poor on an extensive scale. The press is still in active operation; and the schools and other auxiliaries to the missions, both in the south and north of the island, are conducted with vigour and useful effect.

In reference to the mission it is stated, with grateful acknowledgments to God, that very much more has been accomplished than could have been reasonably expected. Ten stations, each of them embracing an extensive tract of country, have been formed. The several languages used by the inhabitants, whether learned or vernacular, have been acquired; other valuable books have been composed or rendered into the native tongues; several hundreds of the heathens and of professing christians have been united in religious fellowship; the strong-holds of atheism and idolatry have been boldly attacked, and shaken to their foundations; and the bearer of christianity is finding access into the remotest parts and most exclusive circles of the island.

"There is an intense desire among the people of this district," says Mr. Stott, in reference to Point Pedro, in the north of the island, to receive Bibles and tracts. When I am on the road they crowd round me, and say, • Give us books. We want to read, and to know the christian religion: you teach it to us, but we want books that we may read about it in our houses, and teach it to our neighbours.' Sometimes they call after me, 'Give us books, that we may know whether your religion or ours is the better. The farmers in the field say, 'We attend your preaching, therefore you ought to give us books.' Others say, 'We were taught in your schools, therefore

'We have

you should give us books. Some say, carefully kept those you gave us; give us more.' Others, 'We can read; give us books.' Thus they make many demands on me, and I have given them great numbers of the Scriptures and of tracts, but not at all sufficient to meet the wants or satisfy the wishes of the people. These I think, are pleasing indications, and tokens that the Lord is imparting a desire to know the way of salvation by Jesus Christ."

In the south a most gratifying curiosity appears to be excited. "Whether," says another missionary, "the total number of budhist priests is decreasing, I cannot tell; but I know of six priests, who, since my appointment to this mission, have thrown off their robes, and whose places have not subsequently been supplied." Parents and other adults receive much instruction, and many of the children despise the absurdities of idol worship and budhism, and refuse to join in heathenish ceremonies. "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings God hath perfected praise." In other parts an encouraging measure of good has arisen.

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CHAPTER IX.

American Missionaries sent to Ceylon.-Their first visit.-Affecting Account of Supyen.-Death of Rev. Mr. Warren. -Sketch of Rev. Mr. Richards.-Force of Persecution.Crazy Philip.-The native Convert Perera.-Schools Established.-Distribution of the Scriptures.-Effect of one Tract.-Aged Convert.-Earnest Appeal for enlarged Prayer.

AMERICA also sent missionaries to Ceylon in 1815. A few days after they were settled at Tillipally, ten or twelve boys, who had previously had some instruction, were so anxious to learn, that they went constantly to the mission-house, where they received passages of Scripture written upon ollas, which they committed to memory with surprising rapidity.

The first visit made by the missionaries among the heathen was to a sick woman, whose little son was urgent to go with the other boys and learn, but his mother was very poor, and had nothing to eat, except what her child could earn. They were pleased to see ollas hanging from the roof of this humble dwelling, written over with texts of Scripture, which this little boy had copied from those learned at the mission-house by the larger boys; and so much anxiety did he express to learn, that the missionaries promised to give him two quarts of rice a week, which would furnish so much food, that the boy could afford to spend more than half his time in learning.

He received during this visit a new cloth, which

makes a complete dress for a native, to tie round his waist. He seemed much delighted with his present, and very grateful that he might go to

school.

An affecting account is given of Supyen, a young Malabar of nineteen years of age, when first introduced to the missionaries. He was the eldest son, and a favourite with his father, who was a man of consequence, and very wealthy. The reading of a few chapters in the Bible lent to him, filled his mind with doubts as to the truth of the Tamul religion. He immediately requested his father's permission to learn English at the mission-school; his request was granted, and the proud heathen carried Supyen to Tillipally, and delivered him up to the missionaries with great ceremony. He manifested a strong desire to obtain a thorough knowledge of the christian religion, and after a close examination of the Bible, he told an English gentleman that he was convinced it was the true religion, and wished to receive it. A boy in the school, however, informed his father that his son had turned christian, which threw him into a fearful rage. The first time Supyen returned home, his father refused him admission, and forbade any person in the family to give him food; his mother also was exceedingly angry, yet she secretly sent him enough rice to keep him from starving.

His father's severity increased, and he commanded Supyen to perform the customary heathen ceremonies; but this he positively refused: he was therefore shut up in a dark room, from which he escaped with much difficulty, and fled to Tillipally, where he related all that had befallen

him. In three days, his father having heard where he was, sent a messenger to hasten his return immediately. Without Mr. Poor's knowledge, Supyen sent word that he could not come, at that time. After this another servant was sent, when he carried his Bible to Mr. Poor, and pointing to the tenth chapter of Matthew, from the thirty-fourth to the thirty-ninth verse, said, with tears, "That very good." He said also that the New Testament taught him to forsake father and mother, to become a true disciple of Christ.

The next day his father came and inquired after his son in the most polite and affectionate manner, remarking that Supyen left home without taking leave of his mother, which grieved her so much that he requested he might return with him, and stop with them a day or two. He gave Mr. Poor many directions respecting his son in future, and thanked him for his past attentions. Mr. Poor was aware of his hypocrisy, but could not prevent the departure of his son.

Supyen wrote to the missionaries, that no sooner were they out of sight of the mission-house, than his father stripped him of his good dress, and clothed him in one so mean that it was disgraceful for him to appear in it, and after putting a heavy burden on his head, as if he were a slave, he beat him with his slipper till he reached home, where every art was tried to make him renounce Christ and worship idols. His relations charged the missionaries with giving him medicine, which had turned him to christianity, and insisted on his confessing what it was. He replied with emphasis, that it was the gospel of Jesus Christ."