you, to inform you of the hunger and thirst after the word of God in
this part of the world. You may remember, that when I last left Lima you
gave me a box containing Tracts and Testaments, for Dr. O’Donovan in
Truxillo, but from the then existing state of the country it was out of
my power to forward the above mentioned box to Truxillo, and as we were
not allowed to enter that port, we were consequently obliged to proceed
to Guayaquil. I wrote you from that place, saying, that I was bound for
the coast of Mexico, but as affairs would not permit it, I made a trading
voyage to Jipijapi, Monte Cristi, and the Bay of Caracas. But before
leaving Guayaquil some one got knowledge of my having these Testaments,
and the demand was so great, that it was almost out of my power to save
any of them, although it was my intention to do so, for the other above
mentioned parts; and as I had no likely opportunity of forwarding them
to Mr. O’Donovan, I thought it best to circulate them, and not to let
such a treasure lie hid in darkness; and I am convinced that it is in
general considered as a treasure; for with pleasure have I seen, in
passing through the streets of Guayaquil, not once or twice, but mostly
every day, the shopkeepers, and the poor people who have stalls, read in
the blessed Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If I had had ten
times as many, I am persuaded I could have sold them all. On my arrival
in this port, (Monte Cristi, latitude 3° south) I had no Testaments, but
a few tracts, and some of the instructions of the Lancasterian system of
teaching; I gave the latter to different school-masters, and likewise a
few tracts along with them. A day or two after it was known that I had
tracts on board, it was astonishing, but at the same time pleasing, to
see both old and young coming after me in the street, and to where I
lived, requesting me either to sell or give them one of each kind. There
was one tract in particular, which, to my knowledge, was sent twenty
leagues to a curate, an acquaintance of mine, and on my going to some of
the inland towns, which I had occasion at times to do, there was always
particular inquiry for Tracts and New Testaments. I had once, about four
years ago, distributed a few Testaments in Monte Cristi, one or two of
which I saw this time. Such is the thirst after the word of God, that the
Governor and two or three more, requested me as a particular favour,
that I would leave a New Testament I had for my own use, until I should
return, and begged and even offered money, so that I would bring either
the New Testament or the whole Bible on my return. The Governor, after
reading the rules of the Lancasterian plan of teaching, gave orders in my
presence to some of the school-masters to conform to some of the rules
as near as they could. He seems to be a young man very much inclined to
forward any thing that tends to promote the education of youth. At this
moment I am surrounded with children requesting tracts, but as my stock
is small, I am very particular to whom I give them, making every one read
a sentence or two before they get a tract.—It gives me infinite pleasure
to be thus employed in distributing the word of God to those that hunger
and thirst after righteousness; and after the fatigues of the day, I feel
refreshed to be thus employed.”
The information contained in the above extract is very interesting, and
I trust many other instances will be witnessed upon this continent, of a
sincere desire to possess, and to read the Holy Scriptures. I shall take
care to seize the first opportunity of sending a supply of New Testaments
to Guayaquil and parts adjacent. It often occurs to me that it might
prove very useful to make journeys through various parts of this country,
in order to dispose of the Scriptures to the best advantage, and to the
greatest extent possible. I felt much inclined to employ a person in whom
I have confidence, in such journies, but did not like to do so at your
expense without orders, and my own funds at present cannot afford it.—I
have as yet received no answer to my letter to the Viceroy, and am quite
uncertain as to the time I remain here. I had almost forgot to mention to
you the safe arrival of the parcel containing the Brief View, in Spanish.
Many copies of this have already been circulated, and they have produced
a good effect.
I conclude, my dear Sir, by praying that an abundant measure of the Holy
Spirit may be poured out upon yourself, and upon all your associates.
* * * * *
_Lima, 1st September, 1824._
Many feelings, my dear friend, rush upon my mind on the present occasion.
I shall, at once, give you to understand something of the number and the
nature of these, by telling you,—that I have just now shut up my house,
have taken leave of the children and of several warm friends, and go down
immediately to Callao, to embark for Truxillo and Guayaquil; and from the
latter place I intend to go to Bogotá; and thence onward from one place
to another, until perhaps, and if the Lord will, I shall see you face to
face. In consequence of these things, as you may easily suppose, I have
my mind full of past, and of present, and of future objects. I think of
my parting from you more than six years ago; I think of the wonderful way
by which the Lord has preserved me, and led me, and blessed me in this
foreign land; I think of the goodness of God in having allowed me to drop
a seed here and a seed there in this continent, which appears a world
of itself; I think of the affectionate parting I have this day had with
many warm friends, and who are mostly priests, and of their sincere and
earnest entreaties for my speedy return to them; and further, I think of
the prospect of sowing the word of God on my journey,—of the pleasure, if
such be the will of our Saviour, of seeing again all my dear brethren and
friends in England,—of spending a few months with you in endeavours to
forward the cause of our Redeemer in South America; and finally, I think
of parting from you once more, and of returning again to this quarter of
the world, to spend in it the remaining days of my life in seeking its
welfare.
It is time to tell you the immediate cause of these projected movements.
I say the _immediate_ cause, for I suppose you know that these are not
new arrangements. The reason, then, of my setting off at the present time
is, because I conceive it the most favourable time I am likely to have of
reducing these arrangements to practice. You know how the war rages here,
and how it defeats every attempt to forward the education of youth, and
the promoting of general improvement. What I have said applies to Peru in
general, but more particularly to this city, where the sword has truly
reached to the heart. We are here, I may say, in a beseiged city, having
the enemy on all sides. Guerilla parties surround the city by land, and
have several times come in at night, and carried off people and property;
and on the other hand the port of Callao is actually blockaded by the
Peruvian squadron under Admiral Guise. The distress which prevails in
this city, in consequence of every thing being thus at a stand, is _very
great_, and it is augmented by heavy contributions. This, perhaps, in
former times, was, without exception, the richest city in the world,
but _now_, I may say with equal certainty, that it is the poorest. The
luxury and dissipation which prevailed, in consequence of this abundance
of wealth, may be easily imagined; and I have often thought upon that
passage in the 18th chapter of the Revelation, and have seen it applied,
I think, to our case, “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived
deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her.”
Until, therefore, some change take place here, nothing more can be done
than has already been done. Our school goes on, and I may say, with
as much prosperity as could be expected under the circumstances above
mentioned. The number of scholars has decreased from 230 to about 200.
There are two causes for this decrease; the one is, that the bigger boys
are afraid to go out lest they should be taken up by the recruiting
parties; and the other is, the real poverty which exists, and which
prevents many parents from sending their children, as they are unable to
procure them shoes and clothes to enable them to appear decently among
others. Whilst these two causes exist, the number may diminish, perhaps,
still more, but the school will continue to maintain itself, and to
support its character, I expect, in the progress of those who attend.
There are two masters in it, who are well instructed in the plan, and
the whole is under the direction of my good friend, the clergyman, of
whom I have often spoken to you. What I have said applies to the model
or central school. There is also another school in the city on the same
plan, with about eighty scholars, which, I hope, will also continue to go
on well, though subject, of course, to the same disadvantages.
I have thought, then, that I was called upon to seize this time as the
most suitable for visiting other parts of this Continent, and for the
objects I have in England. My principal business upon my journey will be
the circulation of the Scriptures in the different places I may visit,
and I hope that something may be done in this way, so as to make my
journey not unprofitable. Of my progress on my road, and in my objects,
I shall endeavour to inform you from time to time. I shall only farther
observe, in regard to my intentions, that my route, &c. will be a good
deal determined by the circumstances which may occur in the way by which
the Lord may lead me.
These movements have, I trust, been entered upon in the fear of God, and
after mature deliberation, and fervent supplication to the Father of
lights, who has promised to guide in judgment those who seek his face in
sincerity.
* * * * *
_Guayaquil, 5th October, 1824._
I arrived in this place a few days ago, and seize the earliest
opportunity to state to you the cause of my being here. You already know
that the single object which I have in view in South America, is the
promoting of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are, of course,
various ways of doing this, and I have thought it best to allow myself
to be guided in the manner of doing it, by the various circumstances and
occasions which the providence of God opens up to me from time to time.
The two things to which I have more particularly given my attention
all along are, the education of youth, and the circulation of the Holy
Scriptures. In regard to the latter, with which you are more immediately
connected, I have stated to the Society, at different times, my desire
of forwarding their work in this quarter, in every way which lies in my
power. I have also informed the Society, on various occasions, as to
the progress of their work in this continent. It has afforded me much
satisfaction to observe the interest taken by you all for supplying South
America with the sacred volume, and to read the repeated assurances you
have communicated to me of your desire to carry forward this object in
the most extensive and effectual way possible. The confidence I reposed
in the Society in regard to this country, induced me to commence the
translation of the New Testament on your account into the Quichua, or
ancient language of Peru, and the answer I received from you some time
ago, has shown me that I was not mistaken in regard to your views.
The same confidence as to the views of the Society, and a hope of being
able to do something in the way of circulating the word of God, in places
not yet visited, or but very partially, by this messenger of peace, has
induced me to come to this city at the present time. It is my intention
to set out from this place in two or three days for Bogotá, the capital
of Colombia. In my way I shall pass through Riobamba, Ambato, Tacunga,
Quito, and Popayan, all of which are populous cities, and where I expect
to sell a considerable number of copies of the Spanish New Testaments.
The present state of the war in Lima renders abortive every attempt to
forward education there, and very little can be done in the circulation
of the Scriptures by sale, on account of the very great pressure of
the war, which has reduced the city to much distress. Under these
circumstances, I thought the best time I could find for visiting the
quarters above mentioned, and perhaps for visiting my native land, was
the present. I set out then from Lima with this intention, and to perform
the part of an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. I am not
sure, but I may feel myself under the necessity of petitioning you for my
_travelling expenses_. I never intended to charge you for any services
I might be honoured in doing for your Society, if possible to avoid it;
but the low state of my funds at present, on account of the war here, may
urge me to do what otherwise I should not have done. I mention this at
present, only in case it should be necessary. The prosperous turn the war
has lately taken in Peru, encourages me to hope that what is due to me by
the government of that country will be paid in due time, and in that case
my little services shall cost you nothing.
I left Lima on the 5th ultimo, and at that time the supply of New
Testaments, and of the four books of the Old Testament, printed with
a small type, of which you wrote me, had not arrived. I had anxiously
looked for their arrival for some weeks before my coming away, as by
the date of your letter, I thought there was sufficient time for their
reaching that place. I was very sorry in not having been furnished with
this supply before entering upon my present journey, as I think the
volumes printed with the small type would have been very acceptable, and
the whole Bible also would have been equally so, as it has been often
sought for. I have just one Bible with me to show as I go along, by way
of specimen, in order to incite curiosity, and a desire to possess it,
when it may be supplied to all those places. This copy I bought in Lima
for this express purpose, and hope it will serve the end in view. I have
brought about 800 New Testaments with me, and in this place I have found
the supply you sent by the Grecian to Mr. Lynch, and which I thought had
gone to Chile. I am glad at finding these here, as it enables me to send
a quantity to Guatemala by an opportunity which offers from this place in
a day or two. The rest I will dispose of otherwise. I mentioned to you
some time ago, that I had sent two boxes to Guatemala of those which came
to me by the Grecian. I have however learned, that the vessel in which
they were sent had changed her destination, and that they have not yet
arrived at that place. The accidental finding, in this place, the cases
brought by the Grecian, enables me now to supply this deficiency, and
also to send by the same person a supply to California. As to the boxes
formerly sent, though they did not arrive at the destination intended,
I entertain no doubt of their safety, and of their being profitably
disposed of somewhere, and of which I expect to hear in due time.
I shall now state to you what has occurred in the part of my journey
already performed. The first object I had in view, was to visit Truxillo,
where I expected to find my good friends who take so much interest in
the Peruvian translation of the New Testament, and who had laboured so
diligently to accomplish it. I accordingly embarked on board a vessel
bound for that place, and where I safely arrived in due time. I was sadly
disappointed in not finding my friends there as I expected. Not one of
them was to be found, nor could I ascertain with certainty where they
were, but heard that one had been seen going to one place and another to
another. The suddenness of their leaving Lima prevented us from making
any arrangements about our translation, and we had not even time to bid
each other adieu. The abruptness of our parting, rendered more severe my
disappointment in not finding them in Truxillo, where I intended to make
arrangements with them for carrying forward thin work during my absence.
I had brought from Lima the manuscript of the whole New Testament in the
Quichua language, together with the Gospel of Luke, thoroughly revised
and prepared for the press. I mentioned to you in my last, that I would
endeavour to carry your resolution into effect regarding the printing of
1,000 copies of this revised part. I mentioned also that all the printing
presses had been removed from Lima, but that two were to be found in
Callao, and that I would ascertain whether the work in question could be
done there. Upon enquiry, I found it could not. In consequence of this,
I wished to get the Gospel of Luke printed in Truxillo, and for that end
carried the MS. to that place, that it might be carried through the press
there. And in regard to the MS. of the other parts of the New Testament,
I expected that our friends, in their exile, might go on revising and
correcting it. All these plans, as you see, have been frustrated. I
therefore carefully packed up the whole MS. and addressing it to one of
our translators, gave it into the hands of an English gentleman going
to Lima, to be delivered according to the address, when the expulsion
of the Spaniards from Lima (which is soon expected) would enable our
friends to return. I also wrote a few lines explaining my wish regarding
the revising of the MS., and regarding the printing of the part already
revised. The English gentleman of whom I have spoken, has kindly offered
to advance all the money that may be necessary for carrying this into
effect. From these arrangements I expect that the work will be set agoing
again in the course of two, or at most three months from this date; for
according to the _present_ aspect of the war, the Spaniards will not be
able to continue longer in possession of Lima, although they may, and
probably will, retain the fortresses of Callao till a later period.
Having touched upon this subject of the Spanish cause here, I cannot
forbear mentioning to you the singular interposition of Providence on
behalf of the cause of liberty in this quarter. On the 6th of August
last the two armies came in sight of each other at a place called
Junin, between Pasco and Tarma. The consequence was, that a battle took
place between the cavalry of the two parties. There were 1,200 of the
Spaniards and 800 of the Patriots. An eye witness says, “The concussion
was tremendous, as they came up to each other at full gallop. In a
quarter of an hour, upwards of 400 men lay dead upon the field, more than
three-fourths of whom were Royalists. All this havoc and slaughter was
caused by the lance and sword, principally by the former. Not a shot of
any description, was fired.” In a short time victory begin visibly to
declare for the Spaniards, and the General at the head of the patriot
cavalry was made prisoner. At this critical moment, by some scarcely
explained movement, the Spaniards got somehow into disorder, and began to
give way. This was followed up by the Patriots, and in a very short time
they obtained a complete victory. The whole of the Spanish army was, in
consequence of this defeat, struck with a panic, and by forced marches
endeavoured to get out of the way of the enemy as fast as possible.
Bolivar immediately advanced, and the Spaniards continued to flee before
him with all speed. On the 22d August, only 15 days after the battle, the
advanced guard of the patriot army entered Guamanga. Five of the finest
provinces of Peru thus fell into their hands in the short period of about
a fortnight. The Spanish army has been sadly reduced and dispirited by
their rapid retreat, and the army of Bolivar has increased in numbers and
in strength. I consider this to be _a deadly blow_ to the Spanish cause
in this quarter of the world, from which I think and hope they will never
recover. With this cause will terminate, I trust, the reign of oppression
and violence, of ignorance and fanaticism in Peru, and by which it has
been borne down for these three hundred years. So perish all tyranny and
ignorance from the earth!
I should perhaps beg your pardon for having drawn your attention so long
to the concerns of war and of politics, as you are men of peace and of
no party, and your only occupation is speaking peace to them who are far
off and to them that are nigh. Still, however, you will remember that
the book whose circulation we are engaged in, detains our attention in
many places with the account of wars and revolutions. But you will say
that all these are related there merely from their being connected with
the grand moral and religious revolution of the world through that great
prophet who was to come. This is certainly a right view of the subject;
and motives of a similar nature, I trust, and not party nor malicious
principles, have induced me to detain you a moment upon the wars of this
quarter of the world. I firmly believe that the deliverance of this
country from bondage and oppression, and the mental emancipation of its
inhabitants, depend upon the success of this revolution. The Spaniards,
as is well known, have greatly impeded, not to say prohibited, the
progress of knowledge and of true religion in America. It is not easy
therefore, nor is it proper, to remain indifferent as to the issue of
this struggle.
I now return to our work of peace, and to Truxillo. I wrote the Society
some time ago, of having found a useful and zealous co-labourer in
that city, and that I had forwarded to him from Lima a supply of New
Testaments. At the first he met with some difficulties, owing to the
ecclesiastical authorities of the place. These were at length overcome,
and he was allowed to commence the sale of the Scriptures publicly.
When he had obtained leave to do so, he printed an advertisement, and
posted it up in the public places of the town, intimating the sale. The
consequence was, that he had sold when I was there about 100 copies. He
had also written to his friends the Vicars in the provincial towns, but
he had not then, from the shortness of the time, received the answers
to his letters. When these arrive, he expects several orders for New
Testaments to be sent to the various towns in the department of Truxillo,
which contains a population of upwards of 300,000. In addition to this
mode of circulating the Scriptures, my friend informed me that he was
about to put in practice a method of lending the New Testaments in the
different houses which he is in the habit of visiting, and in others
which he intends to visit for that purpose. Our friend’s medical duties
give him a facility for carrying this into practice. He intends to lend
the New Testament for a day, or for two or three days, as circumstances
may direct, and to call again for it himself at the given time. Upon
calling for it, he says he will ask them if they wish to purchase it, and
if so, he will sell it at a price corresponding to the circumstances of
the individual; and if they do not wish it, he will take it with him and
lend it to some other, to whom in turn he will put the same question,
and thus sell it or take it with him, as circumstances require. You will
easily see that this way of doing will cost him a good deal of labour and
care, but he seems to count nothing of these, if in this manner he may be
the means of circulating the word of God, and of drawing the attention
of the people around him, to its all-important contents. As he makes all
his rounds on horseback, he will, I hope, be enabled fully to verify his
benevolent purpose. He showed me a pair of saddle-bags, which he told me
he had got made for the very purpose of always carrying about with him a
supply of New Testaments. He gave me one hundred dollars to account of
sales, which was rather more than what he had received.