The Rev. Dr. Milnor (American Bible Society)
Mexico, 22nd February1828
My dear Sir,
On the 8th current I had the pleasure of writing you, and of detailing what has been done here in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures. Having been prevented by want of time from replying to your letter which came into my hands while writing, I said I would write you again by the following packet. Through the kindness of Mr Poinsett, your ambassador here, I am enabled to write you somewhat earlier.
The treaty between your government and this was signed here on the 14th instant. Mr Poinsett is sending home his secretary with the treaty, and was so kind as to say he would forward with him any letters I might have for the United States. Having thus mentioned Mr Poinsett, I feel it as a duty and a debt of gratitude to say of him farther that on all occasions he has been very friendly to me, and has been of more service to me than any other individual here in aiding me in my objects in the country.
In your letter you say, that from accounts in your newspapers extracted from Mexican journals, you learned that I was endeavouring to form a Bible Society in this city. Your newspaper editors must certainly have made a great mistake in regard to this, as no such notice can I think have appeared in any Mexican journal. Since my arrival here I have seen my name twice I think in the newspapers of this city, but on both occasions schools and education were the subjects treated of. Advertisements also have appeared at different times for the sale of Scriptures at the shop where I have placed them for this end, but my concern in the matter was not noticed or known.
In regard to the formation of a Bible Society here, I have done nothing, nor can I do anything as an agent of the BFBS. The reason for this you will see in the Apocrypha question. The Society cannot aid or even encourage the formation of a Bible Society which would include the Apocrypha as a part of the Bible, and in this country no Society could possibly be formed without this inclusion. The people who want to form the Society are of course all of the Roman Catholic faith, and as such firmly believe that the books we call apocryphal are really and truly canonical. Who therefore could propose to such people to form a Society to print and circulate the Bible on the express condition that these books should be excluded?
If you ask me whether or not you think the Society right in thus restricting their agents I have no hesitation in replying in the negative; but as this is not a matter of conscience I abstain in conformity with the rules of the Society. That the discussion of the Apocrypha question will come on in your Society before long is I think a matter of certainty, after what has taken place on the subject in England. To give you an advice as to what you should do, is difficult. By my last letter you will see that the Bibles have circulated here to a considerable extent, notwithstanding their wanting the Apocryphal books. You will also see what difficulties have arisen and hinderances to their circulation partly on account of this want.
My own fears are that ecclesiastical discussions and objections will arise, brought on, if not wholly at least in great measure by the deficiency in question. There are many here, particularly among the priests, who have no good feeling towards the circulation of the Scriptures. To such the want of the Apocryphal books form an excellent handle and it is readily seized upon. The Bibles in consequence are called Protestant Bibles, and with Catholics this is an ill omened word, and like other omens is dreaded. Again the excision of these books leads some to call into question the fidelity of the reprint of the others, because they say this excision has been made purposely and maliciously and that the Lutherans as they call us, have cut off these books because they condemn their heresies.
To those who are better intentioned doubts arise in regard to the correctness of the Bibles, excited by the want of these books, and by what those less friendly say upon the subject. I have in consequence been asked at different times by different persons friendly to our object if the Bibles were bona fide reprints of Scio's version without alterations or omissions. I of course answered the questions affirmatively and without hesitation, and appealed to the books themselves for the proof whenever the comparison should be made. Our friends were fully satisfied with this answer, but others of course have not been so easily convinced.
I have said what my fears are, that ecclesiastical discussions will arise brought on from this cause, and if these should arise, I am afraid of their terminating unfavourably. The truth is that at the present time the Bibles are actually denounced in the ecclesiastical court of this city and diocese. The petition on the subject has lain I understand for a good while, perhaps two months, on the table. I have talked with some priests as to what this may end in, and I have been gratified by their saying that they believed that the matter would proceed no farther. The ecclesiastical court, or at least the person who is at the head of it, is willing enough to carry the matter to the utmost against us in the prohibition of the Bible, but fears are entertained in the court that such a proceeding would be but ill received in these days of liberty and of inquiry after knowledge.
To this circumstance therefore we may look for at least a reprieve and probably an acquittal. On the whole I trust in God, who has commanded his Gospel to be published everywhere, that nothing will be permitted to arise in this country to hinder in any material degree the circulation of that holy volume, which is the fountain of truth, of light and of salvation.
Have you sent any Bibles to the Havannah or to Porto Rico? I should think that these are two places which should occupy your attention. I believe no Bible or Testaments have been sent there from London, and they would I think be more conveniently supplied from your quarter. If you send any to these places, send them as an article of trade, not of charity. In this way you will meet with fewer difficulties & will, more fully, accomplish the object of your Society in the making of the Scriptures to be circulated and read.
May the Lord direct and prosper you in all your operations in the furtherance of his Kingdom, and may your own soul be full of peace and joy in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Believe me,
My Dear Sir,
Very truly yours,
James Thomson.