6. This evening at the monthly concert I related to those present the substance of the information recently received from America. We make use of narrations, showing the exertions of females in our native country, to rouse the attention of females here, and to show them that they are not destined to live and die in ignorance; but that it is their privilege to attend to the most important concerns. I have this day finished two school houses which I have been building on the church land at Mallagum. One is for a school which was commenced a few weeks ago, and the other is for Franciscus Maleappa to live in. We regard Maleappa, agreeably to his own and his father's wishes, as one permanently connected with our mission, and consider ourselves obliged to give him a competent support, so long as his conduct is worthy of his station. At present, he receives 30 rix dollars a month. As he dresses in the European style, his expenses are much greater than they would have been, if he had retained the native dress. That the Committee may have a correct idea of every branch of our mission, it is necessary to give some further account of Maleappa. He is a native of Malabar, about 20 years of age, the son of a native preacher, supported by government at Negombo. He was one or two years in the government school at Jaffnapatam, under the care of the Rev. C. David. He attended the school taught by us, during the six months we were at Columbo. Since brother Warren and came to Tillipally, he has served us as an interpreter, and pursued his studies with reference to becoming a catechist. He is a person of good common sense, sustains a fair moral character, and has hitherto conducted himself much to our satisfaction. He has a facility in speaking to the people on those topics, both in the Christian and heathen religion, which are most important to be insisted on; and he appears to take a delight in so doing. In regard to his piety, I have some hope that he has felt the power of divine truth on his heart; but have not that decisive evidence which is very desirable. 8. Last Sabbath a boy, whom we had in our boarding school two or three months, on trial, made his escape from us. We had concluded to take the boy, and sent for his mother, a widow who lives in another parish, to sign the agreement. But she, fearing we had some bad design against her, wished to defer the matter a few days, saying, that she would come again. But the next time the boy received a clean cloth, he left us. 10. Visited the school at Milette, and preached in Tamul. Excepting the boys in the school, but ten or twelve persons were present. Sabbath, 12. Preached at Mallagum on the occasion of re-opening the school at that place, and of Maleappa's going there to reside. 15. Sent a duplicate of my journal to Dr. Worcester, by way of Bombay. 24. For ten or twelve days past we have had some unseasonable rains, which have rendered our situation very uncomfortable. As the ollas upon the roof of our house have been much eaten by the white ants, we have been unable to secure our furniture from the rain, or to find a dry place even for our bed. We have removed to a mud-wall bungalo, and begun to unroof the house, intending, as soon as possible, to put on a new roof. 30. Received two letters directed to brother Warren. Learn that his Excellency the Governor has permitted the boxes of books and types to be taken from the custom house free of duty. The rains continue at intervals. Though we are much more comfortable in the bungalo, than we were in the house, we here suffer considerable inconvenience, both from wind and rain. Aug. 3. Observed the monthly prayer meeting. A few of the heathen attended as usual. 8. Fine weather for building. These are days of much anxiety and perplexity. While our goods are necessarily much exposed, we are surrounded with people who are watching to avail themselves of every opportunity to pilfer from us. Our care is increased by the sickness of our child, and our ignorance of the means which should be used for her restoration. But that which is most trying in our present situation is, that I am under the necessity of entirely neglecting the schools, and of suspending other important missionary duties. We do, however, rejoice in prospect of having ere long a comfortable dwelling, and of being in favorable circumstances for attending to our work. 6. This is the day of the annual festival at the great heathen temple in this place. Many thousands of people have passed our house from different parts of the district of Jaffna. It is said they come in greater numbers this season, than for several years past. Since the roof of the temple was burnt, very extensive repairs and additions have been made. One reason assigned for this is, that we are rebuilding this Christian church. This day all our workmen have left me, though we greatly need their services. The heathens appear to magnify themselves against us, and to consider us as nothing in comparison of the multitudes who have assembled in honor of their gods. Monday, 17. On Saturday removed into a part of our house which is covered. Yesterday I was confined to my room by ill health. The day was worthy of notice, as being the first in which I have been taken off from my labors by sickness, since I have been in the country. My mind dwelt with peculiar interest on the wretched state of this people, and of the importance of making known to all within my reach the object of my mission, while my life is spared. 20. We have reason for rejoicing, that now we have a comfortable roof over our heads, and have no longer occasion to watch with anxiety the appearances of rain, nor to guard our goods from thieves. 21. Not only common, but special mercies attend us. This day a new song of praise was put into our mouth on account of the birth of a son. 28. Went to Jaffnapatam to attend a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Columbo Bible and Tract Society. All our brethren became members of this Society soon after our arrival at Jaffna. We pay 24 rix dollars each, (equal to $6 a year.) Within a few weeks I have established two new schools; one at Oodoville, and the other at Santillipoy. Three schools connected with this station are so near, that the boys may conveniently attend meeting on the Sabbath. But since the novelty of their coming has worn away, scarcely half the boys attend the service at the church. As they are required to do nothing on the Sabbath but to repeat what they have committed to memory on religious subjects, and to hear the sermon, many parents consider the time lost, which their children spend here on that day. Such would be very unwilling that their children should learn the principles of the Christian religion, did they not reckon this as a tax for the instruction which their children receive in Tamul and English. (To be continued.) DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, Amesbury, Ms. (1st parish.) The Gentlemen's and Ladies' Soc. for educating the Total. $7.00 For ed. other heathen children, Arundel Me. Collections at the monthly concert, during the year past, by the Rev. George Payson, 14 45-21 45 45 61 The Fem. Mite Soc. for ed. GEORGE PAYSON, 2d annual payment, by Mrs Payson, Treasurer, Child's Friend Soc. for ed. a hea. child, under the care of the Rev. Daniel Poor, to be named EDWARD WARREN, by Esther Downing, Sec. Ashford, Con. Fem. Cent Soc. by Mary Pond, Treas. Barkhampstead, Con. Fem. Char. Soc. by the Rev. Saul Clark, remitted by T. Dwight, Esq. Barnet, Vt. From a friend to American Indians, for the maintenance of the Cherokee mission, by the Rev. David Sutherland, The Fem. Cent Soc. by do. for foreign missions, Ladies in the same place, for the Cherokee mission, Belfast, Me. A lady, by the Rev. C. J. Lawton, Berlin, Ver. Sally Coleman, for the western Indians, by the Rev. Chester Wright, Bethel, Me. The Cent Soc. by the Beverly, Ms. A female friend, by the Rev. D. Oliphant, 500 50 Pupils in the school of the Rev. William Jenks, for the ed. of hea, children in America and abroad, Monthly concert of the Old South and Park Street churches, for the mission to Jerusalem, From the contribution box, on the same occasion, for ed. a hea. child, A female friend, by Mr. N. Willis, for the Brainerd mission, Branford, Con. The Aux. Miss. Soc. by Mr. Samuel Plant, Treas. for ed. hea. children, Brattleboro, Ver. Linda Elliot, by Mr. S. T. Armstrong, Chesterfield, Ms. An individual, by the Rev. Isaiah Waters, for the Individual ladies, for the same object, Claremont, N. H. The Fem. Char. Soc. for STEPHEN FARLEY, part of an Clinton, N. Y. Society of Females, for the ed. of the child named AZEL From the same Society, for a female child in Ceylon, to be named Isa- Colchester, Ver. Fem. Heath. Bible Soc. by the Rev. Daniel Haskel, Dorchester, Ms. From a friend, by Miss Moore, for missions on our own continent and abroad, A female friend, by do. for the Indian schools, Dorset, Ver. Fem. Cent Soc. by Mr. H. Bingham, Several young ladies, by do. Mrs. Susanna Jackson, for a child to be named SAMUEL CRAM, second payment, Dracut, Ms. (2d parish.) A charity box kept in a prayer meeting, by Fairhaven, Ms. The Ladies' Heathen's Friend Society, by Sarah Hath- Foxborough, Ms. Fem. Benev. Soc. by Mr. Stephen Rhoades, The monthly concert, Georgia, Ver. Assoc. for ed hea. children, by the Rev. Mr. Dorman, Hamilton, Ms. Society of Females, for a child at Brainerd, to bear the name of MANASSEH CUTLER, by Mary L. Faulkner, by the hand of the Hartford, N. Y. Fem. Cent Soc. by the Rev. Ralph Robinson, Collected in the east Presbyterian Society, by Mr. David Wilson, 12.00--31 00 85 09 50 Lancaster, N. H. Fem. Cent Soc. by Olive Willard, Treasurer, Lenox, Ms. From a young man, for the mission to the Sandwich Islands, The Juvenile Char. Soc. for the same object, Students in the Academy, for the same object, Collected at a conference in do. Female Cent Society, for the mission to Owhyhee, 19.00 Leominster, Ms. Dolly Johnson, by the Rev. Mr. Bascom, Marblehead, Ms. A box kept in monthly concert, in the Rev. S. Dana's Montpelier, Ver. The Indian School Soc. by Harvey Fiske, Treas. for schools on the western borders of the U. States, The Fem. For. Miss. Soc by the Rev. Chester Wright, Norfolk, Vir. Mr. Travis Tucker, by W. Maxwell, Esq. for foreign Northwood, N. H. The monthly concert, by Mr. J. C. Proctor, Norway, Me. The Cent Soc. for the Cherokee mission, by the Rev. Pittsfield, Ms. The monthly concert, by the Rev. Heman Humphrey, Rev. Dr. Morse, Mr. Robert Porter, Putney, Ver. From Israel Keyes, Quincy, Ms. Mrs. Bass's school, for the school fund, Randolph, Ver. The Corban Soc. by the Rev. A. Finney, for the child named TILTON EASTMAN, 2d payment, The Gent. Association, for the child named JONATHAN EDWARDS, 2d payment, Reading, Ver. The Cent Society, by Betsey Goddard, Treas. by Dea. Rowley, Ms. (2d parish.) A contribution for the Cherokee mission, by 17 76 1 68 For the Cherokee mission, Rupert, Ver. The monthly concert, by the Rev. Mr. Powell, for the St. Albans, Ver. A friend, for the miss. to Judea, by Horace Janes, Esq. 1.00 56 The Fem. Cent Soc. by Jemima Hoyt, Treas. Young ladies in the Academy, by M. Little, NEWELL, by the Rev. Dr. Worcester, Saco and Biddeford, Me. For. Miss. Soc. by the Rev. Jonathan Cogswell, Smithtown, N. Y. The Fem. Char. Soc. by Mary Smith, Treas. Stockbridge and Sheffield, Ms. Two charity boxes, principally the avails of useless ornaments, for the ed. of hea. children, Tewksbury, Ms. Several individuals, towards the mission library in Ceylon, by Mr. C. Byington, 2.50 Townsend, Ver. Mary Taft, by Mr. J. N. Loomis, 1.00 Dwight, Esq. Utica, N. Y. The monthly concert in the first Presbyterian society, by Vermont, (State of.) Two little sisters, by Mr. D. Wilson, Wallingford, Con. Ladies' Cent Soc. by Mrs. Beebe, Treas. by T. From a friend of missions, by do. Waltham, Ms. Fem. Soc. for ed. hea. chil. by Sarah Burroughs, Treas. Weather field, Ver. The Young Gentlemen's Soc. for ed. hea. children know, into arrack. For each tree which is employed in producing liquor, gov ernment is paid a tax of 4 rupees a year. These trees yield no fruit; because the spatha of the young fruit is cut off, and from this exudes the liquor. "As to the plants produced here, I had intended to make out a short botanical account of them; but have now long since given it up, because it must withdraw considerable time from the object for which I came to the heathen. The most delicious and plentiful fruit is perhaps that of the mango, during its season. But plantains are doubtless the most nutritive, and they are always in season, and extremely pleasant. The pine apple is common; the guava is plenty; also tamarinds. Oranges, pomegranates, and figs are produced, though not in great plenty. Apples, quinces, plums of the European kinds, pears, peaches, (found I believe farther north) red currants, and gooseberries of the European kinds, are wholly unknown. Many plants, besides the cocoa-nut tree, produce oil in large quantities; but I believe the olive tree is not met with. Sweet-cane is plenty, though not raised on this island. An Englishman, who has spent about 40 years in the country, says that wheat seems to be the spontaneous production of the soil, at a place not far distant, on the continent. He thinks this is also the case with carrots. Rye I have never seen here. What we in America called indian corn, is here cultivated. Turnips, radishes, and beets, (the former plenty, the latter scarce,) have been introduced, I suppose from Europe. Such also, I think, is the case with cabbage and lettuce. Watermelons and squashes are plenty, and very excellent; as also cucumbers, very large and good. But the muskmelons of various kinds I look upon as scarcely eatable. They hardly resemble muskmelons in any thing except external appearance. Onions, garlicks, and coriander, are plenty. The most common garden vegetables are onions, yams, a very small yellow potatoe, and a small long sweet potatoe. The breadfruit, when brought here, is the best potatoe, nearly resembling the common potatoe of America. Several other vegetables, very useful, are altogether new to me. "The seeds which I brought from America, being planted in an extremely barren soil, matured nothing before the rains, which destroyed them all. We have only a few beans left. One squash vine continued very flourishing during the rains, but all its fruit was blasted while quite young. I planted apple seeds, quince seeds, and walnuts, but none of them grew. "Horses are brought here principally from Arabia. Those bred at no great distance, on the continent, are large, but not highly valued. Oxen here travel with nearly or quite the rapidity of the horse. Those bred here are rather small, and commonly have a sharp protuberance over the fore shoulders. Those brought from Guzerat are very large. The buffalo, almost entirely destitute of hair, is useful, though slow to labor. Almost all the butter and milk is from the buffalo. The natives here have no name for cheese or cream, as I can yet learn. They prepare the milk for making butter in a peculiar manner, by heating it. The camel is not very common, nor the elephant. Asses are numerous and very useful. There is also a species of the horse not much larger than the ass. Sheep, with extremely coarse wool, and goats, are common. Geese, turkies, peacocks, hens, doves, and ducks, are plenty, except the latter. Serpents, you know, are numerous, large, and poisonous. Spiders are very large. Scorpions are small, but not uncommon. We have killed five in our house. Centipedes are not numerous here. The most common wild animals on Salsette, and on the continent, are two species of the tyger, the wolf, a small bear, the porcupine, two species of deer, the jackall, and several species of squirrels. Of all the wild birds, two species of crows, one a jet black, and the other of a light color, especially about the neck, are the most common and bold. Their voice is always heard." ERRATA. In the last number, p. 332, line 23, in the donation from the Heathen's Friend Soc. of Rochester, for "Mr. Hope Haskel" read Hope Haskel. P. 334, line 13 from bot. for "Maria Hutchinson" read Marcia Hutchinson. |