Rev A Brandram No.30
Mexico, 30th January 1829
My Dear Friend
I am sorry to say that I have nothing of a cheering nature to communicate to you in my letter of this month. You will see by my last, in what a state of commotion this country was at that time. At present every thing is still very unsettled. How long this distracted state of affairs is likely to continue it is not easy to say or even to form a conjecture. The Christian's duty is to hope for the best, and to pray for the peace of the land in which he lives.
It may be, My Dear Friend, that this revolution will prove in our favour. I am in hopes that it will be so. The person who has been the most active in bringing it about is the Governor of the State of Mexico,[1] of whom I have spoken to you more than once. On the first of April next the new President[2] will be installed, and the gentleman I have mentioned in all probability will be the first Secretary of State. Soon after the installation I intend to make a fresh application in respect of the edicts which have been issued against the circulation of the Scriptures, and I trust I shall be more or less successful. You are aware that I count on your aid, and you know in what way. The hearts of all are in the hand of the Lord, and he can turn them to whatsoever he will.
I mentioned in my last the sacking which took place in this city at the close of three days of fighting. Some Bibles and Testaments were lost on that occasion., as a bookseller's shop in which they were on sale was completely emptied of everything. Our loss in this is not great, but in Puebla and Oajaca we are likely to lose something of greater moment. This is owing to the persons in those places who had the Scriptures on sale having fled and left their affairs in confusion in consequence of the present revolutionary change. I cannot at present say to what extent we shall lose, but as soon as I know you shall be informed.
Our friend (as I hope I may call him) the Bishop of Puebla has been a good deal involved in the present commotions. He took a very active part against the party which has now come into power at the present time, and he is now, of course, on what may be called from the turn of events, the wrong side. In consequence of these matters I have heard nothing from him about the translation he is engaged to procure, since I last noticed the subject to you. I intend to remind him on the subject by tomorrow's post.
By the bye, I believe I mentioned in one of my letters about a year ago, that the Bishop of Puebla was a native of Spain. I was then under a mistake upon the subject, and which I now wish to correct. He is a native of this country, and I believe of the same city in which he now lives.
In the present actual state of things in this country political and ecclesiastical, next to nothing can be done by your agent here. He looks forward however to the period above mentioned for a change in his favour, when he hopes he shall be called into more active and successful employment. In the meantime his eyes are directed to Him from whom cometh our help, and who he trusts will make his word ere long to have free course in this land, and be glorified.
I remain, My Dear Sir, Ever Yours,
James Thomson.
[1] Lorenzo de Zavala (BM).
[2] In the event Vicente Guerrero became president. (BM)