Donald Soper – SIGNED LETTER 1950

A fine autograph letter from Douglas Soper, The Reverend the Lord Soper to The Rev. A. Kingsley Turner, M.A. 198 Ferrymead Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex, dated August 5th 1950, typed on headed ‚’St Neots Commercial’ ivory writing paper – ‚’West London Mission, Superintendent: Rev. Dr. Donald O. Soper, M.A. Telephone No. Holborn 3246 (2 lines), Circuit Stewards: Sir Malcom Perks, Bart. Alfred Hartley. Kingsway Hall, W.C.2.’ – with two horizontal folds, signed in blue ink, minor spotting to lower second half.

In full: ‚’My dear Kingsley, Thanks very much for your letter. I am ‚’officially’ off-duty, but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated all that you did at Cheltenham, but more important how it rejoiced my heart to hear about your speech. It was a great effort. my love to you and we will forgather after Newcastle. Yours Donald Soper.’

Donald Soper (1903‚Äì1998), Methodist minister, socialist peer and celebrated open-air preacher, became closely associated with the West London Mission, whose work among the poor he led with energy and conviction. Made Baron Soper in 1965, he used the House of Lords as a pulpit for Christian pacifism, temperance and social justice. A formidable controversialist, he preached at Tower Hill and Speakers’ Corner, arguing that faith demanded practical service to the vulnerable, voiceless and dispossessed.