Rev A Brandram No.61
Havannah 8th June 1837
My Dear Friend,
I now write you from the island of Cuba, a place I have looked to for a long time, with wishes, hopes & fears; the first and the last of these feelings, prevailing, I confess, over the one expressed between them. But your business and mine is to offer and obtrude the Holy Scriptures every where and to all men, of all continents and all nations, and to the distant isles of the sea.
This is the last island in the West Indies, in regard to its position, and in regard to the visitation of your society; and it is last in several other respects, which I shall not here mention. But though last, it is not least; for it is in size the greatest of all the West India Islands, and it is greatest too in regard to its need of your help. This is the 20th Island in the West Indies visited by your Agent during his tour through this Archipelago, exclusive of Demerara, which is not an island, and exclusive of Venezuela, both of which parts are on the main and great continent of South America. The places therefore, if not the islands, are in number 22, and belonging to different nations. In all the 21 the Scriptures have had an entrance; and into all that entrance was frank and full to a considerable extent, except Porto Rico. But there too the Word of God entered, though it was, if I might so speak, taken up the wall in a basket, yet without infringement of law.
Notwithstanding however all these encouragements, I felt discouraged when I looked to Cuba, and longed to be in it. The enquiries that I had made about this island when I was in Jamaica, did not lessen but rather increased my doubts and fears upon this subject. At length the proper time of visiting it seemed to draw near. The Havannah I had thought was the best place to begin this experiment in; but there was a difficulty in this, as it is a very awkward place to find a conveyance from back to Jamaica, and thus both the time and the expense would be much greater to pay a visit to Cuba there, than it would be to visit some other parts, such as Santiago de Cuba or Trinidad, with both of these ports there is constant communication with Jamaica, to and from. Having this difficulty before me, I had next to resolved to visit Santiago. But the fear that greater obstacles would be met with there than at the Havannah getting the books through the Custom House under ecclesiastical and other trammels, I at length resolved to encounter the difficulties of loss of time, of inconvenience and expense, as to the Havannah in order of possible to secure the great object before us, or at least to use all likely means within our reach to secure it.
Thus it was that I came to straight from Kingston to the Havannah, sailing from the former on the 5th of May, and reaching this on the 15th of the same month. I arrived here on the Sunday, but was not permitted to land under a penalty of 500 dollars, until I should get a written permission under the hand and seal of the governor himself, and this was not to be obtained until security should be given by a person of property in the place, that I should not carry the island away, I suppose, nor the Havannah, nor turn things upside down in any manner whatever. All this, or rather nothing of this could of course be done on the Sunday, so that I had to content myself on board in the harbour till the next day.
I did not tell you before, that whilst viewing Cuba from a distance with wishes, hopes and fears, I made supplications and prayers often to the Almighty God, who made this Island and all its inhabitants, that he would graciously direct and mercifully prosper my way to the glory of his name in this place. The Sunday I spent on board gave me an opportunity of renewing these supplications within the country itself: and I may say I was greatly encouraged in this, it being on God’s holy day when so many are praying that the Kingdom of God may come, and that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven. O ye Christians all, and everywhere! Remember when ye are using these words, or are in other words praying for the advance of the Kingdom of God, and particularly on the Lord’s day, –think, O think, how many missionaries are, I may say, hanging on your prayers, whilst they are going round & round the strong holds of Satan, and blowing the Gospel trumpet the best way they can, amidst many hopes and fears and difficulties, but in full faith that sooner or later your supplications will be answered, and that the walls that defend the kingdom of iniquity shall assuredly fall before your effectual fervent prayers, and that we shall possess the gate of our enemies, according to the prediction of the word of God, which cannot fail to be accomplished.
Well, not to keep you longer in suspense, after thus preparing you with a view of the case now before us, let me call upon you to rejoice and give thanks to God, for the walls of the Havannah are fallen down before the word of God, and the blessed book is now in full possession of this city, or this city of it.
On the Monday morning after the Sunday of our arrival, I wrote from on board to a gentleman living in the city, to whom I had brought a letter of introduction, enclosing the same letter, and begging him to get me out of prison as early as he conveniently could. By noon I was free, and was the first freed of five passengers, one of them, a native of the city too, not getting his leave till some hours after, and the rest not before next day. Mr. Picard of the house of Fesser Picard & Co. was the gentleman who performed, and so promptly, this good office for me, and in which he had to bind himself for my good behaviour, as before hinted, and that I would not turn all things topsy-turvy, a rather bold venture for my obliging friend, seeing I came here purposed to turn things upside down, or downside up rather, and to use means for making all things new—I feel greatly obliged to Mr. Picard for his kindness in this instance, and for many other good offices in facilitating my business here. The books were consigned to his house, and through it all my Custom House and other such business was done, and for which nothing was charged nor accepted. In managing this matter I availed myself of the suggestions of Mr. Picard & of some other friends, and endeavoured to conduct all in the wisest manner I could devise. God has given us a noble triumph, considering all the circumstances of this place, and considering particularly the prohibition I met with at Porto Rico. Everything has been done straightforwardly, and according to law and custom, and no hinderance occurred, nor was any obstacle made through this whole concern.
When I had got the books fairly entered into this city, and within my own power, I made inquiry among the Booksellers about their sale. The whole quantity I brought was two cases, a larger and a smaller, which was very nearly all I had in Jamaica. Of Testaments there were 268, and of the two small books 50, making in all 398 volumes. To one of the Booksellers I sold 42 Bibles, for 85½ dollars, and three others I sold elsewhere for 5 dollars, making 90½ dollars for a commencement, and with which I felt greatly encouraged. The Bookseller would not buy the New Testaments, and the small books, but he agreed to sell them for me on commission, or rather without commission, as he generously realised it when proposed, and offered to do it gratis.
The next thing was to get public notice given of the existence of this treasure in the city, and that there was living water for all, but not exactly without money, & price; for, for the best reasons I always wish to sell our books rather than give them away, and in truth I give very few in a gratis form at any time or in any place. The Bookseller at my suggestion drew up an advertisement, and it was inserted in two daily newspapers, as you will see by a copy of each: which I now send you. Thus you see our flag is unfurled in Cuba, and all is in a prosperous train. A portion of the remainder of the Scriptures brought, which are on sale at the Bookseller’s above referred to, are on sale elsewhere in two places.
Among the friends I have met with here, and from I have received aid and encouragement in my work, not least but the greatest is a Mr. Norman, and English merchant who has resided in this city for several years, and who has been brought by the grace of God to see the value of the Bible, and to perceive in it the glorious gospel of salvation for poor lost sinners in the sacrifice of the Son of God for our redemption. In this salvation he is resting and rejoicing, and has given himself up, as every disciple must and does, to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. The Lord bless him unto eternal life, and make him a light in this very dark place. Mr. Norman, as you will suppose, has given me all help in my present visit to Cuba, and he will continue his services in your cause when your servant leaves this island for other parts of his extended diocess. This will prove of great value to you and I am sure you will be thankful to God for raising such a friend and agent in this place.
In Mr. Norman’s hands I have put some of the Bibles and Testaments for sale, and I know that he will thus put them into circulation, through the intercourse he has with many, and through his forcible recommendation of the inestimable value of the word of God from what he himself has experienced, and by setting before his fellow sinners the necessity of receiving and obeying the doctrines and the precepts of the Scriptures, as otherwise we cannot be saved, and must therefore perish for ever. The Lord prosper him in thus preaching salvation through the Bible, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
A third sale place of the Scriptures is established in a steamboat which runs from this port along a considerable portion of the northern coast of this island. Through the Scriptures being exposed here, the many passengers sailing in this vessel will have the word of God brought under their attention, and offered to them at a low rate. May the Lord lead them to profit from the same, for their everlasting salvation.
The last portion of the books, being somewhat more than one third, I take with me to other parts of the island. My intention is to leave in a few days, and to direct my way, – first to Matanzas, a large and growing city of 20,000 inhabitants, with much commerce, and lying about 70 miles to the Eastward of this. After trying to sell some part of my stock there, I purpose to go on to the city of Principe, which is in a certain view the capital of the island, and the residence of the supreme court called the Royal Audiencia, and containing a population of upwards of 50,000 inhabitants. I go towards that city in the steamboat above referred to, called the Yumurí, and in which is, I trust, a good man, who will take charge of our books for sale, as above noticed. After some stay in Principe, and after disposing, as I hope, some of our good treasure, I shall have to go on overland to Santiago de Cuba. In that city, containing about 30,000 inhabitants, I expect to dispose of my remaining portion of Books, if I should have any left. Having so disposed of them, and having thus accomplished the object of my visit to this island, I intend to sail for Kingston, Jamaica, to which place there are vessels going frequently.
Before you can receive this letter, I trust that all our Bibles will be out of the hands of their respective salesmen, and into the hands of purchasers and readers: and O! may all who read, live for ever. Thus pray you likewise; and I know you do; for what is out object in circulating the Scriptures, but that people may live by them; and let us remember that our prayers will not a little contribute to this end, for so God hath arranged things in his infinite wisdom; and to whom in all things be the glory. If our Books are disposed of, as I hope, in the time above mentioned, we shall need a new supply, and I trust this island will require and call for many, many copies of the word of God. Please think to send us when this reaches you, Two Hundred Bibles, of the kinds and sorts following: 140 Spanish Bibles, half large, half small; 20 English Bibles, five of these pearl gilt, 5 nonpareil with references; next 5 small pica with references, and 5 English quarto: next 10 French Bibles, half large, half small; 10 German, half large, half small; 5 Portuguese; 5 Italian; 4 Danish; and 5 Dutch; making in all 200 Bibles. To which be so kind as to add, one Arabic Bible, one Ancient Armenian, one Hebrew 8vo and one Syriac.
I have the pleasure of saying that Dr. Maddan, the superintendent here of the Captured liberated Africans has given every help and encouragement in the blessed work of getting the Scriptures into this place and I feel greatly indebted to him for his many friendly offices. Dr. Maddan has been led to see the value of the Bible, and is very desirous that it should have an extensive circulation in this city and island, and will cheerfully contribute all he can toward the same. This is his only hope of reanimating religion in this place; though, I suppose, it is a question. Whether religion ever was animate here at all; but at all events it is dead and dead at present. May the word of the Lord be a fire and a hammer to break the rock in pieces, and bring many souls from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance amongst all them that are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus, our only Saviour and King, and our final Judge.
I should mention that I have received the kind attentions of a Dr. Finlay, an English medical practitioner in this city, who has introduced me to several individuals, and other wise given me all the aid he can. Amongst others, he introduced me to one of the Canons, and with whom I had a long conversation, and bearing much upon the use of the Scriptures, and to all of which he agreed. He has himself one of your Bibles, of the first edition of 1821, which he showed us, and said he very often reads in it, and mentioned the particular excellencies of different books of Scripture, as had struck him whilst reading your volume. He stated that a Friar brought some Bibles to this city from Panama, and disposed of them, of which his, I think he said, was one. I hope this Canon will be of service to us.
I may state here also, in respect to the distribution of the Scriptures in this place, that Mr. Picard got some copies some years ago, and through the favour of a very intimate friend of his, the then Vicar-General of this city, they were got through the Custom house, and were personally circulated by this Ecclesiastic. Let me record his name, as worthy of being remembered. It is Don Justo Velez. He has left this scene and has entered into eternity, I hope into the joy of our Lord Jesus Christ, and into which joy may every circulator of the Holy Scriptures come.
The Books, you will please direct, with accompanying invoices, to “James Norman Esq. Havannah”. I have made arrangements with this gentleman regarding them, and I am sure he will have a pleasure in serving you, and this people, and God, in this matter. Correspond with him therefore frankly, and you will meet frankness in return.
I notice lastly and incident, or coincidence, which though little, looks in one way great. When I went to the Bookseller’s to talk about selling to him the Bibles, before I had opened my subject, two men came in, in ordinary life from the country, eagerly inquiring for “the Gospels” as they said. The Bookseller said he had them not; and this opened my mouth and my object, and in speaking to them men I desired them to come in the afternoon, and they would find the object they were in quest of. This is like an Emblem of Cuba seeking for the Word of God, whilst you are in the very act of proffering the Holy Book to it. May Cuba perform its part in the emblem: you, I am sure, will perform yours.
I have only to add, —pray for me all of you, as I do for all you; and pray for Cuba, that the Word of the Lord may have free course in it speedily, and be glorified.
Believe me, Your Affectionate Fellow Labourer,
James Thomson.
P.S. Please say to Mr. Hitchin, that I drew a Bill for one hundred pounds in favour of James Wallace & Co., Kingston, Jamaica, dated 5th. May, and which will probably come to hand later than normal. JT
P.S. Havannah 16th. June 1937.—Owing to the periods of the sailings of the steam boats, and some other circumstances I have been detained here till now, but leave this evening. From expenses & duties paid here, and the probable difficulty of negotiating Bills further on in this Island, I have this day drawn two small Bills for £25 each in favour of Mr. Norman and Dr. Maddan. JT