BIBLE IN PERU. 



293 



some awful judgment, either shut themselves 

 up in their houses or churches, using their usual 

 incantations or prayers to their saints ; this conti- 

 nued several hours, and it is necessary to remark, 

 on that part of the coast of Peru, it never rains ; 

 the wind is always very moderate, and such an 

 event was never known. When I came on 

 shore, shortly after it subsided, I told them it 

 was a judgment from God, for burning his word. 

 This opinion they themselves had already formed. 

 A universal enquiry was consequently made, 

 whether I had any more bibles. The news 

 spread all along the coast. I distributed five 

 cases among them, and might have disposed of 

 all I had, but preferred keeping some for Lima. 

 A few days after, the prefector of Arequipa, 

 next in rank to Bolivar, came to Arica to 

 inspect the Custom House department, and re- 

 gulate the duties. He was informed of this 

 outrage committed by the priest against liberty 

 of conscience. The prefector requested me to 



