plp 31-5-19
Stockport, Oct 15,1814
Dear Jonathan,
After I had written to you two days ago, your Mother
complained that I have said nothing to you about a great coat, now as the cold
weather is approaching. The distance creates an inconvenience. I suppose it
would be much dearer in London than here. But here we might not hit right as
to the size, though I have thought, that if we had one made to the size of
Deakens's son, our neighbor.
Would ------, only be rather too large, which indeed it
ought to be. But Mr Blanshard, Mr. Cordeux, Mr Knise and your Cousin, can give
you their opinion, & you will tell , as to London Prices. You might buy
one ----- made, at the New Cloathes Shops, Mr Blansherd advancing the money
and placing to my account.
Your present great coat being now too short I think it will
be best to cut off the skirts and let the Body be worn as a Spencer. For
though they are rather of fashion, they are very convenient, affording
advantages of a Great Coat, without their ch---- ---- the shirts. We are all
well, Your affectionate ------- (father)
This was addressed to Mr Blanshard
14 City Road, London
plp 31-5-20
Stockport, Nov 14,1814
My Dear Jonathan,
You may wonder that it has been so long before you receive
your Coat, but in the first place, it was between a fortnight and three weeks
before we received the magazines after the arrival of the invoice. And then we
met with unexpected hindrances and delays in getting the Coat ready. I think
it will be too long. But if it should rove intolerably so, you must get some
Taylor to cut a little bit off of the skirts. but for running to the Post
Office and all other places which may require speed, and especially after
sun-set, the Spencer will be better than the Coat. And it will not be much
worse at other times.
In looking over your diary several thoughts struck my mind.
I was sorry to think that you seem to have let that comfort slip from you,
which you enjoyed at Woodhouse-Grove. Now has this been through
unfaithfulness, or through looking too much on the discouraging side of the
question? But should it have through unfaithfulness, still you ought not to
sink into despondency, but to have made immediate, and earnest application to
the throne of grace, and thus received the restoration of your comfort.
As to rising early in the morning, you seem to have
intended to carry the matter farther than circumstances would allow. If you
had fixed six o'clock or even half past, instead of five, very possibly you
might have succeeded. In at aiming at too much, we sometimes gain nothing at
all. Again, we should always make a distinction between rules of our making
and the rules of the Bible. God's commands are absolutely binding upon us: but
our own resolutions are purely ---detail and the breach of them is faulty only
so far as we deviate from the Bible.
It is of vast importance, that we should take care that
religion be not mere drudgery. It is one of the "Chief devices of Satan
to get us into such a slavish Spirit, that religion may be more slavery to us
& that so we may become quite tired of it, & leave it off. your
suffering your mind to sink into discouragement and dejection, I believe to be
one principal cause of your being overtaken at other times with levity. When
the mind has been for some time depressed below it proper level, it naturally
rebounds and seeks relief in ------- and dissipation. the proper line of
conduct to be observed is to be always cheerful, but never light, always
serious, but never sad.
One thing struck me very forcibly, and very painfully,
namely, that while you detailed so many other things, you make no mention of
being at Class-Meeting. And I cannot but think, that most, if not all, the
other uncomfortable circumstances, must be attributed to this. Did you get
into some good class, which meets at a convenient time, and take care
punctually to attend it, it would be one the very best means of preventing
other improper and uncomfortable things. A Sunday Class, I think, would be by
far the most proper for you. And I must earnestly persuade & entreat you,
immediately to get into such a Class and constantly and uniformly to attend
it. And till you do so, I do not expect that you will ever get on as you ought
to do. Be assured your negligence is this point, is the chief reason of
everything uncomfortable in other respects, and is one chief device of the
Devil for robbing of what religion God hath given you. Repent, and do your
first works, walking by the same rule, and minding the same things, as when at
Woodhouse-Grove, and afterwards.
I had almost as soon that any misfortune befall you as that
you should leave off meeting in Class. Besides, a backwardness to attending
these meetings is generally a sign that something is got wrong within. Be
resolved, be zealous, diligent and circumspect, and at the same time take
encouragement God considers whereof we are made, and remembers that we are but
dust; we have an advocate with the Father, who even lives to pray for us, and
who know how to succour the tried and tempted.
If you cannot rise half an hour before you need to rise,
give it over this winter, and make a better trial when the spring comes.
Meantime, gather every spare minute during the day, for reading, meditation
and prayer. And be punctual and constant in meeting your Class. If you do not
like one try another and until you are suited.
You should keep on in writing a diary, and send it down by
the Books, at least now and then.
Mr Matthew Scoggins died on the 5th of the month having
finished his ----. Mr. Beam on the day before. I expect Mr Benson will be
invited to come to Stockport to preach his funeral sermon.
We remain quiet in Stockport, but the ------ ------ keep
their distance.
Wed forenoon
I have just received your letter. The greatest fault of
your Great Coatis, that it has cost too much. I now think it would have better
had you gotten one in London on account of the difficulty of fitting you write
by the books. I remain your affectionate father, Jon Crowther
Remember to Mr and Mrs. Wood, Mr and Mrs. Bradburn, Mr and
Mrs. Gant, Mr Thrush, you Cousin and Mr & Mrs. Mc Donald.
PLP-31-5-21 Stockport,
Dec.13,1814
My dear Jonathan,
I am glad you are gotten into a class. Endeavour now so to
come to the Throne of Grace, and live by faith in Christ, and feed upon the
Promises of the Gospel, that you may not only recover your former comfort, but
get into a regular settled and established state of mind. Walk before God in
simplicity and Godly sincerity, getting filled with the spirit of power, of
love , and a sound mind. Beware of a desultory dissipated spirit, and guard
equally against sinking into discouragement. Remember, in every low and
depressed moment, that "as a father ? his children, even so the Lord ?
them that fear him, that he knowest whereof we are made, and remember that we
are but dust." I have not time to write more.
Your affectionate Father, Jon. Crowther
What goes before was written to send by Mr. Beason, but
Hannah's parcel, and one thing and another so swelled the parcel that I was
afraid it would be too cumbersome for him.
He preached at Hillgate Chapel on 2 Tim.4:7,8. In the large
room in the Stockport Sunday School from Rev. 20.12 and at Park Chapel, on
Monday evening from 1 Pet. 1.3. All the congregations were larger, but
especially that one Sunday morning. There were probably 3000, and many went
away who could not get in. Yesterday Mr Beason went to Manchester to preach at
Bridgewater Street Chapel last night. He did intend to preach London on
Saturday. But, I rather doubt whether he will be able to get out of Lancashire
so soon and this doubt was another reason for determining to send this by the
caravan. Write by the Book-parcel.
J.C.
See that Mr. Edwards packet be sent by a safe conveyance
and soon.
In your next, tell me how you stand as to money, and give
me the outline of your expenses since I saw you.
Remember me by your Cousin, Mr Kruse, and all the Preachers
to help my ??? may happen to me, the same as if each had been personally
named: and to their wives.
Author note: addressed to son Jonathan Crowther at 14 City
Road London.
PLP 33-5-30 Birstall, Dec 3,1816
My dear Jonathan,
At length they have gotten a shirt ready and also two pair
of stockings.
I enclose you a Pound Note. Money is still very scarce with
us. I had began to proceed somewhat resolutely with regard to affairs at
Rochdale but when I found that James Wild was paying off at least 300 Pounds
this year which we owed to others, and the he was much straitened and even
threatened for money, I saw no way but to exercise patience a little longer.
The times are very dreadful in Lancashire and not much better in Yorkshire.
The bloody and worse that useless war which has so long been waging for the
restoration of Popery and arbitrary power, threatens to entail upon England
very serious consequences. But it shall go well with the righteous,
comparatively speaking, in this world, but more especially in the world to
come. Let us take care of our souls, and secure the favour of God, and then
all will ultimately and eternally be well.
I have not yet received any of the reports of the
Missionary Society for this District, or I would send you one. Our meeting was
a pretty good one. Mr. Benj. Laddlan was in the chair. I moved the first
resolution as well as opened the meeting. My speech was about half an hour
long.
We had nothing so extraordinary at the convention at
Woodhouse Grove. There are 71 boys there at present, and things seem to be
going on well and prospering. Your cousin is somewhat a popular preacher and
was preaching a Charity Sermon last Sunday at Witchfields in my old
neighborhood. It was this which prevented his spending the Sunday here with
us.
You say that Mr. Edwards greatly wishes to see my Life of
Dr. Coke. You can lend him a copy and you may hint to him, if you feel freedom
of mind, that he may print an edition of it, after agreements, if he chooses.
Mr. Cumming is actually gone to America. And he never had any title to the
copyright. I believe an edition limited to London, after some improvements,
would sell. You may just hint this to him and hear what he says. But it would
seem from the cover of the December Magazine that the committee have totally
abandoned all thoughts of publishing Drew's Life of the Doctor. The management
of the business is truly curious. They display some resemblance of the Dog in
the Manger. It is two years and a half today since Dr. Coke died. It is about
a year and a half since I approached them to adver------- of him and it above
half a year since--------- (several paragraphs not visible)
Thank God, we all enjoy pretty good health. Remember me
kindly to Mr Lemon and the two misses and also to any of the preachers who may
ask after me, your cousin, Mr Kniese and Mr and Mrs. Morgan. Watch and Pray I
am
your affectionate father
Jonathan Crowther
plp 31-5-31
Birstal Feb 15,1817
My dear Jonathan,
We were much gratified by the news-paper you sent , and
especially with your ingenuity in continuing to send a letter in Letter-press.
Yours of the instant I duly received. As to the political
ferment, it is what cannot be much wondered at. Such a load of Taxation was
never before borne by any nation upon earth. And the long-promised prosperity
turns out to be only an increase of adversity. The people now have nothing in
return for a lavish expenditure of blood and treasure for 24 years., but the
restoration of the Pope, the Inquisition, French Despotism, and are increase
of trouble and danger at home. The people have a right to meet and talk over
their grievances, and send the expressions to the Government. They have as
much right to petition for a Parliamentary reform as the had to petition
against Lord Ledgeworths (?) bile. As to "blasphemy", I have neither
heard nor seen any of it. The meeting in this county have been exceedingly
orderly and peaceable. So I am told; but I have not seen any of them, thought
there was one in Birstal, and I could hear the voice of the speakers into my
study. But I did not see the assembly nor hear one sentence of what was said.
And this you may think the more remarkable, when I tell you that two persons
waited upon me to request I would take the Chair. I told them, I should be
glad of a Parliamentary Reform peaceably obtained. but did not think it would
be proper for a man in my situation to take as active & conspicuous part
in the business. As to the Printed Circular Letter, we do not need it, and
shall not trouble anybody with it. I think the measure a very improper one on
several accounts.
I enclose you a one Pound note and do not endure either
hunger or nakedness as many better people have done. Here all thrive very
well. But yet we are in very close and -anon circumstances. I was obliged to
leave the cloth for your last suit unpaid when we removed hither. But fearful
of incurring disgrace, I went over to Halifax and borrowed the money of Mr
Thomas, Emmett, and sent it to Wednesburg. We have some expectation of getting
some from Rochdale we pray. But everything is uncertain. And what pains in
particular is that if we do not get some we shall not be able to pay the
expense of the pleasure of seeing you. But we must hope the best, and submit
to what we cannot help. Do not endure any real want without letting us know;
and we will do the best we can for you. Mary and Betsey have begun to learn
French, but I know not what they will make of it. Mother and all of them join
me in love to you. Remember to your family, the preacher, Cousin, Mr. -----
& write by the parcel. I remain your affectionate Father
Jonathan Crowther
plp 31-5-32
Birstal, May 19,1817
My dear Jonathan.
We do not forget this is your birthday, of which we all
wish you many happy returns.
In coolly calculated upon advantages and disadvantages, I
thought it best, perhaps, to have sent you what we could spare in cloth, etc,
but your mother, Hannah, etc, as well as yourself seem to very anxious to meet
once more, I suppose you must come at the time you wish. I enclose you a two
pound bank of England note. You can cut off the bottom of this and the next
half to give to Mr Cordeux
I think when you get to Leeds, it will be best to stay all
night, and perhaps at the Inn. A coach leaves the hotel in Brissate at six,
seven and eight every morning. I think it best to come by this. Our Cousin
Robert lives at Mrs. Mallories, Draper, almost opposite the Hotel. Write by
the parcel and also by post a day or two before you leave London say precisely
when you set off.
Neither Mr Feamsidenor Mr Gery Milnes, have either broken
or enriched; but both are I believe in a high state of prosperity.
You will find Birstal a very plain old fashioned kind of
place, but very healthful, with plenty of good unadulterated new milk at 2
pence a quart and one good measure.
I remain your affectionate Father
J Crowther
plp 31-5-33
Northwich Jan 1,1818
My dear Jonathan.
I received you favour of Dec. 2nd and should have answered
sooner, but that I wished to see Runcom first. The news of Jonathan (this
Jonathan is son of the writers brother) going for a missionary surprised me
also, and you letter gave me the first information of it. I had not the least
hand in persuading or advising to it, though had he consulted me upon the
subject, I should have probably have said more for it than against it: and I
told your mother that were you qualified & called to go, I would not have
hinder you. For the present I suppose, he will not go abroad. But I did not
see when at Runcom, as he was gone into Yorkshire with some of his pupils. The
lady spoken of is not Miss Moraton, but Miss Booth. And upon this point, I am
hardly prepared to give an opinion. She is, they say, personable and sensible,
and will have about a thousand pounds. there is nothing against her character,
except that your uncle would have liked her have had more Methodism, though
Jonathan is confident she is truly pious. She is one of his pupils: that is,
he had gone to her dwelling to teach her French: but whether the courtship
began and has been carried on in French or English, is more than I know.
I should have been truly glad that your letter had
contained something more satisfactory upon the subject of Religion. These
often repeated reminders to start afresh, I do not like. How much better to
properly into the harness and draw steadily along. This is especially
necessary to your your safety, welfare, & comforts, both in time and
eternity.
O when shall your wanderings end, and all your steps to God
_ward end! I have often feared your being too fond of going hither and thither
to gratify yourself, to cultivate a love for reading devotional books, and for
much private prayer. Keep good hours, & do everything by rule.
I have read your manuscript with considerable pleasure,
especially in finding your so ready in the scriptures. It is, however, capable
of improvement. But go on: employ a portion of your spare time in such
exercises. I think if you would write short regular discourses, on the Being
& Attributes of God, the Creation and the Fall of Man, the Sin &
Misery of the World occasioned by the Fall; the Promises and Types of the
Messiah; Christ Incarnation, History and Mediational Offices; the Plan of
Salvation; the Day of Judgment; & Heaven & Hell, you would find the
exercise useful.
I have bought you cloth for two shirts, and four cravats,
& they are making. These will be accompanied by a pair of leather gloves,
and perhaps two pocket handkerchiefs. And Hannah and Betsey took with them a
shirt to make for you which I am afraid has never been sent you. This
probably, has been occasioned by Betsey's sticking so close to her music,
drawing, geography, grammar etc.
Mary is at home & is bigger than Hannah, you will be
surprised at hearing that my present Colleague is over head and ears in love
with her, and paying his addresses to her with great industry. But she has
poured a good of cold water upon him & how it will end I cannot tell. But
keep this entirely to yourself & and say nothing in your letters to me
about it at present, lest they find out that I have mentioned it to you. She
is in the Society I and some others, have agreed to take the London Moderator
Newspaper. We wish to begin with the first number of this year 1819. Please to
get it ordered immediately, & let them direct for me. I shall mention to
Mr Blanshard a ----- agree to him for payment. Mention that to them and speak
to him about it before you order it.
All our Love to you
Jonathan Crowther
