TO THE PREACHERS OF THE CONNEXION FORMED BY THE LATE REV. JOHN WESLEY, A. M. AND TO THE SUBSCRIBERS AND FRIENDS ΤΟ The Wesleyan Missions THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, THE FOLLOWING NARRATIVE OF THE MISSION TO Commenced under their Auspices, conducted under their Direction, Is Inscribed, WITH SINCERE RESPECT AND AFFECTION, By their Servant in the Gospel of Christ, THE AUTHOR. ADVERTISEMENT. THE following pages have been prepared at the suggestion of some esteemed friends; who were desirous that a comprehensive record should be preserved of the principal events connected with the formation and progress of the Wesleyan Mission to Ceylon and India. The Author has enlarged upon his original design, by introducing an account of Bombay, (where he resided several months,) and of the Superstitions of various religious sects at that Presidency, and on the Continent of India; also a sketch of the Natural, Civil, and Religious History of Ceylon, derived from authentic, and in many instances original sources. These, though they have encreased the size and price of the volume, will, it is hoped, impart an additional value to the work. The Author is happy to have the present opportunity of bearing his testimony to the importance of this Asiatic Mission. After his intimate acquaintance with all its concerns, an absence of four years has only tended to increase his attachment to its interests-to confirm his satisfaction in its progress—and to animate his expectation of results (under the Divine blessing,) still more important and extensive. |