James Turner, Birmingham, to John Sutcliff, Salop, 25 August 1774.

My very dear friend

         How will you be surpriz’d, when I tell you, that I have seen your Unkle William since you did, & consequently knew more than half of what is contain’d in your letter before I saw it.

         The truth of all is as follows—Mr Holden & his Lady (married at Xmas last) came here on yesterday 30 July, on their way to Lancashire. His mother & two of his brothers being dead since he was there, he was sent for to settle matters &c    They were very desirous of my going with them, & as it happened I had an opportunity (a supply dropping in) tho’ I had left off all thoughts of visiting that Country this summer.

         Accordingly on the Wednesday morning following we set out, they in a one horse Chaise, which they keep, & I on horse back. A delightful journey we had indeed. The weather, the roads & agreeable conversation, made it truly pleasant: and thro’ mercy our coming up was as delightful. I wrote a line to your Unkle but did not expect to see him, & was surpriz’d to hear he was come on the Lord’s day morning. I had but very little time with him, some part of which was spent in conversing about you. He gave me an account of yr ramble to Wrexham, Liverpool &c—well, if you can travel 130 miles & preach 9 or 10 times in 8 or 9 days I just give you the preference. But I know there are few such do-little’s as I am.

         I am glad to hear of the success at Liverpool Mr Medly seems to be the very man for them. But is it man, without the blessing of God?

         I am sorry your auditory is so small. I am in hopes that case will be alter’d ere long. To be sure you came at a critical season. Well, the Lord’s ways are in the deep, & his footsteps none can trace. Go on, & fear neither death nor devils.

         Religion seems to be gaining ground in our Country. At Bacup they are going to enlarge their House; and at Rochdale they talk of building a new one. At the latter place they have an Auditory of near 200. I saw your Unkle Clayton, Mr Bamford is not likely to continue long at Accrington. Things get worse & worse. Tottlebank, I apprehend, is the place he is likely to go to. There is not a very good understanding between him & a gentleman above mention’d, but I don’t like fishing in troubled waters. “Jealous is cruel as the grave.” Ministers should be healers of breaches & restorers of paths to dwell in.

         Sometimes the very contrary is the case.

         I cannot now say any thing to yr question about unbelief; Mr & Mrs Holden are here & I have very little time to write—& besides, I am such a queer creature, that ‘tis but now & then that I am in an agreeable humour for writing. 

         I am surpriz’d to hear that Mr Pyne has had an invitation to Warwick; Tho I have a notion I heard something of it before. I hear nothing what’s come of Mr Shaw. What a day!  what a world!  what a Church, do we live in!  no; I dare say Pyne would not go for an 100 a year. Well, all will be right by & by.

         I dare say Mr Hall would not come to Salop on the errand you mention, on any account.

         Yesterday the New Chapel here was consecreated (as ‘tis call’d.)   A dry ceremony indeed. Mr Holden & I had Tickets and got in & saw the whole proceeding.

         Respects to self, Mrs Harley, Mr & Mrs Phillips & all friends. Mrs Egerley’s sister, is, I believe, very well, and I doubt not, a very godly (more of this) good Girl.—  

  The Lord be with you Amen

Birming. 25 Augt 74

A long letter will always be acceptable &c

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 19-22 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 371, fol. 125b, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Another reference here to William Sutcliff, John Sutcliff's uncle. Others mentioned include Samuel Medley, John Hurst, John Dracup, Charles Bamford, the church at Tottlebank (Lancashire), John Pyne, William Shaw, and Robert Hall, Sr., and the New Meeting, Birmingham. Mr. Edgerley may have been a cheesefactor or a grocer; Mr. Harley was a watchmaker and goldsmith. See Universal British Directory, 4: 418.