John Ryland, Northampton, to John Sutcliff, Olney, Tuesday [19 November 1805].

My dear Bror

         I think Dobney amiable and intelligent, but we cannot possibly find time to attend duly to him here – We must therefore send him to you – And last night the Committee resolved to send you about Christmas another young man if yu can receive him. If not he must go to Kilpin till Augt but they prefer his coming to Olney. His name is John Richards his pastor Jos. Harries of Swansea a very worthy man, writes thus –

         “He was Bd decr 1802 is about 22 yrs of age – has preach’d sevl times at our Ch. and at a few neighbouring Ch.s is serious, studious, very steady, studies the English Gramr now and can express himself tolerably in English” – In a subsequent Letter, “I think he is nearly Mr [Master] of the Engl. Grammar – has preached sevl times, is liked very much. One of Mr Booth’s Membs heard him once, and commended him greatly. How far he is capable of acquiring the knowl. of Langs I kn. not, but wth respect to divinity I kn. he has acquired a large share of that knowl. All our Mins who know him think he will be a very great man Mr Titus Lewis of Carmarthen told me yesterday tht he wd sooner recommend him than my young man he knows in the principality; I am of the same opinion He knows nothing of Latin, but has learned the Greek Characters –

         This seems encouraging – Shall he come? Let me hear – Love to all friends, especially Mrs Sutcliff Miss Johnson &c your Studts – We can take one or two more in, next Augt if you wish it –

                                 Yrs Affectly

                                             John Ryland

Tuesday

I’ll send you some Money in a Week or two, I expected to have done it sooner

Address: Revd Mr Sutcliff | Olney | Bucks

Postmark: Bristol 26 November 1805

Endorsed (by Sutcliff): Nov. 28, 1805. | Ansd Do

Text: John Ryland Folder, RG no. 1126, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta.