and, happily, the height and firmness of the Central Building of the College will: admit of one being erected with very little expense. The extreme height of the building is 60 feet; and as the front wall is raised four or five feet as an equipoise to the weight of the pediment on the pillars in front, that wall, 90 feet in length, admits of an observatory's. being raised on it, which will easily command the horizon free of all obstruction, at an height of nearly 70 feet from the surface of the earth, and in a situation where no rumbling of carriages can possibly affect the instruments. As an astronomical clock, and other instruments requisite for an Observatory, were brought out by Mr. Mack in 1821, or have been received since, the Committee suppose that it may be completed for less than 1000 rupees. The utility of an Observatory to those Natives who study astronomy, must be too obvious. to need mentioning: actual observations made from time to time, must carry to the mind demonstration of the truth of the Newtonian System and the falsehood of their own, in its own nature irresistible. College Library. The Library has, this year, received considerable additions. The side rooms, which contain it, being ready, the Serampore Missionaries have presented to the Library of the College about 3000 volumes, which they have been assiduously employed above twenty years in collecting; together with a number for which they have been indebted to the generosity of various friends in Britain, deeming it impossible to render these volumes more useful than by adding them to the College Library. In addition to these, the Library has also been enriched by donations of books from various friends, both in India and Britain; whom they now intreat to accept their warmest thanks for this proof of their generous regard for the interests of the Institution, and the promotion of knowledge in India. They beg leave to add, that, while they shall feel grateful for any book or manuscript, in the languages either of Europe or India, with which any individual may be pleased generously to enlarge the College Library, they shall feel peculiar obligations to any Society or learned body, in India, Europe, or America, who may be pleased to enrich it with sets of their Transactions. English Class. It was mentioned in the beginning, that English is taught, in this Institu tion, rather as a learned language fraught with the treasures of knowledge, than as merely qualifying Native Youth to become copyists in an office. Hence, it is not set before all of them, as the first thing which they have to learn on their entering the College; but rather reserved to reward their diligence, in making themselves, thoroughly acquainted with their own language, as the grand medium of imparting to their own countrymen those ideas which they may acquire, themselves. The Committee, however, now beg. leave to mention a Class of Youths, whose native language is English, and whose circumstances seem to claim a share in the benefits of this Institution.. In different parts of the country, there are from ten to fifteen persons employed, in superintending Schools, or disseminating the Gospel as Missionaries, either itinerant or stationary. The duties incumbent on these useful men call them so much from home, that it is impossible for them to educate their own children,, after a certain age; and their salaries are too limited, to permit their placing. them at any respectable English Seminary. To give the children of these worthy men an English Education, while they are growing up conversant with the languages of the country, seems equally the dictate of humanity and of wisdom. Thus educated, should they possess real piety, they may equal or possibly exceed their parents in usefulness to India, in the same calling; and, in any case, such an education would render them useful members of society,, in some other employment. This could, be easily secured, as seven years spent in Serampore College, after the age of, twelve or thirteen, would enable them, in addition to English, and to Latin if deemed advisable, to acquire Sanscrit, Persian, or Arabic, together with a knowledge of European Science, which, with, diligence and probity, might fit them for usefulness in a variety of situations to be found in India. The chief expense, which would at-. tend the education of a Class of these. Youths in this College, would be merely that of their food and clothing; which, however plain and simple, must still be European. But this would not be great.. rampore Missionaries having taken off from the public all the expense of the College Buildings. But the monthly expenditure of the College, with the purchase of the ground for the Preparatory Seminary, has left them at the close of this year, also, 4000 rupees behind. The expense of a Native Youth for - board and clothing in Serampore College does not, on the average, exceed seven rupees monthly; and, independently of Professors and Teachers, the monthly cost of 100 Native Students would not exceed 700 rupees. The board and clothing of Youths in the European mode would not exceed thrice that sum; In its annual expenses, however, the and, with the exception of an English Committee have studied the strictest Teacher, the cost of Professors, Pun- economy; and it is their constant wish dits, &c. would be precisely the same. so to watch over them, that every rupee The expense of TEN such Youths, there- expended shall make its full return of - fore, which would probably be as many value in promoting the welfare of India. as the families of these worthy men The moderate scale of the expenses, inwould furnish for the College at one deed, will be sufficiently evident, when - time, would be covered, the Managers it is considered that a College containing hope, by 200 rupees monthly: and this forty-five youths on its foundation, a will not appear a great sum, when it is European Professor, and a sufficient considered, that, while this would re-number of Native Pundits and Teachers, : move a vast load of care from the minds of their parents, it would train up a body of Youth in English habits, in the plainest and simplest mode of life, in sound Christian Principles and a competent measure of Indian Literature and European Science; and thus fit them for usefulness, in whatever part of India Providence might assign them their future sphere of action. Scholarships. As among the Gentlemen in various parts of India who honour the Institution with their patronage, some may be desirous that its benefits may extend to the part of the country in which they reside, and hence wish to send thence some intelligent Native Youth to be trained up in the College, any Gentle man subscribing 100 rupees annually, I will be considered as the patron of a Scholarship so long as such subscription be continued: to which Scholarship, he may recommend any Native Youth for support and education in the College, free of further expense, whether he be Christian, Hindoo, or Mussulman; it being only understood, that the Native Youth thus sent shall be subject to the Rules of the College, respecting diligence and correctly moral conduct. State of the Funds. Having thus submitted to the public the present state of the College, with their views and wishes relative to its future operations, the Committee beg leave to mention the State of its Funds. These have been applied wholly to the purchase of the ground, and the support of the Teachers and Students; the Se has this year been supported at the monthly expense to the Indian Public of little more than 600 rupees. The plan which they have pointed out respecting a Divinity Professor, and a Class of Youths in European habits, will, it is true, make the expenditure rather exceed 1000 rupees monthly in future; but they humbly trust, that the objects likely to be secured by this sum will be found such, as fully to counterbalance this expense in their utility to the country at large. And, after more than a lack of rupees has been expended in providing buildings and premises in a situation well suited for such an Institution, it would be a matter of regret, were it to be so straitened in its operation for want of funds, as to frustrate its object and design. But this, under the Divine Goodness, they cheerfully leave to that public, who have hitherto so generously encouraged all their attempts to promote the welfare of their Indian Fellow-subjects; entreating them to accept their warmest thanks, for the patronage with which they have already honoured this Institution. Ceylon WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Account of the Devil Worship of Ceylon. MR. CLOUGH, whose return from Ceylon was stated at p. 327, has furnished the Society with the following account of the awful superstition of Devil Worship which prevails in that Island. It is more full and particular than any which 532 CEYLON. has before appeared; and should awaken earnest prayer for the deliverance of a people, held under such debasing and cruel bondage. In Ceylon, there exist Five Systems, at least, of Heathen Idolatry-Brahminism, Buddhism, Capoism, Baliism, and Yakadurism. A minute description of these different forms of idolatry, the nature and tendency of the ceremonies connected with them, and the demoralizing effects which they severally have upon the native inhabitants, would excite the deepest sympathies in behalf of these benighted Heathens. The literal meaning of “ Yakadurism" is, the " Expulsion of Devils;" but when the whole round of its ceremonies is considered, it properly means the "Worship of Devils." Whether such a form of idolatry does really exist in any part of the Heathen World, has, I am aware, been called in question. That people, at a distance from the spot where such scenes are practised, should entertain doubts, is not to be wondered at; for, on the first annunciation of so deplorable a fact as that of the Devil being worshipped, the thing appears altogether so shocking, that very strong testimonies are required to make such a relation of human woe at all credible. But this Paper will be filled up with a statement of a few facts, collected by one who has been many years resident in the country, and has availed himself of every means of information on the subject; and, for the purpose of satisfying his own mind, has often done violence to his feelings, by being present on occasions when these horrid ceremonies have been performed: and it is hoped that a testimony of this kind will give additional weight to similar statements, which have been often made in Missionary and other communications from that part of the world. Therefore I now state, and I wish it LARGE AND The ESTABLISHED Heathenism of this island is Buddhism, which both condemns and prohibits the Worship of Devils: at the same time, the essential principles of Buddhism are such as open So that, strange and affecting as the statement may appear, yet it is an awful fact, that, in every part of the world where Buddhism has established its atheistical influence, the inhabitants are left to the uncontrolled dominion of the Devil! And in such regions, presenting so few obstacles to the usurpations of the grand adversary of mankind, Satan has established his throne-usurped universal empire-legislated for his own dominions-dictated the form of his own government-and prescribed the religious ceremonies (if such words can be used) that are most congenial to his own mind! Viewing a large proportion of the family of man under such circumstances, it is by no means difficult to conjecture, what would be the nature and tendency of a system of devotion dictated by the Devil, and of which he himself was to be the object. It is an humiliating fact, that, while Buddhism has made so many successful efforts to erase from the minds of men all ideas of the existence of a God, their writings everywhere abound with accounts of the Devil: for during the 350 transmigrations of Buddhu in the different bodies which he assumed, the existence of the Devil is acknowledged, and Buddhu meets him at every turn as his grand and chief adversary; and a native painting, made in the Burman Empire, is now by me, representing Buddbru's last grand conflict with the Prince of Devils, who is leading on an army of devils to oppose his assumption of the character of Buddhu: so that, in these writings, the existence of the Devil is acknowledged, and he is recognised also in his own infernal character. In the form of Devil Worship established in Ceylon, this Chief of Devils, in his own real character, is also recognised and acknowledged. Under him is a succession of subordinate devils, of different sizes, dispositions, and colours! These all have to do with human affairs. In a word, the world, and all things in it, is under their control and government. The Demon Worship of the Greeks and Romans acknowledged good as well as evil demons: but, from all that I have ever been able to collect, I have never yet heard of a benevolent being in the worship, as practised in Ceylon. They are all evil; exercising a most wicked and malicious influence over the affairs of men: and, on this account, the Natives are in continual fear of them. Hence a very sensible Native Young Man, in my company one evening, refused to pass under a large tree which overhangs the road; and, on my asking his reasons, he told me, with great gravity, that every branch and twig of that tree was full of devils. The ideas, which the Natives have of the nature and character of these objects of their devotion, may be inferred, both from the accounts given of them in their books, their attempts at representing them in pictures, and the manner in which they invariably speak of them; all of which, if we may add the services rendered them, go to shew that these invisible beings, in the opinion of the Natives, are wicked, malignant, mischievous, cruel! -in a word, diabolical! And such are the objects of devotion pointed out by the Yakadurism of Ceylon! This System of Idolatry has its prescribed forms; which are found in records, the antiquity of which it is not easy to trace it has its priests, and round of established ceremonies; which point out, in all their appalling display, the place from whence they sprang. The object to which all these lead, is the Devil. From the brief sketch just taken of the atheistical opinions of the people, it is plain that he must be considered by them as the being, into whose hands fall the government and sole management of human affairs. To conciliate the esteem and friendship of the Devil, or, more properly, to avoid his malignant or misDec. 1823. chievous interference in their concerns, the Natives propitiate him by various offerings and ceremonies, which it is impossible in this place to detail. The chief actors in these ceremonies are the “Yakadurayas." These men are supposed to carry on continual intercourse with the Devil: they are also supposed not only to have a particular acquaintance with him, but also great influence over him. I here give no opinion on this subject; but on my questioning these men IN PRIVATE, whether or not they really did hold converse with the Devil, they have replied in the affirmative; and yet such has been their confusion or peculiar agitation of mind on these occasions, that I have had reason to believe that they made the confession reluctantly, and with no design to impose on me. However, this I leave; only remarking, that, in the person and whole demeanour of these men, there is something exceedingly strange and unaccountable; and I never could prevail on one of them to look me in the face: they generally converse with much agitation; and I never met one in the country, on the road, but he would hide his head in the jungle till I had passed. These men, having a particular knowledge of the devils, are resorted to in cases when persons dedicate themselves to one of these infernal beings; which is a practice of the Natives, to place themselves under the protection of the devil. I forbear to describe the ceremonies practised on these occasions of self-dedication to Satan, Like most of their works of darkness, they are performed in the night. Children, at the hour of their birth, are generally dedicated to some one of these evil beings: and it is an awful fact, that, in hundreds and thousands of instances, the poor deluded people are so anxious to place themselves and all connected with them under the care and protection of the devil, that their children are solemnly dedicated to him before they are born! In such cases, the first thing put on the body of the infant, at the period of its birth, is the amulet or the charm, or, in other words, the writing which contains the name, the colour, the office, the influence, and general character of that devil to whom the child is dedicated. So generally does this superstition prevail, that, in a Sermon which I once heard the worthy Petrus Panddetta Sekem preach out of doors to a large congre 4 B gation against the Worship of Devils, he made a solemn appeal to his congregation; and said, that he feared almost every individual who heard him that day was living in the practice of Devil-Worship. He stated, also, a fact, which shews to what an extent the superstition prevails-That when he was a priest of Buddhu, he commenced a journey to the city of Kandy, with a number of other priests, to attend a celebrated festival: they arrived at a certain place, one evening, said to be under the government of a very noted devil; and all his companions feared to pass through that part of his dominions, without making some of fering to him: Petrus, Heathen as he was at the time, remonstrated with his fellow-travellers, but in vain: every one of them went to the place where the devil was worshipped, and, by an act of devotion, acknowledged their submission to his power. When the Portuguese had possession of the Island of Ceylon, they prohibited Devil-Worship by Government Regulations; and made it a capital offence, for any one to profess himself a Devil-Priest. The Dutch enacted laws against it, but less rigorous. How far such measures were successful, it is difficult to say; but it is a fact, that the delusion has so complete a hold on the hearts of the people,and occupies their hopes andfears so strongly, that nothing but the Gospel of Christ can effectually succeed in eradicating its principles and destroying its practice. Of late years, many important steps have been taken toward a complete overthrow of this system. The Missionaries, on the various stations which they now occupy, have directed much of their attention to it; and have exposed it by every prudent means: and in all our Schools, among the Children, the horror of this wicked worship is deeply impressed on their minds. So successful have we been in this respect, that the Christian Youths, taught in our Schools, not only refuse to have any thing to do with such ceremonies themselves, but, by the most public opposition, manifest their dislike. When they hear of preparations being made, in any house, for what is called a "Devil Dance," a small party of them will often go to the spot, remonstrate with the people, and, if their own arguments will not avail, threaten to inform, and bring the Missionary, which is generally successful. In the large and populous village of Colpetty, I have known many instance's in which our Elder Boys have, by their own exertions, put down these vile ceremonies: hence, in that village, which a few years ago abounded with such prac tices, a ceremony of this kind is now scarcely ever performed. At another large and populous village, about two miles to the south of Colpetty, where the same practices were very prevalent, a number of " Yakadurayas" and " Cappoas" united together to have a grand ceremony, which was to continue a week, and at which thousands of people were expected to attend with offerings: in this village several pious Natives reside, who have been truly converted to God: they were shocked to witness the preparations going on: they united to protest against the ceremony-exerted all their influence to prevent it-and came to me, to beg that I would assist them. I went to the spot, witnessed the shocking preparations, and shall never forget the zeal of the pious Natives, who were principally females: after contending the matter for two days, with a whole host of devil's priests, our friends succeeded in preventing this ceremony from being performed; and, pleasing to tell, these men have scarcely ever since been able to raise their heads in public. Our excellent friend, George Nadoris, a short time before I left the country, was taken very ill; and was ordered, by the doctors, to go to his native village for a change of air. That village (Amblem Goddy) is the most notorious in the island for Devil-Worship, and is proverbially given up to it. When George arrived there, he was instantly surrounded by his family, his friends, and their numerous connexions; entreating him to allow them to send for the devil's priests, to expel the devil, and cure him of his disorder. But George was firm, and proof against all the attempts made upon him: and not only opposed these practices, as they related to his own case; but continued, while there, to reason with the people on their wickedness; and assured them, that Christianity had taught him to look to God, and to cast all his concerns into the hands of a merciful Saviour, Jesus Christ. God graciously raised him up from the bed of death, and restored him to his friends and his work again; and, on his return to Colombo, I had from himself the particulars of this Christian Triumph over the works of darkness. |