days visiting and exhorting in the schools under our direction, and preaching on the Sundays. I am in hopes of getting a footing in the famed idolatrous village of Calaany, which is about nine miles on the other side of Colombo. We are about to erect a school nearly half way, on the same side of the river on which the celebrated temple stands, and, in fact, within the same district. The name of the village is Peliyagodde. The whole neighbour. hood is noted for idolatry and vice. These two schools, and perhaps a third, seven miles in another direction, will, we hope, enable us to give you some interesting accounts in the next letter from his station. I thank my God, that our schools continue to warrant our expectations of good therefrom; and that they all appear, without exception, to be in a very good state. They have received a very great portion of my attention in the last quarter: and my dear wife has bestowed much labour on the female department of our different schools, which increases in interest and importance. She frequently visits them, as well by herself, as in company with me; and is often greatly encouraged and animated in mind, by the attention and affection of her little pupils. When speaking to them, as they stand around her, on the things of God, and the concerns of their souls, she has been many times pleased to observe their thoughtfulness, not unfrequently accompanied with tears. She has no doubt there are real impressions of a religious nature on the minds of many; and their desire to learn whatever is taught them continues unabated. Mrs. H. has introduced a fancy kind of needle-work into the schools, and has made a regulation, that the profits of all work done by the girls shall be divided, equally, between the girls themselves, the mistress, and the reward box of their respective schools. A third of the profit thus being given to the girls, will serve as an encouragement to them to attend to their work; and the share which is appointed to the mistress will interest her to see that they do their work well and quickly; while the third, which goes to the reward-box, will be a general benefit, and enable us to distinguish the deserving, with less burden to our fund. Mrs. H. is at present learning to make lace, for the purpose of being better able to superintend this part of their school exercises. I mention these particulars, that our brethren and friends may be convinced, that, with the religious in struction daily given, to form habits of industry, and attention to their temporal duties, is one of our principal objects, and of which we never lose sight; more especially aniong our female scholars. Hence our schools cannot fail of being an important blessing to society at large, so far as their influence extends; and the rising generation will appear upon the stage of life qualified to glorify God, and to benefit mankind. It is, however, calculated to damp our ardent expectations respecting our scholars, when we reflect upon the numerous sicknesses to which they are exposed in this country, and reckon on the probability that many who receive our constant care will never reach the age of manhood. Such a reflection is calculated to cast a gloom upon our feelings, and to discourage our attempts, did we look no farther than this world But, though they may be removed from us by early deaths, and their immediate influence over their countrymen ma, thus appear to be prevented, yet they themselves are candidates for an eternity of blessedness. Those of them who are saved through our instrumentality, will be our ultimate crown of rejoicing: and it may please God to make their happy and peaceful removals out of this world a more extensive good to their surviving acquaintance, than perhaps they could themselves have accomplished, had they been spared to manhood and old age. I have been led to these remarks by the inroads which death has been suffered to make upon two or three schools in the last quarter. Six children have died; three of whom were out of the Colpetty school: and of these three, two were piously disposed girls, belonging to the female class-meeting established there. Though the Lord's ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts, yet we must confess, that "He hath done all things well." As it is intended to give an account of these three children, in a small separate tract, the particulars of them_all_shall not be allowed to encrease the size of our present letter. The first was a boy of about 16 years of age, whose name was David, and whose death was produced by a fall from a high cocoa-nut tree, which he had several months before. I cannot avoid giving you a short narrative of this lad, being persuaded that you will derive gratification from the partculars. The accounts of the other two shall be prepared for the press. [insert the following nearly as it was written by our friend Mr. Coopman, who received the particulars from the mother of the boy, &c. "David was born about the year 1802. Like many other children, who are uncared for, and uninstructed, he was wicked in all his ways, and was growing up in utter ignorance of God, and of the way to heaven. In the beginning of the month of April last year, our Mission day school was opened in Colpetty, the village where he lived; and he was received as a scholar into it, being at that time about 14 years of age. In a day or two after his admission into the school, his mother has since in. formed us, that, on his coming home, he informed her, and his grandmother, and all that were in the house, that he had heard, from the minister, that swearing, speaking bad words, telling lies, playing on the Lord's day, or working on that day, are sins, and that God Almighty is angry with all people who do such things; and that the minister had given him, and the other boys, leave to bathe, &c. on Saturdays; saying that Sunday was only intented for people to attend preaching, and read the word of God. David added, he hoped he should pay attention to this good advice, and begged the family to do the same. From this time there seemed to be a little alteration in ius conduct." His mother, I believe, is a sincere and changed woman, and lives, according to her light, in an upright manner. She has been baptized, and joined the Baptist Mission church, in Colombo. But, as she lives out as a servant, her family were, in general, left to the care of an old grandmother, a woman not under the influence of pious principles. This will account for what follows: "In a week or two afterwards, (I at sorry to say it was on a Sunday), it being the Cingalese feast-day, called Ma-sey, or New Moon, his grandmother took him with her, to the neighbouring Cinnamongarden, to collect fire-wood. Seeing some dried branches of a cocoa-nut tree ready to drop off, David climbed up into the tree in order to get them down; in domg which, he slipped, and, failing, received a very severe bruise. attentive boy. When he was first taken ilt, he had a merit-ticket, which he had received, as a reward, at the school, tied at the end of his handkerchief. This he gave to his mother, and begged her to take good care of it, saying, he hoped to go again, as soon as he should be able. When he recovered a little, he renewed his attendance as usual, and conducted himself well." I remember being on a visit to the Colpetty school, on the morning of his return to it; and, feeling much sympathy in this case, I endeavoured to impress his mind with a view of the Lord's goodness to him, and his narrow escape from an awful death. After addressing the boys on the sparing mercy of God towards their poor schoolfellow, we all kneeled down, and returned public thanks for the same, praying that the Lord would graciously sanctify this providence to the lad himself, and to us all. I was, however, grieved to find that while he was a little affected by it, yet, on conversing with him, his mind was extremely dark, and he uppeared to have a great deal of Pharisaical confidence in his own goodness. It was indeed a more remarkable kind of self-confidence than I have ever found in a boy of his age. But it pleased God to undertake the teaching of him himself, and to bring him again into the furnace of affliction, that he might be made "wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Mr. Coopman continues: "About two months ago, his disease greatly increased, and obliged him to leave the school again. One day I met him on the road, and, finding that he was getting much worse, I told him, if he wished it, I would try to obtain a ticket for him to be admitted into the Pauper's Hospital, where, I observed, he would be well attended; and desired him to cail upon me on the Monday following, as this was on the Saturday. He was admitted into the Hospital; from whence, as his disorder rapidly grew worse, he was discharged, at the end of fifteen days, at the request of his mother. He was then taken home to Colpetty again. "When David (who has succeeded Cornelius as the master of the school) heard "In consequence of this fall, he was of his illness, he visited him, and advised confined to the house for nearly four him to pray for the pardon of his sins, months. When he got a little better, he and read to him the 25th chapter of St. attended the school again. He delighted Matthew's Gospel, and desired one of the in this, and paid great attention to his converted priests to attend and read to books. He did not idle away his time him the word of God. Some of the boys during the hours of school: and the mas- who meet in class, also, frequently called ter in general found him to be a good and upon him, to read and pray with him. Don Adrian gave him some medicine, to af ford him a little relief; but it was evident his was a case beyond human help, and that his days in this world were drawing to a speedy close. "Frederick Cornelius, on visiting him, found him in much pain, but, apparently, greatly resigned to the will of God. On his inquiring of him, if he felt himself to be a sinner, and if he prayed for pardon, the poor boy replied, that he did pray, but that he did not feel his sins so great a burden as he desired to feel them. Cornelius then asked him, how long it was since he had begun to pray? He an swered, that it was soon after he returned to the school, on his recovery; on a day when the master had been closely exhorting the boys, and had told them that all those who do not pray to God must go to hell. ner "Cornelius visited him regularly, once or twice every day, for the last three weeks of his life. One day, when he was about to leave him, he exhorted him to think about his past life, to pray to God for the ardon of all his sins, and to make him feel that they were all blotted out, through our Lord Jesus Christ. The next day, Cornelius asked him, whether or not he felt himself a sinYes,' said he, I do feel that I am a sinner,' and added, that he had been earnestly praying for pardon and peace; that he had felt his sins were washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ; and that he was not now afraid to die, because Jesus Christ, he was assured, would receive his departing soul into his glorious kingdom of heaven. Cornelius asked him, if he recollected any of his past sins. He said, he did; and that he used to tell lies, speak bad words, curse and swear, break the Sabbath, and do all kinds of evil. The next day, he asked him how he was, and whether he would rather live or die. He replied, that he was happy, and that he left every thing in the hands of Providence. Every time Cornelius saw him, he found him quite happy; at the same time the lad seemed certain that he should not recover." Hearing of his happy state, Mrs. Har vard and I rode out to see him. We found him in a mud hovel, with very few conveniences, lying upon a poor uncomfort able bedstead, almost reduced to a skeleton, but apparently very happy and resigned. He soon recognized us, with sparkling eyes, and replied to several questions, which I felt it my duty to propose to him, in a way which was very pleasing and truly satisfactory. Perceiv The narrative concludes: "Three days previous to his death, on friend Cornelius going to see him, as usual, poor dying David, looking at him, said, I shall very soon go to Jesus!' Then he caught hold of his hand, and kisse it affectionately. David, the master, and the Cingalese teacher, and the pious boys, often visited him, and always found him happy The fear of death had no influence upon him. He had given every thing into the hands of God. Miss Lourensz, the school mistress, likewise saw him, and found him happy, and waiting for death, as a good servant waits for his master, what time he shall call, to open the door. His mother says, that the happiness of her departed child, was an unspeakable consolation to her: and on one occasion, when she spoke to him about the love of Jesus, he replied, I KNOW IT! aud the angels are waiting to take my soul to Jesus.'” This was the dying language, and expiring confidence, of David, a converted Cingalese boy, aged about 16 years. When one compares his former with his latter state, the reality of his change is placed beyond all doubt. "Once I was blind, but now I see," was, with propriety, his language. The blessed effects of sanctified affliction, in poor David's case, made the declaration of his royal namesake remarkably appropriate: "It was good for me that I have been afflicted; for before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I have kept thy law.” Upon the whole, taking into the account superior advantages, I have no hesitation in saying, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." The second child, of whose peaceful end we have to speak, was Maria Madelina, the daughter of a respectable Cingalese man of Colpetty, of the principal class of natives. She had attended our Mission-school from the beginning, and had latterly begun to meet in class, which I understand she only did four times before she was taken ill. When she departed this life, her age was 10 years and six weeks. The third and last was Carolina. Her MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE. father is a Cingalese, and was head-gardener to the Honourable Sir Alexander Johnston, Chief Justice, until his departure for England. His little daughter was admitted into the Colpetty school, at the express recommendation of Lady Johnstone; and I have understood that her Ladyship had formed a great attachment to the child, and felt great interest in her welfare. She was indeed a very engaging girl, The improvement she made, subsequent to her Ladyship's leaving Colpetty, was very great, and more especially the peculiarly trium. phant circumstances under which she so lately exchanged the changing shadows of time for the abiding realities of eternity, were deeply interesting. It is only necessary to observe that her latter hours were by no means less satisfactory than those of her schoolfellow David, of whom I have given you a short account in this letter. If all be well, the three obituaries shall be printed in tract, and drawn up with an eye to their a small being translated, for distribution among our native schools, &c. On account of the poverty of David's mother, we gave her a donation towards the funeral expences; and all his schoolfellows attended his remains to the military burial ground, on the Galleface, where I had paid for his interment. A great crowd of people followed, to whom our friend Cornelius, after he had read part of the burial service, gave a solemn exhortation, in Cingalese, on the shortness and uncertainty of life, and the blessed ness of dying in the Lord. I likewise endeavoured to improve the awful event by a sermon in the Colpetty school, on the following Sunday. The text was James iv. 8. two The funeral of Maria Madelina was likewise attended by Cornelius, and the boys of the school, with the masters. They had to go several miles to the native burial ground. The service was performed the same as at David's funeral At the request of the parents, I attended the remains of Carolina to the grave myself, having paid for her interment in the military ground on Galleface. The scholars and the neighbours followed, though the place was nearly three miles from the dwelling-house. After the reading of the service and the exhortation, the people all knelt around the grave, while we prayed for a sanctified use of the bereaving providence. As both the little girls died in the same week, on the following Sunday I preached at Colpetty, from James iv. 13, 14, 15. 389 Some strangers were present: and some heard with weeping. having occupied their attention, at such My brethren, I trust, will pardon my a length, with these details. They will serve to prove that the Cingalese charac what has been accomplished in these in ter lies under no heavenly interdict: and stances, we may hope to see effected to the most pleasing and abundant extent. with Lady Brownrigg, to the opening of Mrs. Harvard and myself lately went by herself, in the village of Mcrotto. a new School for Cingalese girls, founded The establishment is a noble one. It hundreds of natives crowded the roads, was a truly gratifying ceremony; and like an English crowd at a fair. we turned with Lady Brownrigg while I After the opening service, Mrs H. reaccompanied the Rev. Mr. Bisset, the new principal of schools, to visit the government school of Morotto. When the ingly went with me to see our Missionvisitation was concluded, Mr. Bisset obligschool in the same village; being accomEsq. the botanist. The tolling of our panied by Mr. Armour, and R. Moon, school-bell had a approached the school, along the road, fine effect, as from the government school to ours.Our boys passed through their examinations remarkably well, and afforded the and when about to depart, Mr. Armour most evident pleasure to our kind visitors; interpreted an address from Mr. Bisset to the people assembled, in which he the scholars; and added, that nothing highly commended both the master and would give His Excellency the Governor greater pleasure, than to hear that the rising generation are so well instructed, house; and that he should duly represent in a village so near to his own country. the matter to the Governor. This had its proper weight with the people, and flattered by it. our scholars felt themselves not a little communications. We have finished two book of Genesis is just finished, and we designed principally for gratuitous distribution among the English soldiers. 1000 copies of a new edition of the Budhist Conversation, and 1000 copies of the Baptismal Prayers, with several other things, have been done in the past quarter. The press, however, has not been so fully occupied as I trust it will be in the next three months. From Mr. W. B. Fox, Callura Station. The pleasure and profit I have derived from our quarterly communications leave room for little reluctance in contributing my mite to forward a work, the importance and utility of which, we cannot fully appreciate. During the past quarter, I have been highly gratified by communications from the different brethren, while the afflictions of different members of our Mission family have excited feelings of a different kind. Notwithstanding, the firm assurance that God is with us, and that we are co-workers together with him, has caused songs of grateful praises to riseoutof the tears of sympathy and commisseration. In myself, I have been unspeakably happy; and a firm conviction that I am where I ought to be, has mingled sweets in every bittter cup. My numerous labours, though they have often fatigued the the had no influence on the mind; and body, ardent flame which brought me across the Atlantic and Indian oceans, has not abated its fervency; but my soul is daily more and more interested in the welfare of our Mission. I should materially fail in the performance of an important duty, did I not acknowledge the tender sympathy and kind attention of all my brethren, the particulars of which must be related in heaven, though they are now stored up in a grateful heart. Since my last communication, death has deprived me of a valuable and disinterested friend, J. Badger, Esq. late collector of Caltura. He was a man of peculiarities; but a prominent one was peculiar friendship, friendship which could anticipate no adequate return-the friendship of a near and dear relative. Should I pay a just tribute to his successor, J. Atkinson, Esq. it would appear flattery; but he has freely procured comforts for my little family, without which in this poor place, 1 should find it difficult to find them their daily provision. His name and kindness is well known to many to whom the name of AULT is dear; as they will recollect that he was the magistrate of Batticaloa, when our brother was there. source of gratitude and praise to God, whose hand I see in all things. My perpetual intercourse with the natives of this country, increases my knowledge of their wretchedness and depravity, and moves my highest commisseration and pity. At an early period of life, I should probably have almost despaired of dispelling, in any degree, the thick gloon, the midnight darkness, that rests on this valley of living shades; but, going forth at God's command, under God's promise, with his everlasting gospel in my hand, and his mercy in my heart, I am assured that light will spring up out of the darkness; yea and darkness itself shall be turned to day. I am yet unable to say whether there is any thing that is esteemed virtue amongst them; for nothing that theologians or moralists have deemed virtue, is considered such in the sphere of my labours. I lament their situation, but I pity them. Where should they have learned better? I know of nothing in Budhism (I mean the Budhism that is known; for the Budhism of the book is as unknown as the word of God was, when sealed up in the Latin tongue,) which inculcates any virtue under any sanctions, and little more than the name of Christianity has ever been among them -no word of God!-no preachers!-I greatly lament that our countrymen have been so greatly misled by reports of 500,000 nominal Christians. Where are they, my brethren? In your more favoured stations? All the lovers of Christianity would weep with painful disappointment to be introduced to those, who are by singular courtesy called native Christians. I am sure that our most neglected countrymen, in the southern parts of Ireland, stand by far, in a higher rank. I am happy to perceive that the later English publications reform in their appellations, and tend towards accuracy. Some of these late publications style them "half pagan Christians;" but honest truth must in most instances, blot out the “half.” Painful as it is, we must take matters as we find them; and to prescribe before we ascertain the nature and extent of the disease, is not to imitate the conduct of wise physicians. The wall of partition must be broken down; they are not two people but one, without hope “and without God in the world." Were I not in danger of tiring you with the length of my epistle, I should relate several anecdotes, which would give you the gauge of our Christian knowledge here. Ask one How many Gods are there?" he will |