22 May 1815

William Wilberforce, London, to John Ryland, Jr., Bristol, 22 May 1815.

My dear Sir

I will send Mr Rowes Letter to Mr Burls   I am sorry for havg worn it in my pocket till one page of it has suffer’d – Be so obliging as to mark the more interesting parts whenever you again favour me with any similar Communications – My Eyes are still far from strong, tho far better than formerly when I depended almost entirely on my Amanuensis – I wish it were in my power to suggest any useful Hint for Jamaica.  But what can any one say, except that which the Scriptures furnish Be wise as Serpents & Harmless as Doves.  How dreadful to see such Hostility to ye Cause of Christ in a Country calling itself Christian – I will of course be perfectly silent abt poor Moses Baker.   Very likely the [charge?] assignd may be a Calumny indeed. I know of no such regular Punishment if [true?] as the cutting off of ye Ears    But all this time I have been thinking of our departed friend – for ours not yours, I must term him – at least it will go ill with me or with any one who does not belong to that blessed Society to which he belong’d – There is a part of his work The Gospel its own Witness which is enough to warm the coldest Heart – I am much pressd for time & must say farewell.   Cordially wishing success to all yr Labours of Love, I subscribe myself my dear Sir

  Yours sincy

  W Wilberforce

Text: Wilberforce-Ryland Letters, shelfmark MS. G97a, Bristol Baptist College Library, f. 20.