if possible. But Rome is fully aware that she
is not a Christian church, and having no desire to
become so, she acts prudently in keeping from the
eyes of her followers the page which would reveal
to them the truths of Christianity. Her agents
and minions throughout Spain exerted themselves to
the utmost to render my humble labours abortive, and
to vilify the work which I was attempting to disseminate.
All the ignorant and fanatical clergy (the great
majority) were opposed to it, and all those who were
anxious to keep on good terms with the court of Rome
were loud in their cry against it. There was,
however, one section of the clergy, a small one, it
is true, rather favourably disposed towards the circulation
of the Gospel though by no means inclined to make
any particular sacrifice for the accomplishment of
such an end: these were such as professed liberalism,
which is supposed to mean a disposition to adopt any
reform both in civil and church matters, which may
be deemed conducive to the weal of the country.
Not a few amongst the Spanish clergy were supporters
of this principle, or at least declared themselves
so, some doubtless for their own advancement, hoping
to turn the spirit of the times to their own personal
profit; others, it is to be hoped, from conviction,
and a pure love of the principle itself. Amongst
these were to be found, at the time of which I am
speaking, several bishops. It is worthy of remark,
however, that of all these not one but owed his office,
not to the Pope, who disowned them one and all, but
to the Queen Regent, the professed head of liberalism
throughout all Spain. It is not, therefore, surprising
that men thus circumstanced should feel rather disposed
than not to countenance any measure or scheme at all
calculated to favour the advancement of liberalism;
and surely such an one was a circulation of the Scriptures.
I derived but little assistance from their good will,
however, supposing that they entertained some, as they
never took any decided stand nor lifted up their voices
in a bold and positive manner, denouncing the conduct
of those who would withhold the light of Scripture
from the world. At one time I hoped by their
instrumentality to accomplish much in Spain in the
Gospel cause; but I was soon undeceived, and became
convinced that reliance on what they would effect,
was like placing the hand on a staff of reed which
will only lacerate the flesh. More than once
some of them sent messages to me, expressive of their
esteem, and assuring me how much the cause of the
Gospel was dear to their hearts. I even received
an intimation that a visit from me would be agreeable
to the Archbishop of Toledo, the Primate of Spain.