Lima, 25th November, 1823[1]
What a cheering thought it is, to contemplate the glorious exertions of the present day, to put the Sacred Scriptures into the hands of all. The names of barbarian, Scythian, bond and free, have disappeared in the distribution of this noble charity; and the only distinction known is, those who have this volume, and those who have it not. The present mighty efforts bid fair to make this only distinction among mankind disappear also; and may it be soon fulfilled; thus leaving every soul in possession of that treasure which can alone make his soul valuable.
I am happy to say that something has already been done here, and that the prospects for the future are encouraging. Perhaps there have been circulated, during these few years past, about one thousand copies of the whole Bible, in the Spanish language, and considerably upwards of that number of New Testaments, in the same tongue. It is true, this is but a small number among so many; yet it is a good beginning; and you know we ought not to despise small things, but receive them with thanksgiving, and as encouragements to perseverance.
Immediately after the rapid sale of the 500 Spanish Bibles, and 500 New Testaments in this city, as mentioned in my letter of October 18th, I wrote to London for a large supply, although I was then in daily expectation of some arriving. The supplies sent by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and which I was then expecting, arrived, as I afterward learned, in Buenos Aires and in Chile, but none of them reached this place. I remained for a long time in great anxiety about the arrival of a supply for this city, and country adjacent. After waiting for several months, I received a letter from the Society, informing me that the whole edition of the Bible had been disposed of, but that 5000 New Testaments would be sent me as soon as they could be bound. These have not yet arrived, but I am in hourly expectation of them.
I come now to speak of a new translation of the New Testament, which I am endeavouring to procure in this place. I suppose you are aware that the greater part of the inhabitants of Peru are the descendants of the ancient Peruvians. The language spoken by the Peruvian nation in the time of the Incas is called the Quichua; and this language, with some variation, continues to be spoken to the present day by two-thirds of the inhabitants of this country. Since my arrival in Peru, I have been desirous of procuring a translation of a part or the whole of the New Testament into this language. I have, at length, got it begun, and under favourable circumstances. Two of the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the two Epistles of Peter, are already translated into this ancient tongue. The translation of the rest of the New Testament is going forward, while the parts I have mentioned are a revising by four gentlemen, who have cheerfully offered to take this labour upon them. I am much pleased to see the interest these individuals take in this matter; and it will, as it were, authorize this translation, when it is considered that they have revised it. All the four are members of Congress, and one of them is a clergyman. The gentleman who is engaged in the translation is a descendant of one of the Incas, or kings of Peru, and a native of the city of Cuzco. As soon as the parts I have mentioned are thoroughly revised, I intend to print them at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society. In the mean time, the translation of the whole New Testament will go forward until it is completed. I am also desirous of beginning with the Old Testament as soon as the New is translated. This translation of the whole Bible, and the printing of an edition of two or three thousand copies, will cost a considerable sum, especially as printing is expensive in this country. I have written to the British and Foreign Bible Society, requesting their instructions regarding the extent to which they might wish me to go in this matter at their expense. I trust they will authorize me to go forward in this work, and to carry it into completion. As this, however, is an American work, I believe the American Bible Society would gladly come forward with their aid to carry it into effect. This language is spoken by about a million of people; and no other inducement, should be necessary to interest Bible Societies in regard to it. There are also two other languages spoken in this country, namely, the Aimara and the Moxa.[2]About four hundred thousand people speak these two languages. I am desirous of getting, at least, one of the Gospels translate into each of these, but have not yet got anything done. It is my intention to take a journey through the interior of Peru; and, when passing through the places where these two languages are spoken, I shall endeavour to procure the translations when on the spot.
Thus, you see, the Lord's work goes forward, even in this remote corner. South America has hitherto been a neglected and benighted country; but thanks be to God, this long night of darkness is now far spent, and the day is at hand. From the time I set my foot on board on my voyage to South America, I have considered myself as an American. Ever since that day the interests of America are the uppermost in my heart. You too, my dear Sir, and the members of your Society, are Americans. I would, therefore, call upon you, as my fellow-citizens, and would rouse you up to the mighty importance of that sacred work in which you are engaged. America, North and South, is the field for your operations. Lo! the poor Indian, begging from you the "bread of life." Can you shut up your bowels of compassion?—"Come over and help us," breaks upon our ears from every quarter. Surely this is not the time to sit down with folded hands, to rejoice in what has been accomplished. No. It is the time to blush, and to be ashamed for our past supineness: it is the time for calling forth all our energy, for plying every nerve, in order to make the Light of Life shine from one end of the earth to the other.
[1] James Thomson. Letters on the Moral and Religious State of South America. (London: James Nisbet,1827), pp. 100-104. Written to American Bible Society. (BM)
[2] Thomson's note added in editing letters for publication: Although I resided upwards of two years in Peru, yet during that time I did not meet with any person qualified to translate the Scriptures into either of these two languages. But after leaving that country, I met with a person fitted for translating into the Aimará, in a place where I little expected to find one. In London, last year, when in one of the Paddington coaches, I perceived that one of my fellow passengers was a foreigner, from his countenance and manner of speaking. After we had conversed a little with each other, I took the liberty to ask him from what part of the world he came. He told me he was from South America; and upon inquiring more particularly, I found he was a native of La Paz, in Peru, the very spot where the Aimará language is spoken. This individual I found to be perfectly acquainted with this language, having spoken it from his infancy; and from his education and other circumstances, I conceived him to be a suitable person for translating the Scriptures into that language. Our acquaintance increased, and led to his, being engaged by the British and Foreign Bible Society to translate the New Testament into his native tongue; and he has now nearly completed this work.
We call a meeting of this kind accidental, and it was truly so, in the common sense of the term. But the Christian looks higher, and finds the directing hand of God in such matters. What adds to the interest of this circumstance is, that besides the person mentioned, there is not an individual in England who understands a word of the language referred to.