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.