Fredericton, 5th July 1841

Rev A Brandram No 104 105

Fredericton, New Brunswick, 5th July, 1841.

My Dear Friend,

From this city as a marked place in my movements, I send you some little notices of my progress in this province since my arrival in it on 17th of  May.

My first business was to consult with our friends in St. John as to the best plan for me to pursue during the time I could probably allot to the district of the province embraced by the New Brunswick Bible Society, and this I may say takes in five or six counties. Two committee meetings were held for this purpose, the one in general to treat on the subject at large, and the other specific in order to fix on particular places, and to make the proper previous arrangements.

The plan adopted was, that I should first visit Charlotte County lying to the west, and that on my return, there should be a special general meeting held in St. John of the New Brunswick Bible Society. In accordance with this I set out for St. Andrew's on the 24th of May. On the 25th we had a public meeting in that place, which was well attended, not a few of the best and of all ranks being present. Not the least interesting part of the meeting was the presence there of Capt. Owen, of the Royal Navy, and an interest­ing speech from him, in which he mentioned some of his own individual efforts for the distribution of the Scriptures on some of the distant and foreign coasts, which he had visited in his official capacity. He closed with a warm recommendation of the reading of the Bible in the family and otherwise. Captain Owen is brother to the admiral of the same name, and resides on an island connected with this province, called Campo-Bello, and lying close on the American coast of the State of Maine. Of this island he is the sole proprietor. It contains upwards of 700 inhabitants, and he is anxious to have a Bible Society formed among them.

Your last report, and several preceding ones, contained in your list of societies and item of one in St. Andrews, which once existed, that has been dormant for a long time. Please to cancel all the office bearers there mentioned. On the 4th of  November last a new society was formed in St. Andrew's, and as a branch of the New Brunswick Bible Society. The office bearers names you will find in an appended list. This society I think is likely to do well, and I trust it will not die as its predecessor did.

 On the following day, the 26th, we had a public meeting at St. Ste­phen's. Here a Bible Society formerly existed, but it had become extinct. I hope the time will soon come, when it shall be said of all Bible Societies on this side and on that of the world, "And there shall be no more death." A very good will was shown at our meeting in favour of reviving this society; and it was accordingly revived, or more properly re-created. The meeting was opened by prayer, in the Wesleyan chapel, by the Rev. Dr. Thomson, rector of the English church in the parish, and who afterwards, in a short and well-spoken address, ex­pressed his cordiality in the object, and his desire of lending it his aid. There were more satisfactions than one in seeing this gentleman so frank and full in our favour; and to me also of course the very name gave some zest additional.

Next day, the 27th, a meeting was held at a village called Mill Town, in the same parish. It was well attended; several came from a distance, and subscriptions were put down at once to the extent of 59 dollars. This is to be a branch of the St. Stephen's Bible Society. Mr. William Todd, of that place, kindly lodged me, and next day forwarded me in his vehicle to St. David's, a neighbouring parish. Here a meeting was held on the 28th, and another branch was formed of the St. Stephen's Bible Society.

On the 29th I returned to St. Andrew's, through which I had to pass to St. George's, where a meeting was appointed, availing myself of the public every-other-day stage, which was to go that way on Monday, the 31st, our meeting being on the evening of Tuesday.

Previous to my leaving St. Andrew's for St. Stephen's, the Hon. Col. Wyer, the Vice-President of that Society, kindly asked me to come direct to his house on my return, which I accordingly did, and where I received very friendly and marked attentions. There was a desire manifested for a second meeting at St. Andrew's; but there was no blank day till Col. Wyer made one, by offering to forward me to St. George's on Tuesday morning, so as to reach in time for the meeting there.

About the time the new society in St. Andrews was formed, towards the end of last year, the Rev. Mr. McLean of the Scotch Church there got up a society as a branch of the Edinburgh Bible society. There was thus in St. Andrew's something of a Bible division. I have a little above mentioned the friendly cooperation of Dr. Thomson of St. Stephen's. But you know that all the persons of this name in the world in all ages have not been favourable to you as was this gentleman. One of these[1] in days gone by, as you will recollect, tarred you well all over, intending afterwards to add feathers, and something else, in order to make you disappear in a flash, and for ever. This exit was prevented: but nevertheless I find here and there as I move along a good deal of the tar formerly stuck on you still adhering in the sight of many. My business is to rub off this tar, and to make you appear as clean as I can. Now for the application of the figure, though I dare say you see it before I explain. Mr. McLean sees some tar still upon you. In my previous visit I rubbed it from you before his eyes till he had to confess he could no longer see it. But he said he had compromised himself to the Edinburgh Bible Society, and felt therefore under obligation to aid it: and besides this there was the fact of the Scotch psalms being obtainable through the Edinburgh Bible Society, and not through you. I urged him for the sake of the Bible unity, the only visible union, I may say, of the church at present, to coalesce with us. Thus things stood when I went away. But our second meeting at St. Andrew's, we desired for more reasons than one, to have it in the Kirk. We asked Mr. McLean for it, and obtained it. Our meeting was well attended and Mr. McLean himself commenced it with prayer and reading a portion of Scripture. Both at tea with him in his house just before the meeting, and also at the close of it as we sat together in the pulpit, I urged him for the sake of the great Bible cause, to think over the subject and you, and as early as he well could to join us. I have hopes that he will.

Col. Wyer's son drove me to St. George's on Tuesday. In the even­ing we had a fine meeting; many were there from considerable distances. They hung together unbroken till a late hour; a society was formed, about seventy subscribers put down their names, and more than this number of dollars were obtained. This will be an excellent society, I think. The Baptists are the most numerous body in the place, and they are also numerously the friends of the Society. Some days afterwards I received a note from the President of the Society, mentioning another meeting held, and the lively interest manifested in the object, with in­creased subscriptions.

On Friday, the 4th of June, our public meeting was held in St. John. It was a numerous and a delightful meeting. The date was befitting. You will recollect old George III of dear and famous Bible memory, and who no doubt is now in heaven, to which the Bible he loves carried him. I need not further describe this meeting, as a newspaper has been sent you detailing what took place in a fuller manner than is usual. This was my parting interview with my Bible friends in St. John, all of whom are dear to me, and many of them very dear. I bade them adieu, and have now parted from them for ever, so far as the period of the world is concerned. Oh! on that day when the world closes, and eternity begins, that we may all be found true to the Bible, and may obtain those immense and eternal blessings promised us in it through our Lord Jesus Christ!

After this I visited a place called Quaco, lying upwards of 30 miles to the east of St. John, on the Bay of Fundy. Here we had two meet­ings, on the 9th and 10th, and formed a new society, which promises to do very well. It is called the St. Martin's Bible Society, after the name of the parish which it embraces. The Baptists are the chief body here, and most of the rest are Roman Catholics.

On returning from Quaco, I made arrangements for proceeding to Fredericton, not direct, but going from side to side, and visiting a num­ber of places. To facilitate my work in these movements, the Committee of the Society in St. John had selected an individual to go with me who was well acquainted with places and persons in the quarter to be visited. This was the Rev. Mr. Wills, who for several years had travelled in these places to preach to the settlers the Lord Jesus. When he began among them, there was little fear of God in many of those parts; but his labours were wonderfully blessed, and not a few were truly converted unto God, and a general religious influence took the place of the previous careless­ness and wickedness. In  moving along I saw  the good  effects of his labours, and rejoiced with him in the result. The country is now tole­rably cultivated, with fair roads; but when Mr. Wills began, the forest mostly prevailed, and the roads were few and bad. I should mention, too, that in these early times in  the  settlements, Mr. Wills would carry through the woods, on his back, large supplies of Bibles and Testaments for circulation in his course; thus acting the part of a veritable colporteur when  perhaps  but few of these  people were employed in France, the proper country now of the name and of the employment.  Personally, as well as generally, Mr. Wills was of great service to me; and I feel grateful to him for his attentions, and to the Committee in St. John for providing me with such assistance. Eighteen meetings were held, in as many distinct places, in sixteen days, in uninterrupted succession, during this tour.   Several new societies were formed, and some existing ones were revived or restored. Mr. Wills thinks that if he were to visit these parts during the winter season with a large supply of Bibles, he could dispose of a very considerable number.    I intend, therefore, to recommend to our friends in St. John that Mr. Wills should make this round, and I hope his expectations may be fulfilled.

I omit particulars of this journey for the present in order not to tire you; but, nevertheless, one place and circumstance I must mention. Milkish, not many miles from St. John, was the first place we visited. Mr. Wills and I started at seven in the morning for this place, in the steam-boat, up the river. When we got near to Milkish, we found a boat in the middle of the river waiting for us, manned by two men with two oars. In the steamboat hurry in getting into our boat, I did not much notice the boatmen; but when I had sat down, I found, by their indi­vidually and particularly saluting me with cordial welcome, and by Mr. Wills's explanation and introduction, that one of the boatmen was Squire Wightman, the Magistrate of that quarter, and the President of the Bible Society there. The other was Mr. Gifford, the Secretary. We then rowed along, and talked until we came to the Squire's house, where we breakfasted. Early in the afternoon was our Bible meet­ing, which was well attended. Next morning, after an early breakfast, the President and the Secretary again launched their boat, and took to their oars, and rowed us till we got on board the steamboat, to go some miles up the river to meet our appointment for that day. These two gentlemen have read your Reports for years, and had long been looking for this personal visit from you. Their kind expressions of satisfaction with our interview, led me anew to bless the Lord especially for the many favours I have experienced from strangers. By this particular interest in our work, and by their many prayers for us, we may say we hold a continuous fellowship with these two worthy friends.

On the 1st instant I arrived in Fredericton, and within an hour after I reached the city, I waited on the Governor, Sir William Colebrooke Mr. Wills, accompanied by Mr. Taylor, the President of the Society, to beg he would have the goodness to take the chair at our public meeting on the following day. This he readily consented to do. On the 2nd our meeting was held in the Wesleyan chapel, and a full assemblage was present. Sir William well presided, and in a short address expressed his cordiality in our object, and his wish to support our and similar institu­tions. Everybody was pleased with his Excellency's conduct on the occasion; and his thus coming forward we all looked upon as a public good, and the more so as it was a new circumstance in Fredericton.

Today I met the Ladies' Committee. There were 17 present. Of the other nine, six were absent from town, and three ill, so that we might be said to have had the whole. This Society, you will recollect, was formed last year on my visit to this place. It has proved a valuable society. The ladies have collected much, and they are going on with zeal and wisdom. The city is divided into thirteen districts, and every­body is called on without exception.

I now move on northward up the river St. John, but know not yet how far I may proceed, as I will be guided in this by circumstances.

            For the present adieu,

                        James Thomson.

[1] This is a reference to Rev Dr Andrew Thomson of Edinburgh, a fierce critic of the BFBS in the Apocrypha controversy. (BM)

Woodstock, 22nd July 1841

Rev A Brandram - No 106

Woodstock, New Brunswick, 22nd July 1841

My Dear Friend,

I arrived in this place about dusk last night from Madawaska, after being cramped up for two days in a little canoe made of  the bark of the birch tree, having descended about 120 miles down the River St. John. The narrative of my mission to that place shall be immediately prepared, and be in readiness for next packet.

On my arrival I received your letter of the 2nd July at the Post Office here; and as there is a pending subject in it, I hasten to reply.

You say, in reference to my wish to prosecute my medical studies during the ensuing winter at Montreal, "Could not that study be better and more advantageously prosecuted in London, or Scotland?" Knowing the medical circumstances of the three places, and their respective advantages and difficulties to a student such as the one in question, I have no hesitation in deciding in favour of Montreal. There I have hopes of accomplishing the object I have in view, but in the other two I could not I fear hope for the same. I need not enter into the particulars, as they are medical and college points. I therefore decidedly prefer Montreal, and I may say, medically, for personally it would be more gratifying to me to spend the winter in London or Edinburgh.

Your kind and unasked indulgence of continued salary last winter, you know I do not petition for. The past favour was kind and unexpected, but do not embarrass yourself  by any official difficulties on this score. The first £100 medical fee that I receive, shall be yours, in lieu of that kindness. This is a bird in the bush, you will say, and so it is; but you will recollect, I offered you one in hand.

I am glad that you all acquiesce in my view of a mission to Spanish America. I have turned the subject over in my mind much, and gave you the result of my cogitations. The Lord direct in this mission: it may be very important in its results. I do earnestly request of each individual among you who may at times remember me at the throne of grace, to pray specially for me in reference to this mission. Much as I have travelled, and familiar as I am with these countries, yet still I feel it quite an undertaking to start for them, and to traverse them anew. But I murmur not, nor hesitate, and I have nothing to complain of, for when I went first out to those countries, I went out with the purpose of never returning home. I did return, because the way was made obvious to me, and duty required. But if I should now return and die there, all is well. I say these things to induce my dear and kind Bible associates to pray the more for me, for I feel more than ever the need of prayer.

I am happy in learning that you have two excellent offers of service for the West Indies. Whether you send one or two, you must hold them up by prayer, for the climate is trying and critical, and so is the Bible service there. But the field is rich, and well worth being diligently cultivated by you for years to come. It is divested now of its giant difficulties, but still there is much need of great care, friendliness, and delicacy, in steering among the various parties civil and religious in these Islands. I shall always read your Reports of them with interest.

Praying for yourself, and for all our Associates,

            I remain, My Dear Friend and Brother, 

                                    Affectionately Yours,

                                                            James Thomson.

Woodstock, 24th July 1841

Rev A Brandram No 107

Woodstock, New Brunswick, 24th July 1841.

In my letter to you, dated Fredericton, the 5th instant, I mentioned that I was about to go northward, up the  River St. John, but could not say to what extent. My object was twofold: first, to visit Woodstock and other places in that same county; to encourage such societies as I should find formed; and to form new ones, as opportunities offered. My second object was, to visit the French Roman Catholic settlement high up the river, called Madawaska, consisting of a people resembling, in many respects, the French Canadians.

On the day after I wrote you, I started for Woodstock; and there, on the following day, held a public meeting of the Woodstock Bible Society—previous arrangements having been made, and notices given. Our meeting was good; and it was agreed that another public meeting should be held when I returned down the river. The Society existing here was first formed in 1836, and was re-formed in 1839. It has con­tributed a fair sum these last two years, as a branch of the Fredericton Auxiliary. But as Woodstock is the centre or head of a county, and a place of note as to the surrounding country, the subject was considered, whether it would not be better to extend its name and character; that it might take its stand as an Auxiliary, and raise up branches around it, in the various parishes of the county. This was to be more fully con­sidered on my return.

On the 9th, I started for Tobique, and arrived there the following day. Two public meetings were held here; and a new Society was formed. This place is still well immersed in the forest, and not much, perhaps, may be expected from this new accession to our numbers. But something, and not little, I think, is always gained by the formation of a Bible Society in any place. Many are the blessings flowing from Bible Institutions, both direct and indirect; and some of these are always enjoyed, where anything at all is done. We are therefore never to be discouraged with smallness in results; for that is better than what is smaller still; and much better than nothing, which latter would be the state of things where no effort is made.

After leaving Tobique, I came to the Grand Falls, a noted waterfall in the River St. John, and coming nearer perhaps to the splendid Niagara Falls than anything I have seen. This fall is the only interruption to the navigation of the river to its mouth, a distance of more than 200 miles. The mouth of the St. John is singular. There is a fall at its mouth of full twenty-four feet; and yet large vessels pass up and down through this fall in full sail. I explain, and further illustrate this beau­tiful circumstance, in the following words from Dr. Gesner, the offi­cial geologist of the province:—"The accumulated waters," he says, "of this extensive and deep river, with all its lakes and tributary branches, are here dashed through a narrow gorge, and over a rapidly-inclined plane, into the sea. Interrupted by small islands above, and compelled to pass over huge masses of rocks obstructing the narrow passage, the river, foaming and spouting with tremendous fury, assumes, at making its exit, a most tragical character, threatening with instant death any who may venture upon its troubled bosom. But on the flood-tide the scene is changed; the ocean spreads its mantle over the thun­dering cataract, and, flowing inwards through the narrow chasm, stills the noisy rapid;—the tide-lock of the falls is shut, and, apparently to oblige the inhabitants, allows them to pass in safety, even with large vessels."

There is in all this a fine exhibition and combination of the majestic and benevolent character of the great Creator and arranger of this world. Surely the earth showeth forth His handy-work, while the hea­vens declare His glory!—You will please excuse my touching upon this subject, for though it appears extraneous to my objects, yet it is not so altogether; for the Bible frequently draws our attention to these matters, whilst most men, and most Christians, too, sadly overlook them. In my humble estimation, God is about to be more worshipped in His works, in the midst of which we are, than He has been. I do not allude to the Naturalist's worship, but to the Christian's. We dwell in His temple; and scarcely any one says, "See what manner of stones and building are here!" But, as the Bible spreads and is read, our attention will be drawn to these things as they should be; and then shall men be said, with more propriety than now, "to worship Him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Living in the midst of these fountains of waters, I think it a duty at times, in connexion with the Gospel, to draw the attention of an audience to such matters, when I occasionally and unofficially expound—what I always officially give—­the word of God. In this province of New Brunswick is very remarkable in this point of view, as the navigation of its various rivers in various directions nearly reach each another. And so it may be said of a great part of this continent. God's benevolence therefore in making these noble highways, this lengthened means of conveyance, calls us here more especially to praise and glorify his name in them.

After this digression, I return to the Grand Falls.—Above these falls the river is navigable, as far perhaps as below them. Below them there are roads on the banks for carriages to go;  but above them there are none, and with difficulty a horse can  get along. The usual mode of travelling, therefore, is by water, in small canoes, either hollowed out of a tree, or made of the bark of the birch.  In going up the river, these canoes are  pushed along by a ten-feet pole, in the shallow water close by the river-side; whilst in coming down they take the middle of the river, availing themselves of the stream, and helping it by the paddle. In poling up the margin of the St. John in this way for 38 miles, I had a fine opportunity—and much  better than  the Welshman had in going along the road—of seeing every larger and smaller stream, and every little brook and rill, pour in their contributions to the great stream. In seeing   these, and in marking  every one of them as we moved slowly onward, I thought, and  often  thought, of your  great stream, and the Welshman's beautiful figure, and of all your auxiliaries and contributaries. May God give a plentiful rain from heaven, to increase the rills, and the brooks, and the rivers, that flow into your main stream; and also to increase these contributaries in number as well as in magnitude, in order to augment—and greatly and rapidly to aug­ment—your glorious stream; which, though glorious, is still small, yea very small, so that one can wade it easily, with the waters not above the ankles! But such a stream, though it well fertilizes where it goes, only ran benefit, here and there, spots of the large Field—the world—which God intends it to water. Soon may your river reach the loins! soon may it be impassable for man or horse; and become like the great La Plata and Amazon, with their grand outflowing streams of 150 miles wide! Through the latter I have waded, where it did not pass the ankles, on its descent from Chimborazo; and into the grand mouth of the other and out of it once and again I have sailed, where from its centre, for more than 100 miles, neither of its banks could be perceived from its great width. Even at Buenos Ayres, which is 200 miles from the sea, the river is 30 miles in breadth. Shall I live to see your stream 30 miles broad, and grow as familiar with it as I am with the La Plata at Buenos Ayres? At present, though you roll along deep and majestic, yet still one could shoot an arrow across you. We have seen great things in the Bible cause, from year one of your Bible Society age, to year 37. And we have reason, I think, to hope that things will yet take place—and soon—which, from their magnitude in extent and effects, will greatly surprise and delight us all. The Bible Society is still but poorly supported. The great body of Christians are yet in the dark as to its claims.  When the mists that envelope them on the subject are dispelled, we shall see a noble company burst forth in the Christian body, to send abroad, among the Heathen, in all their millions and many tongues, the word of light, life, and salvation. Then will your funds rise rapidly, and your issues multiply greatly. At present, you have not, even up to this day, sent forth so much as one entire million to all the Heathen nations together, in all their 600 millions and upwards. You should send to the Heathen yearly one million—two, three, and more. But your funds do not allow it;—and that is the only hindrance, for the Heathen are ready to receive the word of God on almost every hand; and more ready--to our shame!--are they to receive, than we to give. You did well at your last Anniversary the other month to draw attention of the public to the want of attention to the Bible cause.

Your bringing forward the missionary efforts in juxtaposition with Bible efforts was instructive, and I hope it will be impressive upon many. £400,000 for the missionary cause, raised in Britain in one year is glorious, and to God be the glory; but that there should have been in the same time only £50,000 for the Bible cause is inglorious, and to us all be the shame. The truth is, we have all been, as already said, much in the dark on the subject, and not aware of what we should do, or what we actually were doing in these matters. I have often are urged in my little addresses the duty of sending the Bible onwards in company at least with the missionary, and that it ought never to lag behind him, but rather if there is any difference made, that it should be in advance of him, as the Bible can penetrate where the missionary either cannot or dare not, and of this your Extracts for June, just come to hand, afford one of several good illustrations. But through your visible tangible mode of setting the subject forth by figures and sums, you have led me to make calculations by which I see that I am myself, in my little contribution, exactly in the error you describe, and in which there also is the general Christian body. But how shall it be corrected? Shall I withdraw from the missionary societies the annual mites that stand at my name? God forbid that I should! I must then add to you in order to bring things into sorts and due proportions. Please then to desire Mr. Hitchin to change my annual Bible Society subscription to two guineas into five. When I can make the five ten I shall even things better: but in the meantime please receive the error tribute now mentioned.

That is another digression and along one: forgive me; but you see it has cost me something as well as you. I now return into my canoe in the St. John, poling and poling slowly up its pleasant banks. Soon after leaving the Grand Falls we got into the French settlement, and also into the famous disputed territory. But that is no disputed territory for the Bible Society, for all the world is ours, or will soon become so. About 15 miles up we came to the first French chapel, beside which a priest lives. Here then commenced my operations. I had brought from Fredericton 50 French Testaments; and these I had in the canoe with me. I landed, and after some conversation with the priest had my little case of Testaments brought from the canoe to his house. When it was opened and a Testament taken out, I found for I had not seen them before, that the edition was printed for the French and Foreign Bible Society, and that there was no mention of its being printed from a certain authorized addition. The lack of this statement was a good deal objected to by the priest, for he had broken-up one of your publishing in which it is mentioned. However he bought one and paid me for it the price I asked which was a quarter dollar, and this he considered very reasonable or low. I then made him a present of one for the schoolmaster, for there is only one French school in his parish, but it has been so recently established, he said, that none of the children were yet able to use the Testament. This was his excuse for not taking more copies for the school, but I plainly saw he did not like the edition. I think it would be well for you to hit to your friends of the F. & F.B.S. that it would be useful to put in the statement in question, and also to drop the notification should that the book is printed for them, which I should think could be no recommendation of it to the Catholics, for whom of course chiefly it is being De Sacy's version. The priest gave me some tea, which was very acceptable, as it was cold on the River with a strong breeze ahead. Before I parted from the priest I got a useful lesson from him. I happened to mention that it had been in several Catholic countries, and named some of my movements. "Oh!" he said with evident interest, "could I travel about as you do, I should be a happy man." This little envy, so to speak, of my moving life was calculated in a certain way to encourage me in it, or at least to keep me from discouragement in my never ending move; but nevertheless there is a wide difference between never traveling at all, and never resting at all, some happy medium that for the present belongs not to me. But there is rest for the people of God, and if I do not long for it, I look for it, and hope for it.

We now returned to the river, and took our case with us; though, as you have seen, but very little emptied or lightened. However, I was pleased with my interview with the priest; and to have one or two copies well received, was a mighty difference from a stern rejection of the word of God altogether; as is the case, you know, in many places, on the part of the Roman Catholic priests.

We poled till the afternoon, and coming to the house of a Captain Thibideau, whom I traveled with in the stage a short distance some days before, I landed, and went up to his house. After some conversation the Testaments were produced. His wife was much pleased with the Book, and bought one. We again embarked, and I landed next at what is called the  Upper Chapel, where I found the priest reading his Breviary under the shade of a tree, for the day had grown hot. This was my main place of hope and of fear. On my mentioning my New Testaments, at first the priest did not seem to feel much interest in regard to them. I told him of the order Father Sigogne gave me last year; and told him of some priests in Canada, personally known to him, whom I had visited, and found very friendly to the use of the Testament among their people and in the schools. He now expressed a wish to see the books. I sent for them : they came, and I gave him one. He was much pleased with it, and the price seemed to him more than reasonable. "I'll take a couple of dozen," he said. I began count­ing them, whilst he was reading in the one I first gave him. Before I had done, "I'll take another dozen," he said. When the three dozen were all out, I said, "There's only one dozen left; you had better take that too, case and all." He did so: and thus terminated my sales, and my further journeying in that direction. He paid me a quarter-dollar for each copy. Fifty copies were thus sold, besides the one given away; for it seems they had put up for me fifty-one, instead of the fifty, which was a favourable mistake. After some general conversation with the priest, I parted from him, rejoicing and praising God for the success of this little mission. It seemed to as if I had hand about the precise number disposable, for I could not well have disposed of more. I trust this handful of seed will spring up in due time, and be crowned with a yellow waving harvest, to the glory of God, and to the salvation of souls in that place. I may state to you, that in another view, though certainly a secondary one, I was glad of the result of this little enterprise. Some of our good Bible friends below thought I had rather undertaken a wild goose chase on this occasion. However as I thus caught the geese, the account is settled in my favour, and I determine justified.

I ascended to St. John after this a few miles as far as the River Madawaska. On Sunday the 18th I held the service with the British soldiers stationed at the mouth of the river, and particularly recommended to them the duty of taking a share in the great work of distributing God's word over the world.

Having now finished my business in this quarter, I made arrangements for returning. As far down as the Grand Falls, I must of necessity go by water, but on the whole I thought it would be better to go down by water all the way to Woodstock. Accordingly I agreed for a canoe to take me down to that place, a distance of about 120 miles. Early in the morning of the 20th I embarked in my canoe. It was of the kind made of the birch bark, and so small and light as to be easily carried by one man for a considerable distance; and this lightness is one of the advantages of these bark canoes, which facilitates their removal from one navigable stream to another. This smallness however and lightness are as you may suppose, disadvantageous in regard to safety and comfort in sailing in them. The centre of gravity is here a very practical subject, and the having it a little higher than it ought to be would overturn the canoe. Accordingly the passenger has to sit down low in the bottom of the canoe, and then to keep himself prim without much movement to this side or that, and thus and so to sit till the voyage is ended, with the upper half of the body vertical, and the lower half horizontal. There is more penance than pleasure in this posture for 10 or 12 hours, as may be easily understood. To this discomfort must be added the dangers of this little bark in the midst of the stream of a great river, and more particularly in passing through the rapids, several of which are to be encountered. Once and again I had to be admonished, by an exclamation from my boatman, "Take care! You will upset the canoe." Thus prim and then bandaged set out your poor pilgrim, consoling himself with the hope that he had not come to this place in vain. The first part of the voyage was cheered also by reading the abstract of your Report for this year, which came into my hands the evening before at the Madawaska post office. How extensive, and glorious is this work! I could not but say, again and again, as I read and read this your 37th voyage round the world.

In my descent I called on the priest at the Lower Chapel to whom I had sold one Testament, and given another. My object was, to give him a little indirect reproof, which might perhaps be useful to him, and serviceable to our cause, on a future occasion. I wished to tell him how much and how well the other priest, greatly his senior, had done, and thereby to lead him at some other time to do better, by giving the word of God I readier reception and circulation. I accordingly did as I intended, and have good hopes, from what I have perceived, that my purpose would be in some degree accomplished. On parting the priest gave me a bottle of milk, to use with our dry dinner on board. This was very acceptable; and if you will consider the tea I got before, and a bottle of milk now, you will find that we were not badly paid for the gratis Testament bestowed when ascending the River.

Our next place of landing, and from necessity, was at the Grand Falls 38 miles below the Madawaska River. Here our boatman mounted his canoe on his head and shoulders, and so walked with it for a quarter of a mile until we came again to the navigable waters of the River below the falls. Near to this we had several rapids to pass, which was not very pleasant in our nutshell bark. But my canoe-man was well acquainted with them all, and the best way to take them: and through his guidance, and the ever-guidance of God, we got safely through them all.

At the close of the first night we came to the mouth of the Aroostook River, and I felt tired enough with the long painful position in the canoe, and the heat of the weather. Early next morning we started again, having first received the kindness from Mr. Hopkins, the Keeper of the Inn, of no charge either for myself or the canoe-man. This act lightened, I may say, our morning voyage. When the day got up it grew hot, but we glided along in hopes of terminating our voyage in the evening. I called at two places on the way, to speak with individuals interested in our Bible cause, and which I hope will be afterwards useful. About dusk I reached Woodstock, glad and thankful that my voyage of 120 miles in this bark bark had thus closed in safety.

My canoe-man on this occasion, as well as when I ascended from the Grand Falls to the Madawaska River, were both Frenchmen of the Madawaska settlement, and of course Roman Catholics. I preached to them the Bible, as we sailed along, and its grand substance the Lord Jesus Christ. From the manner in which they received what was said, and from their freedom of speaking of, and questioning both the conduct of the priests and their doctrines at several points, it is plain that there is an openness a working on their minds in these matters that indicates a preparedness for a better state of things when those who should shall use better means for the same. In the meantime we prepare the way by circulating among them the word of God. This settlement contains nearly 4000 people. It is divided into three French parishes, with as many chapels and priests: one of the chapels is at present vacant. The French language prevails, but many can speak some English. May God give his blessing with the Holy Scriptures now brought among them, and early, may there be a great awakening here to the Gospel of Christ, for to bring men to the Gospel is the grand end and object of all our Bible circulation.

I now relieve you, and myself, of the toil of this journey, and narrative, and the miscellanea intermixed.

                        James Thomson.

P.S. and N.B. -- The overlength of this letter is to be compensated for by the shortness of the next. -- Also please to bracket of all extraneous matter.

Fredericton, 2nd August 1841

Rev A Brandram - No 108

Fredericton, New Brunswick, 2nd August 1841

Halifax, 2nd September 1841

Rev A Brandram - No 109

Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 2, 1841.

My dear Friend,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

            I remain, My dear Friend,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Pictou, 1st October 1841 - 1

Rev A Brandram - No 110

Pictou,  October 1, 1841.

My dear Friend,

In my last, I intimated to you my intention of making an additional tour in this Province. In the good providence of God, I have now per­formed this tour; and now briefly report concerning the same. I am happy to say, that all along on my way I met with the same good feeling in favour of our object, as I have noticed in former communica­tions. Some existing societies have been visited, and about a dozen new ones formed on the present occasion. A list of the latter will be forwarded to you by a future post.

I have a meeting to attend in this place tomorrow, and one in West River the day following, and on the day following I set out for Cape Breton by way of Antigonish. I am now anxious to get my visitation to that Island completed as early as possible for the season is far advanced. If I have any time remaining on my return I shall visit some places in this quarter, but I think little time will remain on hand.

Your last Report has come to hand, and I have read it over. It is very interesting, the most so I think of all your Reports. There is more fruit reported in it, as it appears to me, than is noticed on any former occasion. This is a great subject for thanksgiving, and it is very encouraging to all whose eyes are on the circulation of the Bible, and the progress of the Kingdom of God. Let us go on sowing and praying, and hoping, and unquestionably our hopes will not be disappointed, although patience may be required. When the seed is largely put in we shall have ample rains, and in due time an abundant harvest.

                        I am, My dear Friend,

                                    Yours Truly,

                                                James Thomson.

Pictou, 1st October 1841 - 2

Pictou, 1 October 1841

My dear Sir,

Your letter of the 3rd ultimo came into my hands on the 24th and I thank you for all your attention to my little commission. You have judged rightly, and have done well, in sending the books to Montreal, where I shall hope to receive them in good condition on my reaching that place, as I hope, in November. I observe your M.D. quiz, and should be glad could I some day quiz you on the same in return.

I am glad to hear of the kind friends you mention as having called on you, Mr. McMurray, Mr. Tinson, and Mr. Robinson, whose friendship and favours I enjoyed in distant quarters in former years. Should they again call on you, thank them from me for their kind remembrances and assure them of my grateful remembrance of them in return.

The redoubtable Mr. Osgood Do-good of whom you speak I have not yet seen since I have been in these Provinces, but probably may see him on my return to Montreal.

I suppose it is taken for granted in Earl Street that I am to be in Montreal during the winter, and I therefore act upon this understanding in want of better information. With kind regards to all in your great house, I remain, Very Truly Yours,

                                                            James Thomson.

Halifax, 1st November 1841

Rev A Brandram No 111

Halifax, November 1,1841.

My dear Friend,

In my last letter I gave you an account of my movements as far as Pictou. On leaving that place, I hastened on to Cape Breton, making some calls on the way, and holding conversation rather than public meetings. In due time, I reached Cape Breton, and visited several places in it, though not so many as I could have wished, being restrained by the lateness of the season, and by the bad weather we had during October; and to which also I may add, the bad roads in that Island. Some new Societies, however, have been formed there, through this visit; and the work of general Bible circulation has, I trust, been somewhat advanced. Our movements and labours, blessed be God, are always promotive of good, and do with certainty always advance the kingdom of Christ: they never retard it, and are never hurtful. The state of things in Cape Breton is much improved within these few years past, both as to religion and general morals. The ministers of the Scottish Church lately settled there have done much good, by faithfully preaching the Gospel, and by circulating the Holy Scriptures; in which latter work they have been efficiently aided by the Edinburgh Bible Society.

The Roman Catholic Bishop has also had his share in the improvements that have taken place, for he has exerted himself considerably in the cause of Temperance; and much need there was for his labours in this way. Among his people, too, we have had some Bible success. At Port Hood we had some of them at our meeting, who subscribed, and intend to purchase Bibles when the supply reaches that place for general sale; and some of them are put down as members of the Committee of the Bible Society formed there. At Arichat, in another portion of the island, we had a large Bible Meet­ing, and full one-half of the assembly were of the same people. They all seemed pleased with the Bible objects brought before them; several became subscribers, and three persons of note among them cheerfully gave their names to act in the Committee. This is encouraging.

Let us push on with our Bible work, and we shall see that no nation, nor class of people, will prove impervious to the reception of the word of God. Oppositions, and hindrances, and retardations, we shall meet with from time to time, and from place to place; but our success is certain, and I hope not so late as we fear. Just before entering Cape Breton, I visited a Roman Catholic priest in a place called Tracadie. I had 13 French New Testaments with me; for the people there are French. These I offered to the priest for sale, at a quarter-dollar each; and he immediately bought them, and paid me. In Antigonish, as I went through, I called on the Bishop, and had a good deal of conversation with him. He distinctly said to me, that he gave his people full liberty to act as they pleased in procuring and reading the Scriptures.

On returning from Cape Breton we had public meetings at Anti­gonish and New Glasgow; after which I went to Pictou, and then came on to this city, where I arrived the day before yesterday. This closes the season. I bless God for His great goodness to me in all my move­ments during this period, in my preservations and health, and in the success He has been pleased to grant me in His own holy work.

You will find below a list of new Societies, amounting to 17 in number, which, with the 24 given before, make 41 in all formed this season.

Your letter of the 17th September reached me on the 22nd ultimo. I thank you for all its interesting and kind contents, and shall probably refer to some of them in my next.

            I remain, Very Truly Yours,

                        James Thomson.

Montreal, 16th November 1841

Mr William Hitchin

Montreal, 16th November 1841

My Dear Sir,

I arrived safely in this city two days ago, and now advise a Bill drawn this day on my Private Account, for Fifty Pounds, at 30 days, in favour of Mr John Dougall.

I shall probably write to Mr Brandram by the first December packet.

            Believe me, Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Montreal, 20th November 1841

Rev A Brandram No.112

Montreal, 20th  November  1841.

My dear Friend,

My last letter to you, dated in Halifax on the 1st instant, would inform you of the close of my summer tours, and this will apprise you of my being in this place, which I reached this day week.

On reviewing our Bible operations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, during the season now closed, we have great reason to give thanks to God for all the Bible interest that has been manifested, and the Bible circulation that has been effected. My movements through all the season have been hurried, and considerably more so than was profitable to our cause, or comfortable to the traveller; but it was necessary to get over the ground, and complete, as it were, my visitation of the two provinces. I have now gone over these two places pretty generally, and have left but few parts of note unvisited. Nevertheless, my visitation has been imperfect; and to have done justice to these Provinces would have required more than double the time I have had. It will be worth your while to consider, at some future time, what further measures you should adopt in favour of your cause in these quarters, and probably I may give some hints regarding this before I finally leave this northern portion of this northern continent. I would now say, and in full conformity with what I have said more than once before, that your great Bible cause has taken firm root in British North America. It will, however, still require the husbandman's care,—that is, yours,—to make the tree to grow and flourish proportionably to the noble seed put in, which may God make to grow exceedingly!

Forty-one new Bible Societies, you will see, have been formed during the present season; it would be easy to double, and double over again, this number, and, indeed, to cover all these provinces with Bible institutions; for I have found a great readiness prevailing in favour of the Bible cause. And may I hope that it will be so covered in due time? You can best answer this, and can perhaps accomplish it.

The circulation of the Scriptures has greatly increased in these two Provinces. I have not before me the proper documents respecting New Brunswick to be able to state what the increase is, but of Nova Scotia I have, and I find that it is more than fivefold. When I was first in Halifax, and with the Committee, I urged them to write for large supplies, foolishly large as some thought; they wrote accordingly, but this large stock was soon exhausted, and there has been on different occasions since a great lack of Books, and so great as to considerably to injure the general circulation, which but for this scarcity would have been much greater than I have stated it. Orders from Branch Societies have been fulfilled only to the extent of one quarter the number requested, and some orders could not be attended to at all. Your red ink note about prompt payment about prompt payment accompanying one or more of their invoices frightened them and hindered their orderings so freely as they wished. Perhaps you will give them next time a note in some other colour to encourage them to ask frankly.

From the increased number of Branch Societies added to your Auxiliaries in Halifax and Pictou, it will be desirable in future to furnish them with a greater number of copies of your Annual Reports. They have mentioned this to me, and desired me to solicit an increased donation from you in this way. The Rev. Mr. Smith, President of the Branch Society at Upper Stewiake thus writes upon the subject to the Secretary in Halifax: "I am sorry to observe that the Annual Reports of the B and F Bible Society are now afforded us very sparingly. Last year I had to beg a copy from Mr. Black, and got the one allotted to himself. Now, my dear Sir, if you can do anything for us, be sure let us have at least one every year, or two, and so many can be spared. You know it requires an effort to keep the interest of even so good cause as a Bible Society sufficiently alive in the public mind. This labour devolves upon a minister; and you know we can neither persuade nor instruct others unless our own minds are first replenished with knowledge."

For the same reasons you will please increase the number of Reports to St. John: and be so good also as remember Woodstock, which is a new Auxiliary. Parcels and packages for Woodstock should be sent to Mr. L H Deveber, St. John, should they not otherwise have advised.

I enclose you a portion of the last Nova Scotia Bible Society Report, as much of it as I can  to keep from exceeding the post office half ounce. Should you previously have got this report from Halifax, please hand the enclosed leaves to Mr. Roberts of Camberwell.

By the next packet I shall notice some alterations in the list of societies as found in your 37th Report. I shall then also send you a further observation or two bearing upon the Bible and the Missionary Cause and Funds, as I see you have printed my letter of 24th July upon this point. It is a great point, and it is desirable to make pointed reference to it in these our times. You began the subject, and I am only following it up: but I should like to follow it up, till your funds get up to where they should be, or near it. May you live long, with all your coadjutors, to witness the Bible Society in its place: or rather, if you will, may you see it though you should live short. But whether you live short or long, may you all live to and with the Lord.

            I remain, truly yours,

                        James Thomson.

P.S. Please address me in Montreal.

Montreal, 24th December 1841 - 2

Rev A Brandram - No 113

Montreal, 24 December 1841

My Dear Friend,

In my last letter I noticed I would in this return to the subject contained in my letter from Woodstock of 24 July last. That subject is the too low estimate in which the Christian and missionary public hold the Bible Society cause, and the consequent low support they give to it. This I proved by reference to the fact that during the last year £400,000 were raised among you for missionary purposes, whilst only £50,000, or one eighth, was raised for the general circulation of the Holy Scriptures. I argued that we were all wrong in this, and hence that we should repent in the case, and do works meet for repentance; and to prove my sincerity I laid down at your feet my own repentance tribute.  I would, of course, have all others do the same, and not because I have done it, but because it should be done, and on the principles of sound judgment and sound policy.

As the servants of Christ we are bound to glorify God with our minds as well as with our body and means, and hence we are to labour to have and exercise a sound judgment in all our duties and services. Now we Christians believe that the Bible is able to make men wise unto salvation: that is, we believe the Bible itself, so far as visible means are concerned, is able to bring men from darkness to light. We ought therefore unhesitatingly, and boldly, and liberally to send forth this Book among the Heathen, and among all who are living in ignorance of Christ, in the sure and certain hope that God by his Spirit will work through his word to the salvation of souls, and to the advancement of his kingdom. There are we know some, I fear many, would doubt this position, and question the propriety of sending forth the word of God alone, believing that it will thus sent do no good but rather hurt. But all those who take a due and lively interest in the Bible and Missionary Cause have discarded this opinion and view of the subject. Now it is to these I would address myself, and I would say to them, Take care that there is not lurking in you something akin to this error, and which perhaps operates considerably to the comparative neglect of the Bible cause. Yes, let the Bible be sent forth, and God unquestionably will speak for himself.

Oh then let us send forth the Bible to the Heathen numerously and unstintingly.  Look at their numbers. They pass before us, not in thousands, nor tens of thousands, but we count them by millions. And what has been done for them? To what extent have the Holy Scriptures been sent among them, and in these Bible Society days? Why not one million of copies have they yet received from us. And why is it so? Is it because they will not accept of them from our hands when tendered? No, for they are in truth more ready and willing to receive the Scriptures than we are to give them. Is it then because your Great Bible Society is unwilling to send them the word of God? No. Or is it that God has not provided you with translations of his word for the Heathen nations? No, not that either. What then is the cause and hindrance? Why solely this, that you have not means wherewith to send the Scriptures to the Heathen as extensively should be done, and as they will receive them. And your lack of means is owing to the misjudgment of the Christian public in this case, and to the feeble support which the Bible Society receives. Let then the eighth proportion be changed and speedily into a fourth, and then into the half, and followed afterwards, if need so require, by equality.

Thus far I have spoken of the Heathen only. But Christendom also, in nearly all its extent, is sadly in want of the Holy Scriptures. The oases are few, the desert is extensive and parched. Now I am fully persuaded that far more many done than has been done for these barrens, and that if the Bible Society had adequate means it could, even in the midst of all the present difficulties, effect a circulation of the Scriptures in these parts vastly more extensive than it has done: and there is no doubt also but that doors would open, and facilities increase from year to year. The great Iron Gates too would open of their own accord as we came up to them. The Bible cause therefore demands a great increase of its funds to enable it to plant and to sow the large and barren fields of Christendom.

But though they are few, there are some oases in Christendom, some parts in which the word of God has had tolerably free course, and is proportionably glorified. These taken together I would style for distinctions seek Bibledom. Greatly have these countries benefited by this mercy of God to them. But we cannot help seeing how much the Scriptures are still wanted in these highly favoured spots: nor does it require much discernment to perceive how greatly the Scriptures might be multiplied in their numbers in these places. Witness what took place among yourselves recently. You lowered the price of the Scriptures about two years ago, and immediately there followed a vast increase in your issues, until in alarm, through a loss on each copy, you were obliged to stop. You have again returned to the low price, but I allude to the circumstance here merely to show the wonderful readiness in the public and with the poor to obtain the Scriptures upon new facility is being offered. With this example then for encouragement, let us see what we can do towards rapidly increasing the number of copies of the Scriptures in our own favoured country, and in the other parts of Bibledom. To meet this object alone in a proper and fully practicable manner would require the income of the Bible Society to be doubled. The Royal Road, I am persuaded, to a high state of Christianity among us, is the general possession of the Holy Scriptures, and a more general attention to them with us all; and this attention will follow their distribution. The Church all over is in a low state, and chiefly because the Scriptures are not honoured by us as they ought to be.

To sum up here the demands and claims of the Bible Society I would say, that – The Heathen world loudly cries to us, "Double the income of the Bible Society." Christendom equally raises its voice, and says, "Double the income of the Bible Society". Bibledom not less but perhaps more, because of what it has tasted, cries aloud "Double the funds of the Bible Society". This would bring us say to £150,000, and when there we would not be even halfway to the Missionary mark. But when we make this attainment God will further show us what we ought to do.

But do you, or do any inquire what use could be made by the Bible Society of all this money flowing in to you yearly? The answer to this is, I may say, already given. Heathendom, Christendom, and Bibledom would well employ and take up all this supply. Are you not continually hampered in all these directions, and solely through want of means? Give you scope to go on in the circulation of the Scriptures everywhere as fast as you can, and you will see how the work will expand, and what ample sums you will require. And my argument is, that the Christian missionary public ought to bid you to go on so, offering you a carte blanche for the same, and pledging their Christianity to meet all your demands.

Had you this offer, and may God soon grant it to you, you would without delay establish more agencies general and local. Your general agencies abroad are few, and far under what they should be, and no doubt would be had you more means. See what has been done by your agent in France. See again what has been done by your recently appointed agent in British India. Has not the circulation of the Scriptures increased through his means more than seven-fold in the first year? Other agencies also might be referred to in illustration of the good that might be expected by more appointments of this kind. Two more agencies or three you greatly need in India. In these British American Provinces here you would require four agents general or local. And these would find ample employment in travelling alone for the purpose of establishing and encouraging Bible Societies all over these places. In Nova Scotia, as mentioned to you in my last letter, the circulation of the Scriptures increased five-fold during last year, and it would be easy to enlarge this to a very considerable extent. – The West Indies require two agents at least, and there is plenty of profitable work for three. Other parts also in the British and in the Foreign world might be mentioned as proper stations for agents.

You have established the sale of the Scriptures now at a very low price, and great good will follow. You sell Bibles of three distinct kinds and one shilling and sixpence each. But what would you think of reducing them to one shilling for the poor and what would follow if you did? Would not the poor among you be much earlier supplied, and would not general saturation of your Isles and of all the Empire with the Bible sooner take place? I think this would be the case; and then from all possessing the Bible you might expect, and would probably not be disappointed, a contribution more or less for the Foreign portion of your work, and even but a small yearly some from some millions of contributors would swell your funds, and enable you to advance rapidly in your grand object of supplying the whole world with the word of God.

Is allow me now a few words as to the policy, or rather want of it, in our present plans of so scantily affording the Scriptures in our missionary work. Can a missionary, or all the missionaries together convert a man, and bring him out of the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God? No: only God can do this. Now my humble opinion is, that were we to honour God more in his word in all our missionary enterprises at home and abroad, God would make more converts through our instrumentality. Let all missionary societies therefore, whilst they zealously and laudably urge upon their supporters the duty of missionary contributions and exertions, let them, at the same time, distinctly bring before them, and urge upon them, the claims of the Bible Society. And let the same also be done by private collectors in all their rounds. Now I fear that this is not done, both as to public meetings, and as to individuals who collect. Again should not all ministers who favour your cause, (alas that there should be any who do not,) should they not bring this subject of the general distribution of the Scriptures and more frequently before their congregations, and one and all of them make collections at the very least once every year for this cause?

I say again, for so things speak in my humble way of thinking, that our policy in these matters is not good. Wisdom, says our Lord, is justified of all her children, and he tells us moreover, that the men of this world are wiser than we. Now the policy which is of the truth and of faith would lead us, as I conceive, to place more confidence in the word of God, for the conversion of sinners on the one hand, and for building up the saints on the other. I do not mean of course that missionaries should not go forth, nor that ministers should not preach within the church. Far from it. But I mean to say, that there is existing, in all probability, a defect both in missionary societies and their agents, and in ministers and their flocks, as to the duty of circulating, and the advantages of studying, the holy word of God, which is able to make sinners wise unto salvation, and to build up the saints in their most holy faith. Our policy then ought to be grounded on strong faith in the powers of the word of God. The Moravians, we all know, laboured long in Greenland, and without any success, because their policy was wrong. When they were cured of this error, the Lord wrought wonderfully by them. Now something of the same erroneous policy is I fear in us all about the Bible, both as to the places abroad and at home. Let us change our policy, and we shall see how God will work with us. Our missionary success hitherto has been small. Let us trust to, and try more the power of the word of God. Many call this foolishness, and not a few who would not say so, act as if they thought so likewise. But unquestionably "the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." Therefore, "let no flesh glory in his presence."

Finally that, let me say to you Mariners in Earl Street, Be not afraid of the rude and boisterous sea in which you sail, nor of the currents that unexpectedly carry you out of your reckoning, nor of the gales and storms that threaten you. Take out your reefs, spread all your sail, steer with the utmost steadiness, and hasten along in full faith and hope. Fear nothing, your ship cannot be lost. Have you not a greater than Caesar on board? And does not he say to us in our timidity, "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" Let not the darkness of the night, nor the fear of land ahead before the morning, induce you to take in sail. There is no land ahead, keep therefore all your canvas in the wind. Nor let the threatening clouds discompose you, for "he that observeth the wind will not sow, and he that regard if the clouds shall not reap." Hasten along then fearlessly, yet wisely: and if your ship should get into distress, or should your provisions run short, count and fully upon the sympathies of the Christian Missionary public. All will run to your relief. Your distress, or a crisis, will awaken their dormant feelings for you, which unquestionably are strong, notwithstanding all that is said above. You have never fairly put the friendship of your friends to the test. Do it then, and in this way: launch out your funds fearlessly, and in all wisdom and judgment; meet every want for the Scriptures, and fill all voids that open to you at home and abroad: and when your funds run out, call upon your friends and you will, beyond all doubt, find them your friends indeed. Issue the Scriptures, according to your 10th rule "as low as possible," and when your funds overflow, give them to the Poor still lower than it is possible to afford them, that is, under the cost. Let the Heathen, and let Desert Christendom have their every want and call upon you fully met, and not only so, but become you the urgers, and let your desires and deeds to give the Scriptures be greater than theirs to receive.

Such is the position which I think you should occupy. May you occupy it early, and may God glorify himself in you.

I hope the Committee will forgive this long letter, and the over frankness of their humble servant.

                                                                                                                     James Thomson.

Montreal, 24th December 1841 - 1

Mr William Hitchin

Montreal, 24th December 1841

My Dear Sir,

Be so good as transmit for me on receipt of  this Five Pounds to Miss Jessie McMinn, 15 Elder Street, Edinburgh.

Please also send Two Pounds to the Rev Robert Jeffrey, Gatehouse, via Dumfries, Scotland, and should that gentleman write you for one, two, or three pounds more, be so good as to send the same.

                                    I remain,

                                                Yours Faithfully,

                                                            James Thomson.

Montreal, 22nd January 1842

Rev A Brandram - No 114

Montreal, 22nd January 1842

My Dear Friend,

Time is running on, the winter advances, and by and by Spring will be at hand. Permit me then to trespass a little on your attention in regard to my prospective movements.

My medical studies will close at the end of April. But the proper certificate of my attendance on these, with the necessary authority to act on them, if attainable by me at all, cannot be had till the 24th of May, that being the day fixed by the statutes of the College for the same. I would humbly propose therefore that I should leave this city for Toronto in the end of April, so as to be present at the Annual Meeting of the Upper Canada Bible Society which is held on the first Wednesday of  May, the day on which you yourselves meet. I would therefore propose the visiting of several societies between Toronto and this on my way back so as to occupy the first three weeks of May, returning here, as above hinted, by the 24th. Please to say if this meets with your approbation.

After the 24th of May I would be in entire readiness to leave this quarter, and to proceed direct to whatever place you may wish. Be so good therefore as say, whether I should go home on a visit to England, go forthwith to Mexico, or go previously to some part or parts of the West Indies. I express no wishes of my own, I know not which of these three is the best, though perhaps going direct to Mexico would be so; I wait in prayer to learn the course of Providence by your Resolution and Letter.

            I remain,

                        My Dear Friend,

                                    Truly and Affectionately Yours,

                                                James Thomson.

Montreal, 19th February 1842

Rev A Brandram - No 115

Montreal, 19th February 1842

My Dear Friend,

This is the time for ordering Books that should comes out with the Spring ships, and accordingly I give you a note of what is wanted for your General Depot in this city. The kinds and quantities are as follows:―

300 Pearl Bibles, Medium 24mo sheep, Inferior Paper, 1/6.

500 Nonpareil Bibles, Crown 12mo sheep, Inferior Paper, 1/6.

100 Pearl Testaments, 24mo coloured calf, Fine Paper, 1/6.

500 Brevier Testaments, Crown 12mo sheep, Inferior Paper, -/8.

1000 Nonpareil Testaments, Crown 12mo sheep, Inferior Paper, -/6.

The order for the Books for the Montreal Auxiliary will go also with this Packet, and a Bill for £200.

I have often wished during the last twelve months and more to draw your attention to a re-issue of your Bible Society Reporter, but I was afraid of being troublesome to you. This work ceased with the number for April 1840, and the reason assigned to its discontinuance was the change in the postage of letters. This change applied to England fully, but only partially to the Colonies. You can there send a letter for one penny, but the same sent here costs a shilling. It was, I had understood, for the benefit of the Colonies chiefly that this Periodical was got up, and I could not see why it was dropped our postage being as it is. Be so good therefore as to allow me to make, on the part of the Colonies, a very earnest Petition for the revival of this Publication, or of something akin to it. Such an arrangement would prove very serviceable to your cause here, and would be very gratifying to your numerous friends. Perhaps you will take the subject into close consideration, and I hope you may begin your new series in May next. So anxious are many in these Provinces for such a work coming into their hands monthly with post office regularity that they have offered to subscribe a dollar a year for it, in addition of course to their usual subscription to the particular Bible Societies they are connected with. There are about 200 Societies in these provinces, and I would suggest that a copy be sent free to the Secretary of each, and to all others who should subscribe to it at Half a Dollar annually. The secretaries to furnish you with a list of the names and the post offices of all subscribers, so that you could properly address each copy in London, by which arrangement all would receive them direct and without delay. Taking all the Colonies into consideration, the circulation of this monthly visitor would be considerable. The Secretaries should collect the subscriptions and account to you for them, apart from their general accounts. The Half Dollar should, I think, be paid in advance.

I have often also received another petition to be mentioned to you, namely, that you would bind a few Blank Leaves in all your Quarto Bible, between the Old and New Testaments. These Leaves would enhance the value of this Family Bible to every family. This subject was noticed to you some two or three years ago, requesting that the words "Family Register" might be printed at the head of each page. You objected to this. The present Petition has reference on to Blank Leaves without any printing.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Montreal, 23rd March 1842 - 2

Rev A Brandram - No 116

Montreal, 23rd March 1842

My Dear Friend,

I send you a little note, by way of keeping up at least remembrances, until we shall come again  into closer contact in more active operations.

At the last meeting of the Committee of the Bible Society here, the subject of an agent to travel over the sphere of the society a good part of the year was brought forward, and arrangements were made to carry it into effect. The plan adopted is to afford some assistance to Mr Milne who conducts the depositary to enable him to give a good proportion of his time to visitations in the country. As this will enlarge the outlays of the society, they  were anxious to obtain some help from you in the case, and begged me to petition you accordingly. The present arrangement is by way of a trial for one year, so that you would not be compromised beyond this period in the first instance, and if you would grant our friends here Fifty Pounds for this trial year, you would in my opinion be merely contributing in the most effective manner you could to favour the Bible cause in this place. The success attending the employment of a travelling agent in Upper Canada, has, as you are aware, been exceedingly encouraging. The like good effects will, I doubt not, flow from a similar measure in Lower Canada. ―You must not be too rigid in keeping accounts with the Bible Societies in British America, but treat them, for some time longer with your hitherto generous and parental encouragement. When these your children grow up, they will help their Parent. Thus I write to you; but at the same time I urge and strongly on all the societies in this quarter, the duty of aiding you, and liberally, in your holy work; and in due time they will attend to this duty, but their home charity is as yet largely required, and not least on account of the great annual influxes of emigrants.

Your Extracts for January reached me on the 17th instant, being longer in coming than usual, owing to the mishap that occurred to the Colombia. I am delighted to see the working of Mr Phillip's mind regarding the general oversight and neglect of the Bible Society cause among churches, and ministers and people, and to see similar workings on the mind of a "Subscriber." You have done well to publish these, and I trust there will soon be a general awaking out of sleep upon this subject. The Welsh, I see, as is meet, go ahead, and show others the way. May God Almighty greatly bless that country, and he will bless it, and through his word.

            I remain,

                        Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Montreal, 23rd March 1842 - 1

Mr Hitchin

Montreal, 23rd March 1842

My Dear Sir,

Please on receipt of this with your accustomed punctuality, to send the sum of Five Pounds to Mrs Walker, care of John Walker Esq., Axbridge, near Wells, Somerset.

            I remain,

                        Faithfully Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

Montreal, 25th April 1842

Rev A Brandram - No 117

Montreal, 25th April 1842

My Dear Friend,

Your letters No 16 and 17 have come into my hands, though in the reverse order of their dates. The subject connected with Capt. Gardiner's [1]letter is what immediately calls for attention. I have carefully read over and considered his communication to you, and according to your request give you my "candid opinion as to the propriety of my proceeding direct to Valparaiso, and ultimately to Mexico, or of visiting Mexico in the first instance, and afterwards repairing to the South."

As far as I can see from Capt. Gardiner's letter I do not perceive that there are openings for the Scriptures in Chile more than are to be found in all other parts of Spanish America. What he has said of that country, may I suppose be said of all the rest. There does not appear to be any reason therefore for passing by all the rest, and going at once to the most distant spot, and it is more natural that Chile should come in in its course which will be the last. Chile is also the least populous of all these countries, which is another reason on the same side. This is my "candid opinion" and is not dictated by any unwillingness to go to Chile, where there in one sense I should be more at home, than in other parts, as I happened to have the privilege of citizenship in that country.

Having thus given my views respecting your communication arising from Capt. Gardiner's letter, and receiving by your kind and generous statements that you leave me much at large as to my first place of descent to Spanish America, and subsequent movements through that extended field, I would humbly propose to visit Mexico first, because it is the nearest, and because it is the most populous. Soon after my return to this city from Toronto I shall set out for New York where I expect to be at or before the end of the first week in June. I shall remain in that city until I hear from you that I may fully know that what I have proposed is agreeable to you. Please therefore to address your letter to me at the Bible Society House, Nassau Street, New York, transmitting it by the Halifax and Boston mail steamer from Liverpool.

Be so good as read over my letter No 70, and write me what I have there said as to Dr. Mora and Mexican translations, and as to supplies of the Scriptures anywhere in Mexico.

Should you prefer my going first to Chile, I will cheerfully follow your directions.

            I remain, My Dear Friend,

                        Very Truly Yours,

                                    James Thomson.

[1] Captain Allen Gardiner was in Chile 1838-43 (BM)

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.

New York, 16th June 1842

Rev A Brandram - No.119

New York, 16th June 1842

My Dear Friend,

In accordance with what I stated to you in my two last letters in regard to my movements, I arrived in this city about a week ago. I am now waiting for your instructions as to what place I should first go to. Your letter may be expected here, say on the 20th instant. Should you say Mexico, I shall set out for that place by one of the West India steamers, should there be one in proper time. But these vessels have hitherto been very irregular in this quarter, and little dependence can be placed on them. Failing one of these I shall take a passage in a sailing vessel, but these also are irregular and few in number between this port and Vera Cruz.

I should have mentioned, previous to leaving Montreal, that I formerly gave up the General Depot there to the Committee of the Montreal Auxiliary, of which I have held the direction from its commencement. I should think it will be well managed by that body, but you can confirm or annul the arrangement as you may, on consideration, judge best.

By the last monthly paper of the American Bible Society you will perceive that at that last annual meeting they came to the resolution not to print in future any version of the Scriptures made from the Vulgate. This seems to be a sudden movement, but preparations for it has been going on for a good while. A party which has been increasing for some time past, and connected in some degree with the northern portion of your Island[1], has brought this subject again and again before the Committee, until it was judged advisable to pass the resolution in question. They were the more easily led into this measure by the circumstance that they have but little work in connexion with such versions. The only three languages in which they have printed from the Vulgate translations are the Spanish, French, and Portuguese, the whole Bible in the first and the New Testament only in the other two.

I am sorry our friends have been forced into this measure, as I certainly think it a harmful one to the cause, as well as uncalled for on the score of duty. If our Lord and the Apostles used the Septuagint, surely we may avail ourselves of the Vulgate, or any good version from it. The adoption of such a measure by you, would I conceive be extremely hurtful, because you have extensive work in this way. Nevertheless, from a combination of circumstances, I think it would be well, in each case, to have a version from the original, in addition to the ones you have from the Vulgate. So far as the New Testament is concerned, God is visibly preparing the way for us. I have lately seen the notice dated in Rome the 14th March of the present year, to this effect: – "Cardinal Angelo Mai has just completed a work which he has been occupied for upwards of  ten years. It is an edition of the New Testament with the variations of all the manuscripts existing in the principal libraries of Rome and other parts of  Italy, and with numerous notes full of philological research. The text adopted by Cardinal Mai as the basis of his edition is that of the celebrated manuscript No. 1209 in the library of the Vatican, which dates from the sixth century."

Now the publication of this Greek New Testament from such a quarter will incline Roman Catholics towards the Greek original and will lessen their predilection for the Vulgate. We may therefore avail ourselves of the circumstance in favour of getting translations from the original of the New Testament. In regard to Mexico and South America generally the event is important, not only as bearing on the Spanish, but also as concerned the native or Indian languages. Probably I may find someone in those parts capable of translating from the Greek into the Spanish, and it would be a great inducement to the undertaking to have hand a copy of this Greek New Testament edited by Cardinal Mai. I should therefore be glad if you could procure and send me a copy of it, and if it is not very dear, you might send two or three or more copies, as they could be turned to good account in favour of our cause. This same Greek edition of the New Testament might also perhaps be adopted as the text of our Indian versions, and this would be very desirable. Be so good as consider the subject well, and let me know in due time what you think of it.

            I remain, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours, James Thomson.

[1] i.e. Edinburgh Bible Society. (BM)

New York, 30th June 1842

Rev A Brandram - No.120

New York, 30th June 1842.

My Dear Friend,

I am still in this city, because no mail steamer arrived since my last, nor has any sailing vessel left this port, during the same period, for Mexico. The derangement in the courses of the West India Mail Steamers leaves us with little hope of any of them being here for some time; but there is a sailing vessel likely to leave this for Veracruz in ten days or a fortnight, and with this vessel I purpose going unless a steamer should offer earlier.

Your expected letter, dated the 31st ultimo, came into my hands on the 20th instant. I observe what you say in reference to translations of the Scriptures into the native tongues of Spanish America, in reply to my notice on the subject in my letter No 70, and I shall endeavour to act according to your suggestions. You intimate that there are no supplies of Scriptures lying at present in any part of Mexico. As I would therefore have no copies for distribution on first arriving in that country, I shall take a small supply from this place to meet any early demands that may offer. The supply I would request from you, and to be sent out by the earliest vessel for Veracruz, is 100 Spanish Bibles 8vo, 50 ditto 12mo, 200 Scio's Testaments 12mo, 200 ditto 32mo, and 100 ditto 8vo. To these please add French Bibles of the beautiful thin 18mo lately (1841) published by the French and Foreign Bible Society, of Ostervald's version. Also add 10 English Bibles, Pearl 8vo M.R. and 10 Pearl 24mo both of them, and also French Bibles, bound in coloured calf with gilt edges. Also 5 Crown 4to English Bibles, and 5 Small Pica 8vo M.R. both bound in coloured calf extra. The cases containing these books should not way above 250 pounds, as they have to be moved through the country on mules. Into each case of the Spanish Books it would be well to put about an equal portion of the different sorts, so that in sending the case to any place the various kinds may be duly contained in it. – These cases to be consigned to John Gifford Esq., British Consul, Veracruz.

I do not recollect at present what happened in regard to the Books obstructed in the Custom House in Mexico when I left that city, and would be glad if Mr. Jackson could inform me, as the knowledge of this may be of considerable service.

You say I will return to Mexico with mingled feelings. I do, my Brother, and some of these feelings you can enter into, and some of them perhaps you cannot well know. I beg earnestly your earnest prayers, under strong impressions of my great need of them, in the journeyings apply in prospect before me.

            I remain, Affectionately Yours,

                                    James Thomson.