dropped a small piece of money into the box as they retired.* We had also a public collection on the first Sunday in every month for the same purpose.+

The progress of truth in Ceylon received, apparently, a powerful check in the sudden and lamented death of W. Tolfrey, Esq. the indefatigable and faithful translator of the new version of the Singhalese New Testament. A monument to his memory, testifying the high estimation in which he was held, and the valuable services he had rendered to the Colombo Bible Society, was erected in the Fort Church. The chasm occasioned by his removal could not be filled by any other individual; and the translation of the Scriptures in which he had been engaged, devolved on a Committee chosen for the purpose.‡

The hymns sung by the Portuguese congregation were translated by Mr. Armour from the large Hymn Book, as they were required; and printed on slips of paper, until a sufficient number were supplied to make a complete collection. The preacher was obliged to translate the chapter he read before the sermon, as at that time there was no version in the country Portuguese. Mr. Newstead has since, in part, remedied the inconvenience. He has also, in unison with Mr. Fox, composed a very acceptable and useful hymn book, less European in its style than Mr. Armour's translation.

The usual mode of a public collection in Ceylon appears rather singular to a stranger. The sexton makes it in a bag fixed to the end of a pole, which he hands round the place of worship. Sometimes in the Dutch churches a second collection is made at the same service; when a small bell attached to the bag is carried round, which announces its approach previously to its being presented for the donation. Our sexton, who was a foreigner, was anxious to introduce the bell-bag into the economy of our Mission House; but the first attempt in our English congregation disturbed in some degree the decorum of the service, and we prohibited its future introduction. A gentleman filling a high official station invariably attended our chapel on the collection evenings, bringing with him his numerous and interesting family, every member of which contributed.

This committee consisted of C. W. Layard, Esq. the Rev. Messrs. Chater, Armour, and Clough; two learned Singhalese natives; and Petrus Panditta, and George Nadoris; with the particulars of whose renunciation of Budhuism the reader has been already furnished.

In the government of the world, one part of the plan adopted by the Almighty, is, to educe real good from seeming evil. The removal of Mr. Tolfrey from the important work in which he was so meritoriously employed, was the means of combining the talents of pious and qualified individuals of different religious denominations; thus assimilating the Colombo Bible Society into a nearer resemblance of the Parent Institution in England: the catholicism of whose plan is at once the strength and beauty of its constitution.

To the liberality of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Colombo Auxiliary was indebted for a most important addition to its previous means of disseminating the Scriptures in the Singhalese tongue. An order was given to the proper quarters, to supply the Society in Colombo with a complete fount of Singhalese type, suitable for an octavo edition of the Scriptures; the former edition, having been printed in quarto, was not so suitable for general distribution. On the arrival of the type from Serampore, where it was cast, it was found to have sustained such material injury on the passage, as to be wholly useless, until some of the characters, which were completely destroyed, could be replaced. A delay of some months must inevitably have ensued, but for some practical knowledge of type-founding which I had providentially gained at an early period of my life; and, at the request of my colleague, and others to whom I mentioned the circumstance, I endeavoured to replace the imperfections with type of our own manufacture. A small foundry was fitted up; and, after some improvements, became adequate to the supply of whatever types our establishment required.

*

We were indebted to the Baptist Missionaries at Serampore for instructions for making printing ink; and it only remained for us to be able to make our own

paper, to possess all the materials necessary for printing, without depending on foreign supplies, always expensive, and frequently uncertain. Our local situation was by no means favourable to such an undertaking; but, should a Missionary be sent to Ceylon, possessed of a practical acquaintance with the process, it would form a most suitable employment for the native converts at some country station.*

To introduce the gospel to the Kandyan provinces had been a favourite design with us, ever since their subjection to the British crown. Application was made to the Government for permission for one of our number to proceed to the interior, to attempt the establishment of a school, as a preliminary measure. Mr. Erskine and Mr. Clough were each desirous of undertaking this Mission; but the provinces were not considered to be yet sufficiently tranquillized to justify the attempt. His Excellency promised to return a favourable answer to the application upon his return from a tour in the interior, if the state of public affairs would allow of the attempt. The superintending providence of God was soon discovered in the prevention of this undertaking. A few months only had elapsed, when a sanguinary rebellion broke out among the Kandyans,† which aimed at the extirpation of all Europeans; and in which the life of the Missionary might have been sacrificed; and possibly the rebellion itself charged, by the enemies of Christian Missions, upon the peaceful religion he had attempted to introduce.

* Some attempts have been made, under the sanction of the Government, to establish a paper-manufactory on the banks of one of the rivers North of Colombo; and though the experiment in the hands of natives was but partially successful, the results fully convinced me of its practicability, if placed under the direction of an European acquainted with the process.

+ See Introduction, page xxxviii.

CHAP. XIII,

Apathy of the Malabar natives-Points of difference in the Singhalase and Malabar characters-Discouraging circumstances in the South -Establishment of a native school at Negombo-Opening of the Colpetty school-house-Compelled to recognize the distinction of caste-Attachment of the children to the school-Purchase of Mission Premises at Negombo-Native marriages—Plan for establishing Mission schools throughout the Island-Encouraging proofs of success— -Meeting of the Mission Conference-New StationsSchools-Execution of a Soldier-Conversion of two Budhuist priests-Sir Hardinge Gifford-J. Sutherland, Esq.-His son, Mr. J. Sutherland, placed with the Missionaries-Received on trial as a Missionary-Illness of several of the Missionaries-Singular application-Establishment of regular worship-Review-Church

Missionaries.

WHILE the Missionaries at the several Singhalese stations were encouraged by the favourable appearances which have been narrated, those employed in the Malabar districts were painfully exercised, owing to the little apparent success which attended their labours. In the native bazars they generally succeeded in collecting congregations; but their addresses were listened to with the most painful indifference; and no curiosity, much less interest, was excited among the natives by the momentous subjects on which they dwelt. At Batticaloa and Trincomalee they frequently preached to English and Portuguese congregations; and on these occasions

were blessed in their deed. The English day-school at each of these places was also well attended. At Jaffna, the European and country-born inhabitants afforded the Missionaries considerable hopes that an effectual door of usefulness was opened to them. Some had evidently believed from the heart. The general deportment of those who attended their ministry was consistent; and their regard for the means of grace excited the expectation, that more extensive good would be accomplished. The place of worship at length became too small for the congregation; and the Missionaries felt themselves justified in purchasing more capacious premises. These, by the generous contributions of their friends, were converted into a neat and commodious chapel, which was soon filled with hearers; and this also becoming too small for the continually increasing congregation, was superseded by one yet better adapted for the accommodation of the people.

Among the Pagan natives but little encouragement was afforded to hope. The Malabar differs materially from the Singhalese in the cast of his disposition, and general deportment toward Europeans. In the latter, there is a docility and curiosity which are highly favourable to Missionary efforts; but the Malabar native adds to a most inveterate attachment to Paganism, a haughtiness of spirit, and superlative contempt for Europeans; a trait of character also observable among the Hindoo natives of Continental India. Even these barriers, insurmountable by mere human exertions, shall be cast down by the power of God, and the Malabar become obedient to the faith of the Gospel. With the valuable American Missionaries, who had settled in the same province, our brethren held the most friendly intercourse. Fellow labourers in the same field, partakers of the same trials, and animated by the same considerations to perseverance, they naturally sought the