Swārr-ga-ye-hi wed-a-si-tin-a ap-pa-gẽ pi-yăn-an-wa-hān-sē; Father;

In heaven

art

our

o-ba-wa-hān-se-gē nā-ma-ya sood-a-we-wa: o-ba-wa-hān-së-gē

your

name

holy be;

your

in heaven

rā-jay-a ē-wa; o-ba-wa-hān-sē-gē kem-met-ta swārr-ga-gē-hi

kingdom come:

your

will

bhoo-mi-ye-hi-da ka-roon-oo leb-e-wa: appi

bhō-jan-a-ya ap-pa-ta ad-da di

men

as

in earth

ks-a-mā-wen-nāk-men ap-pī na-yat ap-pa-ta ks-a-m-āwi

our

to us

pardon us forgive wa-dā-la-men-a-wa: ap-pa pa-ri-ksā-wi-ma-ta no-pa-moon

00-wa:

lead:

grant:

debts

na-poo-ren ap-pa ga-la-wa wa-dā-la-men-a-wa:

evil from

us

deliver

pa-rā-kra-ma-yat, the power also, ma-h-ma-tā-wat, sad-ha-kā-li-ma o-ba-wa-hān-si-ge-ma-ya.

the glory also,

for ever,

yours is.

āmen. Amen.

The Singhalese language was not much cultivated by Europeans, until some years after the island had been in the possession of the English. Under the auspices of the Dutch Government, an edition of the New Testament, and the five books of Moses were indeed printed in Singhalese. But the translation was made by some ministers who were natives of the island, and had been suitably educated in Holland. With all these advantages, however, their version is pronounced to be very faulty. The Hon. John D'Oyly, now Resident of the Kandyan provinces, was, I believe, the first Englishman who devoted himself to the study of Singhalese with success. He was followed by divided for the sake of distinctness, and for the assistance of the English reader; but the several parts of the words should, in pronunciation, be united as quickly as may be consistent with the distinct expression of cach.

the late W. Tolfrey, Esq. the indefatigable and lamented translator of the present authorised version of the Singhalese New Testament. The Rev. Andrew Armour has for many years preached to the natives in their own tongue. The Rev. John Chater, a Baptist Missionary, in the year 1816, published a Grammar of the language under the patronage of Governor Brownrigg; and it is now generally spoken by the superior civil and military servants of Government.

The Rev. B. Clough, has assiduously devoted himself to the critical study of the Singhalese language; and in concert with Messrs. Armour and Chater, and C. Layard, Esq. completed Mr. Tolfrey's translation of the Testament, upon the lamented death of that gentleman. The same worthy coadjutors; who have recently been joined by the Rev. Wm. B. Fox, another of our Missionaries; have made considerable progress in the translation of the Old Testament. Mr. Clough has also superintended the translation into Singhalese of several very useful works; and is at present employed in preparing for the press a large Singhalese and English Dictionary, which will be a work of great public utility. The Government has given considerable encouragement to Mr. Clough's design. A manuscript work of a similar description, which had been purchased by the Government of Mr. Tolfrey, has been generously given to aid him in his undertaking; and, in addition to the grant of paper for the work, one hundred copies of his Dictionary have been engaged for the servants of Government. Most of the Wesleyan Missionaries either read sermons, or preach extempore, in the Singhalese language, to the several native congregations under their care. Messrs. Fox and Callaway have also published useful works to facilitate the studies of others.*

Among the Singhalese, many (principally of the priesthood) have devoted their lives to literary pursuits, and have enriched their country with the result of their investigations. But their historical works are either entirely fabulous, or at

The Rev. T. H. Squance, who has unhappily been under the necessity of returning to England from ill health, composed an excellent Tamul Grammar, and superintended the translation of various publica. tions into that important language.

best exaggerated narratives, intermingled with fable. Their poetry is admired; and several of their old authors have written with great ability on the natural history of the island. Medical and mathematical books are numerous; as are also works on astrology, a science which is held in high repute by all eastern nations, and by none more highly prized than by the Singhalese. Their notions of geography, and of the heavenly bodies, arę ludicrous; but on their own principles they have written very largely. Ceylon has also produced its native grammarians and lexicographers. The Pali and the Sanscrit are the learned languages, in which most of their standard works are written.*

Until the last few years, the ability of reading their own language was possessed but by a very inconsiderable part of the Singhalese; and those who had acquired the art, had received their education at the heathen temples, and in the use of superstitious books. By the extension of the blessings of education through the native schools, which are now in such pleasing operation, hundreds are annually added to the number of native readers. While by the Colombo Bible Society, the whole population of Ceylon are in the progress of being furnished with the means of reading in their own tongue the word of the living and true God.

* It gives me pleasure to add that Mr. Clough has completed the first European Grammar of the Pali Language. See the Asiatic Journal, Vol. xiv. p. 584

SECT. III.

CEYLONESE SUPERSTITIONS AND IDOLATROUS

CERE

MONIES.-PRESENT STATE OF CHRISTIANITY IN

CEYLON.

THE superstitions of the Ceylonese might well employ a larger space in their description, than can be afforded them in this work. But I have the satisfaction of knowing that the subject has already fallen into abler hands, which will supercede the necessity of my proceeding in it, to any considerable length.* The Pagan inhabitants of the Tamul parts of the island are, as has been intimated, in general, disciples of Hindooism: a superstition with which the Christian world has, of late years, been made more acquainted than formerly; but of which, notwithstanding, a brief account will hereafter be given. The two principal religious systems which prevail among the Singhalese. Natives, are, KAPPOOISM, or, the worship of Demons; and that which inculcates the superstition of BUDHU. The remarks on these two sections of heathenism will tend to bring into view another district of that empire of darkness, which in the wisdom and mercy of God is now beginning to yield, more rapidly than ever, to the cheering and vivifying beams of THE TRUE LIGHT.

In our review of the Singhalese system of

KAPPOOISM,

we cannot but be reminded of the solemn averment of the great apostle to the Gentiles:-But I say that the things

* Mr. Clough has been engaged for some time incollecting from the most authentic sources with a view to publication, information respect ing the origin and character of the Singhalese superstitions.

с

which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils and not to God. From all we can gather of the state of heathen countries in general, there appears very strong reason to conclude, that the superstitious fear and worship of evil spirits, is in fact the universal religion of nature. Travellers of the most undoubted veracity have informed us, that this superstition is found, more or less acknowledged, among all the uncivilized tribes of mankind; and undisputed vestiges of it still remain, even in countries where civilization and Christianity, its most powerful counteractions, have for ages been in active operation. In some benighted lands the sovereignty of that malignant spirit, known among us by the name of the devil, (because in the Scriptures so termed,) is openly and officially proclaimed. This is the case in the island of Ceylon.-The ascendency of Satan is THERE not merely intimated by the features of human conduct, as they are opposed to virtue and goodness. It is avowed in the most unequivocal manner. The visible kingdom of the Wicked One stands THERE erected, with unblushing front-in frightful images-in venerated temples-in an order of priesthood-in a round of ceremoniesin A DIRECT WORSHIP-in an endless series of terrifying fears and apprehensions—in amulets, and offerings—and in various abominable evils!+

From the ancient Singhalese records it appears, that the worship of evil spirits was the primitive religion of the Singhalese. This gloomy system is founded on the supposition, that all the pains and sufferings to which man ist exposed, are occasioned by the baleful influence of dæmons on his person and concerns. Every misfortune and disease

+

* Appendix.

(6 They may truly be said to be entangled in the snare of the devil, whose minds are laid prostrate by the degrading superstition of dæmon worship; who, ignorant alike of the benignant love of the true God, and the merciful compassion of his blessed Son, fall down before the painted image of a ferocious monster, and beseech him to accept their sacrifice, and spare themselves and their children!Sermon on 2 Tim. ii. 24—26, by the Rev. G. Bisset, A. M. preached on the Fifth Anniversary of the Colombo Auxiliary Bible Society.