1774 RARE FEMALE BAPTIST LETTER. Elizabeth Turner Reports on the Preaching of a Questionable Baptist Evangelist.

Very scarce letter from Elizabeth Turner, whose husband was the pastor at Birmingham's Cannon Street Baptist Chapel. A fascinating snapshot in a rather volatile period in the emerging Baptist Church. The movement was on the cusp of launching the modern missionary movement via William Carey [whom Sutcliffe, along with John Ryland, etc., would inaugurate as a missionary]. However, the lack of education, formal organization, and the intrusion of false teachers was plaguing them.

As most emerging organizations figure out through painful experience, organization and structure are necessary. 

Sutcliffe would join Turner as associate the following year before leading the Chapel at Olney, near John Newton. He seems to have queried Mrs. Turner about a preacher's theology and manner. Sutcliffe and James Turner were both leading men among the Baptists, signatories to the Association Documents, etc., 

James Turner (1726-1780) became a member of the Baptist congregation in Rossendale, where he was baptised by Henry Lord (d 1780). In 1755 he was called south to be the second pastor of the church at Cannon Street, Birmingham, founded in 1737. At that time, the church was failing and the congregation numbered only about 14. However, under Turner’s ministry, the work flourished and in 1763 the chapel was enlarged, with a further enlargement set to begin at about the time of his death in 1780.

By then, membership had reached over 150. In 1775, fellow John Sutcliff (1752-1814) worked alongside him as his assistant for six months, before going to Olney. Turner was succeeded by Henry Taylor in 1782 but Taylor became an Arminian. However, in 1789, Samuel Pearce (1766-1799) followed him, his brief pastorate making a deep and orthodox impact.

Between 1765 and his death, Turner preached twice (1769, 1762) at the Association and was moderator four times – 1768, 1770, 1774 and 1778. A tablet erected in Turner’s memory in the chapel notes that “he was a clear, judicious, acceptable, and successful preacher and he was a defender of all the doctrines of the everlasting Gospel.” In Turner’s lifetime some few small items were published but did not long remain in print. 

We have precious few documents form the Baptist women of the era. A fascinating item. 

The text, in full:

"In compliance with my friends request, I am now about to inform him that I have had the opportunity of hearing Mr. Ware [Wise]. He preached at Mr. Doughty's last night from Psalm 69.32, the latter part. Your heart shall live that seek God - which he thus laid out - 1st was to shew who did not seek God - 2ndly who do - 3dly Why How & Where he is to be sought - 4th how many sorts of seekers there are - 5th what is imply'd in the words - 6th how their heart shall live & 7thly conclude with application - very methodical I suppose you'll think, but indeed when we had heard this division we had heard all that was orderly - he told us before ye meeting that his business was with sinners, by which I believe he meant the unawakened, for as we found it, & if I may form a judgment for others by myself, there was nothing for anybody else. Should you ask me for his sentiments respecting the doctrines of grace - I frankly declare I do not know them - & all I can say is that he delivered nothing ( as I observed) contrary to them. If others can profit by such preaching tis well for them, but too true it is I had neither pleasure nor profit. I believe there was near a hundred people to hear him, & they hard seemingly at least with great attention. By his own account the Lord has been pleased to make him an instrument of good in some places. Should he do so here (which I am sure I should heartily rejoice to see) it will be a further demonstration that it is not by might nor by power by by the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. Thus have I given you an account which according to your own acknowledgment will not make you at all the wiser, as it is but the testimony of another person & you have yet only heard of him & not heard him. 

I have been free, perhaps too free in delivering my sentiments on this matter. I must therefore beg that no person except Mrs. Harley may know a syllable of it, for should it be known, it must be thought extremely unbecoming in me to speak so plainly of a person I know very little of & never heard but once. My letter is already so long that I need not say anything more & had I inclination time would forbid. Indeed, my present frame of mind is as uncomfortable as was the preaching I lately attended on. This must be my excuse for stopping here. 

That the Lord may give you a word that will be suitable both to saints & sinners is the sincere desire of her who wishes without a doubt to call herself 

Your Sister in Christ.
E. Turner

Please to give my love to Mrs Harley. 
Nov. 17, 1774"