Toronto, 23rd May 1839

Rev A Brandram No 84

Toronto, 23rd May 1839

My Dear Friend,

Agreeably to the notification given you in my letter of the 24th ultimo, I set out from Montreal on the 25th to make my Bible Tour over Upper Canada. On the 27th I was in  Prescott, and called on the President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Bible Society there, as well as on some individual members of the Committee. They all agreed in stating that they had for a good while past done little in their Bible work. They lamented the same, but would not wish this neglect to be set down as altogether arising from their indifference or indolence; but alleged, as they had good reason to do, that the war attack made on their town some time ago,[1] and the preceding and succeeding agitations arising from their border situation, and the general unsettlement of the country, had so operated on the minds of themselves and their Bible colleagues, that they had been forced as it were to neglect that which should not have been neglected. Our Prescott friends are willing to make a new effort in this good cause, and will gladly make arrangements for a public meeting, and for reinvigorating their Society. According to my plan, as stated in my letter already referred to, I did not wait to hold this meeting at Prescott,  as I had to push on to Toronto. I left our friends however in the understanding that I would cooperate with them in this meeting and in their other measures when in the providence of God I should return to them after my general visitation of the father parts of this Province.

On the night of the 27th, and in the night, I came to the house of Mr Freeland, three miles from Brockville on the Prescott side. Here, as your servant, I was very kindly received, and had been invited several weeks before to make his house my tent during my short stay in that quarter. On the day following which was Sunday I attended the places of worship of Mr Campbell and Mr Smart, and was introduced to each of them. On the Monday and part of the Tuesday I had several interviews with two individuals just names, not together but apart, and also with other members of the Bible Society Committee there. I was glad to find that there was entertained by all with whom I met a good and friendly feeling in favour of the Bible cause.  All seemed willing and anxious to restore their Society to its former state and to advance it, and they agreed together in that there was a good field open to them. Most or all of the misunderstandings will I think be understood when the parties are gathered together; and what cannot be so disposed of will it is hoped be sacrificed on the table of the Bible Committee when they all meet around it. I have in truth good hopes of seeing a flourishing Bible Society in Brockville, and that before long. Our friends regretted that I could not stop with them there to hold a public meeting and to rearrange their concerns. I promised to delay some time with them on my return, and they agreed to let all stand till then. I saw among others Mr Sherwood the president of the Society, and found him as anxious as any one to see the Society again in full action. Mr Sherwood is the Sheriff of the District on Johnstown in which Brockville is, and of course possesses a good deal of influence over the portion of the country for which he holds this office, and which influence he will I believe very cheerfully employ in furtherance of the Bible cause. From all these circumstances I have mentioned I shall look forward to my return to Brockville with satisfaction. But, as in all our satisfactions in this life there is a mixture of something else, so here, for I have kind and urgent invitations from Mr Campbell and Mr Smart, from Mr Sherwood and Mr Freeland to stay with them on my return, and I know not how to meet and fulfil all these kindnesses. I feel thankful for the state of things which this indicates, for I had looked to my visit to this place with some anxiety, and probably so did you.

On Tuesday afternoon I left Brockville, and next morning found myself in Kingston. On that day, Wednesday the first of May, I waited on you first, for by calculations easily made I found you were all assembled in Exeter Hall and in full career at our seven o'clock in the morning. I could not see you nor hear you, but I could understand you for all that, and could feel with you: and this I did, giving thanks to our Heavenly Father on your behalf, and making supplications. God, I trust, was manifestly present with you, and left his blessing on all assembled. I look forward anxiously to the time when your notices concerning the operations of that day shall arrive, to cheer the poor wanderer in his movements.

I visited our friends in Kingston, but found them very much down in their hopes respecting their Bible Society. They are willing however to see a new effort made to revive them in this cause, and agreed in the plan of holding a public meeting, and using other means in favour of a revival on my return. Mr. George Hardy the Depository I found to be a very efficient person in the work of the Society. I shall hope to see things put into a more vigorous train of operation when I revisit the place. The Rev. Mr. Machar the Secretary has I understand always taken a lively interest in the Society, but he has been absent from the country for some time. He is however expected by the time I may again be in Kingston, and I shall be very glad to find him returned when I come.

Bishop Macdonald of the Roman Catholic Church resides in Kingston. I called on him as we had met and sailed in a steamboat together on Lake Ontario in 1830. He recollected me and made many inquiries as to my travel since, and particularly regarding the Roman Catholics in Hayti and other parts where I had been. I told him how the Haytians had received the Bible, and of the large order the President gave for 200 Bibles and 3000 Testaments. I asked him whether he encouraged the use of the Scriptures among his people, and he answered in the affirmative, stating that he distributed many Bibles. He added that he was not pleased with you and us folks for saying that the Catholics were against the reading of the Bible. I told him some of our too good reasons for saying so, and that we would be glad not to say so any longer. He said he was about to visit England, and that he would feel much obliged would I give him letters to some benevolent persons there who might furnish him with an ample supply of Bibles! I found it was the Douay version which he circulates and wishes for. I tried to persuade him to take ours, and thus held out the prospect of his being well supplied. He hesitated about this, but did not put a negative on it. Should he when in London step into a certain house in Earl Street, I trust you will not knock him down in any fashion because he is a Catholic, but on the contrary and treat him with kindness, and meet his wishes, should he have any, for your Bibles.

On Saturday the 4th of  May I arrived in Toronto, and came to the house of Mr. Champion, whose name is known to you as one of the secretaries of the Toronto Bible Society. Mr. C for some weeks before kindly invited me to make his house my house during my stay in this city. On the day of my arrival I went out, accompanied by Mr. Champion, to visit our Bible Society friends. We saw a goodly number of them, and found them all disposed to continue and to increase their support of your auxiliary here.

Among others we paid a visit to Sir George Arthur Toronto Bible Societythe Governor whom we found to have a warm feeling to the Society. He stated that he had for many years taken an interest in this great cause, and as a proof of this in mentioned that he made a donation to the Society of £50 sterling when he was governor of Honduras. In the course of the conversation it came out that you had not acknowledged this donation, or had not inserted his name in the proper place. On afterwards referring to your Annual Reports I find that this sum constitutes a Life Governor by your 6th rule. You have inserted I see a list of Life Governor's by payment of a bequest of  £100 or upwards, but not I perceive of those who acquired the standing by a donation of  £50. Finding no list of them I looked into the general list of contributors where I find that in case of donations of Ten Guineas and upwards you keep in the names of the donors from year to year. Sir George Arthur's name ought of course to be there, but it is not. Perhaps you will inquire into this, for there must be some oversight in it.

On Monday evening the sixth current there was held a meeting of the Committee of the Toronto Bible Society for the purpose of receiving your agent, and consulting with him on the state and prospects of the Society. It was a very full meeting, and the reception your agent met with was honourable to you and gratifying to him. At this meeting arrangements were made for the annual meeting on the 14th and we consulted together as to my movements and operations in this quarter, and in regard to all those means that might be brought to bear in order that this Province might as generally as possible become one general Bible Society field. You will be pleased to learn that the feeling of this Society in respect to the prosecution of their object is good and lively. This was well indicated on this occasion by the number of persons present at the Committee, by the items of business treated of, and by the general manner of all present.

Having an interval of the week between the Committee meeting just noticed and the Annual Meeting, it was thought desirable that I should visit some places at no great distance from this. Accordingly on Wednesday morning, the 8th, I set out to perform this short tour. I went first to the Chippeway Mission on the River Credit. An account of my visit to this place I have given you in my letter here enclosed of the 10th instant.

On Friday the 11th I went to Springfield a few miles from the Credit Mission. Things were not in order for holding a meeting there on the evening of that day, and therefore I passed on a few miles farther and came to Streetsville. Here I met with the Rev. William Rintoul one of the Kirk of Scotland Ministers. This gentleman showed me every kind attention, and helped me in every way in my work. He took me from house to house to see all these who were known or hoped to be friendly to the Bible cause. On the following day we held a meeting in the schoolhouse of the place. Mr. Rintoul had offered his Kirk for our meeting of his own accord, but we altered that arrangement at the suggestion of some of those we visited thinking on the whole the schoolhouse would suit better. This meeting was but thinly attended owing to the shortness of the notice and to the busy field occupations of the people at this season. The few present however were friendly, and forthwith a Preparatory Committee was formed, and arrangements made for holding another meeting on the Thursday following, and of which due and full notice should be given. On the Sunday I preached in Mr. Rintoul's Kirk, and in addition to other matters noticed the value of the Bible, and the advantages arising from its general circulation and use. Mr. Rintoul gave notice of the meeting for Thursday, and spoke of the object in view recommending it to the attention of the congregation. – On the evening of the same day I addressed an audience at Springfield on the Gospel, the great Bible subject and on the circulation of the Scriptures in their neighbourhood and over all the world, and urged them to take part in this work.

This is the manner in which I occasionally act on the Sabbath. To those who inquire about this or question it, I would say, "Have you not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath?" And have you not read how that the Lord of the Sabbath pronounced them blameless?

On the Monday I talked with those who was favourable to the formation of a Bible Society in Springfield, and arrangements were made for holding a meeting a few days later when it was hoped a Society would be formed. On the same day at Cooksville a meeting was appointed, but the weather proved so unfavourable that very few came. A Provisional Committee was however formed, and another day appointed for a meeting, when our friends compromised themselves to form a Society if they could, and which they believed practicable. Next morning I returned to Toronto. Four societies might be considered as formed during this little tour. I was particularly pleased with the general good feeling in favour of our Society which I met with in the several places visited.

On Tuesday evening the 14th of  May the Anniversary Meeting of the Toronto Bible Society was held in one of the largest places of worship in the city. The house was well filled, and the platform was well ornamented with colours I may say of different hues in some respects, but all bearing on them conspicuously the Bible and the Gospel. In addition to a fair representation of the different denominations in the presence of their respective Ministers, we had also to Ministers representing two classes of people rather than two denominations. We had a Black Minister, and a Red Minister, a representative of Africa, and of the aboriginal North Americans. Our meeting was kept up with interest for the full proportion of time allotted to such meetings, and all seemed gratified, and disposed to say that this was the best Bible Society anniversary they had yet had in this place. Next year it will be better still I trust, and so on from year to year as their work increases in their hands.

On Wednesday the 15th your agent went out with Mr. Champion to Thornhill a village 12 miles to the North of this, and held the meeting there which was well attended, and resulted in the formation of a Bible Society which promises to be efficient. We had with us the Rev. Mr. Townley the Wesleyan Minister stationed in that place, and the Rev. Mr. Mayerhoffer the Episcopal Minister of a neighbouring Township. I notice this latter name particularly, because I understand Mr. Mayerhoffer is about to address you soon on a subject of some interest. It was not till yesterday that I knew of his intention I may probably notice him and his object in my next letter.

On Friday the 17th may the new Committee of the Toronto Bible Society met for the first time. The attendance was very good and with punctuality at the hour. Several subjects were discussed bearing on a more extended scale of operations, and all seemed to enter readily into the projected scheme of increased labour. A subcommittee was appointed at this meeting to inquire into various objects connected with the present arrangements of the Society. This subcommittee on the following days held several meetings: and on this day, the 23rd, and General Committee was held to receive the report of the subcommittee. This General Committee, like the former ones was well attended, and in it the same interest was shown in the affairs of the Society as was exhibited in the other Committee meetings mentioned. A very important measure was adopted at this meeting respecting the sale of Bibles in the city, and the supplying of demands from the country. It was agreed that there should be a shop taken for the exclusive purpose, instead of having the books on sale has heretofore in the corner of a general store and sale of all sorts of goods: and as necessarily connected with this a person is to be appointed to attend to this place, and to all business of the Society in this department, and in others as his time will permit. [The Tract Society books will be sold in the same place: but of this you should know nothing; and accordingly this sentence which tells you about it is in brackets, and says nothing, and it is not to be read.] Much is indicated in the adoption of this measure, as to the actual quantity of business of the Society, and as to the prospect of extending it. It augurs well for your affairs here, and may God fulfill the anticipations held forth.

I have sent you via Halifax a newspaper giving some account of the Annual Meeting, and also of the Bible Association formed at the Credit Mission. Both are drawn up, I believe, by the Rev. Mr. Scott who was present at the two meetings. The report of the Society will soon be printed, some copies of which shall be forwarded to you early.

The enclosed letter No 83 is you see entirely about the Chippeway Bible Society. If you could print any part of it in the Monthly Extracts with the names of the Chippeways, if not of other subscribers given, it would please our Red Brethren, and would encourage those at other places to follow their example. I have written the names so legibly that there will be no difficulty in ascertaining the lettering whatever there may be in the pronouncing. Please see that they are printed with perfect exactness, or the Indians will turn on you with their war clubs with which all of them are furnished in this time of war. And if you print this in the Extracts, you will of course send us some copies, otherwise we shall not be benefited. You will have observed what I have said in a former letter about sending out the Extracts generally.  The measure there noticed seems to rise in importance as I see more of our Bible field in this country.

At long and length a letter has arrived from you, after a lapse of six months. It is dated the 26th of March, and came into my hands this day week. I perceive by it as I expected that other letters have been written by you within that chasm: but they have not reached me. Perhaps you will inquire how they were sent, and probably you will think proper to make up the loss by sending me a duplicate if you have copies by you. It would be advantageous to number your letters, as that plan would at once show whether any other missing at any time and how many.

That is nothing said in your letter about the projected general depot at Montreal noticed to you in my letter of the 20th December. That notice is most probably contained in a former letter which seems to be lost. I feel the loss considerably, as it affects in a material degree our general operations. I projected, as set before you, a depot for the general supply of the Canadas. But being at a loss to know that the plan has met with your approbation, I know not whether to trust to supplies in that way or not, or whether I should recommend to our Societies here to look to that depot, or to supply themselves otherwise. And this is the more felt on account of our seasons, which freeze up our communications for six months in the year. Further, now is the time to order a fresh supply for the fall of the year, and a few weeks longer delay may make it too late. But I cannot well give an you order, not knowing how the former one met your views. Neither have I learned anything regarding what was mentioned about cheaper Bibles, and the knowledge of this also enters into the matter of a new order. In the midst of all this uncertainty I would say, – Repeat the invoice of the 20th December. This may be over the mark, but it will be injurious to our interests to be under it. The order for cheap Bibles, if you furnish them, stands as in letter number 80, notwithstanding of what I have here said. These cheap Bibles and the number there mentioned are in addition to the repeating the invoice as above.

[This letter, I perceive, like some of several of its predecessors is too long, but I cannot well help it, and you may shorten it by red ink brackets to your own dimensions. I am thinking of sending you in future for each communication a half sheet full of dry bones, which you can put flesh on, and spirit it into yourself, and so fashion them to your own fashion.]

Tomorrow I leave this for Hamilton, and before I go from this city, it is but just I should say to you, that during my stay here I have been kindly entertained by Mr. Champion; and further I would say that this gentleman has rendered me very essential service in your concerns, and at the sacrifice of much time, which to a man in a large business is of no little moment.

Believe me always, My Dear Friend,

            Affectionately Yours,

                        James Thomson.

 [1] Note (BM): Battle of the Windmill, November 1838.

Montreal, 15th November 1839

Rev A Brandram No 88

Montreal 15th November 1839

My Dear Friend,

The day before yesterday I arrived in this city from Quebec, and have now finished my tour for the season. This tour has lasted from the 25th of April to the 13th of November, a full six months and a half. My letters from Toronto, Sandwich, and the Falls of Niagara will have informed you of the most material of the occurring circumstances up to the 20th of September. The present letter will take up the narrative of these at the Falls, and come down to the closing of the tour the other day.

On the evening of the 21st of  September I reached Toronto, and on the same evening there was held a meeting of the Committee of the Toronto Bible Society. It was well attended like all the other meetings of the same body I had witnessed. The principal subjects of discussion at this committee meeting were, regarding the change of the name and field of their Society, the prices at which their books should be sold, and the employment of an agent who should be constantly occupied in visiting all the branch societies within their sphere, in forming new ones, and in making sure that the word of God did come into every home on the one hand, and that on the other something should be got from every house towards the grand general purpose of sending the Bible to all nations and tongues over the world. Our friends finally fixed and arranged regarding the new name and a new extent of their Society. It is to be, and now is, the Upper Canada Bible Society, and embraces all the Province, except some portions lying on the Eastern boundaries, and which may be more advantageously joined to the Montreal Society. In regard to what passed about the prices of the books, I shall write you at a future time, taking a range of the subject to embrace all the societies in this quarter. On the subject of an agent all the Committee were agreed as to its utility, but they were afraid lest its cost at the present time would be more than they were able to bear. I would suggest to you a mode of your helping them as to this matter at the commencement. At different times this Society has paid to the amount of £136:14:3 sterling for procuring and printing a translation of some portions of the Scripture into the Chippeway tongue. Now if you could place this sum to your general foreign translation account, and give credit to our Toronto friends for the same amount, it would probably set them in motion as to that agency, and when they were fairly set agoing most likely they would be able to move on afterwards by their own energies. Please think upon this, and do what you may judge best. An agency such as is in question would I think greatly conduce to hasten and forward our Bible work, in both its two parts in Upper Canada.

In Toronto on the present occasion I was so happy as to meet with the Rev. Mr. Evans, one of the Wesleyan missionaries, who had just come there on a visit from Lake Superior where he was stationed among the Chippeway Indians. Mr. Evans I met with in 1830 at Rice Lake among the same tribe of Indians. With this people he has been ever since, and is therefore well acquainted with them. We had a good deal of conversation together on the subject of these Indians, the most extensive tribe in this country, and principally as to the procuring for them a version of the major part of the Scriptures, or rather the whole if practicable. I ventured to say to Mr. Evans, that you would readily lend your aid to this, and extensively. New please to say whether I was right in thus speaking in your name, and if so, direct me to what extent might pledge you in the case.

On the afternoon of Monday, the 23rd of September I left Toronto, and at midnight reached Whitby. Here on the forenoon of Tuesday we should have had a meeting: but the notice had not been sent on in time from Toronto by a friend acquainted with the place and persons, which I was not. On the evening of the same day, at Darlington, and on the 25th at Port Hope, we failed of our projected meeting from the same cause. On the 27th I was in Peterboro where we had a good meeting in the midst of very bad weather, as it snowed the greater part of the day, and was very cold during remainder. The Bible Society atmosphere however in Peterboro was clear and warm. There is a fine committee here and fine people, all armed and marshalled, and waiting impatiently I may say, to hear the word – "March." In addition to their care for their own Township, they have formed a connexion with several others. Their object is in all these to do their Bible work faithfully and completely. They were anxious to know what little directions and suggestions I could give them for commencing in carrying forward their work of Bible visitation, etc. I found them met in Committee constituted, previous to the assembling of the people for the Public Meeting. I complied with their wishes, and addressed them by themselves, around the stove, on the subjects they desired to be informed on. On closing I expressed how much gratification it afforded to see them so well affected and zealous in this noble cause, and intimated that I would look with some interest for an account of their movements and the results following, and hoped that I should be able to urge others onward in other places by their example. I may say that this Committee and Society have done well hitherto, and we may reasonably expect therefore that their future proceedings will be like, and may perhaps surpass, their former good deeds. The Rev. Mr. Gilmour, the Agent of the New England Company here on behalf of the Indians settled in the neighbourhood is a warm and active friend of your cause. He kindly entertained, and afforded every help to your agent during his short stay in Peterboro.

In Cobourg I saw the Ministers of the different denominations, and found a good feeling prevailing in favour of our Society. Considering the lateness of the season, and what yet lay before me demanding my attention, I could not wait the necessary time for arrangements and sufficient notice for a public meeting. I was obliged to content myself therefore with preparing the way for a meeting at another time, whether I could return to attend it or not. – In Belleville I also saw the several Ministers who were all very favourably disposed towards us. I declined staying there as I had done at Cobourg, and for the same reason. – In Kingston I made but a short stay, intending to return to it from Brockville in a few days, if a public meeting could be held profitably. I saw the Rev. Mr. Machar who had but just returned to Canada from England. The shortness of his time since returning, prevented him, he said, from looking into the concerns of the Society. He considered therefore that we could hardly have a public meeting there at the time with proper advantage. The meeting therefore was put off, so that I gave up my intention of returning that in a few days as above intimated. In Kingston I saw also Mr. Hardy who likewise had just returned from the old country. He mentioned his having called that your Great House in Earl Street, where he delivered the note of introduction which I gave him to Mr. Jackson in the beginning of May when I passed through Kingston. Mr. Hardy spoke very warmly of Mr. Jackson's kind and very serviceable attentions to him. I have great pleasure in mentioning this circumstance, and beg you will notice it to our good friend as a little return for his kind services.

On  the 3rd of October I came to Brockville. How to get all things put in proper working train there was a matter of more than common thought and arrangement. After visiting several persons, I proposed a meeting of all those who had formerly been connected with the Committee of the Society. Notices were sent accordingly. The meeting took place, all was harmonious, and we came to the Resolution to form a new Society. On the evening of the 8th we held our public meeting for the formation of the same. It was pretty well attended, and most of those connected with the previous Society of both parties were present. We all agreed in our resolution to terminate the old Society and to form a new one, leaving the affairs of the former to be settled by the Secretaries with the Agent of the Parent Society. Mr. Smart, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Sabine, and Mr. Freeland were with us, and took part in the business of the meeting. The whole transactions of the meeting were gratifying to all present, as far as I could judge from what then to place, and from what I heard afterwards. I felt glad and thankful to see things brought to this pleasant close on the one hand, and to see also a new Society formed with goodly prospects, without involving either of the two parties in unpleasant compromises. Mr. Sherwood, the Sheriff of the District, is as before the President of the Society, Mr. Freeland is Vice-president, Mr. Glasford is Treasurer, the Rev. P C Campbell and Mr. William Hynes are Secretaries and Mr. Smart is a member of the Committee.

The only thing that yet remains as somewhat unsettled in this Brockville concern, is in respect of Mr. Campbell's letter. I am inclined to think that this also could be accommodated had I a copy of the letter in question. I would be glad therefore if you would let me have a copy of it, and if you do that I shall not make a bad use of it, if I can help it, but a good one. Please send it early, lest it should be too late for my opportunities of doing good with it.

Mr. Smart gave me the sum of £68:14:5 Upper Canada currency, being all the monies he had on hand for the Society. This sum I have paid in to the Treasurer of the Montreal Bible Society, together with some other sums I have received, as I do not wish these monies to pass into or through my own accounts with the Society. They will be taken notice of in due order in the Montreal Society Books and Accounts. Mr. Smart also gave me a note of some outstanding accounts with societies for books, and likewise a list of the books in his possession which he has placed at my disposal.

It would not be fair, just, or generous to close these Brockville notices without saying a word or two as immediately affecting the interests of Mr. Smart. By his interest I mean his character, and his general deportment as your Agent. I am glad to say that I can find nothing injurious to him on these scores. There was, I may say, one or two things that seemed to bear another aspect. But it happened in this case, as it does in many others, that a nearer contact and inspection made to disappear and pass away that which before seemed something and unseemly. Mr. Smart's error was in having applied to you for the Agency without previously consulting the Committee at Brockville. He must have known well that they wanted a foreign prophet, shall I say, and not one of and among themselves whose every relation and concern they knew. The disappointment and consequent dissatisfaction was felt as everybody would have anticipated; and I told Mr. Smart that he could not have expected anything else. Others besides the Brockville Society felt disappointed in a similar manner, and hence the fact of various communications to you on the subject, and from hence also their nature and colours. You, on your part, were, I do not say in error, but a misunderstanding regarding Mr. Smart on two points, as I suppose, when you made the appointment. You thought, and you could not well have thought otherwise, that Mr. Smart had not only communicated his proposition made to you to the Brockville Bible Society previously, but that he also had their full approbation. You considered therefore, I believe, that your appointment would be not only acceptable but gratifying to our Brockville friends. The other point is this. When inquiring concerning Mr. Smart's character and standing, as you mentioned in one of your letters to me about the time, some of your colleagues said that the fact that Mr. Smart was the Secretary to the Upper Canada Synod was testimonial ample on these scores. You supposed all of you, I believe, and probably still do, that this Synod was the general body of the Church of Scotland ministers of this country. It is not so, and has no connection with that body. It consists of about 20 ministers or under, some of whom were formerly connected with the Synod of Ulster. Had Mr. Smart been the Secretary of the large influential body here of the Church of Scotland, it would have gone far in his favour as a savour and advantage, and might greatly have contributed to acceptableness. – As to Mr. Smart's fitness for an Agent of your Society, I have not seen anything unfavourable; and if stealing or coveting were lawful, I should feel disposed to take from him something that I would be the better of, and you too perhaps. But we must both be contented with such things as we have, and turn them to the best advantage. – The poor foreigner now here as your Agent enjoys an advantage very extrinsic to his character. It is, just because he is a foreigner, and perhaps also, because he can tell some travellers' stories. I am glad however that my disadvantage is your advantage, and though I have no certain dwelling place now, I look for one to come. Forgive this sigh for want of, and for – a home. If an Apostle, and the highest one of them, felt the disadvantage in question, and if God has given the sigh a place in his Book, the same feeling is forgivable perhaps in your poor Western wanderer whether at Cape Horn or in Canada.

I have given you our Brockville notices together without interruption, although our Prescott business took place intermediate. On the 3rd of October, as I have said above, I arrived in Brockville. On the 4th at noon I set out for Prescott, 12 miles to the east, driven by our good friend Mr. Freeland in his own vehicle. When I arrived I called on the Secretary of the Prescott Bible Society, the Rev. Mr. Boyd, and the chief member of the Committee, and made arrangements for a public meeting on the 7th, the Monday following. We then returned to Brockville late on a very cold frosty night, for the winter was even then commencing. – On the 7th I set out for Prescott to the public meeting, accompanied and driven by our worthy coadjutor Mr. Campbell, in a vehicle which a Bible friend lent us. We held the meeting accordingly, and though it was not so numerously attended as we had reason to expect from the notices given, yet it was a gracious meeting, which those who were there felt according to their statements, as I have no doubt they did. They all seemed anxious to keep up and extend the Bible feeling which God had inspired him to us that evening. For this end therefore they appointed another day about a week onward for a second public meeting. Mr. Campbell and I passed the night at Mr. Boyd's, where we were both much gratified with his courtesy and his conversation. – I beg leave to anachronise a little here, in order to give you a favourable notice of the second the Bible meeting above-mentioned, and the good results of both, and a third. Mr. Boyd wrote me on the 25th October saying, "We have had two meetings of the Bible Society since you were here, and there seems to be a good deal of interest manifested. The Committee are to visit the town and country." This agreeable communication was accompanied by an order for supplies of  Books. I felt glad to see these good results at Prescott, for things were very dull there, as I indicated to you in my letter No 84 when mentioning my passing through the place in the end of April. Prescott had suffered in its Bible interests, and in all its interests, by the attack made upon it towards the end of last year by the Americaneers from the other side of the River. I hope as its Bible interest are again reviving, all its interests will revive with these; and in truth, all the real interests of every place rise and fall with the Bible interest.

On the 9th I left Brockville before daylight for Perth. The distance is 42 miles, and a great portion of the road was as bad as you could well imagine. I wish you had been with me on the journey, by way of proving the famousness of some of our Canadian roads, and to have a trial of our corduroy macadamising. Had you been in our waggon, you would have had shaking exercise enough to counteract your sedentariness for a week or a month.

But all are bad roads were forgotten on our getting into Perth, or rather on coming near to it, for there on the road outside the town I found the Rev. Mr. Bell the Secretary of the Perth Bible Society waiting to receive your messenger, and to take him to his own house. We took up Mr. Bell into our stage, and drove on to his door, which opened as it were of its own accord, and I was introduced to Mr. Bell's family in which I passed very pleasantly my short stay in Perth.

From Brockville on the day of my arrival there, the 3rd, I wrote to Mr. Bell to give notice on the Sunday, and make all proper arrangements for our public meeting on the 10th. Our business postmaster however at Brockville thought it proper to keep the letter two days before he sent it off, in consequence of which it did not arrive in Perth on the Friday as it should, but on the Monday. The opportunity arranged for, of giving notice in the congregations, on the Sunday, was therefore lost. Mr. Bell however by extra exertions continued to give as wide notices possible of our meeting. On the 10th in his church it was held, and notwithstanding all the disadvantages the assembly was good, and good I trust was produced. I should not forget to notice one of our audience, a Mrs. Davidson, whom I knew in Edinburgh 22 years ago. This good lady walked in from the country to our meeting a distance of seven miles. This was no mean exertion, as you will know, when I tell you that in body she would weigh you and me both. I was glad to see this old friend, as you may suppose, and felt it as a mark of particular kindness her having walked so far to our meeting, from old acquaintanceship in part, as well as from Bible interest: and an interest she has in the grand subject of the Bible, she is an old disciple.

The Perth Bible Society has done well, and is going on still in a proper and prosperous manner. I endeavoured in my address to urge to worthy and noble exertions, in this great work of giving the Bible to all around us, and to the whole world; and pressed greater personal attention on the part of all to the word of God, in order that we might attain to our highest standing in the Christian life, and might the more advance the kingdom of God.

From Perth I went to Bytown along the Rideau Canal. Here on the 14th October we held a Bible meeting in the Scotch Church which was well attended. At the close of the meeting a good many persons given their names as subscribers, and several pounds were paid down. On the day following a meeting of the Committee was held, in which there was a full attendance. An order was made out at this meeting for 230 Bibles and 220 Testaments. This Society I think bids fair to do well. In general visitation is forth with to be begun, and a Ladies' Association formed. Bytown occupies a very important position at the junction of the Rideau Canal with the Ottawa River, and is likely to become a place of increasing note as our colonization extends. The Rev. Mr. Cruickshank the Scotch minister has taken up our cause there warmly, and will I think be able to render us very efficient services.

I fear at every step the extension of this letter, yet despite the same you shall have an extract from the Bytown Bible Society Report read at our public meeting there. It is as follows: – "The teachers of the Wesleyan Methodist Sabbath school found many of their scholars anxious to obtain a Bible of their own to take home to search, so that they might be able better to answer those questions on scriptural truths put to them every Sabbath by the conductors of that school. Your secretary was applied to to know if Bibles could be issued from your depository to these children who were willing to pay 2d.  weekly until they had paid the full amount, and the Sabbath School Society becoming responsible for the amount. The result is that 38 of those children have obtained Bibles, and several others Testaments at this easy rate, who did not have the comfort of such a treasure before; and Scripture knowledge of spreading in the same ratio."

To make amends for detaining you with this extract, I make a leap at once from Bytown to Quebec, a distance of 300 miles. Our public meeting there was held on the 7th instant. The weather was very unfavourable and yet we had a pretty good assembly. The report was interesting, and the effect produced by the various things spoken on the occasion was good and gratifying, as was to be gathered from the observations afterwards made by those who were present. All seem to agree in that the same meeting was the best of all the Bible meetings yet held in Quebec. This place may be considered as in and at the very centre of the French Catholic population of this country, and is far removed from the large Protestant and Bible population touching different parts of the circumference line. This peculiar situation makes it of course more difficult for the Bible Society work to move onward. As a counterpart to this there are many warm Bible friends in Quebec, consisting of clergy and laity of all the different Protestant denominations in the place. The Society has maintained its ground and advanced as well and better than could have been expected considering its disadvantages; and I trust that soon a new and nobler stand will be taken by it as a sort of second series in its operations. It has much yet to do, in the first work of a Bible Society, namely, the getting the word of God into every house over all the field embraced by the Society; and from the nature of the people around the work of the Quebec Bible Society must be hard, and of the considerable continuance. – At the meeting your long tried friend Mr. Hale read the Report, which he also wrote, and which will by and by be in your hands in a printed form. The Chief Justice, the Honourable Mr. Sewell, President of the Society, was to have been in the chair, but he was very ill at the time. In his illness however he took the trouble to write a letter to the meeting which was read, and in which he expressed his regret at not being able to be present with us as he had wished, and assured us of his continued affection for our institution. In a few days after, he breathed his last; and he is now therefore in a better position than any of us for forming the proper estimation in value of the Bible, and of Bible Societies. He died on the 13th instant, aged 74.

From the 9th to the 12th current, your agent was in Three Rivers, a town halfway between Quebec and Montreal, on the north bank of the St. Lawrence. This was the last place to be visited in his tour. It was not however the least interesting in the occurring incidents, but rather perhaps the most. The Catholic priest of this parish, and who is also the Vicar of the whole district, is very friendly to the circulation of the Scriptures among all his people from the Nun to the Ploughboy. I called on him soon after my arrival in the place, and made him also a second visit before I left it. On both occasions we talked freely on the subject on hand, namely, the circulation of the Scriptures among the people of the parish, and of his permission and encouragement of the same. His approval and encouragement extend only to the De Sacy's version. The New Testament is what he wishes his people to possess and use rather than the Old. His only obstacle in regard to the latter is, that he thinks the people in general are not enlightened sufficiently to perceive the proper connection of the Old Testament with the New. A free and general use of the New Testament is certainly a good preparation to qualify the people in this way, and towards this preparation he gives full encouragement. There is a Nunnery in the town, and in it is contained a large female school. Both the nuns and their scholars have received the New Testaments readily. There is also a large school in the place for Boys, having about 100 in it. Into this school also the Scriptures have been freely introduced. I paid a visit to it, and had a good deal of conversation with the two Masters on the use of the Scriptures by their pupils, and was much pleased with the views they expressed on the subject. I had a class read the 12th chapter of the Romans which I pointed out to them. I heard some other classes read also, and they likewise read from the Scriptures, in large sheet lessons, hung upon the walls, according to the Lancasterian plan on which the school is established. Both the Masters begged to have a couple of dozen of New Testaments, the one asking for them in the French and the other in the English language to suit the two departments of their school. But you will observe that though the children learn English as well as French, (the latter being their native tongue,) yet they are all of the Catholic religion, and the school is taught by, and is under the management of Catholics. I spoke to the Masters about reading aloud to all their scholars a chapter from the Bible at the commencement of the school, and at the close of it. Into this they both entered readily. To enable them to do so I engaged to send them two Bibles, one in French and the other in English. They are to begin at the first chapter of Genesis, and to read regularly through. – There is an English widow lady living there by the name of Buddon, formerly of Camberwell in your neighbourhood. She takes a lively interest in the circulation of the Scriptures around her. She has a list of petitioners for Testaments, partly from the Nunnery, and partly from the town, amounting to 58. They were waiting, and anxiously, the arrival of your De Sacy's Paris edition of the duodecimo.

Thus happily stand things, blessed be God at Three Rivers; and the circumstances are enhanced by the consideration that, after Montreal and Quebec, this is the largest town in the Province, and in its position, advantages, and influence, it is also I may say next in order to the two places mentioned. Add to this, the Priest under whose influence the Scriptures have thus so free course, is the Vicar of the district which is of considerable extent. It is true that he has not power over the Priests in the several parishes under his jurisdiction to make them think and act like himself and encouraging the use of the word of God; yet he will necessarily have much influence in this way, and that may be greatly beneficial to our cause. A pleasing case of this influence occurred not long ago. A Priest from a parish some 20 miles higher up the River on the same side, was on a visit at Three Rivers. When there the young woman showed him the New Testament which she had got, and asked him about it. He spoke much against her for having it and using it, and urged her to destroy it, or to give it back to the person from whom she had got it without delay. Next day this Priest was in company with the Vicar, and mentioned to him the case of the young woman and her Testament, and stating what advice he had given her. The Vicar told him the book in question was "The New Testament of Jesus Christ", and that it was profitable for all to have and use it there. On the first opportunity after this the Priest sent for the young woman, and told her he had seen the Vicar since he had spoken with her, and had learned the book she showed him was "The New Testament of Jesus Christ." He then said that he was very sorry for what he had said to her before on the subject, and counseled her to keep, and carefully to use, her New Testament.

You perceive what a happy opening this is for our operations. But that you may see it more distinctly, I shall set it out in relief by a contrast. Soon after I arrived in this country in the end of last year, we learned that a Priest in a large parish some 25 miles from Montreal down the River had taken some Bibles from the people and burned them. I went down to see him, accompanied by one of our Montreal Bible Committee, and to inquire into the truth and the circumstances of the case. We called on him and inquired about the matter, and he told us plainly that he had burned five Bibles and one New Testament. We tried to set out before him the evil of this in different lights, but probably without much effect. In this place are vender Mr. Hibbard had taken the precaution from fear what might occur to lend the books, not to make them over to the people as their own. We saw the people from whom the books had been taken, and they were ready to depose, that they stated to the priest when the books were taken away, that they were not their own property. We had thus a noose for the Priest, and we thought we would cast it over him, to teach him honesty, if not religion. We therefore got a lawyer friend of ours to write the Priest a letter about this our property which he had destroyed. Presently up came the Priest to Montreal, and sent his lawyer our lawyer about this concern. Our friend of course made himself big, as having all the law and the justice on his side, (and so he had,) and advised that the Priest should pay the price of the books, intimating that the sooner and quieter this was done the better. The lawyer went back to the Priest to tell him the result of his expedition, and presently after returned to our lawyer, and paid him for the five Bibles and one Testament which the Priest had burned. This movement of ours has had just effect we aimed up, for the Priest has never taken any more books from the people to burn, and further we learn, that he has never said a word in the Church or in the Confessional against our books. – I did not notice the subject to you at all before, because it was not terminated when I went to the Upper Province; but it now is, and in the manner above described: the whole sets out in relief, as I said, the conduct of the good Priest and Vicar at Three Rivers.

I now terminate this long tour, and long letter, for your relief in one way, and for mine doubly. I would who however just at closing notice a tour I made within this tour. I began to read at the first chapter of Genesis when I set out, and during the tour have made a tour through the whole of Our Book closing with the end of Revelation. In this new reading I have received, as you may well suppose, new lessons, and I have tried to learn them, though I cannot say with what success, nor ought I perhaps to say if I could. I may say to you however, that at our public meetings I often try to show how greatly we are all in error, and how greatly we all suffer, by neglecting to read and study as we ought God's Blessed Book, which is profitable for all things, for the life that now is, and for that which is to come. God's Book, I say it often, publicly and privately, and with all and increasing confidence, God's Book can and will cure all our evils in church and state, and without it we cannot be cured. How blessed therefore, My Brother, is the employment, which God has graciously given to you and to me, to administer this panacea. May the Lord make us good and faithful servants, and at the close of our service admit us into heaven, through our Lord Jesus Christ: to whom be glory for ever: Amen.

I remain, affectionately,

Your Fellow Servant,

James Thomson.

P.S. Since the 20th September, I have received letters from Earl Street as follows: – Yours (in copies) of  the 20th of February and 5th March, both on the 17th October: – Yours of the 3rd July, on the 17th October: – and the Invoice per  Pr. George of  the 22nd of August, with Mr. Jackson's note of the 2nd September, on the 19th October.

We are very glad at the arrival of the 650 De Sacy's French Testaments by the Prince George. This supply will not however supersede the request in my letter No 87.

But what has become of the large order in my letter from Toronto of the 23rd May? For the supply we have been looking our eyes out these last two months: but we have seen or heard nothing of it, and the season is now far advanced, we see is closed.

P.S. 2nd  I advise a Bill drawn say the 25th instant, in favour of William Greig, for Fifty Pounds, at sixty days: – and to be charged to my Travelling Account. Please notify this to Mr. Hitchin. J.T.

Montreal, 24th March 1840 -2

Rev A Brandram . - No.91

Montreal, 24th March 1840

My Dear Friend,

Our winter is now nearly gone. It has been shorter, I may say, and less severely cold than last, but it has been more stormy. It is a common opinion here, that newcomers from less rigorous climates, suffer more the second winter than the first. I have not felt it so in my own case: and I do bless the Lord for his very gracious dealings with me during both of these two winters in which I have been in this country.

I have now to give you some account of my winter movements, and I shall be as brief in my statements as I well can. [And you can brief them more, and to your mind, by your red ink brackets.]

On the 23rd December, a few days after our winter road was formed of snow and frost, and fitted for our sleighs, I set out for St Andrews an L'Original, the same course I took the year before in my first winter journey. I was accompanied by Mr Milne the agent of the Montreal Society. On the 25th December the first anniversary of the Ottaway District Bible Society was held at L'Original. It was a good meeting in all respects. The assembly was good, the speakers and speaking were good, (myself and harangue of course excepted,) and the Report was good, and the results of the Society during this its first year were good, so that as I said before - all was good. - At St. Andrews we had a little meeting, and the results were not great, though we hope they were good. The Evil One still keeps up some discordances in that place, and which still operate unfavourably for our cause. - At St. Eustache we made arrangements for a future day, and were about to return to Montreal. But a severe snow storm came on, and anchored us fast for two whole days. On the third day we made our way to this city, through not a few nor slight difficulties, from the depth of the snow, the yet unformed road on it, and the constant drift on this the third day of the storm. - On the 13th of January I set out again for St. Eustache, accompanied by two friends from this place. We held our appointed public meeting, and formed our Society. St. Eustache, and all the country around, is French, and the English residents are few. Of these English only of course our Society was formed. But a constant sale of the Scriptures both in French and English is of great importance, and will operate beneficially, I trust, on all the population.

After my return from St. Eustache I was a good deal taken up with the arrangements of our New Depot and Sales Store here, and in the preparations for our Annual Meeting. The visitation to Odelltown was appointed during this time, but our second heavy winter storm came on, and interrupted it. Mr Milne and I set out in the midst of the storm, but we were under the necessity of returning.

On the 29th January of anniversary meeting was held. We had a large assembly, and would have had a much larger one, I believe, had the place been sufficiently ample. Numbers were prevented from attending, we afterwards learned, in the fear that there would not be room. It is gratifying to see this extensive Bible feeling in our community, and it is every way profitable. May the Lord increase it from year to year! A lively interest in the Bible cause during the meeting seemed evidently to prevail both on the platform and among  all the auditors; and the impression generally produced, as could be afterwards collected, was that this last Bible meeting was the best of all that had been held here. The Report of the Society's proceedings during the year, (part only of which could be read,) was greatly calculated to stir up all with lively feelings of gratitude for all that God had done for the Society, and for the community here through its means. The whole of this Report has since been printed, and put into general circulation. Six copies of it were forwarded to you on the 12th instant, along with a letter of the same date, by favour of Capt. Douglas who left this on the following day for London bearing government dispatches. I am sure you will be greatly interested in this Report.

On the morning of the day immediately following our annual meeting, I set out on a tour to Upper Canada. I had previously made my arrangements and appointments. I went up on the bank of the St. Lawrence, and stopped first at Cornwall. Here we were prevented from holding a public meeting on account of some of the Chief Office Bearers being absent attending the Parliament then sitting in Toronto. A meeting of the Committee is to take place on their return, and arrangements are to be made for future operations. – In Prescott we were also hindered in our proposed public meeting by a little act of pure forgetfulness on the part of our worthy secretary. I found however by my conversation with the office bearers, that the Society was in a favourable state, and that many books had been disposed of.

At Brockville there was held a meeting of the Committee at which I learned that the general visitation of the town of Brockville had nearly been gone through, and that besides the supplying of books, a good list of subscribers had been obtained. Arrangements were made on this occasion for our holding a public meeting on my return, and for visiting their chief branches and associations; and at the same time it was agreed that the notice should be sent by this Committee to Perth, Lanark, Ramsay, etc. so that when I came this way again on coming down the River, I should go back to that quarter, and visit a number of places.

The clergy of the Church of England in the district in which Brockville is, and in some of the neighbouring districts, have recently formed themselves into a Bible Association, in connection with our Society; and from the progress that has already made, and the arrangements entered into, it promises to become very efficient in hastening on the general circulation of the Scriptures in this quarter. "The Eastern Clerical Bible Association" is the name it has adopted. It will stand, I believe, as an auxiliary to you, and will receive it supplies of the Scriptures from your Montreal Depot. As you have dealt pretty liberally with your various auxiliaries here in the way of grant the books, it will be but fair in accordance with this your generosity, to make a grant also to this new auxiliary. In the belief that this will be agreeable to you, I intend to make that Society a grant from our Depot in this city.

Kingston was next visited, and a few days were spent there in endeavours to revive and strengthen our auxiliary in that place by a public meeting and private interviews. Perhaps some advance was made in the cause through these means, but some things there I fear are not on so good and prosperous a footing as could be wished. Mr. Machar from the multiplicity of his engagements has judged it necessary to withdrawal from action as Secretary, though not from a place and portion of labour in the Committee. His place is supplied by the Rev. Mr. Roger of the English church. The Rev. Mr. Cartwright of the same church is on the Committee, and has promised to give the Society his aid as far as his many public duties as Rector of Kingston will allow him. Mr. Cartwright was gravely weighed the claims of both the two great Bible societies, for I will not call them rival ones, and he has before God seen it his duty to join us openly and I trust it will be effectively; whilst at the same time he withdraws not his interest in the Christian Knowledge Society, and our Brother, and Elder Brother, in the great work of circulating the holy Scriptures. The Archdeacon also shows us his good will by his subscription to the funds of the Kingston Society, and pleads his age for lack of further aid to it. Alexander Pringle Esq. is one of the secretaries of this auxiliary, and much credit is due to him for his attentions to our work, although much occupied in the civic business and bustle of Kingston, and the District of which it is the capital. And, query, should not all those who are much bustled with the bustles of life, give more than ordinary attention to the Bible and Bible cause, in order to counteract the distractions and deteriorations which the whilings of life are calculated to produce? Well may we say, blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord.

That is another name however in Kingston which I must give you, and I must make a whole paragraph of it. You know the person I allude to, as he was in your great Bible store in London last summer. I refer to Mr George Hardy. For five years he has been depositary to the Kingston Bible Society, and has been most efficient in that line of sustaining the existence and utility of the institution. He has received no remuneration for his services during all in time, and this is the more worthy of notice from the nature of his business, and his losses, I may say, in attending to the sales of the Scriptures at every hour when customers may happen to call. He and his sons are watchmakers, and it is therefore a much greater sacrifice to them, (in rising up presently from the nice machinery which occupies their attention,) than there would be to a general shopkeeper. But Mr. Hardy very distinctly and formally told me, and with grateful eyes, that he has lost nothing due to loss of time in this business. On the contrary, he says, that God has blessed his house ever since the Bibles were thus on sale in it, as he blessed in former times the house of Obed Edom. – The sum of £10 was allotted to Mr. Hardy as rent for one side of his front shop which he devoted to the books, and the sum was low for the room given. Mr. Hardy when I first saw him on this last visit to Kingston, showed me the order he had on the Treasurer for the payment here noticed, and it was for £50, for up to that time it seemed he had not drawn any of it. He asked me whether I thought you should then draw the sum, or leave it over some time in the Treasurer's hands. I advised him to draw it, that the accounts might stand fairly from year to year. Next day when I called he told me he had drawn it, but had paid back the half of it, namely £25, as a donation to the Society. He then drew out, and gave to me the other £25, to be sent to you, and placed in your hands. – Now, have I not presented to you a true Bible Society man? I will not add, that he is a Bible man also, for you will suppose this, and you will suppose right.

The town of Belleville is the centre or capital of the newly made district of Victoria. On the 12th February a public meeting was held there in the new Court House just finished, along with the Sheriff of the District in the chair. The assembly was very good, and I may say, there were present all the ministers of the place of all the different denominations. One was in body absent, that he sent a note saying that illness only hindered him from being with us. The Society was formed and I trust it will prove an efficient one the attentions and services of the Rev. James Ketchan of the Scotch Church I found of great use. All the other ministers also were and are most friendly.

On the 13th February a  meeting was held in Colborne, but it was small on account chiefly of the deficiency of previous notice. Mr. Steele a merchant of that place takes an interest in our cause. The Society was formed, with him for its president. The Rev. William Reid of the Scotch Church, lately come to settle there, took up the cause warmly, and considers it a special favour of God towards him to give him something active to do in the blessed Bible cause on his commencing his labours as a Minister in that place. He officiates also in a place called Grafton, 8 miles off, and where he purposes before long to get up a little Bible Society as at Colborne, both of which he says shall have his special care and labours.

At Cobourg on the 14th February I was much disappointed. I had fully calculated on having a meeting there that evening. The person to whom I had written about the notices, under whom I fully calculated, partly from a partial absence, and partly I suppose from oversight, had not given the intimations, nor made the arrangements required. Consequently there was no meeting; and I regretted it the more, because every subsequent day of my time was pre-engaged, and therefore I could not point out a new day.

On the morning of the 15th I had an appointment at the Rice Lake, to meet the Indians there for a Bible meeting. You will recollect this place, as I mentioned it to you in my notice from this country in 1830. On my visit at that time across the lake in a canoe, and stretching out my hand I pulled up stocks of wild rice as we sailed along. Now however there was neither rice stalks, boat, nor water, but a solid board of ice, over which we drove with our vehicle as if we had been on the firmest ground. – At half past 10 o'clock I reached the Indian village, and found the Rev. Mr. Gilmour there just got out of his sleigh. I had communicated with him some time before about our meeting in this place and I found he had got all arrangements made. An Indian forthwith blew the gathering horn, and soon after the Indians assembled in the Chapel. The Rev. John Sunday, a full Indian of this tribe, is the officiating Wesleyan Minister of the place. It was an interesting sight to see the Indians met on such an occasion as this. They knew in part what was the object, and a assembled to hear further about it, and to take it into consideration. The meeting commenced of the hymn and prayer in the Indian tongue. On this, as on all other occasions in our Bible meetings among the Indians, I had to speak through an interpreter, and hence bit and it. It requires patience both to give out, and to take in, the speech in this piece meal way. But whatever might be the case with the speaker, the Indians were not lacking patience. When I had finished my address, Mr. Sunday spoke to his countrymen in their own language on the subject laid before them. He was followed by an old chief who, I understood, is greatly respected by his people, and very deservedly. He expressed himself highly gratified with what had been brought before the meeting, and stated his desire to see a Bible Society formed there as at the other Indian places to which reference had been made. He wished, he said, that he had then hand in his possession two dollars, as he would have given them immediately. He promised however that the very first two dollars he should have he would give for the subject. Some others of the Indians expressed themselves also in favour of the formation of a Society, and then the interpreter signified that they were all willing. We proceeded next to elect office bearers. The Rev. John Gilmour, who has charge of this establishment on the part of the New England Company, was elected President. All the other office bearers are Indians. This subscription list was then commenced, and names began to be taken down, and to which sums were added, which I might say, were more than worthy of the people, that is, they would higher than their circumstances, and above the proportions put down generally by more favoured persons to Bible Societies. As Mr. Gilmour and I had to go to Peterboro, we retired to the house of Mr. Sunday to prepare for going, and left the Interpreter, an Indian, to go on taking down names. Just before we started he came in. I inquired how many names he had. He replied. "Everyone there, both men and women." Now Query, Did it ever happen in England, or elsewhere, that all present both men and women put down their names as subscribers before they left the place of meeting? Perhaps this is the first instance of it. Does not the circumstance speak much in favour of the poor Indians? It does: and God will enrich them for it, and I pray that it may be before long. – Arrangements were made for having further meetings, and talkings, and subscribing in favour of the Bible object, and the Interpreter engaged to write me afterwards sending me a copy of the entire subscription list, with the names in the Indian language which is the Chippeway. – One man had his name put down for a fox skin as his subscription, worth something more than a dollar. When he was rallied as to whether he was sure of catching a fox for this end, he replied, that he had caught it already. One of the Indian women present when she saw that the meeting was likely to be interesting, sent out one to call her husband. He came, entered the Society like the rest, and was made one of the Council or Committee. The name of the Society is the Rice Lake Indian Bible Society, and it is in connection with the Upper Canada Bible Society at Toronto.

On Monday morning the 17th of February, Mr. Gilmour and I started for the Indian village at the Mud Lake. An Indian blew the horn on our arrival, and in half an hour our assembly congregated. We proceeded as at Rice Lake, and the result we found alike favourable. Our interpreter was an Indian as before, and of his character Mr. Gilmour spoke very highly. Our subscription list was duly honoured, and that by everyone present at the meeting, I understood, and the sums put down were most creditable to the poor Indians with their scanty and precarious means. The Secretary of the Society is an Indian who has had a superior education, and understands, they tell me, some Latin and Greek. There were a few whites at this meeting, persons living in the neighbourhood. The whites have set down their names as subscribers along with the Indians on the same list. This is one of the beautiful features of the Bible Society, that the tutored and the untutored, the rich and the poor, the bond and free associate side-by-side in goodwill and unity. – Among the names of Indians on our list, I perceive John Rice Lake, Joseph Musk-Rat that, and Mary Snow Storm.

On the evening of the same day, the 17th February, the anniversary of the Peterboro Bible Society was held. The assemblage was very good, and the general gratification seem to be felt. We had ministers with us of the various denominations. An elderly gentleman, with a lovely hoary head, graced our meeting. This was the Rev. Mr. Wolsey of the English Church, lately come to this country from Ireland. He took great interest in our object, and spoke with Irish fervour; and we in our turn felt much interest in him, and in all he said. – I spoke well to you of the Society when I visited this place in the end of September last. The Report read at this meeting, and Bible work carried into effect here since that time, as well as before, justified what I said. They have made a full visitation of some parts of their field, and they purpose going on in the same mode of examination until they complete their work.

Every on the 18th I set out from Peterboro accompanied by Mr. Gilmour, for Aldersville, another Indian village, lying on the South East side of the Rice Lake at some little distance, where we had an appointment for a meeting. On our way we passed through the Rice Lake Indian village, where we had been two days before, and took along with us from thence, Mr. Sunday, the Interpreter, and some other Indians. We would all very cordially received by the Rev. Mr. Case the Wesleyan missionary stationed there. We had no horn sounded in Aldersville to bring the people together, but a triangle bell was struck or rung for that purpose. On hearing it our Indians trooped to the place of meeting full of Bible interest, for they had heard of the two meetings lately held among their countrymen. After praise and prayer in the Indian tongue, and my address, the Rev. Mr. Sunday stood up and spoke to the Indians. He is the principal chief of this station, although he now resides and officiates on another. He stood therefore on this occasion as an Indian, and a Chief, and (according to custom at all our Indian meetings,) addressed his countrymen on the subject that had been just brought before them. I could not understand what he said, but his speech seemed to be of the first order, of pure genuine eloquence. I have often heard the Chippeway language spoken, but never before did I hear it so spoken. It was not the up and down intonation, as it had always before sounded to my years, but the beautiful hill and dale modulation that pleases the ear, as these surfaces please the eye. It seemed altogether a powerful as well as a beautiful address, and it seemed to be felt as such by the Indian auditory. – Here again, and on the 8th occasion we formed an Indian Bible Society. All present at the meeting became subscribers, I understood , and I may add, all not present, for all, and the whole of the people on this Indian establishment, men, women, and children, are resolved, they informed me, to give something more or less to the Bible Society. Query second, in what village in England do all the people—men, women, and children—give something to the Bible Society? Perhaps this is done in some of the villages of Wales. In stepping out of Mr. Case's house, adjoining the place of meeting, six little Indian girls came in a line, one after another, each with a basket in her hand of her own making. The whole were made to halt and front, and then each presented me with her  little basket as a contribution to the Bible Society. I received them in order, and never did I receive a contribution to your Society, I may well say, with so much delight. These little squaws were very pretty, because they were thus prettily employed in presenting their pretty baskets, and pretty, because, by a course of school training, their faces had lost their Indian blankness, and were full of intelligence. – That is here at this village of  Aldersville under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Case the best school establishment I have seen among the Indians of this country. The girls are not only taught reading, writing and needle work, but other work also not less important, and more especially for Indians. They are taught all sorts of female domestic and farm work. I should conceive that they have well profited by that instructions in these important labours by the specimens which I saw, and moreover which I tasted. We had an excellent dinner Mr. Case's all cooked by these Indian girls, including a fine pudding  at the close: and their butter and cheese, all made with their own hands, from the milking of the cows onwards, were of the best quality. I was delighted with the whole establishment, and with all the persons and things on it, and greatly regretted that I could spend so short a time there, my other engagements cutting me off. – Before I leave the village however, I must say one thing more in favour of the Indians. I told you that all of them were going to give something less or more as a Bible Society subscription. Mr. Case informed me that the Indians are never backward to give their little sums when a proper object was presented before them. They often, he says, wish to give beyond their power, and he has to caution and restrain them from doing too much. I wish this feeling, if it were but by fits, of giving beyond their power, or say equal to their power, would fall on some thousands of the great and rich among you, and that it would always last till all the coffres of Christian benevolence were full, and that it would always return again when they get low or are empty. And this wish, extravagant as it may at first sight appear, will I am sure be realized to its fullest extent in due time. In circulating the Bible we hasten this expected season, and bring it about with certainty.

I have now to make my way to the public road on the banks of Lake Ontario, and to proceed by the stage to Brockville about 150 miles where I have an appointment on the 20th. We have had some days of severe of rapid thaw, one of the things most dreaded and hated in this country when it comes on early and unexpectedly, as it destroys the snow rapidly and softens the ice and so breaks up our fine winter roads on which we sleigh along so smoothly. This thaw continued and increased on my way to Brockville, and we had much rain. Such roads we had that I cannot properly describe them, and seldom have I experienced more discomfort in travelling than during these two nights and a day in making the journey referred to. Nor were dangers absent, and of kinds more than one. In passing along upon the frozen surface of the Bay of Quinte by night, the ice which had got bad by the thaw, gave way in part under our heavy sleigh full of passengers and luggage, and only by the rapid flight of our four horses whipped and hastened on were we saved from going down. We then got onto firmer ice; but it gave way again just at the edge and are sleigh stuck till we got help to bring it out. But there was little water there, and we all got out safely. Blessed be the Lord for this and as many preservations of me! – Not far from this place, a few years ago, the Rev. Mr. Murray of the Scotch Church, hastening home on Saturday for his duties next day, drove upon weak ice, and himself, horse, and vehicle went down, and all disappeared, except his  cap which was left floating on the spot to tell the melancholy tale!

On arriving at Brockville I found myself unable to carrying my previous engagements into effect, from the continued thaw, and the breaking up of the roads. We held a public meeting there on the 22nd February which was well attended considering the badness of the weather. In a few days the weather began to mend, that is to say, the frost set in again. This was followed by a very fine day in our Canadian eyes, that is, it snowed heavily all day long. On the next day the weather was just to our liking, there was a keen frost, and sufficient snow on the ground for good sleighing. Thus favoured the Rev. Mr. Campbell and I set out. The appointed meeting there had taken place some days before when I was unable to be present. All seemed to wish for another meeting, and it was accordingly agreed on, and appointed to take place a few days after. In the meantime I went to Ramsay, and was happy to be there on the proper date of appointment for that place. Our meeting was very good, and I hope much good will result from it. The Ramsay Bible Society is chiefly under the patronage and care of the Rev. Mr. Fairbairn, Minister of the Scotch Church of that place. This gentleman is our warm friend in all our Bible work. A good deal has been done in it, by himself, his congregation, and neighbourhood, and I trust much more will yet be done by them. So they seem to wish themselves, not satisfied with what they have already done. Among other things I set before them the praiseworthy conduct of the poor Negroes in the West Indies, and of the poor Indians among themselves: and the impressions seemed thereafter to prevail, that the Negroes and the Indians had excelled them in the good and great work of the Bible Society. They resolve in future to walk more worthy of their many advantages. May God maintain this impression on their minds. Mr. Fairbairn will I know put them in remembrance, and I trust we shall hear of more and more being done by the Bible Society of that place.

On the 2nd March we had a meeting at Carlton Place, in that neighbourhood, and we were led to suppose that the feelings and impressions produced were favourable. On the 3rd was our meeting in Perth. A thaw had again set in, and the weather was very bad, nevertheless we had a very full meeting, and we hoped a profitable one. During my movements in this quarter, besides being kindly accompanied by Mr. Campbell all the time, I was favoured with the help and very kindly attentions of Mr. Fairbairn already mentioned, and the Rev. Mr. Wilson of Perth, and the Rev. Mr. McAlister of Lanark, both of the Church of Scotland, and whom (these three) I had not seen during my short visit to Perth in the end of last year. I feel greatly obliged to these for gentlemen for the warm interest they feel, and for the active cheerful aid they give, towards our Bible cause; and personally, I am much indebted to them for their kindnesses and hospitalities. Sweet was our communion together in the things of God, and though we have now parted, we shall not soon forget that we had such communion and comfort together in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mr. Campbell and I returned on the 5th and 6th to Brockville, I may rather say through the roads rather than over them, for they were very bad. – At half past 2 o'clock in the morning of the 9th I set off from Brockville, and reached Cornwall at 8 in the evening with all my bones aching through flying over a road first broken into ruts and lumps and then frozen hard and in a springless waggon. I got mended next day, through the rest, and the kind attentions of the Rev. Mr. Urguhart of the Scotch Church at whose house I lodged. I saw our Bible friends at Cornwall. They have had a meeting of the Committee since the time I passed through there, in which a free contribution of  £10 was ordered to be sent to the Montreal Bible Society, after clearing off all scores in the price of books. Steps are to be taken for extending the Society, so that Cornwall altogether as a branch of our Montreal tree may be said to have done very well. – I left Cornwall on the 11th instant and on the 12th reached this city, all well: and blessed be the Lord who has caused all my journeys hitherto thus to terminate! – And Oh!  may the long and the last journey, even the last of life, also terminate – well! – And so may it be with you, My Dear Friend, and with all our Bible coadjutors!

Your letter of 28th November in reply to mine of the 28th October came to hand on the 29th January and Mr. Jackson's letter of the 14th with Invoice of 500 De Sacy's New Testaments came to hand on the 21st February. We here are all very much obliged by these prompt and cheerful attentions on your part to meet our wants and our circumstances. We wish we could reward you in respect to the care in hand in such a manner as would be agreeable to you, and we know that statements from us of our success in distributing the Scriptures among our French population here by Mr. Lapelletrie be would be most grateful to you. I am sorry we cannot do this. Mr. Lapelletrie and his Bible distribution labours with us has turned out like the seed that fell on the thin soil with rocks just under. There was a flush of growth and promise, and presently all withered away. Some account of Mr. Lapelletrie's labours and very encouraging success at the commencement you have in my letter of the 28th October. Not long after that, he seemed to turn his attention more to the work of a Catechist, or Evangelist, as they say in France, than that of a colporteur or distributor of the Scriptures. He was kindly informed, and more than once that this was not the work of the Bible Society however good in itself. At the same time every accommodation to his wishes, consistent with our single object, and even perhaps a little more, owing to our particular situation and circumstances, was granted him. Mr. Lapelletrie objected to our view of this mode of acting, and said we should have commended him rather than blame him for the mode in which he was labouring in giving instructions to the people out of the Scriptures; and further he justified himself by distinctly and repeatedly stating that your Committee in open meeting, and yourself in particular, told him he would not be confined here to the distribution of the Scriptures as the Colporteurs were in France, but that he would be at liberty to act the Evangelist as he might choose and as opportunities might offer. I told him he must needs be mistaken it in regard to this, but he repeated it firmly and again and again, and said also that Mr. Pressencé told him the same from the commencement of his communications with him about Canada. As I said we tried to keep things right and accommodated as long as we could, but at length our efforts failed, and Mr. Lapelletrie resigned seizing the opening you had left him in his terms of agreement. His services are engaged by Major Christie of this place to act as an Evangelist. This gentleman has considerable property in this Province in the form of Seigneuries, and his tenants are French and Catholics. He has long been desirous of giving them religious instruction, and willing to expend means liberally for that end. He has now obtained the services of Mr. Lapelletrie for this purpose. But we are not all quite satisfied with the way in which things have been managed. You will see some notice of this kind in the letter, a copy of which I now send you. Major Christie tells me he has written to you, and has sent you some papers, and with these it is fit you should see the copy I refer to. He has offered, we understand, to pay you Mr. Lapelletrie'se passage and expenses from France to Canada, should you wish it. It is proper that I should give you the opinion of the Committee here on this point, and it is, that he should so pay you.

A few days ago arrived your Bible Society Reporter for February, and in it the grateful news, that we are henceforth to have Bibles and one shilling and sixpence, and Testaments at sixpence. This, I think, is a right and great step in your work, and its results will be extensive and glorious. – This cheap Bible and Testament however, should, in my humble opinion, be printed on paper inferior to your second class now used. The funds of the Society should be made to go as far as possible, whilst at the same time the Scriptures are issued very cheap as you are now offering them. Forgive my hint, and weigh it.

            I remain,

                        My Dear Friend,

                                    Very Truly Yours,

                                                James Thomson.

Montreal, 27th May 1842

Rev A Brandram - No 118

Montreal, 27th May 1842

My Dear Friend,

My Bible tour through several parts of  Upper Canada, which I formerly mentioned to you as in contemplation, is now accomplished, and has occupied full three weeks. The places visited, and where meetings were held, are – Brockville, Toronto, Port Hope, Peterboro, Rice Lake, Cobourg, Kingston, Perth, Bytown, and L'Orignal. I had made my arrangements for these places three weeks before starting, and was happy to meet all my engagements with punctuality, and to find our friends prepared through the previous notices given. The impression made in respect to the state of our Bible cause during this tour is favourable. There is in most places a decided improvement on former operations since my previous visitation, and that is also prospect of further advance. Toronto, or rather the Upper Canada Bible Society, has done great things during the last year. It issues of the Scriptures have been 12,127 copies, thus overstepping the efforts of the year previous by 3,406. The funds are £1448:9:4½, being £530:5:4 over the former year's account. The number of Branches is now 95, and the supplies sent out to them during the year, and the sums received, have each experienced a considerable increase. As a further circumstance of encouragement I may well notice the fact of their having ordered in one lot for spring 13,230 copies of the Scriptures, which you will perceive is a greater number than the whole expended in the previous year. Much of this prosperity in the Upper Canada Bible Society is due to the employment of an agent. You have lent them aid in this, and you will be pleased to see this fruit of your contribution. There is a remittance of £350 for you, only waiting an expected favourable turn in the exchange premium.

I visited the Rice Lake, and we had a good meeting of Bible Society Indians. From another Indian Bible Society, which I could not for want of time include in my visitation I had a letter, namely from Aldersville, of which I gave you an extract. "The Indian community here are still interested in the Bible cause. They paid in to the Society in Toronto Five Pounds, and they have now in the hands of their Treasurer a similar sum. All of them are doing something, even to the smallest child."

With this extract I conclude my account of this Bible tour, and my last Bible Journey in Canada, and British North America. Is there a village of Indians in Canada with a Bible Society formed in it? And do all the adult Indians male and female contribute to its funds? And is there also I mite given to this Bible Society even by the smallest child in this Indian village? Verily this is at once a reproof and a lesson, most of Canada, and to England. O how the Scriptures would speed their way through the wide world, and open their mouth in every tongue, where all our and your villages, towns, and cities to act on the plan of the poor Indians of Aldersville.

Since my last your letters No 18 and 19 have been received. I thank you on the part of the Bible Society of Montreal for your grant of £50 in aid of an agent travelling through this Lower Province to form and strengthen Branch Societies. ―The Blank Leaves I see you cannot give us through the hinderance of your peculiar position.

I perceived the advertising of my little Manual of Prayers[1] at the Bible and Tract Depositaries here was considered by the Committee as out of order. I am sorry therefore that I did it. A thought of this came into my mind at the time, but I considered the difficulty or delicacy was removed because Tracts as well as Bibles were sold there, and I supposed that my tract compromised you know more than the others. Besides nobody here will ever think of an objection on that score, the with you it might be otherwise. If I publish in England I shall keep as wide of you as I possibly can.

I am sorry to observe your lowered issues and your lowered funds for the year closed. I can see circumstances that have acted in both cases pending to produce this change without a reduction in prosperity. Let us hope for greater things this next year, and probably this humbling will lead to exalting.

I have read your Resolution about the Bible Society Reporter. Halifax is the only place where such a monthly paper as you notice could be published in order to give as a notification to all these British American Provinces. It would be more expensive to publish it there than in England, whilst from Halifax it could only serve in this quarter, whereas from your press, it would at once suit us and better and earlier, and would at the same time suit all the British Colonies, and many British Factories say in Foreign countries, and could also of course be sent anywhere home by post. Please therefore to think over this again, for that is much in it as affects your cause in the Colonies. Could you not have it done for you out of doors, so far at least as the forwarding it on post days is concerned? As to the tit bit of news required, you cannot be greatly straitened I suppose. You know of course the Tract Society's "Christian Spectator." That are just nine lines of news in it in the number for April now before me. Be so good as to read over again what I wrote formerly, should you take up the subject anew, which I trust you will.

Through the kindness of my friends[2] here of the Medical College, if not by virtue of my studies, I have obtained my Diploma; and I pray God that this Instrument, and the position it places me in, may be greatly subservient to the cause of God and of man, and helpful to you in my future wanderings and operations.

As I indicated in my last, I am about to move on to New York, and there to await your hand and seal to say, "Go,"―and I go.

Mr Packenham is, I perceive, still in Mexico, as Envoy from the British Government. I am personally acquainted with him, nevertheless, and the more, I think it would be of great service could you procure for me some letter of Introduction, or some sort of recommendation of my objects to him from Lord Aberdeen. Or rather, it would be better to have a note from His Lordship to the several British Legations in and over all these Spanish American countries, including Brazil.

            I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,

                                                                                      James Thomson.

[1] Note (BM) Family and Individual Prayers. Montreal: Campbell and Becket, 1840.

[2] Note (BM) Dr Andrew F Holmes, a key figure in the creation of the College, was a member of the Montreal Bible Society committee and the French Canadian Missionary Society committee. Holmes, who studied medicine in Edinburgh, may also have known Thomson there before Thomson left for Argentina in 1818.