Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible SocietyBorrow, George
Religion
Letters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible Society
Borrow, George
Authors, English -- 19th century -- Correspondence; British and Foreign Bible Society; English letters
individuals to the island in question for the purpose of communicating
religious instruction to the slaves--but all I could say was to no avail;
he would have it that it was the British Bible Society who had despatched
missionaries to Cuba to incite the blacks to rise up against their
masters. The absurdity of this idea struck me so forcibly that it was
with difficulty I restrained myself from laughing outright. I at last
said that, whatever he might think to the contrary, the Committee of the
Bible Society were by no means of that turbulent and outrageous
disposition; that they were for the most part staid, quiet gentlemen, who
attended to their own affairs, and a little, and but a little to the
promulgation of Christ's Gospel, which, however, they too much respected
to endeavour to kindle a spirit of insurrection anywhere, as they all
know full well that it is the Word of God says that servants are to obey
their masters at all times and occasions. I then requested permission to
print the New Testament in Spanish at Madrid. He said he should not
grant it, for that the New Testament was a very dangerous book,
especially in disturbed times. I replied that I was not aware that the
holy book contained any passages sanctioning blood-shedding and violence,
but I rather thought that it abounded with precepts of an entirely
opposite tendency; but he still persisted that it was an improper book.
I must here observe that it was with the utmost difficulty I obtained an
opportunity of explaining myself, on account of the propensity which he
possesses of breaking in upon the discourse of the person who is
addressing him; and at last, in self-defence, I was myself obliged to
infringe the rules of conversation, and to hold on without paying any
attention to his remarks--not that I gained much by so doing, for he
plainly told me that he was an obstinate man, and that he never abandoned
his opinions. I certainly do not think him the most tractable of men,
but I am inclined to think that he is not ill-natured, as he preserved
his temper very well during the interview, and laughed heartily at two or
three of my remarks. At last he said: 'I will not give you permission
now: but let the war be concluded, let the factious be beaten, and the
case will be altered; come to me six months hence.' I then requested to
be allowed to introduce into Spain a few copies of the New Testament in
the Catalan dialect, as we had lately printed a most beautiful edition at
London, but he still said 'No, no,' and when I asked if he had any
objection to my calling again on the morrow and showing him a copy, he
made use of these remarkable words: 'I do not wish you should come, lest
you should convince me, and I do not wish to be convinced.'
To the Rev. A. Brandram
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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