1827 ADAM CLARKE. Extensive 3pp Autograph Letter to Important Financier of Missionaries!

Wonderful, crisp 3pp autograph letter by Methodist theologian, Adam Clarke. Clarke was arguably the most influential Methodist thinker, aside from Wesley, during the whole of the 19th century. Nearly every Methodist minister and many Methodist lay people owned and used his commentary; it was the "gold standard" for interpretation among them and continually in print. 

The present lengthy letter dates to 1827 and is addressed to Peter Jackson, Esq of London; a long-time friend of missions and publisher who had a habit of on a regular basis buying up all the newest resources, including Bibles, lexicons, theological and missionary periodicals, etc., and boxing them up with printing presses, sets of type, etc., and crating them to be delivered to the furthest reaches of the missionary movement. We have another letter listed at present from Robert Moffat to Jackson, expressing gratitude for one of these massive parcels. 

In the present letter, apparently Jackson has sent a similar crate and there has been some misunderstanding about one of these that was intended to be opened and split up, etc., The dreaded misunderstanding with a donor! Fortunately, it seems that he and Jackson have a long history, Jackson having helped pack up Clarke's library when he moved from London when Jackson was yet a young man. 

"My Dear Sir,

I have still too much reason to recollect my "assistant packer" at P***** St on my removal to Millbrook ever to forget the great & efficient kindness of Peter Jackson. & to Mr. Fisher also I have often expressed my best thanks & still feel grateful remembrance for his kindness in sparing to me your valuable assistance at that time. Had the books had the same kind of packing on their return to London it would have been some hundreds of pounds saved in their value to me. 

Now, with respect to the grant to our Sunday Schools in the Shetland Isles, had I been at all aware of what you intimate, I would have checked the whole with the list; but having no suspicion and the Commander of H. My's. cutter ***** about to sail to that station and offering kindly to take charge of the parcels, I did not attempt to open them, but put them aboard at Deptford and he carried them safely and honorably to Bressay Bay and sent them to the Preachers house in Lerwick. With them I sent the printed letters, and whether the Preachers thought of checking the articles by such bill of parcels, I cannot tell. But I know they were immediately divided, some being retained for use by the schools in Lerwick. Others sent to the west of the Mainland. . . . 

Perhaps when the society hears of the destitute state of that most deserving people and the daily increasing numbers in those schools and that all the books sent are now in use, they may be inclined to repeat their grant. Then I will keep a sharp lookout & you shall hear from me again."

etc., etc. etc.

Very fine condition.