importance, and will prove, I trust, the means of greatly extending the
operations and diffusing the blessings of the British and Foreign Bible
Society. What I refer to is, the finding of an additional agent who
takes a lively interest in the diffusion of the Scriptures, and in every
other means by which his countrymen may be benefited. The individual
in question is a clergyman, and a man of rank in that order. He is
Vicar-general to the army, and possesses a considerable influence. His
residence, at present, is at Moche, a little village about four or five
miles from Truxillo, and of which place he is rector. This, however, is
only a temporary residence, during the occupation of his home by the
Spaniards, and from which, in consequence, he was obliged to flee. The
place of his nativity and of his permanent residence is in the province
and near the city of Arequipa, towards the southern extremity of Peru.
It is this circumstance in particular, that will render his services
valuable, as we have already an active agent in Truxillo. He intends to
return to his native province as soon as the course of the war will
permit. Arequipa is in the centre of a populous country, and he will
have an extensive field of operation. Another circumstance renders the
acquisition of this gentleman very valuable, and that is his thorough
knowledge of the Indian or Peruvian language, which is very extensively
spoken in that quarter. To this I add another feature in his character
of yet more importance, which is, his compassion for the oppressed and
degraded state of the indigenous population of Peru, and the lively
interest he takes in ameliorating their condition, by his representations
to the government upon the subject, and by his personal labours. No
individual I have yet met with in these countries, has offered himself
so decidedly and so heartily to promote the cause of your Society, as
this gentleman; and from all the circumstances I have mentioned, you
will see that his good will and his services must be considered a great
acquisition.
I considered the time spent in visiting Truxillo abundantly recompensed
in meeting with this fellow-labourer, and I found, in this circumstance,
some relief from the disappointment I had met with in not finding there
the friends I had expected. My falling in too with that individual was
perfectly accidental, for I had no knowledge of such a one being in that
place. But then again we must remember, that “all chance is but direction
which we cannot see.” Blessed be God who leadeth us by ways _we_ know
not, but which _he_ knows, and which will lead us to the glorifying of
his name, when that is our object. I must not omit to give you the name
and address of our fellow-labourer. It is “Dr. Don Manuel Fernandez de
Córdova, Vicario General del Ejército del Peru, y Cura de Salamanca del
Obispado de Arequipa.” I have given you this address in Spanish to enable
you to write direct to our friend, should you feel so inclined.
I shall now leave Truxillo, but before I go on board, shall just notice
a little incident. Truxillo is about six miles distant from Huanchaco,
which is the sea port town of that quarter. In going down to this port,
I happened to get a very bad horse, which soon becoming restive, I was
obliged to leave it at a house upon the road, and to walk down under a
burning sun. After I had walked more than half the way, a person came
riding up to me and offered me a horse, which of course I accepted.
He told me he had observed me on foot from a distance, and had pushed
forward to offer me assistance. Upon entering into conversation I found
my obliging friend was a peasant, belonging to a neighbouring village,
where he had a family to which he was returning. We spoke a little about
education in general, and of his family in particular. I learned from
him that he could read, and was anxious that his children should be well
instructed. I asked him if he had ever seen the New Testament, to which
he replied in the negative, and from less to more, he intimated to me
that he would be glad to purchase one if he could find it, for the use
of himself and of his children. When we arrived at Huanchaco, he would
accept of no remuneration for his kindness, and as I found my luggage
there not embarked, I brought him a New Testament and made him a present
of it, in return for his unsolicited and friendly attentions. He received
it most thankfully, and we parted.
On the 24th we sailed for Guayaquil, but as we carried a gentleman with
us at the request of the government, we had to call at Paita to land
him there. We cast anchor in that port on the 26th, after sun-set, and
early next morning I went ashore to see the place, and took three New
Testaments with me. I went into a store near the landing-place, and
being invited, took a seat upon a bale of cotton. After some general
conversation, I opened my treasure, and offered the New Testaments for
sale at one dollar each, and in a few minutes they were bought. Some
little time after, I was asked if I had any more. I replied that I had,
but that they were in the ship. I immediately went on board, and just as
we had got our anchor up, a boat came along-side, in which I recognized
the person who had asked me for more New Testaments. He came on board
and bought two dozen, for which he paid me eighteen dollars. As we were
by this time under way, the boat had to return ashore without loss of
time, whilst we, with a most propitious gale, made for this port.—On the
evening of the 29th we cast anchor off the small town of Puná, on the
island of the same name. You will remember that this island is famous
in the conquest of Peru, by the Spaniards. According to the accounts of
it that remain, it seems to have been very populous at that time. It
is not so now. There is, on the whole island, only one little village,
namely, the one I have mentioned, and which does not contain above 200
inhabitants. We landed at this little place for a pilot to conduct
us up the river. I took with me, as I had done at Paita, three New
Testaments. When we landed, we found some people on the beach, to whom
we communicated intelligence of the rapid progress of Bolivar. We were
invited into one of the houses, and after having talked a little upon
various subjects, I opened my casket and presented my New Testaments,
which they were all very curious to see. Whilst they were looking through
them, one of the neighbours came in. “Here!” said one who was examining
the New Testament, “here is a book that will tell you about the beginning
of the world, and a great many other things.” His friend replied, that he
cared very little about the _beginning_ of the world, but that he wished
to know something about the _end of it_. Upon hearing this, I told him
that the book he had in his hands was the very book that would suit him,
as it would inform him particularly about the end of the world. I sold
the three New Testaments in this same house, and as our captain had by
this time made arrangements with the pilot, we got on board again, and
set sail. On the following night (the 30th) we arrived at this place, at
eight o’clock. Before we cast anchor, an English gentleman came on board,
to whom I had a letter of introduction. He kindly invited me to his
house, where I am comfortably lodged, and from which I now write you.
I intend to stop in this place only a few days, during which I shall
endeavour to dispose of as many New Testaments as I can, and in the way
that may be most profitable. I now close this letter, and shall inform
you of the success I meet with here, in my next communication.
* * * * *
_Guayaquil, 11th October, 1824._
My letter of the 5th current will inform you of the motives and objects
which have brought me to this place. It will also inform you of what
progress I have made in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and in
objects connected therewith, from my leaving Lima till my arrival in
this quarter. I proceed, therefore, to state to you the occurrences of
Guayaquil in reference to these matters.
Some time ago, and of which I believe I informed you, I sent from Lima
twenty New Testaments to a Gentleman here, to be sold at one dollar
each, if opportunities should offer, of disposing of them among his
friends. This gentleman holds a principal situation in the government,
and had been recommended to me by a relation of his in Truxillo, as a
person desirous of doing good. Upon my arriving here, I called upon him,
and found him to be a person worthy of the honourable appellation just
mentioned. He told me he had disposed of the New Testaments, and he gave
me twenty dollars which he had received for them.
As soon as I had reached this place, I mentioned to some persons that I
had a supply of New Testaments for sale, and in consequence I sold one
hundred and sixty-eight copies. After thinking for some time upon what
would be the speediest and most effectual way of disposing of the New
Testaments, it occurred to me that the best thing I could do would be
to print an advertisement, and to give notice of the sale by posting
these up in the public places of the different towns I pass through on
my journey. This, you will see, would at once draw the attention of the
_public_. The only objection that occurred to me was, that it would be
a kind of challenge to our opponents, or at least an intimation of our
hostile operations. This obstacle I kept in mind, but did not think
our adversaries would be able to make any effectual resistance. More
powerful, I believe, are those who are for us than those who are against
us. The encouragement to make such an attempt as this, arises from the
great and happy changes already effected by the revolution going on in
this country, and, I trust, now concluding. I could not have ventured
upon such a thing under the Spanish government. What is going forward in
these countries is truly a _revolution_ in every sense of the word.
I accordingly wrote out an advertisement, and got it printed in the
government printing-office in this place. Translated into English it runs
thus: “To be sold in (_a_) the New Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ, in
one volume, well printed, and neatly bound, at the low price of _eight_
rials. This sale will continue for (_b_) days only, and it is expected
that those who wish to procure for themselves this sacred code of our
Holy Religion, will improve the occasion now offered them.” As this
advertisement was intended not for this place alone, but for others also,
I left the blank (_a_) to be filled up with the pen to suit each place,
and the blank (_b_) I leave for the number _one_, _two_, or _three_,
as my time will permit, and as the importance of the town visited may
require. When these notices were finished, I caused some to be put up
in this place, saying that the sale would be for _three_ days only. In
a few minutes after putting them up, I enjoyed the great satisfaction
of seeing it produce much better effects than I had anticipated. At
_noon_ the notices were put up and at _one o’clock_ I had sold _fifteen_
copies. In the next hour I sold _forty-seven_. In the course of an hour
and a half during the time the store was open in the afternoon, I sold
_one hundred and twelve_. Next day I sold 262 copies. The day following,
which was also one of the three days of sale, happened to be a festival
day held to celebrate the declaration of independence in this town four
years ago. The stores in consequence were all shut, and public business
suspended. Nevertheless, there were _eleven_ copies sold during a few
minutes before breakfast, when the store was open for some particular
purpose. To-day I set out on my journey to Quito, bu I may perhaps
sell some before I go, as I cannot go off before four o’clock in the
afternoon, having to sail up the river with the flood tide.
The whole number disposed of in this place is 615, and for these I have
received 542 dollars 2 rials.—The greater part were sold one by one at
eight rials each, but sometimes I sold a dozen or two together, and in
that case sold them somewhat cheaper. To the number of copies already
mentioned, I add the 30 disposed of, as noticed in my last, and three
copies sold in Truxillo of those in superior binding, making in all
648 copies since the commencement of my tour. To the amount of monies
received in the same time as above, I add, what I received from Dr.
O’Donovan, from the gentleman here as previously mentioned, and for those
sold in Paita and Puná, and the three just noticed, making 153 dollars,
amounting in all to 695 dollars 2 rials. Of this sum, I have remitted 500
dollars to Messrs. Cochran and Robertson, of Lima, with whom I keep my
accounts. This sum will be applied to carrying forward the translation
and printing of the Scriptures into the _Peruvian_ language, agreeably to
your resolution upon the subject, communicated to me some time ago.
Need I add anything to the above by way of comment or observation? Is it
not most gratifying to see so many seeds sown in this town? Let us join
together in prayer, that He who causeth the rain to descend from heaven
to fertilize the ground, and to raise into fruit the puny efforts of man,
may cause his blessing to be upon the seed sown in this place. As it is
sown in weakness may it be raised in strength, and produce at least a
hundred fold.
P.S.—_12th October._—Our boat did not sail yesterday, and thus gave me
the opportunity of adding 71 to the number of copies formerly mentioned,
and 71 dollars to account.
The preceding sentence was written in the morning, and now, in the
afternoon, I add 52 copies more, making in all, in Guayaquil, 738.
* * * * *
_Guaranda, 25th October, 1824._
My last letter to you was written in Guayaquil on the 12th instant. On
that occasion I noticed that I had taken that freedom with you in regard
to writing, which we often take with our friends without the danger or
the thought of offending on the one hand or on the other. The letter
referred to was short and could not well be longer from the circumstances
in which I was then placed. Before I had finished it, the master of
the canoe in which I was to leave Guayaquil, had knocked at the door
according to appointment, at four o’clock in the morning. Although,
however, that letter was short, I did not consider that I had left you
uninformed as to the circumstances that had occurred during my journey
from Lima to Guayaquil, as well as those that had occurred in the place
last mentioned. I wrote upon that subject two letters of some length, to
the British and Foreign Bible Society, detailing these matters with some
degree of minuteness. Of these two letters I requested Mr. B. to forward
you copies, and doubt not that such will be forwarded to you immediately
upon their arrival.
In the two letters referred to, I stated the measures I had taken in
circulating the Scriptures in Guayaquil, and the unexpected and happy
results which followed in the sale of 738 copies of the New Testament.
It was gratifying, I assure you, to see in this manner almost the whole
city come together to hear the word of God, and it was not less so, to
pass along the streets and to count one, two, three, a dozen perhaps,
diligently engaged in reading their New Testaments. Who could pass along
under such circumstances, in any other frame than that of thanksgiving
and prayer?—thanksgiving to God for having disposed so many to attend
to the things which belong to their everlasting peace, and which I may
say, have been hitherto hid from their eyes,—and prayer, that the eyes of
their understanding might be enlightened, that they might be turned from
darkness to light, and might enjoy that inheritance which the Lord hath
prepared for them that love him. Nor could I feel otherwise, nor withhold
from expressing those feelings, as I walked over the spot where sin has
deposited his spoils won in that place. The small and the great are
there. My prayer to God was, that through means of the word of life then
circulated, many from that spot might, at the voice of the Archangel,
awake to life and everlasting glory.
We read in the sacred page upon a certain occasion, some thousands of
years ago, when the sons of God came to present themselves before him,
Satan came also among them. The same seems to have been his practice
in Jerusalem, in Antioch, in Philippi, as well as upon other occasions
of ancient and modern date. That he was not absent on this occasion in
Guayaquil, we may _a priori_ be assured of. That he was successful,
however, I have not yet learned. I did, indeed, overhear that some
priest had said something against the reading of the New Testament,
but I had some suspicion that the information was not quite correct.
As a counterpart to this, several priests and friars bought of the New
Testaments. At one time, I think there were _five_ friars in the store
at one time to purchase, and one of these took _thirteen_ copies. At
another time, a friar, who had bought a New Testament, came afterwards
inquiring very anxiously for the whole Bible, and was much disappointed
upon learning that there was none. I told him that some two months after,
some Bibles might be expected, and that as only 50 copies were ordered,
he had better put down his name if he wished to secure one for himself.
Upon my telling him so, he immediately subscribed for _two_ copies.
This person told me that all the friars in his convent had bought New
Testaments, and that they were all highly pleased with them. It is really
encouraging to see the word of God circulate in this quarter with little
or no opposition.—I may add further regarding this matter, that I was
upon very good terms with the rector of Guayaquil during the few days I
remained there. I paid him a visit, accompanied by a friend to introduce
me, and next day I received a very courteous visit from him in return,
accompanied by the ecclesiastic next in rank to himself. He has, besides,
given me two letters of introduction, warmly recommending me to his
friends in Quito. Do not all these things, my dear friend, lay us under
obligations to give thanks unto him in whose hands are the hearts of all?
And are not such occurrences calculated to encourage us to labour in
this sacred cause and to ask of the Lord _liberal things_ according to
his promise? I am persuaded you so feel, and so act, but still it is not
unnecessary to remind you of these matters, to stir up your pure mind by
way of remembrance, and thus to add line upon line. Let us then continue
instant in prayer, that the Lord would pour out his blessing upon this
country, already white unto harvest.
A little after four o’clock on the morning of the 14th, I got into the
canoe which was to conduct me from Guayaquil to Babahoyo. The river
Guayaquil is navigable at all seasons as far as the latter place, a
distance of about 40 miles, and in the rainy season, when the river is
high, boats pass some 15 miles farther up. The navigation is performed
in balsas, and in large and small canoes. The small canoes are made of a
single tree hollowed out, and the large ones are built like our boats,
and capable of carrying several tons, but made in the shape of the small
canoes. It was in one of the large ones I took my passage to Babahoyo. It
is in general by no means a pleasant voyage that is made between these
two places. On the one hand, the heat is very great; and on the other,
the mosquitos are numerous and active. The effects arising from the
bite of this troublesome insect are still, at the distance of more than
a week, very visible on my hands, and also on my legs, where they were
defended by the stocking only. On the first day, owing to the excessive
heat, I felt very unwell, but enjoyed good health on the following day.
On this occasion I experienced from some of my fellow-passengers those
friendly and soothing attentions which adorn the female character, and
which, on several occasions, I have seen exhibited in regard to myself
and to others during my residence in this country. We were nearly three
days in our passage. The river _abounds_ with alligators. I might almost
say, it is _full_ of them. Great numbers lie basking on the banks with
their horrible mouths wide open, and upon coming close up to them they
plunge into the river, and swim about like so many logs floating around
you. At one time I counted, in a very short distance, all at one view,
on one side of the river, to the number of forty, and at another time I
saw twenty, close together. Very few are found at or below Guayaquil, as
the water is salt for some miles above the town. In the rainy season,
however, when the great quantity of fresh water keeps the salt water
down below the town, the alligator is found farther down. I made several
inquiries as to the feeling of this animal towards man in this quarter,
but could not get any well authenticated information of its seizing upon
human kind, and the frequency of bathing in the river speaks the same
language. It seems, in this river, still to observe that fear and regard
to man which all the animal creation once possessed, but which has now
in regard to several animals been effaced, and in most cases, I believe,
through the cruelty of man towards the animal creation. All accounts,
however, agreed in affirming that the alligators here often seize upon
hogs, and other small animals, when found close to the river. Whilst
speaking upon this subject I may also notice, that in all the low lands
between the sea and the mountains in the parts subject to periodical
rains, lions, tigers, and serpents abound, particularly the latter. The
lions I am told do not attack man, nor does the serpent, except when
trode upon.