Rev A Brandram No. 18
Demerara, February 6, 1833.
My Dear Friend,
I find my feet rest once more on the great continent of South America. But to tell you the truth, it is with some difficulty that I realize to myself that I am upon this continent, from the long habit of associating the Spanish language and the Spanish state of things with South America. Certain it is however that I am where I say, and certain it is too that this portion of South America belongs to Britain; and yet (for my mind will draw me away by the association mentioned) and yet, there is not a little even here and under British rule, as what might probably be classed Spanish. But I stop, and leave you to divine what I mean.
I arrived here, and in George Town, the Capital of this colony, on the 15th ultimo. You are aware, I believe, that I brought with me, from the Church Missionary Society, a letter for the Rev. Mr. Strong, who, though not in immediate connexion with that Society, is in correspondence with it. I therefore paid an early visit to Mr. Strong, after reaching this place. From a man whose every wish and effort is to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, a circulator of the Scriptures, however humble, could only meet with a favourable reception. I met with this, and a hospitable reception besides; for Mr. Strong was kind enough to beg me to take up my lodgings under his roof; and in his house I have been during the greater part of my stay in this place. Through Mr. Strong, and others to whom I had letters of introduction, I grew by degrees acquainted with this colony, and personally with some individuals resident here who might be favourable to my objects.
On the day after my arrival I called on the Governor Sir Benjamin D'Urban. I anticipated a favourable reception from him, as he had been the Patron and active promoter of the Bible Society of Antigua when Governor of that Island. I met with a favourable reception as I had anticipated, and though he noticed that the actual state of the Colony was not as he conceived auspicious for the formation of a Bible Society yet he said he would gladly do what he could to further the object.
The missionaries belonging to the London Missionary Society, and those of the Wesleyan Methodists I found every way disposed to give their countenance and aid to the formation of a Bible Society here. I am sorry I cannot say the same of the clergy of this colony generally. There are here seven parishes with incumbents of the English church, and five parishes with incumbents of the Church of Scotland. The clergy of the Church of Scotland that I had an opportunity of conversing with are connected with the Edinburgh Bible Society[1], and hence did not accord with the idea of forming a Society here under any other connexion. The English clergy are more or less connected with the Bishop's favourite society, namely, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; and one of them was so well acquainted with your objects as to state that great harm had been done in England by the Bible Societies' Schools. Mr. Strong, the Rector of one of the parishes, is, as I have already intimated, most ready to do all he can in the way of a Society; and the Rev. Mr. Harrison, officiating English minister on a large estate is also fully with us.
After various preliminaries, a private meeting was held for the installation of an Auxiliary Society for this colony. Our meeting was a very pleasing one; and the Society was accordingly formed with the good will of all present, and with their good wishes for its success. With our wishes we joined our prayers, as we began and as we closed; and the Hearer of Prayer, who is as near to those who call on him here as to those who call on him in England, will, we trust, answer our supplications, and make this new and tender institution the means of extensive good in the circulation and in the knowledge of the word of God in this quarter. The Society formed we have denominated, "The British Guiana Auxiliary Bible Society." The colonies of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice, are now united under the term British Guiana; and our Society therefore takes this name, and is intended to embrace all the British possessions on this continent. The meeting at which the Society was formed was held yesterday. At as early a day as convenient the Society will be announced to the public in the newspapers, and I have requested Mr. Strong to send you one.
The next object which I keep in view, after establishing a Society in any place, is to make arrangements for a public sale of the Scriptures. This object I have also succeeded in; and I hope that this means, in connexion with the Society formed, will conduce to a more regular and more extensive circulation of the Scriptures in this colony than has been the case heretofore.
Be so good as send as soon as you can, direct to this colony, one case of nonpareil Bibles, and half a case of minion 8vo Bibles. The other half of this second case you will please fill with a few small pica 8vo Bibles, one half of which should be with marginal references, and with pica 8vo and Brevier New Testaments, one half of which have Psalms bound up with them. These two cases you can address to Mr. Ketley, and may mention that they are for the use of the British Guiana Auxiliary Bible Society.
The copies of the Scriptures remaining in the hands of Mr. Harrison have been transferred to the Public Salesman of the Society. Mr. Harrison has distributed 17 Bibles and 100 Testaments among the slaves of the Enmore Estate where he officiates. A small sum received for some of these copies was put into my hands, and will be duly noticed in my next letter to Mr. Tarn.
Mr. Ketley has disposed of Bibles for you to the sum of 557 guilders, and this sum in your favour has been increased by collections at his chapel to the sum of 700 guilders, equal at the current rate of exchange to somewhat more than £40. Mr. Ketley has delayed sending you this sum on account of the exchange now, for some time past being much against you. I advised him however always to send when he had a proper quantity ready, be the exchange what it wants, and to take the chance of its ups and downs, as this would in truth give you the par.
The case for the Moravian Mission in Surinam lately sent out I found here in Mr. Ketley's house. He was at a loss to know what to do with it, as there is at present no communication between Demerara and Surinam. I felt it best to open the case, which accordingly we did, and have placed the Dutch and French Bibles it contained in our sale shop. You had better therefore review your supplies for Surinam as soon as that place is open for English vessels, and send it direct there if you can, otherwise it might come this way.
I intend leaving the colony tomorrow. I could have wished to visit Berbice, but I find it would take too much time considering the long course that lies before me. I trust however that the Society now formed here will extend itself and in time embrace Berbice in its operations.
I remain,
Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson.
[1] Note (BM): The Edinburgh Bible Society broke off relations with BFBS in 1826 due to the Apocrypha dispute and then developed its own overseas ministry, particularly with missionaries from Scottish Presbyterian churches.