholar to whom we could send our hopeful young Men who appear to have Gifts for the Ministry – both the above young Men have all the Qualifications that your Fund require to entitle them to a Share in the Treasury of it – I have been at considerable Expence myself to encourage them for near a year past – but tis not reasonable I should advance any more. –

   With respect to the third young Man M.r John Palmer, a good Clergyman has been strongly urging him to study Greek in order to be admitted as a Minister of the Church of England – it has shook him – but as he is lately convinced of Baptism, and has left the Presbyterians, who gave him 20£ a Year to be prepared for their Academy – I hope he will stand fast – though tis Pity he should be neglected and discouraged by Us – He is a young Man of excellent Sense and Behaviour – and if we gave no Favour to such promising Characters, how can we expect a Succession of able Ministers of the Baptist Denom.a unless the LORD is pleased to do it – in an extraordinary way – without the use of Means

                     I am

                                 Dear Sir

                                             Your respectful

                                                         humble Serv.t John Ryland

Ryland’s letter is written on the back of a letter by John Sandys to the Particular Baptist Fund (undated). Click here for a transcription of that letter.

Text: MS. II.c.5.(1.), Congregational Library, London.  Letter mentions Benjamin Hartley, John Sandys (both of the church at Tottlebank) and John Palmer, the latter a student at Northampton.