Wonderful 1827 letter between two stalwarts of the Particular, or Reformed Baptists of the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The present letter is from William Steadman and addressed to Joseph Kinghorn.
William Steadman [1765-1837] was an important leader in Baptist education and missions; his biography was published as "William Steadman, D.D: Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Bradford, Yorkshire, and President of the Northern Baptist Education Society." He was a close friend and financial and theological supporter of William Carey and is included in Haykin's work of Primitive Baptist Biography.
Joseph Kinghorn [1766-1832], also a friend and supporter of William Carey's had, interestingly, also been a shoemaker before becoming an influential Baptist pastor and educator. Primitive Baptist Press has published Kinghorn's Life and Works.
The present is not only an interesting letter, but a wonderful piece of Baptist ephemera; The bi-fold incorporates a two page printed Prospectus for Bradford Academy requesting Subscriptions, giving Kinghorn the recent Committee decisions about the admission of Mr. Edge, drawing his attention to the prospectus, saying that despite the many uncertainties, "our congregation was I think never better, nor our prayer meetings better attended".
He, however, laments the overall state of the Primitve Baptists:
"I nearly stand alone; all who had been accustomed to stand by me being either dead or so changed as to afford me little support. If however the preceeding application succeed I still hope we shall be able to go on, and support at least 20 students, which is, or rather in a week or two, will be our present number. We have premises capable of receiving 28 or even 30, and should be glad if our resources would admit of such a number."
1 page 10 x 8 inches, in good condition, with the address panel (torn at seal opening). Horton, 27 December 1827.