John Sutcliff, Olney, to an unnamed correspondent [John Ryland, Bristol], undated [late 1794 or early 1795, prior to the death of Mrs. Andrews on 9 March 1795, who is still alive at the time of this letter].

Dear Brother!

  I must defer writing to Mr Tommas to another time. Sincerely wish you, Mrs R. and any who travel with you, a good journey.—Am much fatigued with the exertions of yesterday. Hope I shall be better, when the weather becomes a little cooler.—Mrs Andrews continues very ill. 

  Mr Newton has had a hurt at Bedford, but I do not know particulars. One report says, it was thro’ a fall he had, as he descended the Pulpit stairs. Do not learn that the effects are alarming.

  I remember Brother Fuller once mentioned to me, a Sermon of your’s on Gal. iv. and perhaps 1/2 a score of the last verses. How many you read as your text, I cannot tell; but your design was to elucidate the whole passage. Could you not with little trouble, work up your leading ideas into a short Essay, and insert it in the Evangelical Magazine? I wish you to give the question a thought. 

                                                      With usual love, 

                                                               Your’s very cordially,

                                                                             John Sutcliff

Olney, Monday Morning

Text: Eng. MS. 384, fol. 1949, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Others mentioned here include John Tommas of the Pithay in Bristol, and John Newton. Ryland’s essay, “Thoughts upon the Allegorical Application of the History of Sarah and Hagar” (taken from Galatians 4:21-31), appeared in the Evangelical Magazine 3 (1795), 64-69.