John Ryland, Jr., Northampton, to John Sutcliff at Mr. Harley’s, Shrewsbury, 12 November 1774.

Revd & dear Bror

         Yesterday I received your last letter—I think I had not answered the former—however I will not be long now and I hope soon to see you—I observe this moment upon receiving your last that it shou’d seem it was sent to Mr Ryland, however as it was given to me and I have begun to write I go on to answer it—it was I that sent to Mrs Andrews—as to Olney people there are many of each Denomination that are excellentpeople—thro’ the tatling of outward Court worshipers and the stiffness of inward Court worshipers there is too much prejudice between godly folks of each sort—there is nothing but Gospel in the Town—yet too little Love—I believe Mr. Newton (who is Omicron) is the freest of a party Spirit of any one in Olney nor do I know any man more so in the world—his wife is more of a Bigot and so are many of each Denomination—the stiffness of the Baptists has hurt them, but yet they are well attended 300 or 400 people, in afternoon and night I suppose, are able to maintain a minister comfortably, and if a man of a gospel spirit should go there and determine to believe No Tales and labor by gentle degrees to undermine a party spirit and try to outdo Mr N. in Candor & Love for all that love Christ I believe he would have a good prospect—and would find that the Interest wou’d gain more than it lost by the Gospel in the Church—this is a plain faithful acc.t as far as I can judge who know a good deal of Olney people both Church people and Dissenters—I think you had better by all means to come and try and doubt not but you’ll call at Northampton and then we can consult further—My Parents & Mr. Burley send Respects—Excuse haste May the Lord direct you—

                                                      I am

                                                               Yours in our dear Lord,

                                                                                 John Ryland jun.r

I need not mention that I write freely and shou’d not desire others to know who gave you such and such information.

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 22-23 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 371, fol. 107a, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. References above are to Mary Andrews, Sutcliff's landlady, and George Birley, former tutor at J. C. Ryland's academy in Northampton. “Omicron” is a reference to the nom de plume used by John Newton in his popular publication, Omicron (1774), a series of letters on religious topics.