Lima, 3rd March, 1824.[1]
Soon after the arrival of the Bibles here, there were many observations made regarding the faithfulness of this reprint from the Madrid edition; and many observations were made also as to the reading the Scriptures without notes, for the Spanish Bible had never been seen before without these in this country. On one of these occasions, in the street one day, when a priest was speaking freely to some people about him against reading the Scriptures without the notes, a friar came up and joined them; and, hearing the observations of the other against reading the Bible without notes, he took up the other side of the question, and by strong arguments and some wit, he put his adversary to shame, and convinced those who were present that it was the best and most natural way to read the divine instructions just as they proceeded out of the mouth of him who spoke as never man spoke, and just as they flowed from the pens of the inspired messengers.
I have very great satisfaction in stating, that many of the clergy in this place encourage the reading of the word of God. This is a cheering circumstance, and affords good grounds to expect a large diffusion of divine knowledge; for the word of God cannot return unto him void, but will accomplish his gracious will in the instruction and salvation of mankind wherever it is read. I have learned this friendly disposition of the clergy upon this subject more particularly, since I set agoing the translation of the New Testament into the Quichua language, as mentioned in my last. All with whom I have talked upon this subject, both clergy and laity, are pleased with the object, and I have not yet heard of any one condemning the doing of it.
I spoke to a canon, in this place, some time ago upon the subject, and he voluntarily offered to correct the proof-sheets in passing through the press, if I should be at any loss for one to do it. Blessed be God for this encouragement. May he carry on and prosper this work, and make it a blessing unto thousands. In about three months, or less, I expect the whole of the New Testament will be translated into the Peruvian tongue. The revision also is going forward, and from the character and qualifications of those who are revising it, I trust the translation will be very faithful, and at the same time adapted to the capacities of the poor, to whom, in an especial manner, the gospel is preached.
You will observe by my former letter, that besides the Quichua, there are two other languages spoken in Peru, into which it would be desirable to get a part or the whole of the New Testament translated. I mentioned to you my application to the British and Foreign Bible Society for means to carry forward these translations. I also hinted that this is properly an American work, and that it would not be unnatural to look for some assistance in it to the American Bible Society. Will you therefore have the goodness to lay this matter before the board of managers, and request them to favour me with a communication upon the subject, as early as convenience will permit. The object is, to translate the whole Scriptures into the Quichua language, spoken by upwards of a million, and also into the Aimará and Moxa languages, spoken each by upwards of two hundred thousand souls. I add no more upon this subject for the present, but at the same time, think it not improper to hint, that I shall probably have another claim upon your liberality, in regard to the native languages of Mexico. This claim may come before you perhaps some twelve months hence, should our heavenly Father be pleased to uphold me so long.
[1] Letter to the American Bible Society. James Thomson. Letters on the Moral and Religious State of South America. (London: James Nisbet, 1827), pp. 116-118.