1829.]. INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES. School is visited twice, and sometimes three times, every month; when the children are examined in those lessons which they have learned since they were last visited: the lessons and tasks are daily filled up in lists given to the Schoolmasters for that purpose; and, according to these, the examinations are conducted. Native Female Schools. Four Female Schools, one English with 21 Girls and three Tamul with 46, are maintained by local subscriptions. From the Report made to the Auxiliary Committee by Mrs. Kindlinger, who has charge of these Schools, we collect the chief particulars. The First Tamul School was opened in June 1825, the Second in January 1827, and the Third in March 1828: the English School is greatly improved. The progress of the children in learning, all things considered, is satisfactory: six of them have gone through the Gospel of St. Matthew; and have commenced another book composed of useful Tales, and also the First Book of Moses; most of them pretty fluently: and, besides having committed to memory a great portion of the Catechism, they have commenced Their ages vary studying Arithmetic. from 17 to 7 years: the youngest, in general, are the most apt to learn; but the others excel in writing. The forenoon is devoted to reading, writing, &c., and the afternoon to knitting: eight are now qualified to knit stockings. The English School is opposite the Mission House, and the First Tamul School is in the Mission Compound; they are, therefore, visited every day: the two other Tamul Schools, being more distant, are visited once a week; when all the children are examined, to ascertain the progress which they have made. A General Examination takes place once every quarter; when rewards are distributed, according to merit, particularly in the First School, where the Girls are rewarded with the produce of their knitting. Attention is also paid to the improvement of their minds, and their habits of cleanliness; and, although much cannot be said of success in these respects, yet there are instances among the Girls of the First School, which have, in some degree, answered expectations. The prejudice against Female Instruction is gradually declining among the Natives; and some of the most intelli- The Auxiliary Committee bear a strong testimony to these Schools : they say As some of the Members of the Corresponding Committee have recently visited the above Schools, and have examined the proficiency of the Scholars in most branches of their learning, it has afforded them sincere gratification to be able to bear a decided testimony to the excellence and nature of the Schools; and, at the same time, to state their conviction, that they are amongst the and most - promising best-conducted Schools in the Peninsula. Before we close the communications received from this Servant of God, we shall make some further extracts which will throw light on the state of the Heathen and of Native Christians. Pernicious Influence of the Native Feasts and Superstitions on the Mind. The Native Feasts are very injuri ous to the Schools. Being all like children's play, the children are attracted by them when they return to School, they are, for a few days, quite wild; and it takes some days, till they have lost their playfulness and dislike to learning, before they can be brought to some regularity. Very often I could not but remark the pernicious influence which these feasts and ceremonies have upon the adults as well as the children. - I was called to see a woman, the wife of a Schoolmaster lately married. She was now quite deranged, from a bilious attack. She came to school before her marriage-behaved very well-was very modest, sedate, and religiously disposed; but how surprised was I to see her now! She would not hear any thing of religion-made a high pretence to caste-would not eat with any one, saying they were all defiled-she would not live with them. At other times, she did nothing but weep. When I spoke to her, and wanted to pray with her, or rather, being evening, wished her to attend family worship, she manifested great uneasiness-wanted several times to run away-and uttered many unbecoming words. Knowing her always to have been a very timid and sedate Young Woman, I could plainly see, in this instance, how injurious it is for Young People to have constantly before them the superstitions of Heathens and Roman Catholics: the frightful and stupifying impression thus made on weak minds shews itself in its full extent, if a mental disease befalls such persons. What a cruel tyrant is the reign of darkness! The pernicious influence of Hea. then Customs on the conduct of Nominal Christians is sometimes very obvious, and is very discouraging to a Missionary. The Heathens literally sell their daughters in marriage, when they are yet little children the Christians did the same, when I first came hither, with the exception that they waited till their daughters arrived at a more suitable age: they never asked, however, the consent of the Young Woman, but were anxious to give her to such an one as would pay most for her as a dowry. Having discovered this to be the case, I adopted measures by which I might be assured of the woman's free consent before the banns were published. About two months ago, I married a couple of whom I knew nothing, but that all was done on proper principles and in a proper manner: but when the son-in-law could not well agree to live with the motherin-law and wished to live separately, she would not let her daughter go till he had paid the dowry and the marriage expense, and wanted thus to keep the daughter as a mortgage in security: three successive days, Mrs. Kindlinger and I exerted ourselves to prevent this, and with difficulty succeeded. We have often to interfere in such unpleasant matters; and the neglect of this would be attended with bad consequences. I perceive now, that the want of such friendly interference was the ruin of many a couple who are now separated; and when the breach is widened and of long standing, they go astray, and their reconciliation becomes impracticable. Necessity of special Instruction of Native Christian Women. The Native Christian Women here are, in general, so ignorant, that they profit very little by hearing a Sermon: those, however, who attend the Wednesday-Evening Lectures regularly are a little more intelligent. From this we hoped, that if Mrs. Kindlinger would begin a Weekly Lecture chiefly for wo men, it would be useful: in consequence, she proposed this to them; and assembled them in the English School-room: 16 were present. She began and finished with a Prayer composed for that purpose; and spoke to them, for about threequarters of an hour, on the subject of God and his Attributes. These Lectures, and our Sermons in Tamul are conducted in such a way, that questions are put to ascertain their sentiments on the subject, and to see whether they understand the meaning of the speaker, as well as to engage and keep up their attention. Women, however, never answer if they are questioned pointedly, and are very often either asleep cr wandering in their thoughts: we therefore thought such a separate Lecture the more necessary for them, as herein they are obliged to answer. They were open and friendly, and appeared to be well pleased with the plan. Importance of regularly visiting the Native Christians. Seeing, in general, very little fruit of our Tamul Preaching, and having often found that a private conversation or exhortation has been more beneficial to one or other individual than perhaps many Sermons, we visit them, from time to time, in their houses, or invite them to our house. The last four evenings were devoted to that purpose: I called, every evening, a number of them to my house, and spoke with them on the concern of their souls and their private conduct. Many grievous, but very few pleasant things, are discovered on such occasions. Many excuse their idle conduct, and shew not the least repentance for it. I pity. their ignorance; and give them, therefore, yet time: otherwise, I should publicly declare them to be Heathens, for such are a disgrace to the Christian Religion, and a hindrance to the advancement of it among the Heathen. I therefore said, to several-"This is the last warning! If I see not any sign of repentance within two months, I shall be ashamed of you, and shall exclude you from the Congregation." Some few among them have improved in knowledge, and lead an irreproachable life: they sometimes encourage me, by speaking of the days of their ignorance, and comparing them with what they now know. Acceptableness of the Liturgy to the Christian Natives. The Tamul Congregation is much pleased with the Church Prayers; and all who knew how to read desired Prayer Books, and were very glad that I was able to procure some for the use of the Church. But this is not so generally the case with the English Congregation some of them delay coming till the Prayers are over: and others do not join in them, although they are present, because it is new to them: only a few individuals, beside the School Children, join. I think the Prayer Book, however, very suitable for a great number of our Congregation; as they are rather ignorant, as well with regard to the English Language, as with regard to religious subjects, and are therefore not well able to understand a Sermon to profit by it; but they can follow the Liturgy, which may improve their knowledge, and assist their devotion. Ceylon. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. We shall here collect some details relative to the Society's Stations in Ceylon, reserving further particulars for another occasion. COTTA. Improved Prospects of the Mission. At the end of September, the Rev. James Selkirk thus speaks in reference to the State of the Mission A correspondence, which I have lately had with some Buddhuist Priests, has led me to preach a few Sermons on the difference between Buddhuism and Christianity; as I am quite sure that the people are as ignorant of the hideousness, deformity, and falsehood of their own system, as they are of the beauty, and excellence, and truth of Christianity. If they shall still determine to reject Christianity and care for none of these things, let us do what we can, that it be not because they have not the means of knowing what it is. I assure you, that, while we feel much pain at seeing the people labour as they do under the delusions of the devil, and the influence of the false religion to which they cleave as if unwilling to let it escape their grasp, we also feel pleasure in reflecting, that so many among them, particularly among the rising generation, who attend our Schools, in which there are now nearly 300 children, are taught the truths of God's Word. Before the rising of the Sun of Righteousness the shades of darkness must flee, and the superstitions of the Natives must give place. The leaven infused into the mass of the people by means of our labours cannot lie dormant. Present appearances encourage the hope, that not a great length of time will elapse, before Satan's throne, here so long, and apparently so firmly established, will shake and fall to the ground. If I compare the state of the people here, with what it was a little more than two years ago, when I entered on my labours among them, I think I can perceive an evident advance. Our Schools now not only contain above 100 children more than they did at that period, but they are much more efficient: the children are not only taught to read, but to understand God's Word; and that they do understand, is evident from our Monthly Examinations. If I could say THEN, that we receive ample encouragement" from our School Children, I can say so Now, with much more propriety. The knowledge of the Masters in Scripture Subjects is more increased since that time, and consequently their efficiency. And surely it is not a vain expectation that we indulge, when we hope that the rising generation will, through the various means used for their improvement in Religious Truth, be less inclined, to say the least, to idolatry than their fathers-less prejudiced against the Gospel of Christ-have more knowledge of its real nature-and form a better estimate of its real value. 66 It is not merely by means of our Schools that knowledge is spreading and the truth is propagated: the people have now many more opportunities of hearing the Word of God than they had some time ago. By our Sunday Services not being confined to one village, or always to the same, all may hear, and in their own tongue too, the wonderful works of God. The attendance at the Schools for Divine Service is, in some of the villages, always good; and is so, occasionally, at all. Those who are in the habit of attending will, in spite of themselves, gain much information on Scriptural Truths; and those who attend only now and then may, we would hope, carry away with them, even if it may be but a single sentiment or expression from our excellent Liturgy or from a Sermon, which may at some time or other have an effect of which neither we nor themselves at present can have any conception. I preach regularly four times every week, and six times every second week; besides going out occasionally into distant villages, and assembling the people, and preaching to them and distributing portions of the Scriptures and Tracts among them. This, in addition to the labours of our other Brethren at the Station, cannot fail, under the blessing of God, of making some impression. May it be a savour of life unto life to all! The Institution is now covered; and will, most probably, be ready for the reception of the Students by the end of the year. Of these, there are at present Ten, who are placed under Br. Lambrick's Nephew, and superintended by the Missionaries, as well as examined weekly by one of them. They are all very steady and well behaved, and their moral conduct irreproachable. In the early part of December, Mr. Selkirk adds I have been out preaching in the neighbouring Villages, much more frequently than before; and I have, now and then, taken advantage of a marriage feast among the Natives, to go and preach to them. On these occasions, there are always great numbers of people assembled, who generally appear pleased when we go to speak to them on the subject of religion. The Out-Schools still prosper, and the children attend better: the average attendance, indeed, during the last month, has been greater than ever it was before. At present, the number of names on the books is 297, and the average attendance for November was 224. This, compared with the statement in the Annual Re port, will shew an increase of 30 children in the last three months: the daily average is also now 33 more than it was then. I cannot report so favourably of the progress of the Boys in the English School: many of these are nearly grown up into men, and we find it a very difficult thing to teach them to pronounce the English Language correctly: it is probable that two or three of the best will shortly be admitted among the number of Candidates for the Institution. I wish we could report any great change for the better in the body of the people. This, however, we cannot do; though, from my constant intercourse among them, I can bear testimony, that, in general, they appear to be much less indifferent to Religion, and much less unwilling to listen to our statements concerning it, than they formerly were. I say "in general;" for some have lately shewn the most decided reluctance to come and hear us, though we have gone to their own houses to preach to them and converse with them. At present we are all well, contented, and happy; and, I trust, are all able to use the language of David, with respect to ourselves and our labours: And now, Lord, what wait we for? Our hope is in Thee. KANDY. From the communications of the Rev. Thomas Browning, of the end of January, we collect the subjoined statements relative to the Mission at Kandy. State of the Native Congregations. My Congregations, both in Portuguese and Singhalese, continue small; yet there are a few in each who attend regularly, and of whom I am inclined to hope favourably. I some time ago drew up a Letter, addressed to the Singhalese Protestant Christians of this town, which I am getting printed at Cotta, for circulation among them. I trust it will be blest of God to the people, and make them more attentive to religious duties: at all events, it will have the advantage of making known the object of my Mission to some whom I find it difficult to communicate with in any other way. The number of Communicants is at present eight-in the Singhalese Congregation five, and in the Portuguese three. In the Portuguese Congregation, I have now entered on the plan of administering the sacrament once in two months, instead of three times in a year. State of the Schools. In the School of Kandian Girls, some are rapidly advancing in reading and writing, and the Mistress continues very attentive. The state of the English School is at present very promising; the Master is attentive, and the number of children is considerably increased. The Singhalese School is without a Master, the former having quitted my employment on the 1st instant. I hope soon to engage another; but there is great difficulty in finding suitable persons for such situations. The state of the Schools in the country is still very promising. The 1829.] CEYLON. attendance of the children is frequently Notices of Four Youths in the Boarding The three Boarders, Claudius Bucha- Promising Indications of Piety in a Young Native. I had a very pleasing conversation, the other day, with Joseph Fernando, my school visitor, on the subject of receiving the Sacrament. He is a young man of good character, and remarkably steady and attentive in his duty he says that his family have been Christians for many generations; but that, before he entered on his present employment, he had little opportunity of reading the Scriptures, or of becoming acquainted with the doctrines of Christianity: since he has been employed in the Mission, he has given up much of his time to read the Scriptures, and has frequently asked me questions on different parts which he could not understand: he has also been very attentive to the Means of Grace, not only attending Church constantly on Sundays, and at the Catechetical Lectures on week-days, but in frequently followAugust, 1829. ing me to the prison on Sunday Morn ings, and in joining the pious soldiers who meet in the school every evening for prayer, as he knows a little English: he has also gone of his own accord to Peelawella School, a distance of four miles, on Sundays, to read a chapter and some part of the Liturgy with the children. Under these circumstances, I could of course have no objection to admit him to the Lord's Table; but he himself felt a scruple in his mind which he could not get over, and which evidently shewed the workings of a tender conscience. He said that one of his relatives, a man of a hasty disposition, had been much displeased with him a long time ago; and that having gone to reside in a distant part of the country, he had not found an opportunity of explaining the matter to him, and of shewing him that he felt a friendly disposition toward him: his purpose was, therefore, to go and see his friend, before he partook of the Lord's Supper. I told him, that if he felt charitably disposed toward his friend, any offence that his friend might have taken against him need not keep him from the Lord's Table; but, as he appeared to feel the circumstance burdening his conscience, I thought it better to allow him to go and visit his friend, for the purpose of being reconciled to him. Ile Another circumstance also which this Young Man related to me, gave me pleasure; which was a higher sense of gratitude for kindness received than is generally found among the Singhalese. He was very kindly treated when a boy by one of the Kandian Chiefs, who took great interest in him, and supported him while at school. The family of this Chief recommended the Young Man to me; and he has always lived in that family since he has been employed by me. feels uncomfortable in living in this Heathen Family, where he is frequently interrupted in his religious duties; yet he is so impressed with a sense of the kindness shewn to him by the family, that he cannot consent to leave it. I was much pleased by this mark of feeling; and told him, that if he could continue to live in the family without conforming to their Heathen Customs, his example perhaps might be profitable to those among whom he lived. |