John Ryland, Bristol, to Daniel Sutcliff, Manchester, 12 August 1818.

My dear Sir

         I have this Morng recd your kind and generous Donation, wch by your Desire I have entered in the name of your glorified Bror for wch we are much indebted to you.

         I thank you for your hint respecting the blundr in my Remarks for ‘that it is intended,” read “that he intended” &c  

         I recd the Missionary Letters safely, tho I know not how they came.

         I shd be glad to see Whitaker’s Serms reprinted, yet there are 3 Objections

1.    They wd be violently opposed by some – 2. I fear they wd not sell sufficiently to make it safe. 3. The Author lower’d his Character after he returned to America – He was here with Mr Occom, collecting for Wheelock’s Charity School.

My new Colleague, Mr Crisp[1] is one of the most amiable men on Earth. He has no such antipathy to American Divinity as his predecessor, who wd hardly allow me the right of private Judgement.

         I have a good deal of affliction in my family. My wife’s health declines greatly, & my eldest daughter, after a very alarming fever does not recover her former health, tho I have great satisfactn in the state of her soul. My youngest daughter is also unwell. We need much prayer on acct of the Mission, having some great difficulties pressing upon us at this time – I will send you some Associatn Letters by my Son. I have long hoped that he fears God, but he has an uncommon degree of shyness and reserve, perhaps he may break thro this better at a distance than at home – He has made good progress in learning, and would not be deficient in point of composition. If he is bro’t to be a public speaker I fear he wd be too rapid, and probably not loud enough for the general taste – I wish you much of the divine presence and blessing & am

                                 Your cordl Bror

                                             John Ryland

Augt 12. 1818.

Address: Mr Daniel Sutcliff | to the care of Mr Sutcliff |Great House | near Todmarden | to be left at the Packhorse |Old Church Yard | Manchester

Postmark: Bristol [date unclear]

[1] References are to Thomas Crisp (1788-1868), who became a tutor at Bristol Academy in June 1818 (and later Principal from 1826-1868), and Henry Page (1781-1833), Crisp's predecessor, who served as tutor from 1802-1817. 

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