Budhist religion in these parts of the island of Ceylon which border upon the sea. But in the meantime the whole of the interior of Lackdiewa, or the island of Ceylon, was given up to the English government; and thus the predictions of the Budhist prophets, or conjurers, which gave the people to believe their security from Christian authority in consequence of their professing the Budhist religion, became false. Consequently I did come do vn myself to Colombo, and there did seek after the Christian religion, and in the following manner: In the first instance, I strove and fought several times with the Rev. Mr. Harvard on the Christian religion; and, in the second instance, with the Rev. Messrs. Bisset and Clough: but the said reverend ministers did, by their axe of wisdom, cut off my vain strife, which I resemble to a very tender and sapless tree; and they did point out to me, who was going along the road to hell, the good way which leads to the kingdom of heaven, bidding me to walk therein: and this leading of me was just the same as if they had handed a man who was wandering for six months, by a miss of road, and bringing him to the right read; and also, as though they lighted a bright candle in a dark mine, and thereby they shewed many precious stones, jewels, and fine gold. And thus, when the said ministers lighted their candle of wisdom, or the candle of Christianity, into my heart, which was darkened, through heathenism, as a dark mine, my said darkness was vanished away from me, and gone very far from me, as the distance of the earth to heaven; and in that very moment, all my sins which I have cominitted against our Creator, came to my remembrance, and I repented much for the same, and prayed thus: "O God, pardon me for all of my past sins, FOR THE SAKE OF OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. Cleanse my heart soon, and save me, who am a great and miserable sinner, and hardened heathen; and deliver me from hell, and receive me to the kingdom of heaven." In consequence of this, my heart turned towards the Christian religion, as a plantain tree which is bended by the heaviness of its clusters. And as an evidence of the washing away of my sins, I petitioned my said Christian ministers to baptize me; who, having compassion upon me, did baptize me, and thereby lifted me up from that filthy dunghill of sins, and brought me to the knowledge of the holy Scriptures, and did get me the light of the holy Christian religion, which is resembled likewise to a house filled with fine goht and all manner of odours and sweet perfuines; and so my faith was confirmed without wavering, as a pillar of marble. From that time I began always to think and remember myself of the sins which had committed, and to pray to God continually for the same, and also to endeavour to convert other pagans and hardened heathens to Christianity; a proof of which is, that I was the means of converting one Don Hendrick de Silva Wickremesekere, who was as great a sinner and heathen as myself, to Christianity, and he was baptised at the same time with myself;* and besides which I am, by way of an example, and of making myself more strong in the Christian religion, employed in aiding the missionaries in the propagation of the Christian religion; and I also attend myself at the class-meeting on every Thursday night; and there I publicly confess and declare the sins which I have committed, in the assembly, and pray God for the same. It is to be noted that the religion of Budhu existed in this island for the space of 2,360 years; but that no such pagan opposer as myself was ever converted to the Christian religion: consequently, that God who did break away my hardness and enmity, and made me a Christian, may in a short time make all the other heathen opposers also to be Christians. And though there were ministers of the Christian religion who formerly lived in this country, they never converted even an Oepaseke, or a little learned Budhist; but that after the arrival of the missionaries to Ceylon, even the Budhist priests and ministers were converted to the Christian religion. Whereas the Rev. Mr. Harvard, in particular, and all the Wesleyan missionaries in general who live in this country, convert many heathens and pagan opposers to Christianity, and grant to them all aids and blessings, I humbly hope that, if the Society would consider to send and direct more missionaries to this country, then that the whole of this island would be filled with the holy Christian religion, and that many people would receive the kingdom of heaven I therefore humbly pray that the Society would be graciously pleased to direct some more missionaries to Ceylon; and that it may also please the Society to move with compassion on the individuals of Ceylon, and grant a resolution that the Rev. Mr. Harvard may always live at Colombo, because the inhabitants are very glad to hear and listen to his sermons, and are very much pleased with • Don Hendrick is also a member of the Colombo society. him. And also I do very earnestly beg that all will pray to God, that he may soon save and cleanse the heart of every other individual of Ceylon, as my own heart was cleansed.-O GOD, BLESS THE MISSION SOCIETY! (Signed) GEORGE NADORIS DE SYLVA. Colombo, April 16, 1818. Among the interesting fruits of this mission, is a young man, at Colombo, of Dutch descent, and now employed as a local preacher. We are happy to give the following letter from him to the Committee, dated Colombo, January, 1819. The English is a little imperfect, as he has but recently acquired that language; but the piety and simplicity of the letter will render it very acceptable to our readers, and lead them to offer thanks to God for raising such testimonies" to the word of his grace." Colombo, 15th January, 1819. REV. AND MUCH ESTEEMED SIRS, SUFFER one who has the happiness to be acquainted with the Wesleyan Missionaries, to write you, knowing that it will afford you real pleasure to hear that another lost sinner is brought to the knowledge of the only Saviour Jesus Christ. I will give you a short account how God was pleased to bring me to himself. My great-grandfather, Jacobus Coopman, came from Amsterdam. My grandfather, Johannes Jacobus Coopman, resided at Galle, who was in the Honourable Dutch Company's service as Book-keeper and fixed Commissioner. My own father, Jacobus Anthony Coopman, was also employed, at Matura, in the Dutch service, as Book-keeper, and Commissioner appointed to superintend the Land Registry, and a member of the Land Road Court. The Hon. Mr. Veldink, Burgomaster of Groll, in Zutphen, was an uncle, or mother's brother, of my greatgrandfather, Jacobus Coopman. As to say whether my father was pious, or not, I cannot, as I was but a few months old when he died. I was born in the District of Matura, in the year 1786. I shall ever recollect the time when your missionaries, who from England accompanied the late Dr. Coke to Asia, arrived at Ceylon, as the most remarkable period of my life.. For many years before, in the midst of my rebellion against God, I was very frequently visited with checks of conscience, and a fear of death and judgment; but these were like the morning cloud, that soon passeth away. thing I could do was to take an oath, which, after some consideration, I did, on the Bible, saying that I would be a good Christian, and keep God's commandments, and hate the devil and his ways. How long did I keep this? Not many days. I very soon broke it, which hardened my heart more and more. Then I again gave myself up more than ever to the sinful pleasures of the world. All these things I used to keep under a cloak, and at the same time, in public, I used to conduct myself so well that I think very few persons had reasons to think that I was not a very good man. I myself have heard some people say something to that effect, while I was nothing but a mere hypocrite, or, as our Saviour calls it, a whited sepulchre. It is a wonder to myself that God suffered me to go on so far without punishing me for my sins. Some of my sins were so horrible, when they come to my recollection, a trembling comes on me. I was a regular attendant for some time when your missionaries preached; but, unhappily, I lost my relish for Divine things, and again sought happiness in the pleasure of the world, which never was designed to satisfy an immortal soul. About three years ago, one evening, one of your missionaries preached a very serious sermon: during the time I was so much frightened that I thought I should be lost. While the minister was preaching, I thought he was saying every thing to me. After sermon, before the last prayer, the preacher said, "If any person wishes to know about Jesus Christ and the way. of salvation more clearly, our house is open for any person, at any time during the day or night;" and invited any such person or persons to call on them. This, I thought, was good news for me. This was said once or twice on former occasions; but I did not mind it. After sermon, I thought to go thither directly; but again I thought I would call on the minister the next morning, if the Almighty should spare me; and resolved that I would forsake all my sins. I believe I slept little or none during that night, as all my past sins came to my mind one About six years ago, while residing at Galle, I began to be concerned for my soul; and in order that I might escape hell, and get to heaven, I began to learn catechisms and other instructions, and used to be a regular attendant at Divine service: but how ignorant was I of the plain way of salvation. One evening I was much affected with the goodness of God towards me, and I did not know how to love him for it; so I thought the best after the other; and I thought if I should happen to sleep, that it was likely I would open mine eyes in hell; because I did sin wilfully against light. I prayed as much as I could, and wished for the morning. But, in the morning, I thought I would not go thither, as I thought my situation was too horrible to mention to them. Again, on my second thought, I said to myself, "If I were to refuse this opportunity, perhaps I should not meet with another in this world; consequently, my state must be miserable; therefore I will go and open my mind to the minister:" so I left my house. On my way I very frequently thought not to go thither; but as God will have his own way, I went in, and told the servant that I wished to see one of the ministers. The servant returned, desiring me to sit down, as the master would come down presently. In a few minutes after, Mr. Clough came down, when I told him the reason of my calling on him. He was more kind to me than I expected. He gave me such advice as I really wanted.—Since that time I have been overcome by the temptations of the world; but the Lord has been pleased to have mercy upon me, and incline my heart once more to seek his face. Since these twelvemonths past, I have improved in the Divine life; blessed be God for his unspeakable mercies! In April last I was taken very ill, and had little or no hope of my recovery; but I had hope in the blood of Jesus, who gave himself for my sins. Now, Sirs, I can say before God and man, that it is my desire to live to the glory of God. I feel that happiness which the world is a stranger to, and I trust in Christ Jesus, that he will enable me to walk uprightly to the end. As I am situated so well, I have lately began to be a little useful in preaching Jesus to the perishing heathens; knowing that it is through him alone we can be saved, and no one else can give solid comfort either in health, sickness, or death. O how do I mourn at times, seeing the people are so ignorant, and how they live: they are not much better than the brute creation. If these are my feelings, consider, Sirs, what must be your brethren's. More help is wanting. What are eleven or twelve missionaries in a place like Ceylon. You have done a great deal; but, if you can do more, do not with-hold your hand from the poor perishing inhabitants of this place. I know your expenses are very great; yet I trust this shall not be the case long, when God will raise up some pious souls in this place to go and declare the blessed name of Jesus to the perishing heathens. However, we humbly hope you will soon send us out more missionaries, that our hearts may rejoice in seeing the religion of Jesus flourishing in this island. As for myself, I am glad to say I can be a little useful, as I have already said, without being a burden to the Society; but I am sorry to say I have but little of that wisdom which is highly necessary to enable me to preach Jesus, and him crucified; yet I trust in him who hath said, "I will confound the wise with the weak things of the world." May the Lord baptize me with the Holy Spirit, and make me very useful in his cause. We are exceedingly sorry to lose Mr. Harvard; but the Lord's will must be done. I don't know if any of our fathers or mothers were to depart from this world, whether we would feel more on the occasion, than we do from Mr. H.'s departure from us. May the Lord make him abundantly more useful among his own people, and in his own country. With the greatest respect, I remain, Rev and much esteemed Sirs, Your very affectionate friend, and humble servant, J. COOPMAN. SOUTH AFRICA. We have the pleasure to announce the safe arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Archbell at the Cape of Good Hope, in June. Mr. Shaw, who, from a lameness in one of his knees, had been obliged to resort to a hot bath about half way between Khamies Berg and Cape Town, was at Cape Town on Mr. Archbell's arrival; and finding his health and lameness considerably better, took up Mr. and Mrs. Archbell to the settlement in his waggon. Mr. Shaw having, from his state of health, been absent from the station near four months, it is feared the work there may have been somewhat impeded. As he now returns reinforced by another missionary, he will, we trust, be able to extend his plans of usefulness, as he had proposed, to the neighbouring tribes. His accounts of the improvement of the people under his care m religious knowledge and christian experience, are very satisfactory. The following extracts from Mr. Shaw's journal will shew that his people have neither been ill instructed, nor are incapable, as has been affirmed, of receiving instruction. The aptness of the replies of the converted Hottentots to the Dutch farmer, indicates that the estimate of Hottentot intellect has been often taken very much too low. In the month of May last, I rode to a farm about 12 miles distant, in order to preach to the Bastard Hottentots who inhabit the house. It happened that many of our people followed on foot, and others on horses; so that the house was nearly filled. My poor wife being ill at the time, I, after service, hastened home in the midst of the rain that was falling, and our people were left behind. The Namacquas, wishing to employ their time to the profit of themselves and those present, held service after dinner; and while thus engaged in worship, a farmer, who had come from some distance, opened the door and looked in. His astonishment being in some measure abated, he retired to the kitchen till the service was ended; and having a desire to converse with the Hottentots, and ridicule their worship, he began as follows: Farmer. What sort of singing and praying is this that you have had? I never heard any thing like it, nor can I understand any thing you have said. Jacob. I think, Master, you only came to mock us; nevertheless, let me ask, does Master understand this chapter, (John iii.) especially that part respecting the New Birth? Pray who are the persons that must be born again? Farmer. (The New Testament being handed to him, he complained that he could not see very well; but said,) "I suppose Jesus Christ is the person who must be born again." Jacob. No, Master, no such thing; Jesus Christ says that we, and all sinners, must be created anew, born again of the Spirit, and become new creatures, or we cannot enter heaven. John, (brother to Jacob.) Master, you once told me that our names did not stand in the Bible, and that the Gospel Will Master now tell me if the name of Dutchman or Englishman is found therein? was not for us. before they know their catechism. You must first know this; then the missionary must stand upon a high place, and ask all the questions. If you cannot answer all these out of your heads, you must not be baptized. Jacob. Pray, Master, where is it so said in the Book?-(No answer.) Jacob. I learn from the Bible, that the people dat repent and believe, may be baptized; but the Book says not dat he who can answer all the questions, shall be baptized. If we had all in our heads that you say, what better if our hearts not converted be? Farmer. There is no conversion in this life; that must be after death. Jacob. Will you, Master, tell me where that is written? (No answer.) Jacob. If I right understand, a man who is of sin convinced,-who also sin forsakes, and upon Jesus Christ believes, is converted: this man can be baptized. John baptized in Jordan them dat sin Confessed. Farmer. It is time enough to repent when we are sick, and likely to die. Jacob. Dat you not find said in de Book, No; we must repent now, as the Lord says in the Word. Farmer. I cannot understand you; your Dutch is not good. John. How is it, Master, that you do not understand, when Mynheer (missionary) understands all that brother says. Farmer. Your missionary cannot understand or speak good Dutch. John. Our mynheer learns the Dutch from the book: you learn the bastard Dutch, without book, It is not wonder then that you think our mynheer speake not good Dutch. He speaks as the book speaks: you not understand de book, and therefore not mynheer understand. Farmer. That is partly true; there are many things in the Bible that we do not understand; and when I come to your place, I shall ask your missionary the meaning of Gog and Magog. Henry, (one of our interpreters.) That you, Master, cannot understand many things in the Book, is not a wonder: Paul says, "The natural man understandeth not the things of God, but they are to him foolish." Farmer. Who is the natural man? Henry. We are all natural men in our sinful and natural state, and we can only understand the things of God by the help of the Spirit of God. They then asked him the meaning of several passages; but he said, "I am no missionary, and therefore cannot explain." Jacob then enquired if he did not teach his own people, slaves, or servants; and his answer was, "No; for they would then be as wise as I am myself!" WEST INDIES. He ST. MARTIN'S.-We deeply regret to state the death of Mr. Jonathan Rayner, in the island of St. Martin. The particulars respecting the decease of this valuable missionary have not yet reached us. We learn, however, by a letter from Mr. Gilgrass, dated St. Kitts, July 13, 1819, that Mr. Rayner was taken ill on the 30th of June, in the morning; that notwithstanding this, he performed the usual morning service; and that he went to his reward on the evening of July 3. He was appointed to St. Martin's, a new mission, in February last, and had commenced his labours there with great prospects of success. hired a large house in the centre of the principal town, fitted it up as a chapel, and placed in it 26 pews, several of which were engaged by principal persons in the island. From this station of usefulness he has been prematurely removed by an inscrutable Providence, and St. Martin's and Anguilla are left, for the present, destitute of an appointment. Mr. Rayner commenced his public labours abroad in West Africa, as schoolmaster, and had been employed as a missionary, in the West Indies, six years. In his last letter to the Committee, dated St. Martin's, May 28, he observes, "When I review the last eight years, I am overcome with gratitude. From the commencement of my missionary career in Africa, to the present, I have been a monument of mercy. How many of my cotemporaries have failen. Of six who came out in the same ship, I am the only survivor! I have had varied and heavy afflictions; but mercy has been mixed with all. I am not weary of the missionary life: I bless God that he called me to this honour, and I wish to live and die in the cause of missions." Mr. Rayner had the affliction to lose his valuable wife, a native of the West Indies, in the course of the last year: she left one child, who is now an orphan. JAMAICA-Extracts from the Journal of Mr. RATCLIFFE, dated Wesley Chapel House, Jamaica, June 15, 1819. Nov. 22. Yesterday morning, about a quarter after six o'clock, a considerable shock of an earthquake was felt in this city, and in most parts of the island. It came from the east side of the colony; there have been several since I came, but I never felt one before. There was heard, several seconds before the shock was felt, a noise like the dying sound of thunder. At first I was at a loss to know what it could be, but hearing the joists and ceiling of our house crack, and feeling the bed on which I lay, very ill, heave under me like a canoe on agitated water, I said, " 'tis an earthquake." I felt no terror, but a holy tranquillity, knowing that God was my refuge and portion. I view it as a singular Providence, that two days prior to this event, we had fixed up the supporting columns in our new chapel. "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion." March 1. Our District Meeting commenced Tuesday, Feb. 16; there were mine preachers present, seven of whom have come to the island since I landed. The sight of each other created mutual feelings of joy and gratitude to the Father of mercies, for preserving our lives during a year of considerable affliction. Our business, though complex, was despatched with great facility. The brethren left Kingston, to enter upon their noble work, with considerable expectations; and should their lives be spared, I hope will have all their high hopes realized, in reference to the spread of Divine truth. Our increase throughout the island, during the past year, was upwards of 700. Kingston has long needed a second chapel, as our old one was not sufficient to accommodate two-thirds of our mem bers. Although our funds were not good, and a general scarcity of money (owing to the non-intercourse with America) was felt in all parts of the community; yet believing that the time to favour Zion was fully come, my dear father Johnston and I promised to use our best means to open |