John Ryland, Bristol, to the Revd John Williams, New York, 5 April 1816.

April 5. 1816

My dear Sir

         I recd your favor by Mr Bowen, for which I am much obliged to you. My numerous engagements prevent my entering into regular correspondce with distant brethren but I am always glad to hear of the propriety of the Church in every Qr and have ever felt a peculiar regard for ur American Brethren of difft Denominations

         I have now finished, or nearly so, and Acct of my dr Bror Fuller, and sent the former part to the press this week, to be printed by his son at Kettering – I have written 650 pp. & trust it will not disappoint your expectations.

         No one more deeply regretted the Misunderstanding between our Country & yours more than myself, which some on both sides the water wd evidently be glad to renew and foment – May the Lord mercifully defeat their iniquitous attempts –

         I was grieved to hear that Mr Hand had not conducted himself with discretion on his passage to America, and especially that he had falsely affirmed he was sent out by our Society. This was altogether wrong, and causes me to fear lest he shd deviate from the Truth in other respects. I used to have more Hope than Fear about him, I have now more Fear than Hope –

         I was somewhat embarrassed when he went out, as he wished me to recommend him to some of our Ministers, and I accordingly wrote both to Dr Staughton & to the Baptist Minr at New York, (for I had not heard so long from that City, that I was not sure whether you were there or not) I was afraid of saying too much either way. I hoped well of him, and yet there seemed lately so much eagerns in having his own way, and leaving places where he had had a prospect of success in England, that I could not determine in my own mind, whether he had more ardent zeal, or more selfish ambition, than I had once imagined. Your brethren however must judge of him for themselves. I pray God to keep him from dishonoring religion, and from disgracing those wth whom he was formerly connected – I do not know Mrs H. but have heard a very amiable Character of her, and shall be very sorry for her sake, if he does not act with prudce and discretion. I fear the use of spiritous liquors is too common in America, and that if he be not on his guard in that respect he will soon injure himself; tho’ I had no suspicion of his having any such propensity till since he left England. He gave out that he was going to settle in the borders of the Lakes in Canada, & had a grant of Land from the Regent, so that I was surprized to hear of his staying in the United States.

         I shall be very glad to hear from you at any time when you have opportunity to inform me of the success of the Gospel in America. I pray God abundantly to increase your success in his blessed Work, & to revive his Cause universally I am

                     My dear Sir

                                 Your cordial Bror

                                             John Ryland

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Address: Revd Mr Williams | Baptist Minister | New York

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