Rev A Brandram
London, 11th May 1846
My Dear Friend,
Since my return from my late tour in Buckinghamshire, I have been given to understand, that it is customary to write out some notices as to the state of things observed during Bible Society visitations. I proceed therefore to give some account of the visit I have lately made to the county above mentioned.
This course of visitations occupied a fortnight, and the places visited were as follows:‒ Aylesbury, Stone, Haddenham, Brill, Marsh Gibbon, Wendover, Whitchurch, Waddesdon, and Chesham.
In Aylesbury on Sunday evening the 19th ultimo, a sermon was preached in the Independent Chapel, but no collection was made, as it was not found convenient to do so. On the evening of Monday the Aylesbury Bible Society Anniversary was held, in the County Hall, when there were present about 300 persons, which, I was told, was double the number that assembled at the anniversary a year ago. There were five clergyman present, and two Dissenting Ministers, of the Independent and Wesleyan denominations. We had likewise with us of Mr. François, a Frenchman, as his name indicates more ways than one. He was not long ago a Roman Catholic Priest, and is now about to take orders in the Church of England. One of the clergyman noticed is Rev. Mr. Campbell incumbent of Aylesbury, with whom I became acquainted in New Brunswick, and where we travelled and spoke together in Bible Society visitations. Mr. Campbell is a warm friend of the Bible Society, and since his settlement in Aylesbury has taken a lively interest in the Society there, and I would look to him as likely to be the means in the hand of God of reviving the cause of our Society in Aylesbury, where it is at present low. This lowness is the more to be regretted, as great fervour was felt there, and in the neighbourhood and great sums were raised for the circulation of the Scriptures many years ago when the Auxiliary was first formed. Mr. Campbell read some extracts from an early Aylesbury BS report, together with a private letter describing a public meeting at the time referred to. These showed a noble state of things, and led us to see the very sad falling off that had taken place. I trust that the regret produced will have reanimation as a consequent. Resolutions were formed at this meeting for renewed examinations in the town of Aylesbury, and for forming Associations in several villages in the neighbourhood. The Free Contributions have increased in the year.
Our second meeting was in Stone, and was held in the National School Room, which was well filled, and might contain 150 persons. The Rev. Mr. Reade the Vicar was present, and also the Rev. Mr. Gates and the Rev. Mr. Bestall, the Independent and Wesleyan ministers from Aylesbury, and Mr. François before mentioned. This Association is in a good condition, and the collection made was about double that of the preceding year. The Vicar and Mrs. Reade are the main supporters of this Association. The Free Contributions are increasing.
The meeting at Haddenham, a large village containing about 1600 inhabitants followed next in order. Here we met in the Baptist Chapel, and have an assemblage of about 400. Mr. Tyler the Minister of the Chapel was in the chair, who is a warm friend of the Society. The circulation of the Scriptures is increasing considerably in this place, it having nearly doubled during last year. It would have increased still more, but for the difficulty felt in obtaining Books from Thame with which this Association is connected. Direct supplies from Earl Street, or some better arrangement than Thame, would advance this Association.
Meeting at Brill was held in the National School Room, where there were about 150 present the Rev. Mr. Baron the Rector was in the chair, who warmly favours the Society. We had also with us the Rev. Mr. Owen, Wesleyan Minister from Thame, and the Rev. Mr. Doxey, Independent Minister from the same place. Also the Rev. Mr. Young, Independent from Marsh Gibbon, and the Rev. Mr. Howell, Independent of Brill. This last mentioned gentleman was a missionary in Jamaica, whom I met with and had his help in our Bible cause. He takes a most active part in the Brill Association, of which he is Secretary. The Free subscriptions here are rather on the increase. The circulation of the Scriptures last year was 452 volumes, and from the commencement 1694. The annual meeting this year was more numerously attended than last year. The Rev. Mr. Tyndall, incumbent of the neighbouring parish of Holton, would have been with us, but for the state of his health and of the weather. He is warmly attached to our Society, and a letter was received from him to that effect by the Rev. Mr. Baron. We regretted Mr. Tyndall's absence, and not least from the consideration that he is a lineal descendent of the honoured translator of the same name.
Marsh Gibbon is a sub-association of Brill, which is connected with the Aylesbury Auxiliary. Our meeting here was good. We had with us the Rev. Messrs. Howell, Doxey and Young before mentioned, and the Rev. Mr. Ferguson Independent Minister from Thame.
In Wendover two sermons were preached on Sunday the 26th one in the Independent Chapel, and the other in the National School Room, where the Rector usually officiates on the Sunday evenings. No collection was made at either of these meetings, the parties considering that what might be collected there would most probably go into the plates and the Bible Meeting the following day.
On the Monday evening the Anniversary was held in the National School Room above named. The place was well filled, and there might be full 250 present. The Rector, the Rev. Mr. Thornton, a warm friend of the Society, was in the chair, and his Curate also was with us. We had likewise the Rev. Mr. Holmes the Independent Minister, and the Rev. Mr. Horsefield, the Minister of the Baptist Chapel of the place. At this meeting, and also others previously held, a desire was manifested to have a Colporteur employed for the County generally, and probably some measure of this kind may before long be adopted, and it is believed by all concerned that great benefit would follow.
The Free Contributions from Wendover base here are £11:15:6½, including 2/7 from a sub-association at Ellesboro'. This is an increase on last year of £3:1:4. The Purchase Account this year is £27:12:1½, including £6:11:6 from Ellesboro'. The increase of this account over last year is £2:3:11.
The books sold during the year amount to 334 volumes, which is nearly double the number disposed of in the preceding year. The number issued from the commencement of the Association in 1837 is 1135.
The Whitchurch meeting was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, and was attended by about 130 persons. The Rev. Mr. Whittington and the Rev. Mr. Bestall, Wesleyan ministers from Aylesbury, and the Rev. Mr. Gates from the same place were present. Mr. Durley, the most active person connected with this Association, was absent, which hindered the collection of the due information concerning its operations.
Waddesdon Meeting followed, and was held in the Wesleyan Chapel, the assemblage being about 150. The Rev. Mr. Bestall from Aylesbury attended. About 1000 copies of the Scriptures house in all been circulated by this Association.
A meeting was projected for Great Missenden on the following day, but obstacles were in the way which hindered its verification. The Depot there is found very serviceable.
Our last meeting was held at Chesham where we had in the chair the Honourable and Rev. Lord Wriothesley Russell, he takes a lively interest in our cause, and is anxious to have an Association formed in Chenies, and neighbouring parish, of which he is Rector. The meeting was in the National School Room, which was well filled, and probably contained 250. The Rev. Mr. Blackman, Incumbent in Chesham was with us, and the Rev. Mr. Stallibrass, Independent Minister, who was born in Siberia, and is one of the sons of the Missionary of that name was whom you are acquainted. We had also present three Baptist ministers, the Rev. Messrs. Tomline, Payne, and Ayrton.
The Free Contributions here are on the increase, the sum this year is £27:0:11½. The issues also are increasing, and considerably.
From a review of the Meetings and Societies in question, forming the Central District of Bucks., it is pleasing to observe that there is in most places, and increase this year over last in the Free Contributions to our Parent Society for the benefit of the world at large. Also it is gratifying to observe, that generally the issues of the Scriptures are on the increase; and where this is otherwise, the reason assigned is, that the quarters have been well supplied by previous issues. The meetings have been better attended this year than last, and the difference has been considerable, as I have been informed by those who witnessed meetings of both years. – All the meetings were commenced with prayer, the parties seeming specially to desire that it should be so.
The last observation to be made respecting this tour is, that the Visitor has been very kindly entertained by our Bible friends and has been conveyed from place to place, in most cases, free of expense.
I remain, My Dear Friend,
Yours Very Truly,
James Thomson.