letters-第69章
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to be used towards introducing the Scripture amongst the villagers； but to this question they invariably replied that； unless the villagers came to the towns and purchased the work； they saw no means of making it known amongst them； unless I made friends in the villages in whose hands I could deposit copies for sale； though in such a case the difficulty of recovering the money would be immense。 I therefore at last resolved to make an experiment； the result of which fully corresponded with an opinion which I had for some time formed … namely； that in the villages； sequestered and apart amongst the mountains and in the sandy plains of Spain； I might at any time be sure of a glorious harvest； far more rich than that which it was possible for me to expect in towns and cities； unless I had recourse to means unwarranted； nay forbidden； by the Book which I distributed； and which means had been proscribed by the Society itself on my departure for Spain。 But now to proceed at once to the experiment； which I made at different periods and in different provinces。
I twice sallied forth one morning alone and on horseback； and proceeded to a distant village； bearing behind me a satchel of books。 On my arrival； which took place just after the SIESTA or afternoon's sleep had concluded； I proceeded in both instances to the market…place； where I spread a horse…cloth on the ground； on which I deposited my books。 I then commenced crying with a loud voice： 'Peasants； peasants； I bring you the Word of God at a cheap price。 I know you have but little money； but I bring it to you at whatever you can command； at four or three REALS according to your means。' I thus went on till a crowd gathered round me； who examined the book with attention； many of them reading it aloud。 But I had not long to tarry； in both instances I disposed of my cargo almost instantaneously； and then mounted my horse without a question having been asked me； and returned to my temporary residence lighter than I left it。 This occurred in Castile and Galicia； near the towns of Santiago and Valladolid。
The above are incidents which I have hitherto kept within the privacy of my own bosom and which I have confided to none； they were but experiments； which at that time I had no wish to repeat； nor to be requested so to do。 I was perfectly aware that such a line of conduct； if followed before the proper time； would give offence to the clergy； not only to the Carlist but the liberal clergy； and likewise to the Government； and it formed no part of my plan to be on ill terms with either。 For I remembered that I was a stranger and a labourer on sufferance in Christ's cause in a half… barbaric land； on which the light of freedom and true religion was just beginning to dawn； and I was unwilling by over…precipitance and for the sake of a mere temporary triumph to forego the solid and lasting advantages which I foresaw； and had been told that patience and prudence would assure。 I resolved to use the knowledge which I had obtained by these experiments only as a last resource； provided any accident which it was impossible for me then to foresee should overturn all the plans which my friends and myself had been forming for the quiet and peaceful introduction of the Scriptures amongst the Spaniards with the consent or at least with the connivance of the Government and clergy； knowing well that a great part of the latter were by no means disposed to offer any serious opposition to such a measure； they having sense and talent enough to perceive that the old system can no longer be upheld of which the essential part is； as is well known； to keep the people in ignorance of the great sterling truths of Christianity。 I now come to the most distressing part of my narrative and likewise to the most miserable of my own life。
I returned to Madrid from my long； fatiguing and most perilous journey； in which I must be permitted to say that independent of a thousand miraculous escapes from the factious and the banditti I had been twice arrested as a spy； namely； once at Vigo and subsequently at Cape Finisterre； in which latter instance I narrowly escaped with life； the ignorant fishermen having determined upon shooting me and my guide。 Upon finding the booksellers of Madrid； with the exception of Razola； a man of no importance； averse to undertake the sale of the New Testament I determined upon establishing a shop of my own； a step to which I was advised by many sincere friends of the Cause and of myself。 Having accomplished this； I advertised the work incessantly； not only in the public prints but by placards posted in all the streets of the city； but I wish it to be distinctly understood that the advertisement which I used was the same quiet innocent advertisement； a copy of which you possess； and of which I have availed myself in the provinces； an advertisement which had never given offence nor was calculated to give offence if squandered about the streets by millions。 I make this statement in self… justification； I having； in consequence of a letter in which I made some observations respecting advertisements and handbills； received a paragraph in a communication from home； in which I was checked with having made a plentiful use of advertisements and handbills myself。 It would have been as well if my respected and revered friend the writer had made himself acquainted with the character of my advertisements before he made that observation。 There is no harm in an advertisement； if truth； decency and the fear of God are observed； and I believe my own will be scarcely found deficient in any of these three requisites。 It is not the use of a serviceable instrument； but its abuse that merits reproof； and I cannot conceive that advertising was abused by me when I informed the people of Madrid； that the New Testament was to be purchased at a cheap price in the CALLE DEL PRINCIPE。
I had scarcely opened my establishment at Madrid when I began to hear rumours of certain transactions at Valencia； said to be encouraged by the British and Foreign Bible Society。 As these transactions； as they were reported； were in the highest degree absurd and improper； and as I was convinced that the Bible Society would sanction nothing of the kind； I placed little or no credit in them； and put them down to the account of Jesuitical malignity。 In less than a fortnight appeared in the newspapers what I conceived to be a gross and uncalled…for attack upon the Bible Society； appended to a pastoral of the Bishop of Valencia； in which he forbade the sale of the Bible throughout his diocese。 The Committee are acquainted with my answer to that epistle； they are well aware with what zeal and fervour I spoke against the spirit of Popery； and defended the Society and their cause as far as my feeble talents would permit。 Yet I here confess that the said answer was penned； if not in perfect ignorance of what had been transacted in Valencia； at least in almost utter disbelief； for had it been my fortune at the time to have been as well informed as I have subsequently been； so far from publishing the answer in question I would at once have publicly disclaimed； as I afterwards did； any participation or sympathy in transactions which were not only calculated to bring the Bible cause into odium； but the Bible Society into difficulties； into discredit； and worst of all； into contempt。 A helpless widow was insulted； her liberty of conscience invaded； and her only son incited to rebellion against her。 A lunatic was employed as the REPARTIDOR or distributor of the blessed Bible； who having his head crammed with what he understood not； ran through the streets of Valencia crying aloud that Christ was nigh at hand and would appear in a short time； whilst advertisements to much the same effect were busily circulated in which the name； the noble name； of the Bible Society was prostituted； whilst the Bible exposed for sale in an apartment of a public house served for little more than a decoy to the idle and curious； who were there treated with incoherent railings against the Church of Rome and Babylon； in a dialect whi
