John Ryland, Northampton, to John Sutcliff, Olney, undated (c. 1792-93).

Dear Bro.r

      I thank you for your Note & Bror Dent thanks you too—He will be glad to see you, etc. & has sent Word to Mr Heighton of what you propose—I shall be glad to see you there, & believe Mr Trinder & Mr Wykes will meet us also there—

      Have rec.d an unanimous Invit.n from both Chs at Bristol—But neither think myself fit for that Post nor am willing to leave my own—Yet am concerned for them—& fear they will be much at a loss for a middle aged orthodox Man of some Learning, unless they are allowed to move some one who is now settled—and even if they were at liberty to pick they [sic] kingdom I know none who w.d be best for them—I think we ought to pray for them—But we will talk more of this when I see you—perhaps my Ansr need not go till after that time—

                                                               I am

                                                                               Yrs affect.ly

                                                                                     J. Ryland

Text: Eng. MS. 371, fol. 107f, John Rylands University Library of Manchester.  This letter was written during the period of Ryland’s candidacy at Broadmead, which occurred between April 1792 and December 1793. William Heighton (1752-1827) was the Baptist minister at Roade. Thomas Trinder (1740-94) was a deacon at College Street, Northampton, 1777-94. A Thomas Wykes, woolstapler, joined the church in College Street in 1771 and became a deacon; he died on 24 November 1795. See College Lane Church Book, fol. 12, Northamptonshire Record Office.