D.D. James Thomson

“ From the time I set my foot on board on my voyage to South America, I have considered myself as an American. Ever since that day the interests of America are the uppermost in my heart. You too, my dear Sir, and the members of your Society, are Americans. I would, therefore, call upon you, as my fellow-citizens, and would rouse you up to the mighty importance of that sacred work in which you are engaged. America, North and South, is the field for your operations. ”

“ From the ruins of Greece and Italy, sprung some rays of light, which, illuminating the darkness of the middle age, prepared the epoch of the discovery of the printing-press, the mariner’s compass, and the new world. From that time, the constant progress of the arts and sciences has converted knowledge into power, and nations have been more or less opulent and happy in the ratio of their scientific attainments, of their industry, and above all, of their moral and religious principles, which form the solid basis of true freedom. ”

“ I have hitherto been speaking of the progress of knowledge in general in South America, and its probable results. I shall now say something of the progress making in the knowledge of religion. You know, of course, that the Roman Catholic religion is the only religion professed in this Continent—as it once was the only one in Great Britain. Many are beginning to see through this system, and to find out its inconsistencies. I wish I could also say, that all who see thus far, have attained to the knowledge of the true religion, as laid down in the New Testament. ”

“ None can be happy unless he study religion, morality, and his own rights, unless he improve by the [10] knowledge of those who have preceded him, and enter into social connexion, as it were, with those who in former times, and in other places, cultivated the sciences and the arts, and who have deposited in their writing, the fruit of their studies for the improvement of others. The only way by which we can form such an acquaintance with great men is by reading. The happy day is now arrived when the infinitely valuable art of reading is to be extended to every individual in Chile. ”

“ How weak is man, and all his works, when God arises to shake the earth!
On the day on which I arrived in this city, I called on San Martin, and delivered him the letters of introduction which I had brought from Chile. He opened one of the letters, and observing its purport, said “Mr. Thomson! I am extremely glad to see you;” and he rose up, and gave me a very hearty embrace. He would not, he said, be lavish in compliments, but would assure me of his great satisfaction at my arrival; and said, that nothing should be wanting on his part to further the object which had brought me to Peru. ”

“ Spain, that beautiful country, worthy of a better fate, has been ruined by her ignorance and monkish superstition; she has only one advantage over the Turkish nation, and that is, that she lives under the glorious standard of the cross; and this standard, I hope, will soon lead the valiant and heroic Greeks to victory, and thus enable them at length to spread Christianity over the land of their tyrants.
Those lessons shall not be lost in South America. We are convinced that the foundation of our future and permanent prosperity rests on the moral improvements of the lower classes of society. ”

“ I would suggest the propriety of seeking out a well qualified person to go to Chile, and if the one selected is well fitted for conducting education, I have no doubt of his obtaining a favourable reception, and of his being the means of greatly benefiting that country. For the encouragement of such a one, I would say, that Chile enjoys a delightful climate, and its inhabitants are, I think, more moral in general than in any other part of South America where I have been. ”

“ Your notice of the progress of Bible Societies in France is very interesting, and it is not less so what you mention regarding the circulation of the Holy Scriptures in Egypt, and in Jerusalem, the city of the great King. To whatever quarter we turn our eyes, we behold the word of God silently making its way into the hands of men of every nation and of every language, saying unto all, Fear God, and give glory to his name, for the day of his merciful visitation is come. ”

“ I felt also my heart warm within me, whilst the contemplation of the British character, which was thus brought under review, called forth the just praises of my native land. O favoured isle! garden of God! where the fruits of righteousness grow more abundantly than in all the world beside. Peace be upon thee! In thee may the will of God be done—as it is done in heaven.
By and by the night came on, and our sale closed. After which we retired to one of the cells and entered into general conversation. We were all pleased with each other. ”

“ To accomplish it, time is required, and some degree of stability in the government, as well as some other circumstances, both natural and moral. All these must combine, in order that the education of the people may become general, and that thus a foundation may be laid for the continuance of those Institutions which may be established among them. Of the various improvements which the government has been desirous of making, none has been more earnestly and constantly kept in view since the moment of its commencement, than the reformation of public education. ”

“ He has not the eye of San Martin, whose glance would pierce you through in a moment. Bolivar’s weather-beaten face tells you that he has not been idle. No man, I believe, has borne so much of the burden, or has toiled so hard in the heat of the day, in the cause of South American Independence, as Bolivar. His labours in his own country are already crowned with nearly complete success; Colombia may be considered free and independent. According to all the accounts which reach us, the Congress of that country is going on with great steadiness. ”

“ One would naturally think that the being continually exposed to these catastrophes would be productive of some happy moral effects upon the inhabitants of this place. I am sorry to say there are no appearances of these good results. If a comparison were to be instituted between the people of this place, and those of other parts of South America, in regard to morals, I am afraid Lima would appear in the back ground. The most imminent danger, the most signal judgments, seem somehow or other to be productive of nothing but momentary effects on mankind. ”

“ Canning, (whose name is dear to all our hearts in South America,) “we must go forward, and keep pace with the growing spirit of the times, and the great change that has been wrought in the opinions of the world.” This great change in the general opinion is, that nations can only be happy under the banners of liberal sentiments and true morality; that, in short, the combination of political and religious freedom is as necessary for the moral happiness of mankind, as that combination of the two gasses, forming the atmospheric air which we breathe, is to our physical existence. ”

“ It may truly be said that the characteristic feature of the Mexican revolution is that spirit of moderation and generosity which the maxims of the Gospel recommend, and which are the best means for establishing true liberty. Our revolution, in its object, its means, and end, is very different from that of France: among us, it is not an overthrow of all principles; it is a natural tendency to create a new order; it is a general combination to promote the happiness of a vast continent; [293] it is a necessary transition from darkness to light, from superstition to christian morality. ”

“ Some time after these prosperous days, the war in that country greatly hindered the progress of education. We had often been scourged by this foe before, particularly in Buenos Aires, but the occurrences in Peru were to me, at least, new. Our former wars were among ourselves, and whatever party gained the ascendancy the schools went on unmolested, or nearly so; but in Lima we came in contact with the Spaniards, the well known encouragers of ignorance, at least so far as South America is concerned. Twice was Lima taken possession of by the Spanish armies during my residence there. ”

“ A man begins to see the absurdity of the Catholic system, and from his infancy all that is religion with him has been connected with it. In giving up this system, he gives up with religion itself, as considering popery and it the same thing. From these circumstances, I conceive this to be the most favourable time for introducing, as far as can be done, the holy religion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The present is the time for labouring in this field, by introducing the Scriptures, [56] and by every other means which prudence may dictate. ”

“ It has already been announced, in various decrees of the government, that the introduction of the Lancasterian system in the public schools, was one of the plans in meditation. It is not yet possible to calculate the revolution which will be produced in the world by this system of mutual instruction, on its becoming general throughout the civilized world. When this shall take place, ignorance shall come to an end, or at least shall be reduced to certain limits, beyond which it shall never be allowed to pass. ”

“ What more gratifying picture can there be for a true and liberal Christian, than that which the new world now presents, overturning a bad system, and establishing a good one, without being attended with scenes of violence and cruelties. ”

“ It is this, “The men who will be most useful to South America, are men truly religious and of sound [37] morality.” The minister of Chile, upon reading this sentence, said, “That is very true;” and San Martin expressed himself in a similar manner upon my stating the same thing to him.
What an immeasurable field is South America; and how white it is to the harvest! I have told you this repeatedly, but I have a pleasure in telling it to you again. I do think that, since the world began, there never was so fine a field for the exercise of benevolence in all its parts. ”

“ A good police would certainly contribute greatly to the healthiness of this city. This will be enjoyed, I believe, in due time; but the Government has so many things at present to do, that some time may elapse before that improvement takes place. This is the largest city I have yet seen in South America, and I believe there is none larger in it. I do not, of course, include Mexico, which is in North America. The houses here, and the general appearance of the city, have a more commanding and richer aspect than what is met with in Buenos Aires or Santiago de Chile. ”

“ San Martin is most decidedly a friend to general, to universal education. I hope none of the members of the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society will be offended, but rather gratified, when I say, that they are not more friendly to this object than San Martin. Because I have come to Peru to promote this object, I have received from him every mark of respect and personal attention, as well as every encouragement to proceed in this work. The Marquis of Truxillo, and each of the ministers of government, feel deeply interested in the same object. ”

“ And let not this revolution be considered as a small matter by the man of benevolence and the Christian. The interests of religion and of humanity are very closely connected with it. That once dreadful, now innoxious house, the Inquisition, reminds me, as I daily pass it, of the happy change which has taken place. True it is, that the Spaniards have now put down the Inquisition throughout their dominions; still, however, there are many inquisitorial things yet subsisting in Spain that do not exist in the independent states of South America. ”

“ I have now disposed of all the New Testaments I brought with me from Lima, and those which I found awaiting me in Guayaquil. I bless the Lord for having counselled me to undertake this journey, and thus to put into circulation a considerable number of copies of his holy word, and which would not likely have been accomplished, but by means of making a complete tour through these quarters. I have thus cause of gratitude to Him who distributeth his favours to whom he will, for having honoured me with a share of this angel-work, of communicating the revelation of God to man. ”