Edinburgh, 7th May 1845 - 1

Rev A Brandram 

Edinburgh, 7th May 1845

 My Dear Friend,

            I now sit down to write you my first official letter from this new field of my travels, and in doing it I am reminded, that on your annual day last year I wrote you from a far foreign land, from Peto in Yucatán; & again I am reminded of God's merciful goodness to me in my then very poor state of health, his conducting me safely through that country to the coast borne for 300 miles on the shoulders of strangers, thence to Belize which is British ground, and thence again to New York, to Dover and London: again and further, for his restoring me to health, and in employing me in Bible work in my native country, and now in this very city from whence I started 27 years ago to visit and wander in foreign lands.

            Pray forgive this reminiscence, or rather the mentioning of it to you in an official letter. But I have an impression on my mind, and the same has often comforted me at great distances and in difficulties, namely, that yourself with the Committee have a kindly sympathy with your out labourers, that you rejoice and weep with them, and pray for them: and well it becomes us as diffusers of the Bible among our fellow creatures, to promote, extend and deepen all those blessed feelings of Christian charity and affection which the holy book we circulate recommends as the highest and best of gospel virtues.

            And now to business. It is about a month since I arrived in this city. The greater part of that time I have spent here, but have also during it paid two visits to Glasgow. I regret, I may say, my detention here, but yet believe that it has not been longer than necessary, and further believe that some more time might yet be spent here with profit to our general object. And with this understanding, though I leave this place tomorrow for Glasgow, I purpose afterwards to return to it, and to remain a few days in order to fully to complete the visitation. By way of strengthening my views in regard to the time occupied here, I may state that our good and worthy friend Dr. Paterson more than accords with me on the subject, and even thinks the time given to Edinburgh should be longer than I propose.

            My time has been occupied in a good measure in making private calls on former and present friends of our Society, and in explaining to them our present position and operations, and the present position of the world as to the want and need of the Bible. These representations have been coupled with kindly solicitations made to all for sympathy with us in our work, for their prayers, and their cooperation, and aid.

            Again, we have had several small meetings in the shape of Bible Society evening parties, and otherwise, and in these the same or similar representations and solicitations have been made.

            Finally, we held, two days ago a public meeting called by advertisements. The attendance was not numerous, partly because there were other public meetings held at the same time in this busy season, and partly because it was held during the day when the great many are entangled in their necessary occupations. We had with us one of the Ministers of the Established Church, and two of the Free Church body. These latter were our old and steady friend the Rev. Henry Grey, and the well known and valued Bombay Missionary the Rev. Dr. Wilson. Our old and worthy friends the Rev. Dr. John Brown and the Rev. William Innes were likewise with us. Also we had in our company Ministers representing the Episcopal Church, the Secession, and the Independents.

             We have hopes that good has been done, and have tried to avoid evil. We think that a good supply of your forthcoming Report would be of service, that we might distribute them among those who are friendly for their own use, and to show to those half friendly or less so, in order that they might see the quantity of seed sown, and also the sheaves that are already come in. 200 copies are wished for, and we beg you will be kind enough to arrange for us accordingly. But to this number I would add what may be required for Glasgow, and other places I may visit, say 300 more, in all 500 copies. Your note of the 5th has just come to hand. I observed the demur of the Committee on the subject I noticed to you; and probably your view of the matter is better than mine.

I hope to hear that you have had a very gratifying meeting today.

             I remain, My Dear Friend,

                         Yours Very Truly,

                                     James Thomson.

Stirling, 11th June 1845 - 1

Rev A Brandram

Stirling, 11th June 1845

My Dear Friend,

I have the pleasure of communicating to you, on the present occasion, better news than heretofore since my arrival in Scotland. You will probably your having at times sallied forth out of London when the dense fog lay on it, and that in getting into the country all was clear. Something of this nature I have experienced since I last wrote you. "Auld Reekie"[1] is still, as you have seen, reekie, but I rejoice to say, that I have found comparatively little of this smoke in the country. Things look greatly better, and Scotland may yet be expected to return to us. I have been now just one fortnight in the country parts, and it is from what I have thus seen that I speak, and in the hope that onwards as I move I may meet with such reception and encouragement as thus far I have experienced. And now I come to details that you may see on what ground my hopes are founded.

On Tuesday the 27th ultimo I left Edinburgh, and came to Dunfermline. I had previously written, half at a venture, to a minister of the United Secession Church, saying that I was coming, and what was my office, and my business. Whom should my letter have lighted upon, but an active member of Committee of a branch of the Edinburgh B.S. This gentleman received me courteously, and kindly lodged me during my stay in that place. I found him very friendly to us, and he regretted both the past and present feelings of the capital, and stated to me his intention Committee meeting to propose a vote of this approbation of  The Warning, which should be remitted to the Edinburgh B.S. Others I called upon there spoke in a like friendly manner. Nevertheless, they thought it more prudent for the present not to have a public meeting, nor to make special attempts to form a society auxiliary to ours. At the same time some individuals will gather subscriptions for us, and thus the way will be prepared for our making future and more formal efforts. The society there which stand still on our list, has long ago been extinct, and should have its name erased from the Annual Report.

Linlithgow was the next place I visited. The society standing there on our list, should also be erased, for it ceased in 1826 to be connected with us, and has been extinct altogether as a Bible Society ever since 1829. That town and county I thus found quite unoccupied by the Edinburgh B.S. and several individuals were found desirous of having a new society formed and in connection with you. Arrangements where accordingly made for carrying this into effect at a public meeting on the Tuesday following

from Linlithgow I proceeded to Falkirk. The Minister of this Parish is a member of the Committee of a branch of the Edinburgh B.S. but nevertheless he received me in a very friendly manner, and spoke highly of our Institution, and disapproved much of the Edinburgh break out. He offered me his church for the Sunday evening following, that I might give an address and make a collection for you.

The Minister of the Relief Church I found unconnected with the Edinburgh B.S. and most desirous of seeing something done in the place in connection with you. So also I found the United Secession Ministers. For that arrangements were made that I should deliver a discourse, and make a collection in the forenoon of the Sunday above referred to in the First U.S.C and  in the afternoon in the Relief Church. With these preparations made I left Falkirk on the Friday for Stirling to return for the three Sunday services above indicated.

In Stirling we have many friends, and our Auxiliary there has never cease to exist. You have put in, in the Report, in parenthesis, under the Society "Instituted 1827." Please to drop this in future, as it has no suitable application. In that year the great body of our Auxiliary broke off, and with some nefariousness, but still our friends stood firm, and continued as our Auxiliary and would not therefore be instituted in 1827. Our friend Dr. Paterson, on a visit to this place when I was in Edinburgh gave intimation of my coming; and accordingly it was arranged that they would hold their Annual Meeting when I came. A Committee meeting was held on the Saturday forenoon with this view, and necessary preparations were accorded for a public meeting on the Thursday following, and also for an assemblage of Ladies on the succeeding day, to form a Ladies Bible Association.

Things being thus prepared for operations on the following week in Stirling, I returned on the Saturday afternoon to Falkirk, to fulfill the previous arrangements entered into for the Sunday. Our audiences were fair at the three services, and our collections amounted to £9:4:6. This is the first immediate fruit of my visit here, but having got into this mode of gathering a little fruit, I intend to pursue the opening thus presented. These meetings produced some fruit also in another way, as they give me opportunities [to state] the mode, and the purity, and the extent of our operations. The Ministers of the three churches referred to, intimated to me beforehand, that owing to previous collections, etc., I should not expect large amounts. I said in reply, that the testimony of a good feeling towards us in any sum however small would be very acceptable.

On the Monday some friends met to make arrangements for the formation of the Bible Society, and it was agreed that a public meeting should be held for this object on the succeeding Monday, at which I promised to attend.

On the Tuesday I went to Linlithgow, agreeable to my engagement. The weather proved very unfavourable, and our meeting was rather a failure. But to make amends for this, I promised to return on the following Tuesday, which I could easily do, having to be in Falkirk on the day preceding.

On the Wednesday I went again to Stirling, and on the Thursday we had our annual meeting, which considering the very unfavourable weather, was well attended, and proved satisfactory to all. On the Friday we held our Ladies meeting under still more unfavourable weather, and so the number present was not great, yet our object was considered as fully gained in the formation of a Ladies Association.

On the afternoon of the same day (Friday) I went to Alloa. Here, on a second occasion, I was kindly received and lodged by a member of the Committee of the Edinburgh Branch B.S.  This gentleman is a Minister of the U.S. Church, and though he would not subscribe it to all you have done in your 41 years' career, he has towards you a kind and generous feeling, and wishes you God speed in his heart. He allowed me on Sunday evening to deliver a discourse in his church, and to make a collection for you. This I accordingly did, and got a little tribute of goodwill amounting to 30/-.  We should probably have had more but for a public sermon and collection being made at Clackmannan, one and a half miles off, by Mr. Winslow of Leamington, which had been announced before I came, and to which several had compromised themselves to go.

The parish Minister of Alloa, though a member of the Committee of the Edinburgh Branch B.S. gave me a favourable reception, and expressed cordiality of feeling with your Society. He offered me his church when I should return: and in the afternoon when I attended his service, he not only gave out our notice, but also prayed for your Society, and your agent; and in the evening he attended our meetings, held in a dissenting place of worship.

On the Monday I went to Falkirk, and our meeting for forming a Bible Society as before noticed, was held in the evening. The Society was accordingly formed, and the approbation and encouragement of all the Ministers of the place, except one.

Next day I went according to agreement to Linlithgow. In the evening our meeting was held, and was much better attended than on the former occasion. Our Society was duly formed, and for the town and country of Linlithgow. Not all the Ministers are with us, but none of them act against us, while those friendly are warm in our favour.

Today I returned once more Stirling, taking it on my way to Perth, in which place I purpose to be tomorrow, and from thence to visit Dunkeld, where we have a little society still in connection with us, for though a small place, I would not leave unvisited any of our old and permanent friends. Afterwards, I go to Dundee where our best friend Dr. Paterson now is, and ready to use all his exertions and influence on our behalf. Montrose and Aberdeen will come next in succession.

After what I have now detailed to you of my fortnight's operations, I need hardly say, that the despondency as to Scotland, etc., and our work on it, which was upon me in and on leaving Edinburgh is now removed, and I go on my way rejoicing. I meet with official and personal kindness, and have been boarded and lodged free, with the exception of one night, since I left Edinburgh. Besides, as you see I am beginning to gather some figs from our Thistles here, and the first fruits I now send to Mr. Hitchin, in the shape of £10:14:6.

I may say besides and further, that I do not feel under any obligation or disposition now to follow your counsels and my own views agreeing thereto, as noticed in your and in my last communication, namely, that of visiting only where we know before hand that we had friends who wish to see me. I shall on the contrary go freely to any place, hoping and believing that we have friends in them though not already known to us, for thus it has proved in this tour in the country thus far. – Also in regard to forming new societies, I feel unshackled, contrary to my feeling on leaving Edinburgh. Already, you see, we have formed three new societies.

I have only one thing more to add. The Free Church Ministers, I am sorry to say, are not favourable to us generally. Two of the names appended to the Warning (Candlish & Clason) are such, and the layman's name at the top (Spiers) who is the Sheriff of Edinburgh is of the same body. All the three are strong against us, and others not a few connected with them take the same view of things. The Established Church Ministers are much better disposed towards us. A pleasing circumstance occurred in our favour in it recently. At the General Assembly of the Free Church, the distinguished Continental men, d'Aubigne, Monot, and Muntze, appeared, and were received as Associates. In the course of their addresses to this Assembly they spoke in glowing terms of the praiseworthy labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society in favour of their respective countries. This was just hitting the nail on the head, and most timeously; and I trust these statements will have a good effect in correcting misunderstandings, and in inducing better feelings towards us.

Hoping for a continuation of the same favourable circumstances thus far experienced in my country movements, I go on, as I have said, rejoicing, and believing that you will rejoice with me, and give thanks to the God of peace who only can make men to be of one mind and of his own mind, and to whom be glory in this matter, and in all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord and our Saviour.

            I am, as always,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

[1] A popular name for Edinburgh--"reekie" means "smoky". (BM)

St. Andrews, 9th July 1845

Rev A Brandram

St Andrews 9th July 1845

My Dear Friend,

I now address you a second time from the country of  Scotland as distinct from its capital, and I am happy to say that things continue to wear the same favourable aspect as is noticed in my former communication. After writing you in Stirling, and informing you of what occurred in my movements from Edinburgh to that place, I went onwards to Perth, and then called upon the Ministers of all names, and found not a few friendly to us, and none precisely opposed. Some were not satisfied as to all past and present things in and out of Earl Street, but they were disposed to hear reasoning concerning you, and all acknowledging that you had done, and were doing, much good. These wish to lie on their oars a little, and desired not to be pressed into a decision, intimating that on some future occasion they would be more prepared to form a clear opinion. None signified any purpose of opposition, and all, I believe, acquiesced with us as far as to read out in their Churches our notices of public meetings, a favour we had been refused elsewhere. I include here then the Free Church Ministers who have hitherto been least favourable to us. The Ministers of the Established Church were all friendly, and I could have had one of their churches for a public meeting if I had wished. The Dissenters too were all our friends. including the Baptist Minister.

In the largest Church in Perth I addressed a full assembly, of persons of all denominations, and there was a collection made for us. I of course showed, among other things, that you yourselves walk orderly and keep the law, I mean the law against the Apocrypha. I find the need of doing this in every place, both privately and publicly, for there are many olden impressions yet remaining against you, and in the minds of many sensible persons who are not unfriendly to us, as well as with others less favourable.

In addition to the large public meeting referred to, which was on a Sunday, we held another on a week day, and there formed a Society for the town of Perth and the County, on which occasion the Baptist Minister was an efficient actor. – With these occurrences and operations I left Perth, gratified and thankful, and with kindly invitations received to return again.

Dunkeld was the next place visited. They have a little Bible Society there, half connected with us and half not. We had a public meeting, at which their occurred the phenomenon of an Established Church Minister and a Free Church Minister being present together, I thing not seen there before since the Disruption. A good deal of disfavour existed in that place against you, and which I endeavoured to lessen. I think some good feeling as well as good understanding was produced, and I am invited to call there again on my way from the North, when, they say, they will make a collection for us, which they could not venture to propose at first, on account of evil impressions prevailing concerning you. I hope accordingly to visit them, after seeing John O'Groats, and shall thankfully receive what they contribute, considering the sum large or small as a testament of goodwill. In the meantime however I got five shillings from the children of a Lady's school in the place.

Blairgowrie was the next new ground. There I could not properly arrange for a public meeting, owing to several hinderances. I called however on the Established and Free Church Ministers of Blairgowrie, and the neighboring parish of Rattray. I found here, as I had found previously, in most places, and with most persons, that misunderstandings and evil thoughts prevailed respecting your past and present conduct. Better views I think succeeded, and of which we may afterwards see the fruits. The Established Church Minister of Rattray is to preach, and make a collection for you by and bye.

Dundee came next in order, and required more time to be given to it than preceding towns, on account of its size, and being a centre respecting other places. During this stay, I was very courteously entertained by Edward Baxter Esq. a warm friend of the Society, and son-in-law to our valued coadjutor Dr. Paterson. The Doctor himself was there, and ready, as usual, to assist us in every way. Here, as elsewhere, I visited all the Ministers, and among them all there was no opponent, several were warmly for us, and some required more time to think of the matter. On a Sunday evening we held a meeting, to explain and enforce the duty of sending the Bible over the world, and to make a collection for the same. Afterwards, and on a week day, we had another meeting, at which the Bible society was formed under encouraging circumstances. The Auxiliary there died in 1826, though it still stands on your list, I know not why. Since that time a branch of the Edinburgh Bible Society has existed, but latterly it has been little more than nominal. One of its Committee members joined us on the platform, and heartily aided us in the formation of our new society, and further, he is a Baptist. I hope well of this new Dundee Bible Society.

The County of Fife lies across the Firth of Tay, southward of Dundee. I went to Cupar, the capital, and made preparations for a public meeting. Next I went to St. Andrews, and did the same. This done, I returned to Dundee, to attend the meeting last mentioned. On coming back to Cupar we held a meeting for explanations and illustrations of our object. Mists were here as elsewhere to be dispelled, and a new Bible interest created or excited into life and action. The Free Church Minister demurs, on account of your connection with the Apocrypha Bible Societies of the Continent, but says he will join you when you purge yourselves of this connection. So also said the Free Church Minister of a neighbouring parish who was present. You thus see how you yourselves may increase the number of your friends here; and I may add, that there are many who think and would act like these two. Query, – Is it not worth while to reconsider this matter? What would you think of having our pure Bibles disposed of  by pure hands? Some expense in this way would be well borne, and would prove gain in another way.

All the other Ministers in Cupar Established and Dissenting are with us. At a breakfast party of these it was particularly expressed to me, as the opinion of those present, that you should not have retired from Scotland as you did, but should have constantly visited your friends, to keep up those you had and to gain more, by a manifestation of truth, and a continued exhibition of your great object, and your great operations in it. Others elsewhere have expressed themselves after a similar manner. I have been too much of a foreigner during the period in question to be able to judge accurately concerning this opinion; but on the whole I suspect, from all I have thus far seen in Scotland, that these our friends are right in their views, and hence that you were wrong in your actions, or rather by want of action as to Scotland.

Our Auxiliary in Cupar ceased as such in 1826, but there never was a junction to the Edinburgh Bible Society. They acted independently, and distributed their funds to various Bible objects, and latterly £10 or £20 were remitted to you for China, as there was a pretty fair certainty, they thought, that you had not yet sent the Apocrypha there.

In St. Andrews the Established Church Ministers were all friendly. The Rev. Dr. Haldane, Principal of St. Mary's College, when I called on him, stated that he had long regretted the separation from your Society, and had often wished to see something done for you. I showed him your purity as to the Apocrypha case, and afterwards heard him announce from the pulpit, that from conversations with me he was "completely satisfied" on this score; and in succession he urged his people to take an interest in our cause, and he appointed a day of meeting for that purpose. I attended this meeting held in one of the churches, and made statements concerning our objects. A committee was appointed at this meeting to make arrangements in order to afford you some continued aid. I saw several other individuals there connected with the Established Church, and found them all well disposed, and think some thing good will arise from these beginnings. To combine the Established Church and the Free Church and one Association, I found to be impossible, and was therefore glad to take them separately, and secure their cooperation as far as I could. Thus far then we got on with the Established Church, as above described.

The Free Church had no scruple in combining with the Dissenting bodies, but the difficulty hitherto experienced was to get hold of the Free Church body itself. The Dissenters generally we could always count on. In St. Andrews we have gained some ground in this matter, for I got into the Free Church to make my statements once and a second time, and in the same place we laid the foundation of a new Bible Society for this city. The two Dissenting Ministers were present, and fully cooperated. The Church I here had the honour of getting into, is that of the Rev. Dr. Hetherington, the deserving historian of the Church of Scotland, whose work has gained much credit.

On the whole then we have succeeded in St. Andrews fully as well as we could have anticipated, or rather somewhat better. If we could not unite the two parties together, we have united them both to ourselves, and that I trust will lead to further union in due time. – I tried the Episcopal Minister, and I tried the Baptist Minister, but I found each of them immersed in his own medium, and neither baptized with the general and genuine Bible Society spirit.

Two new societies have been formed since my last, or four, if we include the two embryos of this place. In my last I reported £10:14:6 as received in collections. I now report £17:13:8 received since, and in the same way.

The last thing I have to notice, that the Northern Warder, a newspaper published in Dundee, and connected with the Free Church party, has taken particular and favourable notice of our meetings and object. This paper is very extensively circulated in several counties in this quarter, and is the most popular paper. This is a very acceptable help, and in the quarter where we most needed it.

            I remain, My Dear Friend, Yours Very Truly,

                                                James Thomson.