Matthew Wilks, London, to John Sutcliff, Olney, 6 November 1793.

My old friend

We are both embarked in the same work of doing good, in the execution of which experience testifies that we also frequently get good. For he that watereth shall be watered again.

I hear you are now a favourer of E. Mag. by recommending its sale, for which you are entitled to thanks. Though you are not an editor, I do not see why you should not be a contributor, and furnish us with a few short productions of yr leisure hours.

A good friend informs me, that you can favour me with some pretty biographical pieces, with some entertaining anecdotes, and Experiences of living and dying Saints. As productions of this nature are very interesting to the generality of our readers, you dont know how much I should be obliged by such favours.

As our plan is liberal, I do not see why we should not make it a common course, I hope yr modesty will not enslave yr mind so far as to prevent yr assistance. Many mites make a large sum.

Should you have a known object to [paper torn] probably some of our London Editors may have no application, and if you will send it to me as directed in ye Mag. I will do what I can for the object.

I hope the dear Lord is with you in yr great work of winning Souls. In this may you abound yet more, and more, till yr work terminates in everlasting rest. Awaiting yr favourable answer I remain in the best of bonds. Dr Sir   yrs

                                                      M Wilks

London Nov. 6. 1793.

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 66-67 (annotated version); also Eng. MS. 371, fol. 129, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. On the back page is written in Sutcliff’s hand, “Rec.d Nov.r 7. 1793. Ans.d (inclosing Mrs Jarvis Case) Dec.r 2. 93.” Matthew Wilks (1746-1829) was an Independent minister at the Moorfields and at the Tottenham Court Road Chapel, London.