Rev A Brandram
London 22nd November 1845
My Dear Friend,
Agreeable to the wish expressed by the Committee, I proceed to give some account of my mission to Scotland.
The first thing I notice, is the line which I moved, without mentioning every place on my route, nor my comings and goings, and re-visitations of the same places. I went first Edinburgh, then to Dunfermline, Linlithgow, Falkirk, Stirling, Perth, Dunkeld, Blairgowrie, Dundee, Cupar - Fife, St. Andrews, Arbroath, Montrose, Aberdeen, Inverury, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Banff, Elgin, Forres, Nairn, Inverness, Glasgow, Greenock, Paisley, Kilmarnock, Irvine, Ayr, Creetown and Dumfries.
In every place my first business was to call on the Ministers of different denominations, and on other persons also who were known to take an active part in the Religious and Benevolent Objects. In nearly all the places above enumerated, Public Meetings were held and in some of them more than one or two. Meetings of Committees, and private meetings with parties composed of those friendly to us were also held.
At all the Public Meetings, also in visitations and in parties, I spoke more or less according to circumstances on the following topics: – The history of the Bible, in the times and modes in which God gave us the Sacred Writings, and their progressive extension among men: the present general destitution of the Holy Scriptures in the world at large: our high privilege in this country in possessing as we do so richly the Divine Volume: the rise, progress, plan, operations, present and prospective work of the British and Foreign Bible Society: the obligation lying on us in this nation to send the word of God extensively and speedily over the whole earth, for which purpose, it would seem, God had elevated, enlightened and enriched us more than other nations: and finally, the desirableness, if not special duty, of all who interest themselves in the fulfillment of these high obligations lying on us, of joining themselves to, and heartily cooperating with the British and Foreign Bible Society, in as much as it is the only institution in our land at the present time that is getting the Scriptures extensively to a great portion of the world, and possessing, as it does, great facilities and advantages in the shape of versions, agencies, correspondents, and friends, so that a given amount of funds would do more good in the line of this Society than otherwise employed, towards diffusing the word of God among the nations. Some notices of my own little travels were also given as forming part of the Society's operations.
Besides these things here mentioned, and considering the new field over which I was moving, I have to touch upon, and sometimes also to dwell upon matters connected with the now old story of the Apocrypha, and its accidents. I stated in the best way I could how the circumstance arose of your publishing the Apocryphal books, and showed that these ceased to be published 20 years ago, and completely and entirely. The connexion if such it can be called, which our Society has at present with societies on the Continent of Europe which still circulate the Apocrypha, though not as the word of God, I explained, showing that it consists merely of our availing ourselves of them, as of any other convenient medium, for circulating our Bibles without the Apocrypha, and bound up so that this edition could not be at put in, whilst all monies received for these are invariably and by express stipulation, remitted to London, so that no aid however indirect can be afforded them for publishing their own books. This, as you are aware, is the whole of the Apocrypha question. Replies however to other objections I had also to make, but these I will touch upon farther on.
Such as now described were my movements and statements. The next thing is, what reception I met with in the Bible land of Scotland. Our Public Meeting in Edinburgh we endeavoured to conduct in the most peaceful manner in respect to those who differ from us; yet notwithstanding this, there appeared a couple of days after, and advertisement in the newspapers, entitled "Warning to the Public," that is, against our Society persuading the people of Scotland not to join us, and because of certain past and present errors said to be attached to our operations. Both the spirit and the letter of this document appear to me unaccountable, as issuing from men who love the Bible, and love to circulate it, and who know well what the British and Foreign Bible Society has done, and is doing in diffusing the Scriptures over the world, and moreover what wonderful effects God is working through the same. Our Auxiliary in Edinburgh replied to this Warning, and showed the true position in which we stand, and as not justly liable to the accusations brought forward.
In my movements from Edinburgh through the country, I found the Ministers of the different bodies of Dissenters, with but few exceptions, very decidedly in our favour. The same statement I would make, and to the full extent, in regard to the Ministers of the Established Church. In the Free Church we have several Ministers entirely favourable to us, but I am sorry to add, that the majority of otherwise minded. Few of those however who thus keep aloof from us have manifested the spirit of opposition as seen in the aforenamed Edinburgh document. They object to some of our operations, though all are not alike in the particulars to which the object. Very few of these, I believe, would take an active part against us; and when they have had leisure fully to consider the state of matters in the great Bible cause, and the true position of our Society, there is reason to hope that many who now stand off will come near to us, and join us with all their hearts. The Rev. Dr. Wilson, the Free Church Missionary from Bombay, and now in Scotland, is warmly with us and is very desirous that all his Brethren of the Free Church, and all Scotland would join us
I visited the various Auxiliaries in Scotland that have all along continued with us, and found them cordially disposed to forward our objects, though all confessing that they have not done so much as they ought. The hinderances to their operations will be noticed further on. Among the supporters of the Edinburgh Bible Society I found many bearing a very friendly feeling towards our Society, and were sorry to see a separation and an opposition kept up. Others connected with this body had doubts as to some of our proceedings, and join the Edinburgh Bible Society from having more confidence in it, yet rejoiced in the work that God is carrying on through the British and Foreign Bible Society. From all I have seen in this visit to Scotland, I would say that two thirds of the country are in our favour; and the other third, with the exception of a few, cannot, I think, be considered hostile to us. They would like to see some things in our operations altered, but still see that God is with us, and are glad to hear of the good thus done.
Misunderstandings I found very prevalent as to the present operations of our Society. Some thought the Apocrypha was still being circulated, and not merely in the few European languages in which it formerly appeared, but also in English. Others thought that though the Apocrypha was not printed by our Society, yet that we regularly sent out the Bible in sheets to Continental Societies, and that they bound in the Apocrypha. Other mistakes I also found existing on these matters. But when things were explained on these points, I generally found the parties take a very different view of the subject.
Some new societies were formed on this tour, and endeavours were made to strengthen existing ones. Some Presbyteries of the Establishment, and the Relief and United Secession Churches have especially taken into consideration the duty of aiding our Society, and I have no doubt good results will follow from the same in due time, individual congregations, of different bodies, have acted in a similar manner.
You will have observed, that for a long time past, and more particularly in recent years, the contributions from Scotland to our Society has been small. It would not be fair to take this fact as a proof or test of the feelings of Scotland towards the British and Foreign Bible Society. The truth is that the violence and personalities of the Apocrypha controversy induced many lovers of peace and of good will to withdraw altogether for a time from the subject of Bible Societies, and to lie on their oars till the storm should abate, and the waves cease to roll. By the time that this had taken place at least in some degree, the spirit of apathy had begun to act. Many, if not most or all of these who contributed to Bible Societies, because it was popular to do so, but who felt no other interest in the object, withdrew, and were glad to be relieved. The constant friends of our Society could not rally these into action. Other parties were found, who though they had objected to the violence exhibited in the controversy, felt themselves in doubts and difficulties as to the operations of the Society from the statements that had been publicly made, and not having the means of properly informing themselves as to the truth of matters. The friends of the Society moreover felt disinclined to act publicly in reviving our cause in the fear that the painful agitation would be renewed. Under all these influences the apathy increased. These our warm friends do not hesitate to blame you in part for this apathy. They think that if you had uninterruptedly continued to visit Scotland, you would have kept many together who were fully attached to you, and that others also would have gradually join them. Your nearly entire desertion of Scotland for many years they think wrong, and they strongly advise that it should be visited continuously in future, and they seemed assured that this labour would not be in vain.
The Edinburgh Bible Society is labouring with considerable success in keeping up and in extending the circulation of the Scriptures in Scotland. Something also is being done beyond Scotland as far as their means admit. In all these labours of this body, in the grand object of making known to mankind the will of God as contained in the Holy Scriptures, the friends of the British and Foreign Bible Society will undoubtedly rejoice. All that is thus done is truly in furtherance of the grand enterprise of diffusing the word of God over the whole world. There is no room for rivalry and envyings in this work. But it is surely to be regretted that misunderstandings of any kind should at all exist among those who are embarked in the same grand cause. Let us pray, and hope for a termination of these misunderstandings. It is humbly supposed that were the two Societies united, as formerly, more would be done both in Scotland and beyond it through means raised in that Bible country than is the case at present time. It is therefore worthy of attention of both parties to take into consideration in the most friendly manner every circumstance that might conduce towards unity and cordial cooperation. – The Glasgow and Greenock Bible Societies should also be mentioned as contributing to the general distribution of the Scriptures, and as acting very efficiently in favour of emigrants from their ports to America and elsewhere. I have already alluded to two of the objectives entertained by some to the operations of the British and Foreign Bible Society, namely, the direct and indirect circulation of the Apocrypha, and have shown that the Society is free from participating in either. The third objection exists, and bears on some versions used, not made, by the Society, being translations from the Latin Vulgate. These versions properly viewed cannot be considered as unsuitable for circulation, especially among those who will not accept of another version of an improved nature. That this is so is attested by the very persons who have made the objections, inasmuch as they are found promoting, and contributing to the circulation of the very same versions as members of Committee and contributors to the "Edinburgh Continental Association." But the suitableness of these versions is attested in a more satisfactory manner still, and by higher authority. God himself is giving testimony to the word of his grace through these versions, in converting hundreds of persons: whilst on the other hand we are not acquainted with any evil produced by the versions in question.
The fourth objection was made to the headings of some chapters in the Portuguese New Testament. On examination it was found that these accusations were not grounded on facts, as the passages quoted did not exist. One heading however is to be found, though not quoted in the first accusation, which though not involving the errors stated, is it somewhat objectionable; and this passage will, I understand, be amended or omitted in next reprint.
The only other material objection I have had made, and have had to answer, is in regard to the opening of the meetings with prayer. Not only our opponents, but also most of our friends have noticed the subject. I have replied to the objection by stating the peculiar difficulties of the case as respects England, whilst similar obstacles do not occur in Scotland. Our friends in many cases see our predicament aright, but those unfriendly can make no allowances. I have mentioned also how much real and earnest prayer is in effect made by the parties transacting the business of the Society, though not after a formal manner. I think I may say it is the wish and earnest desire of the Committee to be free from their embarrassments in this case, and to be able to use prayer in the fuller sense indicated by the different parties in question. Providence will, I trust, prepare the way for this in due time, and may the measure be hastened for its own sake, and for the satisfaction of the complaining parties.
I have had some friendly communications with the Glasgow Bible Society, a Society sustaining generally the same objections to us as the Edinburgh Bible Society, but as far as I have seen in a very different spirit. I have represented to the Society, that the main objections urged against the British and Foreign Bible Society respect only a few versions in Europe, and constituting a small number of the 160 in use by the Society. I have stated that they might notwithstanding these objections aid the Society in its work with other versions to which the objections do not apply, and which, besides much of Europe, embrace the many millions in Asia, and in other parts of the world. I have hopes that some cooperation of this kind may take place, and which would at once produce a better feeling, and might lead in due time to a full cordiality, and the happy union in the great and blessed work of giving God's word to all mankind. May the God of peace give us this peace, and by his power make us of one heart and soul in doing his will.
In regard to funds, that have been obtained by collections at Sermons and Public Meetings, the sum of £93:14: 8, and in donations £223:13:0, making in all £317:7:8. The Travelling Expenses exclusive of advertising and other printing are £58:19:7. From the Societies formed, and others revived, and from collections and contributions likely soon to be made by various congregations of different denominations it is hoped that an additional sum still larger than that above stated made be yet sent to the Society as the immediate result of this mission.
There is undoubtedly no country in the world that has benefited more by the Bible than Scotland. Scotland therefore ought to be the largest contributor of all countries to the sending forth of the Bible to the many nations of the world. Being myself a Scotchman I have often are urged the consideration of the subject on my countrymen, and endeavoured to create a more powerful feeling in this our duty, with corresponding exertions. Wales as seen by last year's accounts is actually doing not far from twice as much as all Scotland, the Wales has less than 1 million of inhabitants, and Scotland more than 2 millions and a half. The proper annual contribution from Scotland proportionate to the present support given by Wales to the general diffusion of the Scriptures would be upward of Fifteen Thousand Pounds. Besides, the major part of the contributions from Wales go to the circulation of the Scriptures in foreign countries, whilst nearly all that Scotland contributes is expended on itself. I feel very anxious as a Scotchman to see Scotland doing its duty in this great cause, which at present it is not doing, but coming very far short. I feel desirous that all my countrymen should awake to what is right in this matter, and that Scotland should not only redeem its credit, but go nobly before, and in advance of all countries in giving to the world liberally that Book which it has so liberally received. If Scotland would do this its proper work, acting separately from the British and Foreign Bible Society, it would be all well, and it with us ably advance the grand enterprise of that Institution. But this I think is not likely to be the case judging from the results of the last 20 years, and therefore it seems desirable that Scotland should unite itself in its Bible operations with England. Within this union, the funds raised in each end of our island should stand distinct, and so should the exertions of the noble Welsh in this cause be seen apart. The yearly amount of Bible good done to foreign lands should also be seen as distinct from domestic labours. In this way there might be a pleasing and profitable rivalry in this truly great work and duty, that would profit all parties, and hasten the diffusion of the word of God over the earth, and make the joyful sound sooner to be heard, – "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ."
I remain, My Dear Friend,
Yours Very Truly,
James Thomson.