James Phillips

James Phillips (1759-1824) pastored Independent congregations at Barkway, Hertfordshire (1783-95), and at Haverfordwest (1795-1800) before removing to London, serving first as assistant pastor at Grafton Square, in Clapham, Surrey (1800-07), and later as pastor (1807-24). Hall and Phillips corresponded regularly for many years. In a letter to Phillips dated 14 February 1801, Hall comments about the current state of politics and then queries Phillips about the Bishop of Rochester’s sermon in which he attacked Dissenters and their practice of village, or "itinerant" preaching:

Pray, have you heard any more about the design of the government to suppress vill­age-preaching and Sunday-schools?  ... Mr. Simeon informed me lately, he had little doubt something of the sort would be attempted.  He gave some intimation of the same kind in a sermon he preached to his own people.  Pray inform me of all you have heard about it, for it is an affair which lies with considerable weight on my mind.  If there should be any thing done, we shall see dismal times.  Do you know whether any thing has been written on the subject?   (Gregory, Works 5.421-22)

Hall did indeed compose a pamphlet on village preaching, but it was not published until after his death (see Gregory, Works 3.333-84).