1832
San Fernando de Apure 6 October 1832
1833
Antigua 1 July 1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
Santiago de Cuba 16 August 1837
1838
Posted
Rev A Brandram No.1
St. John's, Antigua 7th January 1832
My Dear Friend,
I am safely arrived in this island: please to join me in thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for his merciful protection of me on the great ocean. Our voyage was long, and a great part of it very unpleasant. Three weeks, as you already know, we were detained in the English Channel. On the 9th of November we weighed anchor off Ryde, and succeeded in getting fairly to sea. In three days after we were out of sight of land, and in the Atlantic Ocean, making with a fair wind an agreeable progress towards this place. Our favourable breeze continued for about ten days and brought us to about a hundred miles of the Azores or Western Isles. Here while we were regaling ourselves with the prospect of passing close by these islands and of picking up a little fruit from some of the boats that might be about, the wind rose upon us, and soon grew into a violent gale, blowing right against us. We could only lie under such circumstances, and allow ourselves to be driven backwards. This gale continued very violent all night, and by the morning had raised the sea into rolling mountains. In the morning enjoying the following day the wind was moderate though still direct against us. But at night it began to blow again about as violent as before. This was followed by a cessation of the storm on the following day, which again was succeeded by a repetition of the gale. In short, not to trouble you with items, we had gale upon gale, with intervals of moderate weather, for full three weeks.
On 13th December we got a fair wind, and the next day we got into the Trades, after which our voyage was very pleasant. On the 28th we reached this island (just ten weeks after we left London).
In the afternoon of the same day I disembarked, and took up my temporary lodgings in this place. Next day I called upon the Rector of this town and parish, the Rev. Mr. Holberton. I called also on the Archdeacon, and on the Governor, and by each of these gentlemen I was courteously received. I next called upon the Moravian missionaries, for whom I had a letter of introduction from the Secretary of their Society in London. I likewise called upon Mr. Felvus the Wesleyan missionary with a similar introduction.
The missionaries entered warmly into my objects, and the promised me every assistance. Much has been done here in the instruction of the slaves and others, and not a few have turned unto the Lord, and adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour. My heart has truly been refreshed and cheered by what I have heard and seen in this place; I feel myself placed much as Barnabas was when he went down from Jerusalem to Antioch. The Historian says of him, that "when he came there and had seen the grace of God he was glad." It is added, that "he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." I shall endeavour to follow his example in the opportunities I may have publicly and privately of speaking to those here whom the Lord hath called on to his kingdom and glory.
My object here as you know, is twofold. First to ascertain what once there are for Holy Scriptures, and to supply these wants from the stores you have furnished me with. The second part of my object, is to form Bible Societies and Associations as far as practicable. To both of these I am now attending, and my prospects of doing something are fair.
The forming of a Bible Society in any given place upon a proper basis is I conceive an object of the first importance. A Bible Society when properly ramified into district associations affords the surest means within human reach of ascertaining where the Bible is needed, where it is wished for, and where it is likely to be read with advantage. It affords the cheapest means also of providing what is wanted. By interesting the poor individually in this matter and making their own exertions in part the means of supplying them with that book they may wish for, we lessened the cost of the Bible to the Parent Society and enable it to deal its bounties more extensively. But another advantage flowing from this mode of procedure is still more important, and that is the interest they feel for that book which has thus been made to them an object of solicitude, and which they have themselves in a great measure purchased.
From what I have now stated, and which I am sure accordance with your own judgment and experience, I am anxious to see a Bible Society well formed in this Island. You are aware that there was a Society here formerly, but that has become extinct, and from causes which are not very occult. What we do then now, we do on new ground entirely, and there is some advantage in that, which we shall endeavour to turned to account.
There are two other reasons which weigh much with me in wishing to form a Society in Antigua. You will see by inspecting the map that it is closely connected in a geographical point of view with Monserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts, Barbuda, and Anguilla. Two of these islands are joined with it in the civil establishment. But from its population and importance it may be considered the centre and leader of the whole group. Whatever therefore we do here is likely to have a useful effect upon the islands immediately around us.
The other reason for my anxious wish to form a Bible Society here, is the Religious Status, if I may so call it, which God has been pleased to give to this island. It is desirable to fan the flame, and in doing so we will give more light to this place itself, and greatly contribute to enlighten the adjacent islands already mentioned. There are fifteen missionaries in this island, all actively employed in their holy work; and speaking in general terms, about one half of the population is more or less under their instruction and care.
Mr. Garling was the Treasurer of the former Society here, and corresponded with you during its existence, and also since it failed into desuetude. He feels as lively an interest in the cause as ever, and is most anxious to see a Society established on a sound footing. He was not in town when I came here, but arrived a few days after; and I made a point of seeing him as early as I could. I have had much conversation with him, and find him deeply interested in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and feelingly alive to everything that may benefit this Island.
I invited a few friends of the Bible Cause to meet at his house, to devise means for the formation of a Society. On the 4th instant ten of us assembled, and after bowing our knees together and beseeching the Lord to direct us, we began to communicate with each other on this subject.
All were agreed that it was desirable to form a Society in the Island, and all were of the opinion that it was practicable to do so. After some time spent in consulting with each other as to who would be the most efficient persons for composing the Committee &c. of our projected Society it was agreed that the Governor should be invited to be our President, and that I should wait on him to ask this favour.
Sir Patrick Ross our Governor is much and justly esteemed in this place, and has long been a friend and the promoter of the Bible Society. In Zante some years ago, I understand, he was very instrumental in forming a Society or in distributing the Scriptures when Dr. Pinkerton went there for that purpose. With these circumstances in his favour we calculated on Sir Patrick's acceptance of the presidentship of our Society.
On the 5th I waited on the Governor agreeably to our arrangement. I stated to him what we had in view, and what prospect we had of succeeding; and that out anxious wish was that he would become the President of the Society in contemplation. He stated in reply, that he had always considered it his duty to lend any aid he could to the great cause of the Bible wherever he might be, and that he would have pleasure in taking an active part in our Society according to the wish that had been expressed to him. The only thing that occurred to him he said was, how far it might be advisable and practicable to combine our object with that of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and whether or not a new Society might tend to injure the other. I replied to this by saying that the object of our Society was one and undivided namely, to put the Holy Scriptures without comment into the hands of all, whereas the other's Society's object was to distribute Scriptures with a comment. All Christians agreed, I added, in the former object, but not all in the latter; and it was desirable to unite all denominations in the circulation of the Scriptures, which could not be effectually done but by the Society now proposed. As to the funds of the Christian Knowledge Society being injured by our Society, I said, there was every probability that they would be increased by it and not diminished as had happened in other places. Sir Patrick seemed quite satisfied with this statement of the respective objects of the two Societies, and renewed his offer of lending us any assistance he could.
Yesterday we had another conversation meeting, at which I communicated the favourable reception the Governor gave to our proposal of his being President of our Society. At this meeting we fixed on a number of individuals for a Committee from lists brought by our friends according to agreement of such persons as would in all probability forward the holy object from the heart.
Our next meeting is to be on the 13th current, and in the interval I am to visit the gentlemen proposed as Vice Presidents, &c. and who live in different parts of the island, to see if they will accept the offices which it is wished to confer upon them. The results of the next meeting and further proceedings will be communicated to you by next packet.
In the formation of our Committee we have endeavoured to effect, what the Bible always does, a union of castes, remembering that "God has made of one blood all that dwell on the face of the earth." The main subject of agitation in these islands, little as we know of it in England, is the separation hitherto kept up between the white and coloured population. The former wish still to keep up this separation, whilst the latter as might be expected wish to break it down. Our Committee is composed of both classes.
Four days after my arrival here, your kind letter reached me, and reminded me, that though absent from you I am not forgotten. The doleful notice contained in it was not new to me. It so happened that on the day we sailed from Ryde we received a London newspaper printed the day before namely the 8th Nov. When we were fairly out at sea on the evening of the same day this paper fell into my hands. After reading in it all that I usually read in newspapers, I turned to the register of deaths, a thing I very rarely do. Well, what should first meet my eye but No.6 Northumberland Terrace, Islington. On reading thus far, the person who lived there at once rushed into my mind, and next instant as I read on brought our late dear brother's name in full length before me. I could scarcely realize it, and should have been disposed to considered it somebody else had not the words "superintendent &c" taken away every doubt. Greenfield! said I to myself as I sat in my solitary cabin alone, Greenfield! Are you gone! You who I so lately saw in the full bloom of health, and with whom I spent an evening so pleasantly, and so recently too that it seems but last night! Yes – gone – alas! My brother! – The Lord keep me girded and ever ready for that hour which must come, and may come immediately.
You have in truth suffered a great loss in the removal of Mr. Greenfield. His talents were indeed, as you justly observe most extraordinary, and getting putting forth all his intellectual superiority, he did it with the unobtrusiveness and more to state of a school boy, and I hope profitably, in the many long sleepless nights of our tedious and stormy voyage. Be so good as to place Five Pounds from me to the fund collection for Mrs. Greenfield. May the Lord be a husband to her, and be a father to her children.
I should have mentioned above, that just before I went out to our meeting I had a friendly visit from the Archdeacon. I seized the opportunity, although I had talked with him before also on the subject, to gain him over to cooperate with us in our Bible Society. I did not however succeed, as he considers it his duty to support with all his means and influence the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and to the exclusion of the Bible Society. Mr. Holberton the Rector, I am sorry to say, keeps also aloof from us, and for the same reason, if reason it may be called.
In opening yesterday case No.39, in which according to invoice there should be 12 Reports, I found none. I find myself here there for without a single Report of the Society which places me somewhat awkwardly. Be so good as to send me four or five copies of the few last years to Barbadoes by the first ship. Please send me also a copy of Dowley's Analysis which will be of great service to me in forming and regulating societies. My next letters please to forward to Barbadoes, to the care of some person who will keep them for me till in the Providence of God I may arrive there.
I now conclude, wishing for yourself and for all your associates on the commencement of a new year – every blessing.
James Thomson.
P.S. "if consistent with the stricter rules of your Society" I should be glad if you could favour Mrs. Thomson with an early sight of this letter. JT.
Posted
St. John's, Antigua 28th January 1832[1]
The very early arrival of your December Packet gives me another opportunity of writing you this month. I mentioned in my last what progress we had made here towards getting the old Society revived, or rather a new one formed. I visited the persons fixed on for Vice-Presidents, who live in different parts of the island; and had the pleasure of seeing them all accede to what we wished. The next things was the appointment of a day for the instalment of a Society by a Public Meeting. This was fixed for the 24th.; bur we were disappointed, on its approach, as there was a Meeting of the Legislative Assembly of the Island summoned for that day on special business, to be held in the Court House where our Meeting was to have been. Our meeting was thus put off, and we found there was no proper day for it for some time. Previous to this, I had made arrangements for a visit to St. Kitt's, as there is to be a District Meeting of the Wesleyan Missionaries there on the 1st February; and I thought it would facilitate my work to have some intercourse with the Missionaries who may assemble there, on that occasion, from various islands. On the 30th., therefore, I intend to leave this for the island now mentioned; and hope to conclude my letter there.
[1] From BSA/G1/3/3 1827-1823 Monthly Reporter. Monthly Extracts No 179 June 30, 1832, p.620.
Posted
Rev A Brandram No.3[1]
St Kitts 15th February 1832
My Dear Friend
My last letter to you was written from this island two days after my arrival in it. I have now been here somewhat more than a fortnight, and proceed to state what has been done in our Bible Society concerns.
I formerly noticed to you that there was to be a district conference of the Wesleyan missionaries held here at this time, and that I wished to be here on this island at its sitting in order to profit by the communications of the missionaries from various islands, in respect to our immediate object of the circulation of the Scriptures in this quarter. This arrangement will I think turn out profitably. I have, as I expected, derived much useful information from the missionaries as to the wants of the Scriptures in their respective stations, and have received from them every friendly offer to forward our objects. There are 17 missionaries assembled here, and they are from the following islands: Dominica, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Eustachius, St. Barts, St. Martin's, Anguilla, and Tortola: in all ten islands.
When I came to this island I was not sure whether it would be proper at present to visit the small islands lying to the north of this. From the missionaries I have learned much respecting their present state, and judging from all the information received respecting them I think it will be best not to visit them at this time. I avail myself however of the return of the missionaries to these islands to send a supply of Scriptures for each according to their circumstances.
The supplies I have laid out for sending to these islands are as follows:
to St. Eustachius 60 Bibles, and 86 New Testaments
Saba 60 Bibles, and 85 New Testaments
St. Barts 60 Bibles, and 114 New Testaments
St. Martins 80 Bibles, and 85 New Testaments
Anguilla 60 Bibles, and 83 New Testaments
Tortola 70 Bibles, and 74 New Testaments.
Of these islands, to our English, one Swedish, two and a half Dutch, and a half of one French. It is however a singular circumstance that in the four of these that are under foreign governments the English language is generally spoken. That a missionaries in each of these foreign islands, except Saba, and all their ministrations are in the English tongue. Accordingly the above supplies of Scriptures are in the English language with the exception of 20 French Bibles and nine French Testaments sent to St. Barts and St. Martins where a proportion of the inhabitants speak French.
I have requested the missionaries who return to these islands to use their best endeavours to get these copies of the Scriptures into profitable circulation as early as they can, and three months hence to let me know by letter to Barbadoes what may be the results of their efforts in this way. By the information I may receive I shall be able to regulate future supplies to them should they be required, and I shall also learn whether or not it would be profitable to visit these islands at a future time in order to form little Bible societies among them.
To the islands lying to the South of this, from which also there are missionaries assembled here, I do not send supplies of the Scriptures as I intend to pass through each of them as I move southward. The information however which I have received from the missionaries respecting these will I expect prove very serviceable to me when I visit them.
In this island I have been able to form a little Bible society. The chief object to be obtained by a society in such a place as this, is not, I conceive, the raising of funds, but the searching and finding out such persons as need the Scriptures, and the inducing of these to supply themselves with them at cost or reduced prices according to their circumstances. Our St. Kitts society has accordingly laid down this as a main object of its commencement and in conformity with this arrangement this town of Basseterre is already laid out in districts, and visitors are appointed to each, to go from house to house to find out all who can read and are without the Scriptures, and to exhort such to procure the said volume for themselves. The whole island is also parceled out and for the same purpose. I am glad to see such progress made by this little society before I leave the island. The amount of subscriptions to already obtained is pretty fair, and on the whole all seems at present to promise well; and I hope much progress will be made, and that much good will be done to this island, by the society now formed in it. When their rules and regulations are printed I expect to receive a copy of them to send to you.
I have with this society two cases containing 70 Bibles and 341 New Testaments. I am also to send them an additional case from Antigua containing Bibles and Testaments of all the different sizes which I have brought out with me.
I am desired by Mr. Cox the missionary from Dominica to inform Mr. Tarn that there is lying for him at No. 77 Hatton Garden the sum of £5:14:10, received by Mr. Cox for Bibles and Testaments sold in the above mentioned island.
In visiting the Moravian missionaries in this island I found that one of them, Mr. Hock, had been several years in Surinam. On learning this I was anxious to ascertain his opinion of the Negro English version made for that Colony. Mr. Hock has a copy of this version, and gave me his decided testimony as to its being the language spoken by the Negroes of that place.
Should I extend my tour to Surinam, as it is not improbable I may, I shall in that case make special inquiries respecting this version on the spot. By the way, it has occurred to me that the name or title of this version has not been well chosen. It should I think be "Negro Surinam," and not Negro English, as the latter name seems to refer to the corrupted English spoken in the English West India islands. And indeed it was a gentleman here so taking it up when mentioned to him that led me to think upon the subject. It would be easy to change the title page I suppose, but at all events you might have the matter considered should you print another edition.
Nevis, 21st February 1832
I left St. Kitts on the 17th instant, and on the same day I arrived in this Island, and after a sail of not more than a couple of hours.
As my objects in all the islands are the same I set about inquiring on my arrival here whether a little Society might be formed. I found among those I conversed with a very friendly disposition towards the objects of our Society, and very grateful feelings were expressed for the supplies of the Scriptures formerly received from your depository direct or indirect. But great doubts when entertained as to the probability that there were any mites to spare in subscriptions to any new Society, as they feel themselves unable to keep up the few languishing charitable institutions already in existence among them.
This being the case I did not much urge the forming of a Society for collecting funds, but I showed to the friends with whom I conversed, that that was another purpose for which they could unite, and for which that labours were much required, namely, that of seeking out fit objects for the reception of the Scriptures. To this they willingly turned their attention, and a number of names were at once written down of persons desirous of cooperating with us in this important branch of our Society's objects. Much interest seem to be felt by all present in favour of this plan, and I hope good results will follow. The individuals thus associated intend to visit the Poor in their respective neighbourhoods, and will keep lists to take down the names of persons who wish for the Scriptures, receiving from them the small sums they may can contribute weekly towards the purchase of their Bible or Testament.
I have also stated to our friends that though annual subscriptions of the usual amount could not perhaps be obtained to any great extent owing to the circumstances they had mentioned, yet, that by small contributions of one penny from the many a larger sum could be collected than they would suppose. This plan was adopted, and I find it two ladies who are already part of the Association have already lists of subscribers of some extent, one I think has got 30 names and the other about 60.
I leave in this island under the directions of this Association one case of the Scriptures containing 56 Bibles and 94 Testaments. I have requested the Secretary to write me to Barbadoes three months hence as to the progress they make, and whether or not they may need further supplies of the Scriptures.
I should mention that here as well as in the two islands previously visited there are encouraging openings and prospects for an extensive and profitable distribution of the Scriptures at a future period in the schools that have been established of late in the towns and on various estates. That is in Infant school established about a mile from this town containing 80 children. The infants of five estates around meet at this school, and are trained up in the field of the Lord, and to read, by a pious man and his wife are placed over them. This school is entirely supported by Mrs. Ames of Bath who has some property on the island. Twenty four of these children already read the Scriptures, which is a pretty fair number in an Infant school of 80.
Montserrat, 24th February 183
On the 23rd I left Nevis, and in eleven hours after I arrived in this Island. I find things here much the same as in Nevis, and I have laid the same plans before those who take an interest in Bible Society concerns as I did on that island. The Rector of the principal parish, in whose house I am lodged, takes the lead in trying to carry these plans into execution. There is also a medical gentleman of extensive practice in the island who interests himself very actively in this concern, as he does also in all matters that tend to promote the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. There at only two clergyman in the Island and both of them lend us their very cordial assistance from the best of motives.
Today we have had a meeting of those desirous of promoting the objects above stated, and resolutions have been agreed on, embracing the formation of a Society auxiliary to the Parent Institution, and embodying such Rules and Regulations as seem best adapted to the local circumstances of this Island. We began our meeting, and closed it, with prayer to Him who is able to direct us and to make our labours profitable to ourselves and to those for whose benefit they are more immediately intended. May the Lord our God speedily answer the prayers here offered up for this Island, for all the Isles around us, and for the wide world, that in every place the word of God may have free course and be glorified.
Tomorrow I leave this for Antigua where I shall remain as few days as possible, my soul object in returning to that Island being to see the Society lately formed or re-formed there fairly installed by a public meeting. On accomplishing that I proceed to Guadaloupe.
Receive my kindest regards and remembrances for yourself and for all your associates. I trust our prayers for each other often arise to our Heavenly Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that the Holy Ghost may rest on our souls individually, and may direct and prosper the work of our hands.
Believe me Affectionately Yours,
James Thomson.
Postscript.- It will be better I think in future to put my name in the Reports with the usual prefix of ministers, if you can conveniently alter it, as the reasons no longer exist which induced me on a former occasion to tell Mr. Tarn to place it as it now stands. This change will prevent that variety in my address which is sometimes inconvenient, particularly in the passing of letters through the post office.
[1] No 2 seems to be missing (BM)
Posted
Rev A Brandram No 4
Antigua 30th March 1832
My Dear Friend
After reading in my last letter, that on my return to Antigua I should remain there but a few days, you will wonder at receiving a letter from me dated so late as the end of March, thus indicating not the stay of a few days but of a whole month. You will be disposed perhaps in the first instance to say – Is all well? – And to this I reply, yes, all is well and all is better than our anticipations. With this favourable hint as to the cause of my delay, you will perhaps not be disinclined to wait a few minutes before I give you a fuller explanation, to enable me to go back and take up the thread of my narrative where I last left off which was at the island of Montserrat.
I sailed from the island just named on the evening of 28th February, and on the 29th at a late hour of the night I landed in St. John's in this island after a rather boisterous passage of 26 hours.
My main and only object in returning to Antigua was to see our new Society installed by a public meeting. Immediately therefore on my arrival I made the necessary arrangements, and our meeting was held in the courthouse in St. John's on the 8th of the present month.
I have sent you a couple of newspapers which will already have informed you about what took place on that occasion. You will see that his Excellency Sir Patrick Ross our Governor honoured the meetings with his presence. I may add to this, that he helped forward our great cause in this public concourse by two short speeches very appropriate to the occasion, and delivered in that manner which indicated, what I believe was truly the case, that what he said came from the heart.
Several distinguished persons in the island where present, and took more or less part in the proceedings. Among them was the Chief Justice of the Island, the Honourable Paul Horsford the President of the Society, who occupied the chair. This gentleman was President also of the former Society, and it is a duty I owe to say of him, that he much regretted the desuetude into which your Antigua Auxiliary had fallen, and hailed with pleasure the prospect of its being again set on foot, and with a fair expectation that it would now continue to labour with you until your work is finished.
The Rev. Nathaniel Gilbert a clergyman of the established church and one of our vice presidents was with us on the occasion, and delivered the speech which is already before you in one of the papers I have sent. This speech produced a pleasing and I think a profitable effect. It directed the attention of the assembly to the word of God as the supreme dictator in the church of Christ, and showed that the propriety of all who believe this book to be God's to unite together as one man to send it forth to the ends of the earth, and in the language of every people, kindred and tribe.
Mr. Gilbert's speech refers also, as you will perceive, to the slave population of this island – to the numerous schools established for teaching them to read – and to the gratifying circumstances of the Holy Scriptures are put into their hands as their school book, and the book of their instruction as respects the life that now is as well as that which is to come.
I have been truly gratified to see what is going on in this island in this respect. Every facility is given by the Planters for the instruction of their slaves, and I believe that is not one Planter in this island who stands up to forbid the model and religious instruction of the people under his care. I have visited many of the schools. I have seen the holy Scriptures in the hands of a child of five and of a man of fifty, and have heard them read distinctly out of this blessed book the wonderful works of God. And in truth it was to me one of the wonderful works of God to see the operations of His hand in his mercy and in his grace to this Island, numbers have been taught to read, and numbers have been taught what flesh and blood cannot teach them.
I trust the work of God will go on here. I will pray that this might be the case, and I shall endeavour to promote according to the means and opportunities placed within my reach. Please join us with your prayers for this desirable land; and indeed it is the special duty of all whose daily labours are the circulating of God's holy word to pray ever and anon the Holy Spirit may direct and instruct every soul into whose hands we put this sacred life-giving volume. Pray then for Antigua, and for all among us who receive through your instrumentality the book that is able to make them wise unto salvation.
I have been led away from our public meeting by this subject; and should I be ashamed of being so led away? – No. The printing, the binding, the shipping, the sending, and the giving of the Bible is mechanical. But the study of the word of God, the hearing and receiving of that salvation which it contains is of another and more elevated nature, and it is not mechanical but spiritual.
I return however to our public meeting. Several gentlemen spoke profitably on the occasion, and one in particular in the course of his speech stated that he had made it the subject of his daily prayers for a long time past that the Society might again be restored. The feeling which his statement indicated reproduced the same I believe in others, and led many perhaps to pray for the stability and usefulness of the Society who had not been so intent on its re-establishment as the gentlemen I am now speaking of. Altogether I think I may say that the general impression made at our meeting was of a very pleasing nature.
This public meeting for the installation of our Society being over I was all ready to embark for Guadaloupe, but no vessel offered. In the meantime Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert kindly invited me to go out with them when the meeting closed to spend the night at their house in the interior of the island, and which accordingly I did. Next morning when I was preparing to return to town, and if no vessel offered very soon to hire one, Mrs. Gilbert with unusual earnestness begged me to stay the day with them, and that in the evening they would try what could be done towards forming a Bible Association among the slaves on their own estate. I felt very unwilling to stay as I had been long longer in Antigua by a good deal than I intended to be, I was anxious to move onwards in the long tour lying before me and to visit another island without delay. But Mrs. Gilbert would scarcely be said nay to, and Mr. Gilbert urged the same thing. I said I would think again upon it, and leading them I went out to take a walk. I then ruminated upon the subject anew. I saw the desirableness of forming Bible Associations, and indeed I think that in all cases Bible Society work is never carried to its proper and legitimate end until the district and the street and the lane are brought under the immediate influence of the Society, by these places becoming themselves the real and substantial parts of it. Doubts of success however came across my mind as to realizing Bible Associations here, and again I wished to be off and on my way to another island. At last however I made up my mind to stay and make one trial especially as the opportunity of making it in this case was so easy. When I returned from my walk I told my friends that I had resolved to stay and make a trial that evening for the object in question. This was about ten o'clock in the morning, and notice was forthwith given that there would be a meeting in the evening at eight o'clock, and a messenger was dispatched to two or three of the neighbouring estates to give notice of the same.
At the hour agreed on we found a pretty large number of people assembled, and they kept increasing until there were present I should think 500 persons, all slaves. We sang a hymn and prayed. I then stated some things respecting the Bible, its origin, its objects, and its contents. I further stated the nature of the Bible Society, and told the people what the good folks in Earl Street and in England were doing to get the Bible for themselves and to send it to all and everybody in every place. I told them that the work was great, what millions yet remain to be supplied, that the people of England invited all their fellow subjects throughout the British Empire to get the word of God for themselves, and to join them in sending it through the world and finally that you had sent me to them with this invitation.
Mr. Gilbert followed me and more or less in the same tract, with the pleasing interest and variety which he is capable of giving to what he had said. The next person who spoke with Mr. Garling you already know well and he was succeeded by Mr. Bourne one of the secretaries of the Society in St. John's. The meeting was altogether of a very agreeable nature. The people with their black faces and white eyes were all attention, they readily accepted of the invitation you sent them, and entered forth with into Society or association, several individuals enrolling themselves as collectors. Thus was established the first Bible Association of Antigua and perhaps of the West Indies. The Chapel in which our meeting was held gave also some peculiar interest to the commencement of Bible associations. In the same place about 70 years ago was the gospel first preached in this island by the Honourable Nathanael Gilbert, grandfather to the gentleman present with us on this occasion, and under whose auspices our Association was formed. Thus have been answered the prayers offered up in this place many years ago on behalf of this island, and prayers that have been continued by a person of the same name and surname from that time down to the night in which this infant institution was established.
At the close of the meeting we had some conversation with the gentleman from another estate who had been an ear and eye witness of what I have above described. He was a gentleman whom I have elsewhere referred to as having made the restoration of the Bible Society in this island the subject of his daily prayers. You may well suppose him therefore to be pleased with what he had seen. In a short time we made an arrangement with him for holding a meeting on his estate on the following evening. We met accordingly and conducted the meeting as before described. The place in which we assembled was full, everybody was attention, and here we formed a second Association.
This was on Saturday. On Monday evening we formed a third on another estate under the care of the same gentleman. On Tuesday we had an appointment for the same object, but did not form an Association, as the weather proved unfavourable and comparatively few people were present. We postponed therefore our object till another day. On Wednesday we formed our fourth Association; on Thursday our fifth; and on Saturday our sixth. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the following week we formed for more associations, making in all ten. In the present week so far as it has elapsed we have formed three so that the whole number of associations up to this date is thirteen.
You already see the cause of my delaying here so much beyond the time expected, and I think I may now say, as I said before, that all is well, and all is better than our anticipations. The truth is that I have been hurried along by the openings in Providence in this matter and have had it as a were no alternative. But I must say a few words more respecting these associations, and I must tell you to what arrangements and expectations we have for going forward in this matter.
In the first place, these associations are formed among slaves. Some of these are able to read and have already got the Bible. These we exhort to read the Bible they have got with all attention, and to join and give us their mites to enable us to send the Scriptures to those parts of the world where they are not. Most of the slaves on Mr. Gilbert's estate are under these circumstances, and although they need not the Scriptures for themselves being already supplied, yet have they most readily come forward to subscribed to the Association formed among them, and their contributions are of course for sending the Scriptures unto others, and in short they thus join and cooperate with you in your great and general object of supplying the world with the word of God.
Those who can read and have not the Scriptures among our associations we advise with all earnestness to get the Scriptures into their possession as soon as they possibly can; and we point out to them the facility of doing this by subscribing a small sum monthly to our Association. On the other hand we advise those who cannot read to learn without delay, showing them the facility of doing this as there are schools everywhere around them. In the meantime while you are learning to read, we further say to them, subscribe to our Association, and by the time you are able to read you will have a Bible ready. We have got promises from some of this class that they will begin forthwith to study their letters that they may be prepared to read the Bible which they hope in due time to obtain by means of their subscription. Thus you see we endeavour to turn the whole concern to usefulness as far as we can devise.
In the next place I observe that the slaves take a great interest in this matter. This is proved by the numbers that have assembled at our meetings. We have had from 200 to 500 present in the forming of the associations, and last night we had in the Moravian Chapel of St. John's not less than 900. A further proof is found in the close and deep attention they pay to all that is spoken, and the alacrity with which they seem to enter into the business. I would not dampen this pleasing view of the subject by anticipating of falling off in interest and in subscription, but would rather trust that He who has so visibly directed to the formation of these associations will provide the means for keeping them up, and increasing the numbers, and of quickening their zeal.
I would further observed respecting these associations that they are all formed with the approbation of the Planters, who not only give us their consent but in most cases attend at our meetings and advocate our object in person.
The sum we recommend to our subscribers as suitable to give is from one to four dogs monthly. I dare say you are not learnt had enough to know how much a dog is, but I shall tell you as I am now pretty familiar with this denomination of money. The value of a dog is about three farthings sterling money. In commencing these associations and in carrying them on I feel under particular obligation to Mr. Gilbert. I have said we in almost all I have said before on the subject, by which word I include Mr. Gilbert with myself as he has kindly attended most of these meetings and taken an active part in speaking and acting in them. I should add further that his house is my home whenever I am in his quarter of the island, and he has also furnished me with the means of conveyance to the place of our meetings. Both these circumstances have proved a considerable saving of expense.
I should also mention that Mr. Bourne one of our secretaries has attended and spoken at many of our meetings, and has greatly aided me with the means of conveyance and otherwise. Mr. Garling also contributes to the same end, and since my return to Antigua his house is my home.
Yesterday morning I came into St. John's from Mr. Gilbert's whither I went two days before to form to associations in that quarter. Upon inquiry of Mr. Gilbert as to the progress of our first Association formed on his estate and in his Chapel as before noticed, I learned that things are going on very well. The number of collectors is 11, and these have obtained no less than 390 subscribers. Some of these give more some less, but the average for each one is about two pence sterling per month. This you see is very encouraging. We can hardly expect the same success in the other associations, nor can we expect perhaps these same subscribers to be permanent. Still I trust much good will be done, and in more ways than one by these associations.
I have stated above that we have already formed 13 associations. To this I add that arrangements are made and making for several others. In respect to the time I ought to stay here Mr. Gilbert and others of our friends think that the openings in Providence for forming these institutions should not be neglected but duly improved. We do not force our way in this matter but merely follow-up those openings which seem to present themselves to us as it were of their own accord. I am acting in some respects contrary to my own wish as before noticed, in remaining here, and am not therefore likely to stay more than the time that duty demands. One reason, besides those already stated, for my staying as I am doing in this island, is the beneficial influence that anything done here is most likely to have upon the other islands which I am about to visit; for this island I understand to be in advance of most of the others in respect to instruction, morals, and religion.
I should not conclude this letter without noticing the friendly feeling manifested towards our Bible Society work by the Editors of all the newspapers of the island, all of whom insert our advertisements free of expense; and the little printing we have had done by one of these in the shape of a circular has been executed on the same terms.
I shall probably have an opportunity of writing you again before I leave the island by some private ship. In the meantime I remain,
Most Sincerely Yours,
James Thomson.
Posted
Rev A Brandram No.5
Antigua 13th April 1832
My Dear Friend
I have now a second time taken out my passport for leaving this Island, and at length think I shall succeed in getting away from it. You already know the cause of my detention here and will rejoice in it as I have done. The hand of the Lord has been evident in the matter, and I trust we shall yet see his hand in it and still more conspicuously. Twenty associations have now been formed. Were we inclined to push the matter we could I believe form ten more, but enough has been done in this new kind of work for the purpose of a trial. If these associations turn out well, more can be formed at another time. The slaves feel lively and warm upon the subject at present, and I have been much encouraged by what I have seen at the meetings held on the different estates. One evening after our meeting was over two slaves from a neighbouring estate came to enquire whether we were not going to visit them also to form a Bible Association. This is one specimen of interest taken in the subject. There is I think a goodly prospect that these our meetings and our associations will draw the attention of the slaves with an increased interest to the word of God for their instruction and salvation.
I should not omit to mention that those of our friends here who take the liveliest interest in the Bible Society cause have intimated that it would be desirable that I should return this way in order to encourage and extend these associations and otherwise promote our general object. I have not been able to give any definite answer to this suggestion, but should Providence spare me to make my tour through these Leeward Islands I may perhaps be able to revisit Antigua without much loss of time in course of passing on to Porto Rico next season.
For our twenty associations already formed we shall have a claim upon you for at least as many copies of your monthly extracts. Be kind enough therefore to forward these with whatever opportunity you may judge best, directing them to Mr. Garling, and continuing your remittance of them from month to month until you shall hear further upon the subject. The reading of these by the slaves on the estates from time to time will be both gratifying to them and instructive, and will tend to keep up an interest in the associations.
I believe I mentioned to you in a former letter something about the great backwardness of the clergy to give us their aid in forming our Auxiliary Society here. All of them refused to join us, except Mr. Gilbert who acknowledges no homage to the Bishop. It is a curious and pleasing circumstance that our associations have been the means of bringing some of them round. We succeeding in inducing one of them to attend at one of our meetings with which he was much gratified and spoke on the occasion. Another was led into the business by another road, and now we count four of the clergy, besides Mr. Gilbert, as our coadjutors in forming and sustaining these associations. We have had one and sometimes two of them at all our recent meetings, and they have warmly advocated the cause, and were delighted to see the interest the slaves take in this matter. Thus you see again that the hand of the Lord is with us.
The preceding paragraph must I suppose be considered as a kind of private communication. I thought however that it would be wrong to omit noticing to yourself at least what I have referred to as it is a very encouraging circumstance.
Please send me to Barbados 50 Pearl Bibles and 50 Pearl New Testaments as we are likely to have some demand for these as convenient pocket volumes. A little variety & elegance in the binding will be desirable. Be so good as see that these are of the London edition of 1824 as this is much smaller than the last edition. I hope Mr. Cockle will be particular in this. If the edition I have mentioned cannot be got, or one as small, then half of the number will be sufficient.
On reaching thus far in my letter I received a note from Mr. Gilbert, from which I give you an extract. "We have now 510 subscribers to our association. The monthly subscriptions amount exactly to 19 dollars, and we actually received on Saturday last, being the first Saturday in the month, 14 dollars 7 bits and 5 dogs. The deficiency principally arose from the white people of whom we have 18 subscribers, but they will pay up arrears I hope at a future time. I trust our association will be the first in amount of subscriptions as it was the first in order of formation. New subscribers are constantly giving in their names, and they appear to enter into the nature of the society and to be much interested by it. I will tell you many pleasing and interesting circumstances when we meet."
I leave Antigua this evening for Guadeloupe. I leave I trust under feelings of gratitude to the Father of mercies for his great goodness to me thus far in my mission. I trust and hope that he will still be with me, to protect me and to prosper me in the hallowed work of circulating the word of salvation. In this island I have met with much encouragement, and my thanks are due to many individuals for the readiness with which they have aided me in various ways. I mentioned before our obligations to two of our friends for facilitating my passing from place to place in this island. I should not omit noticing a third in reference to the same thing. Mr. Harvey the superintendent of the Moravian Mission here has always supplied me with a vehicle whenever my wish was made known to him. Had I been obliged to pay for a conveyance in my repeated movements over the Island the sum would have been considerable. But through the kindness of the friends mentioned my journeyings have not cost me a single dollar.
Sir Patrick Ross has been so kind as give me letters of introduction for the Governors of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Barbados.
I remain Truly Yours
James Thomson.
P.S. I have drawn £100 in three bills which will in due course be presented at Earl Street. J.Thomson.
Posted
Rev A. Brandram No.6
Basseterre, Guadeloupe, 19th April 1832
My Dear Friend,
You are well aware that my commission extends to all the West India Islands, British and Foreign. My preceding letters to you have all been from British Islands. I now however address you from a foreign one, and foreign in many respects I find it. The language in the first place is foreign, for it is French; next the religion is a foreign one, for it is Roman Catholic; and thirdly, the state and circumstances of this island, as respects religious knowledge and education, and very foreign to what I found in the island I was last in.
In Antigua there is a noble, and not a small band of holy gospel ministers who are labouring with all assiduity to build up the temple of God with living stones: but here, alas! of this class of men that are – none. In Antigua there are the many Sunday schools, and the numerous day schools on the estates in all of which the Holy Scriptures are read and taught: but here, even one school of this kind is nowhere to be found. In Antigua the day of rest is kept holy: here, it is the most unholy day of all the seven. In Antigua the word of God is in the hands of hundreds who can read it and who do read it and understand the great salvation which it contains: but here the word of God is not to be found I believe at all, and what adds to the evil, the people do not know nor care about their loss.
This last circumstance you will say of the want of the Scriptures is what makes this island a proper place for me to be in: where should an agent of the Bible Society be but where the Bible is needed? All this is true, and yet I shall be able to do but very little here at least at this visit. For, although my expectations were not very high as to operations in this place, yet I find that even these my moderate calculations have been disappointed, and chiefly by an unexpected circumstance that has occurred. The case of French Bibles and Testaments which I brought with me has been seized at the Custom house. I was surprised at this, as I considered that books of all kinds have free entrance into all the French dominions. And so I believe they have, but our predicament here is this, the Bibles are a prohibited article because they are of English and not French manufacture; and again, the Testaments are a prohibited article in the colonies, because though printed in France they were not brought here in a French ship. Thus you see we stand entrapped on all sides. Our enterprise however is not hopeless, for we can so arrange things in future as to keep clear of all these nets, and fairly bring the Scriptures to the island so as to ensure them an entrance.
I had thoughts that the Governor would be kind enough to interpose in our behalf, and break through the trifling formality in this case. He was so much taken up during the two days after my arrival with holding councils and other public business that I could not see him till yesterday. When I had an interview with him, I presented him the introductory letter with which Sir Patrick Ross had favoured me. He read it, but I suppose he could not take in the nature, or could not see the need for, our biblical labours, for he did not show any readiness to remove the existing difficulty. On the contrary, I should think from the tenor of this conversation that he was rather pleased that it had occurred. Here again I was reminded that I was in a foreign part, as I found this Governor in his way of thinking and acting so foreign to what I have found in Sir Patrick Ross the Governor of Antigua.
Finding myself thus circumstanced, and forbid to preach the gospel here by distributing the word of God, I wished to leave the island immediately, but no vessel offered. Upon considering the matter further I have resolved to go to another town in the island which is a great resort of vessels, in expectation of finding a passage from thence to Dominica more readily than from this place. I have another object in going there. The town referred to is a town of much greater population than this, and I am told there is at least one bookseller in it. I have often found it the most convenient and at that advantageous way for procuring a good circulation of the Scriptures to make arrangements with booksellers for their sale. This object I hope to accomplish in the town to which I go, and the means of getting there is easy, as there is a steam boat running twice a week between the two places. I leave this place tomorrow for the town I have noticed.
Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe, 24th April 1832
The preceding line will indicate to you the name of the town, or as it is called city to which I have now come. But after I arrived here I found what I was in quest of, namely, a vessel going to Dominica, and we are to sail this afternoon.
I have found here two booksellers shops, things of a very rare occurrence in the West Indies. With one of the booksellers I have got acquainted, and I trust he will prove serviceable to us in our future operations. We must now have some books of French manufacture, sent direct here from a French port, and in a French ship, so that all may be truly French. From Havre there are vessels almost every week for this port. Be kind enough therefore to direct Professor Kieffer to ship for this place one case containing 50 French Bibles and 50 French Testaments, and let them be consigned to "Monsieur P. Cairon, Libraire Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe." It would be well for Prof. Kieffer to write a note to this Bookseller mentioning the price he should sell the books that. The price I think should be fixed at some point above the cost, so that I might be able to give them to the Bookseller of the cost price giving him something in the form of profit for himself. I can lower them afterwards should it be necessary.
Previous to leaving Antigua I had taken out one of the French Bibles for my own reading by way of familiarizing myself with the language. This copy I fortunately had among my other books, and thus escaped the fate of the rest. I took this to the Bookseller the other day and begged him to dispose of it. Next day when I called I found there had been a person at the shop who having seen the Bible was anxious to purchase it. This person returned when I was there and I sold the Bible to him for 12 franks. I desired this person to let as many of his friends see his Bible as he could, and to tell them that more would be here before long. The way you see is thus prepared for us to a certain extent for future operations, and I trust my visit to this Island will prove not altogether in vain.
Roseau, Island of Dominica, 2nd May 1832
In the Providence of God I have got on one step more, as you perceive, in my tour through these tropical Isles. I am sorry to inform you that there are many circumstances in this island that remind me, not of Antigua, but of Guadeloupe. The majority of the inhabitants of this island speak French, and are Roman Catholics. Still the happy effects of a connexion with England are distinctly perceptible in the island. Here there are some missionaries, and some schools, and some Bibles; and the present day too is better than the past; and again the future promises to be better than the present.
I called on the Governor the day after my arrival, and found him very well disposed to our objects. I told him I was desirous of forming a little Bible Society here, and begged him to allow me to place his name as Patron, to which he readily and cordially assented.
I then spoke to several other persons pointed out to me as likely to befriend us. Today we had a meeting, and formed "The Dominica Auxiliary Bible Society." You will find further particulars upon this subject in the newspaper which you will receive either along with this letter or by the following packet.
I am kindly and hospitably entertained in this town in the house of the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Clarke, but I cannot prevail upon him to join our little Society, as he thinks the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, with which he is connected, is sufficient for supplying the wants of the island. The two Wesleyan missionaries give us their very cordial assistance. There are no Moravians here.
Tomorrow I intend to leave this island for Martinique. My object there will be to find a bookseller with whom to make arrangements for a sale of the Scriptures. I shall afterwards inform you of what may be done that you may send Bibles and Testaments to that island also direct from France and of French manufacture.
I do not forget, far as I am removed from you, that this day is the first Wednesday in May, and consequently your anniversary. I have prayed for you all again and again, that the Lord might be manifestly present with you. I shall anxiously look for your letter telling me of all that occurred.
I remain, amidst very warm weather,
Warmly and sincerely yours,
James Thomson.
Posted
Rev A. Brandram No.7
Barbados, 15th May 1832
My Dear Friend,
I have the pleasure of informing you that I arrived safely in this island yesterday at noon. As there is a vessel to sail from this for England today I seized the opportunity to send you a few lines, that you may know what progress I am making onwards in my tour through these islands, and what progress I am making in my work of circulating God's holy word, and of forming little societies to join us in their sympathies and with their contributions in aid of our grand object of giving the Bible to the world.
Your letter of the 2nd and 9th of March I have got. It proved consoling to me to see your hand writing once more after so long an interval; and in reading your letter I was comforted and animated by the kindly feelings you express in it, and by the interest you all seem to feel in this branch of your general labours.
As less than 24 hours have yet elapsed since my arrival I am not in able to say anything to you for the present of our concerns here. I have seen Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Edmondson, and there is to be a little meeting of a few friends today at two o'clock to consult on what is best to be done. I feel no little interest in regard to our Society's affairs here, and for some particular reasons which you will know without my mentioning them. In God let us trust.
(I shall now return to where I left off in my last letter, and continue my kind of Letter–journal from place to place as you see I have adopted. What I have written above will therefore probably belong to the end of this sheet, as will be seen by place and date, and you will please arrange it accordingly.)
St Pierre, Martinique, 5th May 1832
At the close of my last I intimated to you my intention of coming to this Island, and of spending a couple of days and it. We arrived off the harbour yesterday afternoon at four o'clock. The laws and regulations here regarding foreign vessels I had heard were capricious and rigorous, and I have found it to be so experimentally. We were not allowed any of us to land till we should be visited by a Custom house boat. It pleased them not to send a boat to us till it was getting dark, and when they did send we found such foolish examinations and suspicions that we wished we had not let go our anchor and that we might be off again. Being anchored however we were fast, and were obliged to yield to whatever might come upon us. We had nothing contraband on board, and nothing that could for a moment be even thought of in that light. But we had two cases of Bibles and Testaments on board for St. Lucy, and the officer would have it that there was something mysterious in this. He would not be satisfied, would not allow any of us to land, and his concern for our welfare sent a soldier on board to take good care of us through the night, and till he the said officer should again see us in the morning. In short the captain of the vessel, from the aspect of things, began to have serious fears lest his vessel should be seized; and I, on his account, and from some little qualms of my own, wished most heartily that we had passed these Frenchman and their island and gone direct to St. Lucy from Dominica.
Well, the good soldier who kept us lay down to sleep and so did we, neither of us being inclined to fight, and at length the morning came, and then (though late enough) came our good friend the officer to see how we had all passed the night. He then examined our two cases for St. Lucy carefully, and seeing that they were in truth English books, and being assured by mouth and by our documents that they were all along intended not for Martinique but for St. Lucy he at last gave us leave to land.
The key to this trouble and rigour I believe is this. The people of Martinique much dislike Dominica and St. Lucy, because, that island lying between these two, many of their slaves escape to them, and are never given up by these two Islands but are considered free people.
The time I have had in St. Pierre is very short, partly in consequence of what I have stated, and partly as the day of landing is Saturday and not having liberty to keep the vessel here more than two days I must sail again today as nothing can be done tomorrow and to touch on Monday would exceed the engagement made with the master of the vessel.
I have had however sufficient time to accomplish the chief object of my coming here, and that was to find out a bookseller to take charge for us of a general sale of the Scriptures. The person, or rather firm with which I have made my arrangements is "Hypolite Fournier et Co., St. Pierre, Martinique." Please therefore to direct Prof. Kieffer to send them and to that house the same quantity of Bibles and Testaments as to Guadaloupe, and under all the same circumstances.
Castries, St. Lucy, 10th May 1832
On Saturday afternoon the 5th current we put out to sea from Martinique glad enough to get away safe with our ship and ourselves and what little things each one of us called his own. Next day I arrived in this place. What I said to you in my former letter as to Dominica in regard to the French and Roman Catholic population there applies still more to this island. By far the greater part of the population here are Roman Catholics and speak the French language. There are three priests here and but one in Dominica. Again as a great disadvantage to this Island there is no missionary at all on it. There is one clergyman, but he is not a friend to the Bible Society. All these things combined place this island in more unfavourable circumstances than any of those I have yet visited.
The Governor, General Farquharson is very friendly and disposed to do anything he can towards establishing a Bible Society. But I cannot properly see my way as to the persons who should form the committee on which as you are well aware all things depend. I have given up therefore the thought of forming a society here at this visit. The only thing I have got done is the establishing a public sale of the Scriptures. This I hope will do good in itself, and will probably prepare the way for further measures at another time.
Very Truly Yours
James Thomson.
P.S. Have the goodness to send your messenger with the enclosed letter to Broad Street. J.T.
Posted
Rev A. Brandram No.9
Caracas 19th June 1832
My Dear Friend,
In the gracious Providence of God I am once more on this great Continent. I now repose my traveling feet for a little in this city, and look around me, and reflect on the past. My return to this portion of the world brings crowding before me the many scenes that occurred during my seven years that I wandered over it. And again this brings under my reflection the seven years (for the periods are just equal) that have elapsed since I left this quarter. It is, I believe, profitable for us often to review our past lives, and to inquire of ourselves and very seriously what we have been doing, and with what motives. You see that I have this object as it were forced upon me by the periods and circumstances I have noticed. Never can we poor, weak and ignorant creatures have any doings to boast of, and I suppose that in viewing ourselves aright, all of the retrospections will tend to humble us, that we have done so little of what we ought to have done, and even that little so imperfectly.
But, the great thing to be aimed at by us, is, – the testimony of our consciences that we have earnestly desired in all things and in all places to yield ourselves up to the directions and will of Jesus Christ as being not our own but bought with his blood, and of our having honestly endeavoured to glorify him in our bodies and spirits which are his, in all those situations and circumstances in which we had been placed. In all my requests for your prayers, and for those of our Associates, the aiding of me in regard to this testimony is the first object which I wish to attain. The second object I wish for will I know follow this, namely, that I may be diligent and faithful in the sacred work with which I am entrusted of circulating God's holy word in all these places I am sent to. In the same order I pray for you, and for all our friends with whom we are associated in this blessed work. And let us all pray together, and more earnestly than ever, that the word of life which passes through our instrumentality into the hands of so many may come to them with power and energy, and may prove to them the savour of life unto life.
As I intimated in my last, I left Barbados on the ninth of this month. On the 14th I arrived safely at La Guayra, bringing with me the three cases of Spanish Scriptures which you sent out to me. I should mention before I go further that Messrs. Gill & Louis to whom you consigned these three cases and in whose store they had lain for some time made no charge whatever for anything they had done. I wish here also to mention the kind attention of Mr. Haly the contractor for the mail boats which pass among the islands. This gentleman, besides other friendly attention has give me a letter directed to the Captains of all these boats requesting them to take for me cases of Bibles and Testaments from place to place as I may require. This is a more particular favour as these boats are strictly forbidden by him to carry goods and merchandise, but to attend exclusively to their post office concerns.
In the custom house in the La Guayra I was reminded of Guadaloupe, but in the way of contrast. You already know the difficulty I met with there and also in Martinique, but in La Guayra the Custom house officer acted in a very friendly manner and most readily allowed the books to pass, and free of all duties. Never in the same manner have the Scriptures been received into all the different nations formerly composing the Spanish American colonies. And though some hindrance occurred in Mexico in regard to their circulation, yet even there the Scriptures are freely allowed to enter all their ports, and they are even sold publicly to before the eyes of the very men who have issued edicts against them. All these circumstances I rejoice in in regard to these countries, and I trust it is an indication of God that he has many people among them to whom he is thus sending his word to make them wise unto salvation through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive my thus dwelling and doting as it were on these countries. In truth I feel a great interest in them, and greater than you can be supposed to feel, as the field of your operations is the whole world, whilst mine is more limited.
On the 16th I passed up through the clouds and over the great mountain which intervenes between the La Guayra and this city. I speak without a figure when I say I passed through the clouds, for in reality I left them behind me sleeping on the mountain sides whilst I traveled on towards the summit. Here I felt it cold enough especially after the six months broil in the West Indies. In the city of Caracas the temperature is pleasantly cool and refreshing. But I say this rather from the impressions made on others than from my own, for in truth I feel it as yet unpleasantly cool, but I expect a little usage will make all agreeable.
This is the rainy season in this country as well as over the West Indies generally. My plan of operations during the time I may stay here I have not yet settled on, but probably I may be able to inform you of this in my next. It is my intention to return to the West India Islands in October or November, and to make my way over land towards Trinidad. I was in doubts whether I should be able to make this overland tour until I came here. But just on the mountaintop as I passed from La Guayra to this city I met with a gentleman from the Island of Margarita who removed all my doubts, and even gave me an itinerary of the route by which I have to go. In the view of my visiting Trinidad at the time mentioned, it will be desirable that I should find there on my arrival a proper supply of the Scriptures in the Spanish and French languages, for both these I understand I are a good deal spoken on the Island and even more than English. I think if you would send one case of French Scriptures and one case of Spanish assorted of the different kinds it would be a suitable quantity. You can consign them to the Wesleyan missionary in Port of Spain.
Whilst thus writing for fresh supplies of Scriptures I am reminded that there are no French Bibles in St. Lucy. Be so good therefore as send one case there made up of the different kinds you have, and consign them to Robert C. Gordon Esq., Castries, as this gentleman is very friendly to us, and it is in his store there that our sale there is held. It may be that you will hear soon from this gentleman as we made arrangements for forming a little Bible Society in Castries on his return to St. Lucy, for we were fellow passengers from St. Lucy to Barbados, and on our voyage and also in Barbados we planned the arrangements for a St. Lucy Bible Society. I was glad of this opportunity of getting something done in that place as it was the only English island I visited in which a Bible Society was not formed.
My present intentions respecting the West Indies are these. To visit first Trinidad, and the three contiguous islands namely, Tobago, Grenada, and St. Vincent. Then to return to Barbados and to go from there to Demerara and Berbice. Should I be able to accomplish what I have now stated, I purpose to revisit those islands I already been in, and to pass on through Tortola, and the Danish islands, to Porto Rico and thence to St. Domingo.
These are my purposes, but though a man deviseth his way, it is the Lord who directeth his steps. I pray the Lord may indeed direct my steps, and enable me to glorify his holy name in this mission.
Through the kindness of Sir Robert Ker Porter, our consul here, I am enabled to send you this letter free through the Foreign Office.
Truly Yours, James Thomson.
Posted
Rev A. Brandram No. 10
Caracas 28th July 1832
My Dear Friend,
Your letter of the 19th June reached the city on the 24th current, just five weeks after you wrote it. This is the second letter I have received from you since I left England. The former was dated 9th March. I should think you have written me a letter between these two, but which has not come to hand. You have mentioned in your former communications the arrival of my letters No. 1 and 2, and in your letter just received you notice the receipt of my letter from Dominica which is No.6. Those numbered 3, 4 and 5 are not mentioned as received, nor as missing. As I number up in order all my letters to you, you will always be able to judge whether they are all come to hand.
In this city I have placed Bibles and Testaments in a bookseller's shop for sale, and have advertised them both by hand bill, and by the newspapers. Not many copies have been sold as yet. This is partly owing to there having been a considerable distribution of the Scriptures made here some time ago by Mr. Lemon and his partner Mr. Forsyth. I have seen one copy of the Bibles thus distributed lying on the table of the Governor's office in the city. I have seen another lying on the table in the general post office; and that is a copy in the inn where I am stopping. Mr. Lemon and his partner distributed some copies of the New Testament in the schools, but these have not been used as school books, owing chiefly I believe to ecclesiastical interference. Some copies were sent to the Nunneries, and were well received by the inmates, but report says that these copies have lately been burned by the order of the Archbishop of this place, whose character for illiberality as far as I can learn stands high and marked. Notwithstanding these discouragements I have thought it my duty to make a formal attempt to get the Scriptures introduced into the public schools. I have made a representation to the Governor of this province upon the subject offering the books at a reduced price for this purpose.
In each of the provinces of this State or Nation there is what is called a Provincial Deputation which, among other things assigned to it, has charge of the elementary schools. My representation to the Governor will be laid before this Deputation. I shall however not know the result till towards the end of the year, as the Deputation does not meet till the beginning of November. I intend before I leave this country to make a similar representation through the governors to all the Provincial Deputations in Venezuela, of which there are thirteen. I have not failed to notice in my representation the application made to Prof. Kieffer by the Minister of Instruction of the French government. By the way it might be of use to me in my peregrinations to have a copy of the correspondence which took place on that occasion, and a note of the copies taken by the government consequent on that correspondence. Will you be so kind then us to favour me with what I now referred to unless it be too much trouble of expense.
I shall now notice my intended travels in this country, the mode and time of my returning to the West India Islands, and the course I intend to pursue in visiting these islands.
I purpose leaving the city in a few days, and to go down to La Guayra, where I may probably remain for a week endeavouring to effectuate the sale of some copies of the Scriptures in that place which contains perhaps 8000 inhabitants. From La Guayra I intend to go to Puerto Cabello by sea. I will probably stay there a week also for the purposes already mentioned. From that I go to the city of Valencia, and may remain there and in the neighbourhood three or four weeks. After leaving Valencia I purpose to travel on towards Barinas passing through some towns containing a considerable population. Barinas is situated on a small river called St. Domingo running into the Apure. After expending the necessary time in that city I intend to go down the River Apure to San Fernando, and then down the Orinoco to Angostura, and from that by the same river to Trinidad. In passing through the places here mentioned I shall make endeavours to circulate the Bibles and Testaments I carry with me, and shall make my representation to the Provincial Deputations through the governors in respect to the schools as above noticed.
It is probable I may reach the island of Trinidad in the beginning of November, and may leave it for Barbados at the close of the same month, taking Tobago in my way if I can manage it. Barbados is a place of considerable importance in regard to our objects as already hinted in a former communication. There is a very large white population in the island of the poorer sort, and among this class I should like to have some Bible associations formed. Our friends there see the desirableness of this in the same light in which I do, and will cheerfully lend their cooperation. After accomplishing this we shall try what we can do in forming a few associations among the slaves similar to what was done in Antigua. We may meet with some difficulties and hindrances in this, but still I hope something may be done, though it may not be a great deal. These operations in Barbados will require me to be there at least one month.
From Barbados I purpose to go to Demerara, and to visit also Berbice and Esequibo. I will return again to Barbados for that is a kind of centre island from which the mail boats go and return. Leaving Barbados once more and finally I intend to visit Grenada and St. Vincent, then to pass on to St. Lucy, and friends through all the islands formerly visited. From St. Kitts my former limit I should like to visit the small islands in its neighbourhood to the northward and westward as far as Tortola. Then the Danish islands of St. Thomas and Santa Cruz. After that my course would be to Puerto Rico and Hayti.
In all these purposes and intentions I would say, and do, if the Lord will, according to the recommendation of the Apostle. I trust the Lord will lead me safely through these places, and make me a sweet savor of Christ in all of them, and the means of salvation to many.
I have thus laid fully before you my intended plans and journeyings. The time required for his visiting the places mentioned will be several months, and I should think I could not reach Puerto Rico or Hayti sooner than the beginning of July. I beg you will be kind enough to intimate to me whether this plan of operations meets with the approbation of the Committee. Whatever directions you convey to me as to lengthening or shortening my visits in the places above named, or as to altering the projected course, will I trust be implicitly and cheerfully attended to, by your wandering co-labourer,
James Thomson.
Posted
Rev A. Brandram No. 11
La Guayra, 14th August 1832
My Dear Friend,
Since I wrote you last I have not much to communicate. But you will see by the place from which I write this, that I am so far on my way in the projected course pointed out to you in my last. I left Caracas on the third instant, and have now been here ten days. This is rather longer than the time allotted for this place, but one's movements in these matters must be a good deal regulated by the opportunities that offer of vessels sailing where one wishes to go. That is a vessel sailing to Puerto Cabello tomorrow, and I have taken a passage in it for that place, and you will recollect that Puerto Cabello is another of the places lying in my intended route.
I regret to say that I could effect so small a sale of the Scriptures in Caracas during my stay there, but that regret is somewhat modified by the circumstance noticed in my last, namely, that the fewness of the copies sold was in part owing to a considerable distribution of the Scriptures formerly made in that place.
Here, in La Guayra, my success in sales has too much resembled the case in Caracas. I have however both there and here made arrangements for a continued sale of the sacred volumes; so that time, that does much in all things, may make up for the little and has been done on the present occasion.
I mentioned in my last that I had made representation to the Provincial Deputation of the province of Caracas which is to meet in the beginning of November, in regard to a supply of the Scriptures for the public schools. I stated also that it was my intention to make a similar representation to all the different provinces of this nation. From this town I have been able to forward three of these by convenient channels. These have been sent to the Governors of Barcelona, Cumaná, and the Island of Margarita. I have met with a gentleman here who has some influence in this province, and who is anxious that the representation made may have a favourable issue. He has accordingly promised to support it, and will speak to some of his friends to do the same.
Be so good as say to Mr. Tarn, by way of letter of advice, that I have drawn a Bill for fifty pounds of yesterday's date in favour of Messrs. Powles, Ward, Lord, & Co. Of this place. This sum will be noticed in my next account to him.
We are anxiously looking for the mail boat here from Barbados as it is about due. I shall leave this letter here to be sent you when the boat arrives. I may find some difficulties in forwarding future letters to you during my tour through the interior of this country, but I will do what I can to let you hear of my movements. – The Lord be with you.
James Thomson.
Posted
Rev A Brandram No. 12
Valencia 1st September 1832
My Dear Friend,
Agreeable to what I stated to you in my last, I embarked in La Guayra for Puerto Cabello on the 15th ultimo. Partly from want of wind, and partly from contrary winds and currents we did not reach our port till the 18th, although less than one third of the time would have been sufficient under more favourable circumstances. In Puerto Cabello I endeavoured as early as I could to get a suitable place in which I might expose the Scriptures for sale. When I had found such a place I posted up my advertisements, and waited the result.
I was enabled to gather more specific information in Puerto Cabello respecting the route I had marked out for myself in travelling through this country than I had been able to obtain either in Caracas or La Guayra. I found Puerto Cabello individuals who knew well all the different parts that lay in my way, and I obtained letters of introduction from these for the towns I had to pass through.
From Mr. Wall, the British consul in Puerto Cabello, I received much friendly attention, and had the pleasure of lodging a few days in his home. I found it quite a refreshment to be able again to call an English family my home, a pleasure which I had not enjoyed since I left the house and home of our good friend Mr. Garling in the island of Antigua.
On Saturday the 25th ultimo, after making some preparations for my inland journey, and exchanging the mattress which I bought at the London docks on embarking for a hammock, the traveling bed of this quarter, I ascended the mountain for Valencia. Mr. Wall was so very kind as accompany me all the way in order to introduce me personally to some of his friends in Valencia whose friendship he thought would be of service to me. This was a more than common act of kindness, as the distance from Mr. Wall's house to Valencia is 25 miles, and most of the way is over a high mountain. Mr. Wall has also indicated his goodwill to the British and Foreign Bible Society by becoming a subscriber. He has paid me the first annual subscription of one guinea, and which will be duly noticed in my next letter to Mr. Tarn.
The chief person to whom Mr. Wall introduced me was Dr. Peña who sometime was chief judge in the Supreme Court of Colombia held in Bogotá. Dr. Peña has paid all the attention to the introduction given me by Mr. Wall, and he has assisted me in various ways.
Valencia is the capital of the province of Carabobo. I had here therefore an opportunity of putting into the hands of the Governor the representation for the Provincial Deputation spoken of in my two last letters. There are five provinces lying westward of this, and which do not fall in my path in moving through the country. From this place I was anxious to forward my representation to these places. I was enabled to do this partly through the kindness of the Governor to whom Dr. Peña introduced me. The Governor franked my letters containing the representation to the respective governors of these five provinces. The postmaster also lent me his aid, for he sent the two little books accompanying that representation (the Four Books and Luke & Acts) by the post office free of all charge.
In Valencia I have had an opportunity, as I have had in other times and places, of speaking of the work in which you are engaged, and of the benefits which the Bible brings with it to those who get it and read it, and to all with whom these are connected. At a breakfast party in Dr. Peña's where several persons of note were present a conversation took place upon this subject. I told our friends that I considered that I was doing no mean service to their country in travelling through it for the purpose of making the Holy Scriptures, God's own word, better known in it. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, I said, and this the Scriptures teach in every page. On this volume, I added, all true religion, all sound morality, and all national security and greatness must be founded. I was happy to find that those present coincided in these sentiments, and expressed a wish that the word of God should be extensively circulated in the country. I always think that something is gained when the Bible is brought forward and acknowledged as a book we should read if we would be happy here and hereafter. And in a Catholic country this is still more important. These occasional words and hints I trust the God of the Bible will bless for preparing the way for greater, I hope the general, circulation of the Scriptures in this land.
In my last letter to you from Caracas I mentioned the route I intended to take through this country in passing towards Trinidad to resume my labours among the West India Islands. It is my wish to be in the island mentioned in the end of October. On making the calculation of the time required in taking the route of Barinas I have found that it is likely to detain me perhaps a good while beyond the time I stated for being in Trinidad. The distance is considerable, and this is the wet season. The rivers too in the course, which are many, are at this time of year often swelled so much as to detain the traveler some time before he can pass them. I have therefore now changed my intended course and instead of going to Barinas, I intend to go by Calaboso, lying toward the Southeast of this, and then from that to San Fernando de Apure which is one of the points of the route formerly mentioned. I take in my course the valleys of Aragua lying on the banks of the lake of Valencia, as this is one of the most populous parts of the country. By this change I expect sooner to arrive at Trinidad, and also to visit a larger population in the course I pass through than by the other tract.
Victoria 10th September 1832
On the third instant I left Valencia furnished with letters for my new course by Dr. Peña and by the Vicar of Valencia whose friendship I was happy to enjoy during my short stay in that place. I am furnished by him with letters to a priest in Calaboso, and to another priest in San Fernando.
In my way to this place I have stopped twice, namely, that the towns of Juacára, and Maracay. In both places I endeavoured to publish the word of God by hoisting my white flag with letters on it that might be read from a distance. I got this flag made in Valencia as I thought it would be more suitable for my purpose in my quick passing through the towns than the advertisements. I am sorry to say that my success was far from encouraging. In Juacára I sold – none: the Lord lay not this indifference to their charge. In Maracay I sold a few copies which was some encouragement after what take took place in Juacára. In these valleys surrounding the Lake of Valencia although the population is considerable, it is chiefly a slave population. The Estates or Plantations in this valley are cultivated almost entirely by slaves. But the slaves here are not favoured like the slaves in Antigua, and some other of the English islands. Alas! here there is no instruction for the poor slaves – no, none at all. There is no school for him to go to, as there is for the slaves in Antigua: there is no church nor chapel where he can hear the Scriptures read and expounded, and where he might here and learn the love of God to poor sinners in his Son Jesus Christ: there is no Sunday school where the Christian minister and his assistants bring the gospel as it were near home to the limited understandings of the poor slaves. Alas for it! All these things are yet to do here, and nothing is even begun. But your sending the Scriptures here may I trust in some measure be a kind of beginning, for if those who are free get and read the word of God it will in due time lead and induce them to teach the slave to read and to give him the holy Scriptures to peruse.
I am here, in this town of Victoria, through a letter of introduction brought with me, comfortably lodged and boarded in the house of the Alcalde, or chief magistrate of the place. Tomorrow I intend to leave this on my way direct to Calaboso, and thence on the River Apure. I have some Bibles and Testaments here for sale after I leave the place, as I did also in Puerto Cabello and Valencia.
The number of copies of the Scriptures already sold here is small, as has also been the case in every town I have stopped that in my present visit to this country. I wish I saw here something like what took place some years ago in Guayaquil, Quito, and other parts in that quarter. This little success here numerically should lead us the more earnestly to pray that God may gave of his Spirit more abundantly with this scanty circulation of his word, that so his name may be more known here than appearances indicate by the small quantity of seed sown. In this manner would his grace be made more manifest, and his name more glorified. May the Lord indeed grant that a double and a much greater proportion of his Spirit may be poured out in this quarter with his word now circulated to the glory of his most holy name; and to whom be the glory and all things, for ever and for ever.
I am, My Dear Friend,
Affectionately Yours,
James Thomson.
Posted
Rev A. Brandram No. 13
Calaboso 22nd September 1832
My Dear Friend,
On the 11th instant I left Victoria and the valleys of Aragua to pursue my journey southward. I could not leave these beautiful valleys without reflecting much upon that locality and natural advantages, and on the present actual circumstances. These valleys are like the garden of the Lord. They are blessed with all his blessings, in point of soil, of climate and productions. The zones of the Earth seem here to meet, and to live together; for the diverse productions which elsewhere grow far apart from each other, are here separated only by a fence. In one field is seen growing in full luxuriance the tropical sugar cane, whilst the field next beside it is waving with a rich crop of wheat. Rice also grows here, and indigo, coffee, cacao, and cotton; also Indian corn, potatoes, and barley. All these productions unite here and worship their Creator on the same plain, and, as one might say, under the same roof. This is an image of what will take place in due time according to the sure words of prophecy, contained in that blessed book which we circulate. The wolf and the lamb shall lie down together; and there shall be one shepherd and one sheepfold.
But these valleys? – when shall they stretch forth their hands to God? At present, this is a valley of dry bones only; and truly we need to take hold of the prophetic truth to give us any encouragement regarding them. The Lord has led me through this valley, and if I could have heard his voice saying to me, can these dry bones live? I could only have replied as Ezekiel did, and I suppose with little hope, "O Lord God, thou knowest." But we who live in these days have more grounds for hoping and trusting in prophetic testimony then Ezekiel had, for we have seen more of these testimonies fulfilled. To us therefore in spite of present appearances, it should not be hard to believe these words: "Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones, behold I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live."
But God works by means in the fulfillment of prophecy as in other things. What are the means then for giving life to the dead in this valley? What but the incorruptible seed of the word of God, which live and abide for ever. This word of the gospel that we have been preaching to them direct, in circulating among them the holy Scriptures. Here, my dear friend, we labour and we fight, but not with uncertainty. For God assuredly will fulfill his purposes of mercy even through our weak instrumentality. Here then, I believe, and trust implicitly; and though I draw my bow here with a weak and palpitating hand, and at a venture, yet I know that the arrows shot, being guided unseen to me by the unerring spirit of God will in due time strike between the joints of the harness, and will kill and make alive again.
True, we see but little done as yet notwithstanding your endeavours, for I have already informed you that the circulation of the word of God has been but very scanty in this quarter. But have also indicated how we may cause and abundant crop to our eyes even from this scanty sowing, if we duly and abundantly watered it with prayer.
I have seen the manner in which grain is in general sown in this valley, and I have been led to take up a parable from it and an encouragement. The ground is not plowed, but being cleared of agitation by scraping the surface, a few grains of seed are dropped into holes made at some distance from each other. It is in this manner I have been sowing here the precious seed you gave me. I could not so it freely and in the broadcast way as you can do in England and elsewhere. But I have been going from place to place, as I have informed you, and wherever I have stopped I have, so to speak, made an opening in the ground, and have dropped into this opening a few grains of the imperishable seed. I have watered the sacred deposit in the best way I could before I covered it over, and again I have watered the whole field together. And now I rest in hope, and in sure hope, that God will not be wanting in his part, but that he will through our weakness make his own name glorious.
My memory suggests to me in reference to this parable or similitude, that into the opening made at Juacára, I told you that no seed had been dropped, and no copies of the Scriptures were sold there. Nevertheless I may now mention, that as I was about to leave that place I dropped a couple of seeds there as it were clandestinely in the form of two little presents I made to persons who had shown me kindness. Thus it was that this hole or opening also has its seed deposited in it.
Pray forgive me for pursuing this parable and subject to this length. Please to remember – my lonely way, and that I must have something to soften, if not to sweeten, my solitary journey in a foreign land the a land of darkness. And if I have gone over my thoughts again in relating them to you, it is not perhaps much out of the way for one to do so, and I trust you will bear with me. But I have another reason too for dwelling on this subject – I want to get thereby more of your prayers, in order that our hopes and our wishes regarding this valley may be more fully and speedily realized.
The first town I came to, after leaving the valleys or valleys of Aragua, was Villa de Cura. It was not my intention to stop there to hold a sale, but I was detained a couple of days waiting for mules to take me onward. As I was kept in expectation of getting them from hour to hour during these two days I could make no arrangements for selling. I here met with a kind reception and free board and lodging from a person I had never seen before nor to whom I had brought any letter of introduction. I left the New Testament in his hands as a memorial of his kindness, and in hope of its bringing to him salvation, and of our meeting together at the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. I left him also a very few volumes for sale in that place.
The other villages I passed through in my way to this city are very inconsiderable in point of population, and accordingly I passed on through them making as short stoppings as I could. I had another reason for passing through these small towns and villages without delaying, which was, that I considered the copies of the Scriptures I had with me no more than sufficient for the larger places that I intended to visit in my tour through this country.
On the third day of my journey after leaving Villa de Cura I came upon the borders of the immense plain, which I may say reigns in this quarter, and from the midst of which I now write you. This plain reigns and extends almost uninterruptedly as far as Peru. How vastly grand are all the leading features of this great continent! Its immense mountains tower up, one would say, to heaven, and stretch out to reach both poles. Its plains here and in Buenos Ayres seem interminable and the weary traveler lifts his eyes upon them day after day with a horizon around him like the vast outspread ocean. On the other hand the rivers vie with the mountains and plains, and sink not in the comparison. The day will come, and it comes apace, when these plains shall throughout all their extent and vastness praise the Lord that made them. Surely no Christian traveller can pass over these without praying that their day of visitation may be near at hand. At present we find only a small town here and there upon them, whilst the rest is partially covered with cattle, and with a few human beings taking care of them who are but little elevated above the flocks they tend. But says the word of prophecy, the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. O may this wilderness here soon rejoice, may the glory of the Lord be seen here, and the excellency of our God! – Our only consolation in such desolateness is, that we are using the best means for bringing about better things. This I think we may consider ourselves as doing when we are circulating the word of God.
Previous to entering Calaboso I passed through a small village called El Rastro about ten miles distant from it. Here I stopped for an hour, because it rained, and I had got wet, and because I had taken nothing since daylight, it being now well on in the afternoon. The people of the house where I stopped were kind to me and got me something ready, and would not let me pay them for their trouble. For this I gave a copy of the Psalms to a little girl, the daughter of my hosts. The father did not know I had given this little volume, nor what I carried with me. But just as I had re-loaded to set off, he asked what I carried. I said, Bibles and Testaments. "O have you got the Bible " he replied, "then pray do take down the load from the mule, for I wish very much to have a Bible." I took it down and satisfied his wish accordingly. This incident was a pleasing subject of reflection as I travelled the remaining ten miles to Calaboso. And truly something to relieve the mind was required, for a worse road than we had for these ten miles I never saw. Our whole way was in truth, only one continued marsh where we had to wade slowly through, deep water, clay and mud. – We reached the banks of the River Guárico just as it grew dark. We found the River too high to be forded, and it took us a good while to unload and reload, etc. before we could get all ready to enter the town. This delay I did not find very comfortable as my legs and feet were all wet as you might well suppose them to be after a ride of ten miles through such a place as I have described. As I was pacing up and down in the dark of the night watching one part of our baggage while the people were gone to bring the rest of it, I received instruction and consolation from the fireflies around me, and particularly from one that on flying towards the stopped full before my eyes for some time and shining out with beautiful & as I thought unusual brilliancy. It seemed to say to me, – remember the words of the Saviour, – "the very hairs of your head of all numbered."
In this place I am kindly entertained in the house of a gentleman named Don Pedro Bermudez. There are no inns in this quarter, and it is therefore a double favour to meet with a friend to take one into his house. This gentleman has also aided me all he can in procuring the circulation of the Scriptures here. This town stands nearly insulated in the midst of this ocean plain. It is not likely therefore to be soon visited again by anyone bringing with him the sacred volume. On this and other accounts I was anxious to get as large a number of copies of the Scriptures circulated here as possible; and I am glad to say, that I have done more in this town than in any other place I have visited on this tour.
That are two priests here, and both of them are friendly. One of them is the brother of the gentleman I stop with. He has purchased some copies of the Scriptures for his own use, and being in charge of one of the public schools he has taken some copies of the volume containing the Psalms, and of the other little volume containing Luke and Acts for the use of the children of the schools. The master of the other school in this city has done the same. For schools, my practice is, to reduce the price one half, thus corresponding to the general offer made in my representation to the Provincial Deputations as formerly noticed to you.
I have here been gratified by seeing several children come to me to buy one or other of the two little volumes for their own use. You may be sure I have not only been pleased with this, but have also spoken to the children to animate and encourage them in this step towards the way of righteousness. O that the Lord Jesus might lay his hands on these children, and give them his blessing in reading his holy word, that they may know him, and follow him, and be with him in his kingdom and glory!
In addition to the copies sold here during these days of my stay, I assigned some copies for sale after I leave the place. Mr. Bermudez is kind enough to take charge of these, and he will be glad he says to act for us in this place in future in any way he can be serviceable. He also furnishes me with letters for two places that lie in my course onward.
I conclude, My Dear Friend, by assuring you from out of the midst of this vast plain and wilderness, that I remember you and your Associates wherever I go and wherever I am; and I have some hopes that I am not forgotten by you in your best hours, – when you are with God, pleading before him, and enjoying his blessing.
James Thomson.
Posted
Rev A Brandram No.14
San Fernando de Apure, 6th October 1832
My Dear Friend,
I left Calaboso on the 24th ultimo, two days after writing you my last letter. I will not trouble you with a description of the roads I had to journey upon, if roads they could be called. I will only say they were exceedingly bad, and such as I am sure you have never seen, and which I never wish you to see, at least to travel over. One pass on our way however I must notice. We came to one of those rivers, which though dry in summer, flow deep and full in the wet season. It was too deep for us to ford, and boat or canoe there was none. The people however who live here, being often in this predicament, are prepared for it, or at least very soon prepare themselves for it. A boat was to be constructed, and in truth in one half hour this boat or vessel was constructed entire and launched before my eyes. It was an ox hide with a rope of hide run through the holes in the margin and drawn till the said hide assumed the shape and form of something between a lidless box and a bag. Into this most simple of all vessels went your agent, and into it when the treasures of Earl Street, and in a short time all were landed safe on the further side. This precious vessel was towed along and kept in balance by five men who swam by the aid of one of their arms and performed the work of the vessel with the other.
After this adventure and that, and after riding sometimes on dry land and sometimes on water, and sometimes in a mixture of both which was worst of all, and after dismounting from our horses deep in water, into a canoe, we came at length to the town of Camaguán. Here ended my land travelling on this continent in the course of the present tour. For, from that spot, the Lord of the Manor, the Lord of the Creation, even our Lord Jesus Christ, has constructed great and splendid highways in the form of the rivers for the use of mankind, and for his servants to travel by whilst publishing the everlasting gospel.
The river Portuguesa runs by the town of Camaguán, and is there a beautiful stream like the River Ohio in the United States. At four o'clock in the afternoon, after being kindly entertained by the Alcalde who had got a canoe in readiness for me, I embarked on the Portuguesa. After sailing six hours and a half down the river, we entered the waters of the river Apure, into which the Portuguesa empties itself, and about half past eleven at night we reached this town. People were all in bed of course at this late hour, but the owner of the canoe gave me lodgings in his house till the morning. Or, to speak more correctly I swung my hammock on the outside of his house and under the veranda and there waited in rest and sleep till the return of the day.
I brought a letter of introduction to the Priest of this town, who is also Vicar of the district. I have found him very friendly. He speaks a little English, and reads it with facility from having been some time in the Scotch College in Spain, of which country he is a native. He is a discerning and liberal man, and I have much enjoyed some long conversations I have had with him. He was kind enough on my first visit to him to send here and there among his friends to procure a lodging for me, for his own house was full, and but for which he would have received me into it. Whilst he was thus endeavouring to procure me a lodging for the few days I should be here, an English gentleman named Mr. Bagley who is a merchant in this place, having heard of my arrival, came to the priest's house where I was and kindly offered me a room in his house and a plate at his table. I need hardly tell you that I accepted of this kind offer, for an English house is always the pleasant home to an Englishman here however much he may be accustomed to the modes of life among this people. From Mr. Bagley I receive every attention, and in addition to his kindness to your agent personally, he has been so good as to take charge of the sale of the Scriptures in his own store which he keeps in this town.
Our sale has been pretty good considering all circumstances. In the first two days I sold off all the Bibles I had remaining, and I could have sold several more if I had had them. I had however a fuller supply of New Testaments, of the Psalms, and of St. Luke than of Bibles, and these smaller volumes still continue on sale.
I of course spoke to my friend the Priest to promote the sale of our books by means of the situation and influence which he holds. This however, much though he was individually inclined to it, he could not do, for the Archbishop of Caracas in whose diocese this town is, had interposed by a mandate, not only hindering him from acting favourably for us, but commending him to hinder our work as far as he could. Personally, as I have already said, he is friendly to the circulation and reading of the Scriptures, and though by authority he was prevented from aiding us, he would not he said do anything against us.
I intimated to you in one of my letters from Caracas that I was given to understand that the Archbishop of that place and diocese was anything but friendly to the Bible Society and its operations. I have now ascertained this to be the case by a printed document which the Priest here has put into my hands, dated 14th of June 1829. This document and prohibition I believe to be the true cause, or at least the principal cause, of the scanty sales effected in this country at the present time. I must give you an extract from the document mentioned.
"I have already stated to you," says the Archbishop to his clergy, "that it is a rash pretention that everyone can decide on the sense of the Sacred Scriptures. This very prejudicial maxim has been propagated in effect through the translations of the Bible into the vulgar town without notes, copies of which have been introduced among us and circulated gratuitously. Respecting this very grave point we intend to issue some special orders. But in the meantime we cannot do less than interrupt these our Instructions to say to you, – that no one is permitted to read these translations, and to those who read them is applicable the greater excommunion as stated in Book 19, Article 1st of the Synod of this diocese. These versions of the Scriptures which are circulated under the name of Father Scio are in many places corrupted, and defective, and contrary to the genuine editions of this wise translator."
I need not give you more of this prohibitory document, as you will fully see the nature of it by what I have given, and how opposed it is to you, and to the Lord Jesus Christ. To my friend the Priest I asserted strongly the falsity of the Archbishop's statement, when he says the editions of the Scriptures you circulate are in many places corrupted, and contrary to the genuine editions of Father Scio. I wondered, I said, how a man professing the religion of Jesus Christ, and who acknowledges the precept, "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour," I wondered I said how such a one could have made such a declaration. He ought to have known, I said, the truth or non-truth of this assertion by examination in propria persona. If, I said, he pronounced without examining, he must to say the least against him be greatly in fault; and if he did examine, as he was bound to do, he must have known that his statement was a falsehood. And if so, I added, what must we think of such a man calling himself a minister of the gospel of Christ, and ruling over others bearing the same name. The Priest could not well ward off what I said, though he tried to soften it a little, for he is himself a friend of truth and of fair dealing.
But I have not yet done with this Archbishop. What should happen think you, just in the interval between two of our conversations? Why in came the Post, and with him a letter from the Archbishop to the Priest, and expressly and entirely about the Bibles, and denouncing them most loudly, the repeating his former falsehood, and adding others to them as manifestly foundationless as those already noticed.
I had expected, if not feared, in my journeyings through this country that I should be honoured with some little notice from the Archbishop; and on this account I felt it to be a duty to move as softly as I could through his diocese. I rather wondered that I had not heard of him or from him sooner, and it is curious enough that the notice I have at length drawn from him has reached me just on the verge of this diocese, for this is the last town in it in the course of my tour.
These fresh and former falsities and denunciations of the Archbishop contained in the letter in question called forth from me as you may well suppose a repetition of my form our denunciations against the Archbishop for bearing false witness against us. He is going to publish his precious statements he says, and I feel strongly inclined as openly to tell him, not in words but in substance, that he is a – –, and that his statement must have been dictated to him by the father of lies, whose servant, in this matter at least, he seems to be. But let me read you this letter, for the good Priest has given me a copy of it. Here it is: –
"One of the most terrible means which malice and error have made use of in order to destroy and confound (were it possible to do so) the Catholic Faith, or what is the same, the Unity of Revealed Doctrine, is the translation and propagation of the Sacred Scriptures in the vulgar tongues without comment, explanation, or notes conformable to the sense from the Fathers of the Church. The object in view in this has always been, that everybody might understand the Scriptures as he pleased, so that in the end there might be so many horrible, contrary, and different senses given to them, as might produce deism, atheism, or religious indifference and pyrrhonism.[1]"
"In my pastoral letter of 14th of June 1829, I touched upon this important matter, but the disorder and complication of things which followed prevented the publication of the more extensive instruction which I intended to give upon the subject as then announced to be on the eve of publication, and which I intended to serve as a preservative and an undeceiving to my beloved flock. This shall now be published forthwith; and in the meantime please to instruct those under your charge as much as you possibly can, so that they may be prevented from taking in the mortal poison which they will receive instead of the true doctrine and they propose to themselves to obtain by reading these Bibles which have been introduced and are now publicly sold for almost nothing, and which want some words in several places, and are otherwise vitiated, and without the notes of Father Scio. This same charge be pleased to communicate to the Curates and other Priests in your vicarial district, in order that in the pulpit, in the confessionary, and also in private conversations all may be made to know the existing prohibition of the reading of these Bibles, and the deceitful snare that is laid by them in respect to the faith of incautious persons."
"It is truly incredible the zeal which the Protestants are using, by establishing societies called Bible Societies, and disseminating in all parts of the world translations of the Scriptures in the vulgar tongues. The Bible Society of England alone has published them already in 65 languages and has circulated more than 10 million copies. It is also incredible, and can only be believed and understood by what we are seeing, the extent of the evil that these versions of the Bible have caused and are causing where proper remedies are not applied. The great increase in the number of criminals in England in the years following the establishment of the Bible Societies, as seen in the Reports given it in the House of Commons have no other origin than this fatal liberty of everyone understanding the word of God according to his own fancy and caprice, and applying this his misunderstood sense of Scripture for the purposes of murder and robbery, and for perpetrating all kinds of wickedness."
"In Europe every means have been taken to check this evil of the circulation of the Scriptures in the vulgar tongues. The Sovereign Pontiffs Pius 7th, Leon 12th, and Pius 3rd have stirred up the zeal of all Catholic Prelates, to watch and to prevent the sowing of these tares. The same zeal has been manifested by the Bishops, not only in countries entirely Catholic, but also in those where toleration is permitted. All Pastors have agreed from the Chief downwards, as expressed by the celebrated Menace, that this ridiculous project of circulating the Scriptures in this manner is the last expiring excess of the dying sect of Protestantism, which being no longer able to perpetuate its dogmas wishes at least to perpetuate its spirit, and whilst actually succumbing as in truth it is, calls out for vengeance by propagating anew these its errors."
"I trust that in this most weighty affair, you and the Priests in your district will use your utmost endeavours, and that you will spare no means and opportunity which your zeal may suggest to you, for supporting the Catholic Faith and Customs, and Public Order."
Having read you this letter, I shall leave it with you to settle matters as to the truth of those Reports presented to the House of Commons in which, according to the Archbishop, nearly all the crimes in England are laid and justly at your door, because you have put the Scriptures in the hands of the people, without the notes of the Holy Fathers, for these notes it is alleged would have prevented them from committing those crimes which as it would seem the words and instructions of the Lord Jesus Christ have led them to commit.
I remain, sincerely Yours,
James Thomson.
[1] E.g. David Hume 's work Pyrrhonismus historicus vs Fides historica. (BM)
Posted
Rev A Brandram No. 15
Angostura 27th October 1832
My Dear Friend,
I told you in my last that our God and Saviour, when he made and arranged the world, formed royal highways in this quarter for the use of all, and for the messengers of the Truth to move along in publishing the everlasting gospel. I mentioned to you besides, that your agent began to travel on these royal roads at the town of Camaguán, having at that time embarked on the River Portuguesa, and then move on to another river, and thus came to the town of San Fernando de Apure. – Having finished his business in the town just named he entered again on the waters of the Apure. His course in this case was the easy one – down the stream. But, (and there is a but in everything here below,) but, the wind was against him. With the current however in our favour, and with the aid of the oar, we made tolerable way along this beautiful river.
The first thing meriting notice in our course was our arrival at the town of Arichúna, this is a small place, and inhabited chiefly by Indians. I was going to say of these Indians, that they are in a civilized state, but this I think would be saying too much. I shall say therefore half civilized, and in using this expression I think I shall not do them any injustice. But judge of their state yourself by what follows: the men are entirely naked with the exception of a fig leaf. Many of the women are dressed in the same way, and some have clothes a little more ample, whilst all the younger children of both sexes are without any covering whatever. These people live almost entirely by the chase and by fishing. But the worst follows: they are altogether destitute of instruction. – They speak their native Indian tongue, but into that dialect the Gospel has not yet been rendered. My view in noticing this people to you now, is to apprise you of them before hand, that you may readily lend them your aid, as I am sure you will do, when on some future occasion you may be requested to put the Gospel of Christ within their reach by translating the New Testament into their native tongue. But at present things are not matured for this. – I may say also before I leave this subject, that there are many towns and tribes of people scattered over this country in the same state of half civilization as those inhabiting the town mentioned.
On the fifth day of our sailing down the river Apure we were brought by it into the waters of the majestic Orinoco. This is the third river I have mentioned and have sailed upon, and I cannot help particularising them as noble parts of the creation. The psalmist says, "Praise the Lord all his works in all places of his dominion," and I cannot help saying to these great rivers as I view them in succession, "O river, praise the Lord thy maker. Soon may the day come when the name of the Lord will be glorified on all your waters and on all your banks." Alas, this is far from being the case at present. But that prayer daily reiterated by thousands shall in due time be heard and answered, – "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." For this we are now preparing according to the means at present within our reach. And may the Lord indeed give his blessing with our feeble efforts!
The first place we stopped out on the banks of the Orinoco was a town of Caycára. This is also an Indian town, or at least a considerable part of its population is Indian. I called on the priest, the curate of this town, and had a good deal of conversation with him. I could not help telling him freely and fully what I thought of the efforts of the Archbishop of Caracas against the Lord and against his anointed in prohibiting the circulation and reading of the word of God as far as in him lies. I was glad to find that this priest was not of the same mind with the Archbishop in this important point. But there are no Luthers in this country, no man who will stand out from what they know to be right. I fear the judgment of God will come upon many in this land for "holding the truth in unrighteousness."
In ten days after leaving San Fernando de Apure we arrived at this town. It is called Angostura, because here the river is narrow; and you may form some little idea of the greatness of this river when I tell you that even here it is three quarters of a mile broad. Its depth at this place is about 400 feet. – Here I have made my arrangements for the sale of the Scriptures with the apothecary of the town, for there is only one of that profession. I could not help reflecting afterwards on the suitableness of the place for the object. The word of God is a true medicine, and is the only thing deserving the name of panacea. O that the Lord would make the people here, and the...[1]
[1] The second part of this letter is missing from the archives. (BM)
Posted
Rev A Brandram No 16
Barbados 28 December 1832
My Dear Friend,
My last letter to you was written from Angostura on the banks of the River Orinoco on 27th of October. As no opportunity occurred for sending that letter direct from Angostura, I brought it with me downriver to Trinidad, from which I found an opportunity of forwarding it to you on the day of my arrival in that island, and sent it off accordingly with a postscript from that place dated the 3rd of November.
I am now, as you can see, by the good hand of our God upon me, once more returned and in safety to this Island. The time that has elapsed from my leaving Barbados in June last till my return here, is just one week less than six months. On returning to this Isle I am naturally led to take a review of, or at least a glance at, this interlude to my West Indian mission. Had I not been in these Spanish American countries before it is probable I should have been particularly struck with many things and thought them worthy of relating to you, that from my familiarity with these people now pass unobserved by me. The chief circumstances however as affecting our work I have I suppose already narrated to you in my letters from different parts of that country. The time and the portion of my own life spent in that quarter will ever remain before me owing the many circumstances and associations. You of course and our other associates cannot exactly feel the same interest which is felt by one who measures the country through, by pacing it along with his own feet, with the feet of his mule, or with the paddles of his canoe; but still I believe that the attention of you all has been so fixed upon that country during a period of about six months, and often during your times of access to the throne of grace, that the place and the period will not soon escape from your minds. Well, we have sown the word of God there, and we have covered it in the ground and watered it, some of us with our hands and all of us with our prayers, and now do we look for the heavenly blessing, and O may it indeed be given, soon and very abundantly.
I mentioned the representation made to the Provinces of Venezuela as to supplying their schools with the Scriptures and at a low rate. Since I returned to this Island I have received one letter in reference to that object. It is from the Governor of Trujillo, mentioning the expensive land carriage which they would have to pay in bringing books to that place, and inquiring if the price could be lowered to meet this. I have written to him in reply, and signifying an agreement with his wishes. When I hear more from him, or hear from the Governors of the other Provinces I shall duly apprise you of such communications.
In Trinidad I arrived the 3rd of November as already stated to you in my letter No 15. I expected to find on my arrival there the two cases of French and Spanish Scriptures which I had requested you to send so as to meet me on that Island. But after making full enquiry I found they had not arrived. I stopped a fortnight there thinking they might arrive in that time, but nothing came. In the distribution of the Scriptures therefore nothing was effected there during my stay. In regard to forming any Society in that Island auxiliary to our objects it was considered better to defer attempting it under the then unsettled state of the Island. The newspaper I forwarded to you will sufficiently show you how things then stood. To this advice of our friends not to attempt at that time to attempt to form a Society I the more readily assented as in making my tours I will necessarily have to revisit that Island in passing from Tobago to Grenada, and I hope to find things more tranquillised and also to find myself better prepared for carrying out our objects into effect.
I called on the Roman Catholic Bishop in Trinidad, and found him very friendly. He showed me some Spanish New Testaments which he had received through some mercantile house there if I recollect right. From our conversation I gathered that he was friendly to the circulation of the Scriptures among the people under his care. He offered me notes of introduction to the curates of some villages in the interior of the island should I be disposed to go there. I did not then visit those parts, but I hope to be able to visit there on my return to the island, and shall then avail myself of the Bishop's notes of introduction. I spoke to him of our proposed Auxiliary Bible Society for Trinidad, and I almost hope that we may obtain his consent to it and his assistance. But I will not advertise much on this score till he is put to a nearer trial.
I left Trinidad on the 19th ultimo in the Mail boat. We touched at Grenada and St Vincents, stopping 24 hours in each place according the Post Office rules by which these vessels are guided. On the 2nd cur. we reached this Island, 12 days after leaving Trinidad; a rather long period for so short a distance, but we had both the winds and the currents against us.
Soon after my arrival here I visited Bible Society friends, and was much gratified to find what progress had been made. I learned that they had remitted to you £100, and that they have £25 more on hand. I learned also that a Ladies Association had been formed and that it had proved very effective. The Ladies it seems have publicly proclaimed their own praise in their new work, not in words, but by the large amount of subscriptions which they have laid on the table at each of their meetings.
I discovered also that our friends have made active search into the state of many parts of Bridgetown in regard to the wants of the Holy Scriptures, and that they had found the wants great, as has uniformly been the case wherever searches have been made with similar views. These wants they have in part supplied, and have taken means preparatory to reach the wants of all. A considerable number of copies of the Scriptures have been sold by the Depositary, or rather Depositaries, for an additional member of the Committee has been appointed to this work since I went from this. The two members of the Committee who act as Depositaries and salesmen have stores or shops in well frequented places of the town and have thus the facility of aiding this branch of the Society's operations; but what has given me particular pleasure is the satisfaction and interest felt by our two friends in their labours of putting into circulation the holy word of God.
You were pleased I am sure in receiving an order for Bibles from this new Auxiliary, and would be surprised I suppose at it being so large; and probably you noted too the additional pleasant circumstance that the chief demand is for entire Bibles and not the New Testament only. This circumstance I always consider a positive one, and indicative of an advance in Bible circulation.
The very next day after my arrival here was the day appointed for the Committee Meeting. I had thus an early opportunity of seeing and congratulating our friends, and of learning from them what they had done and what they intended to do. At that meeting, and at a subsequent specially called, we made arrangements for forming associations in the different districts into which they have divided Bridgetown.
In carrying this purpose into execution we fixed on a given district that we thought the most suitable to make a commencement with. Having done this we gave notice of the intended meeting a couple of days before the householders of the district by a small printed hand bill left at each house. The evening of the 17th current was the time appointed for the meeting. At the hour fixed on I went along with some friends to the place. As we approached it we found several people coming away from it, and on reaching the house we found it wedged full of people, and many standing on the outside who could not get in. This already filled house informed us of the cause of so many people returning from the place of meeting which we had met on our approach to it.
Well, having thrust ourselves in with some difficulty we opened our meeting and announced to the people the object for which they had been called together, and invited them to join us in the great work of putting God's word into the hands of all mankind, and more especially and finding out the wants of the Scriptures in that individual district, and of supplying these wants as effectually as possible and without delay. Several members of the Committee of our "Barbados Auxiliary" were there, and spoke on the occasion recommending this important object each in his own way and with those arguments which he considered calculated to lead the audience into the objects and plans proposed to them.
Not to mention other things that afforded me pleasure at this meeting and moved me to thanksgiving, I shall mention four particulars which I am sure will be gratifying to you also as they were to me. - In the first place, the very respectable gentleman who presided on the occasion was a person who resides in the immediate neighbourhood of the district, and it was pleasing to see such a one lend his name, his influence and his services at the commencement of this new work in this place. I considered the presence of this gentleman as valuable for the favourable exit of this our first attempt at forming associations here. But in another point of view I considered his services of even more importance; for being considered, as he generally is, the first or chief Planter in the Island, his example will no doubt turn out favourably for us in our future operations by inducing others to act as he is doing. To this I may add as another source of satisfaction in regards to this individual, namely, that he seemed to feel a pleasure in doing what he did.
In the second place, it was a gratifying circumstance in regard to this meeting, that the members of the Committee who were present and advocated the cause, seemed all to feel a lively interest in this blessed work of seeking out those who are destitute of the Scriptures and supplying them.
In the third place, I was much pleased in seeing the favourable reception given by the audience to every solemn and pious uttered by those who spoke. - And in the fourth place, I was gratified in seeing the readiness with which our proposals were practically met, by numbers putting down their names and their money as subscribers to our infant association. - If all our associations are formed under such favourable circumstances and auspices, it will I think be to us all a sign that God is with us.
In the last Committee meeting of our Auxiliary we had also talked of forming a Bible Association in each parish throughout the Island. But this after due consideration we gave up for the time, the reason for our laying it aside for awhile was, that the Rectors in the different Parishes not being friendly to us, we were fearful that their opposition affirmative or negative would operate to hinder not only the accomplishment of our objects in regard to the Parishes, but also that this partial or non-success in the country might operate against us in town. We have therefore postponed our plan as far as the Parishes are concerned until we have placed our town concerns in a firmer and more permanent state. In the meantime I am ascertaining the state of things in the interior in regard to our objects by visiting different parts of the Island. I have already visited two places where I think we shall be able to form Bible Associations. These will have no reference to the limits or locality of a Parish, but will be formed under the auspices of two pious Planters on their own estates, and embracing the people free and bond on the surrounding estates as far as they may feel inclined to join us in our object.
At the moment I write to you I am stopping a little at the Moravian establishment here called Sharon, at the distance of four miles from Bridgetown. On leaving this I go to the other Moravian establishment in the island called Mount Tabor lying eight miles from this one. You of course will suppose that the Moravian missionaries are friendly to our objects. They are truly so, and the often speak of your former kindness to them in the supplies which from time to time they have received from you.
After visiting Mount Tabor I am to visit a Parish lying in the north extremity of the island. I am to be conveyed there by a clergyman, and our object is to visit the Rector of the parish referred to, to see if we can gain him over to our plans, for at present he is somewhat shrouded in Sackvillism, if you know what that means.
The rounds mentioned, and one or two more in contemplation, will fully occupy me till the arrival of the next Packet, at which time there will be as usual a Mail boat despatched for Demerara, and in this I intend to go, in pursuance of my plans and route already laid before you.
Before I inter on a new subject I may just mention that on my arrival on this Island I found the brig Coriolanus in the harbour. On visiting the Captain I found that he had on board the two cases of Scriptures for Trinidad. He sailed in a few days after for that Island, and took on with him those two cases, and a letter I wrote to the Wesleyan missionary there requesting him to receive and use these copies of the Scriptures according to directions given. Some of these I hope he will be able to put into early circulation, and the rest will lie under his care until in the Providence of God your agent again reaches that Island.
I may also mention that the ship Tropic arrived here on the 9th and brought the case of Bibles which was so much needed. The want of these cheaper Bibles had impeded in some degree the formation of Associations, and this supply therefore has come very seasonably. The committee also anxiously look for the rest of the Bibles ordered, and in the meantime they have requested me to write to Antigua for all the spare Bibles in that place. Thus prospers our work in this Island, and blessed be God for the same.
One thing more. The Coloured People's Bible Society has had some new life put into it by our New Institution, and they have on hand ready to send you nearly £50 sterling. All this you see tends the same way, and to God again be the praise.
In my letter from Caracas of the 28th July I traced to you prospectively the route I intended to pursue in prosecution of this mission. In my draft I did not go beyond the Island of Hayti, and you ask me whether I do not intend to include Jamaica, and signify your particular wish that that Island should be visited. In returning to that subject again in another letter you say, "are you looking to Mexico and South America once more; communicate your views fully upon this subject."
In stopping short of Hayti in my projected route, it was not my intention to signify that I did not purpose to visit Jamaica. On the contrary I have never for one moment thought of thought visiting that island, but all along looking forward to visiting it as a part of the field you laid before me in the instructions I received when I undertook the present mission. In my draft I did not go beyond July 1833 in time, nor beyond the Island of Hayti in place, simply because one year's definite operations were as much as one could prudently venture to trace in prospect. I shall now however pass onwards, and give you a sketch of what is one my mind in regard to this mission in regard to your wishes.
I have said in my letter from Caracas that I did not think that I could reach Porto Rico or Hayti sooner than the beginning of July. I am still of that opinion as to place and time. Supposedly then I should reach Hayti in the month of July next, I would contemplate being in that Island till the middle of October, that is about three months. This is perhaps a longer period than the proportion due to Hayti but the island is large and the field is new; and besides these are what are called in this quarter the hurricane months when most coasting vessels are laid up, and it may be difficult to get onwards. Acting on this I should arrive in Jamaica in the end of October. If Jamaica be found open for Bible Society operations equal to Antigua and Barbados, two or three months stay will be required in that Island. And should it not be so open, one month's trial of things there will be enough. Taking a medium of these two I would be ready to leave Jamaica in the end of December, and this would conclude the year 1833.
On leaving Jamaica there would still lie before me as parts of this mission, the island of Cuba and the Bahamas in the West Indies, and on the continent Guatemala and Mexico. The order of visiting these, and the time required for each of them, I can hardly state at the present time with any degree of certainty. But what appears to me the best plan is the following. To go from Jamaica to Belize in the Mexican Packet which now touches at the latter place in its way to Veracruz. Belize, as you know, is one of our West India colonies, and as such is included in the mission. From Belize I should like to go to Merida the capital of the peninsula of Yucatan, partly to promote the circulation of the Scriptures there, and partly to procure a translation of one of the Gospels into the Maya language spoken in that place. This native language I understand to be universally spoken all over the peninsula, and more exclusively so than in any other of the Mexican dialects in any particular district. From Merida I might return to Belize, and should then like to visit Guatemala, where I have never yet been, but where I hope there would be openings for the circulation of the Scriptures, and where I have some friends who I think would favour my operations.
From Guatemala I would go overland to the city of Mexico, or return to Belize, and go to Veracruz by the Packet. After attending to our concerns in Mexico the time you wish and in the manner you shall point out, I would think of returning to Veracruz, and taking a passage in the Mexican Packet for the Havana to which port it always goes on its way to England. On finishing the objects of my mission on the Island of Cuba, I would propose going to the Bahama Isles. This would form the last station in the present mission, and having thus finished the round laid before me I would return to England.
The very least time that would be required for accomplishing the tour now sketched would be two years from the present date, but the greater probability is that it would occupy three, unless one should run through the places mentioned, and leave part of the objects of this mission unaccomplished.
In regards to South America to which you refer, I would not venture at present to include it in this tour.
You are fully aware I suppose that notwithstanding the sketch which I have drawn, at your request, I hold myself most entirely at your disposal and direction, both as respects the places I should visit and the time I should spend in them respectively. I have written you freely upon these matters as you desire. Be so good as write me in return with equal freedom as to my plans now laid before you. I wish to have, in the first place, the approbation of God in all my movements. But next to that I wish that my operations may be approved of by those who have immediately entrusted in me with this mission. May the Lord direct the Committee as their agent to do those things which may the most directly and speedily advance his kingdom and glory.
Believe me affectionately Yours,
James Thomson.
P.S. Your two letters that were missing have now come to hand.
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Rev A Brandram No. 17
Barbados, 18th January 1833
My Dear Friend,
In my last I gave you some statements regarding the formation of our first Bible Association in Bridgetown that I thought would prove pleasing to you as they had done to me. I confess however that I felt some fear, after my letter was gone, lest you might possibly think that I had overdrawn things under the impressions of the occasion. I am glad therefore in this epistle to give you a couple of vouchers as to the correctness of my statements. The first one is this. When the person who owned the house or hall where our meeting was held, and who also furnished us with lights, was asked to send in his note of charges, he replied that he would make no charges, but gave us all free and cheerfully. The other voucher is this. In 14 days after the installation meeting I described to you there was sent to the Auxiliary a request to be furnished with sixty Bibles at different prices subscribed for by members of this new and promising Association.
The 7th current was the regular day for the meeting of the Committee of the Ladies' Branch Bible Society of this place. I attended it, and it was the first of their meetings that I had been present at. The thing that first struck me and gratified me at this meeting was the number of members of the Committee that were present. Out of an entire Committee of 19 not fewer than 15 were assembled. The next thing that pleased me was the prospering state of things in this Society, and the interest felt by its Committee in the work entrusted to them. – At this meeting an important arrangement was entered into for extended operations, namely, that the individual members of the Committee should correspond with their friends in different parts of the Island in order to ascertain through them, what want of the Scriptures exists, whether those who have not the word of God in their possession wish to have it, and whether they can afford anything towards the procuring it for themselves. This I consider a truly important arrangement, as it will in the first place be the means of finding out and supplying the wants of the Scriptures in the interior parts, and will on the other hand prepare those parts for forming in them Bible Associations, the only effectual way as I conceive of perfecting Bible Society work.
On the day after this meeting of the Ladies' Committee there was held a special meeting of the Committee of the Auxiliary, to make arrangements for the formation of additional Bible Associations, and for other business. We had the pleasure of seeing at this meeting our President for the first time after a long confinement arising from a dangerous accident he had met with. There was forthwith assigned to him the charge of forming a Bible Association in the district of the town in which he resides. This charge he cheerfully received, and from his well-known activity and the interest he takes in the work there is every probability that he will soon and effectually accomplish the object entrusted to him. I have said, "his well-known activity," and I may well say so, for he gave a good proof of it in the prompt effectual visit which he made of his district soon after the Society was formed. He visited 333 families, and noted down the number of individuals in each, what persons could read and could not, who had and who wanted the Scriptures, who wished to have them, who would and could give something for them and how much, together with such other particulars as bore on the object of this visitation. The document containing all these particulars he laid on the table of the Committee at the very next meeting after he had received the trust. Judge Beckles, the gentleman of whom I am now speaking, is the person next in rank at the present time to the person who is governing the island. – I give you the result of the investigation of this district as a specimen of the state of things in this town. In these 333 families, there were found to be 1308 individuals, of whom 931 could read and 377 could not. The number of Bibles found in the district was 200, and the additional copies wished for turns out by adding up the list to be exactly the same number, namely, 200.
At this meeting the Treasurer announced that he had on hand a fresh sum of £50 sterling at their disposal, and he forthwith produced a Bill for this sum; and before this reaches you, the money I suppose will be in your possession. – On considering the actual and prospective wants of the Scriptures the Committee judged it necessary to send an order for 300 additional Bibles. This order will I believe also be in your hands, and I am sure it will afford you all as much and even more satisfaction than the draft for £50 accompanying it.
Last night agreeable to previous arrangements I went out, accompanied by Mr. Edmondson, to a plantation or Estate 7 miles from town in order to form on it a Bible Association. There were upwards of 200 people present and almost all were slaves. The Proprietor of the Estate, a pious man, and a member of our Committee, was in the chair, and was chosen President of the Association, whilst a neighbouring Proprietor and a person of colour was elected for Treasurer. Thus was formed the First Bible Association among the slave population of Barbados. May God prosper this beginning, and in due time may the topmost stone of this work be brought forth and laid in its place with shouts of joy hallowed unto the Lord.
By the time that Mr. Edmondson and I returned to town, it was eleven o'clock at night, and the streets of the population of Bridgetown lay all still and motionless as the grave. This scene connected with the one we had left was calculated to stir up reflection. We had been making preparations for softening the gloomy horrors of the grave, and we had been making preparations for joyfully meeting that Great Day which will follow the resurrection from the dead. O that these preparations may not be in vain!
Yesterday the Packet I have been looking for arrived and this afternoon at 4 o'clock I sail for Demerara. Four mail boats will sail at that hour in various directions. All four are more or less engaged in your service. With one there goes a case of Bibles for the Island of Grenada, with another goes a case filled with the same sacred treasure for the Island of St. Lucy, the third carries a message for you to La Guayra, and the forth conveys your agent to Demerara.
Sincerely yours, James Thomson.
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Rev A Brandram No. 18
Demerara, February 6, 1833.
My Dear Friend,
I find my feet rest once more on the great continent of South America. But to tell you the truth, it is with some difficulty that I realize to myself that I am upon this continent, from the long habit of associating the Spanish language and the Spanish state of things with South America. Certain it is however that I am where I say, and certain it is too that this portion of South America belongs to Britain; and yet (for my mind will draw me away by the association mentioned) and yet, there is not a little even here and under British rule, as what might probably be classed Spanish. But I stop, and leave you to divine what I mean.
I arrived here, and in George Town, the Capital of this colony, on the 15th ultimo. You are aware, I believe, that I brought with me, from the Church Missionary Society, a letter for the Rev. Mr. Strong, who, though not in immediate connexion with that Society, is in correspondence with it. I therefore paid an early visit to Mr. Strong, after reaching this place. From a man whose every wish and effort is to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, a circulator of the Scriptures, however humble, could only meet with a favourable reception. I met with this, and a hospitable reception besides; for Mr. Strong was kind enough to beg me to take up my lodgings under his roof; and in his house I have been during the greater part of my stay in this place. Through Mr. Strong, and others to whom I had letters of introduction, I grew by degrees acquainted with this colony, and personally with some individuals resident here who might be favourable to my objects.
On the day after my arrival I called on the Governor Sir Benjamin D'Urban. I anticipated a favourable reception from him, as he had been the Patron and active promoter of the Bible Society of Antigua when Governor of that Island. I met with a favourable reception as I had anticipated, and though he noticed that the actual state of the Colony was not as he conceived auspicious for the formation of a Bible Society yet he said he would gladly do what he could to further the object.
The missionaries belonging to the London Missionary Society, and those of the Wesleyan Methodists I found every way disposed to give their countenance and aid to the formation of a Bible Society here. I am sorry I cannot say the same of the clergy of this colony generally. There are here seven parishes with incumbents of the English church, and five parishes with incumbents of the Church of Scotland. The clergy of the Church of Scotland that I had an opportunity of conversing with are connected with the Edinburgh Bible Society[1], and hence did not accord with the idea of forming a Society here under any other connexion. The English clergy are more or less connected with the Bishop's favourite society, namely, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; and one of them was so well acquainted with your objects as to state that great harm had been done in England by the Bible Societies' Schools. Mr. Strong, the Rector of one of the parishes, is, as I have already intimated, most ready to do all he can in the way of a Society; and the Rev. Mr. Harrison, officiating English minister on a large estate is also fully with us.
After various preliminaries, a private meeting was held for the installation of an Auxiliary Society for this colony. Our meeting was a very pleasing one; and the Society was accordingly formed with the good will of all present, and with their good wishes for its success. With our wishes we joined our prayers, as we began and as we closed; and the Hearer of Prayer, who is as near to those who call on him here as to those who call on him in England, will, we trust, answer our supplications, and make this new and tender institution the means of extensive good in the circulation and in the knowledge of the word of God in this quarter. The Society formed we have denominated, "The British Guiana Auxiliary Bible Society." The colonies of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice, are now united under the term British Guiana; and our Society therefore takes this name, and is intended to embrace all the British possessions on this continent. The meeting at which the Society was formed was held yesterday. At as early a day as convenient the Society will be announced to the public in the newspapers, and I have requested Mr. Strong to send you one.
The next object which I keep in view, after establishing a Society in any place, is to make arrangements for a public sale of the Scriptures. This object I have also succeeded in; and I hope that this means, in connexion with the Society formed, will conduce to a more regular and more extensive circulation of the Scriptures in this colony than has been the case heretofore.
Be so good as send as soon as you can, direct to this colony, one case of nonpareil Bibles, and half a case of minion 8vo Bibles. The other half of this second case you will please fill with a few small pica 8vo Bibles, one half of which should be with marginal references, and with pica 8vo and Brevier New Testaments, one half of which have Psalms bound up with them. These two cases you can address to Mr. Ketley, and may mention that they are for the use of the British Guiana Auxiliary Bible Society.
The copies of the Scriptures remaining in the hands of Mr. Harrison have been transferred to the Public Salesman of the Society. Mr. Harrison has distributed 17 Bibles and 100 Testaments among the slaves of the Enmore Estate where he officiates. A small sum received for some of these copies was put into my hands, and will be duly noticed in my next letter to Mr. Tarn.
Mr. Ketley has disposed of Bibles for you to the sum of 557 guilders, and this sum in your favour has been increased by collections at his chapel to the sum of 700 guilders, equal at the current rate of exchange to somewhat more than £40. Mr. Ketley has delayed sending you this sum on account of the exchange now, for some time past being much against you. I advised him however always to send when he had a proper quantity ready, be the exchange what it wants, and to take the chance of its ups and downs, as this would in truth give you the par.
The case for the Moravian Mission in Surinam lately sent out I found here in Mr. Ketley's house. He was at a loss to know what to do with it, as there is at present no communication between Demerara and Surinam. I felt it best to open the case, which accordingly we did, and have placed the Dutch and French Bibles it contained in our sale shop. You had better therefore review your supplies for Surinam as soon as that place is open for English vessels, and send it direct there if you can, otherwise it might come this way.
I intend leaving the colony tomorrow. I could have wished to visit Berbice, but I find it would take too much time considering the long course that lies before me. I trust however that the Society now formed here will extend itself and in time embrace Berbice in its operations.
I remain,
Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson.
[1] Note (BM): The Edinburgh Bible Society broke off relations with BFBS in 1826 due to the Apocrypha dispute and then developed its own overseas ministry, particularly with missionaries from Scottish Presbyterian churches.
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Rev A Brandram No.19
Tobago, Feb. 23, 1833.
My Dear Friend,
I mentioned to you in my last, dated Demerara, 6th instant, that I should leave that colony on the following day. I was, however, unexpectedly delayed till the 12th. On that day I sailed, and, after a pleasant and quick voyage of less than three days, I arrived in Barbados. My touching in Barbados on this occasion was merely as a stepping-stone to reach the island where I now am, as my purpose was to leave that island for this by the first mail-boat that should sail. Five days after my arrival in Barbados I left that island, namely, on the 20th instant; and on the following day I disembarked in Tobago.
The directions of the mail-boat in the present trip are, to stop three full days here, and then to proceed to Trinidad. My visit to this island I have limited to these three days; for should I extend it beyond that time, the chances are that I should be delayed here three weeks, and not less than a fortnight, waiting for the next mail-boat; and this is a longer period than I think I can spare in this island, considering what lies before me.
How to get any thing effective done here in the short period of my stay was the question I endeavoured to keep in view. Mr. Briddon, the Wesleyan missionary, who kindly lodges me, has done all he can to aid my purposes; and some other friends, to whom I was introduced by letter and otherwise, have done the same. On the morning after my arrival I paid a visit to the governor, General Blackwell, whom I found very friendly, and willing to give his countenance and support to the formation of a little Bible Society for this, island.
Preparations being thus made, a meeting was held to-day in the Court-house, at which several respectable persons were present; and we had the pleasure of having in the chair the President of his Majesty's Council in the island. After some statements made on the nature and single object of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and what it had accomplished, and what it had still to accomplish, we came to a general agreement to form an Auxiliary Bible Society in this place. This was forthwith done; rules were adopted, and a committee and office-bearers appointed. Lastly, a subscription passed round among those present, commencing with our chairman; and I have no little pleasure in adding, that the subscriptions put down on this occasion exceed what has been obtained on any other similar occasion during this tour in the West Indies. Thus has Tobago made itself stand out more prominent, among its fellow islands, than its geographical position and size or its population would have led us to expect. The subscription referred to amounted, at the close of our meeting, to £27 sterling; and now, in the evening of this day, it amounts to 40 pounds.
From Barbados I brought some Bibles with me of those sent up from Antigua, and one case of New Testaments from the Barbados depository. With part of these as stock a public sale has been commenced here, and under the direction of one of the Members of the Committee of the Society now formed., a gentleman who takes much interest in the circulation of the Scriptures here, and in the general objects of the Society.
I should not omit to mention, before closing this letter, that one of our subscribers, and a member of the committee, is an individual of that once and to-be-favoured race to which were committed "the oracles of God." To this gentleman I brought a letter of introduction from Barbados, I have met with every friendly attention from him during my short stay here; and he has, besides, furnished me with an introductory note to a gentleman of his own kindred in St. Thomas's.
Trinidad, 26 February 1833.
I arrived here last night in the mailboat, and as I find there is a ship to sail for London tomorrow, I got this sheet finished to send to by it. My time as yet on this island on the present visit is so very short that I have nothing to say of my operations or even what prospects I have of doing anything.
On my arrival in Barbados from Demerara I found three letters for the from the Spanish Main. These were from the governors of the provinces of Guyana, Apure and Barcelona, in reply to my representation or circular formerly mentioned to you in my letters from Venezuela. My proposition has been favourably met by these three provinces, one will take 100 copies of the Four Books and the same number of Luke & Acts, another will take 150 copies each of these same volumes, and the third has not yet fixed on the particular volume nor the number of copies having referred the choice and the proper quantity to the Bishop of the diocese. For supplying these two provinces therefore in the meantime and for other provinces that may be expecting to follow their example the best way I think will be, to send me six small cases, the having each 100 copies of each of the two volumes and the other three having 150 copies of these two in each. These cases should be sent to St. Thomas, and direct it to the care of the superintendent of the Moravian Mission in that island. I could wish you to send them as early as you possibly can, in order that they may be there for my arrival in June. My reason for wishing these books sent to St. Thomas is because there are vessels going frequently from that island to all parts of the Spanish Main, and their being in small cases will enable me to send the proper quantity direct to each place.
I could wish to also to send to that island at the same time some supply for my intended visit to Puerto Rico and Hayti. After ruminating a great deal on what would be best for these two islands, I have fixed on requesting you for a few Bibles only, a somewhat larger number of New Testament and some copies of the Psalter. Please therefore to send me one case with 30 Spanish Bibles in it, one case with the same number of French Bibles, one case with Spanish Bibles and Psalters of equal number (part bound separately and part together), and a fourth case with French New Testaments and Psalters done up in the same way. If your time permit, be so good as throw into each of these two latter cases some 20 copies of Bagster's New Testament and Psalter bound together in Latin. These are for the Catholic priests of the French and Spanish islands. If you could add a few of Bagster's Polymicrian New Testament in Spanish, it in French, and in Latin, bound separately of course, I should then think my stock of merchandise complete in regard to assortments though I have not in quantity. It would be desirable that Bagster's common and Polymicrian editions above referred to should be in better than ordinary bindings.
I received also in Barbados a letter from the Rev. Mr. Gilbert in Antigua. He says, "I have been most disappointed in not receiving the Monthly Extracts. These are very useful in England and I think would be very beneficial here. They supply what is most wanting to the negro, as constant stimulus." In one of your letters to me you said you would send 100 copies of these instead of the 20 I had requested. I find some difficulty in reconciling your letter with Mr. Gilbert's.
Believe me, My Dear Friend, Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson.
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Rev A Brandram No. 20
Grenada, March 23, 1833.
My Dear Friend,
My last letter to you was from Trinidad, and was written so soon after my arrival there, that I could give you no information as to Bible Society concerns in that island. I am sorry to say, that even now I have very little to communicate on that subject. I stopped just one week in Trinidad, although I had made my calculations for being two or three weeks there. I found, however, that things were in such a state, partly from the peculiar nature of the place, and partly from the present agitations in the island, that nothing could be done in the way of forming a Bible Society. From these considerations I gave up making any attempts, and resolved to leave the island by the first opportunity that should offer, for Grenada. From Barbados I had previously written to Mr. Fletcher, desiring him to find out a proper person to act as salesman of the Scriptures. This I found he had done ; and the only thing that remained for me to do was, to carry the arrangements made with this individual into fuller effect. This I accomplished, and thus established there a permanent public sale of the Scriptures—an object which I consider of some importance. To give more publicity to the sale, and to follow our Lord's directions in preaching from the house-tops, so far as we can, I inserted advertisements in the newspapers. Trinidad is, so far as language is concerned, in the same state in which Jerusalem was at the time of our Lord. The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin prevailed there at that time, and in Trinidad the English, French, and Spanish prevail. Our advertisement therefore in order to give proper effect must needs be in these three languages; and in these the languages accordingly it was inserted.
According to my intention already mentioned I seized the first opportunity of leaving Trinidad. An opportunity soon occurred, and I left out island late on the evening of the 4th instant, and arrived here in Grenada early on the Monday morning of the 7th.
In Grenada, I am happy to say, I have found a counterpart to Trinidad. I have met with a very friendly reception here in my endeavours to form a Bible Society; and I think I may say, that in no island I have yet visited in this quarter have I had a better reception at my commencement. I hope the results will correspond, and that you will find Grenada one of your best Auxiliaries among these islands.
I was happy to find that the rector of St. George's, the Capital of the island, was very friendly to our object. The Rev. J. C. Barker, the gentleman I now speak of, looks upon the Bible Society as an institution that every individual may and should encourage, whatever other object of a religious nature he may be engaged in; and he rejoices, too, that God in his providence has raised up and smoothed a common ground and platform, where all lovers of the Bible may meet and congratulate each other on their common faith in the word of God, and can join together in friendly and active endeavours to put it into the hands of all. Mr. Barker has fully verified these his sentiments to me, by giving me every aid and encouragement in my attempts to form an Auxiliary Society here. Mr. Barker is from Wales; and how could a minister from that country act otherwise than in friendship and cordiality towards an institution, which may be considered as having taken its rise, if not in, at least through means of, his native country? The present desire of the Welsh to possess the sacred Scriptures will and should be mentioned to their honour, wherever the British and Foreign Bible Society is named, and its operations felt. May God fill them all with a true and rich knowledge of his holy Word, and of the blessed Gospel which it unfolds! I know you will join me in this prayer for the Welsh ; and let us add to it another prayer, namely, that all nations may also be blessed similarly and speedily.
You see how the Welsh have drawn me, and I you, away from Grenada; but let us now both return. You are already aware that the Wesleyan missionaries in every place I visit are friendly to our objects, and most willing to promote them. So have I found it here. The Rev. Mr. Fidler has encouraged and helped me all he can, and his services have proved very useful. Among his own flock, also, I have found many favourers of our Society. I called upon the Roman Catholic clergyman here, and invited him to help us, or at least to join us. He refused, however, to unite with us, but professed himself most friendly, to the circulation of the Scriptures among his own people, but restricted himself to their own version and edition. I cannot help noticing here the good effects produced on the Catholics indirectly by the Bible Society, inasmuch as they have been induced thereby to encourage the reading of the Scriptures, under certain circumstances and limitations. So we found it in Mexico, as you are aware. Let us be fully assured, that by and by these adjuncts of "certain circumstances and limitations" will fall off, and the word of God will be read in its own native simplicity and purity. On every hand, in truth, we have reason to rejoice, and grounds for believing that our labours are not in vain; and let him that glorieth glory in the Lord.
The Welsh, you saw, led me away from Grenada a little ago, and now you see the Roman Catholics have done the same. But our withdrawment and digressions have been, in both cases, I hope, lawful, and not unprofitable. I promise now, however, not to digress again till I finish my letter. I have already told you that I met with a ready reception here in my proposal to establish a Bible Society in this island. When the friendly disposition towards our object had been seen, we resolved on calling a public meeting; and this accordingly we did, by advertising our purpose in the two newspapers published here. The day we fixed for our meeting was the 18th instant, and the place of our assembling was the court-house, which was most readily conceded to us for this purpose.
Soon after my arrival in the island I called on Sir James Campbell, the governor, and noticed to him what I had in view in visiting the island. He at once expressed his readiness to promote our objects. From what I had heard of Sir James's friendly disposition towards objects of this nature, I thought I would venture to invite him to honour us with his presence at our public meeting. This he willingly assented to, and took the chair on the occasion. The meeting was not numerously attended, yet there was a respectable number present, and among them a few ladies. When we were met, the usual circumstances of a meeting took place; several resolutions were proposed, seconded, and adopted, and different individuals addressed the meeting on the object of the Society which it was proposed to form. The Society was accordingly formed; and at the close of the meeting a subscription paper went round, and a pretty fair sum was put down — somewhat exceeding the amount subscribed at the meeting in Tobago, of which I wrote you in a former letter.
During our meeting, we were gratified and encouraged by an offer in writing, on the part of the publisher of one of our newspapers, of inserting the notices and advertisements of our Society, and of doing all our printing business, free of expense. This was very friendly, and may contribute not a little to the advancement of our cause here. Along with this you will receive a copy of the paper referred to, containing an account of our public meeting. I may also add, that the publisher of the other paper has recommended our object once and again, and is likely also, I believe, to give a statement of the occurrences at the meeting.
You are well aware that one of my objects in every place I visit is to make arrangements for a public and permanent sale of the Scriptures, and to give due notice thereof by public advertisements. This I have done here. Soon after the advertisements appeared, a person confined in jail sent an earnest request for a French Bible. This was forthwith sent him, and, as he was unable to pay for it, it was given him gratis.
Believe me My Dear Friend,
Very Truly Yours,
James Thomson.
P.S. On May 4th. instant I sent off from Trinidad per the Coriolanus on small case containing 14 Apocrypha Bibles which I found there in the Wesleyan Mission Store. Mr. Fletcher does not know when or how they came. J.T.
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