Madrid, 17th August 1847

Rev A Brandram No.2

Madrid 17th August 1847

My Dear Friend,

I wrote you a few lines on the 10th ultimo, the day on which I reached the city, to intimate to you my safe arrival in this place; and I availed myself of the opportunity to remind you all of the suitableness, at the present time, of making special supplications for Spain, that God would be pleased to open it for his word.

I have now been here somewhat more than a month, yet I cannot say that I have much or any progress to relate. I am not however disappointed or discouraged on this account, for I foresaw that time and patience were required in order to do anything properly in our objects in this country. As a non-discouragement, I would say, that I have found things not worse than I supposed they were, I may now state in addition to these negative things, that I have hopes that we need able to print the Scriptures here. But wisdom requires, under present circumstances, that we should be slow in order to be sure. We expect before long that our way will be made clearer in this matter than it is at present, and probably to begin just now would rather hinder than favour us. The Cortes is expected to meet a few weeks hence, and that is some prospect that a Bill will be brought in and carried, on the Liberty of the Press, which will remove existing hinderances or difficulties. Should that not be the case, we shall then think of doing our best in the way of printing under all the disadvantages there may be in the case.

Mr La Serna, with whom I was acquainted in London, and who is now here, and a member of the Cortes, is very friendly to me and helpful in my objects; and his attentions require that I should thus speak of him. In regard to the sets of versions which you voted for this gentleman, a friend of his of the name of Montecino will call it your house, or communicate with you, as to the manner of forwarding them to this country. This collection he intends to present to the University of Madrid. There are some other universities of the name in this country, to which probably you would not be indisposed to make a similar grant, and I think such generosity would prove favourable to our Bible cause. When a proper case and opportunity are at hand I will advise you of the same.

But I have met with another friend here, who is also a Brother in the Lord. He is a man of superior education and standing in the country, but keeps aloof from political affairs. To this gentleman I can communicate myself without reserve in all my affairs, and his counsels and friendship I find of the greatest service to me. He and I have one Brother more in this city, and it is a third in a certain sea-port town on the North. This is our present Spanish Church visible. The Lord who sees and knows all throughout this country, as everywhere else, no doubt sees more of his people than I have counted; and I trust he will make us to see them to in due time, and thus are visible church will be enlarged. The Word of God diffused over the country will probably bring the people of God to light, as well as increase their number.

The gentleman first referred to above as a Brother has given me an order for 50 small Spanish Bibles, and 50 Enzinas Spanish Testaments, bound in calf half extra with gilt edges. The difficulty at present is how to get them in at the sea port. I have written to our Consuls in Cadiz and Malaga, to whom I had letters of introduction, begging them to facilitate the entry of this or any other small supply as far as their consular advantage enable them. I expect soon to hear from these places, and in the meantime please to get ready the above-mentioned order. My friend intimates that other little orders may follow this. Payment will be made on the arrival of the books here.

I have seen the gentleman here who translated the Gospel of St. Luke into the Basque Language, and have set him to work to revise it for a new edition. I have also written to Barcelona to make inquiries about the version of the New Testament into the Catalonian dialect.

Between Bayonne and Irun, the former in France and the latter in Spain, there is a town situated on both sides of the River Bidasoa which divides France and Spain. The French part is called Behovie, and the Spanish part Behovia. In the French part it would be well to have a depot of Spanish Bibles and Testaments, and which should be notified and kept visible before all by a large sign board. In this way the Scriptures might get into Spain somewhat readily, and probably to a considerable extent. The great road from Paris to Madrid runs through the place in question, and Diligences, carrier wagons, and other vehicles are passing that way daily between the two capitals, in addition to the parties that pass belonging to the neighborhood. I have written to Mr. de Pressensé, and also to Mr. Pedezert the Protestant Minister in Bayonne in regard to this subject.      

In different parts of Spain there are, I understand, Frenchman moving about selling Engravings and some such kindred things. These are true colporteurs, though not Bible colporteurs. It would be well if we could transform one of them into the latter. I have mentioned the matter to Mr. de Pressensé, and had inquired of him whether he knows of any one who would suit for this work.

With renewed request for Prayer on behalf of Spain, its Bible messenger and its little Church, I remain,

            My Dear Friend, Yours Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

Madrid, 23th May 1848

Rev A Brandram No.18

Madrid 23rd May 1848

My Dear Friend,

I have been looking with more than common interest for a letter from you these some days past, and chiefly say to learn the mind of the Spanish Consul in our case. Yesterday or to day I made sure of a letter, but none has come. I delay therefore no longer in writing, as the time of my setting out on my journey is near, and some Books will need to be sent on to meet me.

I have now resolved to take the Eastern part of my journey first. But in going to Barcelona I shall go by way of Valencia. From Barcelona I intend making my way through Gerona and Perpignan to Toulouse, but I could wish to have a supply of Books ready on my arrival. Toulouse is the nearest town in France of a note bordering on Andorra, and for several reasons I conceive I could come with advantage on Andorra from Toulouse. From Andorra I descend into Spain, and go through the Basque Province to Yrun and Bayonne. Another, and say an equal supply of Books I could wish to meet with there. I have thought of the following kinds and quantities for each of these places. 50 Bibles in 8vo., 50 ditto in 12mo., 50 N.T. in 8vo., 100 in 12mo., 100 in 32mo., 100 of 4 Books and 100 Luke & Acts, making in each lot 450 copies, in all 900. You can diminish the quantities if you think better to do so. If you send these Books from England, Bordeaux will I suppose be the best port to ship them for. You can direct the cases for Bayonne to Mr. Pedezert the Protestant Minister there, and in Toulouse you have valuable friends to entrust them to, and for whom I should be glad of a note of introduction. It may be better perhaps to send the Books from Paris should there be all the kinds there. Of this you will judge. But as you say you have a large stock on hand at home, it may be better first to lessen that than send from Paris. Could you, without much trouble, let me have a note of all your Spanish stock?

I have got a printer here to print a new edition of the Basque St. Luke, which, as I mentioned in a former letter, had been carefully revised by the translator. The same individual has nearly finished a translation of the Acts. I hope you will not disapprove of these two little doings. I was anxious to have a supply of the Basque in going through these provinces, and glad too to obtain the services of the translator for the additional version. It will not be printed till you give your view on the subject, and what happens as to the circulation of the reprint may guide us.

I see the limitation of the Resolution in regard to printing, and it is a very proper one, but not applying to the Basque. In Andorra I may probably be strongly tempted to print, for all things manufactured there are free to enter Spain, and are even exempted from duty. Should Spain not open for our Books from England, and printing be still impracticable in it, we should probably avail ourselves of the advantage offered, which is a great one.

Mr. Bulwer you see is gone from this, and we shall have a new Envoy. I pray and beseech you to avail yourselves of his coming to get say ten cases sent by him.

I have been arranging to leave this on the first of June, or very soon after, unless our disturbances hinder, but times are delicate for Englishmen travelling here, or making any movements in our line, as trifling things may be made use of just now against the English. The Letter of Credit is not yet come. My address will remain as before, as arrangements will be made for forwarding letters. Afterwards I shall write on this subject.

Pray how were the 300 Testaments sent? And what others have these some years past made their way to this country as far as you know, for some half.

I have still my hopes of Spain, as you will see noted in Evangelical Christendom for April. Surely the present year will not go out as the last did, such at least are our hopes.[1]

I duly received the Record, and this morning the Reporter. The Atlas newspaper says your meeting "was, as regards numbers, rank and talent, the greatest religious union of the season." Is this perfectly correct as to the members? I shall be glad to learn this in the affirmative.

I now give you a quotation, and an advice, contained in a letter I had the other day from Mr. Mark our Consul in Malaga, though I fear you will not have the good sense to adopt the recommendation given. "A very useful object would be obtained by getting the Bible Society to procure a Bull from the Pope allowing the use of the Bible, or even enjoining the reading of it, as that would do away with the great barrier, and his liberal ministers might safely propose it to his Holiness."

I have meditated much, since the end of February, on the 93rd Psalm. Truly the floods have lifted up their voice, and continue, all around, to lift up their waves. All are setting to work to mend their Statutes, if not their ways. But the Code that occupies all our attention needs no alteration, and admits of no reform. "Thy testimonies are very sure." "The law of the Lord is perfect." What a consolation this is! And how ought we to be animated by it! Let us spread the perfect Code to reform the world, and nothing else will reform it. Also let us ourselves remember, that holiness becometh God's house, and work and servants forever.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Most Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

[1] "Spain is my present field, a country which the sun luxuriously shines upon, and blesses with his best gifts. But thick clouds intercept the rays of the Gospel, and it is a beclouded and dark country as to evangelical and moral fruits. We must not, however, despair of Spain. I do not. The dawn and the day may be nearer at hand than we are aware of , and so I trust in truth is the case. I indulge myself in this thought and hope, and endeavour to animate myself  thereby to the pouring forth of more earnest prayers, and to the use of wiser and more effectual means for its welfare." (“Spain. Death of Mrs. Thomson: And Difficulties of Protestant Sepulture”, Evangelical Christendom,  II:119.) BM

Madrid, 5th June 1848

Rev A Brandram  No.20

Madrid 5th June 1848

My Dear Friend,

My intention, as previously indicated, was to set out on my journey on the 1st instant, or a day or two after. As a prerequisite to setting out, your Letter of Credit, accorded me on the 1st May, was counted on. Day after day I looked for it, and in the meantime I got all my things packed up and ready. In my last I intimated that said letter had not arrived, nor has it yet come, nor in your reply to mine of the 23rd ultimo do you, in yours of the 29th this morning received, take any notice of the subject. I am a little at a loss to account for this, especially considering how punctual and regular yourself and Mr. Hitchin are in such and all matters.

But, all is well. I can do without it, and in fact would not have used it for drawing at the present moment, as I found that it would have been an accommodation to Mr. Usoz to put money in London, and I prefer taking from him to getting from the Bank, because he gives me specie, and in the Bank I would get paper, at a loss of 10%. I save also the commission. I apprise Mr. Hitchin on the subject. Still I wished your Letter of Credit here before I should go in order to make new arrangements with it for future operations. I had everything ready to start this morning at five, but no letter having come, I put off going in expectation of one today. One has come, but still the Letter of Credit is lacking. However, I shall not wait longer, but start with the first stage, which goes the day after tomorrow. You further letters will be directed to this place, as noticed in my last, and they will follow me.

And now a word respecting your brief letter this morning received. I thank you for the hope you afford me that my little Basque printing will not be unacceptable. As to the Acts we must learn the character of the translation before we print. We have at least one true Christian in these provinces to whom we can submit it, and I carry it with me for that end. In Andorra, of course before printing you will be apprised of circumstances, so as to say yea, or nay.

As to my little advice of sending books by our new envoy, you do not need to go to Lord Palmerston who has no concern with it, but simply to the Embassador himself.

Many thanks for your letter to Toulouse, and for its kindly wording.

On the 3rd instant I had a letter from Tangier from our Jew friend residing there. He informs me that the Books have arrived but he is a little disappointed as to the size, by which I fear that the type is small. On this I touched in my last. I gave him the cost prices, as the highest he should take. This he calls a terrible precio. I authorized him however to sell them at whatever price he could well get, so as to secure an extensive sale with the least loss possible. The binding also it seems is not exactly what he looked for. Please inform me what kind it is. In my letter of the 23rd November, I find I have said on this as follows, – "These volumes may be bound in roan, without gilding the edges, or in the neat way in which most books are now issued in stamped or ornamented cloth, with the edges cut."

He wishes for 25 of Bagster's Bible such as those I took with me, and he inquires whether there are any Hebrew and English Bibles, and if so, to send five copies for trial. Please therefore to send these 25, which were in blue calf with marbled edges. The Hebrew & English interleaved in one volume you can of course get at Bagster's.

In my letter to him written from this in February, I inquired anew as to the knowledge of the Hebrew language among the Jews in that quarter, and his reply is as follows, – "In respect to your inquiries whether my countrymen here, and in the interior of this country, understand the Hebrew tongue. I would say, that generally speaking, they all understand it and the children also know it well." This fully corresponds with what I formerly wrote you on the subject, and affords a good prospect for the circulation of the Hebrew Scriptures.

I think it would be well to send with the rest, say ten of Duncan's Bible, bound in four volumes to see whether they are liked better. And the binding please to make different from those sent, adopting the other of the two modes I mentioned.

In preparing for this journey, as on the former occasion, I avail myself of acquaintances made here in obtaining letters for the different places to which I go. Besides others who have favoured me in this way, the Conductor of the work now publishing in 10 volumes 4o. entitled "Geographical and Statistical Dictionary of Spain", has been particularly friendly to me, and he was able to be so from his extensive acquaintances in correspondence over all the country. This gentleman drew up an introductory letter for me of some length, and couched in kindly, not say also, complementary terms, and put the same into the hands of his clerks to make several copies of it, and which he afterwards signed and addressed himself to the several parties in the long line of my intended route. He has given me no less than 29 of these letters. This I call a very friendly action, and for which I feel gratefully towards the individual donor, and give thanks to God for disposing him thus effectively to serve me. May the Lord give him and his Bible blessing. To this gentleman I was introduced by my kind friend the Political Chief or Governor of Cadiz, whom I mentioned to you formerly. From him also I have received letters of introduction on the present occasion. In writing to him for these, I took occasion to say, that I hoped he and his family kept the little book in mind, and in use, which I gave him, as it contained the best instructions for what happiness this world could afford, and was the guide to everlasting life. In his reply accompanying the letters forwarded, he says on this point as follows. – "On account of the sacred subject of the little book of our Lord Jesus Christ, to which you refer, and its divine unction, and from its being put into my hands by you, it is one of the books which in preference I keep always at hand, in order to profit by its divine consolations when my occupations afford me leisure, for I am fully convinced, that in it alone we are taught the way of obtaining the incomplete happiness which this world can give, and the future eternal life of glory. My wife and children read in it continually, and benefit by the healthful doctrines contained in this fountain of all good."

To produce some effects similar to those here exhibited, is one of the main inducements held out, as you will recollect, by Mr. Hull in his letter which led to the present mission. I am glad in being able to give you this little specimen. The time may be at hand in all these little gains may be turned to extensive account in a wide distribution of the Scriptures over this country.

The printer of our Basque St. Luke, who has been in England, is a warm friend of the circulation of the Scriptures here, as a sanatory measure in every sense for his country. He will afford his help to us in every way when we are well supplied with stock. Among other little things that I gave him to read was "The Defence of the Bible Societies," which I published in Mexico. On reading it he immediately bethought himself of a person he knew who had erroneous ideas on the subject. He took it to him, and afterwards informed me that it had produced to the full the effect he had desired, and changed the individual into a friend of the Bible Society, and he has promised his help.

The uncle of this printer, to whom the establishment belonged, and who died a few years ago, was a man of a superior mind, and above the usual prejudices of his country, as to self estimation and contempt to foreigners. One of the modes he took to teach his countrymen on the subject was by keeping hung up in his establishment two boards. One contained a plate of engraving exhibiting the grand auto-de-fe which took place here in 1680, when many were committed to the flames. (Under this in very legible characters he had printed, – "View of the Civilization and Illumination of Spain.")* The other Board contained in four sections, one over another, an exhibition of our railroads. In the first section there was a row of first-class carriages. In the second section were seen the 2nd and 3rd class carriages. The third had carriages for Goods, and the fourth for Cattle. (Under the whole was printed in large characters, – "Proofs of the Barbarity and Poverty of the English.")** The nephew has profited by these exhibitions, and we may profit by the nephew.

            Yours, My Dear Friend, Very Truly,

                                    James Thomson.

P.S. You requested me, I remember, once or twice, to mark those parts of my letters which I wished more particularly to be read in Committee, when their length would make it inconvenient to read the whole. To this I would reply, that you have always full liberty to omit as much as you choose, and what you choose. It is always an effort with me, rather than a pleasure, to undertake either a long letter or a long journey, and yet circumstances, which seem to form duties, often impel me to both. But you are a better judge than I can be of what should be read in your Committee meetings.

* Corrected by Dr. Thomson July 1, 1848.

"Over this in very legible characters he has printed View of the Civilization and Religion of Spain."

** "Over the whole, at the top of the Board was printed in large letters, Effects of Steam Movement in England, and at the bottom was printed, with equal legibility - Proofs of the Ignorance and Poverty of the English."