Bathurst, 29th September 1840

Rev A Brandram No 97

Bathurst, Bay of Chaleur, New Brunswick, 29th September 1840

My Dear Friend,

I sit down now to write you on a spot farther to the North than any on which I have heretofore been on this continent. You will see by the map that this place lies more to the North than Quebec, which was my farthest northerly point before. Across this Bay, and out of the window from where I am now writing you, I can see a part of Canada, and I feel a disposition to visit the place I thus see; but I am obliged to refrain myself at present on account of the advanced season, and the work I have already marked out towards the South. I have obtained much information here respecting the parts that lie on the North side of the Bay, and about its Western extremity, and perceive that there is a field for Bible Society work in these several parts, that would require some weeks to attend to it in a proper manner. I may also at the same time mention, that there will remain several places in this Province which I shall not be able to reach this season, and there are places likewise in Nova Scotia that should be visited, but cannot at present. There is in truth very ample work for another season in these two Provinces.

I had made arrangements for starting from Halifax on the present tour on the 15th August, and was actually on my way on that day when on a sudden the Acadia[1] burst upon us, and thus detained the mail with which I was passing along through the streets. I could not get off till Monday, through the vehicles being occupied with the Acadia's passengers, and had difficulty therefore to reach in time my first appointment. It was at a place called Gay's River. When I did reach the spot, I found that we had but a very small assembly. The reason was obvious, the people were busy in a more than common degree in their fields with the hay crop. This same full occupation of the Farmers at the period I found to interfere with our Bible operations a good deal in other places as I moved along. Nevertheless in some and several parts we had good meetings, and what I might call very good, taking into consideration this busy time of year. The people regretted in most places then visited that the meetings should have been at that inconvenient time for them, as it hindered a manifestation of the true state of feeling in the Bible cause which they knew to exist. My only excuse and defence were that I must needs travel and make my visitations both in season and out of season.

My course in this tour, within Nova Scotia, lay first in a northerly direction towards Pictou, and then Easterly as far as Guysborough. The names of the Societies formed in these quarters, with their office bearers are as follows [see below].

Arrangements were also made for forming Societies in the following places:― Gay's River, Lower Musquodoboit, Maher's Grant,  Lower Souiac. When these are actually formed, I shall notice them, with their office bearers.

During the whole of my tour through the parts above named I am happy to say that there was a very general manifestation of a lively interest in the Bible cause, and a readiness to cooperate with you in it. There were other places in the same quarter which might also have been visited had time permitted, and where promising societies might have been formed, I believe. But I was unwillingly obliged to leave them at the time, and until some future occasion should it ever occur.

The kindnesses of our Bible friends in these quarters were exhibited towards your agent in various ways, and not least in helping him forward on his journey by vehicles free of expense. One gentleman in addition to such help, took me aside, and putting a gold dobloon into my hand, said, "That is to help you on your journeyings." This was Mr Matheson of the neighbourhood of Pictou, and from who you have received within these few years, through Mr Dawson, the sum of £50 sterling once and again. Him

The Bible Society at Upper Souiac of which the Rev. James Smith is President and Secretary has been in existence several years. A few years ago it fell off or away, but lately it has been again set on its feet, and there seems to be a determination formed by supporters and shall never again fall down, but be kept on its feet, and also made to move onwards.

The Auxiliary and Pictou has, I think, received a profitable impulse from this visitation, and from the branches appended to it, as you will see in the above list. The Secretary Mr. Dawson, is a very efficient office bearer.

In New Glasgow there was formerly a very warm and active friend of our Society, but he has gone to his reward. This was the late Rev. Dr. MacGregor. His four sons are in that quarter, and his Bible mantle seems to have fallen upon each of them, for they, each and all very active supporters of our cause. One of them drove me a good distance in his vehicle, once and again, and a third time.

At Guysborough the ladies presented an address to you in your representative which was flattering to us all. The newspapers also have said many favourable things of our work and of ourselves. I have not sent you the address, nor any of the newspapers, but content myself with this notice.

In Truro I found that had been a Society formed at an early period, I believe in 1810. It has however been extinct for at least the last six years, and the present Society therefore is a new one. The Rev. Mr. Waddell was the President and active promoter of the Society. He is now however, and has been for some time past, superannuated, and partly through a paralytic affection. Unable to move himself he was wheeled to and into the meeting in his chair, and there seated he opened the meeting with prayer. He still feels a lively interest in your work, and was thankful and joyful that he could be with us on this occasion, and that he saw the Bible Society there again brought into life.

In Antigonish I met with the Roman Catholic Bishop of  Nova Scotia. He was very frank, and in some measure friendly to our work. In the Bible Society formed in that place that are two persons appointed as depositaries for the sale of the Scriptures, and one of them is a Roman Catholic. Previous to his appointment I asked the Bishop whether he would have any objections to his selling our Bibles for us. He applied with great frankness, "No, none at all." Finding him thus well disposed towards us, I said to him, "Suppose I should meet some of the Priests under you, through the province, who might say they would have no objections to the circulation and use of our Books among the people if they had your sanction: suppose this, I said, What shall I say to them?" With the same frankness as before, he said, "You can say that they have my sanction."

From Nova Scotia I passed over to Prince Edward Island. I had made arrangements to spend a week in it, judging that I had no more time to spare. I was well received there, as I had previously been in other parts. A public meeting of the Auxiliary of the Island was held in the Scotch church in Charlotte Town: his Excellency the Governor presided, and the English clergyman opened the meeting by prayer. Some little impulse may probably have been given to the Society through this meeting. Arrangements had been made that I should visit for places in the interior of the Island during my week's stay, but owing to the weather being very bad for some days in succession only two of these places could be visited. Our meetings at these two were encouraging, and will result, I believe, in two Branches to the Island Auxiliary; but it was considered necessary to wait a little previous to their formation. When I learn that they are formed, I shall mention them to you.

There is a Ladies' Bible Society Prince Edward's Island, of which the Governor's Lady is Patroness, and is also the chief actor in all branches of its operations. I paid a formal visit to her Ladyship, as distinct from paying my respects to Sir Charles, in order formally to thank her on the part of our Society for her warm and efficient patronage and services. Lady Mary is a daughter of the late Duke of Richmond, and sister to the present Duke.

I left Prince Edward's Island with regret at the end of my measured time of the week. I should have been glad to have spent two or three weeks in it, and I believe this would have been profitable to our cause. But I am hurried along from the necessity of comprehending as much as I can within the season. Should I ever again return to the Island, I shall contrive to make a longer and hence a pleasanter stay, for there is but small pleasure, I may say, in thus travelling post.

In Prince Edwards Island lives the Roman Catholic Bishop of that Island and New Brunswick. I called on him, and from the communications we had I judged he was in a certain degree friendly to the use of the Scriptures among his people. In the Steam Boat from the Island to Miramichi we happened to meet again as fellow passengers. This gave us ample opportunity for further conversation, during which I could not judge of his opinion otherwise than as above stated. One expression he used was of a peculiar kind, and I should like well enough to see all his Brethren take up the idea he stated, erroneous though it be. He said, "The sooner the Scriptures are generally diffused, the sooner will you all become [Roman] Catholics." Be it so if you will, said I, only let us all in the meantime actively join in the general diffusion of the Scriptures among all, and let the result declare result. We have no fear on this score, and neither it seems have you. In this therefore we are happily united.

On the 20th instant we arrived in Miramichi, where I saluted, my cousin, as I may say Mrs. Thomson, who has been long your correspondent as Secretary to the Miramichi Ladies' Bible Society. On the 21st we held a public meeting of the Society, and made arrangements for a future meeting on my return southerly, at which we expect to form a general Bible Society for that place and neighbourhood. I shall therefore leave any further notice of operations in that place till my return, and till a future letter.

Last night, according to appointment, we held a public meeting in this town, in the English church, at which the Rector presided, and became also President of the Society that was formed on the occasion. We had a good meeting, though the weather was very unfavourable, and I trust a good Bible feeling was excited, and will be kept up. The Society formed embraces the County, and is called the Gloucester County Bible Society, and is connected with you direct as an Auxiliary. The office bearers are: – the Rev. A.B. Somerville, President: Thomas Deblois, Treasurer: the Rev. George MacDonald, Secretary.

            I remain,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

[1] Note (BM): The Cunard Liverpool-Halifax transatlantic steamer which had recently begun this service.

Halifax, 2nd September 1841

Rev A Brandram - No 109

Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 2, 1841.

My dear Friend,

My letter No. 107 brought on the narrative of my journeyings as far as to Woodstock on my return down the River St. John from the French settlement of Madawaska. I stopped a few days at Woodstock, during which time we held a public meeting, and transformed the Woodstock branch of the Fredericton Bible Society into an Auxiliary, in immediate connexion with Earl Street. I then made excursions into the country around, where three branches were formed, which you will find marked No. 22, 23, 24 in my letter 108. These with Tobique branch, No. 21, make four branches for the Carlton County Auxiliary. Some preparations also were made for form­ing others, which I hope will be embodied in due time. I should not omit to mention that Mr. J. M. Connell, a worthy disciple, and a man of ample means, drove me to all the places I visited, in his own vehicle, and lent all his aid to further our work. He is a lively friend of our Bible Society, and promises to be very useful in sustaining and extending our cause in that place.

I here closed my operations in Woodstock; not because there was no more to do, or that no more could have been done, but because I could not spare more time for that quarter with justice to the other places lying before me in my summer tour. Could I have afforded two or three weeks more, I am persuaded it would have been very advantageous to our cause. An observation similar to this I might have made on finishing my tour from St. John to Fredericton. Two or three weeks more there would have given you in all probability several additional new societies, and might also have more strength and some of those already established.

I reached Fredericton on the evening of the 30th of July, and found the Committee all met in the President's house on my arrival, having written from Woodstock to prepare for this. Resolutions were entered into by the Committee at this meeting, for extending their operations in the adjacent country, which forms the sphere of their Society, and embraces two counties. I hope their endeavours will be attended with success, for I should like to see the Fredericton Society more powerful than it is.

I paid a visit here to Dr. Jacob who is at the head of the Fredericton College. He is expected soon to be the Bishop of New Brunswick, and I understand from good authority, that in his very first charge he will especially recommend the Bible Society to his clergy. This must be private in the meantime.

From Fredericton I went down to the mouth of the River Oromocto, and there formed a branch, which you will find marked No. 19. But from a strange oversight, I have given you a wrong name for it. I should have said that Burton and Lincoln Bible Society, they having chosen to give it that name as it embraces to parishes so called one on each side of the River. Please to make this alteration. Of this Society, J. M. Wilmot, Esq., is President; the same gentleman who was long, and at the first, President of the New Brunswick Bible Society. A few years ago he retired from St. John, and now resides on an old family property pleasantly situated on the River St. John, and within a couple of miles of the Oromocto.

The day after this Society was formed, I started from Fredericton in the stage, and went right across the country in a couple of days, to Miramichi. Here I had some communications with our Bible friends; and then went on to Bathurst, on the Bay of Chaleur. Two public meetings were held here; one of these was the Anniversary. This Society has been greatly hindered in its advancement by the want of Books. Not one had they then received. About a month before I was there they received Mr. Jackson's letter of the 20th April with the Halifax postmark: but where the Books were, of which this letter contained the invoice, they could not tell, and nothing had they heard of them after making many inquiries. If they were shipped by your agent in Liverpool, he should certainly have written a note to say to what port and consignee they were sent.

There were two or three places on the opposite side of the Bay of Chaleur, in Canada, which I wished to visit: but contrary winds hindered me from starting when I was ready, and afterwards when I did set out, a change of wind obliged me to return, after being out five hours, a sufficient time to have taken us across with a good breeze, the distance being about 30 miles.

I returned again to Miramichi, and in Chatham gave a public address on our Bible cause, at a meeting held in one of the churches. The anniversary of the Society could not be held, as the accounts had not been got in from the country parts, and were not due till a full month later. But this Society has also been much crippled in its operations during the year, as their Books likewise, as in the case of Bathurst, had not come to hand. They had been sent to Halifax, and there they were overlooked or mislaid, and there they lay up to that time. Several vessels yearly leave England for Miramichi and Bathurst both in the Spring and towards the Fall, and with these vessels if possible all books should be sent, and not to Halifax.

I felt the want of these books here and at Bathurst in my own case, as there are many French settlers in each of these places, whom I had intended to visit had I had French Testaments for them. In Gloucester County, of which Bathurst is the capital, two thirds of the whole population are French; and the same people are numerous all down the coast to the south of the Province. In one instance a Frenchman asked me of his own accord for a Book, and I had none to give him.

When we formed our Auxiliary in Miramichi last year, the Ladies were a little fearful that they and their Society would wane under the beams of the other. I ventured to assure them that their fears were groundless; and my prophesying has turned out right, for this year they have considerably increased their funds, which have reached to about £62 currency. Their funds, however, would have been greater still had they had Books for sale.

I had made my arrangements before I came to this quarter, to go from Miramichi to Prince Edward's Island. But when I came, I found the steam boat that ran last year had ceased. I was therefore obliged to alter my route, and resolved to go to Halifax without much delay; and from thence to move through those parts in Nova Scotia which last year I was not able to overtake.

From Miramichi I went to Richibucto; and on Sunday, the 22nd, I had the opportunity of addressing the audiences assembled in the Scotch Church, and in the Wesleyan Church, upon the great Bible cause, and our duty to forward it, and powerfully. The Richibucto Ladies are going on in efficient Bible operations.

After leaving Richibucto, I came on rapidly to this city; stopping a little at times to converse with the office-bearers of the Societies in the way. I reached this on the 28th; and have since been arranging with the Committee of the Nova Scotia Bible Society for holding their Anni­versary Meeting, and also for an extensive tour in the province. I send you a slip from a newspaper which contains a notification of our arrangements. All the newspaper editors here kindly insert our notices free of expense.

I have had my eye on Newfoundland all this summer, and wished much to take it in. But business having increased upon me on my way, and as that is still in this quarter so much to be done, I have thought it right to give up Newfoundland, which I have done reluctantly. The tour you will see marked out on the slip, and some of the parts East of  Pictou, and a visit to Cape Breton will occupy the season fully, and if I had more time it could be well spent in these quarters.

            I remain, My dear Friend,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.