Santiago, 8th October 1821 (BFBS)

Mr. Owen, BFBS. [1]

Santiago de Chile, 8th October, 1821

I wrote you a few lines on the 26th February, and then mentioned that it was my intention to visit Chile. Through the gracious providence of the God of the Bible Society, I have now effected my intention. I left Buenos Aires on the 30th May, and sailing round Cape Horn, arrived safely at Valparaiso, after a voyage of forty-four days. After a short stay in that place, to recruit my health, which always suffers at sea, I came to this city, the capital of Chile. Here, the moment of my arrival, I met with a very encouraging recep­tion. You know, of course, that my most prominent object in South America is the promoting of education on the Lancasterian plan. On this footing it was that I experienced so hearty a re­ception in this place. Great and respected as your Society is, and ought to be, in the eyes of England and of Europe, it would yet be an imprudence to proclaim one's self your agent here, with the sole or chief object of circulating the Bible. This is not speaking very favourably of the inhabitants of South America, you will say. I confess it, but at the same time, I have told you the truth.

Whilst, however, I hold myself forward in the eyes of South America, as a promoter of education and an instructor of youth, I consider myself in all respects as the servant of the British and Foreign Bible Society. I beg you to consider me in this light, and to call upon me with the utmost free­dom in whatever way I can, directly or indirectly, promote your blessed work, in making the in­habitants of this vast continent acquainted with the words of eternal life. I have said, my prominent object here is the establishment of schools. I freely and openly profess this, and in consequence am everywhere hailed as a friend. The little influence I have thus acquired, and the confidence reposed in me, enable me more effectually to pro­mote the circulation of the Scriptures, than if I acted ostensibly and exclusively as your agent.

One proof of this I shall give you. I brought with me among my books from Buenos Aires, about sixty Spanish New Testaments. In getting my luggage through the Custom House, I was told, that the books must be inspected by the Bishop. I wished this might be dispensed with, but it was insisted on. I then told the officers, that I was engaged to come here by the Government to establish the Lancasterian schools. That alters the case, said they, and immediately the papers for despatching my books, &c. were signed, and not, a single book was so much as looked at either by the Bishop, or by any of the Custom House officers. I was told, before coming here, that there was much less liberality in Chile, as to the circulation of the Scriptures, than in Buenos Aires. I was, therefore, anxious to avoid the inspection of the Bishop above noticed. I understand he has it in his power to prohibit what books he chooses, and that his prohibition holds, unless the Government give, in the individual case, an order to the contrary. I am in expectation of receiving from you very soon 300 of Scio's translation of the New Testament. These I shall let pass all the forms required, to make proof whether or not the Scriptures are allowed to be introduced into Chile. This, you will perceive, is an object worth ascertaining, and the knowledge of it will be of considerable use in directing us in future. Should the Bishop demur as to their circulation, and wish to keep them, I can, I think obtain an order of the Government to prevent it; so that we may consider there is no great danger of losing them, in making the trial referred to.

Notwithstanding what I have said above, no interruption to the circulation of the Spanish New Testament has yet been experienced. Soon after my arrival, I gave to an Englishman, who has a shop here, some copies to sell. This man is a Roman Catholic, and I am happy to say, he recommends the Scriptures to the natives of this country, who are of his own religion. He has already sold about twenty.  He in very anxious for the arrival of the Spanish Bibles, which I told him I expected, as he thinks he could sell many of them.

In my letters to you, from time to time, when in Buenos Aires, I related to you the state of the circulation of the Scriptures in that place. I am happy to say, that at my leaving it, the pros­pects regarding this important matter were more favourable than at any former period. I do not mean to say by this, that there was any particular stir about the word of God, or great demand for it; but I mean to convey to you this encou­raging truth, that the Scriptures are occasionally bought, and more so than formerly, and that they are increasingly read from year to year. I con­sider the word of God to have fairly got an en­trance into Buenos Aires; and that its prohibition, or any material hindrance to its circulation, is not only unlikely, but, one might say, impossible. I give you this as my opinion, after a residence in that place of more than two years and a half, and an intercourse with various classes of society during that time.

I shall now mention some things not formerly noticed, regarding the circulation of the Scriptures in Buenos Aires, and in the surrounding country. —A military officer, commanding on a station a short distance from the city, has been greatly de­lighted with the New Testament, and in consequence, very anxious to make others acquainted with it. He recommended the reading of it to several poor people who were unable to purchase it, and requested to have copies to give them, which he obtained. In this way he has distrib­uted a number of copies. Besides those given to the poor, some have been sold by him to those able to pay for them. He used to take me very cordially by the hand when we met, and to speak with pleasure on the beneficence of the Bible Society, and of the great advantages that would arise to his countrymen by a general reading of the Holy Scriptures. I told him I hoped soon to have the whole Bible in Spanish, and in consequence he is all expectation for it. On my leaving Buenos Aires, I gave twenty-four New Testa­ments to this gentleman, in the confidence of their being distributed in the most judicious manner.

There is a military station and a small town on the east coast of Patagonia, called Río Negro, in about 42° south latitude. To this place some copies of the New Testament have been sent. One individual, a native of that place, was so pleased with the copy he got, that he requested the person who brought it, to bring several copies on his return for his family and friends. I am personally acquainted with the officer at pres­ent commanding at that place, and am pretty certain he will not throw any obstacle in the way of the circulation of the Scriptures. This gentleman attended our school in Buenos Aires, and took with him lessons, &c. to establish schools on his arrival in that place, for which he sailed in May last. The lessons I have referred to I got printed in Buenos Aires for our schools. They are selections from the Scriptures. These lessons, now used in most of the schools, will greatly con­tribute, I hope, to create a desire to possess the sacred volume, a book which has hitherto been little known in this country.

A Patagonian chief, called Cualli Piachepolon, in the very centre of Patagonia, is in possession of one of your Testaments. This man has been in the habit of visiting Buenos Aires for some years, in order to exchange the few commodities which his country at present produces, for those of Europe. He has hence acquired some knowledge of the Spanish language. Upon hearing some passages of the New Testament read to him, he requested to have the book, that he might, on his return, explain it to his people.

Some copies have been sent to Tucuman, to Salta, &c.; so that your bounty is known, more or less, throughout the provinces of the Rio de la Plata; and I have no doubt but, some hundred years hence, the then populous banks of that king of rivers, and the circumjacent country, will grate­fully remember the present Committee and Mem­bers of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

I  close  my account of Buenos Aires, for the present, by noticing, that some individuals, upon obtaining the New Testament, and hearing of your great and extended efforts in distributing the Holy Scriptures, wondered how they had been taught that the English were not Christians. When speaking on religion, it is common to use the word Christian and Protestant in contradistinction to each other, meaning, by the former, themselves or Roman Catholics in general, and by the latter, the English or Protestants in general.

A short time before I left the Rio de la Plata, I sent ten of the Portuguese Bibles, and twenty New Testaments, to Bahia, in charge of a per­son who, I think, would take care to see them safely lodged in that place. I sent them to the care of the English Chaplain there.

During the few days I stopped at Valparaiso, I met with a gentleman to whom I had formerly intrusted twelve of the Spanish New Testaments. Upon my enquiring about them, he told me they had been stolen out of his room. Though this was to be regretted, yet one good effect would arise from it, in as much as the person who stole them would no doubt take effectual care to put them in circulation.

In my letter of 26th February, I requested the Society to send me 200 of Scio's translation to Buenos Aires, and 300 to Valparaiso. I hope these will respectively arrive in due time. I then noticed to you the advantage that would arise from lettering them on the back, and varying them in the binding. I particularly request your attention to this, as I am sure it will contribute greatly to their sale. Let the binding be in many cases elegant. They would thus be more expensive to the Society at first, but they would be considerably less in the end. It is my intention to sell them in future, except when a favourable opportunity occurs of giving the word of God to a person in real poverty. This I know to be the uniform re­commendation of the Society. I would beg leave to suggest to you, that no Bibles or New Testa­ments be sent out in future to Buenos Aires by the captains of ships. The captains, however well intentioned they may be, cannot stay to distribute them. The Testaments, in consequence, have not unfrequently come into hands who wish to get rid of them in any way. By this means they become, as it were, of too little consideration, and their sale is thus also prevented, which no doubt is the most effectual way of distributing them. In Buenos Aires several persons objected to buying them, be­cause they had formerly been got for nothing. I shall, as I have said above, most readily act as your agent in distributing the Scriptures in Buenos Aires, and in Chile. The most judicious and effectual way of doing this is through the book­sellers in these places. Before leaving Buenos Aires I arranged for the continued circulation of the New Testament, and here I shall make arrangements to the same effect before I go. It is my intention to visit Peru before long; and I shall there also, and indeed wherever I may be, zeal­ously endeavour to promote the good work in which you are engaged.

In a few years South America will have large claims on your Society, but she will pay you from her mines for all your kindness. Should the Lord spare me ten or twenty years, I have no doubt I shall see wonderful and blessed changes on this continent. It is my intention, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to spend my life (long or short as it may be) in South America; probably not in any fixed place, but residing from time to time wherever I may most effectually promote the work of the Lord, in establishing schools, in circu­lating the Scriptures, and in the use of such other means as circumstances may direct.

[1] Letter to BFBS, but not now found in Bible Society Collection in Cambridge University Library. James Thomson. Letters on the Moral and Religious State of South America (London: James  Nisbet, 1827), pp. 14-21.

Lima, 2nd December 1822

Lima, 2nd December, 1822.[1]

Some weeks ago a Committee of the Congress was entrusted to draw up the outlines of a political constitution for the country. This has been accom­plished, has been presented to Congress, and ordered to be printed. The Congress is just now engaged in discussing it, article by article. A good deal of interest is thus excited and kept up regar­ding the subject, and, in consequence, the Congress-hall is daily well attended by all classes. The discussion of the article on the form of government, and that on religion, have excited the most at­tention. The form of government has been unani­mously declared to be republican, agreeably to what I hinted to you in one of my late letters.—In "the outlines," the article on religion runs thus: "The religion of the state is the Catholic Apos­tolic Church of Rome." One of the members of the committee wished to add the word only or exclusive, but the rest not agreeing to it, he entered his pro­test. On this account, as well as from the general interest of the subject, the matter was keenly dis­cussed. I went, as you may well suppose, to hear what should be said on both sides, and to see the result.

The first who ascended the tribune to speak was a clergyman, carrying in his hand a book about the size of a New Testament. He began by stating, that it was his sincere desire that all men might be of the Roman Catholic church. He then stated that the only proper way, in his opinion, of bringing men into the church was, not by force, nor by persecution in any shape, but solely by persuasion, by the force of reason. After speaking a few minutes to this effect, he went on to treat of the article as stated in the "outlines." He regretted the divisions among Christians, and the distinctive names one body and another had taken.  He then opened the book he had in his hand, which I now found to be one of the Bible Society's New Testaments, in Spanish. He read the 12th and 13th verses of the first chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, and proceeded to make some remarks upon the passage, and to apply it to the article in question. It appeared to him, he said, very like the divisions censured by the Apostle Paul, to see the article stated in the words, Roman, Catholic, Apostolic. Having done this, he proposed that the article should be stated in this manner:— "The religion of Jesus Christ, is the religion of the state." He then made some observations upon the propriety of stating it in this way, in preference to the way in which it stands in the outlines, and so concluded. As might have been expected, this alteration or amendment was opposed. My me­mory is not so faithful as to give you the various speeches upon the subject, but a great deal was said on both sides of the question. In particular, the member of the Committee who had protested, defended what he had done in a long speech, in which he paid but little respect and fewer compli­ments to us foreigners. He concluded his long story by saying, that he was so full of matter upon this subject, and felt so much interest in it, that he could still speak four whole days upon it. Another speaker got up with a volume of the Bible in his hand. He turned to two passages in the law of Moses, where the children of Israel were admonished to look kindly towards strangers and foreigners, and concluded by a short comment upon the passages in reference to the subject in hand.

 In a country like this, where all the natives are of the Roman Catholic Church, everything that is said upon toleration has a direct reference to foreigners, for it is never for a moment supposed that any of the natives will leave the Roman Ca­tholic Church to become Protestants. The introduction of foreigners into the country, and the consequent advantages and disadvantages of it, entered deeply into the debate. I shall refer only to one speech more upon the subject. An aged member, and a clergyman, rose up and said, "Gen­tlemen, this is the first time I have risen to speak in this house, and it is not my intention to detain you long. I understand," said he, "that the grand and principal features of our religion are these two: —To love the Lord with all our heart and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. We must then take care," continued he,  "that our zeal for the first of these two commandments does not make us overlook the second. Now I ask, whether for­eigners residing among us are to be considered our neighbours or not. If they are, then we ought to love them. Gentlemen, I have nothing farther to add." After being fully discussed, the votes were taken. First, whether the article should stand as stated in the outlines, or be altered. It was carried that it should remain as stated. The next question was, if the word exclusive should be added, and it was unfortunately carried in the af­firmative. The article now stands thus:—"The Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion is the religion of the state, and the exercise of every other is ex­cluded."        

We are not to be surprised that the matter has ended in this manner; perhaps we should rather
wonder that there was any one of the members of the Congress disposed to speak, or even to think on the side of toleration. The members who are friendly to religious liberty, may amount to one third of the whole, or, perhaps, somewhat more than one third, and they are men of influence and respect in the country. Those made a less vigorous stand for toleration at the present time, from the consideration that what is done now in regard to the sanctioning of the basis of the constitution, is only provisional. The Spaniards, at present, pos­sess many of the best provinces of Peru, and these provinces have, strictly speaking, no representatives in the Congress. The manner of proceeding, in reference to these provinces, was this:―The natives of each province, residing in Lima, met and chose members from among themselves to  represent the province, until such time as the enemy be dislodged, and they have freedom to choose their own repre­sentatives. As soon then as the country is free, the present Congress will dissolve itself, and a ge­neral Congress will be immediately elected, and the outlines now under consideration will ho presented to the new Congress to be examined, and, if judged necessary, altered. There is, therefore, still some hope, that toleration may have a place in the Peru­vian constitution. During the interval, the press may forward the good cause, as there is perfect freedom for speaking and printing anything upon the subject, on both sides of the question. We may, indeed, call this freedom of speaking and writing upon the subject, a kind of toleration; at all events, it is a prelude to it.

Pamphlets of every shape, size and name, are issued from the press. In these every subject is handled, and abuses and prejudices are attacked with freedom and courage. The poor friars are not overlooked in these; almost everybody is against them, and none seems to rise up in their defense. One of the members of Congress has made a motion for the reformation of the Convents. The bill he is about to bring in, contains four arti­cles. The first is to allow all those to leave the Convents who wish to do so. The second is to allow no one in future to become a friar. The third is, that the government should take possession of all their property, and allow them out of it what is necessary for their support. The fourth article is, to make them all live in one convent, in­stead of occupying  fourteen, as they now do. This you see is a bold proposition, and, if carried into effect, will be a great step in reformation.

At the time the article on religion was under consideration, a certain individual went about with a paper containing a petition to Congress, praying that the "Roman Catholic religion might be the religion of the state, and the only one tolerated in the country". The last part of the petition was the object he had in view. He obtained a number of signatures to the petition, and without loss of time laid it before the Congress. It was, however, not allowed to be read, and several were for calling this individual to account for his officiousness. This medical gentleman (for he is of that pro­fession) has been sadly handled in the pamphlets of the day for this conduct; so much so, I think, as to keep him from being forward to engage a second time in such an undertaking; I have al­ready mentioned how freely all matters are dis­cussed in these pamphlets. One of them has just begun to give a history of the Popes. From the spe­cimens already published, this history promises not to be very honourable to the personal character of the Popes, neither does it appear intended to strengthen their pontifical authority and influence, but quite the contrary. There was a monthly magazine pub­lished in London, during the despotic reign of the present Ferdinand. In this work there was given a history of the Popes, and I believe what is pub­lishing here just now is copied from the work I have mentioned. This magazine was called El Español Constitucional. It was written by one of those who had fled from Ferdinand's despotic hands. He was a liberal man, and writing in London he felt himself under no restraint in speaking of the abuses of the Church of Rome. There was another periodical work in the Spanish language, published some years before it,  called El Español. This was also printed in London, and was written with the same liberality and spirit. Both these works have reached South America, and have been a good deal read; and, as you may suppose, they have served considerably to enlighten the people of these countries.

I have mentioned, in some of my late letters, the very gratifying circumstance of the rapid sale in this city of 500 Spanish Bibles, and 500 New Testaments. These were all sold off  in two days, and as many more could have been sold in the two days following, but there were no more, and thus many were disappointed. From this cheering cir­cumstance, I am daily looking with great anxiety for a considerable number of both Bibles and Testaments, expected from the Bible Society. The above-mentioned circumstance is truly encouraging, as no desire at all comparable to it, has yet been manifested in any other part of South America for the Holy Scriptures. From this, and some other occurrences, I am led to anticipate that the word of God will, indeed, have free course in this place, and let us pray that it may not be circulated only, but that it may be glorified also. I have another thing to relate to you, perhaps more cheering still. It is this: the nearly confident expectation of getting the New Testament introduced throughout Peru as a school book. I trust this expectation will not be disappointed, but verified in due time. Everything promises fair at present for its accom­plishment.

As soon as the Bibles got into circulation as above-mentioned, there was some ferment excited from reports that it was not fairly printed from the Spanish version of Scio, as indicated in the title page. This report was raised, or at least increased, by the discovery of a typographical error or two. An honest priest actually burned the Bible he had bought on the discovery of one of these over­sights in the printing. The consequence of this stir was an examination of the Bible Society's edition, by comparing it with the edition printed in Spain. The result of this examination was highly satisfactory, as the London edition was found to be an exact reprint from the latest Spanish edition, with the exception of some slight oversights in passing through the press. About the time this matter was under consideration, the deputy Arch­bishop (for there is no Archbishop here at present) having learned that a certain priest was likely to say something from the pulpit against the reading of the Bibles from London, sent a message to him, telling him "not to preach anything against the reading of the English Bibles." By English Bibles he meant Bibles from England, for the Bibles were in the Spanish language.

A curious little piece, in the poetic form, ap­peared about a fortnight ago in one of the newspapers of this city. There is a great deal of truth and force in it, and as it is but short, and will not occupy much room, I shall give you a translation of it. To do it justice it should be put in poetic dress, but as you know I am neither poet nor rhymester, you will please accept of it in plain prose. "Simon possessed a fishing bark, and just a fishing bark, nothing more he left to his sons. They however were great fishers; they caught much and grew rich, and could no longer be content with their small bark, but got a larger one. This bark after­wards became a brig, and then a ship. At last it grew into a man-of-war, and frightened the world with its cannon. How wonderfully is this ship of war now changed! How different now to what it was in former times! This great-ship is now grown old, and, shattered by the storms it has encoun­tered, it now lies rotting in the harbour. A thousand times has it been repaired, but at last it must be laid aside altogether, and its owners must once more be content with Simon's fishing bark." You will find no difficulty, I dare say, in apply­ing this little piece, and, I believe, you will join with me in wishing that the concluding part may be verified as exactly as the preceding parts have.

There is a great revolution going forward in South America. I speak not of the revolt from under the Spanish yoke, for that in the present day may be said not to be going forward, but accomplished. The revolution I speak of, is a moral one. Those who have eyes to see this goodly prospect, and those who have ears to hear the har­mony of this moral change, meet on every hand with indications of its approach. You will not understand me as saying, that South America has become like the land of Eden, like the garden of God. No. But a change has been begun, a happy change. Let us put our hand to this work. Let us bear it onward, and God Almighty will consum­mate it in due time.

[1] James Thomson. Letters on the Moral and Religious State of South America. (London: James Nisbet, 1827). Pp. 59-69.

Lima, 25th November 1823

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.

Montreal, 22nd March 1841 - 1

Rev A Brandram No 100

Montreal,  22nd March 1841

My Dear Friend,

This is now the third Canadian winter which I am seeing and feeling; for winters here are visibly seen, and sensibly felt: they are seen wherever the eyes are turned, in the deep general covering of the ground with snow and the stern cold rules and reigns over all whilst both these are heightened from time to time by the wind raging storm. It is but a short time, I may say, since I left the sunny and evergreen regions of the middle world where I spent years of my poor life, and yet now they seem half forgotten, and I am become as familiar with cold, and snow, and deadness, as I formerly was with the never ceasing heat, and the everlasting vegetation and life of the brilliant torrid zone. These circumstances suggest to me the idea of reviewing the two or three years past in a sketch, both as respects my personal movements, and my general employment.

The sudden leap I took from the West Indies to this country, and the great change in employment I made within a few weeks, you already know. I dreaded the change, but ventured to make it, as it was duty to do so. Now that all is over I can look back with some composure upon the scenes and the thoughts of that time. When we arrived in Charleston being driven into that port in distress, the weather was wet and bad, and I felt the cold much. If I thus feel here said I to myself, when only about half way to Canada, and before the winter is set in, how shall I get on when there and during the depth of the season. I had in truth serious thoughts of writing home to you, to beg that you would let me stay by the fireside all the winter, for that it would be impossible for me to travel and to preach for you during the cold season: but adding, that when the sun got strong I should be able to leave the house, and journey and serve you from place to place as long as the warm season lasted. Things were not better on arriving at New York on the 24th November. I met with a cold reception indeed, for that night was a very coldness night ever known there at that date in the season. Again when I came near the northern border of the States, from the severity of the weather, I had to lay aside my hat and by a fur cap, fur is the only article capable of keeping the head in due warmth in northern regions. A day after, I passed the lines of the United States and entered Canada, where once I met the dread winter in full costume and character; for the ground was all covered with snow as I entered, and the snow and the storm were driving along when at a late hour I took up my first night's lodging in Canada; and as if the cold were determined at every step to make a bold and early onset, the thermometer fell that night to 5° below zero. We had now the mighty St. Lawrence to cross. But at the usual place it was impossible, being partly frozen and partly not, and hence it could not be crossed by ice nor by boat. We have to travel 11 miles up the bank, but it was about dark when we reached the place, and the ferrymen would not venture to take us over that night. We slept in the house of an Indian, for it was an Indian village where we stopped. Next morning early the Indians ferried us over, and the scene I shall never forget. We crossed just above one of the rapids, where the stream ran quick and by its rapidity prevented the frost from seizing upon it and turning it into a solid. As we sailed along a distance of 2 miles from side to side of the river, it was deeply interesting to observe the contest, as I imagined to myself, for the whole scene was like one of pure imagination, the contest between the elements or states of solidity and fluidity, each striving to have for its vassal this majestic river. The ice swam about in broad tables, and these again would join together in bands, as other combatants do, and thus by the individual and united strength they would essay to block up the whole river and take it prisoner. But on the other hand the powers of fluidity and the force of the rapid and whirling current, would break up these armed bands, disperse and put them to flight, hurling them over the rapids. The attacks were repeated, and the insurgents again dispersed, and thus on hour after hour and day after day the attack and the resistance were continued. But the besieged kept their ground, and held their fortress and possessions, for this is one of the spots of the river where the Fluidity holds sway all the season through and that in spite of the Giant cold who would take it captive, and in spite of the discouragement of seeing this fellow tyrant gradually and firmly seize and bind in icy chains, part by part almost the entire river in all its length, whilst this and a few other indomitable spots like itself stand out and enjoy that liberty and fluidity. The scene was grand, and he who has once seen it, will always see it.

The thus far I have treated you with cold, but I shall now treat you with heat. And to act in this manner is quite in keeping with our winter journeyings here; for when we have travelled some distance in an open sleigh till we are about half frozen we all get out of our vehicle, enter a house, and stand around the stove till we are thoroughly warmed, and thus furnished with heat we again set out on our journey. I shall now therefore in my Sketch bring you into a house, and take you to the stove, where if I mistake not, you will find yourself warmed and also cheered.

On the evening of the very day I crossed the river, as above described, and entered Montreal, there was held a meeting of the Committee of your Auxiliary in this place. Here I was introduced to our Bible friends at once, and was immediately informed of all they had done in the Bible cause, of all they were doing, and of all the purposed, through strength divine, to perform, and with all possible haste. This proved a heating stove to me, and I soon forgot all the cold that preceded.

The Society I found had been doing well several years, proving a valuable help to you in the general distribution of the Scriptures over this country, and of raising means to meet expenditures as far as they well could. But latterly they had taken a new and more powerful view of things in respect to the value of the Bible for all, and in respect to the well-known lack of it in the country, and the desirableness of bringing it, and speedily within the reach of all the surrounding population. They forthwith entered into a specific resolution in reference to these views, and nobly purposed with all convenient rapidity to get a copy of the Scriptures into every family within the province. Having done this, some of the more active members of the Committee went round among the citizens here and procured a considerable sum for carrying into effect this specific purpose. After this, one individual in the Committee undertook to visit personally some country districts, going from house to house, to inquire of every family whether they possessed a copy of the Scriptures, and where the holy book was wanting, to stir up the people to purchase it if they had means sufficient, and if they have not, the price was reduced, or taken off altogether according to circumstances. But the object was to get the Bible fairly into the house, and in this manner into all the houses of each district. Of course the Committee could not personally carry this object into effect to any great extent. The work however was not neglected or delayed on this account, for they aroused their friends in several quarters of the country to undertake these from house-to-house visitations; and further, where gratuitous labours could not be obtained they employed others and remunerated them for their services.

When you heard of our friends here having entered on this benevolent career you liberally gave them 2000 copies of the Scriptures to aid them in their work, and the American Bible Society generously contributed 1000 copies. These two grants were of much service, and enable the Society to pursue its object to a greater extent than their own supplies could enable them, liberal as these had been.

The Society at the time I arrived had been engaged in this work of special general distribution of the Scriptures nearly two years, and the accounts they furnished of the good effects attending their labours were very cheering, and I rejoiced in their joy from the work of their hands. In the course of the many visitations made in various parts of the country during this time many facts have been brought to light respecting the want of the Scriptures among the people generally, and these fully justify the Society in the labour they had undertaken. On the other hand the extensive supplies which the Society's agents had afforded to many destitute families and individuals and the gratitude which not a few of these manifested for this visitation, of mercy and the means of procuring the word of God, were exceedingly gratifying and encouraging. But for this arrangement of the Society, and the efficiency with which it was carried forward, multitudes now in possession of the Holy Scriptures would in all probability have remained without them for years, or during their entire life. The good therefore which has been done in this case is beyond our calculation, and has its important bearings both on time and on eternity.

As it is an established rule in God's providence, that good done to others procures good for ourselves in return, so it has happened fully in this instance. By the means adopted and the happy effects produced the Society has been kept alive and animated, and the meetings of the Committee have been interesting and gratifying. These things were the reward of benevolence, and they stirred up to further benevolence. In consequence of these things I found our Bible friends here fully resolved to pursue their work steadily, and to carry it forward to a blissful close. Such were the things that came before me at my immediate entrance on my work in this country, and he produced a cheering and salutary effect, and warmed me, as I before said, after the cold I had recently endured from place to place on my journey. I found that the Bible is highly valued in both cold and hot regions, in Canada and the West Indies, proof of the latter I had recently seen, and proof of the former here lay before me.

Thus animated I set out on my first journey, but not till I had furnished myself with coat upon coat and fur upon fur, all being necessary and fully required for the degrees of cold that lay before me were greater than any before felt. I gave you formerly some account of my first tour, and described the cold predicament in which I found myself, and my feelings of regret for leaving the sunny regions of the West Indies for this inhospitable clime. I shall not therefore now repeat that description. My other journeyings also during that winter reminded me of the ever green lands I had left. The thermometer stood on different occasions at 10, 12, 17, 22, 24, and 31 under zero, and oftimes the snow storm raged. But God mercifully and graciously preserved me, and though I was thus much exposed by day and more at times by night, in this inclement quarter, yet I suffered no harm in my general health and strength, and was enabled to attend to your work in a manner that a different from the fears I entertained under the first onsets of the northern cold. Blessed be God for these and all his former mercies to me in all my wanderings and dangers.

In the cold movements above described, it was sensibly warming, and truly cheering, to get into the log house of a Bible friend, and to receive the reception of a Bible messenger. On many occasions I was thus treated, and experienced a warm hospitality. The larger and more noble mansion also opened its doors, of its own accord I may say, to receive your messenger, and to bestow on him the ample conveniences which they contained. I feel much indebted to these good friends who entertained me, and shall long remember their kindnesses, hospitalities and courtesies: and I pray the Lord to reward them.

But though I thus found a "son of peace" ready to receive me every where, the country all the while was full of the sons of war, and military exercises and operations seem to be the only business going forward. By some of these sons of war I was treated less kindly than above described. On one occasion soldiers full armed sprang in before me and my traveling companions, and have been totally ordered us to turn back, and appear before his officers. We got out of this scrape with our whole shin. But afterwards we were hotly pursued a distance of seven miles by the head officer himself accompanied by a dragoon. But we got the victory over them both, for we were furnished with passports, which we had taken the precaution to provide before setting out owing to the very warlike state of the whole country.

The Public Bible Meetings which we held were always cheering and often truly animating. Cold and bad as the weather might be, out of doors, yet within we were assembled around the Bible, and the light, tranquility, and heat which afforded made us for a while forget all else, and led us to anticipate the time when the Bible would banish all evil out of this hitherto unfortunate world, and fill it with light divine, holiness, and blessedness, for surely it is established as the sun, that the will of God is yet to be done on earth as it is in heaven, and when this is the case we may be sure that the happenings of earth will resemble that of heaven. All what I blessed book is the Bible, which is through the power of God given to it, to work such wonders. God is himself in his word, and great and blessed must be its effects. All then let us haste and to place it in every house around us, and let us diligently send it to all nations, in all tongues, that it's wonders may be wrought in the sight of all, and speedily!

But an early promise of the Bible is not unfulfilled in Canada as well as elsewhere, and notwithstanding all I have said of cold, you must not think it is always cold here. We have our summer too, because the Bible says, that somewhere shall continued in its turn, "while the earth remaineth." During the whole of the summer following the winter above described, I was employed in one continued tour in Bible visitations over upper Canada. The same kind reception and treatment, as before noticed, I experienced during all this period, and over a vast tract of country. Our Bible meetings were many and were cheering, and our numerous friends, scattered over these widely extended regions, now thinly, but soon to be densely people, took a lively interest in the great Bible cause.

You know that our Society is of no denomination, alias, of all denominations. So, in this measure, your humble servant pretends to be, personally and officially, and so is he everywhere received. In traveling over Upper Canada during the summer mentioned, I was struck more than common with the circumstances here referred to. One night, or two or three together, if privileged to rest so long in one place, I found myself lodged, and receiving every kind attention as a member of the same fraternity and family, in the house of a clergyman of the Church of England. My next lodging place, and where I would be treated precisely in the same friendly manner, would be with a clergyman of the Church of Scotland. The third caravansary that would receive me would be the house of the Wesleyan Minister. The fourth place where I would lay my head would be in the dwelling of a Baptist minister: and my tired body in the fifth instance, would be rested and nourished in the abode of the Minister of the Congregational denomination. That is no fancy or colouring in this statement. It is literally true: nor did it occur only once, but often, and so frequently were these alternations made that I was, as I may say, amused with them, as well as gratified and thankful. On one occasion, and I shall never forget it, when calling on a clergyman of the Church of England, and our subject of conversation and regret at the time being in reference to the unhappy divisions and unhappier alienations among Christian ministers and people, he said to me with evident deep interest and feeling, "Mr. Thomson you have fine opportunities of promoting peace, union, and goodwill among different parties." I instantly replied, "I have, and thus I employ these opportunities."

Not unfrequently whilst thus domiciled under various roofs, I have heard in course of our conversations something like complaints of the evil speaking or evil acting of some other denomination against the parties stating them to me. These complaints I have any frequently found to be grounded on misunderstanding and I have explained and apologized for these complaints and the parties concerned in them, endeavouring to induce to peace and good feeling. My familiarity with all parties enables me often to see through these misunderstandings better than the parties affected by them, and this accidental knowledge which my opportunities give me I endeavour to use in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, for promoting brotherly feelings among all who love Him who loved them and gave himself a ransom for our sins, that we might be delivered from all iniquity, and be blameless and harmless, peaceful and loving, as the children of God. There is a fine petition bearing on the subject, in the Moravian liturgy, which may we all put up, and act upon. It is this, "Lord diminish misapprehensions."

My travellings during the second winter I pass over in this sketch, remarking only that whenever I went I met with the same friendliness from various parties in politics and in religion, and our Bible meetings were good and encouraging.

On the opening of the following season, in the spring of last year I set out for Nova Scotia and New Bruns­wick. In the latter place I arrived first, and in the city of St. John's, which, though not the political, is the commercial capital and ruling city of the province. Immediately on arriving there, and before I left the steam-boat, I was greeted by a deputation from the New Brunswick Bible Society, at the head of which was Judge Parker, the President, a man of high and deserved standing in the community. A public meeting of the Bible Society there was held within a few days after, which was nume­rously attended. I must not omit in my haste to mention a circumstance of some moment, as I conceive, in our Bible cause. It was this, that all the ministers of the several denominations of the place were present. This was gratifying in many ways, and I long to see the time when we shall always be able to calculate on the presence of all the ministers within reach at all our Bible meetings. This should be the case, and it) will be the case, whether within the time of our individual pilgrimage or beyond it. I attended some Committee meetings of the Society in St. John's, and had a good deal of intercourse otherwise with several of the leading members of the Society ; and through these opportunities I learned that there is a deep feeling in favour of your cause in that place. Several months subsequently I attended the anniversary of the Society, which consisted of a large assembly; and which, through what was laid before them, kept together unmoved till a late hour. The Ladies' Society deserves also to be mentioned with all due approbation, as administering essentially to the general cause in that city.

In Fredericton, the government head of the province, we held a large meeting of the Bible Society; and there, and at Committee meet­ings, I found the same interest in our blessed work as I had seen exhibited in St. John's. His Excellency, Sir John Harvey, treated your Agent very courteously. He patronizes the Bible Society there; and Lady Harvey is the patroness of the Ladies' Branch.

In reviewing my movements in New Brunswick, I shall take you next to Bathurst, on the south-side of the Bay of Chaleur,—though I did not go direct from Fredericton to that place, but visited Nova Scotia in the interval, and also Prince Edward's Island. Bathurst is in sight of Canada; and here was formed a new Auxiliary to your institution. Our meeting was held in the Episcopal church, and the incumbent became the President, whilst all the other, ministers rallied around him.

I next notice Miramichi:—this is a populous quarter, and a great shipping place,—the most so of any port in these two provinces, after St. John's. A Ladies' Bible Society has existed here about twenty years, and has done much good. We succeeded in forming a new Society, besides this, and under the title of an Auxiliary, embracing the general population on the banks of this fine river. Here again we had several ministers of different denominations, but I regret to say that one was wanting. I visited a good many other places in this province, but must not stay to enumerate them, though I cannot pass over Richibucto, where there is a very flourishing Ladies' Bible Society.

I now notice my visitations in Nova Scotia.—It was towards the latter end of June when I arrived in Halifax. A few days after my arrival, the anniversary meeting of the Nova Scotia Bible Society was held. A great multitude hastened to this meeting; the place of assembly was 'speedily filled, and many were unable to gain admittance. His Excellency Sir Colin Campbell, the Lieutenant-governor, was in the chair ; and he was well supported by numbers of the best rank of Society, and particularly by the various ministers of the city, among whom were five of the Church of England. This was a gratifying meeting, and con­tributed, it was thought, a good deal for the advancement of the Bible Society's interests in that place.

After this public meeting, and after attending some meetings of the Committee, I travelled over the south-western parts of the province, visit­ing all the places of note. The meetings held during this tour exhibited a good state of feeling in favour of the general circulation of the Scrip­tures at home and abroad; and it was pleasing to see the large numbers that came together in several thinly peopled districts.

Soon after returning to Halifax, I set out again, in another direction, and went over the north-eastern parts of the province. In moving through these parts I was gladdened with the same favourable manifestations I had elsewhere perceived in regard to that most desirable object in which we are all, in our measure, engaged and interested, namely, that of getting the word of God into every family, and into the possession of each individual in these provinces; and of seeing the whole world benefited in this way equally with ourselves. On this tour, I met with more than common favour in the way of free conveyances ; and it is both a duty and a pleasure for me to make this statement. One gentleman, in addi­tion to forwarding me some distance, put a doubloon into my hands as we parted, saying, "That is to help you in your journeying expenses."

Returning from the eastern parts just mentioned to Pictou, I went over to Prince Edward's Island. Upwards of a year ago an Auxiliary Bible Society was formed there under favourable auspices. A public meeting of this Society was held in the Scotch church, Charlotte Town, which was opened by prayer by the rector of the place. His Excellency Sir Charles Fitzroy, the Lieutenant-governor of the island, was in the chair. His lady also was present; and the assemblage was numerous, embracing all classes of Society. After this, I visited several places in the interior of the island, where meetings were held, and arrangements made for extending and quickening the sacred work of the Bible Society.

I was much gratified here in learning that the governor's lady not only patronizes the Ladies' Bible Society of the island by her name, but is herself also the chief and most active personal labourer in making collec­tions and in distributing the Scriptures around. This is truly praiseworthy, and ought to be set forth, as I now do it, in order to encourage others in the high ranks of Society, to take that stand and that active employment in God's work for which he has qualified them by their ample means and abundant leisure. May all of them hear- God's voice,  which says, "To whom much is given, of them much shall be required." It so happens that this lady is the first lady in rank, as I understand, in these British North American provinces. She enjoys by her birth the title of Right Honourable ; and in our Bible field she has, I may say, justified her title by the right honourable course she is pursuing, by actively labouring in person to promote the circulation of God's holy word. Oh that we all, male and female, could duly understand how right and honourable this work is! If we did, we would unquestionably act better in it than we do. For, alas! how inadequately, I may say, do we all labour in this cause! and our defective operations are greatly owing to the defective nature of our thoughts, our judgments, and our feelings, respecting the superlative value of the word of God.

Besides the lady mentioned above, and her associates, there are many other honourable and right honourable ladies in these British provinces, who have ennobled themselves by their labours in the Bible field. Many Ladies' Bible Societies are in full operation in different places throughout these extensive and interesting countries ; and their services are a great benefit to the general cause of spreading widely at home and abroad the word of truth and salvation. The chief of these in Nova Scotia is the one at Yarmouth, and that at Guysborough, both of which are of long standing and have done well. In the latter place, at the close of the public meeting, the ladies were pleased to deliver an address in the person of their worthy Secretary, complimentary to your Society, to yourself, and to somebody else. I enclose the address for your perusal, as your name is in it, and it is due you should see it.

The Baptist body in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick is numerous. They are very friendly to our Society; and their various ministers have cordially aided our work at the public meetings and otherwise.

In the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, in the south-west portion of Nova Scotia, there is a French settlement, consisting of about 3,000 per­sons,—a people similar in many respects to the French Canadians. I visited this settlement; at the head of which is the Abbé Sigogne, an aged priest, a native of France, who left that country at the revolution. I was happy to find that the Abbé was well inclined to the use of the Holy Scriptures among his flock. He gave me an order for 100 De Sacy's Testaments, and some Bibles. In Antigonish, in the north-east of Nova Scotia, I met with the Roman Catholic Bishop of that province, with whom I had a good deal of conversation ; and he also expressed him­self favourably In regard to the circulation of the Scriptures among his people, and cheerfully consented to an appointment being made by the Antigonish Bible Society, that one of his flock in that place should act as one of the depositaries for the general sale of the Scriptures. In Prince Edward's Island I saw and conversed with the Roman Catholic Bishop of New Brunswick, who also made favourable statements regard­ing the general use of the Scriptures.

In closing this sketch of Bible Society operations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, during last summer, I am happy to notice the friendly reception I everywhere met with, as an advocate of the Bible cause. I also received much hospitality and general courtesy, and nowhere more than in the city of Halifax, which will long remain prominent before me, of the many places among my own countrymen, and among foreigners, where, through the favour of God, I have been treated with kindness: and may the Lord reward all those kind friends at home and abroad!

On returning to Montreal and communicating with our Bible friends at their Committee meetings and otherwise, I have been gratified to find the progress of things since I left this place. Their general supply of families with a Bible to each, according to their resolution previously mentioned, has advanced to a kind of termination within the limits of the Society, and they are about to pass beyond this boundary, and in conjunction with the Quebec Bible Society to extend down the river, and on to the easternmost parts of the province where it joins with New Brunswick.

But gratifying as is this state of things it is, I may say, exceeded in interest by the Bible operations among the French population of the country, all of whom as you are aware, are Roman Catholics. The agent or colporteur whom you support here, and whose labours are almost exclusively devoted to the French, has had unusual success during last year in distributing the Scriptures among the people. The openings are wonderful considering all the circumstances of this long neglected portion of our fellow subjects. Several of the priests openly befriend the distribution of the Scriptures among their flocks, and the New Testament has in a good many places be, schoolbook with the goodwill of the schoolmasters, and with the sanction and encouragement of the priests. The journals of Mr. Hibbard, which are sent you from time to time, will show you the extent to which the work is reached, and will cheer you with their many interesting particulars. Your generosity and your wisdom in supporting this agent among this people are now meeting with their reward, and better things will no doubt follow these encouraging beginnings. May the Lord prosper this work, there are half a million of people to act on, and this is the first movement among these dry bones, "and lo! They are very dry."

In my first letter from this place, written during the disordered state of things here, I said, "the present political state of the country is unfavourable and may retard our operations; but we see, though somewhat darkly, that even these civil commotions will in effect, be attended or followed with good effects, as respects the kingdom of Christ and also as respects the Empire to which these colonies belong." Both these hoped-for, and "dimly seen" results have followed, and are evident to all. The proofs of this I cannot enter into except so far as concerns our own cause. The general changes produced have no doubt materially contributed to the circulation of the Scriptures among the French as here mentioned. You recollect the priest who burned some of our Bibles, and whom we noosed for his own good and the good of the public? The plan we took with him had exactly the effectively desired and arrived at. We made him pay the Bibles, and frightened him into the bargain, and since that time he has burned no Bibles, nor taken any away from the people, nor forbid their reading of them, but is as quiet as the lamb.

On the 27th January the Montreal Bible Society held their anniversary meeting. It was well attended, the speeches were all of a superior kind, (my own excepted), and a very general gratification was expressed by all present: and interesting and gratifying as were former anniversaries, yet this the latest, not the last, was classed by all, as superior to its predecessors. And this is, I may say, as it ought to be, for every additional year should witness in our Bible movements something new and in advance. So I trust it will in general be in future years will unquestionably witness greater things than any of us can now anticipate, however sanguine may be our hopes.

The meeting was held in one of the Scotch churches, and all the trees Scotch ministers were present, and all officiated. One of them commenced the meeting by reading a portion of Scripture and prayer, and the other two delivered truly biblical addresses which gave general satisfaction. This was a step in advance, for we never had had the three with us on any former occasion. Another visible step in advance of the anniversary was the presence on our platform of two ministers of the Church of England. Other denominations among us were also represented; and the Catholicity of the Bible Society was fully held forth.

In Upper Canada I learn that our Bible cause is going on with new vigour. Last summer an agent was appointed to travel over the country, to encourage and extend old societies and to form new ones. This is an important measure for the carrying this work out to its proper extent, particularly in so wide a field as that embraced by the Society. And arrangement has also been entered into for the general supply of every family within the province with a copy of the Scriptures, in accordance with the plan adopted in this province, as before described, and which has been attended with such happy effects in different ways. The same beneficial results will no doubt follow the measure in that as has followed in this province. The issues of the Scriptures since this plan was entered on have greatly increased, and probably they will continue to increase, and with an increasing ratio for some years to come. I apprehend you will have a very large order to fulfill for that Society by the spring vessels. In the eight months ending at the close of December last they had issued 6447 copies, whilst the total number of copies issued during the 12 months preceding these eight was 2819. This you see is more than the trebling of their operations.

I have thus given you a sketch of the operations of your agent in these British American Provinces during the two past years. This is about the time you allowed him for going over them. He has not however been able to bring things quite to a close. There remains yet sufficient labour in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for the ensuing summer and you have acceded to his remaining in this quarter until the unvisited parts are gone over. I hope it will be found not altogether in vain that you have thus paid a visit to these interesting provinces. Your kind remembrance of your Bible associates over these countries, in sending an envoy to them, has been fully responded to on their part, by an increased attachment to you as a parent, and a firmer purpose to co­operate with you locally and generally. Many new societies have been formed in all these provinces during this visitation. Old ones, on the other hand, have been revived and strengthened. Your single and noble object of giving the Bible to all mankind, in all languages, and your success hitherto in this enterprise, have become better known over these provinces by the many statements of the same, publicly and privately, of your Agent. A deeper feeling about the value of the Bible itself has also, it is hoped, been produced; and an increased attention has been awakened, perhaps, and strengthened, in respect to the individual read­ing of the Bible, and in the closet, with earnest prayer for Divine guidance in the study of this blessed volume; for your Agent does not consider himself as acting out of place or character in repeatedly bring­ing before his audiences the high value of the Bible, and the especial duty of all to read it most closely and prayerfully. And he argues that, just in proportion as men read, and thus read the Bible, will they be disposed to contribute to the giving of it to others and to all. Might I add also, that perhaps a better British feeling has been produced from this inter-communion with you. It is the Bible that has made the British what they are, though, alas! there are many who enjoy the benefit  who do not know this. The Bible is undoubtedly the basis and the ladder of our prosperity. This subject has been alluded to by various speakers at our meetings; and the gentleman presiding on one occasion made happy use of the phrase The British Family, of which we here claim to be a part.

I urge everywhere two things: first, that we ought diligently to labour to get the Bible into every house, and further, into the individual possession of all who can read; and, secondly, that we ought, if possi­ble, to get a contribution annually from every house, and from every individual in possession of the Bible. I press strongly the duty and obligation of every one who has the Bible to contribute from year to year, as a tribute of thanksgiving for the boon he has and enjoys, in order that by these contributions the boon may be bestowed upon all our fellow-creatures everywhere.

The circulation of the Scriptures in these provinces is perhaps more important, in some respects, than with you at home. Our popu­lation is rapidly increasing; and it is very desirable to have the whole country Bibled as early as possible, as a basis for the advantage of our rapidly increasing numbers. I am sure you will be most willing to give all aid towards this early Bibling of the country. You may not meet with your full pay soon, but it will be sure.

You see I have made a verb of the Bible. Grammarians tell us that the verb is the principal part of speech: and surely To Bible the world should be the principal part of our speech and our action, even of us who, by God's grace, have the Bible. Such is the sacred and honoured employment of yourself and your Society, and such also, blessed be God, is mine.

I have hardly left room for the Indians, who, you know, have joined your ranks. They will deserve a full page of attention; and if I cannot now give it in length, I will try to give it in strength. They have done nobly: they have surpassed all others among us. The proofs of this I cannot now give: I gave them to you on former occasions. I have repeatedly held forth the Bible feeling and action of the Indians as an example. "Liberal as you know I wish you all to be towards the Bible cause," (I have said that several meetings), "I shall yet be amply contented, if you give as the Indians have given, weighing your means and theirs." You know from my former communications how readily and amply the Squaws contributed to our cause at Moravian Town both for themselves, and also for their children, and that too often their husbands had subscribed. Please tell this at all your meetings until the husband, wife, and children in each house shall have subscribed. Will not your coffers be better filled when you thus all become Indians, or like them? I would not wish to change your fair ladies into red Squaws, nor your men into Indians, but would like to see you and ourselves all Indians, in the way here noticed. The sums subscribed by the Indians compared with their incomes are wonderful, and the imitation of them which change our copper into silver and our silver into gold. Again your recollect what I told you of the Indians at Rice Lake. At the close of our meeting there, when the person who wrote down the names of subscribers, (himself an Indian), was asked how many he had got, he replied, as "I have got the name of every person at the meeting, man, woman, and child." Now tell this also at all your meetings if you please, and say that in other two places the same happened, until at the close of your overflowing assemblages it can be said, that all present, then, women, and children subscribed to the Bible cause; and till this takes place, let the Indians hold the station in which by their deeds they have placed themselves. That is no respect of persons with God: and to whom much is given, of them much is required.

In summer before last when I made my extended tour over Upper Canada, I reached as far as Lake Huron. Just at the entrance of the Lake from the River there is a lighthouse. I had the curiosity to ascend to the top of this beacon: and when there, what a glorious view lay before me, the splendid Lake, the splendid River, and the splendid expanse of a rich, fertile though wooded country, each lost to view only in the horizon. There thus lay before me a kind of emblem or representation of your Society. There, to this place were gathered the entire waters of the Great Lakes, Superior, Michigan, and Huron. To this spot all their waters flow, and from this they have their main entrance upon usefulness. The outlet of the Lake, or in other words, the commencement of the great River is a narrow and rapid stream, not half a mile wide, and running at the rate of about six or seven miles an hour. The water is deep, as you may well suppose, and it is so thoroughly clear and transparent that you can distinctly see to the bottom. Your Bible House in Earl Street, London, is this narrow, deep, rapid, and chrystaline stream. Into this house flow the means of your great waters, or many peoples spread over the British Isles. There you purify the muddy money that your receive, as the muddy waters are by the Lake, and thus purified and transformed into Bibles, into the pure river of the water of life, you send the fertilizing stream, deep and rapid, over the wide world. Great are the advantages of our mighty St. Lawrence, but what are the in kind or degree compared with the Grand Bible River that flows out of your House? Your river now reaches, I may say, to the ankles, and Oh may God open the windows of heaven and send a plentiful rain to raise the river, that it may soon reach to the knees, and then to the loins, and then become a river that cannot be passed because of its greatness. And well may we thus wish, and pray for the fulfillment of our wish, for by the faithful word of promise contained in our Book, "Everything shall live whither the river cometh."

This world in which we dwell is a parched wilderness, a dry and thirsty land, that eateth up, we may say, the inhabitants thereof, and much does it need the River of God to make it glad. And it shall be made glad, and by the River of God. The desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. But now alas! we see it not so. We know however for our consolation the leaven is in the mass, and that it is effectively, though slowly, working its way, and with a certain issue. The Bibling of the world goes on apace. The work done in the circulation of the Scriptures, and in the translations of them during these 36 years in which you and others have been at work is wonderful, is passing wonderful, all things considered. If the two witnesses have not yet ascended up to heaven in a cloud, they are at least no longer dead bodies lying contemned in the street, they now stand up on their feet, and soon shall they hear from on high the joyful voice, "Come up hither."

Be not discouraged then, but be thankful that you have done so much or rather that God has done so much by you. The waters issuing from your House, already reach, as I have said, the world's ankles. You see them steadily rising before your eyes with the increase of God, and you know for a certainty that they shall and must rise to the prevail upon the earth exceedingly, like Noah's flood, until all the high hills under the whole heaven be covered. Fear not then because of the vast expanse of earth which yet remains to be Bibled, fear not because of the high hills, nor say where shall waters be found to cover them? No, the windows of heaven are already opened, the fountains of the great deep are breaking up, and the world shall, and soon, be flooded with the Bible. Rejoice then in God and in his work, walk humbly, put on new strength, act in all wisdom, for the victory is sure. Darkness and clouds, troubles, impediments, and difficulties, we may expect at present and in our onward way. But let us look forward even to the glorious light that is to follow, and which advances upon us in no mean degree. Thus the Saviour did in his day, and much more may we do it in ours which is so far in advance, for the night is far spent and the day is at hand. The Saviour, though a man of sorrows, at times rejoiced in spirit, when he looked forward and saw Satan fall in like lightning to the ground, when he beheld the glorious latter days, and saw finally his Church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Let us all then, for our animation, look forward to the day, when the glory of God shall cover the earth, and let us look still further forward, and see this glory fill the heavens above, and all eternity.

I remain, My Dear Brother, and

            all my Dear Brethren.

                        Truly and Affectionately Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Gibraltar, 15th December 1847

Rev A Brandram No.8

Gibraltar 15th December 1847

My Dear Friend,

When I wrote you on the 4th instant from Tetuan, I was ready to leave that place, and was waiting for the first vessel. One offered for Ceuta, and in the same I engaged a passage, as I hoped from thence easily to get a vessel going direct across the Straits of Gibraltar.

The only thing I left undone in Tetuan which I had wished to do was obtain a visit to the Bashaw. But I learned that I could not effect that without taking with me a Present for him of not less value than a doubloon, and besides nearly as much more would be required in gratuities to attendants. So I thought this too much, and that it was better to forgo the interview.

The port of embarkation of Tetuan is some six or seven miles distant from the town, and of course a horse was necessary; and not less necessary was a soldier, for there is an express order, that no Christian shall go outside the gates even without this accompaniment, whilst Jews may go with or without as they please. This difference is owing to the circumstance, that if the Christian is murdered, the European Authority to which he belongs calls the Moorish Government to strict account on the subject, and it may be that severe penalties are exacted, whereas the Poor Jew has nobody to take up his cause, and the Government cares not whether he been murdered or not, and murders of such in this quarter are not rare.

I mounted, as in Tangier, at the Inn, and rode through the town, thus enjoying the privilege of European influence; and I may observe, that it is not many years since this privilege was granted in Tetuan, and it was asked, insisted on, and obtained by the British Consul there at the time; but in a former period, owing to some affair between a Christian and a Moor, the Emperor swore by his beard, that no Christian should ever live there in future, and this (considered the most sacred of oaths) was kept for a long time, and hence all the Consuls had to remove to Tangier where they now reside. The British Lion however interfered and succeeded, and at the present time our Consul is the sole Christian in this town of 30,000 inhabitants.

As I rode through the Moor part of the town, I met numbers of Jews, in dress and appearance gentlemen, but each with his slippers or shoes in his hand, and walking on his stocking soles, or barefooted, for stockings here are the exception not the rule in both Moor and Jew. This the Jews had to do, as they had every now and then to pass a Mosque, and to avoid always taking off and putting on their slippers they thus kept them off altogether. – I might mention here also, that no Jew is allowed to wear yellow slippers, which is the universal colour of those of the Moors. Again, the Moor wears a red cap, but woe to the Jew if he presumed on the same, his must be and is black, as also are his slippers. There were no hats in this country, except on the head of an outlandish European, and most outlandish we all are here in this Barbary.

Soon after I reached the port, a Jew came down to the Custom House where I was waiting; and it seemed that I must needs see, before I left this country, a still stronger proof than I had yet seen of Ishmael ruling over and oppressing Isaac. It was near sunset when the Jew was about to return, but the Moor Authorities refused to let him go to the city at that late hour, agreeably it would seem, to some orders on the subject, but most probably overstretched by them for gain, and which the Jew did not consider to apply to him at that hour. He got angry with them, and about half a dozen Moors set on him like so many dogs at a bull, and how Arabic words did pour out in volumes and thunders! During this fracas, one of the Moors with a long and heavy stick struck the Jew with all his might. The Jew of course, had to give way, and remain there till the morning, and as to the severe blow he had received you would never think of seeking redress, as he would be sure not to obtain it, but on the contrary he might receive additional injury in being fined or imprisoned.

I got into our skiff of a vessel, of five tons and a half, and passed the night in a sort of coffin, for there was little more than a hand breadth between my face and the deck. There I lay all night, and also till two o'clock next day, whilst we were waiting to get out of the river, and the weather was bad so as thus to confine me below. At this hour, we hove, I may say, into the sea, and in this tetotum vessel in a high wind and a high sea, we had a sort of hap step and jump voyage of no ordinary kind, from wave to wave, over the waves, and under the waves, whilst I lay in my coffin to keep myself dry as the water was dashing over the vessel, and the hatches fast closed. We got to Ceuta just about an hour after the gates were shut, and so I had another night of this coffin. In the morning I got out after 36 hours enclosure, and we entered the city.

Ceuta, perhaps you are aware, is a Spanish Fortress, on the coast of Marocco, just like our British Fort of Gibraltar on the coast and territory properly so called of Spain. But Spain can never complain of our holding Gibraltar, whilst the hold in turn this portion of Marocco.

Again, once more, I felt myself on Christian ground, and I blessed God for the same. I felt with fresh force the advantages of being born in a Christian land, and gave thanks anew for this blessing under feelings I had never had so strong before. The Christianity of Ceuta is Romanism, but still I felt the joy of being on Christian ground. We Protestants at times are apt to wish that Roman Catholic countries had remained in heathenism rather than with the corrupted Christianity they have. I have long ago been corrected in this, but now on this occasion felt more than ever convinced of the great advantage of the profession of Christianity under any form, rather than Jewish, Mohammedanism, or Paganism. I have a proof and illustration at hand. When walking out in Ceuta, I had some conversation the man who was showing me some things in the place. He was a convict, and I took occasion to show him the greater danger of being a convict for eternity. I told him that to avoid that issue we must truly repent of our sins, and rest in the blood of Jesus Christ, and in that alone. The man received this instruction with readiness. But what would have been the reception of the Jew, Mohammedan, or pagan to this advice!

I brought with me from Tetuan a note to the Aid de Camp of the Governor, and I was kindly conducted by him over the city and fortifications, and also introduced to the Governor, with whom I had the pleasure of dining. I was glad of this opportunity of seeing the Governor so much, and learning somewhat concerning this penal establishment, for such the fortress has been made, besides war purposes. The number of the inhabitants of the town is nearly 3000. The military number about the same, and the convicts vary from 2000 to 3000. Most of these convicts are at large, and acting as servants, watchmen, etc. All the soldiers, it may be observed too, are a sort of convicts, for they have been all sentenced to this penal establishment for evil deeds done in their respective regiments in Spain. Yet notwithstanding this mass of criminals there is hardly a crime committed in the place! It seems to be one of the most successful in good results of any penal establishment known, and a visit to it might instruct those who, so much to their credit, take an interest in improving these establishments. – I made inquiry about the sale or circulation of Bibles there, but got no encouragement. But on my return here, I sent the Governor a Bible, the New Testament to his Lady, and one to another Lady who dined with us.

After a couple of days spent in this place, I got, as I had expected, a vessel for Gibraltar. With a fine wind, and a fine day, we had a delightful voyage across the Straits, from the one Pillar of Hercules to the other, and these two splendid rocks or mountains, and all the coasts of the Straits, full before us. It was no wonder the Ancients were struck when they first saw these Pillars of Hercules, and the singular Strait connected with them. If I were a Poet I would write a poem entitled "The Mediterranean," a sea so full of past incidents and of great interest, and not less so perhaps of present ones.

Again in Europe, and the British ground too, I look back to Africa, Barbary, and Marocco. Last month seems to me the dream, everything having been so different from all I have seen before. I have been led, I may say unwittingly, into this new field of labours, and I have great hopes that it may become, and early, one is much interest, and of extensive operations. I trust you will be able to meet our wishes about the Hebrew Bible, and also the suggestions made regarding a portion, or portions, of the New Testament for the Jews. On this last suggestion I have thought a great deal since I last wrote, and I see the subject in a much stronger light than I did then. It is a measure applicable to the Jews everywhere. I hope too the Moors through this visit may soon have a portion of the Scriptures in their own dialect of every day's conversation. The great cause of Education also, though not directly ours, likewise will gain I trust by this visitation, and many will thus be prepared for perusing the Books you send them. May God give his blessing with the humble means called into exercise in favour of these countries and peoples.

I am now sending a case of books to Tangier and another to Tetuan, containing each five Arabic Bibles, five Hebrew New Testaments, and six Rabbinical Spanish Testaments. I found these last here since my return, not having known of them before. I would have taken them with me had I known of them, especially as a supply I had requested did not come, through some oversight I suppose, or perhaps because you are out of them. I send these to two Jews who have no scruple about reading or giving the New Testament, and we may hope the number of such will increase.

I now forward the two Marocco Arabic documents mentioned in my preceding letter.

The Packet is expected here tomorrow, and will sail the following day. I go with it to Cadiz there to commence anew my Spanish work, interrupted by Africa.

            I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Faithfully Yours,

                                                                                    James Thomson.

Postscript. – I have had different meetings with our friends of the Bible Society here, and we were contemplating having a public meeting, and of organizing a formal Bible Society. But upon taking all things into consideration it was thought better to defer our purpose to a future occasion.

Two of our friends, both Officers of the Army, undertook the other day to visit some vessels in the harbour, and their reception and success were very encouraging, so that they are likely to pursue the work, and probably you may in due time here of their operations in an official shape.

I saw a  Hebrew Bible here today in the shop of a Jew of the duodecimo size, and printed by Mackintosh, 20 Great New Street, Fetter Lane in 5596. The letter is smaller than yours. But if you could get these and cheap, and have them bound in four volumes as formerly described, it would at least suit in the meantime.

I found here on my arrival your letter of the 22nd November. I am not much disappointed at your refusal to advance money on the project mentioned. I thought at the time I wrote, and more afterwards, that I was converging upon, if not also treading upon, ground not exactly our own, but rather beyond our sphere. Perhaps some impression was on my mind, rightly or wrongly, that I had in this Spain a sort of liberty to transgress. Mr. Hull's letter is my commission. Again I thought, that should you find yourselves unable in principle to attend to the request as a body, that same might move the more someone, two or three, to lend the sum in question. The failures however of which I read after my letter was on the way discouraged me, but notwithstanding these discouragements, help may yet come from some quarter in aid of the proposed undertaking, and the plan may be carried into effect, and largely you may, and may you reap benefits from the same. My letter from Tangier has the following expression. – "I called on the Miss Duncans and made an apology to them for." Please to alter it thus, – "I called on them and made an apology for".