Rev A Brandram No. 26
Santa Cruz, Dec. 10, 1833.
My Dear Friend,
After writing my last letter to you, I remained some time in the island of St. Thomas. The objects I had in view in that place were three: first, to find out conveyances for the small cases which you forwarded me there for the Spanish Main. These I found and then shipped all the cases, accompanying them with letters to the Governors of the different provinces to which they were sent. My second object was to ascertain what could be done in these three Danish islands towards promoting a greater circulation of the Scriptures in them, and to see if there was any prospect of forming a Bible Society. Some openings on these two points I thought I perceived, but found that the previous to doing anything, I would have to visit Santa Cruz where the Governor General of these islands resides. The third object which I had in view in St. Thomas was to learn what I could respecting Porto Rico, as there is a constant intercourse between the two islands. I had obtained information I was immediately in quest regarding that island, and received also the promise or some letters of introduction to persons who might be of use to me there. Having attended to the three objects here stated, I sailed from St. Thomas and came to the island from which this letter is dated. I write the name Santa Cruz for so it is universally pronounced, although it is most generally written St. Croix in the French form.
My first object in Santa Cruz was to see the Governor-General. Accordingly, very soon after my arriving in this island, I called on him ; and although he was ill, and confined to his bed, I was permitted to see him, and had a pleasing interview, which, at his request, was prolonged beyond the proper length of an introductory visit. I next visited Mr. Luckock, whom I had met with last year, as you will recollect, in Montserrat. He is now the minister of the English church in this island. Mr. Luckock I found, of course, a friend to all my Bible Society objects; and from several members of his church, to whom he introduced me, I received encouragement. Mr. Bagger, also, the minister of the Danish church, and several of his flock, gave me encouragement in a similar way. Having thus found materials for a little Bible Society, I called again on the governor, and formally proposed my objects to him, and was happy to find that he not only gave his permission and sanction, but also gave me leave to use his name and influence with all to whom I might have occasion to speak upon the subject; and further promised to put his name at the head of our Bible Society and be its patron. I then called upon some other persons, and in all my visits found my objects met with a favourable reception. We next invited a number of those whom we had seen and knew to be friendly, to a private meeting in the house of a gentleman belonging to a Danish congregation. What took place at this meeting, and what followed, you will see in the newspaper which accompanies this letter. Our society was formed, and from the general good feeling manifested at the meeting now referred to, and at the first meeting of the Committee which subsequently took place, I am inclined to think that the Santa Cruz Bible Society will not be the least useful of the societies recently formed in these West India islands. At our Committee meeting two Ladies' Bible Associations were formed in Christiansted and Frederiksted, the two towns of the island.
You will perceive that this society is not named an auxiliary, either to your Society or to the Bible Society of Denmark, but is in connexion with both; and, as you will see by the Governor's letter, he wishes the preference to be in favour of the Society in his native country, to which these islands belong. Notwithstanding this connection however, we have avoided any participation in circulating the Apocrypha, by inserting in our rules, that our sole object is to circulate the pure word of God. I have explained it to the secretaries here how our society in London stands upon the subject, and that in forming a society or any other principles none of your agents could help out. I have also written to Dr. Möller of Copenhagen, and begged that our non-apocryphal rules might be generally respected and continued. But in truth there is no great danger circulating Bibles here with the Apocrypha by the Bible Society now formed. For, in the first place, only inhabitants of this island understand and speak the English language, and you therefore will be the direct provider of the Scriptures for them. And, in the second place, the case of Danish Bibles and Testaments which I brought here, will be sufficient for years to come I suppose for the few Danes that resides here. You will see by the advertisement in the newspaper, that the Scriptures, in English and Danish, are exposed to public sale in the two and only two towns in the island. The monies arising from the sales, I have you directed to be remitted immediately to you, and not to the Denmark Society. The free contributions to this society, should there be any, will according to arrangements be paid over to you; though perhaps they may pass through the hands of Danish Bible Society. – I have thus endeavored to keep you in all things clear on point of some delicacy, and hope I have succeeded.
I cannot leave Santa Cruz without saying a few words additional in regard to the Governor General of these islands. I have received many friendly attentions from him as your Agent. He has encouraged, as you see, the establishment of our Santa Cruz Society; he has also written a letter to the Governor of St. Thomas, begging him to aid me in getting up a society there; and further, he has furnished me with a letter of introduction to the governor of Porto Rico, which I consider a very particular favour, and a circumstance likely to be of great service to me. I might add, too, as bearing upon the same subject, that, on the day on which our Committee meeting was held, he had a dinner-party of 17, consisting almost exclusively of the members of the Committee, and evidently intended to mark his open approbation of our proceedings and object; and again, when I found I could not be ready to go with the packet to St. Thomas, he immediately gave orders that the packet should be detained till next day. Were I not afraid of asking too much, I would beg Lord Teignmouth it he enjoys sufficient strength in his advanced years, to write a that a few lines to the gentleman in question, to thank him for his friendly aid to your Society in the person of your agent. General Von Scholten's address you will see the verbatim in the account all the Bible Society in the newspaper.
St. Thomas, December 23, 1833.
A few days ago I returned again to this island, and have occupied myself am endeavouring to form a little Bible Society here, as in Santa Cruz. Difficulties have however presented themselves, and more than were anticipated after the encouragement met with at Santa Cruz, and the recommendation only object by the Governor General to the Governor of this island. Two or three private conversational meetings have been held, the last of which took place to-day. But the result has been to oblige us to give it up for the present, though not finally. In the mean time, however, a public sale of the Scriptures has been established, and notice of it given by advertisement in the newspapers.
I now go to Porto Rico by the very first opportunity that presents itself. I go in the midst of doubts and fears, but the Lord sends me, and I set out not knowing whither I go. I count on your prayers individually, and on the prayers of all the Committee on my behalf, as well as on those offered up daily and every where for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One encouraging hope I console and cheer myself with, and that is, that now has arrived the time when God will have the Gospel preached, at least by the introduction of his word, in every country, continent, and island. Woe to the nation or place that refuses God's offer of mercy. Pray that at Porto Rico a wide and effectual door may be opened for the glorious Gospel of Christ, now approaching it in the form of the Sacred Scriptures. How happy I shall be to gladden your hearts in another letter, and soon, with good tidings from that island! "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, let them also that hate Him flee before Him!"
James Thomson.