as soon as I had arranged matters at
Madrid.

Without losing time or being dispirited by the events of the last
journey, I repaired to Old Castile; here my success was almost
miraculous, nine hundred copies of the Holy Book being sold in less than
three weeks, but not in peace and tranquillity, as the province became
suddenly a scene of horrors which I shall not attempt to describe. It
was not the war of men, or even of cannibals, which I witnessed; it
seemed a contest of fiends from the infernal pit. But God guided me safe
and unharmed through this 'valley of the shadow,' and permitted me to
regain Madrid; where, upon finding myself formally recalled, I deposited
the Society's property in as safe a place as I could find, and was about
to return home when a fever which had been long lurking in my blood at
last prostrated me, confining me to my bed for many days, at the
expiration of which, though very unfit for travel, I departed for
England, where at last by God's will I am arrived in safety.

Before concluding, I have a communication to make, the importance of
which few, I believe, will be tempted to deny.

I have at various times stated that the Bible Cause had many and powerful
friends in Spain, though my statements up to the present moment seem to
have been hailed with little attention. I remember in one particular
letter recommending prudence, patience, and co-operation with the liberal
clergy, who were sincerely disposed to help us on, provided that by
intemperateness of conduct we gave them no reasonable ground for offence.
There is now a society formed at Madrid, determined upon making the Word
of God, without note or comment, known amongst the children of Spain.
The laws concerning the publishing the Scripture have been diligently and
minutely examined, and it has been discovered that by none of the laws of
Spain, ancient or modern, whether made by Cortes or by kings, is the
publication of the Scripture, in the whole or in parts, with or without
comment, forbidden--but merely and solely by particular Bulls of various
Bishops of Rome, which Bulls though respected by many of the Spaniards
form no part of the law of Spain. Provided resistance be offered to the
undertaking either by the Government or any portion of the ecclesiastics,
it has been determined to bring the matter before the Cortes, from whom a
favourable decision may be expected with certainty. An individual has
been selected as the ostensible