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convinced that they had been deceived. I asked what was to be done with the money which they offered to the Priest. They said, he would carry it to the Temple, which is about three days' journey, and repeat their names. Before he carries it, however, to the Temple, he washes it in the river: if any falls from his band, he keeps that for himself. I asked them, if they thought the Priest was faithful to his trust. Some laughed, and said, they believed he often kept it. I asked them, if I should give them some money, and charge hem to go down the river several miles, and then cast it into the river, whether they would strictly obey their njunctions. No, they said; they hould not be so foolish as to throw money away. "Why then do you mpoverish yourselves, by making offerngs to these deceivers ?" They folowed me some way, and asked me bow they should dispose of their offering. I told them to give it to their

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poor neighbours; and, if they did it out of gratitude to the Giver of all good things, and a desire to relieve the distressed, God's blessing would be upon them.

As I returned, I conversed with one of my Schoolmasters on the customs of his country. He said, if I had not come among them, he should now have been carrying his offerings to the Temple, but he saw the folly of trusting any longer in these things. I said, "If I should leave you, would you not follow again your former practices?" He replied immediately: "Sir, why should I, when I have washed myself, go and roll myself in the mire? Before you instructed us, we were in darkness: no one shewed us the folly and vanity of our Religion; but you have brought us light." I believe his convictions are sincere, and that he sees there is truth in the Religion of Christ. May the Lord give him to embrace His mercy!

EXTRACTS OF THE JOURNAL OF THE REV. BENJAMIN WARD, AT CALPENTYN, IN CEYLON; FROM MICHAELMAS 1818, TO

MIDSUMMER 1819.
(See Page 195.)

Sept. 27, 1818. Sunday.-There are thousands of Natives around us, in the greatest ignorance and degradation. They are scattered as sheep having no shepherd. My exertions are confined for want of a suitable Interpreter. Oh that I was qualified to speak to them, in their own tongue, the wonderful

works of God!

Word of God. I preached in English from Ps. cxxxvi. 23.

Calpentyn is, perhaps, one of the most dissolute places in the Island. The Sabbath Day is, at present, almost disregarded. Cockfighting, gaming, and drunkenness, abound among the people; although, I understand, such practices are prohibited by Govern ment during the Sabbath.

Oct. 11. Sunday.- Preached, this morning, by interpretation, from John I have opened a School for the inii. 14 & 15. The congregation is struction of Boys in English; and have small, principally consisting of descen- endeavoured to unite the influence of dants of Europeans. There are many the principal people here, in the estapoor Native Protestants in the neigh-blishment of Schools in this District. I bourhood, but they have mostly gone hope, in a short time, to open a Native back to Heathenism. I intend to School for the reception of the many visit them at their dwellings; and, if poor ignorant Children around us. possible, to bring them to hear the

Oct. 18. Sunday.-I feel somewhat

disappointed by the smallness of the Congregations. I preached, this morning, from the Parable of the Sower; and, this evening, from Heb.i. 1.

The people appear, generally, to be in the depth of poverty and ignorance. The Heathens, Mahomedans, and Roman Catholics are bigoted to their respective religious systems; and the Protestants, in general, are perfectly indifferent about the Religion of Christ. There are few, therefore, who come to hear the Gospel of Christ preached. Oct.29,1818.-Took an excursion, this evening, in search of Children. Many of those who did come have been absent these few days. Some were sick, and others detained at home to assist their Parents.

These visits give me an opportunity of talking to the people on the subject of religion. Some listen patiently. I spoke to about twenty persons, chiefly Roman Catholics. They heard me expose the principal errors of their Church, while endeavouring to open to them the all-sufficiency of Christ to save sinners. My object was declared to them it was, to seek not theirs, but them; and to induce them to read the Scriptures, and to follow the Word of God only. They intend writing to their Padre, to ask if they may read the New Testament.

Nov. 6.—Took another excursion in the Village, this evening; and first entered into conversation with some Roman Catholics. After they were silenced, they heard me preach the Gospel to them. Had then a long conversation with a Gentoo man, before many of his people and others: he endeavoured to vindicate his own system, but involved himself in many contradictions, which gave me an opportunity of pointing out to them the simplicity and excellence of the Religion of Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless these efforts to shew men the way of salvation!

Nov. 7. Saturday. - Spent the evening in prayer; and, in union with

our dear friends in England, prayed for the extension of the Gospel thronging the world. On this promise our hope is fixed-Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, I will do it.

Nov. 8. Sunday.-In the morning the Congregation was much as before, but unusually attentive; and I could not but hope that good was done. The Congregation in the evening was much larger than it had ever been. On the whole, I hope that the people were edified. Yet I dare not trust appearances.

Jan.1,1819.-Preached, this morning, though weak in body, from Brethren, the time is short. The Congregation was attentive. Spoke, afterwards, to about 100 people, Catholics and Heathens, in our house, who came to pay their respects, being the first day in the new year. They have been accustomed to spend New Year's Day in rioting and drunkenness. Many of them were attentive.

Jan. 11.-Went this evening, with the Interpreter, among the Parawas and Fishermen ; and addressed a few who assembled round us, but their ignorance and prejudice are extreme. Some of them promise to send the Female Children to be instructed. If we gain this point, it will be a cause of thanksgiving to God. The state of the Native Women is deplorable.

Feb. 14. Sunday.-Had some conversation, this afternoon, with a Native, who is one of my most regular and attentive hearers. He knows, I trust, something more of Christianity than the mere profession of it. Inquiring if he felt himself a sinner, he said, with tears in his eyes, "It is impossible to tell you, Sir, what sins I have com mitted." On asking him upon what grounds he expected to be saved, he replied, "Through the mercy of God."

"What are your purposes in future "It is my desire to do the will of God." His spirit and manner speak more pow erfully to my heart, than all that he could express in words.

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Feb. 17.-Went this evening, over the water, to Korative, a Village where there are a few Protestant Christians. I assembled them, and spake to them a considerable time; urging the necessity of their being instructed in the knowledge of Christ, and of the education of their Children. I proposed that they should assemble on Sundays, and that one of them should read the Scriptures and some Prayers to the others. They appeared willing.

Feb. 19.-Went, this evening, to the Gentoo Temple. Met, on my way, a groupe of Natives playing at cards, and spoke to them on the value of time. They said, they had nothing to do. I requested them to think on their latter end. They appeared displeased with my interfering.

At the Temple, several persons were assembled, preparing for their ceremonies. I addressed one, who was cutting Ollas for the decoration of the Temple, on the unprofitableness of such things. He said it was their custom. While I was endeavouring to convince him that none of these things would please God, another came with whom I have frequently conversed. He said a great deal, but, after all, was compelled to confess that he knew nothing of their religion, except its ceremonies. He said that they had books, but their Brahmins kept them, and they did not know them. This gave me an opportunity of speaking on the excellency of the Religion of Christ.

Feb. 21.-There are but few who attend the worship of the True God; not more than twenty-five or thirty: but the souls of these few are precious in the sight of the Lord. Their serious attention encourages a hope that they do not hear in vain.

I mourn over the state of the Christians here. Their natural indolence, and their indifference to spiritual things, are a source of grief to me. Oh that the Lord would breathe on these dry bones, that they may live!

The Cholera Morbus is now prevalent at Jaffna and Colombo. The people here are very much alarmed, lest it should visit this place. I have proposed to preach a Sermon on Wednesday, in order to prepare their minds for the event.

Feb. 24.-Preached, this morning, from Ps. xcvii. 1. The Lord reigneth; and urged, in anticipation of our being probably visited by the Epidemic, three things as essentially necessary to our real happiness and security :-Humiliation on account of Sin: an entire Forsaking of Sin: and a simple and sincere Dependance on the Lord Jesus Christ. The people were very attentive, and some of them were much affected. The sum of thirty rix-dollars was collected for the Bible Society.

This

March 4-A Heathen Man brought his little Boy, requesting me to take him into the School. This is the first application of this nature. The people, in general, send their Children; but seldom come themselves. man has two other Boys. I encouraged him to send them also, by assuring him that he whom he had now brought, should be properly instructed. He has yielded him up to Christian Instruction. May he become a Christian indeed!

Our Family Prayer has hitherto been confined, in general, to ourselves and one servant. I have long desired to adopt that Form of Service in which all might be interested, This evening, my desire has been fulfilled. A portion of Scripture is first read in English. Then one of the servants reads the same portion in Tamul. Afterward I. pray in English, and conclude by re. peating the Lord's Prayer in Tamul.

March 8.-Having had it in contemplation to establish a School at Native Koringaputty, I sent our Schoolmaster this morning to that Village, in order to ascertain what number of Boys would attend. He assembled twelve Children of Christian

(Protestant) Parents; and expects that some others, of Roman-Catholic and Mahomedan Parents, will attend. . This morning, some Catholic Boys in our School, having formerly refused to learn some Scriptural Lessons which I had given them, came and desired that they might learn them. Their prejudices are thus, it may be hoped, giving away.

Mar. 14, 1819. Sunday.-Went in the afternoon, into the village of Parawas and Fishermen, in hopes of assembling them to hear the Gospel, but did not succeed. I spoke to a few persons and some Children; but the others who saw me, either kept at a distance or went away.

March 15.- I buried, to-day, the first person who has died here of the Cholera Morbus. It was the wife of a poor Native Christian. Understanding that there was another woman suffering from the same disease, I went, with Mr. Knight, who was then with us, to the house; but, besides this woman, we found two men and a youth, all visited by this dreadful disease. It was a distressing scene. The sufferers were perfectly helpless-all of one family; and their own relations had left them, supposing it in vain to attempt their restoration. We immediately supplied medicine, and whatever our house afforded. By the blessing of God, the men began to gather strength, and the symptoms appeared to abate; but the woman and the youth, being superstitiously prejudiced against the medicine, died this evening.

March 16.-Went, with Mr. Knight, > to visit the sick men. As we were speaking to them on their affliction, a number of Heathens came from their Temple, with consecrated ashes, which they presented to the sick, who were Heathens. These ashes they are accustomed to rub on their foreheads, as the badge of their profession. The sick men received them very reluctantly, having just before said that

they would be of our religion. We spoke to them all, on the vanity of Idolatry. A long conversation fol lowed with their principal man: he could not tell, how God could be just, and yet justify the ungodly. March 19. Three persons have died to-day. Scarcely any one is seen out; and nothing is heard, but the dismal howlings of the Natives. I have been out, this evening, encouraging the people to apply for assistance. The Catholics are carrying their images about.

March 23.-Five persons have died to-day. I had a long conversation with a number of Heathens, on the subject of this affliction, and exhorted them to prepare for death, pointing them to the love of God in Christ Jesus.

March 25. The School having diminished very much in numbers, in consequence of the present awful visitation, we have given it up for a time.

Four persons have died to-day. The Roman Catholics pretend to perform miracles, by giving the people their Holy Water. The Gentoos, also, say that some have been restored, by prostrating themselves in their Temple. Thus the Great Deceiver takes advantage of this season of disease and death, to establish his kingdom among this people.

April 25. Sunday.-Preached, this morning, from John vi. 47; and administered the Sacrament to about twenty persons. I felt a sacred joy in thus remembering the sufferings and death of our Lord for sinners, in the midst of this dark and idolatrous people. It would have been a greater joy if I had been satisfied as to the real piety of all who partook with us. Of a few, I have every reason to hope

well.

May 11. This morning I spoke to the Adiponah, or Chief, of the Fishermen, and the Adiponah of the Parawas, respecting my preaching

to their people, at some stated time during the week; and proposed to establish a School for their Children, offering to them the power of choosing a Schoolmaster, who should be paid in proportion to the number of Boys that he should collect. They appeared willing to second my views: but such is the deceitfulness of the Native Character, that little dependance can be placed on their words. May 13.. Went, this evening, to Koringeepetty, a small neighbouring village. There were thirteen Boys present, but very few grown people. I prayed with them, and spoke to them. My faith is frequently staggered, respecting doing any thing among these people, such is the extreme difficulty of assembling them together. They are generally poor and ignorant; and, what is still worse,

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sunk in indifference. May it please God to apply His word to their hearts!

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June 13. Sunday.-Preached, this morning, from Isa. lv. 6, 7. Some of the people were much affected. My Interpreter's tears flowed this evening. I trust they were tears of repentance. June 30.. I was mercifully preserved, this night, from a Cobrecapella. The dogs under the veranda began to bark; and, hearing something make a noise, we supposed some one to be at the door. went out, but saw no one; but I heard a sort of hissing noise very near me, and, upon turning myself about, saw a snake with its head and breast raised up, apparently about to strike. I quickly drew back into the house, and called the servants, who destroyed this fatal reptile.

EXTRACTS OF THE JOURNAL OF THE REV. JOSEPH KNIGHT, AT NELLORE, NEAR JAFFNA, IN CEYLON; FROM NOV. 11, 1818,

TO SEPT. 30, 1819.

(See Page 201.)

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preach to the people who may come to my house.

Nov. 26.- Mr. David came, and accompanied me in visiting and speaking to the people around my residence. Some of them gave us a favourable reception; but others seemed disposed to cavil. We invited them to come to my house in the afternoon. About fifty or sixty came. An Address was read to them, explaining my design in coming to live among them, and containing an exhortation on the concerns of their souls. Most of them listened with attention, and remained about the door a consi derable time afterward. After Service, we received a few names toward commencing a School.

Nov. 30.-Went to a village called Iruvally, distant about three or four

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