William Steadman, Broughton, to John Rippon, London, 20 February 1797 [incomplete].

This letter is missing the opening page, most likely two sides of the page, beginning instead on the third page of the letter:

. . . Labours, may you and I, may all that love our Lord Jesus Christ and the immortal Souls of Men, constantly help with our Prayers! As it is an Attempt in some respects now, would it be amiss Sir, if the Friends of it were to set apart some particular Seasons for solemn prayer for a Blessing upon it? Would it not be practical to consecrate one Hour in a Week to that particular Purpose? May not an explicit Agreement be entered into by them, to engage in such solemn Employ at the same Time, either in social socially, with as many as may conveniently meet together; or with their Families, if practicable; or else in their Closets? Something of this Kind has been attempted in some religious Connections, and carried on with Pleasure, and attended with a Blessing. Would it be improper, Sir, to bring forward a Motion of that Kind at one of the Meetings of the Friends and Supporters of such an ^this^ undertaking? And this, and every other Effort for the Advancement of the Redeemer’s Kingdom in the world, I remain

                     Dr Sir,

                                 Your sincere, obliged Friend & Servant

                                             W. Steadman

Broughton, Hants

Feb. 20th 1797

Betwixt the 5th & 6th line from the Bottom of the 2nd Page – insert -- #To which I might add that the Labours & Successes of the Methodists have largely contributed to civilize the Inhabitants in general, and to bring them into the Habits of hearing the Word.

Note. Page 3rd

As an Illustration of this Remark I wd beg leave to recommend the Paragraph in Mr B transcribed from the great Mr Baxter at the end of Mr Pearce’s Sermon at Mr Belsher’s Ordination just published, ^ and sold at Mr Button’s, London^ which I suppose you have recd & would be glad if you could insert in the Register. [?] In compliance [fol. 165v.] 8th Line from the Bottom p. 3 –

+ A young ^man^ at Southampton, lately joined to the Baptist Church in that Town, has laboured in such a way for sevl months;  – Of the Fruits of his Labours 8 have already joined the Church, and many more are lookd upon as savingly wrought upon. –

NB The Pamphlet containing Dr Ryland’s & Mr Pearce’s Sermons at Mr Belsher’s Ordination is to be had at Mr Button’s –  [This has been marked through, most likely by Rippon]

Address: none

Postmark: none

Text: John Rippon Letters, British Library, Add. Ms. 25389, fol. 165.