P65/28/3/20

The Reverend John King Martyn to the Reverend William Mudge, his son-in-law from Pertenhall to Ipswich

2 May 1832

From: 1832 To: 1832

"We have had great uneasiness about our Rector. He gave notice on Palm Sunday for services during the week, and the Sacrament on Easter Sunday, and behold, when I went over on Tuesday even to chapel I met Peacock who said 'I suppose you have heard that Mr Thomas set off for London this morning' and from that time to this nothing is known of him. On Thursday Roddis came to me to know what was to be done. He could get neither Mr Winning nor Ridley so I sent him to Mr Robinson and he kindly promised an evening service on Good Friday and Sunday, and the church was crowded to excess on those evenings. Last Sunday Mr Ridley came in the evening. As to next Sunday, we are quite in the dark. Possibly he may return - or he may not - he may be out of his mind - or he may be seeking a wife - it is all guess, but it is very distressing-added to this, since he has warned G. Bell out of his farm, I have also warned John Hollis out of his - as was agreed, that they might exchange. Now Hollis is very wrath and will not speak to or look at G.B. and represents himself himself as injured, and writes angry letters to me, and among other things, says the church people are persecuted by the Moravians. Oh how is the devil getting sway in this once peaceful village...... You see from all this that we have our troubles as well as you. I did not however expect that it would so sooon have come to such a pass with you and Mr. N. It is quite wonderful and unaccountable that so much hostility should be manifested against the preaching of the Kingdom and coming of the Lord. I do not wonder at dissenters disliking to hear of our Lord's coming, because they must know that when he comes there will be a monarchy, and that all they are striving for with the help of socinians and Papists will come to the ground.. But why evangelical men, not particularly interested in the fat things of the Hierarchy, should so dislike it, I cannot tell. I think a season of rest might be useful to you, but I should hope some door of active service might soon be opened to you. The Nuneaton chapel... needs to be purchased - pew rents. I had rather build a chapel somewhere, if I were you, for £5 or £600 and be free from Bishops and Rectors. The house over the way has been let to the Islips of Melchburn. When we hear anything about Thomas you shall hear.

item

Martyn, John King,
Mudge, William,
Peacock,
Martyn, Thomas,
Roddis,
Winning,
Ridley,
Robinson,
Bell, G.,
Hollis, John,
Islip

PERTENHALL, general correspondence, Ipswich, London, general Moravian, MELCHBOURNE