Rev A Brandram No. 25
Mexico 22nd August 1828
My Dear Sir,
When I wrote my last letter to you I was very unwell. My illness afterwards increased, and I was confined to bed for about three weeks by an inflammation in my side and fever. I am now better, and am every day recovering strength, and hope soon to be restored to my usual health. I hope this illness will not be lost upon me, at least such is my prayer, and I trust the Lord will make it serviceable to me, by leading me to follow more after holiness, and to be more zealous in his service. Join me, My Brother, in this request by your prayers, that the blessing of God may rest on me as an individual, and that the work of the Society committed to me in this land may be more widely and zealously forwarded.
From what I have just said, you will not expect from me any account of labour during the past month. Had I been well, I am not aware that anything could have been done, under the circumstances in which the edict formerly mentioned has placed us. The sale of the Scriptures however in this city has not been interrupted by civil or ecclesiastical authorities, but from the cause noticed, very few copies have been sold. I wrote you in my last, that I intended to use every means to counteract this edict. I also mentioned to you the complaint I made to the government of the State of Mexico, and the results which it had. I intend now to make application to the general government, but purposely delay doing so till next month. On the first of September is the election of a new president of this Republic, and the government as well as others are deeply engaged in this business. Should I present my petition now, I am afraid judgment might be given against me to please the clergy, and to gain their voice in the elections. I therefore differ till the ferment is over, and when a cooler decision may be expected. The law as it now stands is I still think, in our favour.
Your letter of 19 June came to hand a few days ago. I feel truly grateful to the Committee for the readiness with which they have entered into my suggestion regarding the translation of the Scriptures into the native languages of this country. The recommendation of the Sub-committee regarding the printing of the Spanish along with the native languages agrees exactly with my intentions, and will in all cases be adopted. I now find by experience that it will be more difficult to procure these translations than I at first supposed. I wish how soon I may be able to put a printed copy of any of these into your hands. I fear the delay from edicts' supineness, and other hindrances. The object however, which I consider a great one, will be steadily kept in view, and to report progress to you in this business will always be a very pleasing part of my duty.
I have nothing further to notice for the present. What dwells on my mind both day and night is this edict, for I have just heard another being issued in another diocese. These must be removed here before we can get on. If they are not removed, others will soon be issued in all the dioceses of this country; and in that case our work here would, I fear, be at an end. Let us hope, however, for the best; and may the Lord remove the stumbling blocks! You continue praying for us here, do you not? Redouble, I pray you, your supplications at the present time, that these mountains maybe levelled, and that all valleys also may be filled up, and that a highway may be made for our God and Saviour in this land.
I am very glad as you rightly supposed I should, to hear of the favourable report Mr. Matthews has sent you of Mr. Pazos' translation of the New Testament into the Aymará language. From the many conversations I had with Mr. Pazos regarding his ideas of translation, and the plans...
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