Rev A. Brandram
Bogota, 5th April, 1825.[1]
My dear Sir,
I had the pleasure of writing you on the 25th of February last, and of giving you an account of those places, in which the Holy Scriptures were distributed in the course of my journey. I noticed to you at the same time, the only instance I met with of opposition to the circulation of the Scriptures without notes. I also informed you of my endeavours to bring about the establishment of a Bible Society in this city.
By the last packet for England, I sent you a copy of No. 29 of "The Constitutional," a newspaper published in this place, and which contained an advertisement relative to the subject in question. By that advertisement, you would see that something was doing in the matter, and from the respectability of the gentlemen who are there mentioned, you would perceive that we had met with some valuable supporters, and that there was a prospect held forth of succeeding in this object. I now send you Nos. 30, 31, and 32, of the same paper, which will point out to you the different steps we have taken, and you will be able to notice also the progressive encouragement we obtained. You will perceive by the two last numbers that our Society at length obtained a fair and firm establishment. I say a fair establishment, because the whole of our transactions were done in open day, and because all who wished to state their objections were not only permitted, but encouraged to do so. Our meeting on the 24th was very well attended, and consisted of the most respectable class of the community in this city, both clergy and laity. We had, on that occasion, a very warm and interesting discussion of the point in question.
A professor in one of the colleges was the first who spoke, a man of very respectable talents, and commendable for his Christian virtues, but withal full of Catholic prejudices. This gentleman opposed our object, as being contrary to the acts of the general councils of the church, and as being injudicious and hurtful, especially under present circumstances. The next who spoke was the very respectable rector of the principal college of this city. In this gentleman we met with a warm friend to our Institution, and we had the pleasure of hearing him reply to the objections of the preceding speaker. Both these individuals are clergymen. The next who spoke was also a clergyman, a well known and eloquent preacher in this place, a man full of zeal, and who adorns his profession by a very exemplary conduct. This gentleman opposed our plans, as the first speaker had done, and even went farther, and said, that under existing circumstances, he considered it improper to have a general circulation of the Scriptures, even with the notes affixed. This last observation relieved us a little, in respect to the opposition we met with from this individual, as it was plain that, as a Catholic, he proved too much, and thus overshot his mark, and injured his cause, inasmuch as he carried things farther than either the Pope or the Council of Trent. This ended our opposition, or at least finished the list of our opponents, for no other individual present spoke on that side of the question.
The gentleman, however, who had spoken first, was so full upon his subject, that he rose again and again to advocate his cause, until it was necessary to reply to him from the chair as to order, and to the giving an opportunity to others to speak as well as himself. Several gentlemen spoke in succession, and warmly advocated the cause of the Bible Society in general, and pointed out to the meeting the consistency of the object of the Society to be established, with the laws and customs of the people of Colombia, and stating at the same time the great advantages that would certainly arise to their country, from a general circulation and reading of the word of God, not encumbered with notes, but in its own native simplicity, as it was delivered by the Almighty to mankind. The two Ministers of Government who were present, Mr. Gual, and Mr. Castillo, very ably, and at considerable length, defended and supported the object of the Society, and pointed out that there was nothing of a clandestine nature in the establishment of this Institution, but that it had the full and open approbation of the Executive Government of the country, and also of the ecclesiastical authorities.
After our plans respecting the Society had thus been clearly and openly stated to the assembly, and nothing kept back, and after we had heard all that was to be said in support of its adoption in Colombia, and also the objections urged against it, the sense of the meeting was taken by vote. The question put amounted to this: Is it compatible with our laws and customs, as Colombians, and as of the Roman Catholic church, to establish a Colombian Bible Society in this capital as a national Society, and whose only object is to print and circulate the Holy Scriptures, in approved versions, in our native tongue; and does such a Society meet with the approbation of this assembly? This question was triumphantly carried in the affirmative, and almost unanimously.
I need not tell you how much pleasure I enjoyed in witnessing this triumph, nor how many anxieties previously entertained respecting the result of these meetings, were at once laid asleep, or were changed into that tranquility, that peace and joy, which arise from seeing the name of the Lord glorified among men. I know you will participate in the same feelings, and will hail the establishment of this Society as a new era in South America. See here one of the happy effects of the political revolution! And it is but one of many, some of which are already visible, and the rest come on in their natural order and beauty. Blessed be God, who doeth all things according to the counsel of his own will, who maketh the wrath of man to praise him, and who in due time saith to the wars, as to the winds and the waves, peace -- be still! and thus leaving us in the midst of the calm, to exclaim, Who is a God like unto our God, who bringeth order out of confusion, and who maketh waters to spring up in the wilderness, and streams to flow in the desert?
Our last, meeting to establish the Society was held yesterday afternoon, and consisted of those who had subscribed as members of this Institution. The President, Vice Presidents, the Treasurer, and Secretaries, were chosen at this meeting, and you will find their names in the paper, No. 32, I now send you. These gentlemen, you will see, are of the most respectable inhabitants of this place, and this gives at once a tone and a stability, to our Society. Besides the preceding office bearers, there was chosen a Committee, consisting of twenty, one half clergymen and the other half laymen. The gentlemen elected into the Committee, are also of the same highly respectable class as those whose names you have mentioned in the paper. It is intended to publish, as soon as possible, an account of the origin and actual state of the Society.
Along with this will be published the Rules and Regulations adopted, the names of the office-bearers and committee, and a list of subscribers. To all of which will be added a short address to the people of South America, upon the object, and the advantages of the Society. I have much pleasure in saying that the subscriptions already amount to 1380 dollars. I should not omit to mention to you, that all the meetings upon this matter have been held in the chapel of the University, which is in the principal Dominican Convent of this city. The Rector of the University and the Prior of the Convent have been and are our very warm friends and supporters. With the former the subscription paper lies, and is daily obtaining additional subscribers. One of our secretaries is also a Dominican Friar, is secretary to the University, and formerly filled the office of secretary in the district tribunal of the Inquisition of this quarter. It is this gentleman who has written all the articles in the Newspaper about the Society, and what you read in the English part is merely a translation from the same article in Spanish, as written by him.[2]
I have now to say a few words respecting the conduct on this occasion of Mr. Gual, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and now President of the Bible Society of Colombia. I wish to speak of the conduct of this gentleman in the highest terms, and in doing so, feel that I am not using the voice of flattery and adulation, but complying with the precept of rendering to everyone his due. It is an act of injustice to withhold the praise that is due to any one, when a proper occasion offers of mentioning it. I had occasion to call upon him at different times, in regard to the preliminary steps for setting the Society on foot, and notwithstanding the hurry of business in his public situation, I always found him ready to spend a few minutes in listening to the propositions made to him as to our mode of acting in this matter. He also cheerfully attended and presided at all our meetings, and constantly defended, with much judgment and eloquence, the glorious work of circulating the Holy Scriptures in their natural beauty, in every corner of his native land, over all this continent, and finally throughout the world.
Mr. Castillo, the Minister of Finance, also warmly advocated our cause, and these two gentlemen, as well as the Minister of the Interior, have given 50 dollars each by way of donation, and are, besides, annual subscribers of 20 dollars each. The Vice-President has also given us a donation and his subscription of 24 dollars.
I have much pleasure in noticing to you that Colonel Hamilton, H. B. M. Commissioner to this Government, and Mr. Henderson, the British Consul-General, have lent the influence of their names and of their purses to the forwarding of our Society. Colonel Campbell also, the British Charge d'Affaires, just arrived in time to be present at our last meeting, and both he and Mr. Henderson were chosen members of the committee.
I have requested Mr. Gual to write a few lines to Lord Teignmouth, by way of introducing our new Society to a friendly correspondence with that great and venerable Society over which he has so long presided, with so much honour to himself, and with so much advantage to mankind. I expect Mr. Gual's letter to-morrow, and shall forward it with this. He is going also to write a few lines in order to begin a correspondence with the American Bible Society.
I have now been detained in this city considerably longer than I expected upon my arrival here, but I have the satisfaction of thinking, that my stay has been prolonged in the forwarding of a good work. I now set off immediately, and expect soon to have the pleasure of seeing the friends of the Redeemer's cause in the United States; and not very long after, if the Lord will, I hope once more to behold my native land, and to salute there my friends and brethren in Christ Jesus.
Pray that grace, mercy, and peace may be upon me. I pray that these may be multiplied to you, and thus for the present bid you farewell.
I always remain,
My dear Sir,
Most Sincerely Yours,
James Thomson.
P.S. Your letter of the 16th July 1825 has been forwarded to me from Lima, and came into my hands on the 20th ultimo.
Articles regarding the Formation of a Bible Society in Bogota, extracted from "The Constitutional," a weekly Newspaper published in that City, in Spanish and English,
17th March, 1825.
On the 15th instant, at half-past five in the afternoon, a public meeting took place in the Chapel of the University of this city, at which were present Dr. Pedro Gual, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Dr. Antonio Malo, Member of the Senate; Dr. Joaquín Gómez and Dr. Mariano Mino, Members of the Chamber of Representatives; Dr. José María Estevez, Rector of the College of San Bartolomé; Father Joaquín Galvez, Rector of the University; Father Mariano Gárnica, Prior of the Dominican Convent; Dr. Nicolas Quebedo; and the Secretary of the University. The meeting was assembled at the instance of Mr. Thomson, Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, with the view of establishing a Bible Society in Colombia. The Rules for the proposed Society were read, and after some observations from Sr. Gual, it was resolved unanimously to call a general meeting on Sunday next, the 20th instant, at four o'clock in the afternoon, in the same place, in order to take into consideration the advantages or inconveniences of such an establishment in Colombia; to obtain the general consent for the incorporation of a Society similar to that which has been the source of so many spiritual benefits to the human race in Europe, Asia, and Africa; and of which a correct idea will be given to the public by means of the press. In the mean time, it is distinctly stated, that the sole and exclusive object of this Society is the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures throughout the world.
24th March, 1825.
On Sunday last, the 20th instant, the meeting took place which was advertised in the constitutional of last week, for the purpose of establishing this valuable and important Institution. Upon this occasion eloquent and appropriate speeches were delivered by Sres. Gual, Castillo, and Herrera; and, after a debate of considerable length, it was agreed to convene a general meeting, by means of circulars, for this day, (Thursday,) at four o'clock in the afternoon. The principal object of this invitation is to place the basis of the Society on the most permanent and respectable foundation; to hear the opinions, and be benefited by the judgment of the gentlemen who may assemble; and to determine definitively upon what may appear most suitable and in conformity to the state and relations of Colombia. By the blessing of Heaven we hope, to see accomplished the desires of those who have devoted their wisdom and love of their country to the promotion of so benevolent an undertaking. — We will have the pleasure of publishing a report of the speeches delivered on the occasion, also the rules and regulations of the Society, together with the objections that may be urged against it.
31st March, 1825.
At length the setting on foot of this establishment has been obtained, and its advantages will soon be known to those who are alike the friends of the religion of Jesus Christ, and of the true enlightening of the people. Endeavours were made to bring together all the principal persons of this city, by issuing upwards of 300 cards of invitation; and notwithstanding the smallness of the Chapel of the University, there assembled in it two-thirds of those invited. It is our intention to publish the speeches then made, together with the discourses offered us by some gentlemen who had not time to deliver them upon that occasion. This we promise to do with the greatest correctness possible. The opposition which has been made to this beneficent Institution by sinister interpretations of its object, is not to be wondered at, nor that strife of opinions which has already been manifested upon this important subject. It is, however, strange that any public writer should have said that it would be better to print two millions of copies of the Catechism, (the only book of instruction afforded to the people by our old oppressors,) than to print and circulate the Holy Bible. It is not suitable in itself, nor is it consistent with our upright motives to excite contention.
The exclusive object of the Bible Society which has been established in Colombia is, to facilitate to all Colombians the reading of the divine word, in our own native tongue, from approved versions, such as that of Father Scio, or that of the celebrated Torres Amat, which has just been published in Madrid with all the necessary licenses: and this object will be accomplished without in any degree infringing upon the Articles of the Council of Trent. If this plan draw forth opposition—if this object is capable of producing bitter and extemporaneous censures, then we will be under the necessity of classing the people of Colombia with the most uncivilized people of the world. This Bible Society has been established with the consent and approbation of the most distinguished persons, actually entrusted with the Executive Government of the Republic, and the Ecclesiastical Government of the Archbishopric, to whom it belongs exclusively and without dispute to watch over the spiritual and temporal happiness of the people, and whose fidelity none without injustice can call in question.
7th April, 1825.
On the 4th current there assembled in the Chapel of the University, those Foreigners and Colombians who have so generously contributed to the formation of this establishment, and whose names will be published upon another occasion. Rules and Regulations for this Society were read, and were unanimously approved of as the laws of its organization. In conformity to these Rules, the subscribers proceeded to the election of President, Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretaries, when the following gentlemen were duly elected.
President
Don Pedro Gual, Secretary of State, for Foreign Affairs.
First Vice-President
Don José María Castillo, Minister of Finance.
Second Vice-President
Doctor José María Estevez, Prebendary, and Rector of the College of St. Bartholomew.
Third Vice-President
Doctor Juan Fernandez de Sotomayor, Rector of the College del Rosario.
Treasurer
Don José Sans de Santa María, Senator, and Comptroller of the Department of Cundinamarca.
Secretaries
Father Antonio Marco Gutiérres, Secretary of the University.
Doctor R. N. Cheyne.
In the same manner the members present proceeded to vote for a Committee consisting of twenty individuals, one half of whom are Clergymen. The Society wished to place among its principal office-bearers the virtuous and worthy Governor of the Archbishoprick; but this gentleman, with his accustomed moderation, declined this honour, and very properly noticed, that the third article of the Rules reserved to the Ordinary of each diocese, the right of examining the edition of the Holy Scriptures that should be published by the Society, in conformity with the decrees of the councils; and that the exercise of this power would prevent him, as Governor of this diocese, from accepting of the honour that this respectable Society wished to confer upon him.
It was then resolved on to print, as soon as possible, in the form of a pamphlet, the speeches made at the last meeting, the Rules and Regulations of the Institution, a list of subscribers, and the transactions of the Society. It was also agreed upon that the advertisements of the Society should be made through "The Constitutional," in consequence of its Editors having cheerfully employed their pages in promoting this Society. Finally, it was agreed on that the Subscription List should lie with the Rector of the University, at whose apartments all who wish to subscribe, may have an opportunity of doing so, on any day from eight to nine o'clock in the morning.
[1]BSA-D1-2A. Also James Thomson. Letters on the Moral and Religious State of South America. London: James Nisbet, 1827, pp. 252-261.
[2] These articles from the newspaper are added at the end of this letter, as descriptive of the state of the country in regard to these matters.