C. H. Spurgeon, Clapham, to unnamed correspondent, 23 August ?

My Dear Sir,

         It does not strike me as a very likely plan for helping Lancaster to come & beg in the very heart of its distress.  We intend doing our utmost as a congregation & are waiting awhile to do it the more efficiently.  Some little we have sent to Wigan & that town & another in your region have a further promise of aid from us.  I cannot from numerous engagements comply with you request, & with all deference to your judgment I may add that it does not appear a very wise thing even could I accomplish it

                                 Yours very truly

                                             C. H. Spurgeon

Text: ENG. MS. 861, fol. 50, Thomas Raffles Collection, John Rylands University Library of Manchester.