J. C. Ryland, Northampton, to John Robinson, stationer in Shad Thames, Southwark [“to go by M.r Adams to M.r Buttons on Saturday Night”], 23 March 1770.

Dear Sir

   M.r John Palmer an amiable young Man who threw up 20£ a year allowed him by the Presbyterians because they would not allow him to hear and converse with the Baptist Ministers. – was the person whom I mentioned to you as one who could get a Guinea Week by his Business – and not M.r Benj.a Hartley or M.r John Sandys –

   Now M.r Palmer has been kept in Suspense so long that he is out of hopes of having any Favour shewn him by the Baptist Fund, and has lately written me a Letter wherein he has signified that he has no more Expectations from the Gentlemen in London, and goes on in his Business at Leicester, waiting to see how the Divine Providence will dispose of him. – M.r Venn has strongly urged him to study the Greek with a View to take Orders but he has not complied with that, because he is a young Man of strict Integrity and Honour and I believe he dares not violate the Dictates of his Conscience concerning Baptism. –

   He is a very agreeable and sensible person who might do Honour to his Friends and to the Gospel   I am sorry that our want of Union and zeal for the Cause of the dear Redeemer has given such a Check to his Wishes and Intentions. – a more worthy Man for Person and Deportment you will not find in a thousand that should come before you. – May our LORD Jesus give us more Wisdom and public Spirit. – the Children of this World are wiser in their Generation than the Sons of God and Heirs of Glory – The Men of this Life seize all opportunities of promoting their Interest with Ardour and Diligence. –

   The Sentiments of M.r Hartley and M.r Sandys you have in your Hands and I leave them to the Divine Providence and the Direction of your Fundees I only want to have Christ glorified and his Cause most powerfully and richly promoted

   If the Gentlemen of our Denomination in London chuse to direct all their Strength to Bristol Society, that is to say

         the Interest of £1800

         the Interest of     800

and all the Voluntary Subscriptions that can be raised besides – I have no more to say but this that I pray our Redeemer to bless all the zealous Endeavours of our Friends there with the utmost Success – and may many able Ministers of the Gospel be formed under their Direction to supply the Churches of Christ wherever they are wanted.  As for my part I have no Interest seperate [sic] from Christ’s and the Height of my ambition is to live to him – to live like him – and live with him for ever. –  I am

Dear Sir

Your Servant

for Christs sake

John Ryland

Northampton

March 23. 1770 –

M.r Button is desired to give this to M.r Robinson on Lords Day Morning

Text: MS. II.c.5.(5.), Congregational Library, London. The above letter concerns John Palmer, now going to Leicester; also mention here of William Button, Ryland's student who had recently returned home to London; he would eventually assume the pastorate at Dean Street, Southwark, in 1774.