I might be by no
means able to give so favourable an account of the spread of the Bible in
Spain, as I now conscientiously can. There was a time when, as you are
well aware, I was in the habit of saying, 'Dark Madrid,' an expression
which I thank God I may now drop; for can that city justly be called
'dark' in which thirteen hundred Testaments, at least, are in circulation
and in daily use?

It appears to me that a glorious reform is commencing in Spain; indeed
matters have lately come to my knowledge, which had they been prophesied
only a year ago by the Spirit of truth itself, I should have experienced
much difficulty in believing. You will be surprised when I tell you that
in two churches of Madrid, the New Testament is regularly expounded every
Sunday evening, by the respective curates, to about twenty children who
attend, and who are provided with copies of the Society's edition of
Madrid, 1837. The churches which I allude to are those of San Gines and
Santa Cruz. Now I humbly conceive that this fact alone is more than
equivalent to all the expense which the Society has incurred, in the
efforts which it has hitherto made to introduce the Gospel into Spain;
but be this as it may, I am certain, if I may judge by my own feelings,
that it has amply recompensed me for all the anxiety and unhappiness
which I underwent last year. Whenever I am now called upon to
discontinue my labours in the Peninsula, I shall comply without the
slightest murmur or remonstrance, my heart being filled with gratitude to
the Lord for having been permitted, useless vessel as I am, to see at
least some of the seed springing up which during two years I have been
casting on the stony ground of the interior of Spain.

There is at present a great demand for Bibles; since the time of writing
last we have sold upwards of one hundred copies. Indeed the demand is
far greater than I can answer, as the books are disposed of faster than
they can be bound by the man whom I employ for that purpose, and in whose
secrecy and honour I have perfect confidence. Eight-and-twenty copies
are at present bespoken and paid for. Many of these Bibles have found
their way into the best houses in Madrid. The Marquis of Santa Coloma
has a large family, but every individual of it, old or young, is now in
possession of a Bible and likewise of a Testament, which, strange to say,
were recommended by the chaplain of the house. One of my most zealous
agents in the pr