"Perhaps the greatest pulpit orator of his time" was apparently one time too afraid to speak in public! 

I love this letter! Probably dating to the 1780's, it involves a very young "Robert Hall." Born in 1764, by his teenage years, he was regularly addressing Baptist prayer meetings, etc., But having entered the Baptist Academy at Bristol for training ministers, he appears to have had some sort of existential or emotional crisis and became absolutely petrified about preaching. Twice while preaching as a student at Broadmead Chapel [at the Bristol Academy] he completely broke down and was unable to finish his message. This letter seems to original from that period, though undated. Perhaps it is someone who recalled his eloquence as a teen who has invited him.

Shortly after graduation, he seems to have received a renewed sense of grace and confidence in his call and went on to become perhaps the most influential speaker and writer among the Baptists during the early part of the 19th century. When he preached at the College, Broadmead would be packed. Interestingly he suffered another relapse of public anxiety in 1804 and had to withdraw from the pulpit. 

What a great physical artifact relating to the humanness of one of the great late 18th and early 19th century Baptists!

Addressed:

"Mr. Samuel Blackwell
Wilson Street

Dear Sir,

I think you for the respectful invitation you have been pleased to transmit to me to take part in the public proceedings of Princes Street. I must beg leave to decline compliance on two accounts. First, because I am engaged to visit Wellington next week & next that I never take any part in the public proceedings of our own society, having an extreme aversion to public speaking.

I am, Dear Sir,

Yours most respectfully,
Robert Hall"

Accompanied by a lovely period albumen photographic print of Robert Hall.