John Ryland, Bristol, to the Revd John Williams, New York, 28 August 1807.

28 Augt 1807. –

Dear Sir

         A young man called on me this week, who says he is a member of your Church, and enquired if I had any thing to send to you or other friends at New York, and tho I am now uncommonly hurried by some extra business I was unwilling to let him go, without sending you a line. I hope the work of the Lord is going on in your neighbourhood, and other parts of the United States; and I pray God to prevent any discord from taking place between the two Countries. All war is dreadful; but especially that between Protestant States, and above all between people sprung from the same Stock, and united by so many ties as ought to be felt between Englishmen and Americans – But alas! we are all miserable Sinners, and tho God has rais’d up in both Countries many who begin to feel as Saints yet they themselves are imperfect, and have but little Influence in regulating the Concerns of Nations. We can only sigh and cry for the madness of others around us, and pray God to check their selfish passions, and inspire them with an abhorrence of bloodshed. Well may the whole Creation wait with earnest expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God, in hope that the Creation itself shall be deliver’d from the bondage of Corruption in the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God. How is every part of this visible universe now abused by the sin of man! and how little do even the Children of God look at prest like what they should be, or even like what they shall be in the latter day Glory.

         We are much obliged to our American Brethren for their generous Cooperation in favor of our East Indian Mission, and the kindness shewn to those who have passed by the way of the United States to Serampore; as well as for their late kindness to your Mrs Biss. May the Lord abundtly reward them, for what they have done for disciples in the name of disciples of Jesus – We were just planning a Mission to Jamaica, where some coloured Brethren have been useful to a considerable degree, but are exposed to great oppression for want of having any European to take their part – I have this week heard of a renewed attempt to deprive them of all Liberty of Conscience by a most iniquitous and oppressive ordinance of the Magistrates of Kingston; but we hope our Government will interpose again in their favor. We apply’d, a year or two ago, with some good effect, and obtained the disannulling of an act of the Assembly. But the prest attempt is much worse than the former.

         Bror Fuller was here about 3 weeks ago, at our annual Meeting, when he preached the Sermon before the Education Society, and spent about a week with us. A remarkable work of Grace has been going on at Beckington, about 20 miles off of Hinton. Great additions were made to his Church last year, and many more are undr concern since But we seldom seem to fish with a Net, as you have often done in America – it is very uncommon I mean for an awakening to seem to run thro a town or a village – The most similar case to those I have read of, in your Country, was the awakening at Sheepshead in Leicestershire near 30 yrs ago, when my dear friend Guy was first settled there. We wd bless God however that his work goes on at all. Oh that it may extend itself widr in every direction, both here and with you – Wishing much of the presence and blessing of our adorable Lord I remain

                     Dear Sir

                                 Your cordl Bror

                                             John Ryland

Address: Revd Mr Williams | Baptist Minister | New York

Postmark: none

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