John Ryland, Bath and later at Bristol, to John Rippon, Grange Road, Southwark, 9 June 1797.

Friday June 9.  1797

Dear Bror

Yr Lett.rs came safely & I have done all I c.d but have only a minutes time to write to you & know not when I shall – I go to N[orthampton]. by way of Leicest.r on Monday Morn.g – Your F.r wrote to me for some Aid for himself – Cou’d by no means help him & the house too to the Am.t you wish’d without taking away from other Cases which were always used to receive & equally needy.   Voted him 2£ 6.6 for himself – & 3£ for his Meeting house, w.ch was all we had left, or more than all yet in hand I advanced the latter sum to be repaid when we receive the next Dividend –

As to the Mission Society they had fix’d to send Steadman & Franklin to Cornwall in ab.t 3 Weeks. – Franklin is gone to Tiverton, & will meet Mr Steadman at Exeter. –

Mrs Pearce is just on the point of lying in, & I believe he goes to London as soon as she is put to bed

I c.d scarcely read your Letter while I was at Bath, tho I began this Reply there – I now am in the utmost hurry, having more to do to day than I know how to get thro – But funds are full & I expect several Stud.ts must be refused for Want of Money

There are sev.l who have applied already, or if your 3d is like the other two I sh.d be very glad to have given him the preference – I had no time to show your Lett.r to Mr Francis, I suspect he w.d be unwilling to leave home – I have certainly no time to strive. 

Steadman was not at the Assoc.n I shew’d your Let.r to Saffery, but had no time to speak about it – All was hurry & confus.n – tho we had a pleas.t Meeting – The North of Devon needs much evangelizing I am told – We unite in Love

I am y.rs Cordially

J Ryland

You know I sh.d be grieved to grieve you, but if I were in the same case I sh.d like to hear of what others say, but universal Report is very unfavorable to the Character of two aged Ministers in this Connection, who are said tho very poor, to disgust their Neighbors & ruin their Churches by intemperate Indulgences when ever they can get at strong drink – Mr Crispe is one, of whom I heard repeated Complaints, & I was unspeakably sorry to hear the like Intimat.n concerning another whom I need not name. – Alas how lamentable is it, that any Ground sh.d be given for such Complaints in the decline of Life – The Lord grant we may not live to dishonor him.

I wrote this Letter partly at Bath while I waited for the Coach & finish’d it as soon as I got home, but after all persons came in, & prevented its getting in time to the post

Text: MS. II.c.5.(15.), Congregational Library, London.