Rev A Brandram No.22
St. Lucy, April 20, 1833.
My dear Friend,
On the day following that on which I last wrote, I left the island of St. Vincent's, on my way to Antigua. There lie between the two places now mentioned four islands, two of them English, and the other two French. All of these I visited in my course southward last year; and in my present movement northward, I proposed to touch at all of them again, but not to remain above a day in each. To accomplish this object, I found that it would be the cheapest way to hire a small vessel, and to take it along with me to Antigua. This plan I conceived would also save me three or four weeks in time—an object of some consequence in the long tour still lying before me. I have accordingly hired a sloop of 43 tons to bear me onward.
At a late hour in the afternoon of yesterday I arrived in this island, St. Lucy (from St. Vincent's), after a long passage of full two days. Here I have found our good friend Mr. Gordon, whom I introduced to you on a former occasion. He is, as before, very friendly, and desirous of doing what can be done to promote the circulation of the Scriptures in this island, where he resides. He had duly received the French Bibles which were sent to him. The sales of these, and of the English Bibles I left here last year, have not been great; but a copy now and then makes its way into the surrounding mass; and let us not doubt, that the little leaven, thus imbedding itself, will leaven and leaven around it gradually, but surely, according to the true saying of our Saviour in describing his kingdom.
One day, as already noticed to you, is the time I have allotted for each island intermediate between St. Vincent's and Antigua. The time for remaining here being thus very limited, it was necessary to turn it quickly to the best account. Last year I noticed to you that I had left St. Lucy without being able to form a Society in it; but I subsequently mentioned, that some preparations had been made for forming one on my return here. Along with Mr. Gordon, his brother, and some other friends, I hastened to put into form this projected little Society. I called on the Governor, whom I found, as before, friendly and ready to place himself at the head of our Society as patron. We next sent a notice round that a meeting would be held in the Court-house at three o'clock, for the purpose now mentioned. The meeting took place accordingly ; and though there were but few present, our group had in it this pleasing circumstance, that each one present came not from curiosity to see what should take place, but to give his name, his purse, and his influence, to the object in question. The chief justice of the island, the Honourable Mr. Bent, took the chair, and our Bible Society was accordingly formed. We had the pleasure of having with us on this occasion the Rev. Mr. Hall, the rector of the parish, and the only English clergyman in the island. Mr. Hall has lately come here from Antigua, and is one of those clergymen who attended and helped on some of our Bible Associations in that cradle of our operations. A notice of our proceedings will be published in the forthcoming number of the newspaper of this island, a copy of which will be sent to you by Mr. Gordon. Having thus accomplished the objects of my visit to the island, I leave it again this evening.
Martinique, April 22, 1833.
On the 20th current, towards sunset, I sailed from St. Lucy; and before morning of next day I had safely reached this place. The 21st was Sunday, the day of rest. I remained all day on board, right in front of the town of St. Pierre, where, from the scenes which now and then passed before me, I was led to reflect on the need there is here of the word of God. And where, alas! is it not needed, and much needed? But there is a consolation derived, when witnessing this need, to think on one's being employed in supplying it to the greatest extent within one's reach. Let us bless God together, for having employed us in this good work—this holy service, and let us be diligent and faithful.
To day I came ashore, and called on Mr. Fournier, the bookseller, whom I mentioned to you last year. The Bibles ordered from France have come duly to hand, and these I have found arranged in rows on the bookseller's shelves. This is a sight never before seen in this island, and a truly gratifying one it is. In viewing it one cannot help feeling like the wandering and benighted traveller, when he espies at length at some distance some glimmering light indicating the abodes of his fellow-men, and a place of refuge and safety. The word of the Lord giveth light, and soon and completely may it enlighten this island!
Mr. Fournier and his partner, Mr. Marc, I found to be very friendly, and every way disposed to put the Bibles into circulation by sale, according to the plan pointed out to them. They desired me to say to you, that it afforded them much pleasure to be the means of forwarding your objects. I have given directions to have the Bibles and Testaments duly advertised in the two newspapers published here, and Mr. Fournier promised to see it carried into effect.
Mr. Fournier shewed me the letter he had from France along with the Bibles. It was in the handwriting, and closed with the name, of Kieffer. This forcibly brought before me the notice in your last letter of the recent death of our esteemed fellow-labourer—a labourer greatly honoured in sowing extensively that seed which springeth up into everlasting life.
Dominica, April 23, 1833.
I sailed from Martinique yesterday, towards the close of the day, and, after an unusually quick run of only six hours, I arrived in this island. You will recollect that a little Society was formed here last year, and that a public sale of the Scriptures had been commenced. The sale has not been extensive, but something has been done above what was formerly done to make the Scriptures known here, both among the English and French inhabitants, the latter of whom are by far the most numerous. The progress of the Bible Society here has been but small, yet still it lives, and forms a nucleus by which both means and care are taken to seize the opportunities that offer for circulating the sacred volume. Some French Bibles and Testaments have lately been sent to a distant part of the island, that they might be more within reach of those residing in that quarter. I trust there will, ere long, be a demand for the Scriptures in this island, as there are several estates that have lately been opened to the operations of the Wesleyan missionaries. In one quarter there are 2000 slaves benefiting by their instructions, and who eagerly run from place to place, following the missionary to the spot where he preaches to them the way of salvation. If this goes on, and increases, as we hope it will, and if it be duly accompanied with instruction in reading, we shall have, as I have hinted, a demand ere long, and a good one, for copies of the Holy Scriptures.
Guadaloupe, April 24, 1833.
The spot from which I now write you in this island is Point-á-Pitre the capital of the island, and the place to which I requested that copies of the Scriptures might be sent from France, after my visit here in the same month last year. I find that the Bibles and Testaments have duly arrived, and I have seen them arranged here on the bookseller's shelves as I had done in Martinique. Here then is a second phalanx erected against the great enemy, and to destroy, as assuredly they will destroy, his evil work. Our Lord declares that he saw Satan fall like lightning to the ground, and he rejoiced. So shall we see if our eyes are rightly anointed, that Satan is falling before us as we deploy our lines and rows of Bibles before his fortresses, and move along and take them. Herein then let us also rejoice, and our joy shall no man take from us.
Some copies have already been sold here as in Martinique, and I gave directions in the latter place for advertising the sale of the Scriptures as I also have done here, that thus all might know, and that all might have an opportunity of procuring for themselves, a pearl worthy and above all price. May the Lord send down his Spirit to stir up and induce many to get the Scriptures into their possession and diligently to read them, and may they be made wise unto salvation through Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I leave this island today for Antigua, an island in many respects endeared in my recollections, and to become more and more so I trust by this third and I suppose last visit to it.
I remain, My Dear Friend, Affectionately Yours,
James Thomson.
P.S. I received in St. Vincent the same day that I sailed from that place, Mr. Jackson´s letter of 7th March, enclosing the letter of credit. J.T.