MISSIONARY NOTICES, Relating principally to the FOREIGN MISSIONS carried on under the direction of the METHODIST Conference. CEYLON MISSION. COLUMBO.-Extract of a Letter from MR. Fox, dated October 20, 1821. WE feel thankful, that though we have had an unusually dry season in the southern part of the island, affliction has not suspended the labours of any of us. But we have had a painful proof that this is not the land of immortality, and that these are not the regions where the inhabitant shall no more say I am sick. Sister GOGERLY is no more; she finished her mortal course at Madras on the 20th ult. Since her arrival in Ceylon, she several times suffered much from affliction; but we had reason to think that her constitution was not seriously impaired. She had recovered a degree of strength after her confinement, and there was ground to anticipate a restoration to health. But suddenly new symptoms appeared, which indicated a very far advanced liver-complaint. Recourse was had to every means that medical skill could point out, and nothing was wanting, on the part of the medical gentlemen here, in friendly attention to her case. But medicine was unavailing, and recourse was had to the effects of the sea air. As is not uncommon, for a few days the breeze exhilarated her spirits; but in a short time the disease acquired new power, and the immortal spirit took its flight to those blissful regions for which grace had long prepared it. Her husband will feel the loss of one of the most affectionate of wives; and a little company of respectable females, by whom she was greatly beloved, and whom she met in Class, are left without her superintendence. We have none to supply her place, and her little flock must wander as sheep having no shepherd. We feel a breaking in among us, but, dwelling in these tents of Meshech, we emphatically say, "Happy are the dead." During the absence of Brother GoGERLY, we have been obliged to make a little alteration in our plan of preaching, two of us being engaged every Sunday evening at nearly the same hour, one at the Mission-House, and the other in the VOL. I. Third Series. JULY, 1822. Fort; in other respects our arrangements have continued the same. The removal of the 16th regiment, and two companies of the 83d, into the interior, rather lessened our congregation in the Fort; but since that period others from the 45th regiment, and some from the Artillery companies, have begun to attend, and a few have joined the classes. From our Brethren in the interior we have the most gratifying accounts. Though removed from the usual means, they stand fast in the LORD. Previous to their going away, they purchased MR. WESLEY'S Sermons, that they might read them in their meetings, when removed from the sound of the preached Gospel. A considerable number are together in Kandy; a few will reap the benefit of Brother NEWSTEAD'S labours in Kornegalle; others are sprinkled over different parts of the interior. The morning congregation at the Mission-House continues small, but is very steady. The Singhalese congregation generally includes a greater number of adults than formerly. The evening congregation has for several weeks been larger than usual. The Portuguese congregation is generally larger, and the greatest attention is paid to the preaching in this language. In our country congregations there is no material alteration. The Singhalese and Portuguese PrayerMeetings, held in various private houses, continue to give us every reason to believe that they will be productive of much good to a class of people to whom we can have access by no other medium. These meetings are held on every evening in the week, except on the night in which the Class meets; and besides the good which we hope will result from them to the people in the neighbouring parts, they have the effect of keeping the minds of our friends alive to the importance of spiritual and divine things. Though the progress of divine truth meets with many opposing obstacles, yet by steady perseverance it makes itself a way; and though often the fruits of 3 B arduous labour do not immediately ap- especially that of the ordinance of bappear in a very extensive degree, there is tism, and that more regard is paid to nothing to authorize doubts as to the cer- the Christian Sabbath, than formerly; tainty of its ultimate extensive spread. but the obligation of attending public That there is in the country an increas- worship is not yet well understood. And ing importance attached to the Sacred no man out of Ceylon, nor, without Scriptures, the following instance may much experience and observation, any serve to show. Some time ago the one in Ceylon, can conceive of the nuCommittee of the Columbo Auxiliary merous causes which operate against Society passed a resolution not to dis- assembling for public worship. They tribute the Scriptures gratuitously, but have all their imaginary rank, not exto sell them at a reduced price. A cluding those who have a tradition in Singhalese New Testament was valued their families that some of their foreat three rix-dollars, about five shillings fathers came from Europe. They are sterling; a sum rather serious to the poor willing to acknowledge others as of of Ceylon. The consequence was, that superior rank, but to sit down behind the demands ceased; but probably, as it them appears too public and humiliating respects the greatest part of those who an acknowledgement. Another obstacle have some esteem for the Sacred Scrip- is, that they will not come unless they are tures, it was from inability to raise so able to come in particular clothing; and large a sum of money. Brother CLOUGH even when they have this power, the suggested to the Secretary, that if they former objection stands in full force. should be allowed to pay for them by We have used all the means which pruinstalments, those who were desirous of dence could suggest, and continue to possessing them would have it in their use them, not altogether in vain, but power to obtain them, while the Com- with far less success than we desire. mittee's resolution would not be infringed upon. He coincided with the suggestion; one hundred were sent to the Mission-House to be disposed of; and in about a week, the whole of the copies were gone. I have seen many of them since in the hands of the possessors, by whom they are diligently read, and preserved with the greatest care. To those who know how scanty a stock of ideas the bulk of the population have, and that most of these are of a very superstitious complexion, it will not be difficult to conceive the necessity of distributing the Christian Scriptures among them; nor can any mighty influence over their fears and superstitions be expected, previously to the knowledge of the principal truths of revelation. In the Singhalese Scriptures, as well as in all other versions of the Sacred Scriptures, there are terms introduced which are peculiar to the subjects treated of, as reconciliation, propitiation, redemption, repentance, justification, sanctification, &c. &c., which must be obscure till explained. All words of this description are copied out by the teachers or scholars, and are explained to them; so that in a few years multitudes of these little Missionary Interpreters will be scattered abroad, and will be able to assist those who have not had the same advantages with themselves. It is certain that the nature of christian ordinances is better understood, The press continues its operations as usual. The printing of the Scriptures proceeds without interruption. The Pentateuch has already been announced as completed, excepting that the book of Genesis was distributed alone, and we are now reprinting that book, that the Pentateuch may be delivered in one volume. The printing of the other books extends to the end of Judges. The translation, besides being complete to the end of the first book of Samuel, includes a good part of the second book of Samuel and of the first book of Kings. SELLON's Abridgment of the Scripture, published in Singhalese, and printed with the long-primer font, is already in circulation. It forms a handsome and useful pocket-volume. The selection from the Liturgy, translated into Tamul by Brother SQUANCE, is printed, and is ready, when a conveyance offers, to send to the northern district, as is also Brother CARVER's Tamul Spelling-Book, Part I. The principal work printed for the Mission is Brother CLOUGH's English and Singhalese Dictionary. This is now completed, and ready for delivery. It forms a very handsome octavo volume of 642 pages. It will be of incalculable use in translating, especially from English. It contains, according to my calculation, about 45,000 words, which of course includes, besides the colloquial, a considerable portion of the words occurring in the books called Singhalese. NEGOMBO, CHILAW, AND KORNEGALLE STATION. From the new and promising station of Kornegalle, MR. NEWSTEAD Writes, Oct. 2, 1821: I FULLY expected to have the pleasure to include in this letter an account of the opening of our chapel ; but circumstances which I could not command have arisen to retard a little the completion of the building; and as we have now got so forward as to be able to preach in a part of the new house, it is not of importance to hurry the opening in an incomplete state. You will not be surprised to learn that the undertaking has been attended with many and great difficulties; but as these were calculated upon, they have not appeared so great as they really were. Blessed be GOD, that the object which has been by HIS grace thus far attained, is worth ten thousand times the trouble; and although we cannot but sensibly feel the weakness of the "earthen vessels" in which he has permitted his heavenly treasure to be deposited, yet knowing the reason, "that the excellency of the power may be of GOD and not of us," "though troubled on every side, we are not distressed, and though cast down, we are not destroyed." To HIM be glory! I am thankful to say that I have been enabled to keep my ground here from the period of writing last, and indeed have been obliged to do so; for between the building and the other part of our work, I have been so fully engaged, that although there has been a real necessity for my being both at Negombo and Chilaw, I could go to neither without a loss here, which it would not have been prudent to incur. I have now a prospect, however, of going down, as our building draws to a close, to our Missionary Anniversary, and the opening of two country chapels, of which I hope to give an account from thence in a short time. In the course of the last quarter, a material change has taken place here, in the removal of MR. WRIGHT, the agent of Government, to Kandy, and in the exchange of the troops, and consequently the chief part of the officers; however, those who are come as constantly attend service, as the former ones: amongst them is one of the excellent members of the Colombo society, who is quite an acquisition, and who, with myself, our Interpreter, and the School-master, form all our little class here: but I believe, though small, we are not without a divine blessing. Of course we cannot expect, in the nature of things, much progress among the native Kandians at present: preparation is essential to success, where heathenism has had so long and so undisturbed a reign. But I am by no means without hope of ultimate success to our faithful labours; they never can be in vain, whether we see the results of them or not. I believe this to be about the most favourable spot in the whole of the Kandian provinces for the exercise of Missionary exertions. It is very populous: there are very large tracts of country in the Kandian dominions, where scarcely a human being is to be found; but the reverse is the case around Kornegalle. It is a centre to a large group of villages, some of which are very near. I walked over to one the other evening, about two miles distant, where there seems to be a good prospect. I learned, in a long conversation with the Headman, who accompanied me on the road, that there are fifty or sixty children, who would not object to be taught by us, although they have a temple and pansilla; and the old man seemed particularly pleased to learn that no compulsion was to be used, to which they were too much accustomed by their former rulers. Our Mission is under much obligation to MR. WRIGHT for his continued aid, to the period of his departure, in many instances that cannot be recounted here, but which will always live in my grateful recollection; for, although we had no claim on his good services, he has truly stood by me through many difficulties which were not known beyond the spot; and has sometimes even anticipated my requests by observing my necessities. Previously to his departure, observing that I was rather straitened for room in some out-buildings, he enlarged our grant of Mission-ground by an addition of about seventy feet in length, and presented me with some beautiful and valuable wood to build a Pulpit; and when he left his house, knowing that I had no bed except a couch, he begged me to accept the one in which I used to sleep at his house, with its furniture, as a present to our Mission. I have continued to receive every attention from his successor, HENRY PENNELL, ESQ., who appears equally willing, in every way he can, to assist my exertions. MR. W. has obligingly promised to return for the opening of our chapel; and I have no doubt he will always feel an interest in a work of which he saw the very foundation, and which he so willingly assisted in its progress. A short time since I had a most pleasing and condescending letter from MR. DEANE, relating to our work here, and requesting to know what opinion prevails in the interior on the new Singhalese Translation. I took immediate steps to gather such information as I could for his satisfaction, which chiefly went in favour of the New Translation, although confessedly a little too high for the understanding of the totally uninstructed: this I transmitted to him, and in a kind answer he expressed his readiness to assist my work in any way he could. IN a Letter dated Nov. 5, 1821, MR. N. states the following particulars as to Negombo and Chilaw, the other parts of the Circuit, in the whole of which he and his faithful assistants are beginning to reap the fruits of their great and persevering, but for some time discouraging labours. AMONG the foremost of those mercies which we have to record on this station for the last quarter, is the establishment of our work at Chilaw; an event which I always hoped would one day furnish a cheering page in our Mission history; and which I rejoice exceedingly to have witnessed, since it encloses, as it were, twenty-six miles more of destitute coast within the Gospel plan, and proclaims in yet another tongue "CHRIST JESUS, and him crucified." With whatever difficulties it may be for the present attended, while we have so little help, they are not worthy to be compared for a moment with the blessings likely to succeed to the faithful preaching of the Gospel in a place where not the shadow of Christianity was perceptible. For the present our Assistant Brother is stationed there, as the best arrangement we could possibly make under existing circumstances. He went down towards the end of the last quarter, as a note in our Negombo letter intimated, and has continued labouring among the people faithfully and successfully, as far as his strength would allow; but his health is subject to continual interruptions, which I doubt not is a source of severe trial to him, as a restraint upon his zealons spirit; he is, however, resigned to the will of God, and his afflictions are sanctified. His family have not been removed from Negombo: but I believe that, as soon as we can obtain some little help here, it would be advisable he should be wholly at Chilaw, as he has a considerable knowledge of Tamul, which is a great advantage here. I hope in a few days to see him, and to open our new place now finishing there; and we may safely conclude that under the blessing of ALMIGHTY GOD, we may look for happy results, where we have a small new chapel, a regular school, and a tolerable class of seriously-disposed persons who constantly meet for social and family worship. Our circuit now extends along the coast upwards of thirty-six miles, and (while Kornegalle is included) about sixty into the interior, comprehending in the journey from place to place at least 150 miles, and including within its range five substantial chapels and two Mission houses, eleven Schools, and nine classes, with preaching continually in four languages. For all the labours connected with these things, we have three Missionaries, two of whom are in precarious health, and surely we may say with propriety, "What are these among so many! Our Roman Catholic neighbours seem to be not a little piqued, that with all their former most sincere efforts they have not succeeded in driving us away from Negombo, (as some too confidently anticipated three years ago,) but that we strangely continue to "take root downwards, and bear fruit upwards," and that our little Society still stand fast in the LORD, to their no small annoyance, although much has been done and said to hinder them. At length from words they have proceeded to blows, in order, I presume, to give us sensible proof of their superiority! Several of our School-masters, returning home to their villages after our last month's Missionary prayermeeting, were way-laid by some of their heroes, and severely beaten, even to blood, without either provocation on their part, or accusation on the part of the others; for I suppose silence and darkness were used for concealment: however, they were known, pursued, and secured, and, on being brought before the Magistrate, (who publicly expressed his deep abhorrence of so diabolical a plan, himself being a Catholic,) he fined each of the gentlemen fifty rix-dollars, and bound them over to keep the peace, sending one, whose guilt was the most evident, in addition to his fine, to hard labour and confinement for a month. They happen to be two of the most respectable people in a certain street; so I should think it will be a tolerable lesson to them, as well as others, not to deal so roughly with unfortunate heretics in future. Thus the LORD watches over us for good. Among not the least pleasing fruits of our Missionary labours in this land, so distant from our Home, we cannot but reckon those instances of the saving grace of God, which have often cheered our hearts and excited our thankfulness, among our own countrymen who are scattered up and down on these mountains of the desert, where, with exact propriety, they might adopt the affecting language of the Psalmist, "No man careth for my soul."-To many such the labours of our Brethren have been everlastingly beneficial. One of our school-rooms has been lately burned down by accident at the village where we have a little chapel finishing; but I am happy to add, that it is rebuilt on an improved plan, close by the chapel, and the number of scholars belonging to it is a little increased. Many trials of a peculiar kind have lately harassed us, and, but for the gracious and watchful care of HIM, who “from seeming evil still educes good," would much have injured both us and our work; but we have by these things new proofs that our Mission is the care of Heaven: and however we are occasionally called to mourn over" those evils which the craft and subtlety of the Devil or man worketh against us," never had 1, as an individual, a more pleasing hope and calm assurance, that the LORD is with us, watching over us for good. I felt my best affections considerably renewed and strengthened towards our dear Brethren, in my last interview with them after so long an absence, on my way through Colombo from the interior, in which journey my soul was abundantly blessed; and my spirit rejoiced again to "look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities," to" see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down, not one of the stakes whereof shall ever be removed; for surely even there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams." "For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiyer, the LORD is our King.-HE will save us." POINT PEDRO.--Extracts from MR. STEAD'S Journal. JUNE 19th, 1821.-At ten o'clock last night, I took leave of my kind friends in Jaffna, to proceed to Point Pedro, which, according to the appointment of our last District-Meeting, is to be my station for three months. I arrived at sunrise in the morning, and found Brother BOTT well, and prepared for my reception: We spent the day in conversation on Mission work in general, and on the concerns of this station in particular. We have now, by prayer, commended ourselves and each other to GOD; and he has set out, expecting to be in Jaffna, where he will supply my place, early in the morning. June 22d. I went out to the village of Vathiri, situated about four miles from the Mission Bungaloe. The school is a well-built Rest-House, the property of the Modelier, who made it over for the use of the Mission, while Brother RoBERTS laboured on this station. The whole number of scholars is fifty, but not more than thirty were present. Most of them can repeat a considerable part of the Catechism, which they have transcribed on their ollas; and several of them read the Testament with readiness and propriety. Several adults were present, but my discourse was more particularly adapted to the children; and it was pleasing to find the boys attempt to answer my questions, in such a way as showed that I was understood. June 23d, Saturday.-As usual, the School-masters came to read their Reports. I find there are, connected with this station, six schools,-in each fifty boys, or upward, and the average attendance good. June 24th, Sunday.-In consequence of confining myself too closely at work yesterday, this morning I found myself very unwell. However, I have visited two of the schools,-Cattavally, distant about four miles, and no Plowly, about two; and with both I was July 8th, Sunday. In one of the |