J. C. Ryland, Northampton, to John Robinson, stationer in Shad Thames, Southwark, 25 April 1770. 

Northampton

April 25. 1770

Dear Sir

Last Night I returned from my visit to the Leicestershire Churches, and have had a blessed Time of it, Glory to GOD. –

Our Easter Tuesday I preached at M.r Woodmans who is willing to take the young Men, but his Modesty is so great, that we must not call him a Tutor, and his pupils must come there under the Character of Visitants to enjoy his Conversation in Case the pain in his Head will not suffer him to bear the constant Fatigue. – We have two more Ministers, yea three that will step in to assist on this Occasion. –

The Rev.d M.r John Brown of Kettering, who is a man of good Abilities, has promised me yesterday that he will help with all his Heart, and will not only instruct them in Divinity, Logic, Methodizing of Texts, the Hebrew Bible and Greek Testament but will board them in his House, and be a Father to them. – And if providence should call him out of our Parts, – then my Latin Usher who has been a Teacher of Languages above 30 Years shall be set apart for their Service – And when they can read the Greek Testament and the Hebrew Bible well, – they shall go for Assistance in studying a Body of Divinity to one of the ablest Reasoners in our Denomination his Name is M.r Robert Hall, who has approved himself a Man of deep Judgment and Strength of thought on the various Doctrines of the Gospel. – And whoever shall have the Care of them, they shall have all the Assistance that I can give them through the whole Course.

As to M.r Brown, I had a Proof yesterday from his reading Maccovius’s Distinctions in Latin, and from his reading [illegible] Body of Divinity and the Greek Testament, to his Tutor the late M.r Simson that he he is able in point of Learning – but his highest Character (which we his Brethren in this Association well know) is that of a solid, steady manly Divine, grown up to Maturity, and able to defend any part of Law or Gospel without any Flights or Fancies. –

Be so good as to let D.r Gill see this Letter and tell him I do earnestly desire with the Rest of our Ministers that he would give us his Thoughts in Writing (if he does not chuse to print) on the proper Conduct of Study in order to form under the Blessing of Christ a solid and skilful Minister. He will very much oblige us with a sheet of thoughts in a Letter, and we promise not to print it without his Leave and as his own Act and Deed. –

M.rs Brown comes up about her own Business the Beginning of May.  M.r Brown will attend her as she is in a very tender state of health if you should want a morning Supply, engage him, you will then have a Man in Divinity to preach to your people. –

If after all I have said, the Majority of your Gentlemen of the Fund should vote these young Men to Bristol, and you and your Friends should not chuse to support them by a voluntary Subscription, together with some small Help out of your annual Interest of 1800 – and 800£ – Then I say in one Word, I resign them at a Minutes Warning, not expecting a single Farthing Recompense from London, for all my Labour and Expence. – if you would have me write another Letter, fit for you to read to the Fundees – tell me by Return of the post what I shall write, and it shall be with you on Saturday or Monday to be ready on May 1.  I am with Love to D.r Gill and all Friends  

Dear Sir

your most obedient servt

John Ryland

Text: MS. II.c.5.(7.), Congregational Library, London. More in this letter about Isaac Woodman and Brown at Kettering.