CONGREGATIONAL

[William Jay, Congregational divine and noted preacher at the Argyle Chapel in Bath.] Autograph Note Signed to 'Mr Godwin' [Bath bookseller Henry Godwin], regarding the binding of his books. With order for the books, presumably in Godwin's hand.

Author: 
William Jay (1769-1853), Congregational divine, religious writer and preacher at the Argyle Chapel in Bath, praised by Sheridan for his oratorical skills [Henry Godwin, Bath bookseller]
Publication details: 
No date or place. [Bath.]
£25.00

ay is said to have preached nearly a thousand sermons before the age of twenty-one. On 11 x 8.5 cm piece of paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, but with patches of sunning. At the head of the page is the order for the books, presumably in Godwin's hand: 'A Volume of Crabbe's Works - to bind / 2 Vols to match it'. Beneath this is Jay's heavily-inked response: 'Will Mr Godwin leave the ordering of the binding till I see him? / Wm Jay'. Scan on application.

[Thomas Binney, Congregational minister known as the ‘Archbishop of Nonconformity’.] The first part only of an Autograph Letter, discussing his writing a preface for a work by ‘the blind eloquent American’ [William Henry Milburn].

Author: 
Thomas Binney [Thomas Benney] (1798-1874), Congregational minister known as the ‘Archbishop of Nonconformity’ [William Henry Milburn (1823-1903), ‘the blind preacher’]
Publication details: 
‘Walworth [London] / Octr 31. 1856’.
£40.00

See Binney’s entry in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. The present item is only the first part of the letter, and hence unsigned, but the author is undoubtedly Binney (the text ends with a reference to ‘my preface to Dr Cheever’s “Incidents & Memories of the Christian Life,” published by Collins of Glasgow’). In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. The recipient is not named, but the subject of the letter is a proposal for Binney to prepare for English publication a work by ‘the blind eloquent American’ (i.e. William Henry Milburn).

[‘The most remarkable pulpit orator of his time’: James Parsons of York, Congregational minister.] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. J. Rawlinson, discussing his ‘intended retirement from my Pastorate in York’.

Author: 
James Parsons (1799-1877) of York, Congregational minister, son of the preacher Edward Parsons (1762-1833)
Publication details: 
20 July 1870. High Harrogate [Yorkshire].
£90.00

See his entry in the Oxford DNB, which characterizes him as ‘the most remarkable pulpit orator of his time’, and that of his father. 3pp, 12mo. On bifolium. Somewhat aged and with the recto of the first leaf grubby, but with text clear and complete, with thirty-three lines of text in Parsons’ close and neat hand. Signed ‘James Parsons’ and addressed to ‘Revd. J. Rawlinson’. He ‘must, reluctantly, decline to comply’ with Rawlinson’s request. He wonders whether he has ‘seen, or heard of an announcement in “the Leeds Mercury” with reference to my intended retirement from my Pastorate in York’.

[Sir Edward Baines, nonconformist newspaper editor and Liberal politician.] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. H. R. Reynolds D.D., describing an encounter he has just had with the ailing Earl Russell [the former Lord John Russell] in the House of Lords

Author: 
Sir Edward Baines (1800-1890), nonconformist newspaper editor and Liberal MP [Rev. Henry Robert Reynolds (1825-1896), D.D., Congregational minister, President of Cheshunt College; Lord John Russell]
Publication details: 
‘Monday Evening’ [no date, but between 1861 and 1878]; on letterhead of the House of Commons [Westminster].
£56.00

See the entries for Baines and Reynolds in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Addressed to ‘The Rev. H. R. Reynolds, D.D.’, and signed ‘Edw. Baines.’ The letter dates from between 1861, when Lord John Russell was created Earl Russell, and his death in 1878. Begins: ‘My very dear Friend, / I have just been shaking hands with Earl Russell. I was standing with the mob of M.

[Charles B. Wilder, Boston abolitionist.] Printed pamphlet: 'An Inquiry into the Causes of Frequent Changes in the Ministry, and the Diminished Power of the Churches to hold the People in the House of God.'

Author: 
C. B. Wilder [Charles B. Wilder, Boston abolitionist and Superintendent of Contrabands] [Beacon Press, Boston; Thomas Todd, Printer; Congregational House]
Publication details: 
Boston: Beacon Press: Thomas Todd, Printer, Congregational House, Room 25, 1881.
£50.00

[2] + 16pp, 8vo. In wraps on the front cover of which is printed the title-page, with a 'Note' by Wilder on the reverse. Sixteen pages of text with drop-head title: 'Churches and Ministers Considered'. In poor condition, aged and worn. Wilder's note explains his motive for writing: 'I am nearly four-score years of age - my life covering almost three generations. My opportunities for observation in city and country, North, South, East, and West, have been abundant.

[Edward Stallybrass, Congregational missionary to the Buryat people of Siberia, and translator of bible into Siberian.] Autograph writing of the beginning of the Lord's Prayer in Mongolian vertical script, with contemporary

Author: 
Edward Stallybrass (1794-1884), Congregational missionary to the Buryat people of Siberia, and translator of the Bible into Mongolian
Publication details: 
No date or place, but with material dating from 1827.
£100.00

A 10 x 3 cm slip of paper cut from a letter, bearing the beginning of the Lord's Prayer in Mongolian vertical script. Laid down on a 21.5 x 17.5 cm piece of paper extracted from an album, on which is written in pencil the caption: '"Our Father which art in Heaven" written in the Mongol language by Stallybrass - a Missionary, who resided seventeen Years at Irkousk in Siberia - about 3500 miles from St. Petersburg -'. On the reverse of the mount are entries in two hands. The first is a four-line poem ('Oh! when but of Friendship the farewell is spoken') by 'E: A: | Jany.

[Horace Bushnell of North Church, Hartford, Connecticut, Congregational minister, religous writer.] Printed pamphlet: 'Prosperity Our Duty. | A Discourse delivered at the North Church, Hartford, Sabbath Evening, January 31, 1847. By Horace Bushnell.

Author: 
Horace Bushnell (1802-1876) of North Church, Hartford, Connecticut, Congregational minister and religious writer [Case, Tiffany & Burnham, Hartford printers]
Publication details: 
'Published by request.' Hartford: Printed by Case, Tiffany & Burnham, 1847.
£120.00

24pp, 8vo. Saddle-stitched pamphlet in pink wraps the the title-page reprinted on the cover, this time within a decorative border. In fair condition, aged, worn and creased, with slight loss to outer corner of front cover. Bushnell takes as his text 2 Chronicles XXXII.30, and begins his 'Discourse': 'Any community or city will prosper that will do its duty.

[ Washington Gledden, religious editor of the New York Independent and opponent of racial segregation. ] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Washington Gladden (1836-1918), American Congregational pastor and religious editor of New York Independent, prominent in the Social Gospel and Progressive Movements, opponent of racial segregation
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 29 January 1914.
£30.00

On one side of a 12mo piece of paper. In good condition, lightly aged, folded once horizontally with traces of glue from mount on blank reverse. Firm signature, underlined. Reads: 'Washington Gledden | Jan 29, 1914'.

[ James Parsons of York, Congregational minister. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. James Everett

Author: 
James Parsons (1799-1877) of Salem Chapel, York, Congregational minister [ James Everett (1784-1872), Methodist minister ]
Publication details: 
23 St Saviourgate [ York ]. 31 August 1839.
£40.00

2pp., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of tape adhering to one edge from mount. He is 'requested by the Committee of our Auxiliary in aid of the London Missionary Society to ask for your presence and assistance at our approaching anniversary in aid of that Institution'. He gives the date and details of the event, to be held at Salem Chapel, including 'a public breakfast in the school room in the morning, and a meeting in the evening'. He names two individuals from whom help is expected, with mention of 'two of the native refugees from Madagascar'.

[ James Parsons of York, Congregational minister. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. T. <Greenway?>, regarding his preaching twice in Salem Chapel, with one 'Collection for the Port of Hull Society'.

Author: 
James Parsons (1799-1877) of Salem Chapel, York, Congregational minister
Publication details: 
York. 27 February 1866.
£35.00

2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He reminds him that when he was in York, he stated his 'willingness to preach twice in Salem Chapel, and have one Collection for the Port of Hull Society, during the present year', adding that 'the Deacons of our Church concur in such arrangement'. He proposes a date, and asks for a reply.

[ James Baldwin Brown, Congregational minister and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. Baldwin Brown'), regarding the sending of a volume on his son's return.

Author: 
James Baldwin Brown (1820-1884), Congregational minister and author, noted for his liberal views
Publication details: 
5 The Paragon, Streatham Hill. 16 April [ no year ].
£40.00

1p., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The male recipient is unnamed. He does not wish him to think that he is indifferent to his application for 'the Volume of <?> life which you have written for'. He continues: 'My Son has got it, and he is away from home. But he is returning shortly and I shall be able to send it to you'. Brown was Minister in Derby, in 1843; at Claylands Chapel, Clapham Road, in 1846; and at Brixton Independent Chapel, Brixton Road, from 1870 until his death.

[ Andrew Morton Brown of Cheltenham, Scottish Congregational minister. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A. Morton Brown') to his former colleague 'Mr. Walker', reminiscing about his time at Glasgow University, and giving news of doings at Cheltenham.

Author: 
A. Morton Brown [ Rev. Andrew Morton Brown, LLD ] (1812-1879) of Cheltenham, Scottish Congregational minister
Publication details: 
Cheltenham. 20 December 1858.
£120.00

Brown was educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. He was for thirty-six years pastor of the Congregational Church, Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham. After his death he was described as 'an active and leading spirit among Congregationalists through the country'. See: 'A Sermon preached in the Congregational Church, Winchcomhe Street, Cheltenham, Sunday Evening, July 27, 1879. On the occasion of the lamented Death of the Rev. Andrew Morton Brown, LL.D. For more than thirty-six years the beloved Pastor of the Church meeting there, by Rev. Joshua C. Harrison'. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium.

[ James Parsons of Lendal Chapel, York, Congregational minister and 'the most remarkable pulpit orator of his time'. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Rev. James Everett, requesting his presence at a meeting at Salem Chapel on behalf of schools.

Author: 
James Parsons (1799-1877), Congregational minister, a popular preacher at Lendal Chapel, York [ James Everett (1784-1872), Methodist minister ]
Publication details: 
St Saviourgate [ York ]. 25 January [ c.1842 ].
£56.00

2pp., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged, neatly attached by stub to another leaf. He hopes Everett will be 'able and willing to comply' with his request that he attends, at a future date, in 'the school room of Salem Chapel at a meeting on behalf of our Sabbath and day schools'. As Everett is 'relieved from some of [his] wonted Engagements', Parsons hopes 'that no obstacle will exist'. According to Everett's entry in the Oxford DNB, he 'moved to York in 1839. Through failure of health he was […] made a supernumerary minister in 1842, but remained in York, writing more actively than ever'.

[ Thomas Keyworth, Congregational minister and author. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos Keyworth') to George Offor, describing a circumstance relating to the use of tablets by children in 'our school'.

Author: 
Thomas Keyworth (1782-1852), author, Congregational minister, and philanthropist [ George Offor (1787-1864), literary editor and book collector
Publication details: 
[ Sleaford, Lincolnshire. ] No date [ 1840s? ].
£125.00

3pp., 4to. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Mr Offor | NB Please to pay the Twopenny Postage of the Letter to 169 Fleet St & charge it in my account.' Docketted 'Mr Keyworth. | Sleaford'.

[Printed pamphlet.] The Lamps of the Temple. A Letter addressed to the Churches of the Congregational Order by the Southern Board of Education, concerning the Supply and Education of their Ministers.

Author: 
[The Congregational Church in England and Wales; The Southern Board of Education (England)]
Publication details: 
London: Printed by Yates Alexander and Shepheard, Lonsdale Buildings, Chancery Lane. [Between 1881 and 1883.]
£56.00

22pp., 8vo. Disbound. In fair condition, lightly-aged, with shelfmark in manuscript at foot of title-page. Scarce: the only copy on OCLC WorldCat and COPAC at the British Library, whose entry dates the item no earlier than 1881, and no later than 1883.]

[Printed item.] Proceedings at Suffield, September 16, 1858, on the occasion of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Decease of the Rev. Benjamin Ruggles, First Pastor of the First Congregational Church.

Author: 
[Rev. Benjamin Ruggles, First Pastor of the First Congregational Church, Suffield; Henry A. Sykes; Daniel W. Norton; Byron Loomis; Rev. Joel Mann; Rev. A. C. Washburn; Springfield, Massachusetts]
Publication details: 
Springfield, Mass. Samuel Bowles and Company, Printers. 1859.
£120.00

118pp., 8vo. Two engravings, both with tissue guards: frontispiece of the 'First Church erected in Suffield. About 1680.'; and 'The Ruggles Monument'. In cream printed wraps. Errata slip at rear. The item begins: 'A Hundred and fifty years had nearly expired since the decease of the first Pastor of the First Congregational Church, and no monument or stone had been set to indicate to the passer-by his last resting-place. The idea was conceived of erecting a suitable monument to his memory; and on the 24th of May, 1858, the Church appointed Dea. Henry A. Sykes, Daniel W.

[Newman Hall, 'The Dissenters' Bishop'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Newman Hall') to an unnamed recipient.

Author: 
Rev. Dr Christopher Newman Hall (1816-1902), Congregational minister, known in later life as 'The Dissenters' Bishop'
Publication details: 
[Albion Chapel] Hull [Yorkshire]. 25 December 1850.
£45.00

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly aged paper, in a windowpane mount. It gives him 'much pain' to refuse the recipient's 'kind and friendly invitation': 'My Sundays for 12 Months are engaged. I fear some kind friends forget I am a settled Pastor & not at liberty to accept one twentieth of the Invitations I get. I have only a few Sundays which I feel I can consistently spend away from home - & these are generally engaged several months in advance'.

Holograph Poem by the Congregational minister Richard Winter Hamilton, beginning 'Dear Sister, Christian Heroine!'

Author: 
Richard Winter Hamilton (1794-1848), Congregational minister of Albion and Belgrave Chapels, Leeds
Publication details: 
Leeds. 20 November 1827.
£120.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, on a lightly aged and worn leaf removed from an album. The poem is twenty lines long, arranged in five four-line stanzas. The first stanza reads 'Dear Sister, Christian Heroine! | Stranger to me thy form & voice - | I venerate that zeal of thine, | And while I blush, for thee rejoice'. The second stanza is somewhat heretical: 'Nor Male nor Female is in Him | Who Born of Woman, both hath sav'd: | She conquers every terror grim, - | She thousand deaths for Him has brav'd!' The third stanza begins: '"A woman slew him:" Gideon'ss son'.

Autograph Note Signed and poem by the Congregational minister James Bennett of Rotherham, with manuscript poem ('Psalm 149.3, Let the Saints sing about upon their beds') by James Gray of Nailsworth, titled 'Elijah's Interview with God'

Author: 
James Bennett (1774-1862) of Rotherham, Congregational minister; James Gray of Nailsworth
Publication details: 
Bennett's note dated from Rotherham, 26 November 1829. Gray's poem dated from Nailsworth. 19 January 1828.
£150.00

On a 4to leaf removed from an album, with Bennett's piece on one side of the leaf, and Gray's on the other. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with a short closed tear to the fore-edge. Bennett's note reads: 'Dearest Brethren, ye know how that a good while ago, God made desire among us, that the Gentiles, from my mouth, should hear the word of the Gospel & believe. And God, who knoweth the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us: put no difference between us & them, purifying their hearts, by faith'.

Two Autograph Letters Signed from J. P. S. Bicknell of Hoxton, as 'amanuensis' to the widow of the London bookseller Robert Greaves Ibbett, offering the Liberal MP Samuel Morley a manuscript and painting said to be of Dr Isaac Watts.

Author: 
J. P. S. Bicknell of Hoxton [Samuel Morley (1809-1886), businessman and Liberal MP for Bristol, 1868-1885; Robert Greaves Ibbett, London bookseller and picture dealer; Dr Isaac Watts (1674-1748)]
Publication details: 
Both letters from 24 Northport-street, St. John's Road, Hoxton [Hackney, London]. 8 July and 4 September 1874.
£130.00

Both items in good condition, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Both written in a close and somewhat shaky hand, and addressed to 'Respected Sir'. Letter One: 8 July 1874. 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Bicknell explains that the 'widow of a bookseller, (R. G. Ibbett, who, for many years, dealt in original and rare works, in the City of London,) has in her possession the Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Isaac Watts, in his own handwriting (bound). This MS. was shown (together with a well-executed oil-painting of the Doctor,) to the late Dr.

Autograph Letter Signed ('W B Sprague') from the American Congregational clergyman and author Rev. Dr W. B. Sprague [William Buell Sprague], in part a letter of introduction for Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, Massachusetts

Author: 
Rev. Dr W. B. Sprague [William Buell Sprague] (1795-1876) of Albany, New York, Yale-educated American Congregational and Presbyterian clergyman and compiler of Annals of the American Pulpit
Publication details: 
Albany [New York]. 13 April 1832.
£120.00

1p., 4to. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, laid down on the remains of a leaf of grey paper from an album. Sprague has only just received his recipient's letter, 'with its invaluable accompaniment', presuming that it was detained at New York for more than two months. He will send a proper letter in a fortnight; in the meantime he writes 'to introduce to you my worthy and much respected friend Mr Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, a direct descendant of the venerable divine whose name he bears [i.e.

Autograph Letter Signed from the Congregational minister James Bennett to an unnamed male recipient.

Author: 
James Bennett (1774-1862), evangelical Congregational minister and author [Rotherham, Yorkshire]
Publication details: 
Rotherham, Yorkshire. 26 October 1818.
£56.00

1p., 4to. In poor condition, on aged, stained paper, with wear and loss to corners. Boldly signed 'James Bennett'. According to his entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Bennett lived in Rotherham, 'where he was tutor in the college and pastor of the church at Masborough', between 1813 and 1828. He is delighted that the recipient is 'devising means for the revival of religion' in his town: 'It is, however, not in my power to be with you.' Nevertheless he hopes he will 'persevere & obtain effectual help'.

A Letter to the Editor of the British Review, occasioned by the notice of "No Fiction," and "Martha," in the last number of that work. [Annotated copy of Francis Barnett (the 'Lefevre' of Reed's 'No Fiction') bound up with a review of the two books.]

Author: 
Andrew Reed (1787-1862), Congregational minister [Francis Barnett (b.1785)]
Publication details: 
[1823?] London: Printed by H. Teape, Tower-hill: Sold by Francis Westley, Stationers' Court, and the other booksellers.
£850.00

Excessively scarce, with no copy in the British Library and the only copy on COPAC at Cambridge, where it is tentatively dated to 1823. 8vo: 80 pp. Followed by five leaves (pp.373-382) from 'The Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle' for 1839, in which an anonymous review of Reed's two books features on pp.378-382. Interleaved (all blank). In simple contemporary blue-grey half-binding with cloth spine and corners and marbled boards. Tight copy on aged paper in worn binding. Neat contemporary repair to blank reverse of title. The circumstances of this publication are as follows.

A Letter to the Protestant Dissenters of England & Wales. [Education: and recent educational publications.]

Author: 
Rev. Robert Ainslie (c.1802-1876), Secretary of the Congregational Board of Education
Publication details: 
London: John Snow, 35, Paternoster-row. [Dated, p.53: 'Mornington Road, Regent's Park, February 1st, 1847.' Printed by J. Unwin, Bucklersbury.]
£180.00

8vo: 55 pp. Disbound. Tight, on aged, grubby paper, with wear to the title-leaf, which has a 7cm closed tear along the spine. Inscribed at head of title-page: 'Rev. S. Martin wh ye Authors Affec regards'. An informed discussion, with footnotes, tables and statistics, of the desirability of the education of the poor, by a correspondent of Charles Darwin. Excessively scarce: no copy at the British Library, and the only copy on COPAC at King's College, London.

The Bardic Chair Poem. London, 1926. [The Burial of David Livingstone.]

Author: 
[Rev. George Walton Keesey (c.1875-1936), 'known to many as the "Congregational Bishop of East London"'] [David Livingstone; Metropolitan Free Church Federation Eisteddfod, 1926.]
Publication details: 
London: Forest Gate Press, The Grove, Stratford, E.15. [1926?]
£120.00

8vo, [19 pp]. In original grey printed wraps. On lightly aged paper, with unevenly trimmed edges, and in slightly worn wraps. Short ink inscription at head of front wrap. INSCRIBED by the author's wife 'To my very dear Daughter Marian In happy memory of dear Pater the Author May 4th. and May 24th. 1936'. Full-page illustration of the 'Metropolitan Free Church Federation Eisteddfod, 1926. Grand Bardic Chair Presented by John Weir, Esq.' A curious mixture of pagan and Christian.

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