Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-11-29
THE BIBLE IN SPAIN.

! In the drchlceS gu CRrtSllGntSnle, OF Au-
gust 9Th, we find an account of the efforts
of the Paris Bible Society, to introduce the
Bible into Spain. The Society has publish
ed an edition of the Spanish Bible, from
stereotype plates, and has engaged its friends
in the southwest Of France, to embrace
every opportunity of sending them across
the frontier. The Archives publishes an
extract Of a letter from an English gentle
man at Barcelona, who says:
81 have found things here in such state,
that think risk nothing in furnishing my
self with copies Of the Word Of Life, and
openly offering them for sale. The very
day on which received your letter, sold
36 copies and gave away six. During the
six following days, found purchasers for
100 copies, and gave away 40. lcannot
describe to you the difficulty Of introducing
even single copy Of the Scriptures into
Spain; but the goodness Of God is greater
than the opposition of men. was about
sending back to Marseics $50 copies Of
the Bible, which had on board vessel, be-
cause of the impossibility procuring their
admission; when | found way, by legal,
though secret means, to introduce them at
slight expense. | have now remaining
600 copies; but as expend certain num-
ber every day, hope the whole viii soon
have passed from my hands into those ofthe
inhabitants of this city"
The Arckires informs us, that the Span
ish newspapers begin to narrate the labors
ofBible Societies. The Espagnol publish
ed at Madrid, contained a long article, which
was copied into paper at Barcelona, ofJu-
ly 1st. The author gives an account Of the
origin. object and efforts of Bible Societies.
He concludes as follows:
Sand why shall Spain, which discovered
the New World, which gave prevalence 10
innoculation 10 arrest the ravages of hor-
rible pestilcnce, which has always been dis
tinguished by zeal in laborng for the good
of mankind,-why shall Spain alone contin-
ue destitute ofBible Societies? Why should
nation, so eminen.ly Catholic in its spirit,
continue to stand aloof from the rest of Eu-
ropc-taking no part in this magnificent en-
terprise?
ave have declared, on many occasions.
that liberty can never be firmly established
in our country, so long as its partisans regard
Christianity as incompatible with it, and neg
lect to associate political influence with the
influence of religion. We now say, in view
Of the very limited knowledge Of Christianity
taught in our primary schools, that beyond
u doubt ignorance is the most powerful cause
of the criminal hostility which exists between
the disciples OF Christ and the partsans ofG-
beral opinions. But if Bible Societies were
founded and multiplied by all possible means,
carrying Christian instruction to the purest
sources, there would be better understand
ing of the meaning of the Gospel, and an
end ofthe system which regards the destruc-
ton Of religious beliefas on improvement"
A Spanish gentleman, who sent to Paris
the paper from which these extracts were
taken. remarks:
"The publication of this article in the
Spanish Journals is a manifest advance, and
avery remarkable fact. 1.-THE furious strug-
Gle which now is devouring unhappy Spain
snail come to an end, doubt not that the
propagation of wholesome doctrines will be
rapid, and the sweetness of evangelical truth
will take place ofthat fanatical error. which,
under the name of religion, leads to excesses
the most deplorable." )"
To US. this information is intensely inter-
esting. We have seen nothing which shows
more clearly and conclusvey, the state of
opinions, the character of parties, and the
prospects Of religion, in Spain; and, we may
add, nothing which inspires so confident
hope of better days for that unhappy lands-
3. Recorder.