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Map of the, 
 
 CEYLON MISSION 
 
[Printed for the Use of the Prudential Committee.] 
 
 MINUTES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SPECIAL MEETING 
 
 OF THE 
 
 'CEYLON MISSION, 
 
 HELD 
 
 APRIL AND MAY, 1855; 
 
 ON OCCASION OF THE VISIT OF A DEPUTATION FROM THE 
 PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 tenant fcrti nf tettmsiotters far /nrrip ffimm. 
 
 MADRAS: 
 
 PRINTED BY J. TULLOCH, AMERICAN MISSION PRESS. 
 18 55. 
 
SPECIAL MEETING OE THE CEYLON 
 MISSION. 
 
 Minutes of the Meeting of the American Ceylon Mission, with 
 the Deputation of the American Board of Commissioners 
 for Foreign Missions.* 
 
 First Day. 
 
 Panditerifo, April 25, 1855. 
 
 Present . — Rev. R. Anderson, d. d., and Rev. A. C. Thompson, 
 the Deputation. 
 
 Time of Arrival. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin C. Meigs, 1816. 
 
 „ Levi Spaulding, 1820. 
 
 „ John C. Smith, 1842. 
 
 „ William W. Howland, 1846. 
 
 „ Eurotas P. Hastings, 1847. 
 
 „ Samuel F. Green, m. d 1847. 
 
 Mr. Thomas S. Burnell 1849. 
 
 Rev. Marshal D. Sanders, 1852. 
 
 „ Nathan L. Lord, 1853. 
 
 The ladies of the mission were all present by invitation. 
 
 Mr. Smith was Chairman, and Mr. Meigs, Secretary. 
 
 The Meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Thompson. 
 
 Dr. Anderson read a statement of the views then entertained 
 by the Deputation and the Prudential Committee on some of 
 
 * The Proceedings here printed, for private use, are those of the Mission. The 
 Deputation, though assisting in the deliberations of the Meeting, did not vote in 
 any case; and they reserved to themselves and to the Prudential Committee the 
 adoption, or otherwise, of the opinions and recommendations embodied in the 
 Proceedings. 
 
4 
 
 the more important subjects to come before the Meeting. Mr. 
 Thompson read a list of subjects, which the Deputation wished 
 to bring before the mission for discussion; as follows: — 
 
 1. The governing object in missions to the heathen. — Should it 
 be the conversion of sinners, the gathering of those converts into 
 churches, and the ordaining of native pastors over those churches ? 
 
 2. Preaching. — Its connection with schools — difficulty of obtaining 
 stated congregations from those not in the schools or supported by 
 mission funds — permanent congregations — preaching at the stations 
 and in the villages — comparative disposition of the heathen to attend 
 at the churches and at school bungalows — preaching by the mission- 
 aries — amount and value of native preaching. 
 
 3. Native Churches and Pastors. — Evidence of piety to be requir- 
 ed for church-mernbership — organization and discipline of the native 
 churches — is the church covenant sufficiently explicit — names given 
 to children — in what circumstances churches should be formed, and 
 have native pastors — whether native preachers should be ordained 
 except as pastors — licensure as castechists and preachers — the proper 
 relations of native churches and pastors to the mission — relation 
 which missionaries and the mission should bear to them — why no 
 native pastors hitherto — power of the mission, as such, to organize 
 native churches, ordain native pastors, and to superintend the same — 
 advantages arising from this being done by the mission, as such, rather 
 than by a separate body organized for the purpose by missionaries in 
 their simple character of ministers of the gospel — whether all native 
 pastors should be educated alike, and what education should be afford- 
 ed them — where it is desirable that churches should now be organized, 
 and native pastors ordained — whether native pastors are desirable at 
 any of the station churches. 
 
 4. Caste and Polygamy. — How far caste exists among church-mem- 
 bers — how far there are specific actions in church-members, bearing 
 a relation to caste, which ought to be discountenanced in native 
 preachers and catechists, and how far such actions are observable in 
 the social life of church-members — what should be done to eradicate 
 such causes of disunion and dishonor from the native churches — 
 whether there is any actual regard paid to caste distinctions any where 
 in the distribution of the cup in the Lord’s Supper — whether any one 
 should be ordained as a pastor, or licensed as a preacher, who, on 
 being directly questioned on the subject in his examination for licen- 
 
5 
 
 sure or ordination, refuses to declare himself willing to eat any kind 
 of food with a Christian on the ground of its being prepared by a low 
 caste person — how far caste is regarded in admissions to the Seminary, 
 and the Female Boarding School — how far Polygamy exists here 
 — whether found at all in the church — how it is regarded and 
 treated. 
 
 5. Station Schools. (1.) English Schools. — Number of these and 
 their relation to the Batticotta Seminary — why called English schools 
 — their effect to cultivate a taste for English studies in the villages — 
 missionary value of these schools — their effect on the village female 
 schools — effect of their discontinuance. 
 
 (2.) Girls’ Schools. — Prejudice against female education — means 
 employed to bring girls to the schools — whether the donations of cloths, 
 &c., ought to be continued — effects of these on Christian parents and 
 their children — condition and prosperity of village schools for females. 
 
 (3.) The Free Schools. — Their rise — comparative prevalence, in 
 periods of five years — employment of heathen masters — how far the 
 mission took schools that were actually existing into pay — what was 
 taught — number taught in these schools — estimated average time of 
 continuance in the schools — preaching to them — were there conver- 
 sions in these schools — what is known of the pupils since leaving 
 the schools — what of their heathen masters — how far parents were 
 drawn to hear preaching and the effect of this — estimated cost of 
 these schools on the whole — how far they now exist— native books 
 used in the schools — whether these schools have answered expecta- 
 tion in promoting the grand object of the mission — on sustaining the 
 free schools mainly for children of Christians. 
 
 6. Oodooville Female Boarding School. — Historical facts — statis- 
 tical views — results — difficulties that were to be overcome — how far 
 this has been effected — changes now to be made — exclusion of English 
 studies — shortening the period of residence in the school — reduction of 
 the number of pupils — preparations to be required in Tamil studies. 
 
 7. Batticotta Seminary. — Rise and progress of the institution — 
 what was its design at the outset, and what it has been since — what 
 has been the number of pupils, and what they have done since leaving 
 the institution — the education given — the number of English studies 
 attended to compared with those in Tamil — why the native mind is so 
 intent on English studies — feelings of native teachers in the Seminary 
 towards Tamil text-books, as compared with English — effect of the 
 English studies on the several principals, retarding their acquisition of 
 
6 
 
 Tamil — effect of introducing pay -scholars upon the character of the 
 Seminary, and upon its relations to the Female Boarding School — has 
 there been a decline of piety among the students — contemplated 
 changes — in the studies required for admission — in the number of 
 pupils — in the manner of support — in the time of residence — in the 
 curriculum of studies — class of advanced students in Theology — in- 
 struction in English to a selected body of students after the academic 
 course. 
 
 8. Native Helpers . — Their number — origin — education — employ- 
 ment — salaries — training and supervision — whether too many at any 
 of the stations — whether employed and paid after they are superanu- 
 ated — whether they should pay their rent. 
 
 9. Modifications in ihe Stations . — Oodooville and Manepy, &c. — 
 number of missionaries required for the mission — peculiarities of the 
 Jaffna field. 
 
 10. Restrictions on Correspondence . — Rule of the mission — reasons 
 for its discontinuance. 
 
 11. Printing Establishment . — Extent of it — work done — whether 
 this establishment and the one at Madras are both needed — is the 
 English department needed— expediency of continuing to print a part 
 of the “Morning Star” in English — how far the mission is responsible 
 for the contents of that paper — how far for the printing done in the 
 office— publishing committee — statement concerning the depository — 
 what ought to be done with the unsaleable books and sheets and sta- 
 tionary on hand — has the existence of the press here been an advan- 
 tage to the mission. 
 
 12. Provision for Widows, Children, and invalid Missionaries . — 
 Is it desirable that any additional provision should be made. 
 
 13. Grants of the American Bible and Tract Society. 
 
 14. Visits to the United States . — Is any further legislation needed 
 — how far to be provided for from the mission treasury — rules for pre- 
 venting unnecessary cost in returning home — health stations connected 
 with the mission — the overland passage. 
 
 15. Salaries of Missionaries. 
 
 16. Medical Establishment . — Where should the head-quarters of 
 the mission physician be — what are his duties — medical practice out 
 of the mission — presents — medical class — should their instruction be 
 in the vernacular — general results. 
 
T 
 
 17. Mission Property. — Property in lands — in dwelling houses, &c. 
 — in churches — how far the government have a right in the property 
 — tenure on which the property is held — what is being done to im- 
 prove the tenure — real value of the Dutch churches and parsonages to 
 the mission — buildings at Varany — land near Manepy. 
 
 18. Government Grants. — Grants received, and how applied — 
 whole amount received — implied condition of the grants — school com- 
 mission at the seat of government — school commissioner and his visits 
 — views of the Prudential Committee with respect to government 
 grants for schools. 
 
 19. Estimates, Appropriations, and Expenditures. — What the esti- 
 mates should contain — intent of the appropriations — whether the 
 expenditures should be restricted to the specific objects — whether 
 balances should be used for other objects — whether money received 
 by the treasurer from every source should not be credited in his ac- 
 counts with the treasurer of the Board — new estimate for 1856. 
 
 20. Houses. — Plan and cost of a house for missionary residence — 
 station and rural churches — houses for native helpers — expediency of 
 reducing the space in the present station churches. 
 
 21. Temporal aid from missionary funds to indigent native 
 Christians. — Ought this ever to be given. 
 
 Resolved — That Messrs. Spaulding, Sanders, and Hastings be a 
 committee to apportion these subjects among the members of the 
 mission as committees, whose duty it shall be to report upon them, 
 after they have been discussed by this body. 
 
 The subject of licensing and ordaining M. Cornelius over a church 
 to be formed at Karadive, while the Deputation is with us, was dis- 
 cussed at some length. 
 
 Resolved — That our sessions hereafter commence at 10 o’clock, 
 a. m., and continue until 2 o’clock, p. m., each day. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Meigs. In the course 
 of the meeting prayer was offered by Messrs. Lord and Hastings. 
 
 Second Day. 
 
 Panditeripo, April 26, 1855. — All the brethren present. The 
 meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Anderson. 
 
 The minutes of the last meeting are read and confirmed. 
 
8 
 
 Dr. Anderson, on behalf of the Deputation, read a letter to the 
 mission, suggesting the formation of a church at Karadive, and the 
 ordination of M. Cornelius over it, should it appear advisable to do so. 
 
 The committee appointed yesterday to nominate committees on the 
 various subjects presented for discussion, made their report, which was 
 accepted and adopted as follows : — 
 
 1. The governing object in missions to the heathen, assigned to 
 Messrs. Howland, Spaulding and Hastings. 
 
 2. Preaching. — Messrs. Spaulding, Lord and Smith. 
 
 3. Native Churches and Pastors. — Messrs. Lord, Meigs and How- 
 land. 
 
 4. Caste and Polygamy. — Messrs. Sanders, Spaulding and Green. 
 
 5. Station Schools. — Messrs. Meigs, Burnell and Smith. 
 
 6. Oodooville Female Boarding School. — Messrs. Hastings, Burnell 
 and Spaulding. 
 
 7. Batticotta Seminary. — Messrs. Smith, Sanders and Hastings. 
 
 8. Native Assistants. — Messrs. Sanders, Howland and Smith. 
 
 9. Modifications of Stations. — Messrs. Lord and Spaulding. 
 
 10. Restrictions and Correspondence. — Messrs. Burnell and Meigs. 
 
 1 1 . Printing Establishment. — Messrs. Howland, Burnell and Smith. 
 
 12. Grants of Bible and Tract Societies. — Messrs. Hastings, 
 Spaulding and Burnell. 
 
 13. Provision for Widows and Children. — Messrs. Meigs and San- 
 ders. 
 
 14. Visits to the United States. — Messrs. Green and Smith. 
 
 15. Salaries of Missionaries. — Messrs. Burnell and Spaulding. 
 
 16. Medical Establishment. — Messrs. Hastings and Green. 
 
 17. Mission Property. — Messrs. Smith and Lord. 
 
 18. Government Grants. — Messrs. Spaulding and Sanders. 
 
 19. Estimates, Appropriations, and Expenditures. — Messrs. Meigs 
 and Smith. 
 
 20. Houses. — Messrs. Green and Smith. 
 
 21. Temporal aid to Indigent Native Converts. — -Messrs. Sanders 
 and Spaulding. 
 
 The two first questions on the list were discussed at some length, 
 both in the forenoon and afternoon. 
 
 Resolved — That we meet to-morrow from 10 to 1 o’clock, and 
 again from 3 to 5 o’clock. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr, Sanders. 
 
9 
 
 Third Day. 
 
 Batticotta, April 27. — Members present the same as yesterday. 
 The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. Lord. The minutes of 
 yesterday’s meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 The second topic, respecting preaching, was continued during most 
 of the forenoon session. The third on native churches and pastors, 
 was discussed till the period of adjournment at 1 o’clock. The 
 same subject was continued in the afternoon session from 3 to 5 
 o’clock, when the meeting adjourned to meet again in the same place 
 at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Spaulding. 
 
 Fourth Day. 
 
 Batticotta , April 28. — Met according to adjournment. All the 
 members present. The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. 
 Thompson. The minutes of yesterday were read and confirmed. 
 
 The discussion of the third question was continued and the various 
 topics under this general head were discussed during the whole fore- 
 noon session. 
 
 The same subject was continued for a little season in the afternoon, 
 when the mission adjourned to give place to a meeting of the ecclesi- 
 astical body. The fourth subject relating to caste, was discussed till 
 the period of adjournment arrived. Adjourned till Monday, 30th 
 instant, at 10 o’clock, a. m., at Oodooville. The meeting was closed 
 with prayer by Mr. Meigs. 
 
 Fifth Day. 
 
 Oodooville, April 30. — Met according to adjournment. All the 
 members present. The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. 
 Green. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 The meeting then adjourned for a little time, to give place for a 
 meeting of the ecclesiastical body. 
 
 It having been deemed expedient, after due consultation, to dissolve 
 the ecclesiastical body which has hitherto existed, it was 
 
 Resolved, — That, hereafter, the business which was formerly trans- 
 acted by that body, be transacted by the mission. 
 
 When the mission had resumed its session, the discussion of the 
 fourth question, on caste, was resumed. After a short time, feeling 
 the subject to be one of great importance to the welfare of the 
 churches, the meeting united in prayer with Mr. Thompson for divine 
 B 
 
10 
 
 direction. The discussion of the subject was then continued till the 
 period of adjournment at 1 o’clock. 
 
 The same subject continued in the afternoon. Messrs. Spaulding 
 and Sanders were appointed a committee to prepare a proposed altera- 
 tion of the covenant of the church, on the subject of caste. 
 
 The meeting was continued until after 5 o’clock, when it was ad- 
 journed to meet in the same place at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Closed with prayer by Mr. Howland. 
 
 Sixth Day. 
 
 OodooviUe, May 1. — All the members present. The meeting was 
 opened with prayer by Mr. Spaulding. The minutes of the last meet- 
 ing were read and confirmed. 
 
 Various topics under the fourth general head, respecting caste and 
 polygamy, were discussed during a part of the forenoon. 
 
 The committee appointed yesterday to prepare an article on caste, to 
 be recommended for insertion in the church covenant, made their 
 report, which was accepted. It was then fully discussed, amended, 
 and afterwards unanimously adopted ; and is as follows, viz. : 
 
 “That you will wholly renounce in yourselves, and discountenance in 
 others, all caste and other distinctions and usages in society, which tend to 
 alienate the affections, and hinder the kindly offices of Christian affection, 
 love, and courtesy.” 
 
 Mr. Spaulding subsequently read a Tamil translation of the above, 
 which was adopted. The subject of candidates, under the third 
 general question, was taken up in the afternoon, after which it was 
 
 Resolved , — That M. Cornelius, Moses Welch, David Stickney, and 
 Thomas P. Hunt, be considered candidates for licensure. 
 
 Messrs. Meigs, Spaulding, Smith, Howland and Sanders were 
 chosen a committee to examine these candidates. 
 
 Resolved , — That we proceed to consider the letter of the Deputa- 
 tion on the expediency of forming a church on the island of Karadive, 
 and of ordaining a pastor over it. 
 
 The same persons mentioned above, were appointed a committee to 
 carry the proposed measures into effect, provided, after a suitable 
 examination, it shall appear to them expedient. 
 
 Adjourned to meet on Friday, 4th instant, at 10 o’clock, at Batti- 
 cotta. The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Lord. 
 
 Seventh Day. 
 
 Baf/icotta, May 4. — The meeting was opened this morning at 10 
 
11 
 
 o’clock according to adjournment, all the members present. Prayer 
 was offered by Mr. Hastings. The minutes of the last meeting were 
 read and confirmed. 
 
 Before entering on the subject of schools, Dr. Anderson requested 
 that the Instructions of the Prudential Committee to the Deputation 
 might be read by the Secretary. They were accordingly read. 
 
 The fifth subject, respecting station schools, was discussed till half 
 past 1 o’clock, when the meeting adjourned to meet again to-morrow 
 morning at 10 o’clock at the same place. The meeting in the after- 
 noon was omitted, to give place to the examination of candidates for 
 licensure. 
 
 Eighth Day. 
 
 Batticotta, May 5. — All the members present. The meeting was 
 opened with prayer by Mr. Burnell. The minutes of the last meet- 
 ing were read and confirmed. 
 
 The committee on licencing candidates made their report which was 
 accepted and adopted, as follows ; viz. : 
 
 The committee appointed to examine M. Cornelius of Karadive, 
 David Stickney of Varany, Moses Welch of Alavertty, and Thomas 
 P. Hunt of Chavagacherry, as candidates for preachers of the Gospel, 
 beg leave to report, 
 
 That Messrs. Cornelius, Stickney, and Hunt, were before the com- 
 mittees on Thursday, p. m., the 3d instant, at Manepy. and on Friday, 
 p. m., the 4th instant, at Batticotta. M. Welch was absent on account 
 of sickness. 
 
 They were examined on their Christian experience, on doctrinal 
 theology, on their views of the Christian ministry, the pastoral office 
 and the relation of the pastor to the missionary. 
 
 Each of the candidates expressed his feelings on the subject of 
 caste ; and each declared what he purposes to teach, and what practi- 
 cal stand he intends to take on that subject. 
 
 After the candidates were dismissed, the committee conferred 
 together, and were unanimous in their vote, recommending to the 
 mission M. Cornelius of Karadive, David Stickney of Yarany, and 
 Thomas P. Hunt of Chavagacherry, as fit persons to be licenced to 
 preach the Gospel. 
 
 Various particulars, under the general head of station schools, 
 were discussed during the morning session until the time of adjourn- 
 ment. In the afternoon, the same subject was continued till finished. 
 
12 
 
 The discussion of the Oodooville Female Boarding School was 
 commenced and continued for a little season till the time of adjourn- 
 ment at 5 o’clock. 
 
 United in prayer with Mr. Sanders, and then adjourned to meet at 
 10 o’clock on Tuesday the 8 th instant, at Mr. Howland’s. 
 
 Ninth Day. 
 
 Batticotta, May 8. — All the members met according to adjournment. 
 The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. Lord. The minutes of 
 the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 The sixth topic, the Female Boarding School at Oodooville, was 
 discussed through the forenoon until the period of adjournment. 
 
 Afternoon, the same subject was continued till a quarter before 4 
 o’clock. 
 
 The seventh topic, the Batticotta Seminary, was commenced and 
 continued till 5 o’clock, the period of adjournment. The meeting was 
 closed with prayer by Dr. Green. Adjourned to meet at Panditeripo 
 to-morrow morning at 10 o’clock, a. m. 
 
 Tenth Day. 
 
 Panditeripo, May 9. — All the members of the mission met accord- 
 ing to adjournment. The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. 
 Anderson. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 The discussion on the Batticotta Seminary was resumed and finish- 
 ed at 20 minutes before 1 2 o’clock, a. m. 
 
 The modification of stations was discussed till the period of adjourn- 
 ment at 1 o’clock. 
 
 Afternoon. At 3 o’clock the same subject was resumed and con- 
 tinued till half past 3 o’clock. 
 
 Eighth subject, native assistants, was commenced and continued till 
 5 o’clock, the period of adjournment. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Howland. 
 
 Eleventh Day. 
 
 Panditeripo, May 10. — All the members of the mission present. 
 The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. Sanders. The 
 minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 The eighth subject respecting native assistants was resumed and 
 continued through the morning session. 
 
 Afternoon. The same question was continued until finished at 
 4 o’clock. 
 
13 
 
 The tenth subject, restrictions on correspondence, was discussed 
 till the hour* of adjournment at 5 o’clock. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Meigs. 
 
 Adjourned to meet at Oodooville, at 10 to-morrow morning. 
 
 Twelfth Day. 
 
 Oodooville, May 11. — All the members assembled according to 
 adjournment. The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. Bur- 
 nell. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 The eleventh subject, the printing establishment and depository, 
 was discussed till the period of adjournment at 1 o’clock. 
 
 Afternoon Session. The thirteenth topic, the grants of the Ame- 
 rican Bible and Tract Societies, was discussed till the adjourn- 
 ment of the meeting at 5 o’clock. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Spaulding. 
 
 Adjourned to meet again at the same place to-morrow morning 
 at 10 o’clock. 
 
 Thirteenth Day. 
 
 Oodooville, May 12. — All the members assembled according to 
 adjournment. The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. 
 
 Thompson. The minutes of the last meeting were read and con- 
 firmed. 
 
 Mr. Spaulding was excused from acting on the printing office 
 committee, and Mr. Howland was appointed in his place. 
 
 Messrs. Sanders, Smith and Spaulding were appointed a com- 
 mittee to consider the subject of the expenses of these meetings, 
 and to make their report. The twelfth subject, provision for 
 widows, children, and invalid missionaries, was discussed till 11 
 o’clock, when the meeting passed to the fifteenth subject, the sala- 
 ries of missionaries, which was discussed till twenty minutes after 
 12 o’clock. 
 
 The medical establishment was then commenced, and continued 
 till the period of adjournment at 1 o’clock. , 
 
 Afternoon session. The committee on forming a church at Ka- 
 radive and ordaining a native pastor over it, made their report 
 which was accepted and adopted, as follows, viz. : — 
 
 “The committee appointed to take into consideration the desirableness 
 of forming a church at Karadive, and of ordaining M. Cornelius as pastor 
 of said church, beg leave to report: — 
 
 That there are now nine Christians on the island of Karadive, belong- 
 
14 
 
 ing to the church at Batticotta; and that, in the judgment of your com- 
 mittee, the time has fully come when they should be formdti into a sepa- 
 rate church; aud that M. Cornelius is the person pointed out by Divine 
 Providence as most suitable to take the pastoral care of said church.” 
 
 Your committee would therefore recommend, that a church be 
 formed at Karadive, with appropriate officers ; and that, after the 
 necessary steps on the part of the church are taken, the mission 
 proceed to the ordination of M. Cornelius as its pastor on the 24th 
 instant ; and that the exercises of the ordination be as follows : — 
 
 “ Sermon, by Rev. B. C. Meigs. 
 
 Ordaining prayer, by Rev. L. Spaulding. 
 
 Charge to the pastor, by Rev. R. Anderson, d. d. 
 
 Right-hand of Fellowship, by Rev. A. C. Thompson. 
 
 Address to the people, by Rev. W. W. Howland.” 
 
 The subject of the medical department was resumed and con- 
 tinued till the period of adjournment. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Hastings. 
 
 Adjourned to meet at Manepy on Monday, May 14, at 10 o’clock. 
 
 The minutes of this day’s meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 Fourteenth Day. 
 
 Manepy , May 14. — All the members present. The meeting was 
 opened with prayer by Mr. Spaulding. 
 
 The seventeenth subject, mission property, was discussed till half 
 past 1 1 o’clock ; when the sixteenth, concerning the medical estab- 
 lishment, was resumed and discussed for three quarters of an hour. 
 The fourteeth question, which had been passed over, was taken up, 
 viz., visits to the United States, discussed till 20 minutes past 1 
 o’clock, when the meeting adjourned to meet to-morrow at 10 o’clock, 
 in the same place. 
 
 The afternoon meeting was omitted, to give time to committees 
 to prepare their reports. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Dr. Green. 
 
 Fifteenth Day. 
 
 Manepy, May 15. — All the members present. The meeting was 
 opened with prayer by Mr. Lord. The minutes of the last meeting 
 were read and confirmed. 
 
 The subject of government grants was discussed until 1 1 o’clock. 
 
 Estimates, appropriations and expenditures, were discussed half 
 an hour; when the subject of buildings were under consideration 
 till 1 o’clock, the period of adjournment. 
 
15 
 
 Afternoon session. The subject last mentioned was continued till 
 half past 3 o’clock. 
 
 Only a short time was occupied by the consideration of temporal 
 aid to indigent Christians. 
 
 The minutes of this day’s meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 United in prayer with Mr. Burnell, and adjourned to meet at 
 Batticatta, on Thursday the 17th instant at 10 o’clock. 
 
 Sixteenth Day. 
 
 Batticolta, May 17. — All the members present. The meeting 
 was opened with prayer by Mr. Sanders. 
 
 A committee, consisting of Messrs. Meigs, Hastings and Howland, 
 were chosen to report upon the formation of a church, to be com- 
 posed of the members of the mission and their families. 
 
 Mr. Howland read a report on “ the governing object of missions 
 to the heathen,” which was accepted, and after discussion, adopted. 
 
 Mr. Spaulding read a report on the subject of “ preaching,” which 
 was accepted, amended, and recommitted. 
 
 Mr. Lord read a report on “ native churches and pastors,” which 
 was accepted, amended and adopted. 
 
 Adjourned to meet again at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning at 
 Panditeripo. Closed with prayer by Mr. Spaulding. 
 
 Seventeenth Day. 
 
 Panditeripo, May 18. — All the members assembled according to 
 adjournment. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Secre- 
 tary. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 Mr. Sanders read a report on “caste,” which was accepted, 
 amended and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Hastings read a report on “ Oodooville Female Boarding School,” 
 which was accepted, amended, and recommitted for additions. 
 
 Mr. Burnell read a report on “restrictions on correspondence,” 
 which was accepted, amended and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Meigs read a report on “provision for widows, children and 
 invalid missionaries,” which was accepted, amended and adopted. 
 
 Dr. Green read a report on “visits to the United States,” which 
 was accepted and recommitted. 
 
 Mr. Burnell read a report on “ salaries of missionaries,” which was 
 accepted, amended, and recommitted. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning. Closed with prayer by Mr. 
 Howland. 
 
16 
 
 Eighteenth Day. 
 
 Panditeripo, May 19. — All the members present. Exercises open- 
 ed with prayer by Mr. Smith. The minutes of the last meeting were 
 read and confirmed. 
 
 Mr. Spaulding read the report on “preaching,” which was recom- 
 mitted, and it was adopted. 
 
 Mr. Hastings read some additions to the report on Oodooville 
 Female Boarding School, and the whole was then adopted. 
 
 Dr. Green read the report, recommitted yesterday, on visits to the 
 United States, and it was adopted. 
 
 Mr. Burnell read the report, recommitted yesterday, on salaries of 
 missionaries, and it was adopted. 
 
 Mr. Hastings read a report of the “medical establishment,” which 
 was accepted, amended and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Smith read a report on “mission property,” which was accept- 
 ed, amended and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Spaulding read a report on “government grants,” which was 
 accepted, amended and adopted. 
 
 Dr. Green read a report on “ buildings,” which was accepted, 
 amended and recommitted. 
 
 Mr. Sanders read a report on “ temporal aid to indigent native 
 Christians” which was accepted and recommitted. 
 
 Adjourned to meet again at Manepy on Monday, the 21st instant. 
 
 The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Lord. 
 
 Ninteenth Day. 
 
 Manepy, May 21. — All the members present according to adjourn- 
 ment. The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr. Hastings. The 
 minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 Dr. Green read the report, recommitted Saturday, on “buildings,” 
 which was amended and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Sanders read the report on “temporal aid to indigent native 
 Christians,” recommitted on the 19th instant, and it was adopted. 
 
 Mr. Howland read a report on the “ printing establishment,” which 
 was accepted, amended, and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Lord read a report on the “modifications of stations,” which 
 was accepted and recommitted. 
 
 Mr. Smith read a report on “ Batticotta Seminary,” which was 
 accepted, amended, and recommitted. 
 
 Mr. Meigs read a report on “ station schools,” which was accepted, 
 and recommitted. 
 
Mr. Hastings read a report on “grants of the American Bible and 
 Tract Societies,” which was accepted, amended, and adopted. Ad- 
 journed till to-morrow morning. 
 
 Closed with prayer by Mr. Sanders. 
 
 Twentieth Day. 
 
 Manepy, May 22. — All the members met according to adjournment. 
 The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Anderson. The minutes 
 of the last meeting were read and confirmed. 
 
 Mr. Smith read the alterations in a report on “Batticotta Semin- 
 ary,” recommitted yesterday, which were amended and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Meigs read the alterations and additions to the report on “ sta- 
 tion schools,” recommitted yesterday, which were amended, and the 
 report was adopted. 
 
 Mr. Sanders read a report on “native assistants,” which was 
 accepted, amended and adopted. 
 
 Mr. Meigs read a report on “estimates, appropriations, and expen- 
 ditures,” which was accepted, amended and adopted. 
 
 The committee appointed on the 19th instant to report on the 
 formation of a church, to be composed of the missionaries and 
 their families, made their report, which was accepted and adopt- 
 ed. It was as follows, viz : — 
 
 The committee appointed to report upon the formation of a church 
 to be composed of the missionaries and their families, recommended, 
 
 1. That we meet for that purpose at Manepy, on Friday, May 25, 
 at 10 o’clock, a. m. 
 
 2. That we adopt the covenant and confession of faith of the 
 church formed by the first missionaries, in 1816. 
 
 3. That Mr. Meigs be requested to preside, to present the covenant 
 and confession of faith for signature, and to conduct the exercise 
 appropriate to the occasion. 
 
 4. That Dr. Anderson be requested to preach the sermon ; also that 
 he and Mr. Thompson be invited to administer the communion. 
 
 The following resolution was presented, and adopted unanimously, 
 viz. : 
 
 Resolved — That, as a mission, and as individuals, we desire to 
 express our gratification in the results of the visit of the Deputa- 
 tion from the American Board. While we have highly enjoyed their 
 society as Christian brethren, we have been greatly assisted by 
 their friendly counsels, in revising our plans of operation, and 
 
 C 
 
18 
 
 feel that we have been strengthened and encouraged in our work 
 by their presence and aid. 
 
 After addresses by Ur. Anderson and Mr. Thompson, the hymn 
 was sung, commencing, “Sweet the time, exceeding sweet,” as an 
 appropriate close to the meetings; after which Mr. Thompson led 
 in prayer. 
 
 B. C. MEIGS, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 [A church of eighteen members, composing the Ceylon Mis- 
 sion, was formed on Friday, May 28th, agreeably to the forego- 
 ing resolutions ; and the occasion was one of very affecting inter- 
 est to all present. The reason for this new formation, was the 
 dissolving of the ecclesiastical body mentioned in the preceding 
 Minutes, in order to relieve the work of the mission of unneces- 
 sary perplexity, and that the whole missionary work might be 
 performed by the mission, as such.] 
 
19 
 
 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, 
 
 I. 
 
 GOVERNING OBJECT IN MISSIONS TO THE HEATHEN. 
 
 In answering the question “What is the governing object in 
 missions to the heathen,” it is scarcely necessary to remark, that 
 it is not to relieve human distress, to minister to the necessities 
 of the suffering, to raise the degraded and deliver the oppressed. 
 This is a work which has called into action the noblest powers, 
 and awakened universal admiration. But the work of missions is 
 of a higher character than this. It looks beyond the physical 
 sufferings and necessities of man, and contemplates him as a sin- 
 ner against a holy and just God, and exposed to endless wrath ; 
 and proclaims to him pardon and salvation. It contemplates no 
 less an object than raising him from the awful gloom of the sha- 
 dow of eternal death, to the regions of eternal life and joy in the 
 presence of a reconciled God. This is an object which meets and 
 harmonises with the first impulses of the new-born soul. Every 
 one who has tasted the joys of salvation feels a desire, that others 
 should come and drink of the same fountain. To this desire is 
 added the sense of obligation expressed by Paul, “I am debtor 
 both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and 
 unwise.” But it is not left to the mercy of human desires and 
 promptings of duty. It is presented to us with all the authority 
 of a command, emanating from the highest source which the re- 
 deemed soul acknowledges, given under the most solemn and im- 
 pressing circumstances, being the last words, the final will and 
 testament, of our glorified Saviour. By this every redeemed sin- 
 ner is sent into the world, even as Christ was sent by the Father, 
 and is to take upon himself the burden of a dying world 
 
 This great work, having its centre in the cross of Christ, and 
 
20 
 
 for its limits the ends of the earth, contains in it the spring and 
 principle of every mission to the heathen. And it is only as the 
 salvation of lost souls is kept distinctly and prominently in view, 
 as the single, all-absorbing object, that these missions can retain 
 the life and vigor necessary to their existence and success. 
 
 Though this is the avowed object of all who are engaged in 
 this great work, yet there is so much tendency to turn aside from 
 the simple terms of the command, and bring in other ends, and 
 trust to other means than those divinely appointed, that it is de- 
 sirable to recur anew from time to time to our commission, and 
 refresh our minds with a review of its scope and import. In 
 doing this we may be aided by noticing two or three principles 
 which are fundamental. 
 
 I. This work is one evidently designed to make a large de- 
 mand upon faith. 
 
 The soul of every man is dark and desolate, but only those who 
 have actually lived among the heathen can have any conception 
 of the darkness and desolation which reigns in their souls. It is 
 not merely that the Divine inhabitant of the soul is gone, and 
 the stately temple is in ruins, but the Prince of darkness has 
 established his throne upon those ruins, foul fiends lurk in every 
 nook and corner, and the very vapors of the bottomless pit ascend 
 from every altar. Surely there is no power which can eject these 
 usurpers, renew and enlighten this desolation and darkness, but 
 that which in the beginning “spake and it was done” which said 
 “Let there be light and there was light.” And it is only as sus- 
 tained by implicit faith in the all-sufficiency of that power, and 
 in the certainty of those rich promises which make it available 
 to us, that we can dare to act as instruments. 
 
 II. It is a work designed to manifest the greatness and power 
 of God, and the weakness of man. 
 
 A distinguished Astronomer, while contemplating God’s wonder- 
 ful works unfolded by the discoveries of sciences exclaimed “O 
 Lord what are we, that we should be permitted to walk in thy 
 footsteps and think thy thoughts after thee !” But we, as Chris- 
 tians, are not only permitted to walk in the footsteps of the Al- 
 mighty and think his thoughts after him, but more — we are called 
 to be co-workers, “laborers together with God,” in his greatest, 
 most glorious work. The greatness of the work is such an infi- 
 
21 
 
 nitc distance above our fitness, our capacity, and our comprehen- 
 sion even, that the very thought of our being employed as instru- 
 ments overwhelms us with a crushing sense of our weakness and 
 insufficiency, and we are compelled 'to exclaim with the prophet, 
 “Ah Lord God, I cannot speak for I am a child.” And will a 
 simple message, mere words, a breath, uttered and gone, have 
 any power in a work so great ? Powerless indeed are the words 
 of man, but when “the Lord putteth forth his hand and touches 
 the mouth” of his messengers saying, “Behold I have put my 
 words in thy mouth,” then those fleeting words become the “breath 
 of the Almighty,” they are “Spirit and life,” “the sword of the 
 Spirit,” “the power of God unto salvation,” and we become strong 
 in our weakness, subdued by the thought that the power of the 
 Almighty rests upon us. And the whole work and instrumen- 
 tality seems as if arranged for this very purpose of magnifying 
 the power of God, and humbling the pride of man, as expressed 
 by Paul, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excel- 
 lency of the power may be of God and not of us.” In this respect 
 it is in harmony with all God’s dealings with man. 
 
 III. This work acknowledges no necessity of any auxiliary means, 
 or preparatory process. 
 
 Not only the men of the world but often the devoted, self-denying 
 missionary, whose sole object is the conversion of souls, is so repulsed 
 by the degradation and debasement of those for whom he labors, and 
 so defeated in all his efforts to get a hearing for the truth, in a mind 
 pre-occupied by all that is false, vile and blasphemous, that he feels 
 the necessity of some preparatory work to fit the mind for the recep- 
 tion of the truth. This has given rise to the various plans of educa- 
 tion and civilization, which have sometimes been brought forward 
 with considerable prominence. And there is an appearance of rea- 
 sonableness in the plea, that the young mind should be pre-occupied 
 by the seeds of truth, and the public mind elevated by diffusion of the 
 light of science, and the elevating and refining influences of civilza- 
 tion. But whether we look at the terms of our commission, or to 
 the example of Him who gave it, or of those who first received and 
 acted upon it, or at the work as one of faith, and a work of God, 
 we find no authority for these auxiliary means, or for any preparatory 
 process. The example of our Saviour is especially instructive on 
 this point. Having as he did, all the stores of wisdom and know- 
 ledge at command, he might by a single sentence have Hashed light 
 
22 
 
 upon the hidden mysteries of science, or by a single suggestion have 
 given a clue to some of those wonderful discoveries which have such 
 a tendency to arouse mental action, and which at the same time 
 would have given him such a power and influence in controlling the 
 mind thus awakened. 15ut he stooped not a moment from the higher 
 work of laboring for lost sinners. This was the one all-absorbing 
 object, which allowed not a moments diversion. 
 
 The example of the Apostles teaches us the same lesson. “They 
 determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 
 They every where preached “ Christ crucified ; unto the Jews a stum- 
 bling-block and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto them which 
 are called, both Jews and Greeks, the power of God and the wis- 
 dom of God.” They evidently in all their preaching relied alone 
 upon the influences of the same Spirit which is promised as freely 
 to us as to them. 
 
 Again the nature of the work, as a work of faith, and a work of 
 God, leads to the same result. We cannot for a moment defend the 
 position, that God is at all dependant upon human instrumentality, 
 for the salvation of the world. He does indeed permit us, for our 
 own good, to labor as instruments in this great work, but he could 
 as well do without us. In this view is it not the highest wisdom to 
 confine ourselves as near as possible to the simple terms of our com- 
 mission, the example of Him who gave it, and the example and 
 teachings of those inspired agents who first received and acted upon 
 it, attempting, “no other foundation than that is laid, which is 
 Christ Jesus,” taking heed also how we build thereupon. In this 
 view of the subject we must admit that it is as easy for the Divine 
 Spirit to clear away the rubbish of false opinions, and heathen 
 superstitions, as to renew the mind not thus pre-occupied. Even 
 though these notions and superstitions may have become incorpo- 
 rated in all the habits of daily life and are a part and parcel of the 
 very language of a people, we cannot limit the power of the Divine 
 Spirit. And we believe all will admit that such views of God and 
 heaven, of sin and salvation, as the Spirit alone can give, are 
 better than any which can be given by any preparatory process of 
 teaching, or of acquiring a language untainted with those associa- 
 tions, and that the effect of such views carried out in the lives of 
 those who have received these heaven-born impressions, form a better 
 commentary for others. The Holy Spirit is not dependant upon such 
 means. “The things of God no man knoweth but the Spirit of 
 
23 
 
 God.” “God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the 
 Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.” 
 
 We may avail ourselves, in this work, of all those incidental 
 advantages afforded by the tide of civilization following in the wake 
 of the progress of Christianity, such as the facilities for communi- 
 cation, discoveries in science, and the higher standard of education, 
 which are so characteristic of the present age. But we need to be 
 careful lest we be turned aside from our peculiar work, in becoming 
 personally the agents in introducing them. 
 
 IV. This work not only acknowledges no necessity of any aux- 
 iliary means, or preparatory process, but is actually retarded by a 
 resort to such appliances. 
 
 The evils, which are the almost necessary consequence of this, need 
 but to be briefly stated to be understood. 
 
 1 . There is danger that the means thus used become in themselves 
 an end, and turn aside the thoughts and labors of those engaged from 
 the great work of the salvation of souls. 
 
 2. Even when these appliances keep their place as simply a means, 
 there is danger of our trusting in them to such an extent as to prevent 
 the exercise of that faith in divine power so necessary to the success- 
 ful prosecution of the work. 
 
 3. The introduction of these means tends to turn the attention of 
 the missionary to the elevation of the masses, by bringing them in 
 contact with those elevating influences, instead of laboring directly 
 for the conversion of individual souls. And intimately connected 
 with this, is the tendency to limit, in effect, the power of God, by 
 putting off to a distant period the salvation of these masses, instead of 
 laboring in hope and expectation of immediate results. 
 
 4. This course perverts the divine order of things, by introducing 
 prematurely those things which ax-e the results of Christianity, and are 
 designed to follow and be conti’olled by Christian principle. It has 
 been remarked that “probably the reason why the recent discoveries 
 in science and art wci'c kept hidden so long, was because the world 
 was not good enough to render it safe to give such power to man.” 
 And it is worthy of notice, that this mighty power has come as a 
 result ot the progress of Christianity, and is directed and controlled 
 by Christian principle acting upon the public sentiment of Christian 
 nations, to an extent which cannot but lead us to acknowledge a 
 design of Providence. If then this power is given to a heathen 
 people in advance of the Christian principle necessary to control and 
 
24 
 
 regulate it, wc pervert the order of nature, and set in motion power- 
 ful influences which are likely to work against us. Many are there- 
 by so far elevated and enlightened as to break loose from the super- 
 stitions and restraints of heathenism, while they are not brought 
 under the influence of the higher restraints of Christian love and 
 Christian principle, and form a class infidel in religion, and reckless in 
 conduct. 
 
 5. The introduction of these things involves an amount of machin- 
 ery, which in itself is an evil to a heathen, or infant Christian com- 
 munity. It is an evil to the heathen because it turns aside their 
 thoughts from the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ ; and while they 
 are liable to misunderstand the true motives of the missionary, desires 
 of gain and worldly profit are awakened in their minds. The newly 
 converted Christians are exposed to a similar danger. They become 
 naturally associated with the missionary as agents in the working of 
 this machinery. Thus their natural relations to the community are 
 disturbed, they become paid agents, in whose minds a spirit of 
 convetousness is awakened, and their influence as a, witnessing church 
 is impaired. 
 
 6. The use of these auxiliaries leads to the development, both 
 among missionaries and native Christians, of a worldly policy, which 
 results in a tendency to be guided by motives of expediency instead of 
 the Word of God. 
 
 7. There is danger of those who become Christians, becoming so 
 from conviction of the understanding, instead of genuine conversion 
 of the heart by the influences of the Spirit; and as their “faith 
 stands in the wisdom of men instead of the power of God,” in time of 
 trouble or persecution, they fall away. 
 
 In view of these evils, and others of a similar nature, which are 
 incurred by turning aside from the great object before us, we are pre- 
 pared to re-assert, with additional emphasis, the proposition with 
 which we started ; — that it is only as the salvation of lost souls is 
 kept distinctly and prominently in view as the single, all-absorbing 
 object of missions to the heathen, that they can retain the life and 
 vigor necessary to their existence and success. 
 
 But the work of the missionary does not stop here, as it pre-sup- 
 poses success in the conversion of sinners, the missionary is brought 
 into a new relation in connection with the persons thus converted. 
 Now he is to carry out the second part of the command, “Teaching 
 them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” He 
 
25 
 
 is not to disturb unnecessarily their relations in society and to avoid, 
 as far as possible, rendering them pecuniary aid, preserving his high 
 character as a spiritual teacher, he is to endeavor to render them by 
 his counsel, instructions and example, witnesses for the truth, and in 
 their turn, agents in this great work among their own people. As the 
 number increases, in order that he may not be turned aside from his 
 peculiar work as a missionary, he is to look out some one from among 
 the number who is fitted by nature and grace to take charge of the 
 flock thus gathered, and himself to go on in the strength of the Lord, 
 gathering other flocks, and committing them to faithful shepherds, 
 to whom he will retain under the Great Shepherd, the office of coun- 
 sellor, teacher, and guide. 
 
 These we believe to be the true principles of missions to the 
 heathen, as taught by reason and Scripture. That they are the 
 principles upon which the American Board was founded, we have 
 evidence in the instructions of the Prudential Committee given to 
 the first company sent out under its auspices in 1812. They say, 
 “It will be your business to bring the heathen as directly as pos- 
 sible to the knowledge of the truth,” adding “It is the truth, the 
 truth as it is in Jesus which is mighty through God to the pulling 
 down of strong holds.” The Ceylon mission, which was formed soon 
 after, was undoubtedly founded upon the same basis. If in its pro- 
 gress it has in any degree turned aside from this singleness of pur- 
 pose, it has been, we believe, inadvertently, and so far as it has 
 been an error, it has been an error of the times, and of the general 
 sentiment of the Christian community, rather than any fault of the 
 individuals more immediately concerned. Although we have seen 
 in our field to a greater or less extent the evils which have been 
 enumerated, it is a cheering fact that our course has not been fatal 
 to success. God has indeed blessed this mission, as precious remem- 
 brances of the past and present results in themselves most cheering, 
 testify. He always blesses faithful, prayerful efforts for the promo- 
 tion of his cause such as have been made here from the beginning. 
 We believe too that those who have labored here, have ever endea- 
 vored to follow the leadings of Providence in all their plans and 
 operations, and have enjoyed a sense of divine presence and guid- 
 ance. Now the “pillar of fire and cloud,” seems to turn in a some- 
 what different direction. We are led by circumstances to a review 
 of the fundamental principles of our work, and a consequent revi- 
 sion of plans. And while we prepare to follow in the way in which 
 D 
 
26 
 
 the Lord seems to be leading us, we may hope for a continuance 
 of his presence and favor. The fact that He has a people here, is 
 in itself a pledge that he will not forsake us. And we believe too, 
 that there is hope for the multitude who have become acquainted with 
 Scripture truth in connection with our educational institutions ; that 
 he will grant the influences of his Spirit to bless the good seed thus 
 sown, and that we may yet see an abundant harvest to the glory of 
 his great name. And have we not encouragement to pray that God 
 may by the baptism of his Spirit fit many of those who have been 
 the subjects of so much labor, and of so many prayers, to be humble, 
 faithful leaders in the host of his elect, when he shall grant us “ the 
 great rain of his strength ?” 
 
 W. W. HOWLAND, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 II. 
 
 PREACHING. 
 
 Preaching is proclaiming God’s word, and “ causing the people 
 to understand the sense with personal application of moral truth 
 to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.* For how can any 
 one “ hear without a preacher,” and how can he “ repent and be- 
 lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ,” unless he understands what re- 
 pentance is, who the Lord Jesus Christ is, and what believing on 
 him means ? This is the meaning of the word preaching, as found 
 in the New Testament, whether applied to the discourses, or teach- 
 ings of our Saviour, or to the discipling of his Apostles; and in this 
 sense wo propose to use the word, whether it be in making known 
 Bible truth in our conversations with individuals by the way, our 
 visits from house to house, our preaching to village assemblies, or 
 to our congregations in our churches. Nothing short of this can 
 be intended. Our greatest and highest aim as missionaries, in ac- 
 cordance with our commission, has been to proclaim God’s word, 
 and to cause the people to understand the sense. “ Teaching ,” as 
 applied to the arts and sciences, is a very different thing, and has 
 no direct connection with making known the Word of God. 
 
 History. 
 
 1. In connection with our village schools, our method has been 
 to make an appointment, (statedly or occasionally as the case 
 
 * Matt xxviii. 19. 20; Mark xri 15: 2 Tim ii. 24, 25; 2 Cor. iy 1, 2: Ezra viii. 7,8, 
 
27 
 
 may be,) and to require the teacher to give notice of the meet- 
 ing. Our native assistants make that village the field of their 
 labor for that day, going from house to house, reading tracts or 
 portions of the Bible, conversing with all they meet, and giving 
 notice of the evening meeting. The missionary himself, as often as 
 health and other circumstances will allow, joins in this previous 
 preparation. At early candle-lighting, the people assemble at the 
 bungalow. Our practice may vary a little, but generally the meet- 
 ing is opened by prayer and by reading a portion of the Bible. 
 Some leading truth in the portion read is then taken for the sub- 
 ject, and the missionary and one or two of his native assistants 
 address the assembly, using explanations, parables, applications, ex- 
 hortations and appeals, with all the fearlessness and confidence of 
 “ Thus saith the Lord 1.” Questions are answered, and the meeting 
 is closed with prayer. 
 
 2. The place of these assemblies has not been confined to the 
 village school-house. Headmen and others who have a convenient 
 place for such a gathering, not unfrequently invite us to hold meet- 
 ings in their own compounds, or readily accommodate us when 
 requested. In many plaees the shade of a great tree or an open 
 field has been found even better than the school-house for such 
 gatherings, when the weather would permit, and the bright moon- 
 light invited. 
 
 3. When the people come together, they arrange themselves very 
 politely and respectfully according to their own sense of propriety. 
 If the floor of the bungalow be a flat surface and sufficiently large, 
 the adults take the front seats, the pupils being behind them ; but 
 if there is a raised seat at the sides, the adults take the sides with 
 the most respectable individuals nearest the missionary, and the 
 pupils on the floor. But if the room is insufficient for all, the 
 pupils give place to the adults. 
 
 4. Our religious services on the Sabbath have generally been 
 held at 10 a. m., and our village services in the afternoon, or even- 
 ings. The people more readily assemble after the work of the day 
 is done. There may have been in some instances a fear of being 
 seen often in our churches on the Sabbath, lest relations and friends 
 should oppose ; but a man can go to the bungalow with less fear 
 of opposition and ridicule, which very few natives can withstand. 
 
 5. The presence of the missionary, and his preaching in the 
 native language, are always great inducements to the people to as- 
 
28 
 
 semble, and they are generally more orderly, if the missionary is 
 present, than they would be if the native assistants only were there. 
 
 6. The labors of these assistants are of great value. They are 
 daily among the people, reading tracts or portions of the Bible, 
 “reasoning with them out of the Scriptures,” and praying with 
 them when circumstances are favorable. They generally hold meet- 
 ings in the villages on the Sabbath afternoons without the aid of 
 the missionary, and always assist him, as before hinted, in regular 
 evening meetings. They often preach with great power and effect, 
 and when their manner of life is such as to raise them above the 
 suspicion of worldly notions, they are highly respected by the people. 
 
 It is customary for the missionary, and for the native assistants 
 also, to search out those individuals, who, in their visits, or in their 
 assemblies, or in any other way, may have been somewhat im- 
 pressed with Bible truth, and to make them the special subjects of 
 personal conversation and prayer, until they either give evidence of 
 being born again or relapse into carelessness and sin. 
 
 Among the motives which have induced the people to come to 
 our assemblies, may be found, — (1) curiosity to see and hear a 
 foreigner, — (2) the benefits connected with a village school, — (3) 
 the favor of the missionary which in their minds, is or will be 
 somehow of advantage to them ; — (4) a desire to hear what this 
 babbler and setter forth of strange .gods can say. As long as they 
 are heathens, they will be moved by worldly motives. 
 
 Statistics show that there have been 331 years of labor in this 
 
 field. 
 
 Printer 22 
 
 Physician 39 
 
 Teachers in the Seminary at Batticotta 44 
 
 Teachers in the Female Boarding School at 
 
 Oodooville 16 
 
 Preachers of the Gospel 210 
 
 By this it appears, that exclusive of our printer, physician and 
 teachers in Oodooville F. B. School, there has been not far from 
 six and a half years’ labor annually expended in the mission work 
 in this field, of which about one-fifth has been in connection with 
 the Seminary, and about four-fifths in connection with preaching 
 the gospel. 
 
 Aside from our uniform Sabbath services in the forenoon, each 
 missionary has generally had a meeting in the afternoon, either at 
 
29 
 
 the chui’ch or in a village ; and in the course of the week, on an 
 average, two evening meetings in the village, one catechetical meet- 
 ing of half a day with the children of the Tamil free schools, and 
 one lecture to the members of his church. All these have been 
 stated meetings, with occasional interruptions in the rainy season or 
 by the cholera, aside from our village labors from house to house. 
 Your committee believe that we have been truly a ■preaching mis- 
 sion. About four-fifths of our number have been engaged in preach- 
 ing the Gospel by the way-side ; to children collected into bible 
 classes ; to our Sunday-schools ; to our assemblies and congregations. 
 These have been teachers of the Bible, while those in the Batti- 
 cotta Seminai’y have given most of their personal attention to the 
 recitations in the Bible, or studies immediately connected with Bible 
 doctrine or history. 
 
 Simple oral declaration of the word of God, by way of sermons 
 or exhortations, as an agency by itself; has not appeared to have 
 been distinguished above other departments of missionary work in 
 the conversion of men. God has blessed us “in all we have put 
 our hand unto,” and every day’s expei’ience has convinced us that 
 the people “ need to be taught what be the first principles of the 
 oracles of God, and have need of milk and not of strong meat.” 
 Hence the necessity of frequent intei-views with such children, youth 
 and adults, as seem inclined to listen, for instruction, exhortation 
 and prayer. Whether preaching, teaching or discipling, this has 
 been our great work, our united supplication. 
 
 Course to he pursued. 
 
 It is proposed, in future, to form native churches in those vil- 
 lages where a few Christians or Christian families (say from six, 
 eight and upwards) may be found ; and to place a native pastor 
 over them, who shall have that village or adjacent villages as his 
 field of labor. A village school will also be established for Christian 
 children and for the children of those who are willing wholly to 
 renounce idolatry. 
 
 The duty of the missionai-y will still be to pervade the land, and 
 to preach the Gospel to every ci’eature by the way -side; in assem- 
 blies, or in congregations ; and to do all he can to assist the pastor 
 or pastors of the villages in his field to secui-e permanent congre- 
 gations, and to teach them “ in season and out of season, all things 
 whatsoever Jesus Christ has commanded.” 
 
30 
 
 Greatly encouraged by past experience, your committee would 
 urge upon the attention of each missionary, pastor, catechist, the 
 great advantage of frequent and personal visits to individuals for 
 reading the Bible, for conversation and prayer. 
 
 This is considered a most efficient mode of making known the 
 Gospel. It fastens the nail in a sure place. Christian schools, when 
 the Bible is made the principal text-book, may do much to remove 
 prejudice and superstition. The eye and soul of the missionary in 
 addressing assemblies and congregations, have done and may do 
 much more to impress divine truth on the mind of this dark -heart- 
 ed and deceitful people. But, personal and frequent application of 
 the truth seems absolutely needed, in order to arrest the attention 
 sufficiently to secure the object. 
 
 For such changes as are now proposed, God has been preparing 
 abundant materials. Our pious young men, trained in our Seminary 
 and married to well-educated and thoroughly Christianized females, 
 are prepared for teachers, catechists and pastors in these villages ; 
 and we can now easily reconstruct our system on a new, and even- 
 tually on a purely vernacular, basis. Looking at the indications of 
 Providence, we have every reasonable evidence to believe, that our 
 present position in this mission is much as it was in Israel, when 
 David gave over his gold, silver, brass, iron, wood and px - ecious 
 stones to his successor, to be moulded and built up into a temple, 
 where God would manifest his glory. (1 Chron. xix.) 
 
 The people of the land, too, seem to be prepared for such a change. 
 Many, very many of them not only see the folly of idols, but are 
 tired of this brahminical rule, and of these doctrines of devils ; and 
 it is hoped that many may make these changes an occasion for 
 seeking a more excellent way. But we will not anticipate. He who 
 has brought us to Horeb, will not leave us in Moab, nor in Bashan, 
 nor forsake us at Jericho. He will give us possession of the whole 
 land , and help us to build him a house. Nevertheless we should 
 ever keep in mind, that “ the race is not to the swift, nor the battle 
 to the strong.” Until the Spirit of God moved upon the face of 
 the waters, the world could not be organized ; so until the Spirit of 
 God descends to melt and remove the love of ungodliness, which has 
 so freely flowed and petrified over the masses of India for these 
 four thousand years, we cannot expect plants of righteousness to 
 grow up into the garden of God. We have laid the wood on 
 the altar. We have divided the sacrifice into various parts, and 
 
31 
 
 laid them on the wood. We have looked up to the Lord God of 
 Israel for the manifestation of his presence and power. We have 
 seen the fire kindle again and again, in times of precious revivals, 
 and our hearts have cried out with weeping joy, “ Behold, now is 
 the accepted time ; behold, now is the day of salvation but some 
 
 blast from Baal, or the letting down of the hands of Moses, has 
 
 quenched the kindling flame, and left only here and there a few 
 live coals. But even this has been exceedingly encouraging, as it 
 shows how easy it will be for God to flood the whole land with 
 
 his glory, as we have seen his presence in our schools ; and these 
 
 live coals, when collected together, may help to kindle the whole 
 pile, and show “how great a matter a little fire kindleth.” But 
 until our prayers become more importunate, and our dependance 
 on the means employed more despairing, the fire from heaven will 
 not descend to consume the sacrifice ; the prophets of Baal will not 
 be slain ; nor the people unite in the exclamation, “ The Lord, he 
 is the God !” “ The Lord, he is the God !” 
 
 LEVI SPAULDING, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 III. 
 
 NATIVE CHURCHES AND PASTORS. 
 
 The Bible, and especially the New Testament, is our great text 
 book ; and, if we rightly comprehend its truths, we are prepared to 
 assent to the proposition that the great object of missions to the 
 heathen is to persuade men to be reconciled to God, as their only 
 rightful sovereign, through the blood and atonement of his son 
 Jesus Christ ; and all their plans should be formed and executed 
 with a view to the accomplishment of this end, the conversion of 
 sinners and the salvation of their souls. 
 
 The organization of native churches and the ordaining of native 
 pastors is, we believe, a means to this great end. 
 
 The declarations of our Lord to his disciples, “Ye are the salt 
 of the earth,” “Ye are the light of the world,” are descriptive of 
 the instrumentality and influence of his children in all ages. 
 Christians are not to retire from the active scenes of life, but are 
 to continue to associate with their fellow men. The salt could 
 not serve its purpose unless scattered over the putrifying mass. 
 
32 
 
 The lamp, when lighted, must be placed amid the darkness 
 which it is intended to dispel. The whole earth, and especially 
 the heathen world, is corrupt before God, and his children are the 
 salt, the grand instrumental means by which he will renovate it; 
 — it is in darkness, and Christians are its light, and are to “let 
 their light so shine before men that they may see their good 
 works, and glorify their Father which is in heaven.” 
 
 Let us now point out particularly, 
 
 I. The design and the circumstances under which native churches 
 should be organized, and native pastors ordained over them. 
 
 The command of Christ, “Go ye into all the world and preach 
 the gospel to every creature,” though given directly to the Apos- 
 tles, is fully binding upon every Christian to the extent of his 
 ability. It is also a principle universally recognized that union of 
 action and influence, gives increased power ; and hence it will ap- 
 pear that the missionary who seeks as rapidly and thoroughly as 
 possible to carry on his aggressive movements against heathenism, 
 must, in the prosecution of his work, gather the native converts 
 into churches and unite their power as witnesses for the truth and 
 as examples of faith and obedience to the principles of the gospel ; 
 and in order that he may be relieved in part from care and re- 
 sponsibility and be left more free to preach the gospel in other 
 places, and to plant other churches, he will place over them native 
 pastors who will feed and watch over the flock. The same prin- 
 ciples and desires will lead the converts to seek union, and a 
 leader or head, i. e., a pastor, who can give himself more directly 
 and entirely to labors for their spiritual advancement, than the 
 missionary on whom will devolve the superintending care of “all 
 the churches.” The church is a natural organization, the tendency 
 of which is to preserve and extend Christianity, and to perpetuate 
 religion in the heart, and Christians will associate and, as soon as 
 circumstances permit, will desire and seek the formation of a 
 church, both for their own good and as witnesses to others of the 
 truth as it is in Jesus. 
 
 It is not easy to lay down a specific rule, as to the particular 
 circumstances when, and when only, it is proper to organize 
 churches and ordain native pastors over them ; but we would say 
 in general, that when there are several Christians in a village or 
 community separate from others, who can be united in accord- 
 
33 
 
 ance with the principles, and for the successful accomplishment 
 of the ends above mentioned, then, and there, they should be 
 brought together and taught to “bear one another’s burdens and 
 so fulfil the law of Christ,” to “love one another,” to “comfort 
 themselves together and edify one another,” to “ consider one an- 
 other to provoke unto love and to good works;” and over them 
 should be placed one who will “feed them with knowledge and 
 understanding,” who will be a “helper of their joy,” who will 
 labor “for the perfecting of the saints” and “for the edifying of 
 the body of Christ, till they all come in the unity of the faith, 
 and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, 
 unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” 
 
 II. Qualifications required for membership in native churches. 
 
 Our text book indicates that Christian churches should be 
 select bodies composed of a class of persons in some way separated 
 from other men, and standing in a peculiar relation to each other 
 and to Him who is “head over all things to the church, which is 
 his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” They should 
 be “a people taken out from among the Gentiles,” a “peculiar 
 people,” “a people dwelling alone, and not reckoned among the 
 nations.” 
 
 They are also represented as the “salt of the earth,” and “the 
 light of the world ;” hence, the world is surely the place for them. 
 They must mingle with society, and, in various ways, apply to 
 their fellow men that truth by which only they can be saved. 
 
 The qualifications which should be required for membership in 
 native churches, then, we hold to be, an intelligent and credible 
 profession of faith in Christ. 
 
 Of this, the missionary or pastor, together with the church, 
 are the proper judges. Experience proves that the evidence of 
 native Christians in regard to a candidate is valuable, especially 
 so far as it relates to the outward life, and the liability he is 
 under to be influenced by mere worldly motives ; but their judg- 
 ment does not extend with much discrimination to the actual feel- 
 ings of the heart, except so far as they are manifested by habitual 
 attendance on the means of grace, and the daily reading of God’s 
 word. Concerning this, they generally expect considerable know- 
 ledge, which may result from the fact that candidates from hea- 
 thenism have always been required to delay some time, before 
 E 
 
34 
 
 being received into the church, in order that all might become 
 better acquainted with their character, and better satisfied as to 
 their motives. Mere knowledge of the Scriptures, however, is no 
 evidence of fitness for church membership, as that will necessarily 
 depend very much upon the previous advantages of the proba- 
 tioner. The weakest measure of faith, if sincere, is to be accept- 
 ed, and the lambs are not to be rejected from the fold; “Him 
 that is weak in the faith receive ye.” No where are the lambs 
 so much exposed, as when out of the fold, and this is especially 
 true among the heathen. The church is emphatically the place 
 where the weak Christian is to obtain that protection, and to 
 gain that knowledge, which will enable him to grow in grace. 
 Unless the lamp be frequently and properly trimmed and supplied 
 with oil, the light will go out, and salt will soon be destroyed if 
 left exposed to the drenching rains of a tropical clime. 
 
 III. Organization and discipline of native churches. 
 
 Originally the church in our mission was one, and the members 
 were admitted by the missionaries, who were practically the united 
 pastors, each having the care of the portion at his own station ; but 
 after a time, when the number of communicants from different parts 
 of the province had increased, it was divided and separate churches 
 formed at the several stations. Until recently, there has not been a 
 sufficient number in any of the villages, distinct from the stations, 
 under circumstances which seemed to render it necessary and advisa- 
 ble to establish churches separate from those under the direct care of 
 the missionaries. 
 
 In regard to the form of organization and the officers most proper 
 for native churches, we stand on higher than sectarian ground. Our 
 commission is not to proselyte, but to preach the gospel; and whatever 
 preferences we individually cherish for specific forms of church 
 government and discipline, however desirable or necessary they may 
 be considered in those lands that have been long favored with the 
 light and influence of the gospel and its ordinances, we are convinced 
 that the most plain and simple organizations are, by far, the best 
 adapted for the training and discipline of the native converts in this 
 field. It will be most natural, appropriate, and scriptural, during the 
 time of their pupilage, for the missionaries to become the guardians 
 of those whom they “have begotten through the gospel,” and “it is 
 believed no one will dispute the right and duty of the mission to act 
 
35 
 
 in behalf of these children in knowledge, and to conform the organiz- 
 ation and discipline to what they regard as the apostolical usage in 
 similar cases,” it being understood that they do all this under a full 
 sense of their own accountability to the great Head of the church, 
 and with a wise and constant reference and regard to the time when 
 their converts shall become “ in malice children but in understanding 
 men.” If it is clear that the duty of missionaries in the prosecution 
 of their great object involves not only preaching, but collecting con- 
 verts and organizing them into churches, it is equally clear that they 
 have the power, and that on them rests the duty of ordaining pastors 
 over those churches ; and not only this, but also watching over and 
 sustaining them. On them devolves the care of the churches, and 
 pastors, and this extends to pecuniary support, when necessary, which 
 should be given with a due regard to their welfare in the future, when 
 they shall have become able to support themselves and their own 
 pastors. We would however have it distinctly understood that no 
 mission funds are ever to be used for the support or assistance of 
 individual members, and would discountenance and discourage the 
 distribution of private funds, by foreigners, for this purpose, as inju- 
 dicious, and calculated to injure both the individual, and the cause, 
 by cultivating a mercenary spirit, and presenting mercenary motives 
 for joining the church. 
 
 We do not consider it wise or expedient, in ordinary circumstances, 
 to ordain evangelists, and it is believed that native preachers will be 
 most efficient and successful in their labors when confined to some 
 specific work, e. g., as pastors over definite churches. We do not 
 however intend by this to say that it is never expedient to employ 
 any class of missionary helpers except ordained pastors. 
 
 It will be found that there is appropriate work in the vineyard 
 of the Lord for every Christian, whatever may be his capacity, and, 
 while it will be the duty of the great body of converts to remain 
 as witnesses for Christ in their own villages and to “abide in the 
 same calling wherein they are called,” adorning the doctrine which 
 they profess by a godly life, “having their conversation honest 
 among the gentiles,” some will be found, whom circumstances and the 
 providence of God will point out as teachers, catechists, and pastors ; 
 but we would recommend that the number of classes be restricted, 
 and that the number of paid agents in each be limited so far as is 
 compatible with the true interests of the church and the advance- 
 ment of Christianity among the heathen; while the principle of indi- 
 
36 
 
 vidual responsibility and duty is distinctly and earnestly pressed 
 upon every church-member, and the doctrine taught to every Chris- 
 tian “ whatsover thy hand findeth to do” for the advancement of the 
 great cause — the cause of Christ — “ do it with thy might.” 
 
 IV. Qualifications of native pastors. 
 
 As the church itself is a select community, it would be natural to 
 expect that he, who is placed as the leader and spiritual guide, 
 should possess peculiar qualifications for his office, and this we 
 find is in accordance with the directions of the New Testament. 
 The Christian pastor is to go before the flock, “to lead them out.” 
 He must not say “go,” but “come.” He must not command “do this,” 
 but “ let us do it.” He must believe the truth he would have them 
 believe — do the duties he would have them practice — make the 
 sacrifices to which he calls them, and seek to be an example to the 
 believers in all things, “in word, in conversation, in charity, in 
 spirit, in purity,” showing them all things by example as well as 
 by doctrine. 
 
 The faithful and wise steward, whom the Lord places over his 
 household, should know his Lord’s will. The master has left par- 
 ticular directions for all his servants, and especially for his 
 stewards. These are not found alone in the laws and usages of 
 human governments, in the learning of foreign schools, or the lan- 
 guage of “ unknown tongues.” They are found in the Scriptures of 
 truth — the word of Christ. All “ Scripture is given by inspiration 
 of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruc- 
 tion in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect thoroughly 
 furnished unto all good works.” The good pastor must give him- 
 self to reading, meditation and prayer thus preparing himself he 
 will do according to his Lord’s will, turning to account all his 
 acquisitions in the conscientious discharge of his duties to the house- 
 hold, and to the master of the household. 
 
 It is hardly to be expected that in a heathen community persons 
 will be readily, or frequently, found who have attained the high 
 standard of Christian character and education which is looked for 
 in pastors of churches in a Christian land. We must seek out the 
 best that can be found, and educate them for the work and in the 
 work. They cannot, from the nature of the case, be educated in 
 all respects alike, but we believe that whatever instruction is given 
 should be eminently biblical. As the doctrine of salvation by faith 
 
37 
 
 in Jesus Christ is the foundation doctrine of the Christian religion, 
 the doctrine around which all others cluster, and from which all 
 others spring, so the Bible should be the foundation and centre of 
 every system of missionary or Christian education ; every branch 
 of literature or science taught should be hinged on the Bible; 
 and all training of native pastors be such as to prepare them 
 to wield most effectually and skilfully, the sword of the Spirit in 
 defence of the truth — such as to prepare and enable them to lead 
 their flocks as a shepherd, and as soon as possible with prudence, 
 to do this independent of the missionary ; and this education should 
 be given with the prayer, &c., that “holding fast the faithful word, 
 as he hath been taught, he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to 
 exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” 
 
 V. Relations of native churches and pastors to the mission, and 
 relation of the mission to native churches and pastors. 
 
 The mutual relations of the mission and the native churches 
 and pastors, are similar to those of parent and children, and their 
 mutual duties are such as naturally spring from these relations. 
 
 It is the duty of the missionary to train, counsel, guide, and con- 
 trol, “warning every man, and teaching every man in all wis- 
 dom, that he may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” » 
 The new born churches, are to be considered as children, and 
 with their native pastors, so long at least as they are themselves 
 but children, are to be “under tutors and governors until the 
 time appointed by the Father;” i. e., until they have acquired con- 
 siderable experience and power of self-control, discipline, and sup- 
 port. They will naturally look to the missionaries for advice, en- 
 couragement, direction, and, if needed, in the commencement of 
 their existence, for pecuniary support. 
 
 The duties and relations of the missionary, as above stated, 
 implies the power of discipline, and “if a practical parity in all 
 respects be insisted on between missionaries and native pastors, it 
 is not seen how the native ministry can be trained to system and 
 order and enabled to stand alone, or even to stand at all.” Native 
 pastors themselves are for a season but “babes in Christ,’’ chil- 
 dren in experience, knowledge, and character, and they cannot be 
 on a perfect equality with missionaries any more than the child 
 with the parent. But this involves no danger to the future parity 
 of the native ministry, considered in their x-elations to each other. 
 The nature of the missionary office is such that it cannot be com- 
 
38 
 
 municated to native pastors. The power of the missionary to con- 
 trol does not infringe on the welfare and rights of the native 
 churches and pastors, any more than that of a parent or a child; 
 and this power should ever be used kindly, with a constant regard 
 to the coming period when those churches must and will act inde- 
 pendently. 
 
 The mission should train them, as the apostles evidently train- 
 ed the churches under their care, so that they may early be freed 
 from the necessity of missionary supervision, teaching them by 
 word and example the exhortation of the apostle, “Bear ye one 
 another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.” 
 
 N. L. LORD, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 IV. 
 
 CASTE AND POLYGAMY. 
 
 I. Caste, as it exists on the island of Ceylon, is widely different 
 from caste as defined in the Hindu religious books. Though its 
 rigid rules are frequently broken, the person does not thereby be- 
 come an outcaste. His own relatives are ready to excuse his con- 
 duct on the ground of expediency, and though rejected for a time 
 he is ultimately received back to the family circle. Thus caste 
 exists on the island in a greatly modified form, but it is none the 
 less difficult to deal with it, as an institution opposed to the unity 
 of the church of Christ and to the spread of pure religion. Pre- 
 vious publications preclude the necessity of entering extensively into 
 the nature of caste, and its historical facts in the province of Jaffna. 
 A full and correct exhibition of the subject on those particulars, 
 may be found in a letter emanating from the American Ceylon 
 Mission, and published in the Bibliotheca Sacra of July 1854, page 
 470. One object, in this report is to exhibit the facts on the sub- 
 ject of caste in connection with our native Christians, and to show 
 our policy as a mission in dealing with this giant evil. 
 
 1. The influence of caste has been, and is still, felt among the 
 Christians of Jaffna. 
 
 By whatever name it be called, whether it be caste, or pride, or 
 nationality, or clanism, there is that which operates unfavorably to 
 the development of intimate, social and Christian fellowship. This 
 
39 
 
 influence appears on a variety of occasions, and in several of the 
 relations of life. 
 
 (1.) At wedding feasts, cases often occur in which persons leave 
 without partaking of the festivities of the occasion. Plausible ex- 
 cuses for such conduct are generally given, and yet it is usually 
 clear that an exalted idea of family standing is the controling 
 influence. 
 
 (2.) It is sometimes true, that members of the church address 
 their brethren, who were of lower caste before conversion, in lan- 
 guage similar to that which the heathen use in speaking to those 
 of lower caste. This is in part a peculiarity of the language, and 
 yet the thought and feeling of caste must be, to a greater or less 
 extent, connected with such a practice. 
 
 (3.) There is a disposition in some of our native Christians to 
 defend practices, which are unchristian in their tendency, on the 
 ground that they are nationalities, and have nothing to do with 
 caste feeling. There is frequently some force in the argument used. 
 But whether it be pride, or caste, or nationality, whatever does 
 not tend to the “ perfecting of the saints” and to the unity of the 
 church, is not of God, and should never be justified by the family 
 of Christ. 
 
 (4.) There is a want of clear and positive evidence that the in- 
 fluence of caste is not felt in the church. If it were entirely ab- 
 sent, it is but reasonable to believe that the proof of it would be 
 more tangible. 
 
 (5.) The influence of caste is felt rather in connection with the 
 relatives of church-members, than in the feelings of Christians them- 
 selves. That “ God hath made of one blood all nations of men for 
 to dwell upon the face of all the earth,” is their undoubted belief. 
 But the fear of persecution, and a desire to retain the friendship of 
 relatives, have persuaded many to go no farther than what the di- 
 rect demands of the gospel seemed to them to require. Hence after 
 breaking caste once, twice, or thrice, and after their friends have 
 yielded, the tendency has been to feel that the work was done, 
 rather than to press forward until every vestige of the evil was 
 gone. Thus the pliable nature of Jaffna caste has worked dis- 
 astrously upon the native church. 
 
 (6.) In the little matters of daily intercourse, we frequently notice 
 practices which tend to confirm the above views. 
 
40 
 
 2. Caste has not been tolerated in the Jaffna churches. 
 
 There have been different views as to the best method of wholly 
 eradicating the evil from the hearts of the Christians, and at times 
 those views have been so at variance as to decrease the legitimate 
 influence of the mission. But all have regarded caste as anti-chris- 
 tian in its tendency, and as an evil which should never be tolerat- 
 ed in the Christian church. The mission have not been prepared 
 to use compulsory measures on this subject, believing, as they do, 
 that light from the Word of God, love, sympathy, and the whole 
 round of gospel discipline are the appropriate weapons to be used 
 in this warfare. 
 
 In order to make permanent and satisfactory progress in removing 
 these evils, we feel the necessity of carrying with us the convictions 
 of those we would reform. For specimens of attacks made and 
 victories won on the subject of caste from 1816 to 1850, see the 
 article above referred to in the Bibliotheca Sacra of July, 1854. 
 Our practice is the following : — 
 
 (1.) When persons are received to the church the subject of 
 caste is one of prominent attention, and unless the expressed views 
 of candidates are clear and satisfactory, their reception is deferred. 
 It has not been the practice of the mission to require evidence on 
 this subject different from that which they receive to determine in 
 reference to conversion. 
 
 (2.) In the distribution of the cup at the Lord’s Supper, there 
 are no caste distinctions observed. Our two native preachers and 
 some of the catechists act as deacons in the distribution of the ele- 
 ments, at our general communion services. Sometimes the cup is 
 passed to the females first ; sometimes to the males ; sometimes to 
 those of a higher caste ; and sometimes to those of a lower ; the 
 distributors themselves always partaking last. 
 
 (3.) The rules of life which have always been given to each church 
 member read, “you should not observe any distinctions of caste 
 among yourselves, but live as the members of one family. In refer- 
 ence to office and other worldly distinctions, the inferior are to 
 honor the superior, each walking humbly and esteeming others better 
 than himself.” A clause has recently been inserted in our covenant 
 as follows, — “That you will wholly renounce in yourselves and dis- 
 countenance in others all caste and other distinctions and usages in 
 
41 
 
 society, which tend to alienate the affections and hinder the kindly 
 offices of Christian love and courtesy.” 
 
 (4.) As spiritual leaders of these Christians, endeavoring to promote 
 the work of sanctification in the heart, we urge upon their consciences 
 those great central truths of the Bible, which represent God as love, 
 and all his chosen ones as brethren in Christ. It is not necessary to 
 combat the idea of birth-purity. They have no such feeling. They 
 need Bible truth in its practical form. Hence we endeavor to lead 
 them through the scenes of our Saviour’s humiliation and suffering, 
 that they may learn of Him ; that they may imbibe his meekness, his 
 forbearance, his love for the poor and oppressed ; that, like Him, they 
 may rejoice to perform even the most menial offices among their 
 brethren, if it be necessary for the development of genuine piety and 
 the growth of God’s people. 
 
 3. Spontaneous action of the Church . — At our yearly convocation 
 at Batticotta in connection with the annual meeting of the Ame- 
 rican Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, food is pre- 
 pared in the Seminary dining-room for those who attend. On 
 that occasion, most of our Christians eat together. At one of our 
 last communion services, a feast was prepared by one of the 
 Christians, at which 200 males and 60 children were present. Re- 
 presentatives from various different castes in the church came toge- 
 ther freely, and enjoyed a religious and social interview. But the 
 mission were not fully satisfied. The cook was not of low caste 
 origin, and they wished for more positive evidence that the Chris- 
 tians were not actuated by caste feelings and motives. 
 
 When the doubts of the mission were made known to the church- 
 members, they put forth the following Declaration, as expressive of 
 their views on the subject, and indication of their future course of 
 action, namely: “We, the undersigned, do solemnly pledge ourselves 
 and affirm, that we will wholly renounce in ourselves, and discounten- 
 ance in others, all caste and other distinctions and usages in society, 
 which tend to foster pride, impair the affections, and hinder the kindly 
 offices of Christian love, and that we will not object to eating any kind 
 of food, on account of the caste of the person or persons by whom it 
 is cooked, or offered to us.” 
 
 The above Declaration lias been signed by 90 males, embracing the 
 leading members of our several churches. There is a growing feel- 
 ing on the part of some of the Christians, that they will not rest until 
 this evil is wholly eradicated from the church. Such desires and 
 purposes are sedulously cultivated. They receive the full and cordial 
 sympathy of the mission. 
 
 F 
 
4. Future Policy of the Mission . — As a mission, we find that caste 
 is one of the most difficult subjects with which we have to deal. Its 
 pliable nature, the ease with which it yields to outward pressure, and 
 the different shapes in which it is developed, distinguish it from all 
 the evils which tax the patience, and try the graces, of the Christian 
 missionary. It is all the more formidable, because of its elastic 
 nature and marketable value. The exercise of unremitting vigilance 
 is necessary on the part of the Christian teacher. Whenever caste 
 developments appear, they should be met speedily, fairly, and effectu- 
 ally. All the influence of the missionary in his peculiar office, in his 
 public and private intercourse with believers, in the doctrines which 
 he teaches, and in the example which he sets, should have a special 
 bearing on this subject. The course to be pursued by the mission is 
 clear. They will not rest satisfied, until every member of these 
 churches, not only by his precept but by his practice also, shall show 
 that he is free from caste. They will use all the means which are 
 appropriate and necessary in the accomplishment of this object. In 
 addition to means previously employed, it is their united purpose to 
 secure the carrying out, both in spirit and in letter, of the Declaration 
 which the churches have put forth. And in the formation of future 
 village churches, in the appointment of officers, and in the ordination 
 of pastors over them, every precaution will be taken to proceed upon 
 correct principles in reference to caste. No persons will be set apart 
 as office-bearers, or as preachers or as pastors, and no persons will be 
 received into employment of the mission as catechists or teachers, with 
 whose views and feelings and practices on the subject the mission are 
 dissatisfied. If the spiritual leaders in these churches are right in 
 their principles and their practices, the flocks will be led into “ green 
 pastures and beside still waters.” 
 
 II. Polygamy . — In the history of the Jaffna churches, there has 
 been no case of polygamy. Formerly two persons made application 
 for admission to church-fellowship, who had each two wives. One 
 case occurred at Chavagacherry, in the time of Dr. Scudder. While 
 the question of his reception to the church was pending, the polygam- 
 ist died. The other case was at Tillipally, in the time of Mr. Wood- 
 ward. When the individual was converted, he had two wives, but 
 before he was received to the church, he relinquished one of them. 
 
 No cases have occurred in the later history of the mission, and none 
 are anticipated in the future. 
 
 M. D. SANDERS, 
 Chairman. 
 
43 
 
 t 
 
 V. 
 
 STATION SCHOOLS. 
 
 Lord Bacon truly says that “knowledge is power,” and the dif- 
 ference between an enlightened and a savage people is like the 
 contrast between light and darkness. All civilized nations have 
 acknowledged the importance of communicating knowledge to the 
 young — yea religious knowledge according to their own system of 
 religion. Though the heathen around us do not generally feel 
 the importance of teaching their children, the Christian religion, 
 yet many of them are convinced that its moral precepts are excel- 
 lent ; and they have learned by long experience that their chil- 
 dren are made better by the education that we give them — that 
 they are more obedient to their parents, more moral in their con- 
 duct, and more kind to each other in consequence of being taught 
 the religion of the Bible in our schools. 
 
 On our first arrival in this country we found that the people 
 were willing to send their children to our schools, notwithstand- 
 ing the distinct avowal on our part, that we should teach them 
 the Christian religion, and use all our persuasion to turn them 
 from the worship of idols to the worship of the living and true 
 God. Hence, almost from the commencement of our mission, we 
 have bestowed much attention on the Christian education of chil- 
 dren and youth of both sexes, being convinced that in order to 
 prevent their being wholly polluted with the corrupt principles 
 of heathenism, we must early instil into their minds the saving 
 truths of the Bible. 
 
 Though our schools have in some respects answered our rea- 
 sonable expectations, and have been productive of much benefit 
 to the people, both in a temporal and spiritual view, yet observa- 
 tion and experience, in the working of the system, have disclosed 
 to us some evils of considerable magnitude- Several important 
 changes are now contemplated. We purpose therefore to remodel 
 the system so as, if possible, to avoid the evils heretofore experi- 
 enced, as well as to secure greater spiritual benefits to the chil- 
 dren of our native Christians, and to the people generally. Some 
 of the details of the proposed changes will appear in a subsequent 
 part of this report. 
 
 1. English Schools . — These schools succeeded the boarding schools 
 for boys. They were intended to prepare lads to enter the Batti- 
 
44 
 
 cotta Seminary at small expense, while boarding at home with 
 their relatives and thus save the expenses of their board and 
 clothing for several years, during their preparation to enter the 
 Seminary. 
 
 The following table will show the number of these schools and 
 the number of pupils in them from 1830 to 1854. 
 
 Year. 
 
 No. of 
 Schools. 
 
 No. of 
 Pupils. 
 
 Year. 
 
 No. of 
 Schools . 
 
 No. of 
 Pupils. 
 
 1830 
 
 1 
 
 45 
 
 1843 
 
 8 
 
 166 
 
 1831 
 
 2 
 
 51 
 
 1844 
 
 7 
 
 170 
 
 1832 
 
 3 
 
 45 
 
 1845 
 
 11 
 
 291 
 
 1833 
 
 4 
 
 95 
 
 1846 
 
 13 
 
 452 
 
 1834 
 
 1 
 
 25 
 
 1847 
 
 15 
 
 582 
 
 1835 
 
 3 
 
 97 
 
 1848 
 
 16 
 
 618 
 
 1836 
 
 G 
 
 225 
 
 1849 
 
 14 
 
 501 
 
 1837 
 
 5 
 
 150 
 
 1850 
 
 15 
 
 502 
 
 1838 
 
 5 
 
 185 
 
 1851 
 
 14 
 
 501 
 
 1839 
 
 8 
 
 268 
 
 1852 
 
 9 
 
 270 
 
 1840 
 
 8 
 
 290 
 
 1853 
 
 8 
 
 317 
 
 1841 
 
 9 
 
 437 
 
 1854 
 
 G 
 
 229 
 
 1842 
 
 8 
 
 388 
 
 
 
 
 It will be seen from the above table that the number of schools 
 and the number of pupils have greatly diminished within the last 
 few years. This has arisen from several causes. 
 
 (1.) We have been lately much more strict in demanding tuition 
 fees of every boy, and also pay for all their books and stationery. 
 (2.) The number of lads who could be received to the Batti- 
 cotta Seminary is much less than it was formerly. Thus the 
 market has a tendency to regulate itself. At the present time, 
 the number of pupils in these schools is much smaller than it was 
 last year. In order to ascertain the missionary value of these 
 schools, it should be stated that not merely the English language 
 is taught in them, but all the pupils pursue a very thorough course 
 of study in the vernacular. Admission to these schools, requires 
 them first to become familiar with the studies taught in our Na- 
 tive Free Schools — viz., our Catechisms, Scripture History, read- 
 ing of the Bible, &c. Then in order to enter the Seminary, a 
 further acquaintance with these Christian lessons is required. The 
 Bible is daily read in these schools, both in Tamil and English, 
 so that when they are examined, the pupils are found to have made 
 much greater progress than the scholars in our village schools. 
 They are usually at the station under the missionary’s eye and 
 influence — have had in almost all cases Christian teachers — at- 
 
4 5 
 
 tend church on the Sabbath and are required to give an account 
 of the sermon on Monday morning. Many of the lads in these 
 schools have received lasting serious impressions. Some have be- 
 come pious, and many have united with the church at Batticotta 
 soon after entering the Seminary. The missionary value of these 
 schools is thus shown to be very considerable. 
 
 So far as the boy3 in the village schools are looking forward to 
 the acquisition of an English education, the effect of the English 
 school on them will be to stimulate them to press forward in 
 their studies that they may be prepared to enter that school. 
 In same cases however, lads may have been drawn away from 
 the village schools by this influence, who might otherwise have 
 continued in the free schools a little longer. But in very many 
 cases the age of entering the English school is the age of leaving 
 the village free schools. 
 
 Should these schools be discontinued both parents and children 
 will feel great disappointment. Some of the sons of rich men 
 will be sent to the town of Jaffna for an education. In some 
 places, perhaps in many, the rich men will unite in establishing 
 schools of their own. Perhaps after we relinguish the govern- 
 ment grants, English schools similar to those formerly in this pro- 
 vince, will be re-established by the government. 
 
 But on the other hand, as the policy of the mission is to be 
 changed, with respect to the study of the English language, as it 
 will not much longer be taught in the Seminary at Batticotta — as 
 the Government grants will hereafter be declined, as a large number 
 of young men have already been thoroughly educated in the 
 Seminary — many more than can find profitable employment in the 
 province, so that they go to other parts of the island and to India for 
 employment — it is thought best to discontinue our English schools. 
 
 2. Girls Schools . — These may properly be divided in two classes, 
 
 (1) Select girls schools at the station, supported by government, 
 
 (2) and girls schools in the villages. 
 
 The girls schools at the stations, supported by government grants, 
 have been rather expensive, in consequence of the practice of giving 
 cloths and jackets twice a year, and some other small expenses for 
 washing and for teaching them to sew. These premiums were 
 thought to be necessary in order to induce the pupils to attend 
 school regularly for several years. By employing able Christian 
 
46 
 
 teachers in these schools, we have succeeded in giving a good com- 
 mon school education to a large number of girls in the neighbor- 
 hood of our stations. This was an object greatly to be desired, 
 considering the importance of female education in a heathen coun- 
 try, and the numerous difficulties attending it. These schools have 
 on the whole given us great satisfaction, notwithstanding the ob- 
 jections to giving premiums to induce them to attend the schools. 
 
 The prejudices against female education were very strong, espe- 
 cially at first — and are even to the present time, in many parts of the 
 province. When asked to send their daughters to school the uni- 
 versal reply was, “we have no such custom.’’ They appeared to 
 consider it almost an outrage upon all decency and propriety, as a 
 thing that could not be tolerated. When the writer first arrived in 
 Jaffna in 1816 it is believed that there were only three native 
 females in the province who could read and write — one of them was 
 in Alerveitty, one in Oodoopetty and the third at Manepy. Probably 
 one cause of the strong prejudices against female education is the 
 fact that in India, with very few exceptions, there are no educated 
 females except the dancing girls connected with their temples, whose 
 characters are exceedingly bad. 
 
 The practice of giving cloths to girls has hitherto appeared to 
 be a necessary evil which has been tolerated, because of the great 
 importance of female education, and the impossibility of inducing 
 them to attend the schools without an appeal to such motives. 
 But there are serious evils attending the practice, both as it respects 
 parents and children. It ought therefore by all means to be dis- 
 continued as speedily as possible. 
 
 (2.) Village Schools for Girls . — These are sometimes composed 
 wholly of girls, but much more commonly boys and girls have been 
 taught in the same school, by the same master. In some places 
 the girls have been induced to remain in the schools long enough 
 to learn to read the Bible and religious tracts, and to receive some 
 good religious impressions. But as a general thing, in most of our 
 villages, the girls who come to our schools are of low caste, and very 
 poor. They do not come to get an education but to get a cloth. 
 They rarely attend school a sufficient length of time to learn to read 
 well enough to be of much use to them in after life. Many of the 
 school masters feel that it is very dishonorable work to teach girls of 
 this description, even though they are well paid for their labor. By 
 all these facts and many more that might be mentioned, it clearly 
 
47 
 
 appears that female education in our villages, is still attended with 
 many difficulties. Persons of wealth and of high caste can rarely be 
 induced to send their daughters to our village schools. Still, great 
 progress has been made in female education in the province and 
 many prejudices removed. Yet very much remains to be accomplish- 
 ed before heathen parents, as a general thing, will desire or value a 
 Christian education for their daughters. 
 
 3. Native Free Schools . — Soon after the arrival of the first mis- 
 sionaries in 1816, a native free school for boys was commenced, both 
 at Tillipally and Batticotta, and their number was gradually increased 
 in the villages around us in subsequent years. 
 
 The following table exhibits the number of children taught in these 
 schools and the expense of them during each period of five years, 
 except the last, which is only four years. 
 
 A period, of 
 five years. 
 
 No. of 
 schools. 
 
 Boys. 
 
 Girls. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Whole cost of these 
 schools. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 5. 
 
 d. 
 
 1815 to 1820 
 
 11 
 
 427 
 
 4 
 
 431 
 
 311 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 1820 „ 1825 
 
 42 
 
 1584 
 
 256 
 
 1840 
 
 1224 
 
 12 
 
 9 
 
 1825 „ 1830 
 
 83 
 
 2643 
 
 628 
 
 3271 
 
 2139 
 
 12 
 
 0 
 
 1830 „ 1835 
 
 103 
 
 3481 
 
 698 
 
 4179 
 
 2354 
 
 16 
 
 1 
 
 1835 „ 1840 
 
 105 
 
 3297 
 
 680 
 
 3977 
 
 2061 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 1840 „ 1845 
 
 89 
 
 2453 
 
 1149 
 
 3602 
 
 2015 
 
 16 
 
 9 
 
 1845 „ 1850 
 
 95 
 
 3144 
 
 1089 
 
 4233 
 
 1925 
 
 18 
 
 8 
 
 1850 „ 1854 
 
 74 
 
 2371 
 
 1075 
 
 3446 
 
 1421 
 
 15 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 £13,455 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 For several years after the commencement of the mission, we 
 were compelled to employ either heathen teachers or none. In a 
 few years however several of our teachers became hopefully pious. 
 The number of hopefully pious teachers has been yearly increas- 
 ing ; till at the present time all but 29 are members of the church, 
 and seven of these 29 are educated men, and nominal Christians. 
 
 Heathen schools, actually existing, have not been taken into the 
 pay of the mission, except in a very few instances. 
 
 The books taught in the schools are as follows. In Christian 
 Lessons (1) Spiritual Milk, (2) Spiritual Lamp, (3) Scripture Ca- 
 techism, (4) Scripture History, and (6) Reading portions of the 
 Bible. In Tamil the 11th part of Negundu, and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 
 5 Tamil Instructors. 
 
 The whole number given in the above table is 121,449. If we 
 
48 
 
 suppose the children to remain in the school on an average of four 
 years, which is probably not far from the truth, this sum divided 
 by four gives 30,362 children who have been in the schools from 
 1816 to 1854 a period of 39 years. 
 
 The largest number of schools and pupils in any one year was 
 in 1836, when there were 155 schools and 6037 pupils. The largest 
 number of girls taught in any one year, was in 1845, when there 
 were 1298 in the schools. 
 
 In regard to the agency of these schools, in turning the people 
 from sin unto holiness, the following facts may be stated. Very 
 many of the persens educated in our seminary both at Batticotta 
 and Oodooville, who subsequently became members of the church, 
 received their first religious impressions while belonging to these 
 schools. It appears also from the records of the mission that 62 
 persons who have joined our churches, were formerly educated more 
 or less in these schools. It should however be distinctly stated, that, 
 none of these were educated in our seminary, neither were they 
 received to the church while pupils in the schools. As the children 
 in these schools usually leave them at an early age, it is hardly to 
 be expected that the number of conversions in them will be very 
 large. Still there have been some. The brethren of the mission 
 distinctly recollect about 30 cases. Of these a few died before 
 making a public profession of religion. Five of this number are 
 now candidates for church-membership ; and seven of them did not 
 join the church till they became monitors in the schools, though 
 they were converted, as we trust, at an earlier age. We cherish 
 the hope that the day of judgment will reveal the fact, that a con- 
 siderable number of these children, who have been cut oflf by various 
 diseases especially by cholera, have in their dying hour trusted in 
 Jesus Christ for salvation. 
 
 With respect to our heathen schoolmasters, eighty of them have 
 become members of our churches ; 25 of this number, having been 
 dismissed from service in the mission, have shown by their subse- 
 quent conduct that they were unworthy members. 
 
 Several instances have occurred in which both men and women 
 have been induced to attend the services of the sanctuary through 
 the influence of their children and have thereby found the Saviour. 
 
 It appears by the above table that the whole cost of these schools 
 including teachers’ wages, building and repairing school bungalows, 
 
49 
 
 premiums to the children, and books, is £ 13,455-1-1 which amounts 
 to about 2s. 6d. for each child for a year. About 40 of these schools 
 have been revived since the cholera ceased. 
 
 The native books used in the schools are 11th part of Negundu, 
 and three other small works consisting of short and long proverbs 
 and parables. 
 
 As to the question whether these schools have answered our 
 expectations, in promoting the grand object of the mission, we 
 would say that if we reasonably expected, that, as the result of 
 teaching these children, a great many souls would be actually con- 
 verted in youth, then we must answer the question in the negative. 
 Again if we reasonably expected that stated congregations of adults 
 would be gathered, as a result of teaching these children, and col- 
 lecting them together on the Sabbath in churches, and at our school 
 bungalows, the answer must also be in the negative. The people 
 do indeed assemble in considerable number, and with considerable 
 regularity, in many of our school bungalows. But it is not clear 
 that it is principally because the children are taught in them ; for 
 the people in many instances assemble readily in many other places. 
 
 It should here be stated that these schools are not as valuable 
 as they were formerly ; principally because the children do not 
 remain so long in the school as they were accustomed to do many 
 yeai’s ago. This is owing to the fact that their parents demand 
 their services in their fields and gardens at an early age. Hence 
 we have a succession of little children in our schools, who cannot 
 from the nature of the case, be expected to receive as much benefit 
 as those who are older. Formerly in many of our schools there 
 were pupils sufficiently advanced in their studies to be formed into 
 Bible classes, and to be taught by the missionary at the station with 
 great pleasure and profit. Tracts were also given out to them to 
 be carefully read during the week. At the next meeting they were 
 able to give a good account of the contents of these tracts. 
 
 On account of the altered condition of these schools, and in view 
 of the present plans of the mission, it is believed to be wise and 
 necessary to revise and remodel the whole system of station schools. 
 Even during the present year, their number will be greatly dimin- 
 ished, as compared with that of former years. We shall in future 
 employ none but Christian teachers. 
 
 We shall turn our attention more to the children of our church 
 members, and to the children of those who join our congregations, 
 G 
 
50 
 
 We propose also to liave a few schools for heathen children taught 
 by Christian teachers ; but the instruction given in all these schools 
 is to be only in the Tamil language. 
 
 Our great object should be to have a few schools of such a char- 
 acter that the children of our church members may receive a good 
 education at home, so as to fit them for usefulness in their own 
 villages, and to become suitable agents to assist in spreading the 
 gospel among the people. From these schools also, selections may 
 be made of such youths as show themselves worthy to be sent to 
 Batticotta and Oodooville to complete their education, and to qualify 
 them for a sphere of greater usefulness. 
 
 B C. MEIGS, 
 Chairman. 
 
 VI. 
 
 OODOOVILLE FEMALE BOARDING SCHOOL. 
 
 The Female Boarding School at Oodooville was established in 
 1824. Previous to that time a few girls, about sixteen in number, 
 had been placed under the immediate care and instruction of the 
 missionary ladies at the different stations. Subsequently the plan 
 of a Central Boarding School was adopted. The design in estab- 
 lishing such an institution was to “ impart a careful Christian 
 education to a select number of females, under circumstances that 
 would exclude them from heathenish influences, and be most hope- 
 ful for their moral and intellectual improvement. And it was thought 
 that, by this means, there would be provided more suitable and ac- 
 ceptable companions for the young men educated in the Mission 
 Seminary.” The school opened under the superintendence of Mr. 
 and Mrs. Winslow at Oodooville, with twenty-nine pupils, some of 
 whom had previously been under instruction at the several stations. 
 In 1825, on account of the necessary absence of Mrs. Winslow from 
 ill health, the school was removed to Manepy, where it remained 
 about three years in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding. It was 
 then removed back to Oodooville, and its superintendence resumed 
 by Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, under whose care it remained until the 
 death of the latter in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding were then 
 called to Oodooville to take the charge of the institution. It has 
 continued under their superintendence, with the exception of about 
 three years while they were absent in America, up to the present 
 
time. Miss Agnevv became connected with the school in 1840. 
 Others for short periods have assisted in the care of the institution. 
 
 From the beginning, the pupils were admitted with the under- 
 standing that they should remain, except in cases of misconduct, 
 until they were married. They were also to receive their clothing 
 and board, and when married, if with the approbation of the mis- 
 sion, £4-10 as a dowry. The prejudice of the people against female 
 education, made it impossible to procure pupils on any other terms 
 less objectionable. In 1848 it was determined to receive a class on 
 the condition of not bestowing the dowry when they should be 
 married. Notice was given to this effect, and much to the surprise 
 of all 75 or 80 applied for admission. Others would have made 
 application had they received timely notice. A class of twenty-two 
 was selected from these applicants. 
 
 In 1850, in admitting another class, it was thought advisable to 
 limit the period of their residence in the school. Accordingly twelve 
 were received to remain for a term not exceeding six years. The 
 rule in regard to withholding the dowry also applied to them. 
 Since that time other classes have been admitted on the same terms, 
 and no difficulty has been experienced in obtaining as many pupils 
 from respectable families as were desired. 
 
 In 1852, a class was received, of which a portion were required 
 to pay a certain amount for board. The number taken was thirteen. 
 Four were received on charity. A part of the remainder were re- 
 quired to pay 15«., and a part 305. annually. Those admitted to 
 the school since that time, have also been required to pay at the 
 same rates. The whole amount received for board in 1852, was 
 £4-18-9; in 1853, £7-0-9; and in 1854, £14-5-2. This fact is 
 a striking evidence of the progress of public sentiment in reference 
 to female education. 
 
 The age at which pupils have been admitted has varied form six 
 to ten years. They have been taken from various castes. There 
 have been none, however, from the lowest caste, and none from 
 among the Brahmins. Very few have been obtained from the more 
 wealthy families of the province. The instruction has been given 
 principally by the missionary ladies at the station, and three native 
 teachers. The whole number who have been connected with the 
 school is 222, exclusive of the present pupils ; nineteen of them 
 died while members of the school. 
 
52 
 
 Of the whole number 175 became members of the Christian church, 
 10 of whom ultimately relapsed into heathenism and two became 
 Romanists. The following table exhibit the time of residence in 
 the school, of the former pupils. 
 
 11 remained.. 
 
 1 year. 
 
 23 remained... 7 years 
 
 7 remained. ..13 years 
 
 13 
 
 2 years 
 
 20 
 
 8 „ 
 
 3 
 
 ...14 „ 
 
 15 „ 
 
 3 „ 
 
 24 
 
 .. ••• 9 „ 
 
 2 , 
 
 ...15 „ 
 
 13 
 
 4 „ 
 
 20 
 
 „ ...10 „ 
 
 2 , 
 
 ...16 „ 
 
 12 
 
 5 „ 
 
 19 
 
 H „ 1 
 
 o 
 
 ...19 „ 
 
 20 
 
 6 „ 
 
 15 
 
 „ ...12 „ | 
 
 1 
 
 unknown. 
 
 Forty -six pupils were compelled, when young, by their heathen 
 friends, to leave the school and marry heathen. A few left of their 
 own accord, four or five have been sent away as unpromising. 
 Those who have left the institution are now mothers of more than 
 250 children. Of these children 29 have been educated or are 
 now pupils in the school, and 15 have been or are now connected 
 with the Seminary at Batticotta. 
 
 The influence of this boarding school, we need hardly say, has 
 been most excellent and far-reaching. The many Christian families 
 scattered over the province, the island and the continent, exerting 
 a silent, but important influence, testify to its usefulness. Many 
 tokens of God’s special blessing have been granted, in the frequent 
 revivals which have been enjoyed, and in the uniform prosperity 
 which has attended the institution. There is no part of our mis- 
 sionary work, which we have regarded with more pleasure and hope 
 than this school, and there are no results of our labors here, which 
 seem to us to be telling, with more power, at the present moment, 
 upon the evangelization of the land, than those connected with this 
 department of our mission. 
 
 The school is now, as it has been for several years past, under 
 the immediate superintendence and instruction of the two missionary 
 ladies at the station, Mrs. Spaulding and Miss Agnew, assisted by 
 three native male teachers. The missionary at the station, Rev. 
 Mr. Spaulding, renders important service in general over-sight, and 
 in the religious instruction and pastoral care of the school. 
 
 There are seventy-three pupils. The time of their residence in the 
 school, severally, is as follows : — one, has been connected with the 
 school eighteen years ; five, fifteen years ; one, fourteen years ; one, 
 eleven years ; two, ten years; 11, nine years; 19, seven years ; 11, 
 five years; 11, three years; four, two years; six. one year; and 
 
53 
 
 one, a few months. The one longest in the school has been em- 
 ployed as an assistant in the cooking department. 
 
 Of this number forty-three are children of Christian parents ; 
 twenty-one are members of the church, of whom nine were baptiz- 
 ed in infancy. The number of classes is six. The course of study 
 pursued is as follows : 
 
 In English. 
 
 6tii Class. 
 
 English Alphabet. 
 
 English Instructor, 1, and 2. 
 Pictorial Primer. 
 
 5th Class. 
 
 Pictorial Reader, 
 
 Reading Books, 2, and 3, 
 
 First Lessons in English, Parts 1st 
 and 2d. 
 
 4th Class. 
 
 Phrase Book, 
 
 Diglott Psalms, 
 
 Spelling. 
 
 3d Class. 
 
 English Instructor, 2 and 3, 
 Pailey’s History, 
 
 Writing. 
 
 2d Class. 
 
 Childs’ book on the Soul, 
 Gallaudet’s Natural Theology, 
 Elements of Natural Philosophy, 
 Rhenius’ Grammar, 
 
 English Grammar, 
 
 Writing. 
 
 1st Class. 
 
 English Grammar, 
 
 Bible History, 
 
 Pailey’s History. 
 
 Writing Compositions. 
 
 The hours of study for all, 
 hour in the evening. Two cla 
 
 In Tamil. 
 
 6tii Class. 
 
 Tamil Instructors, 1, 2 and 3, 
 
 Tamil Bible, 
 
 Writing on Ola. 
 
 5th Class. 
 
 Genesis and Psalms, 
 
 Tamil Instructor, 4 and 5. 
 
 Tamil Geography, 
 
 Scripture History, 
 
 Elements of Science, 
 
 Writing. 
 
 4th Class. 
 
 Indian Pilgrim, 
 
 Pilgrim’s Progress, 
 
 Geography, with Maps, 
 
 Arithmetic, 
 
 Bible, 
 
 Writing on paper. 
 
 3d Class. 
 
 Doddrige’s Rise and Progress, 
 Geography of India, 
 
 Arithmetic, 
 
 Elements of Grammar, 
 
 Bible. 
 
 2d Class. 
 
 Arnold’s Poem, 
 
 Barth’s Church History, 
 
 Negundu, 
 
 Arithmetic. 
 
 1st Class. 
 
 Body of Divinity, 
 
 Negundu, 
 
 Arithmetic, 
 
 Physiology. 
 
 from 9 to 12 , A. m., and one 
 study in addition one hour in 
 
the afternoon. Most of the afternoon is devoted to sewing. The 
 time thus occupied varies from one and a half to two and a half 
 hours. In addition to this, it is understood, many occupy much of 
 their leisure time in needle and crochet work. There are forty 
 monitors, who have various services to perform in connection with 
 the school and the missionary family at the station. All the girls 
 who are able, have some work assigned them, each day, in connec- 
 tion with keeping their rooms and premises clean, in preparing for 
 use the rice and other articles of food, and in cooking. Effort is 
 thus made to keep them occupied, to give them suitable exercise, 
 to teach them order and neatness, and form in them habits of in- 
 dustry and trustworthiness. 
 
 As must be expected, there ai’e evils connected with such an insti- 
 tution in this land, some of them have in a good measui’e been over- 
 come, while others still i - emain. It was necessary at first to offer such 
 inducements, as would be effective to lead parents to send their chil- 
 dren to a boarding school. Hence the plan was adopted of giving 
 them their food and clothing while in the school, and a small dowi’y 
 when married. The evil of giving dowi'y has been l’emoved by the 
 change of feeling in the community, which has enabled the mission to 
 discontinue giving dowries to those x'eceived since 1848. 
 
 Keeping the pupils in all ordinai’y cases until they are married, has 
 l-esulted in prolonging the residence of many in the school to an un- 
 desirable length. Some have remained fifteen or sixteen years and 
 one even nineteen years. This evil has in part been remedied by 
 limiting the course of study to six years. 
 
 The custom of the country in inference to young females appearing 
 abroad, and the confined premises of the school, have made it difficult 
 to secure for the pupils proper exercise, and this no doubt, has been 
 in some cases a detriment to health. This evil has also to some ex- 
 tent been l'emedied, by increasing the amount of labor, as well as by 
 enlarging their premises. 
 
 Other evils, more difficult to l’emedy, have arisen in connection with 
 the quality of their food, which has been, of necessity, better than 
 most of them would receive at their houses. 
 
 In the providence of God, we are called upon, at the present time, 
 to look at this institution with a view to modifying it, and placing it, 
 in some respects, on a different basis. Hitherto it has been a part of 
 a system of education, adopted with the design of raising a suitable 
 
55 
 
 native missionary agency, and with the expectation that it would 
 prove one of the best means of evangelizing the land. This system 
 has been productive of much good, and has in many respects more 
 than answered the expectations entertained, but the time for a change 
 seems to have arrived. And while with gratitude we acknowledge 
 the goodness of God in bestowing the special blessing hitherto upon 
 this institution, thus making it a source of blessing to others, we 
 desire, with humble dependence upon him for the future, to follow the 
 leadings of his providence in respect to this, as well as to other de- 
 partments of our work. 
 
 The great object of this institution is to give to a select number of 
 promising females, in circumstances favorable to moral and intellectual 
 development, an education superior to that which they can obtain in 
 the family or Christian village schools, with the view of their becoming 
 the companions of native pastors, catechists, and other missionary agents. 
 
 With this end in view, the present number of pupils seems much 
 larger than is demanded, and we think it may with profit be consider- 
 ably reduced. The present number, as has been stated, is 73. 
 Of these, 21 were received previous to 1848, and have been 
 connected with the school nine years and upwards. Your com- 
 mittee recommend, that the connection with the school, as pupils 
 of all these cease at the close of the term in May 1856. This reduc- 
 tion, if no vacancies occur in the lower classes, will leave fifty-two 
 pupils in the school. The class received in 1848, consisting, at 
 present, of 19 members, should be dismissed at the close of the 
 term in May, 1857. The term of residence of the class admitted 
 in 1850, 11 in number, according to the arrangement made when 
 they were received, expires in October, 1856. The number of pu- 
 pils in future should not, in the judgment of your committee exceed 
 35, and these generally should give evidence of being Christians 
 themselves, or should come from the families of church-members and 
 nominal Christians. We are not prepared to say, however, that none 
 should be taken, hereafter, from heathen families. Cases may occur 
 when, in the judgment of the mission, it may be best to receive such, 
 though it is believed that the necessity will not often arise. 
 
 As to the terms upon which the pupils should be received, we are 
 of the opinion, that, so far as possible, they should be taken from the 
 Christian village schools, and that a certain amount of preparation in 
 those schools, to be determined upon by the mission, should be requir- 
 ed ; that they should not be received under 12 years of age; that 
 
56 
 
 their term of residence in the school should not exceed five years ; 
 and that, as the school is to be entirely select and for a specific pur- 
 pose, no pay should be required for board from those hereafter ad- 
 mitted. In receiving new classes to the school, it is important to 
 avoid encouraging them to come together in considerable numbers for 
 examination, as the greater part must necessarily be subjected to a 
 mortifying and painful disappointment. And yet, on the other hand, 
 it is important to secure the effect on the village female schools, of 
 cherishing a desire for the advantages of the boarding school among 
 parents and their daughters. To secure both these objects, if possi- 
 ble, the appointment of a committee is recommended, which shall be 
 especially instructed to look for suitable pupils, and shall have the 
 whole charge of selecting them for the several classes. In making 
 the selection, reference should not be had to locality, rank, or pecuni- 
 ary circumstances, so much as to the character and promise of the 
 applicants. 
 
 Your committee are farther of the opinion, that it is not expedient 
 to continue the study of English ; but the instruction, hereafter, 
 should be entirely in Tamil. The course of study will be affected 
 somewhat by the amount of preparation required for admission. It 
 should be eminently Christian and practical, such as will best fit them 
 to be useful in the position they are to occupy. 
 
 There should be one married missionary at the station, to take the 
 general oversight of the institution ; and an unmarried lady, who 
 should acquire the native language sufficiently well to communicate 
 instruction herself, and take the direction of the female native teacher 
 who may be employed. The wife of the missionary, at the station, it 
 is expected, will, so far as she is able, assist in the management of the 
 domestic affairs of the school, and in giving instruction. It is desir- 
 able, on some accounts, that, when the reduction of pupils is com- 
 pleted, all the native teachers should be females ; but, for the present 
 at least, it seems important that one or more of the male teachers 
 should be retained ; with the understanding that, hereafter, should it 
 be deemed advisable by the mission, the instruction may be given, 
 altogether into the hands of females. 
 
 In regard to the internal arrangements of the school, it is impor- 
 tant that strict rules be enforced in reference to visitors ; guarding 
 against its becoming a refuge for the poor and orphans, or a retreat 
 for invalids. Long visits from former pupils, or from friends of the 
 pupils shall in all cases be discouraged. 
 
57 
 
 Particular attention should be given to providing suitable exercise, 
 at regular times, for the pupils. They are taken at an age when they 
 require much exercise ; but, confined as they are within their premises, 
 they are in danger of neglecting it. They will be able to continue 
 to do most of the work necessary to keeping their rooms and premises 
 in order; and perhaps all the work connected with the preparation of 
 their food, under the direction of a single cook. It may be expedient 
 to put some restrictions upon needle and crochet work, out of the 
 hours devoted to this purpose, as a taste for that kind of work, or a 
 desire for gain, may sometimes lead to too close confinement, at the 
 expense of health. 
 
 Your committee would suggest, in reference to the future, whether 
 
 % 
 
 the system of monitor-ships, now existing, should not be modified, so 
 that more responsibility shall be thrown upon individuals, and a 
 smaller proportion of the whole number be paid for their services 
 from the allowance for the school. The design of these offices is 
 simply to secure order and efficiency, and they should not be un- 
 necessarily multiplied. 
 
 In conclusion, your committee would express the hope, that this 
 school, on its new basis, with the blessing of God, may still prove to 
 be an important auxiliary in the great work of planting the institution 
 of the Gospel in this land. We commend it to the prayer of all who 
 are interested in the cause of missions to the heathen. 
 
 E. P. HASTINGS, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 VII. 
 
 BATTICOTTA SEMINARY. 
 
 The Batticotta Seminary was established in the year 1823. 
 Previous to that time, boarding schools for boys had been sustain- 
 ed at most of the mission stations, and the Seminary was com- 
 posed of the most advanced and promising boys in those schools. 
 
 The main design of the mission in establishing this institution 
 was to raise up efficient labourers to aid in the work of evangelis- 
 ing this people. Subsequently it was enlarged with the hope that 
 it might furnish suitable men to aid in extending missionary ope- 
 rations on the neighbouring continent. By a reference to some 
 of the early reports, it appears that the mission had in view also 
 H 
 
58 
 
 the general elevation of the people and the raising of the standard 
 of education in the country. There are also some expressions 
 which indicate that, the fitting of men to act as efficient officers 
 of government was among the minor considerations which influ- 
 enced the mission to carry on and enlarge their operations in this 
 department. 
 
 For the carrying out of this design it has been a permanent 
 object from the first to give the pupils a thorough knowledge of 
 the English language, and thus furnish them a key to western 
 sciences and literature, and relieve them from the bondage of 
 Hindu superstitions founded on false science. 
 
 I. The History of the Seminary divides itself into four periods. 
 
 First Period .• — The Rev. D. Poor was Principal of the Semi- 
 nary from its commencement until 1836, a period of 13 years. 
 During that time the native practice of studying aloud in school 
 was continued. The proportion of studies in the Tamil language 
 compared with the English was greater than in late years, and the 
 desire for mathematical and astronomical studies was much more 
 developed. Great efforts were made by the Principal to bring this 
 knowledge to bear upon the false systems of the country. Being 
 able to use the native language, his instructions, especially those 
 of a religious nature, were given mostly in that language. 
 
 In the latter part of this period, special efforts were made to 
 bring to light the hidden mysteries of Hindu sciences, and expose 
 their fallacy. High hopes were entertained that the triumphs of 
 European science, in showing the inaccuracies of the Hindu sys- 
 tem, had done much for the overthrow of error, and the establish- 
 ment of the truth of Christianity. This led to a more vigorous 
 prosecution of the plan which had been adopted, and the desire 
 for education in the English language and western sciences gradu- 
 ally increased. 
 
 It should be remarked that during Mr. Poor’s connection with 
 the institution, great prominence was given to religious instruction 
 in the vernacular, and the numbers hopefully converted and ga- 
 thered into the church was greater than during any other period, 
 of equal length, in the history of the mission. In this period the 
 number of pupils increased from 48 to about 150. From 1833 
 Dr. Ward aided the Principal in the department of instruction. 
 Mr, Eckard also rendered assistance for a short time. 
 
59 
 
 Second Period . — In 1836, Rev. H. R. Hoisington became Prin- 
 cipal and continued at his post until 1841, when he was obliged 
 to return to America on account of failure of health. During 
 this period of five years, the institution received a new impulse, 
 and the native practice of studying audibly gave place to a less 
 objectionable method. Dr. Ward continued to aid in the depart- 
 ment of instruction. The Principal devoted much time to the 
 study of the high works on Hindu science and laboured zealously 
 to fit the teachers under his care to be efficient in their several 
 departments without neglecting the religious and moral training 
 of the pupils. While great efforts were made on the part of the 
 Principal to give a prominence to the Bible and instructions 
 drawn therefrom, and to bring all their acquisitions in science to 
 bear upon the same points, the desire for scientific knowledge 
 which was increasingly manifest in the previous period was more 
 and more clearly developed. 
 
 In 1840, the Rev. E. Cope was associated with Mr. Hoisington 
 in the care and instruction of the Seminary. Up to that time, all 
 the expenses of the students had been borne by the mission, even 
 to furnishing them with cloths and paying for their washing. 
 
 Third Period.-— Mr. Hoisington left the institution in charge of 
 Dr. Ward and Mr. Cope. In 1842, Rev. R. Wyman became as- 
 sociated with them and remained two years. Mr. Hoisington re- 
 turned at the close of 1844, and resumed his position as Principal 
 of the Seminary. He continued in this position until 1849, when 
 he was obliged to leave the country on account of failure of health. 
 Mr. Cope was absent from ill health one and a half years, and 
 resigned in 1847. 
 
 Rev. S. G. Whittelsey was connected with the institution about one 
 year, but was at his post only six months. 
 
 While Mr. Hoisington was absent, the scientific department did not 
 receive so marked attention from the instructors, yet the same general 
 course was pursued. Those in charge were not able to communicate 
 with the students to any great extent, except in the English language. 
 
 In 1843, there were disclosures of immoral practices among the 
 students, in which one, at least, of the teachers, was somewhat impli- 
 cated. This resulted in the dismission of a large number of the 
 students from the different classes, and all of a select class which had 
 been formed with the design of giving its members a course of in 
 
60 
 
 struction in theology and such studies as would fit them for catechists 
 and preachers. 
 
 This for a time seriously affected the prospect of the institution 
 and greatly impaired the confidence of the mission in the moral and 
 Christian character of those students who professed to be Christians 
 and cast some shades of doubt even upon those who were not im- 
 plicated in the evil practices. The first effect of this gradually dis- 
 appeared, and confidence was, in a measure, restored. 
 
 On Mr. Hoisington’s return in 1844, he brought with him some 
 valuable apparatus for the scientific department, and commenced anew 
 his efforts to raise the scientific character of the institution, while he 
 was equally zealous to have the biblical department well manned, and 
 that prominence given to thorough training in the Bible which its 
 importance demanded. The result of this was the modification of 
 the previous plan, and the formation of three departments of instruc- 
 tion, viz. : Scientific, Biblical, and English, and the appointment of 
 Mr. Whittelsey in the biblical department, who, it was hoped, from 
 his knowledge of the vernacular, would be able to give greater pro- 
 minence to biblical instruction, and create an enthusiasm in that 
 direction which would check the tendencies in favor of English and 
 science. These fond hopes were disappointed in the early removal of 
 Mr. Whittelsey by death. Others who were connected with the insti- 
 tution, during that period, did what they could to bring the truth to 
 bear upon the minds and hearts of the students, and by the blessing 
 of God, their labors wei'e not in vain. There were several seasons 
 of religious interest in the institution during the three periods above 
 mentioned, and a goodly number were gathered into the church. 
 
 At the close of the first period, the number of pupils had increased 
 to about 150. From that time onward to 1845, the number varied 
 from 150 to 160. At the close of the third period, it was reduced to 
 about 100. At the commencement of the fourth period, Rev. E. P. 
 Hastings, who had been previously associated with Mr. Hoisington 
 two years in the care and instruction of the Seminary, was appointed 
 Principal, and Rev. C. T. Mills, was associated with him. In Feb- 
 ruary 1850, Mr. Hastings resigned, and Mr. Mills was appointed 
 Principal, who continued in office until he left the mission in 1853. 
 
 Mr. Hastings, the present Principal, was re-appointed on his return 
 from America. During the past five years, there has been only one 
 missionary connected with the Seminary, with the exception of eight 
 months, and his labors, so far as he has been able to give instruction, 
 
61 
 
 Lave been devoted to the biblical department, mainly in the English 
 language, and special efforts have been made to raise the standard 
 of scholarship. 
 
 In the early part of the third period, the practice of furnishing 
 cloths to the pupils was discontinued. Soon after, the parents of the 
 boys were rquired to give bonds for the payment of board. 
 
 A few years later those who were able were required to pay for 
 board, one term in advance, at the rate of four shillings and six pence 
 per month. Some were received at half that price, and about one 
 fourth of the whole number received were admitted on charity. Even 
 on these conditions, the applicants have been double the number which 
 could be admitted. This practice has continued to the present time, 
 and within a few years, an initiation fee of ten shillings has been 
 required to meet the expense of books. The amount received for 
 board and initiation fee in 1854 was £150. 
 
 The result of this practice has been to introduce a class of students 
 from wealthy families, whose main object is to get an education to fit 
 themselves for government service ; many of whom are not only of 
 no benefit to us in a missionary point of view, but are often a hin- 
 drance to the work. From this and other causes, the number of pious 
 students in the Seminary is comparatively much smaller than in 
 former times. There is, however, a redeeming feature to this pay sys- 
 tem, viz.: there is more room for the development of an independent 
 character and fewer temptations to a servile spirit. If one of that 
 class is really brought to bow to the convictions of truth, he is usually 
 a more decided und consistent Christian. 
 
 The institution has been in operation thirty-one years and has 
 cost the Board about £20,000 including the salaries of the mission- 
 aries who have been connected with it. Beside this, about £1,100 
 were collected in Ceylon and India, for buildings and apparatus. 
 We might add also some donations of apparatus from America, not 
 reckoned in the above account. 
 
 II. Present State . — The present state of the institution, if we 
 look at it in view of some of the objects for which it was found- 
 ed is very encouraging. There is a core of able and well quali- 
 fied native teachers, fitted to give instruction in all important 
 branches, and the attainments of those under their charge are such 
 as in many cases to do honor both to the teachers and pupils. It 
 has attained a commanding influence in the community, as a lite- 
 rary and scientific institution, and is a stepping stone by which 
 
62 
 
 many have been able, at a cheap rate, to rise to posts of influence 
 and emolument. The mission through the influence of the Semi- 
 nary has had the control of education in the province for many 
 years. Some have regarded this as a reason why the institution 
 should be sustained, lest the power of educating this people should 
 fall into the hands of the heathen or others opposed to the pure 
 principles of the gospel. 
 
 Were it our object to educate the community, we should regard 
 our position in this respect as very encouraging. Viewed as a 
 missionary Seminary, its present state is not so encouraging. The 
 whole number of students is 96 ; of these 1 1 only are members of 
 the Christian church. Many of the older pupils are of that class 
 who are looking mainly to government for employment, and seem 
 determined to have nothing to do with Christianity. There is, 
 however, a redeeming feature in the fact that many in the lower 
 classes are children of church members, who will, we trust, be 
 found on the right side, if not exposed to too great temptations by 
 being thrown in contact with evil influences. In the last class of 
 30, admitted in 1854, 15 were from Christian families. In the 
 class which graduated in September 1854, there were six church 
 members ; and of the 96, above named, 30 were admitted in Octo- 
 ber 1854. 
 
 III. The Results. — The whole number who have sustained mem- 
 bership is 670 
 
 The whole number of students now living, who have been edu- 
 cated is 454 
 
 Of these there are in mission service 112 
 
 Of whom there are employed by the American Ceylon Mission . . 81 
 
 The number in service of Government in Ceylon and India. 158 
 The number in different kinds of business in Ceylon and on 
 
 the Continent Ill 
 
 Those whose employment is unknown, or who are not known to 
 
 be employed in any useful business 73 
 
 The whole number of church members 352 
 
 Number excommunicated 92 
 
 Whole number who have died ; [8 of whom after excommuni- 
 cation.] 72 
 
 Present number connected with Protestant churches 196 
 
 The number now connected with the American mission churches. 185 
 
63 
 
 The institution has raised up a class of native assistants who 
 have greatly aided the mission in carrying on their work, and who 
 will, we trust, be of still greater service as preachers and pastors 
 in different parts of the field. Many of them are the fruits of the 
 revivals to which allusion has been made, and are indeed the most 
 promising fruit of the institution. 
 
 There are also some among those who are not connected with us, 
 but are engaged in government and other service, who, we hope, are 
 Christians, and honor their professions by a humble and consistent life. 
 
 Aside from the above results, the Seminary has exerted an influ- 
 ence in the land which cannot be mistaken, in waking up the native 
 mind, in diffusing useful knowledge, and creating a power, which, if 
 directed into the right channel, will do much for the elevation of this 
 people. There is a class in the community who have, in a measure, 
 been freed from the bondage of superstition, whose views have been 
 liberalized by science, and who may do much for the improvement of 
 their countrymen. Though the Seminary has failed, in some respects, 
 to accomplish all its friends hoped for, it has done a great work in its 
 day, which will yet, by the blessing of God, turn to good account in 
 the establishment of the kingdom of Christ in Ceylon. 
 
 IV. Tendencies of the System . — The preceding history has, to 
 some extent, presented the tendencies of the system which has been 
 pursued. 
 
 (1.) It has tended to give a prominence to instruction in the 
 English language and the sciences, which has led many of the stu- 
 dents to neglect their own language. Though great efforts have 
 been made on the part of the missionaries in charge to give special 
 prominence to biblical instructions in the vernacular, and bring in 
 science to illustrate and impress the truth, the current in favor of 
 English and the sciences has steadily advanced with little interruption. 
 
 (2.) It has also tended to draw the most promising pupils from 
 the village English schools, and unfit them in some respects to re- 
 turn and obtain a livelihood among their own people. By their 
 education they are so much elevated above the mass, that they feel 
 unable to live on the income they would receive in the ordinary 
 occupations of the country, become discontented and seek employ- 
 ment in other places. Many facts might be adduced to show that 
 efforts to evangelize a people through a foreign tongue have not 
 proved successful. 
 
64 
 
 (3.) A class of men has been raised up who, though well edu- 
 cated, and, in some respects well qualified for service among the peo- 
 ple, are not in the best manner fitted by their course of training 
 for that kind of humble and persevering labor, which is most needed 
 in making known the gospel, and giving it a footing permanently, in 
 the villages, on a self-sustaining basis. 
 
 (4.) There is also a tendency to give prominence to other objects 
 than the one which the missionary should always keep in view, viz. 
 the preaching of Christ, and him crucified, to the people in their 
 own language. 
 
 O O 
 
 (5.) Those missionaries connected with the institution have been 
 hindered in the acquisition of the colloquial language of the country. 
 They have not been compelled by circumstances to speak in Tamil, 
 and the temptation to use their own mother tongue has too often pre- 
 vailed. The same may be true to some extent of other missionaries, 
 who have catechists under their care that can speak the English 
 language. 
 
 V. Change proposed . — Such having been the tendencies of the 
 system, as appears from the preceding history, we are prepared for 
 a change. It should not be a partial one. That would not cure 
 the evil. 
 
 Our object in sustaining a Seminary is not to educate the com- 
 munity at large. That we do not regard as the appropriate work 
 of missionaries. Nor is it our object to give superior education to 
 all the children of native Christians. The village schools are to be 
 established for the children of Christians, where they are to be in- 
 structed in their own language, and most of them must there com- 
 plete their education. 
 
 But our object is to prepare a class of young men to be Christian 
 teachers, catechists, and pastors in every village in the land, to 
 which they can gain access. Such men as can live on humble 
 means, and will be earnest in their efforts to save souls. This 
 being our object, we think the study of English may be a hindrance, 
 rather than a benefit, and are prepared to recommend, 
 
 (1.) That no instruction in the English language be given in the 
 regular course. 
 
 (2.) That the number of students be reduced, as we aim to edu- 
 cate only for mission service in our own field. At the close of the 
 present Seminary year, we propose that a number not exceeding 25 
 
65 
 
 be selected from the present students, taking only those who from 
 their connections, attainments, and character give most promise of 
 usefulness in the missionary work. The pecuniary demands of those 
 who have paid in advance for books, should be adjusted to their 
 satisfaction when requested to leave. 
 
 As the institution is to be solely for mission purposes, and the 
 students eminently select, it is thought to be unadvisable to require 
 pay for board, or books, in order that we may keep it completely 
 under our control, and avoid the temptation to admit those who 
 can pay when they are not such as we wish to educate. 
 
 (3.) That the course of instruction be only four years. A class 
 to be received annually. It is further recommended, that a course 
 of preparation in the village schools be required, and that none be 
 admitted, under the age of 14; and that they be Christians, or 
 from Christian families. Only those who bid fair to be useful in 
 mission service should enjoy the privileges of the institution. A 
 committee should make the selections, avoiding as much as possible 
 applications from the people, and should report the same to the 
 mission for approval. 
 
 (4.) That one missionary be devoted to the seminary, aided by 
 two native teachers. 
 
 (5.) The course of study, being wholly in the vernacular, should 
 be eminently biblical, such as will by the blessing of God prepare 
 the pupils to wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of 
 God. Sacred history, geography, and science should be brought 
 into aid in this work, and all should centre in the Bible, and be 
 made to explain its truths. 
 
 J. C. SMITH, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 NATIVE ASSISTANTS. 
 
 The foreign missionary should keep two thoughts distinctly before 
 his mind. It should be his object to multiply his own influence, as far 
 as possible, while he is in the field, and to leave behind him an abid- 
 ing Christian influence, when he is gone. Hence the necessity of 
 native assistants. It is through them that the missionary reproduces 
 himself. Through them, though dead, he lives in the perpetuity of 
 
 I 
 
66 
 
 Christian influences. This is true in any country and among any 
 heathen people, but it is especially in tropical climates that the 
 necessity of native agency is felt. The missionary is generally 
 feeble. He has lost the power of endurance which he had in his 
 native air, and he finds that the way most effectual in securing his 
 high object is to endeavor to infuse into others the spirit of Christ 
 and send them forth with the gospel message. 
 
 1. Number . — In the early history of the mission the number of 
 native assistants was comparatively small. Each one was educated 
 by the missionary with whom he was connected. Under such a sys- 
 tem, as early as 1821, there were three licensed preachers and the 
 number of teachers and catechists had considerably increased. The 
 Seminary was established in 1823, and when it began to send forth 
 its graduates periodically, the demand for native assistants was soon 
 supplied, and since 1830 there has been no lack in numbers in this 
 department of our work. In 1846 there were 78 graduates of the 
 Seminary in the service of the mission. In 1852 the whole number 
 was 140, 85 of whom were teachers in our Tamil and English schools. 
 The following table shows the number in employment last year at our 
 several stations (including the out-stations of each) and designates the 
 work of each class. 
 
 
 Batticotta. 
 
 Chavaga cherry. 1 
 
 Manepy. 
 
 | Ooodooville. ! 
 
 Ooodoopitty. 
 
 .1* 
 
 Tillipally . 
 
 Total. 
 
 Native preachers, 
 
 i 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 i 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 2 
 
 Catechists, 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 i 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 24 
 
 Secular agents, 
 
 Writers and school superinten- 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 2 
 
 dents, 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Seminary teachers 
 
 English and government school 
 
 5 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 3 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 8 
 
 teachers 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 o 
 
 0 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 16 
 
 Vernacular school teachers, 
 
 13 
 
 11 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 13 
 
 62 
 
 Medical assistants, 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 2 
 
 Moonshees 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 Total... 
 
 31 
 
 18 
 
 18 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 21 
 
 123 
 
 The above table represents our assistants before the appearance of 
 cholera in 1854. Many of the schools discontinued at that time have 
 not been resumed. The number of assistants who should be under 
 
67 
 
 the care of each missionary will vary according to circumstances. In 
 this field a wise economy requires that he should have only so many as 
 he can bring a personal influence to bear upon, come in contact with 
 frequently, and keep fully employed. No one should be received into 
 service for whom there is not a distinct and definite work. 
 
 2. Origin . — Our assistants come naturally from the classes among 
 whom we are called to labor. The mass of the people of Jaffna are 
 Velallas (or farmers) and the majority of our assistants are from the 
 different varieties of that caste. We have in our number those who 
 were fishermen and covias ; but there are none of the highest, nor are 
 there any of the lowest caste of the province in our service. 
 
 3. Education . — In the early history of the mission, young men 
 of promise were selected as pupils and as assistants. They were 
 instructed by the missionary at the station and used to aid him in 
 liis work. As the early fruits of such a system of instruction, Ga- 
 briel Tissera, Francis Malleappa and Nicholas Permander were 
 licensed as preachers in 1821. With the establishment of Batti- 
 cotta Seminary a more systematic and thorough course of educa- 
 tion commenced. The first class graduated in 1828. Subse- 
 quently Charles A. Goodrich, Nathaniel Niles and Seth Payson of 
 that class, and Henry Martyn of the class of 1832 received licen- 
 sure. Within the present month M. Cornelius, Thomas P. Hunt 
 and David Stickney have been licensed to preach, with a view to 
 the pastoral office. The above are all who have been formally set 
 apart as preachers by the American Ceylon Mission. Others have 
 received as thorough an education as the preachers, and have really 
 done the work of preachers, but have served under the name of 
 catechist. The course of instruction in the Seminary was such 
 as to fit the pupils to act efficiently as teachers, or as catechists, 
 or as preachers, and many of the early graduates were received 
 into mission employment. Since 1830 the majority of our assist- 
 ants have received a Seminary education. That education has 
 been thorough in the Scriptures, in the sciences and in English 
 language. Thus all our principal men have had access to western 
 science and English literature to assist them in argument against 
 the false philosophy and the absurdities of Hinduism. A power 
 has thus been created in our native agency of no ordinary charac- 
 ter. But we have found a practical difficulty in bringing this 
 power to bear effectually upon the masses of the community. It 
 is a fair question whether some of our assistants have not been 
 
(38 
 
 educated too highly in science and in English — whether the ten- 
 dency of this has not been to lead them, in their labors among the 
 people, to seek for the learned, and engage with them in argument, 
 rather than to carry the simple message of the gospel to the poor 
 and unsophisticated, and deliver it with the exhibition of an earn- 
 est desire for the salvation of the soul. The education which our 
 assistants need, to prepare them for efficient service in the mission, 
 is eminently that of the heart. Nor would we leave the mind 
 uncultivated. They should be taught to think, and then the mind 
 should be stored with biblical and religious truth. In every plan 
 which is formed for their education, the Bible should be the lead- 
 ing text book. Let the teacher and the pupils take their stand 
 in the Holy Scriptures, and from them look out upon science and 
 history. Let them see how all history and the providences of God 
 have been, and are still, uniting in the fulfilment of prophecy and 
 in the salvation of the church. It is only by taking such a posi- 
 tion that they will be able correctly to understand providence, 
 and history, and science, and the Bible itself. We would have 
 our assistants eminent for their proficiency in the word of God. 
 We would have them understand the Scriptures in their several 
 parts, in the relation of those parts to each other, and in their re- 
 lation, as a whole, to a world of sin. We would have them feel 
 that every word is God’s word, and that not one iota shall pass 
 from the law till all be fulfilled. With such convictions and feel- 
 ings, whatever may be their other attainments and qualifications, 
 we may expect that they will be earnest for the truth, “not sloth- 
 ful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” 
 
 We would not say that all should have the same education. All 
 have not the same office. The teacher in a village school may be 
 successful in his calling with an education inferior to that of a 
 catechist, and a catechist in one locality may not require the same 
 education as a catechist in another. In all cases the education 
 should be thoroughly biblical and practical, and such as is favora- 
 ble to the establishment of Christianity in the land upon a self 
 supporting basis. 
 
 4. Employment . — Our native assistants have been employed in 
 various kinds of work. Sometimes they have been moonshees, 
 sometimes secular agents, sometimes writers, sometimes colporteurs, 
 sometimes medical assistants. Formerly there were a class called 
 readers. The most of our assistants are included in three divi- 
 sions, viz., teachers, catechists and preachers. The duties of our 
 
69 
 
 catechists and preachers are similar. They visit the people from 
 house to house and converse with them by the way-side ; distri- 
 bute religious tracts ; read and explain the Bible ; catechise the 
 children in our schools ; assist in collecting the people for village 
 meetings ; take the charge of or assist in conducting those meet- 
 ings and frequently preach to our Sabbath assemblies. Many of 
 them have two kinds of work. The moonshee, the secular agent 
 and the writer, may each profitably spend a part of his time in the 
 village, doing the work of the catechist, if his character is such 
 as to fit him for it. The catechist may also spend a part of the 
 day in teaching and still accomplish as much in the village as if 
 that duty were not imposed upon him. The work of the assistant 
 should always be definite. He should feel that he is responsible 
 for a certain portion of the missionary’s charge. His time should 
 be so arranged that every hour of the day may have its appropri- 
 ate and specific duties. Nothing proves more disastrous to the 
 usefulness of the assistant than idleness. If he is not fully em- 
 ployed in his work he naturally loses his interest in it and be- 
 comes an indifferent laborer. 
 
 Hitherto, as before stated, our assistants have been divided into 
 three grades, viz., teachers, catechists and preachers. Your com- 
 mittee would recommend that hereafter the grades be teachers, 
 catechists and pastors. 
 
 5. Salaries . — In our experience, as a mission, we have had many 
 practical difficulties in determining the salaries of our assistants. 
 A variety of circumstances, such as age, locality, kind of employ- 
 ment, real worth, marriage, &c., have had their influence. It has 
 not been easy to form definite rules by which wages in all cases 
 might be determined. Tamil village school masters have generally 
 received pay according to the amount of instruction given. There 
 are now 62 persons on our native assistant list who receive sala- 
 ries. In this number the teachers in Batticotta Seminary and Oo- 
 dooville female boarding school, and fifteen teachers of the Go- 
 vernment Grant Schools, are included. The salaries of these six- 
 ty-two vary from 85 . to £2-12-6. Only two receive 8s. and only 
 one receives £2-12-6. Of the remaining fifty-nine, fifteen receive 
 more than £1-5; ten receive £l-5 and thirty-six receive less than 
 £1-5, as their monthly stipend. The average salary of these 
 sixty-two is about £1-1-6. Looking forward to the more effec- 
 tual planting of the institutions of the gospel in our villages, and 
 
70 
 
 to a self supporting system, it is believed that the salaries which 
 we pay are generally too high, and it is recommended that, when 
 persons are received into employment hereafter, in ordinary cir- 
 cumstances, =£1-5, shall be the maximum of wages. It is also re- 
 commended that there may be only five grades of salary among 
 our assistants. Let the young man commence with 10s. ; from 
 the time of marriage let it be 155.; three years later, if the candi- 
 date is worthy, it may be raised to LI ; at the expiration of three 
 years more of service let it be LI -3 and two years later, if the 
 mission think the assistant deserving, his salary may reach the 
 maximum. In all these cases it is distinctly understood that the 
 mission have discretionary power as to the propriety of raising 
 wages according to the above recommendations. In changing and 
 reducing the salaries of our present assistants, the exercise of 
 much prudence is necessary. We should pay our assistants ac- 
 cording to their necessities with a steady aim at a self supporting 
 system. 
 
 6. Training and Supervision . — The training of native assistants, so 
 that they may become effective in the work of the gospel, is attended 
 with much perplexity and responsibility. Most of them have just 
 emerged from heathenism. They are but babes in Christ, and need 
 the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby. The 
 object of the missionary is to teach the assistant to show himself 
 “approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly 
 dividing the word of truth.” In this work the presence and agency 
 of the Holy Spirit are indispensable ; but He works intelligently and 
 through the feeblest instrumentality, and will not forsake the mission- 
 ary in this part of his duty. 
 
 (1.) In a missionary field of labor no more extended than our own, 
 it is well for all the native assistants to meet together, at least twice a 
 year, for the purpose of passing through a variety of biblical and 
 other exercises which shall have a tendency to spur them on in study 
 and to cultivate a community of feeling and interest. (2.) It is well 
 for all the assistants under the care of one missionary or, in some 
 cases, those belonging to two contiguous stations, to come together 
 occasionally — say once a month — to engage in such exercises as cir- 
 cumstances may require. Those exercises may be critical or biblical. 
 Reports may be read, or a lecture may be given, or all these and other 
 exercises may be united. (3.) When the missionary has time, and 
 a number of his assistants are so situated that he can meet them each 
 
71 
 
 morning, half or three-quarters of an hour, for conference and prayer, 
 the influence is happy. They may then report to him the work of 
 the previous day, and he is enabled to enter into their joys and sor- 
 rows, and to throw his own influence into their labors, as he cannot do 
 by means of weekly and monthly reports. It is a most favorable time 
 for practical suggestions. It is also a very profitable meeting for the 
 missionary, as he thus learns many important facts respecting his field. 
 (4.) Every man has a talent peculiar to himself, and, if the native 
 assistant is worthy of his office, he has a special fitness for some part 
 of the work. Each one’s peculiar talent should be carefully studied 
 that it may be fully developed in the service of Christ. When his 
 true place is found, his duties should be specific and such as to 
 occupy all his time. (5.) It is well to work upon the heathen through 
 the assistant so far as is practicable. Thus he is trained for useful- 
 ness and a responsibility is devolved upon him which is necessary to 
 his development and growth as a spiritual teacher. The missionary 
 may counsel and direct the assistant, on general principles and in 
 special cases, but it is sometimes better for him that he be thrown 
 upon his own resources. All this may be done without interfering 
 with the missionary’s active duties among the people. (6.) Invalu- 
 able instruction may also be given to the assistant by his going with 
 the missionary among the people and from house to house. Thus our 
 Saviour taught his disciples. The wonderful instructions which are 
 recorded for our direction and for our good were given when mingling 
 among the people with his disciples. The assistant sees how the 
 missionary adapts himself to circumstances, notices the arguments 
 which he uses in meeting objections, and the spirit which he manifests 
 in his intercourse with the people. He is continually learning practi- 
 cal lessons, and the missionary is imitating the Saviour when impart- 
 ing such instruction. (7.) The assistant should be encouraged to 
 perform gratuitous labor. By this we mean, that influences should be 
 exerted upon him which shall induce him cheerfully and of his own 
 accord, to seek opportunities for doing good, as a Christian for Christ’s 
 sake, when his stipend will in no way be affected by it. All our 
 assistants and especially our school masters may do much of this kind 
 of labor, and the influence will be most happy upon the people and 
 upon themselves also. (8.) In training our assistants there are many 
 little things which should receive our attention. Our course should 
 be such as to encourage frankness and inspire confidence. While the 
 assistant is looked after carefully, he should be made to feel that he is 
 
72 
 
 trusted, and that he is regarded as worthy of confidence. Such a 
 feeling has an elevating tendency. It makes men trust-worthy. In 
 all the intercourse of the missionary with his assistants he should be 
 careful for little things. A single remark, or a flash of the eye, or a 
 show of feeling, often have a more permanent influence than a whole 
 lecture. An exhibition of interest in each man’s special work, of joy 
 in his joys and of sorrow in his sorrows, is following the example and 
 the precept of Christ. The whole example of the missionary, in his 
 meekness, in his patience, in his diligence, in his benevolence, and in 
 his love for souls, will have a powerful influence in moulding the 
 character of the assistant. 
 
 M. D. SANDERS, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 IX. 
 
 MODIFICATION IN THE STATIONS. 
 
 The peninsula of Jaffna is rather more than forty miles long 
 and from five to fifteen wide, and contains — with the islands adja- 
 cent — seven hundred and three square miles. The names of the 
 thirty-two parishes into which it is divided, the number of houses 
 and population in each is as follows : — 
 
 Quiuiraar. 
 
 Names . 
 
 Houses. 
 
 Population. 
 
 tsitieptir 
 
 Nellore, 
 
 6 
 
 1,174 
 
 7,771 
 
 <SU 688T Co&ti)[T LJ &RJT • 
 
 YV annarponne, 
 
 + 
 
 1,546 
 
 11,196 
 
 s-smts, L£(3jetf) 
 
 Chundiculy, 
 
 6 
 
 1,627 
 
 9,139 
 
 Q&iruuniu 
 
 Copay, 
 
 6 
 
 1,116 
 
 7,299 
 
 Uppirn 
 
 Poottoor, 
 
 O 
 
 731 
 
 4,980 
 
 <9~ <9r G? <S1J 6 $ . < • . • • • 
 
 Atchuvaly, 
 
 O 
 
 450 
 
 3,621 
 
 LD6He\jrraib 
 
 Mallagam, 
 
 O 
 
 1,197 
 
 7,845 
 
 QpeaeStuu^en 
 
 Tillipally, 
 
 O 
 
 1,331 
 
 9,297 
 
 a_®ia 57 eb 
 
 Oodoville, 
 
 O 
 
 1,031 
 
 6,699 
 
 LOuSleS L-LSf- 
 
 Mylitty, 
 
 O 
 
 720 
 
 5,202 
 
 U 68BT l—pQpQTjUL] . . 
 
 Panditeripo, 
 
 o 
 
 920 
 
 5,934 
 
 & iei a rr'2esr 
 
 Sangany, 
 
 o 
 
 1,610 
 
 8,760 
 
 &ilL®sQsitlLss)L- . 
 
 Batticotta, 
 
 o 
 
 1,310 
 
 7,604 
 
 LcaesffuLJiTLU 
 
 Manepy, 
 
 o 
 
 1,590 
 
 9,719 
 
 
 
 Oodoopitty, 
 
 o 
 
 1,992 
 
 11,692 
 
 <£ lL <5S) l—Q <SV6)fi .... 
 
 Kattivaly, 
 
 + 
 
 2.267 
 
 13,678 
 
 LJ • • • • 
 
 Point Pedro, 
 
 + 
 
 1,634 
 
 10,377 
 
 
 
 Aavateculy, 
 
 6 
 
 784 
 
 5,143 
 
73 
 
 Quiuira&r. 
 
 Names. 
 
 Houses. 
 
 Population. 
 
 airafsaQaifl 
 
 Chavagacherry, 
 
 O 
 
 2,427 
 
 13,616 
 
 GUITGffifi 
 
 Yarany, 
 
 o 
 
 1,846 
 
 11,113 
 
 G&&ITUJ 
 
 Katchay, 
 
 o 
 
 971 
 
 5,593 
 
 67(wy^7roLL®ai//refr . . 
 
 Eluthumutural, 
 
 6 
 
 909 
 
 4,499 
 
 Qp&wn'ftso 
 
 Mugumally, 
 
 6 
 
 328 
 
 1,732 
 
 Si LD U <5E fT LD lh 
 
 Tumbogamo, 
 
 6 
 
 338 
 
 1,741 
 
 nQevrruu'fctr 
 
 Plopally, 
 
 6 
 
 264 
 
 1,475 
 
 Qpefrerfluup£li .... 
 
 Mulipatto, 
 
 6 
 
 500 
 
 2,671 
 
 Q(su<sv %o6or • . * 
 
 Y alany, 
 
 6 
 
 498 
 
 2,988 
 
 ssmra trojpp/smp . . . 
 
 Kaites, 
 
 O 
 
 942 
 
 5,352 
 
 jp/ ev'Veo U tSI lL is}. . . .. 
 
 Allipitty, 
 
 
 403 
 
 2,123 
 
 snff8;<5i\ 
 
 Karadive, 
 
 o 
 
 1,128 
 
 5,895 
 
 LflEI(3j®(ze)J 
 
 Poongerdive, 
 
 o 
 
 1,072 
 
 5,862 
 
 Qi5<3&(£ei] 
 
 Delft, 
 
 o 
 
 531 
 
 3,072 
 
 (LpQgpQpnonsseir. . 
 
 Total . . 
 
 35,187 
 
 213,688 
 
 Of these parishes three, containing five thousand, four hundred 
 forty-seven houses, and a population of thirty-five thousand, two 
 hundred fifty-one, are occupied by the Wesleyan Mission. They 
 are indicated in the above list and on the accompanying map by 
 the mark 4-. One of them lies on the south-western shore of the 
 peninsula, and includes most of the town of Jaffna; the other two 
 are on the northern shore, and in one of them is the village of 
 Point Pedro. 
 
 The missionary work in seventeen is under the direction of the 
 American Mission. They are indicated by the mark O and contain 
 twenty-one thousand, two hundred sixty-eight houses, and a popu- 
 lation of one hundred twenty-six thousand, six hundred thirty-one. 
 In two other parishes, (islands,) a catechist and teachers are sup- 
 ported by the Native Evangelical Society, which is in connection 
 with this mission. These two parishes include a population of 
 five thousand, one hundred ninety-five and contain nine hundred, 
 thirty-four houses. 
 
 The remaining ten parishes, containing a population of forty- 
 four thousand, four hundred fifty-eight, and seven thousand, five 
 hundred thirty-eight houses, are under the supervision of the 
 Church Mission. They are marked thus 6 . Six of these parishes 
 are at the eastern extremity of the peninsula which is thinly in- 
 habited 
 
 The peninsula is intersected with excellent, and finely graveled 
 K 
 
roads, for which the country is much indebted to the influence 
 and enterprise of the present government agent of the province. 
 These, by rendering different parts of the field more easy of ac- 
 cess, essentially facilitate our labors among the people. 
 
 Since the commencement of our mission, in 1816, to the present 
 time there have been, on an average, seven missionaries in the 
 field, exclusive of the physician and printer. The labors of these 
 have been greatly blessed and we trust the time is drawing near 
 when, especially in those portions which have been longest and 
 most constantly cultivated, churches will be organized in the villa- 
 ges and native pastors ordained over them, so that the missiona- 
 ries will be relieved in part from care and responsibility, and be 
 left more free to preach the gospel in other places and to plant 
 other churches. 
 
 Your committee would therefore encourage the mission to cher- 
 ish the hope that, at no very distant day, the number of mission- 
 ries in our field may, without detriment to the work, be somewhat 
 reduced, and we would recommend that Manepy and the south 
 part of Mallagam be joined to Oodooville, the remainder of Malla- 
 gam and Mylitty being united with Tillipally, and that Panditeri- 
 po be united with the Batticotta field, as represented on the map 
 herewith presented. It is supposed, however, that the interests of 
 the cause will require that a missionary reside at Panditeripo for 
 some time to come, until several churches have been organized in 
 villages connected with these stations, and native pastors ordained 
 over them. These arrangements will require for the present (ex- 
 clusive of the Seminary) the labors of six missionaries. 
 
 • N. L. LORD, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 X. 
 
 RESTRICTIONS ON CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 From an early period in the history of the mission it has been 
 the understanding, or the rule, of the body, that any member, writ- 
 ing to the Secretaries of the Board upon “subjects concerning 
 which difference of opinions exist in the mission, or such as essen- 
 tially affect the interests of the mission,” should, previous to send- 
 ing, submit his communication to the members of the body for 
 their inspection. 
 
75 
 
 The mission are not aware of any special evils growing out of 
 the observance of this rule, and it is believed that it has not gen- 
 erally precluded individuals from expressing their own personal 
 opinions in reference to matters of mission policy, in letters to 
 the Officers of the Board. Yet as it has tended to repress the 
 freedom of written communications on the part of, at least, a por- 
 tion Cf the members of the mission, a freedom exceedingly desir- 
 able, especially when we consider the important results often flow- 
 ing from this correspondence — it is recommended that the rule be 
 repealed. 
 
 It is understood, however, that official letters, and letters pur- 
 porting to come from the mission as such, shall, as hitherto, be 
 sanctioned by the body in mission meeting or otherwise, as circum- 
 stances may require or dictate. Also, every brother, who chooses 
 so to do, is at full liberty to present his communications to the 
 mission for their approval, or for suggestions on their part. 
 
 T. S. BURNELL, 
 
 Chairman 
 
 XI. 
 
 PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. 
 
 In conducting missions to the heathen, the press has been consider- 
 ed an important auxiliary for disseminating the “truth as it is in 
 Jesus.” When judiciously used, as a mere auxiliary, and not allowed 
 to become itself so much of an end as to take time and strength which 
 should be devoted to the more direct work of preaching, it is perhaps 
 the least objectionable of all the means thus employed. When pro- 
 perly restricted, it does not hinder the exercise of that faith in divine 
 power so essential to the successful prosecution of this work. 
 
 For the few first years of this mission, tracts were written upon 
 the leaf of the Palmyra, but in 1821 in accordance with a request of 
 the mission for a printer — Mr. J. Garrett arrived with a press. The 
 local government being at that time hostile to the operations of the 
 mission, he was peremptorily ordered to leave the island within six 
 weeks, and the request that he might be allowed to remain longer in 
 a private capacity on account of the difficulty of leaving during the 
 monsoon, was denied. He accordingly went to the continent and the 
 press was taken by the Church Mission and thus made available for 
 our use for printing the necessary tracts and books. This continued 
 
76 
 
 until 1 834, when the restrictions of government having been removed 
 the press was transferred to our mission and set up at Manepy. It 
 was a time of great interest, when the first products of our own press 
 was sent around the mission circle, in the form of a small hand-bill 
 with the words “first fruits” in English and, &Garrgff@GrE'Xm 
 (brotherly love) in Tamil. 
 
 Another printer sent out by the Board soon arrived, and operations 
 were commenced, on a very limited scale, with a single press and a 
 small supply of type. Soon after, the importance of this auxiliary so 
 arose in the estimation of the printer, and the other members of the 
 mission, especially in connection with the occupation of the Madura 
 field, that the establishment was greatly enlarged. As early as 1838 
 there were four presses kept in constant operation, and seventy men 
 were employed in the printing office and bindery (though it should he 
 mentioned that these men would accomplish only about half as much 
 as the same number of men in America.) In looking over the reports 
 of that period, we find that large views were taken of the importance 
 of the press. We might mention as an evidence of this, an estimate 
 of the number of copies of the Bible necessary to supply every family 
 of the whole Tamil population in Ceylon and on the continent, and 
 the length of time and the means necessary to effect this supply. 
 This enlarged scale of operations was continued with some variations 
 till 1850, and a large amount of printing of various kinds in English 
 and Tamil was the consequence. Thus inadvertently, the press be- 
 came to some extent a diversion from the more direct, and important 
 work of preaching the gospel. It materially added to the machinery 
 of the mission, and so far as it did this, increased the evils which 
 attend such machinery. Yet we believe it has been the means of 
 much good. A very large proportion of the amount printed, has been 
 religious tracts and portions of scripture. Nearly one third of the 
 whole has been the Word of God. 
 
 During the twenty years from the establishment of our press, 
 till the end of 1854, the amount of printing has been 171,747,198 
 pages, or an average of more than eight millions of pages a year. 
 Since the beginning of 1850 about thirty-five men have been em- 
 ployed, being one half the number in employ during the twelve 
 years previous to that date. Our press has always been under the 
 immediate supervision of a missionary printer, and a committee 
 of two members of the mission appointed annually. The rules 
 provide that no work shall be done in the establishment, except for 
 
the Bible and Tract Societies and small jobs, without the order or 
 permission of the mission. Supplies of implements and materials 
 also, are only ordered when sanctioned by the mission. 
 
 English Department . — The English department of the press was 
 mainly the result of the course of education pursued in the Semi- 
 nary and the boarding schools, and the consequent need of print- 
 ing, to some extent, in the English language. As nearly all the 
 English books needed for these schools have been procured from 
 England and America, the work of our press has been confined 
 principally to elementary books in Tamil and English. We find 
 in the list only six small books wholly in English. This depart- 
 ment has also afforded facilities for printing mission and Seminary 
 reports; for the English part of the “Morning Star,” for diglott 
 volumes published by the Bible and Tract Societies, and for re- 
 ports of those societies. Small jobs are also occasionally sent in 
 by English residents. 
 
 The “ Morning Star ." — This periodical, printed semi-monthly 
 in English and Tamil, was commenced in 1841. It was at first 
 edited by two natives, and was “devoted to education, science and 
 general literature, and to the dissemination of articles on agricul- 
 ture, government, and religion, with a brief summary of important 
 news.” It soon after came more directly under the control of the 
 mission, and has to the present time been considered an important 
 means of awakening the native mind, and of exerting a high moral 
 and Christian influence over those who have gone out from our 
 educational institutions. About two years after its commencement, 
 it was remarked by an English missionary of long experience in 
 the country, that he thought the influence of the “Star” in excit- 
 ing a taste for reading and inquiry, was greater than all the other 
 publications of our press together. By opening its columns to ob- 
 jections against Christianity, it tended to develope public senti- 
 ment, and secure the attentive perusal of the answers to those ob- 
 jections. Many attempts were made on the part of the heathen to 
 defend their system, and this afforded favorable opportunities to 
 set forth the distinguishing doctrines of Christianity. It thus was 
 to some extent, the means and medium of shaking the foundations 
 of many things rendered sacred in the estimation of the heathen, 
 by all that is venerable in antiquity, and holy in religion. 
 
 As the number of educated natives has increased, and they have 
 

 78 
 
 become more widely scattered, this periodical has seemed more and 
 more necessary, as a means of retaining that influence over them, 
 which is a result of their having been trained up under our foster- 
 ing care, and which we have tried to make use of especially for 
 their spiritual benefit. Its influence also among the many Chris- 
 tian families connected with us, we believe has been, and still is, 
 one which we cannot well dispense with. 
 
 The “ Star” has always been issued at a subscription price, but 
 this has never met the expense of publication till the last year. 
 
 The Depository . — This branch of the establishment has gra- 
 dually assumed considerable prominence, in connection with our 
 schools and the demand for English and Tamil books by educated 
 natives, both mission assistants and others. The principal part of 
 the books are in the vernacular. We find in the list only six 
 different books wholly in English among the imported, and six 
 small English books pi’inted by our press. 
 
 The Binding Establishment . — When the press was first estab- 
 lished by our mission, all efforts at binding were confined to put- 
 ting together small books in rough covers, made of paper and 
 cloth so combined as to be a tolerable substitute for paste board. 
 The requisite implements and materials were soon after procured, 
 and the quality and quantity of work has gradually increased to 
 the present time. Books are now bound very neatly, and the 
 income from this branch is very considerable. 
 
 Prospective wants . — Our proposed plan of operations, contem- 
 plating considerable reduction in the department of education, will 
 diminish the demand for books. In view of this, and of our hav- 
 ing a considerable amount of printed sheets and books on hand, 
 and the desirableness of diverting as little as possible of missionary 
 time and strength from the direct work of preaching, the question 
 arises whether we cannot dispense entirely with our press, and de- 
 pend upon having our necessary printing done at Madras. We 
 might undoubtedly depend upon Madras for some of our work, but 
 for occasional tracts, suited to particular occasions, and for the 
 publication of our mission periodical, it seems desirable that there 
 should be a press more directly available, without the delay which 
 would be the necessary result of having the work done at such a 
 distance, especially at some seasons of the year when communica- 
 tion is very uncertain. To secure this, and at the same time to 
 economize missionary time and strength, and to disencumber, as 
 
79 
 
 much as possible, our mission operations from unnecessary ma- 
 chinery, and also with a view to putting such operations, as far as 
 practicable, on a self-supporting basis, the committee recommend: — 
 
 1 st. That two presses, and as much of materials and office furniture 
 as will be sufficient for a moderate establishment, be sold with 
 proper securities, to the present native superintendent, or some 
 other capable and trust-worthy native, who may be willing to take 
 it, with the provision that he do our work at a reasonable — or 
 if thought best, at a stipulated — rate of charge ; that he print 
 nothing for others of an immoral or heathen tendency ; and that lie 
 keep up the present standard of printing, and conduct the estab- 
 lishment on upright and Christian principles : that on these con- 
 ditions he be allowed the use of the present building for a reason- 
 able rent, and that the mission, as a body, and as individuals use 
 their influence in favor of the establishment. 
 
 2d. That the Bindery be disposed of in the same way, and with 
 similar provisions, to the present superintendents, or to other com- 
 petent and trust-worthy natives who may be willing to take it. 
 
 3d. That so much of the stock of the Depository as will be needed 
 in connection with our mission operations, be put in charge of a 
 responsible native, who shall keep and distribute books under the im- 
 mediate supervision of the mission treasurer; that he be allowed to 
 purchase, or take on commission, as many of the books as he may 
 wish, at a rate which will allow him some profit in selling them, with 
 the understanding that his wages be regulated accordingly, and thus 
 aim at an ultimate self-supporting basis. 
 
 4th. That a committee of three be appointed by the mission to 
 effect the above sales and transfers, who shall be instructed also to sell, 
 out of Jaffna, what remains of the printing establishment, and also 
 dispose of the sheets and books not needed in the depository, with as 
 little loss as possible. 
 
 5th. That a publishing committee of three be appointed annually, 
 who shall have charge of all printing done by the mission, and to 
 whom the mission may refer, for approval, any work proposed for 
 publication. 
 
 6th. That with the commencement of 1856 the “Morning Star” 
 be issued in monthly numbers, double the present size, printed entirely 
 in Tamil; that it consist of three general departments, viz.: Religious, 
 Foreign and Domestic intelligence; Family and Miscellaneous depart- 
 ment ; that each of these departments be committed to one of the 
 
80 
 
 publishing committee, and that one of our best native assistants be 
 appointed under the more immediate supervision of some one member 
 of this committee, to assist in translating, reading proofs, and such 
 other work in connection with the publication as may be entrusted to 
 him. It is also recommended that the price of subscription and other 
 matters be arranged with a view to giving over the publishing of the 
 periodical to the proprietor of the press, as soon as he may be ready to 
 take it, the mission retaining the editorial charge. 
 
 In reference to the three departments specified, it seems desirable 
 that the “Religious” should maintain a high spiritual character, con- 
 sisting of articles calculated to elevate the tone of piety ; also of bibli- 
 cal illustrations, and explanation, and other subjects connected with 
 the progress and establishment of Christianity in the land. The 
 department of foreign and domestic intelligence should consist princi- 
 pally of missionary and religious intelligence from all parts of the 
 world, with such secular intelligence as may seem desirable from time 
 to time. The family and miscellaneous department should especially 
 aim at exerting a healthful influence in the numerous Christian fa- 
 milies connected with us, by giving hints from time to time, on family 
 training, and on other kindred subjects, and supplying also matter 
 fitted to interest the children ; in short, the periodical should in all its 
 arrangement and contents, aim mainly to meet the wants of an 
 increasing Christian community, surrounded by heathen influences ; 
 while the heathen should not be entirely lost sight of. 
 
 7th. That in case the sales proposed above cannot at present be 
 effected, the printing and binding establishments, on the reduced scale 
 mentioned above, be placed, for the time being, each in the charge of 
 a native superintendent, under the supervision of the publishing com- 
 mittee. 
 
 W. W. HOWLAND, 
 Chairman. 
 
 XII. 
 
 PROVISION FOR WIDOWS, CHILDREN, AND INVALID 
 MISSIONARIES. 
 
 A wise and judicious management of this subject on the part of 
 those who have the direction of missions is confessedly one of great 
 delicacy and difficulty. On the one hand, the watchful eyes, not 
 only of the benevolent friends of missions, but of its enemies also, 
 
81 
 
 arc upon the managers of our Missionary Society, to see that all 
 the funds of the board are so expended as to promote the glory of 
 God, in the salvation of men. The great object for which these 
 funds are contributed, is to spread the gospel of Christ among all 
 unevangelized nations. It appears therefore very desirable, that as 
 small a per centage of these funds, as possible, should be diverted 
 from this object. 
 
 On the other hand, the classes of persons mentioned above, have 
 strong claims upon the Prudential Committee and the Board — claims 
 which can neither be denied nor resisted. We will take, for ex- 
 ample, an extreme case, though by no means an impossible one. 
 
 Suppose a missionary and his wife, forsaking the home of their 
 childhood and youth, their friends and their country, have spent a 
 long life in a foreign land, in a tropical climate, faithfully serving 
 their Lord and Master, by preaching the gospel of Christ to the 
 heathen. God has greatly blessed their labors, and many souls 
 have been gathered into the fold of Christ through their instru- 
 mentality. But in process of time, worn out with labors, enfeebled 
 by age and disease, they are compelled to return to their native 
 land, without the means of supporting themselves. How plain it 
 is, that their situation in these circumstances, makes its appeal with 
 great force to the kindest feelings of the Prudential Committee, 
 and to the Christian public. The same is also pre-eminently true 
 when the disabled, lonely and desolate widow, and orphan children 
 are sent home to our native land. Kind assistance under such cir- 
 cumstances, should always be cheerfully afforded; and we have full 
 confidence in the belief that it always will be. In such cases, the 
 rendering of reasonable assistance cannot be considered a mere 
 act of charity. It may with more propriety be called a debt of 
 justice. 
 
 But while we thus speak, we fully believe that it is the duty of 
 the Prudential Committee, as far as possible, to hold an even bal- 
 ance, and, like the master whom they serve, while they “ love 
 mercy,” and show kindness to disabled missionaries, and especially 
 to the widow and orphan, they must ever have a sacred regard to 
 justice in the administration of the funds committed to their care, 
 by the friends of missions; feeling that they are accountable, not 
 merely to men, but to God. 
 
 We have carefully perused the published rules of the Pruden- 
 tial Committee on this subject- We think they are the result of 
 
 L 
 
82 
 
 wisdom, of care, of kindness, and of long experience in the work 
 of missions. 
 
 It is perfectly obvious that there will be a great variety and 
 diversity in the circumstances and wants of disabled missionaries, 
 returning to their native land. Each case must therefore be dealt 
 with separately according to circumstances. 
 
 Though some of us have resided many years in the British 
 dominions, enjoying the kind protection of the government, and 
 though we have been long familiar with the working of the sys- 
 tem of pensions, we are not yet prepared to recommend the adop- 
 tion of this system by the Prudential Committee. We do not believe 
 it would work well. We think it greatly embarrasses the opera- 
 tions of those societies in Europe who practice upon it. We do 
 not therefore recommend that it be transplanted to the soil of the 
 Puritans, who left this system behind them, when, for the sake of 
 religious freedom, they left the shores of the mother country, to 
 plant and rear the institutions of the gospel on the desolate shores 
 of the new world. 
 
 With respect to the support of the children of missionaries, we 
 need hardly say that it is one which is deeply interesting to every 
 parent, especially in cases where there are no kind relatives or 
 friends, able and willing to take charge of them. Under certain 
 circumstances, it may be thought by some, that the annual allow- 
 ance of 60 sp. drs. for boys and 50 sp. drs. for girls, is not sufficient ; 
 yet in view of the responsibilities of the Prudential Committee, men- 
 tioned in the former part of this report, we are inclined to think 
 that experience will show more and more clearly, that the com- 
 mittee have in this case, found the golden mean. If future ex- 
 perience shows that it is not enough, it can be easily raised. This 
 sum is not intended as a full support for the child, but it is de- 
 signed to assist and encourage kind relatives and friends who feel 
 a deep interest in the great work of training up these children 
 for usefulness in the cause of Christ. Were a full support given, 
 mercenary relatives would, in many cases, be strongly tempted to 
 get possession of the children, not for the sake of giving them the 
 best education, and training them up for usefulness in the cause of 
 Christ, but for the sake of the money they would receive. 
 
 While the writer was in America in 1840 and 1841, he heard many 
 good people warmly advocating the plan of having a large institution 
 in some part of New England or New York, to which the children of 
 
83 
 
 missionaries might be sent on their arrival in America ; and where 
 they might be educated under the same roof, by persons carefully 
 selected for this purpose. This system we believe, has been carried 
 into operation in England ; but we are not fully informed as to the 
 results of experience there. Besides the constitution of English 
 society, is so peculiar that nothing can be safely inferred as to the 
 propriety of establishing a similar institution in America. We believe 
 however, that the plan adopted by the Prudential Committee, has 
 been, and will be found to work well. 
 
 When children are sent to our native land, they should, as spee- 
 dily as possible, be absorbed in the country of their adoption. 
 They should not remain as strangers and foreigners any longer 
 than is absolutely necessary. There are some things which chil- 
 dren who are retained in heathen lands to the age of twelve or 
 thirteen years, should soon forget, if it be possible, and some habits 
 especially that of idleness, arising principally from the difficulty 
 of finding suitable employment for them in a tropical climate, 
 should, as speedily as possible, be corrected by the activity and 
 enterprise of our native land. But by being shut up together in 
 a large institution, they would be very liable not only to retain those 
 evil habits and notions which they brought home with them, but 
 by comparing notes with children from many other parts of the 
 heathen world, there would be imminent danger of great injury 
 by such intercourse. 
 
 So far as our own observation and experience go, we have had 
 great reason to be pleased with the working of the present sys- 
 tem. Great kindness and liberality have been exhibited by many 
 benevolent friends in America towards the children of missiona- 
 ries. As a general thing, we believe that it will be found on 
 careful examination, to be true, that the children of missionaries, 
 have been as well educated, as highly accomplished, and that as 
 many of them have become hopefully pious, and give as great pro- 
 mise of usefulness in the world, in proportion to their number, as 
 an equal number of the children of ministers in America. 
 
 In the early period of the missionary enterprise, before this sub- 
 ject was well understood, or any great principles settled, the elder 
 brethren and sisters of this mission had many very painful anxie- 
 ties, and fears, and perplexities as to what would become of their 
 children. It was at first proposed, by our patrons at home, that 
 they should remain and settle in the land of their birth. But we 
 
84 
 
 could not consent that they should thus remain ; for we saw 
 clearly that it was a land, in almost every respect, unsuitable for 
 colonization by our Saxon race. After a thorough discussion of 
 this subject with our patrons at home, all our requests were grant- 
 ed. Our children have been sent to the land of their parents. 
 There the elder children of the mission have been well educated, 
 and give promise of usefulness. Most of them are, we hope, in 
 the fold of Christ. Thus God has been better to us than our 
 fears. Yea, He has, in respect to most of them, greatly exceeded 
 our highest expectation. Praised be his holy name ! May our 
 younger brethren and sisters, amidst all the painful trials of part- 
 ing with their children, learn to put their trust more firmly in a 
 faithful covenant keeping God. For assuredly, He who hears the 
 young ravens when they cry, will never forget, nor forsake the 
 children of his missionary servants. 
 
 B. C. MEIGS, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 GRANTS FROM THE AMERICAN BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETIES. 
 
 From an early period, this mission has received liberal grants of 
 money from the American Bible and Tract Societies, to expend in 
 carrying out, in this land, the great objects to promote which those 
 societies were formed. 
 
 The grants of the American Tract Society were formerly given 
 to the local Tract Society, for the publication of such books and 
 tracts as were approved by the American Society. Subsequently, 
 however, the amounts were used in purchasing such books and 
 tracts, for general distribution and use in the schools. For several 
 years, the publications of the local Tract Society were divided among 
 its members, a few only being reserved in the depository. As the 
 members of the mission were all members of that society, each in- 
 dividual received his proportion in the division. Afterwards it was 
 found more convenient to leave the books and tracts purchased, in 
 the general depository, to be taken when needed for use. This 
 practice remains in force at the present time. It does not appear 
 that very strict detailed account has been kept by the mission with 
 the local Tract Society, but the mission has freely aided that 
 
85 
 
 society from the funds received from America, and in turn lias 
 been liberally supplied with books and tracts. Much greater use 
 was made of their publications in former years, than for a few 
 years past. Since the beginning of 1 850, the members of the mis- 
 sion, have taken from the depository 713,000 pages of tracts, and 
 1,024,290 pages of books. 
 
 The grants of the American Bible Society have been disposed of, 
 by the mission in a similar manner. Formerly, copies of the Scrip- 
 tures were purchased by the mission ; latterly donations have been 
 made to the local Bible Society to aid in the work of revising and 
 printing the Scriptures. The members of the mission have been 
 generously supplied with the Bible, as a whole, and with portions 
 for use in schools and for general distribution. 
 
 Of the tracts published by the local Tract Society, 125 in num- 
 ber, about three-fourths have been prepared by members of the 
 mission. Also two of the four books published by that society. 
 
 One or more of the members of the mission have been on the re- 
 vision committee of the local Bible Society since 1838, and have ren- 
 dered important aid in preparing a new version of the Scriptures. 
 The chief labor of translation, for some years before the completion 
 of the version now in use among us, was performed by Mr. Percival 
 of the Wesleyan Mission, whose time was principally devoted to the 
 work. Mr. Spaulding after his return from America in 1 847, with 
 the sanction of the mission, aided largely in revising the new transla- 
 tion as it progressed. In 1848, he went to Madras and again in 1849 
 — to engage with others in completing the revision — and was absent 
 in all about four months. The joint labor of those who have been 
 engaged in this work, has resulted in the printing of a tentative edi- 
 tion of this new translation of the Scriptures. It was confidently 
 hoped that this version would be accepted throughout Southern India 
 and Ceylon, but the hope has not, thus far, been idealized. While the 
 work is highly commended, both for its faithfulness in translation and 
 for the correctness of its idiom, circumstances have prevented its being 
 generally received on the continent of India. Efforts have been made 
 to secure the co-operation of the missionaries of different societies in 
 its further revision, but these have not hitherto succeeded. 
 
 The chief advantage of the plan adopted by the mission for the 
 disposal of the grants of the American Bible and Tract Societies, has 
 been the securing on the part of the missionaries of the several socie- 
 ties in the province, unity of effort in the preparation and distribution 
 
86 
 
 of the Scriptures and Tracts. The members of the mission have also 
 partaken of the benefit of the grants made by the societies in England 
 to the auxiliaries in this province, and of local subscriptions. The 
 union, we believe has resulted in great good to our common cause. 
 
 The importance of continuing to use the funds of the American 
 Societies, directly in aiding the local Bible and Tract Societies, is not 
 so great now as formerly, and your committee are of the opinion that 
 there would be advantages in making a different disposal of their 
 grants, than heretofore has been made. While we, therefore, grate- 
 fully acknowledge our indebtedness to the local societies for their 
 generous grants of books and tracts in past years and especially, for 
 the excellent version of the Scriptures, which through the efforts of 
 the Bible Society, has been provided, we would recommend that the 
 mission in future retain the donations of the American Societies in its 
 own hands, to be expended, according as circumstances may direct, in 
 carrying out efficiently the great object for which the grants are made. 
 It is understood that this arrangement will not hinder the purchase of 
 Bibles and Tracts from the local societies. 
 
 E. P. HASTINGS, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 VISITS TO THE UNITED STATES : SANITARIA. 
 
 While it is desirable that a member of the mission visiting the 
 United States have every requisite for health and comfort, it should 
 be a settled principle to avoid every needless expenditure ; and to 
 aid in securing this point, your committee would present for adop- 
 tion the following general 
 
 Rules. 
 
 1. Before leaving for the United States, the consent of the mis- 
 sion, and in all cases which admit of it, the permission of the Pru- 
 dential Committee of the Board should be obtained. 
 
 2. When the cause for leaving is failure of health, a medical 
 certificate should be obtained from the mission physician, or his 
 substitute for the time being ; and also one from any physician, 
 under whose treatment the individual may have been, for any con- 
 siderable time, at the place of embarkation. 
 
 3 It having been decided that a member of the mission may 
 
87 
 
 leave for the United States, a committee shall be appointed to 
 advise and assist in arrangements for the journey. All questions 
 of expenditure to be settled by the mission. 
 
 4. It having been found generally unadvisable to go to Calcutta 
 for a passage, the passage should be taken from Colombo or Madras 
 conditionally to the Cape, and thence if possible to America, other- 
 wise by way of England ; the voyages to be made in sailing vessels. 
 
 5. The salary shall cease at the time of leaving the mission. All 
 expenses till embarkation, shall be accounted for to the mission, and 
 after that to the Treasurer of the Board. 
 
 6. An outfit for the passage of twelve pounds ten shillings, ster- 
 ling, for an adult, of fourteen pounds for a child under five years 
 of age, and of sixteen pounds for a child of five years of age and 
 upwards, shall be allowed, with necessary cabin furniture. The 
 avails of the furniture at the end of the voyage, shall be credited 
 to the Board. 
 
 7. All expenses, whether of cartage, duties or freight, or bag- 
 gage exceeding the ordinary allowance on a sailing vessel, are to 
 be borne by the individual. 
 
 It is the opinion of the mission, that after a member of the mis- 
 sion, has been in this country for as many as twelve to fifteen 
 successive years, it would generally be advantageous to the cause 
 for him to visit his native land, even though his health might not 
 at the time absolutely require it. 
 
 Sanitaria . — The situation of Jaffna, and the direction of the 
 prevailing winds, (which about equally divide the year) modify 
 and to a great extent form the peculiarity of this climate. It is 
 therefore expedient that we have two health bungalows. One on 
 the northern shore, for resort during the dewy season in January 
 and February, which to most is the unhealthiest time of the year. 
 The annual expense of keeping up this will not exceed an average 
 of seven pounds ten shillings. Another bungalow on the southern 
 shore, though not so urgently needed, is still desirable. And as 
 there is one already existing at Parsiyur near the town of Jaffna, 
 which cannot now be disposed of to advantage, and may be sus- 
 tained at an annual cost of about eight pounds ten shillings, it is 
 recommended that it be kept, at least till a more economical ar- 
 rangement can be made. When not used by the mission, it is 
 rented to any who may occasionally desire to occupy it. 
 
88 
 
 The bungalow at Kangy stands on government land. The 
 place having lately become a port, the government occupy it. It 
 should be transferred to government, and the proceeds of its sale, 
 as soon as practicable be deposited in the mission treasury. 
 
 A grant was made by the Board several years since, to build a 
 house on the Pulney hills in the Madura district; and one large 
 enough to accommodate two families was erected, and is now held 
 by the mission. It is arranged that when not needed by this mis- 
 sion, members of the Madura mission may use it, and it is kept in 
 repair by that mission. The great height of those hills, rising as 
 they do some seven thousand feet above the level of the sea, ren- 
 ders them desirable as a healthy station for those to whom they 
 are easy of access. Their distance, and the difficulties of the pas- 
 sage across the water in small country craft, detract seriously from 
 their value to us. 
 
 SAMUEL F. GREEN, 
 Chairman. 
 
 XV. 
 
 SALARIES. 
 
 For a short time at the commencement of the American Ceylon 
 Mission, each member was supplied, according to his necessities, 
 from the general fund ; but as there were practical evils resulting 
 from this course, it was in 1820 changed, and each one had a cer- 
 tain annual allowance as his salary. 
 
 For many years the salary has been and is now — house rent 
 being free — LI ,30 for a married missionary, for a single male mis- 
 sionary LI 00, and for a single female missionary L75. Although 
 for some years past the expense of living has been considerably 
 increased, still it is believed, that all things considered, an increase 
 of salary is not now demanded ; but that with a wise economy, the 
 present sum is sufficient, not only for a competent support, but at 
 the same time allows room for the missionary to be an ensample 
 to his flock, and to come up to the scripture standard in acts of 
 charity and hospitality. 
 
 The annual allowance, at present, for the children of missionaries 
 is for those under five years, the sum of L13-10, and for those 
 over five LI 6-4. While this is thought to be about what is ne- 
 cessary for the support of children, when their number is but three 
 
89 
 
 or four, it is believed that beyoud that number, it is more than is 
 needed, and it is recommended that the allowance from and after 
 January 1, 1856, be £15 per year for each child, until the fourth ; 
 that for the fourth and succeeding children it be .£10, and thus 
 continue at these respective rates, until the allowance for children 
 shall reach the sum of <£75 annually, beyond which there shall be 
 no further allowance. 
 
 T S. BURNELL, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT. 
 
 The history of the Medical Establishment dates from the com- 
 mencement of the mission. Two of the first company sent by the 
 American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to this Island, 
 Rev. Messrs. Warren and Richards, had a knowledge of medicine ; 
 and commenced, at an early period, its practice among the people. 
 Mr. Warren established a small hospital at Tillipally as early as 
 1817, having received aid in its erection, and in part for sustaining 
 it, from a few European friends in the province. Dr. Scudder arrived 
 and entered upon his labors as a missionary physician in 1819. In 
 addition to personal labors in his profession among the people, Dr. 
 Scudder commenced the training of a few native young men to 
 practice medicine in the country upon European principles. In 1833, 
 Dr. Ward joined the mission and took charge of the Medical Depart- 
 ment. He continued to some extent the instruction of native youth 
 in medicine. He left the Island for America early in 1847. Dr. 
 Green became connected with the mission in October 1847, and 
 has had charge of this establishment up to the present time. 
 
 The following may be stated as some of the results of this de- 
 partment of our mission : — 
 
 1. Permanent relief has been afforded to thousands, many of whom 
 in the hands of native doctors, would probably have fallen victims 
 to malpractice. 
 
 2. The superstitious practice of native doctors has, to a consider- 
 able extent, been broken in upon, and the confidence of the people 
 in them, greatly impaired. 
 
 3. A number of young men have been educated in European 
 medicine, who have been, and some of them are still, very useful 
 
 M 
 
90 
 
 in their profession, in the province. The exact number who have 
 been educated in this department, the committee have not been 
 able to ascertain. Nineteen are known to have studied. Several 
 have died ; 14 are now living — of whom five are employed in mis- 
 sion service (four in this mission and one at Madras) — four are in 
 government employment, two connected with the hospital of the 
 “ Friend in Need Society” of Jaffna; two employed by the planter’s 
 association on the cocoanut estates, and one is in independent prac- 
 tice in the town of Jaffna. 
 
 4. Opportunities have been afforded for bringing gospel truth 
 before the minds of a large number. Very few actual conversions 
 are known to have taken place, as the result of missionary labor in 
 this department; but that no permanent religious impressions have 
 been made, we cannot say. It may be found in the last day, that 
 many while seeking relief for their bodily diseases, have been led to 
 apply to the great Physician of souls for relief in their spiritual 
 maladies. 
 
 At the present time there is a Dispensary, connected with this 
 department, in the care of which Dr. Green has the assistance of 
 three young men who have nearly completed their course of study. 
 The annual cost of the Dispensary is about £60. There is also a 
 medical class of eight, who have recently entered upon their stu- 
 dies. All of them have been educated in English, seven of them 
 in our own Seminary. The average number of cases treated at the 
 Dispensary annually, has been of late years about 2,000. The calls 
 for aid have steadily increased, and it is evident that there is a 
 growing confidence on the part of the people in European practice. 
 This department has received the last two years an annual grant 
 of £50 from the Colonial Government. 
 
 The main design of the medical establishment in its relations to 
 the people, has ever been, to gain access to them for the purpose 
 of making known the great truths of the gospel. In carrying out 
 this design the missionary physician has had also in view. 
 
 (1.) Furnishing relief to the sick. 
 
 (2.) Supplying the mission field with well educated Christian men 
 who should labor to displace the superstitious practice of the native 
 doctors, and at the same time act as catechists in their several 
 localities. This latter object has not hitherto been so fully at- 
 tained as was desired. There has been a demand for native me- 
 
91 
 
 dical practitioners in connection with the government and certain 
 benevolent medical institutions in Jaffna, and on the estates, which 
 has called off a number of those who have been thus educated. 
 
 In considering the prospective wants of our field in this depart- 
 ment, several questions present themselves. 
 
 1st. Is a Missionary Physician needed ? — It will help us in an- 
 swering this question to look at the supply of medical practitioners in 
 the province who are available. There is but one European physician 
 in the province, and he is connected with the government, and resides 
 at the fort in the town of Jaffna. There are three native physicians 
 residing in the town, who were educated by our mission. Two of 
 them are connected with the hospital of the “Friend in Need Socie- 
 ty,” and are prohibited by the rules of that society from practising, 
 out of the hospital. The other is practising independently. There 
 is one native physician in Chavagacherry, connected with the mission, 
 whose medical knowledge and skill are very limited. Three individu- 
 als, now connected with Dr. Green, have nearly completed their 
 course of study. There are, besides, several connected with the 
 government, whose services could not be relied upon by the mission. 
 The whole number of native physicians, then, including the three 
 now with Dr. Green, and the one at Chavagacherry, who is but parti- 
 ally educated, whose services could be obtained at the present time, is 
 five. Unless retained in the pay of the mission, however, their worldly 
 interests would lead them to seek a situation under government, 
 or employment elsewhere, remote from the mission. But even could 
 their services be secured, it would be very undesirable, that the mem- 
 bers of the mission, should be obliged to depend solely, upon their 
 native physicians, when requiring medical treatment for themselves 
 and families. In slight cases of indisposition, their services might 
 be acceptable, but in many cases which may and do occur, there would 
 be great reluctance on the part of missionaries to place themselves in 
 their hands. 
 
 As to how far the services of the physician in the Fort would be 
 available, in cases requiring medical attendance, we are hardly able to 
 give an opinion. Frequent changes of physicians occur in the govern- 
 ment service, and sometimes temporary vacancies. The present in- 
 cumbent is the third who has occupied the station in Jaffna, within 
 six or seven years. It may be added that there is no certainty that 
 the government physician will be in circumstances permitting him to 
 attend upon members of the mission, if so disposed. Your committee 
 
92 
 
 are of the opinion that the mission should not be left to rely solely 
 upon such uncertain medical aid. 
 
 2d. If there is a missionary physician, what should be his duties ? 
 — (1.) His first duty, as a physician is to attend upon the mission 
 families, when his services are required, and 
 
 (2.) To use his profession, so far as he is able, in promoting the 
 great object of the mission, the conversion of souls. In laboring for 
 this latter object, he has many opportunities of presenting the truth 
 personally, not only to those who are suffering from disease, but also 
 to their friends and attendants. In many cases, he is able to speak to 
 the same individuals repeatedly. If he finds them dull of hearing, 
 and more absorbed with their bodily infirmities, than with the disease 
 of their souls, and totally disinclined to receive the truth, he only 
 experiences, what the preacher of the gospel every where meets, and 
 has no more reason for discouragement. 
 
 The question may arise, in this connection, as to whether it falls 
 within the ' appropriate duties of a missionary physician, to instruct 
 native youth in medicine, and prepare medical books for their use 
 and for general circulation? Your committee are disposed to think 
 that it does, when the means of educating them are derived from 
 other sources than the mission treasury, and that within proper 
 limits, the efforts of the physician in this direction, may be made 
 to have an important bearing upon the cause of Christianity. It 
 is very desirable that Christian families should be able to obtain 
 the services of a well-trained Christian physician when needed, 
 and not be obliged to resort to the native doctors of the land, who 
 have no true knowledge of the human system and little of medi- 
 cine. There is, however, need of guarding this matter with some 
 degree of strictness. It should not enter into our plans, as a mis- 
 sion, to educate men in this department for the service of go- 
 vernment, or even for the service of those benevolent institutions 
 which are not strictly missionary in their character. It should be 
 our only aim to make the practice of medicine, auxiliary to the 
 one great object which we are endeavoring to promote among the 
 people. In educating young men in this department, therefore, 
 we should have in view, fitting them to settle in the villages, 
 as Christian physicians, sustaining themselves by their profession. 
 This end will best be subserved, by selecting for instruction, only 
 Christian young men. The preparation of medical books in the 
 vernacular is indispensable to the proper instruction of such classes, 
 
93 
 
 and to furnishing them with the necessary reference books. Such 
 works would be exceedingly important in giving permanency to a 
 correct practice of medicine in the land. 
 
 (3.) In what language should instruction be given to a medical 
 class? — Hitherto in this mission, it has been given almost entirely 
 in the English language. This practice has arisen, in part, from 
 the fact, that those applying for admission to the classes have pre- 
 viously acquired a knowledge of English, and in part from their 
 being no text-books in the vernacular. In view of the difficulty 
 of retaining in the villages those educated in English, as well 
 as the contemplated changes in other branches of education, your 
 committee recommend that, hereafter, instruction in this depart- 
 ment also, be entirely in Tamil, and that the change commence 
 with the class recently received. 
 
 (4.) What relation should Christian native physicians sustain to 
 the mission ? — The plan of the mission, heretofore, has been to em- 
 ploy at some of the stations medical assistants, whose duty it has 
 been to attend upon the Christian families at the station, to prac- 
 tice, to some extent, among the people, and to engage in the work 
 of catechists, or in other work when required by the mission. 
 There was formerly such a medical assistant, connected with the 
 Seminary at Batticotta, and one also at Oodooville. At the present 
 time, there is one such assistant at Chavagacherry. The chief ob- 
 ject of this plan has been to secure medical aid, especially for the 
 Christian families in the employment of the mission, and for the 
 boarding schools. While this arrangement has been in some respects 
 advantageous, it has produced serious evils. The tendency has been 
 to encourage native Christians to depend upon the mission for 
 medical aid, and has prevented the medical assistant himself, from 
 putting forth suitable effort, to live by his profession. To remedy 
 these evils, it seems important, that there should be no salaried 
 medical assistants, connected with the mission ; but that each should 
 be paid only for the actual service, in his profession, which he ren- 
 ders, thus being encouraged to look for his chief support from the 
 people. The employment of medical men as catechists, or in other 
 departments of mission service, is undesirable ; and hereafter should 
 be avoided. 
 
 (5.) Where should the missionary physician reside ? — It is im- 
 portant that his residence should be nearly central to the several 
 stations. According to the present arrangement of stations, Manepy, 
 
seems to be the most eligible place, both as to its locality and its 
 accommodation, in respect to the necessary buildings. 
 
 (6.) Should the medical establishment receive grants in aid from 
 the Government ? — As a general principle, it seems not advisable 
 for missions to have pecuniary connection with governments. Such 
 connection involves the right of visitation on the part of civil go- 
 vernments, to which, on many accounts, it is undesirable, that mis- 
 sions should be subjected. As the medical establishment, however, 
 in its secondary objects, is the means of direct and extensive 
 physical good to the people who are the subjects of the Govern- 
 ment, as it aims to make permanent that good, especially by the 
 preparation of suitable medical books in the vernacular, as the 
 expense of educating native physicians does not come properly with- 
 in the range of missionary societies, and as, therefore, there is not 
 the same objection to receiving grants for this purpose, as in the 
 case of missionary schools, we feel no serious embarrassment in re- 
 gard to aid being afforded by Government, for the instruction of 
 young men in medicine. 
 
 (7.) Should the missionary ■physician extend his practice to for- 
 eign residents ?■ — The rule recently adopted by the mission on this 
 point with some modifications, is perhaps sufficiently definite. The 
 rule as modified, is as follows: “The mission physician, ordina- 
 
 rily, should attend only the members of the mission and their fami- 
 lies, except when called in council and in special cases to be de- 
 termined by the mission.’’ 
 
 (8). Should medicines be sold, or dispensed gratuitously ? — The 
 following rule, on this subject, was adopted by the mission at the 
 commencement of the present year. “As far as practicable all me- 
 dicines should be sold, it being understood that missionaries and 
 their families be supplied gratis, with whatever is required from 
 the dispensary for strictly medical purposes; and that others 
 who are sick and unable to pay, also be supplied without charge.” 
 Thus far this rule has been found to work favorably, and your 
 committee would recommend its continuance. 
 
 E. P. HASTINGS, 
 Chairman. 
 
95 
 
 XVII. 
 
 MISSION PROPERTY. 
 
 The property of the mission, as specified in the accompanying 
 list, amounts to £11,1 54—1 4— V J. 
 
 Of this amount, £846-6-2| is in land at the several stations, 
 principally at Batticotta, Manepy, and Oodooville. In the above 
 sum is included lands valued at £54-9-0 received as donation, 
 which, by the law of the country, cannot be transferred to others, 
 but if left, reverts to the donors or their heirs. Buildings erected 
 on the purchased lands have cost £2,191-10-0 as indicated in the 
 list above named. 
 
 The cost of buildings erected on the old church premises and 
 estimated value of improvements on the old houses and churches is 
 £4,623-8-0. The Pulney Sanitarium is included in this list, also 
 the bungalow at Kangay, which, we hope, may soon be purchased 
 by government. 
 
 The personal property amounts to £3,493-10-5, including Print- 
 ing office, Book Depository, apparatus of the Batticotta Seminary, 
 and other articles indicated in the accompanying paper. 
 
 The government own the old church premises, and we occupy 
 them by their permission. We have no claim to the property ex- 
 cept the improvements made upon the churches and houses, as in- 
 dicated in the accompanying list at their estimated value. 
 
 The title-deeds of the land which has been purchased are written 
 in the names of the various members of the mission, as specified in 
 the list, and most of it has been so long in our possession, that we 
 hold it, according to the law of tbe country, by right of possession. 
 
 In the accompanying papers, the present members of the mission 
 certify that the lands and other property therein mentioned were, 
 to the best of their knowledge, and belief, purchased with the money 
 of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and 
 is their property. We propose that hereafter when land is pur- 
 chased, the title-deeds be written in the name of some member of 
 the mission, who shall hold it in behalf of the American Board of 
 Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
 
 As to the real value of the old Dutch churches, it may be said 
 that they have been of service in our former labors, and may have 
 saved expense. If they had not been in existence, others would 
 
06 
 
 doubtless have been built, if not as large, yet probably costing as 
 much as it did to repair these. In our prospective labors they will 
 be less needed. Those near the centre of the field may be required 
 for large meetings occasionally. 
 
 The houses connected with the churches were repaired at some 
 of the stations at a less expense than it would have cost to build 
 anew. Yet we are inclined to the opinion that it would have been 
 good economy to have built anew at first, rather than repair these 
 old and inconvenient houses. 
 
 The building at Yarany are not of much service at present, and 
 a small bungalow would answer for a stopping place for a day, or 
 even for a night, as well or better than the house. If the timbers 
 are needed for other work, we recommend that they be used. If 
 not needed, at present, they would better remain as they are. 
 
 We also recommend that all lands and mission property, which 
 are not needed, be disposed of, when a favorable opportunity occurs. 
 
 J. C. SMITH, 
 Chairman. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 GOVERNMENT GRANTS. 
 
 These have been of two kinds : 
 
 (1) Donations to the general funds of the mission, and 
 
 (2) Grants which have been given through the school commis- 
 sion, to assist in enlarging the means of the mission in the educa- 
 tional department. 
 
 The former have uniformly been credited to the funds of the 
 Board and rendered in accounts with their Treasurer. 
 
 The latter, as they were given for a specific object have been 
 spent for that object only. 
 
 In neither case have these donations or grants been accompanied 
 with any controling restrictions, on the part of government, except- 
 ing that the Inspector of schools has been allowed to visit and 
 examine them once a year, that he might report their existence 
 and condition to government. 
 
 As very kind and liberal expressions of the confidence placed in 
 the mission, by the Colonial Government, the mission has most 
 gratefully received them and faithfully used them to forward its 
 interests. 
 
97 
 
 But as a donation or grant implies the right of visitation and 
 partial control, and the obligation on the part of the donee to com- 
 ply with such visitation and control, and as we now change our 
 policy, and confine our schools and seminary more especially to 
 Christian children and to the vernacular language, it is thought 
 advisable to limit our educational department to the sum furnished 
 by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
 
 Your committee would therefore recommend that, in future grants 
 for education be respectfully declined. 
 
 LEVI SPAULDING, 
 Chairman. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 ESTIMATES, APPROPRIATIONS, AND EXPENDITURES. 
 
 The reason why estimates are annually forwarded to the Pru- 
 dential Committee, is to furnish them with full information re- 
 specting the wants of the mission, giving them many particulars 
 under each general head, to enable them as far as possible, to de- 
 cide with accuracy, as to the amount to be appropriated to the mis- 
 sion. 
 
 In expending the money appropriated by the Prudential Com- 
 mittee, it should, in all cases be expended only for the objects for 
 which it was granted. 
 
 We are of opinion that all moneys received by the treasurer of 
 the mission, from whatever sources, should be entered in the books 
 of the mission to the credit of the treasurer of the Board, as any 
 unexpended balance on hand at the close of the year, will be taken 
 into consideration, by the Prudential Committee in making remit- 
 tances to the mission for the coming year. 
 
 B. C. MEIGS, 
 Chairman. 
 
 XX. 
 
 MISSION BUILDINGS. 
 
 Mission Houses . — The plan and size of our earlier houses, and 
 churches, were determined by the ruins found at the stations when 
 the first missionaries came upon the ground. It seemed good eco- 
 nomy for the mission to avail itself of walls already existing, and 
 N 
 
98 
 
 therefore such were roofed and repaired at Tillipally, Batticotta, 
 South Manepy, Oodooville, Panditeripo and Yarany. At North 
 Manepy, North Batticotta, Chavagacherry and Oodoopitty new 
 houses have been erected. Those at North Manepy and North 
 Batticotta are too large. 
 
 The house at Oodoopitty is of the proper plan and dimensions 
 for a mission residence, only requiring in addition a separate build- 
 ing for a study. A diagram of these premises is appended. In 
 view of the policy the mission propose to follow for the future, and 
 the abundant supply of houses on hand, it is not probable any fur- 
 ther expenditure for building will be called for. 
 
 Helpers' houses . — The house for the native helpers, should equal 
 in style the average of native residences. It should be built of 
 mud, and roofed with olas. The floor should be well raised above 
 the reach of the soaking rains, the walls substantial, and eight to 
 nine feet in height. It should contain two rooms, one ten feet 
 square, and the other thirteen feet long by ten feet wide. There 
 should be a verandah six feet wide on the front and two ends. In 
 the rear the eaves should project about four feet beyond the wall. 
 Each room should have one door and one window, a door leading 
 from one room to the other. The house can be so placed that one 
 of the end verandahs, divided by a wall from the main verandah 
 might serve as taly vasal, or native reception room. In excep- 
 tional cases a separate taly vasal, twelve feet long by ten feet wide, 
 might be allowed. A kitchen ten feet long by eight feet wide 
 should be erected near the larger room, at a safe yet convenient 
 distance from the house, and near it should be a well. 
 
 The compound should be large enough to enable the parents 
 to seclude their children from heathen companions, and yet afford 
 them sufficient room for exercise. This garden, the occupant 
 should be encouraged to cultivate. In choosing a site, special re- 
 gard should be had to elevation. The average cost of the above 
 buildings should be ten to twelve pounds sterling, and in no case 
 should it exceed fifteen pounds sterling. For their use the tenant 
 should pay rent. 
 
 Churches . — The building for the purposes of village church wor- 
 ship, should be of the open bungalow style, the size varying accord- 
 ing to the numbers to be accommodated. As it will be easy to 
 enlarge by lengthening, it is not well to build too much for the 
 
99 
 
 future, but giving large allowance for immediate wants, let crowd- 
 ing for a time, prove the call for extension. 
 
 The structure should be an ola roof, supported by plain wooden 
 posts, and either walled in with mud half way from the floor to 
 the eaves, or hung round with ola screens. The floor should be 
 raised enough to be dry in all seasons. This building should of 
 course be entirely separate from the helper’s house, and far remov- 
 ed enough from it to be free from a liability of use for household 
 purposes. 
 
 According to the size of the building, it should cost from five 
 to fifteen pounds sterling ; the latter sum should be considered the 
 maximum. When the people may come to desire something better 
 or more costly, they should be permitted to build for themselves ; 
 but mission funds should not be given, even to help in the rearing 
 of a more expensive structure. 
 
 These buildings should be supplied by the mission only to a cer- 
 tain extent. Where the people wish to have more than one in 
 the same village, or nearer together than convenient walking dis- 
 tance, they should be expected to construct at their own expense. 
 
 Old Station Churches . — It is advised that the east end of the 
 Oodooville church be sufficiently removed, to open the south end 
 of the dwelling to the wind. That the Batticotta church at pre- 
 sent remain as it is, and if after a year or two it be deemed expe- 
 dient, its roof be raised, leaving however the house partitioned 
 off from the east end of the church, without any further expen- 
 diture for repairs ; that the churches at Panditeripo and at Til- 
 lipally be left without any further special outlay for repairs; but 
 that they be kept roofed for a few years, till it be clear whether 
 mission interest calls for their preservation. 
 
 S. F. GREEN, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
100 
 
101 
 
 XXL 
 
 TEMPORAL AID FROM MISSION FUNDS. 
 
 Two or three cases have occurred in which the children of poor 
 Christian widows have received assistance, to a small amount, from 
 mission funds. 
 
 The time has not fully come, though it may be near at hand, 
 when applications will be made to us for aid from superannuated 
 native assistants. There have been in our employment a few per- 
 sons who became old in our service. Their value as helpers be- 
 came less, and their stipend was reduced. They are not now in 
 employment. 
 
 The principle by which the mission has been and should be 
 governed, when applied to for aid in behalf of indigent Christians, 
 or their children, or those who have become superannuated as 
 teachers, or catechists, or preachers, is clear. 
 
 1. Mission funds are not given for the support of the poor. Their 
 object is definite. 
 
 They are given to make known Christ, and to plant the institu- 
 tions of the gospel among the heathen. If there are poor in the 
 church, it is the duty and the privilege of the church to take care of 
 them. Important Christian graces are thus developed and strengthen- 
 ed for vigorous action. 
 
 2. Persons employed on mission funds, and for mission purposes, 
 should be paid when the service is done. The equivalent should 
 be given when the labor is performed, so that when the service 
 ceases, the obligation for support may cease also. 
 
 3. No persons should be employed on the funds of the mission, 
 simply for the sake of giving them support ; nor should any be 
 continued in service, after they have become inefficient from age, 
 or from other causes. 
 
 Such seems to be the plan of Providence, and on any other prin- 
 ciple, endless difficulties will arise to obstruct the easy working and 
 the successful progress of Christian missions. 
 
 M. D. SANDERS, 
 Chairman. 
 
LETTER OF THE DEPUTATION. 
 
 Batticotta, May 23, 1855. 
 
 TO THE BRETHREN OF THE CEYLON MISSION. 
 
 Dear Brethren, — Our meeting closed yesterday, after a session 
 of twenty days ; not including two given to our native catechists, 
 and one, on the first Monday in the month, devoted to prayer and 
 conference with our brethren of other missions. The number of 
 distinct sessions was thirty-eight. In the Madura mission, the 
 meeting occupied sixteen days, not including two given to cate- 
 chists, and the number of sessions was nineteen. The meeting at 
 Ahmednuggur occupied also sixteen days, and there were twenty-two 
 sessions. Considering the number and importance of our subjects, 
 and the amount of change involved in the discussion, it calls for 
 the profoundest gratitude to God, that nothing occurred to mar in 
 the least our unity of feeling, and that the results embodied in 
 your twenty-one reports, are an expression, with no important 
 exceptions so far as we perceive, of your unanimous views of what 
 will advance the interests of our mission in this province. We 
 came hither, as you know, with expectations of finding missionary 
 problems hard of solution, and practical views among yourselves of 
 missionary policy not easily harmonized. In both respects we have 
 been most happily disappointed. Our visit to you was evidently 
 at the right time, and we were sent, as we humbly believe, of 
 the Lord; — sent to aid you at a critical juncture; and we have 
 had occasion to act only as auxiliaries. At the opening of your 
 meeting we stated indeed, with all possible frankness, what appear- 
 ed to us to be the actual posture and relations of the mission, and 
 what were the measures that seemed most likely to be advantageous 
 to your working system. We were pleased to see, as the meeting 
 advanced, that most of the changes then suggested were but an 
 expression of your own views of expediency and duty. The ten- 
 dency of your minds, under the pressure of experience, was all in 
 the same direction with our own ; and when the facts had been 
 properly arranged, so as to bring out their actual relations to each 
 other — a thing it was easy to do — no protracted or earnest argu- 
 mentation was found to be needful. 
 
103 
 
 As we expect to be able to furnish you ere long with a printed 
 copy of our letters to the Mahratta and Madura missions, (together 
 with the proceedings of those missions,) we shall save ourselves the 
 labor — a rather obvious duty on our personal account — of discussing 
 matters that are discussed in those letters ; except when new points 
 of view render it expedient. Among these subjects are — the con- 
 trolling objects of missions to the heathen ; preaching ; native 
 churches and pastors ; ordaining native evangelists ; employing hea- 
 then schoolmasters ; boarding schools ; village-stations and village- 
 schools ; Christian villages ; the training of native helpers ; temporal 
 aid to indigent native Christians ; and restrictions on correspondence 
 with the Secretaries of the Board. We have also explained, at 
 some length, the reasons in favor of sending Deputations. 
 
 The meeting with some three hundred of the Batticotta gra- 
 duates, on the 10th of April, that with the catechists, on the 2d of 
 May, and that with the Native Evangelical Society, on the 3d, 
 are among the occurrences of our visits not willingly to be for- 
 gotten. Nor can we help adverting to the excellent roads, con- 
 necting your several stations, and greatly facilitating your work ; 
 for which we are indebted to the intelligent British officer, Mr. 
 Dyke, who has so long presided over this province. It is not a 
 country of hills and vallies, but an unbroken level, with large 
 groves of palmyra and other trees, indicating both the sites and 
 extent of villages, and open paddy fields between them, so graded 
 and prepared as to retain the water in the rainy season. The cli- 
 mate is oceanic, and at this season, though under a vertical sun, it 
 is delightfully attempered by the brisk south-west monsoon. The 
 clouds are now drenching the southern coast and the regions of 
 Colombo ; here, they bring no rain, and serve only to soften the 
 rays of the morning sun. We shall have almost no experience of 
 the rainy season — only a touch of it at Point-de-Galle — but we un- 
 derstand it is not here so unpleasant as might be supposed, and 
 helps to diversify the year. The people of Jaffna seem more in- 
 dependent in their circumstances and manners, than their kindred 
 on the continent; but whether they are more deceptive, or less so, 
 we are unable to determine. Their prevailing caste, the Vellala, 
 corresponds with the Kumbi of the Deccan. Though not easily 
 brought under the influence of the gospel, they are perhaps no 
 more difficult of access than their brethren among the Maharattas. 
 More will be known about them as converts, after the principles 
 
104 
 
 of the gospel have more thoroughly permeated their relations of 
 social life, and when, by a reduction in the number of schools and 
 in the range of education, they shall have less to gain, in a worldly 
 point of view, by their connection with the mission. 
 
 The Board and its patrons will be under great obligation to you 
 for the thoroughness, with which you have, in your report, discuss- 
 ed the governing object in missions to the heathen. It was our 
 first subject in the meeting, and effectively connected itself with 
 all that followed. The great first principles of the work of mis- 
 sions are there embodied. You describe it in impressive language 
 as a work of faith ; God’s work ; acknowledging no necessity of 
 auxiliary means or preparatory process ; and too often actually re- 
 tarded by a resort to such appliances. 
 
 Your report on preaching shows that your’s has been, as you 
 say, “ truly a preaching mission.” The mission, as a body, has 
 from the first been composed of able and faithful preachers. Not- 
 withstanding this, there has hitherto been a failure to obtain relia- 
 ble stated congregations; adult congregations, where the same per- 
 sons attend from Sabbath to Sabbath. The following tabular view 
 of attendance at the several stations, illustrating this point, was 
 prepared from information received by us at the several stations. 
 
 
 When com - 
 mencccl. 
 
 Number in 
 Congregation. 
 
 Pupils in the 
 Schools. 
 
 Supported bp j 
 Mission em - j 
 plop. 
 
 Christian 
 members not 
 employed. 
 
 Adult 
 
 Heathens. 
 
 Tillipally 
 
 1816 
 
 535 
 
 450 
 
 24 
 
 21 
 
 40 
 
 Batticotta 
 
 1817 
 
 519 
 
 387 
 
 73 
 
 19 
 
 22 
 
 Oodooville 
 
 1820 
 
 621 
 
 533 
 
 33 
 
 30 
 
 25 
 
 Manepy 
 
 1821 
 
 368 
 
 300 
 
 52 
 
 13 
 
 3 
 
 Panditeripo 
 
 1821 
 
 225 
 
 189 
 
 17 
 
 14 
 
 5 
 
 Chavagacherry. . . . 
 
 1835 
 
 287 
 
 245 
 
 20 
 
 7 
 
 15 
 
 Oodoopitty 
 
 1846 
 
 40 
 
 8 
 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 14 
 
 Total... 
 
 
 2,595 
 
 2.112 
 
 231 
 
 110 
 
 124 
 
 It should be borne in mind, that the Seminary is at Batticotta, 
 the Female Boarding School at Oodooville, and the Printing Es- 
 tablishment at Manepy. Restricting our views to the five older 
 stations, we know of nothing more surprising in our experience of 
 missions, than this result as regards congregations. For a period 
 of from thirty-four to nearly forty years, those stations have enjoy- 
 ed the labors of some of the ablest and most faithful of mission- 
 
105 
 
 aries ; and, during all this time, there has been every facility which 
 popular schools of varied form could give. In the year 1836, (when 
 indeed the number was greatest) there were 155 common schools 
 and 6,000 pupils connected with these stations, not to speak of other 
 schools of a higher order. The whole may be seen by a reference 
 to your reports on the various departments of education. Yet, in 
 a population of 130,000 souls, separating from the congregations 
 the pupils in the mission schools and the persons deriving their 
 support front mission employ, oidy 124 adults remain for the 
 whole of these five older congregations, who are not members of the 
 church. Had so much piety, talent and labor been employed, for 
 so long a time, simply in direct preaching efforts to collect congre- 
 gations, without the intervention of schools , tve should have been 
 ready to regard this mission as without doubt to be relinquished 
 for some more productive field. As it is, however, we came to no 
 such conclusion. We have supposed that it proves the insufficiency 
 of schools as a means of securing stated congregations, rather than 
 the impracticability of the field. It falls in with similar facts else- 
 where to show, that though schools may secure an audience, for 
 the time being, they are not the best way of securing a stated con- 
 gregation. They would seem rather to stand in the way of it. 
 We say this with a perfect recollection, that we at home have had 
 a joint and cordial agency with our brethren here in this method 
 of working the mission, and have written and published much to 
 secure to it favor and success ; and through it much valuable ex- 
 perience has been acquired, experience that has been and will be 
 useful here and elsewhere ; saving vastly more money than it has 
 cost. We believe, too, that, in the working out of this great ex- 
 periment, there has been much real preparation made for the spread 
 of the gospel in this province ; and that God’s Providence will in 
 time make this fact stand out, much more clearly than it does at 
 present. Even now, your older members are at no loss for proofs 
 of this abundantly satisfactory to their own minds. 
 
 It may help to a more distinct impression as to the stated con- 
 gregations, to give an average view of the seven. The average 
 number at each station is 370 ; of which number 302 are pupils in 
 the schools, and 68 are adults. Thirty-three of those adults, or 
 about one-half, receive their support through various services ren- 
 dered to the mission. Of the rest, 15 in each congregation are 
 church-members not employed by the mission, and 17 may be classed 
 as heathens. 
 
 O 
 
106 
 
 The following tabular view of the mission churches was derived 
 from the same sources as that of the congregations — 
 
 
 When com- 
 menced. | 
 
 Whole num- 
 ber. 
 
 Males . 
 
 ' i 
 
 Females. 
 
 ^ g. 
 
 z § 
 
 Wives of 
 these. 
 
 J\§£ 
 
 5: 
 
 Not employed. 
 
 Tillipally 
 
 1816 
 
 48 
 
 31 
 
 17 
 
 20 
 
 9 
 
 0 
 
 19 
 
 Batticotta 
 
 1817 
 
 109 
 
 78 
 
 31 
 
 46 
 
 14 
 
 0 
 
 49 
 
 Oodooville 
 
 1820 
 
 91 
 
 24 
 
 67 
 
 13 
 
 433 
 
 6 
 
 39 
 
 Manepy 
 
 1821 
 
 56 
 
 33 
 
 23 
 
 20 
 
 10 
 
 O 
 
 26 
 
 Panditeripo 
 
 1821 
 
 31 
 
 19 
 
 12 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 14 
 
 C ha v agaclierry . . . . 
 
 1835 
 
 27 
 
 15 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 Oodoopitty 
 
 1847 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 Total... 
 
 
 376 
 
 208 
 
 168 
 
 122 
 
 83 
 
 13 
 
 158 
 
 The whole number of church-members is 376; and of these, in- 
 cluding 31 members of the two seminaries, 249 derive their support, 
 in some form, from the mission. This is not mentioned as a defect 
 in the churches ; for, in one point of view, it is certainly well that 
 so large a number of members are worthy of employment, and can 
 find it as preachers, catechists, schoolmasters, &c. ; or of being 
 educated in boarding schools. Still it is a misfortune, that so large 
 a proportion of the members stands in just that relation. Now 
 this peculiar constitution of the mission churches in this province 
 should be viewed in connection with the no less peculiar constitu- 
 tion of the mission congregations ; and these again should be viewed 
 in connection with the other parts of the working system. Thus, 
 the two boarding schools have been the chief feeders of the church. 
 In other words, the converting influence of the mission is and has 
 been exerted chiefly through its boarding schools. 
 
 Churches thus produced and sustained cannot become self-sup- 
 porting, active, united churches, nor give high, satisfactory evidences 
 of piety. We find it hard to trust the motives of their members, 
 and to confide in them, and of course to love and respect them as 
 we should. They cannot be greatly multiplied, and some change 
 is therefore needful in our method of operating. 
 
 Much has been done in this province for the cause of education 
 and of general improvement ; much that the government and people 
 of Jaffna should be thankful for. Much has been done, and done 
 successfully, to array the facts of science against the Hindu mytho- 
 logy. Men, who were thus educated in our seminary, are residing 
 in all parts of the community. Hundreds, and even thousands, are 
 
107 
 
 heads of families who were once taught more or less of the funda- 
 mental truths of the gospel in our common schools. It is time for 
 us to review our course, and make our appliances more eminently 
 religious. Education having acquired a marketable value out of the 
 mission, is now setting strongly towards the world through the 
 English language. If we yield longer to that current, we are in 
 danger of being swept wholly from our course. What we now see 
 in the native mind, as the result of past educational efforts, is an 
 intensely avaricious and ambitious mental activity, which Ave can 
 no longer hope to correct, or even to control, except by ceasing to 
 minister to the diseased appetite, and by giving ourselves more ex- 
 clusively to prayer and the ministry of the word. 
 
 The general course of your proceedings in your late meeting, as 
 detailed in your reports, is in accordance with these views. You 
 regard the main strength of our future efforts as in the village 
 church, the village pastor, the village school with its nucleus of 
 Christian children, and the native preaching bungalow, which may 
 serve also for the village school. 
 
 We have been permitted to see the village church, and the vil- 
 lage pastor. We saw them on the 24th of May, at Karadive; and 
 blessed be God for what we saw and heard ! And how did it en- 
 hance our joy, and not our’s alone, that Mr. Meigs, from the first 
 company of missionaries that came thirty-nine years ago, and Mr. 
 Spaulding, from the first reinforcement in 1820, were spared to 
 take leading parts in the service on this occasion of such high his- 
 torical interest. Then and there the first village church was form- 
 ed, of men and women, from castes that stand opposed to each other 
 like Jews and Samaritans, now one in Christ. One of the two 
 deacons, and the one first chosen, is of pariah origin. Cornelius, 
 the pastor elect, though not born in this province, nor accomplish- 
 ed in English studies, yet, having beerj long and zealously labor- 
 ing at Karadive, being of good report among the people, and be- 
 loved and desired by them, was evidently the man chosen of God 
 to be their first pastor. 
 
 Such churches as this you propose to form, wherever the Lord 
 is pleased to renew by his grace a sufficient number of the inha- 
 bitants ; and you propose to ordain pastors, wherever there is a suita- 
 ble man to fill so sacred and responsible an office, and a church 
 that needs and desires him for its shepherd. From the feeling of 
 interest awakened among the people in this movement, it is easy 
 
108 
 
 to see that you will need to exercise great wisdom and firmness, 
 to prevent the existence of worthless churches, and of pastors a 
 great deal worse. We earnestly advise you, however, for obvious 
 reasons, to suffer no unnecessary delay in organizing churches in 
 the several villages which came under the distinct consideration 
 of our late meeting. We trust also that one of the more promising 
 of your younger preachers will soon be made pastor of one of your 
 remoter station churches ; especially as the resident missionary, for 
 reasons affecting his health, must remove ere long to another station. 
 
 The ground taken in your report on buildings, as to the kind of 
 preaching houses it is expedient to erect for village use, accords 
 with our own opinions. The preaching houses should obviously be 
 such as the heathen will be most disposed to frequent. Such are 
 not the great Portuguese or Dutch-built churches at the stations; 
 nor large edifices of stone, in Greek or Gothic style, plastered over 
 with mortar ; nor indeed a chunam house of any form ; but a pro- 
 per native house, with mud or matted sides, a thatched roof, and a 
 smooth floor of earth covered with mats of palmyra leaf. When 
 it is known, as it now is, that the heathen come most readily to 
 churches of this description, which cost but little, why should we 
 yield to our western habits, and waste our money on edifices, that 
 serve rather to hinder, than advance, the cause? We cannot help 
 thinking, and we have repeatedly expressed the thought, that some 
 at least of the great edifices at your stations (for the erection of 
 which the mission had no responsibility), would be no real loss 
 to us, were they to be utterly removed. The subject of preach- 
 ing houses — where and what they shall be — is one of great practi- 
 cal importance. Wherever erected, the native Christians and others 
 should be induced, if possible, to assist in their erection. We would 
 also earnestly request, that no native church be allowed to regard 
 itself as practically entitled to receive aid in the support of its pas- 
 tor, without doing what it can to support him. The salary should of 
 course be graduated with a view to its being wholly paid, at no very 
 distant day, by the people. The usage you propose to establish, in 
 common with your sister missions on the continent, of not increas- 
 ing the salary as a consequence of ordination, is one we hope you 
 will not fail of establishing. There may indeed be reason for giv- 
 ing more salary, but this is not one ; and to disconnect the sacred 
 calling from the grasping spirit of mercenary ambition, we recom- 
 mend that for some time to come, an increase of salary stand always 
 disconnected, if possible, with the fact of ordination. 
 
109 
 
 The dissolving of your ecclesiastical body by a unanimous vote, 
 freed you from an inconvenient and needless perplexity. Your mis- 
 sion, as such, has all the power to organize churches and ordain 
 pastors, which any other body can ever derive from God’s word ; 
 and the proper line of distinction between the duties of the mission 
 and those of the other body, composed of the same persons and 
 operating on the same ground, can never be so drawn as to make 
 the working of the two bodies otherwise than extremely inconve- 
 nient. The mission can more easily do the whole work, than a 
 part ; and you certainly did well in simplifying your working ma- 
 chinery. If missionaries distinguish between their own ministerial 
 and missionary offices, then the natives will do the same for them. 
 The missionary vocation includes the ministerial and something 
 more. It includes all the powers needful to teach and disciple all 
 nations; which it derives from the Lord Jesus. If missionaries 
 individually, and if missions collectively, act only in this higher, 
 peculiar character, then the native pastors can go into no trouble- 
 some comparisons and official claims. But if missionaries act through 
 council, association, convocation, presbytery, classis, then fair ques- 
 tions of privilege, and even of right, may be raised by the natives — 
 some of the most troublesome and dangerous questions in the work- 
 ing of missions. Then, too, there are questions for heart-burning 
 and controversy among various denominational sectaries at home, 
 which had better not exist. But when the missionary as such, and 
 the mission as such, work in their own simple, appropriate, scrip- 
 tural character — acting under commission from the Board, in the 
 use of funds, and under direct commission from Christ, in preach- 
 ing the gospel, organizing churches, ordaining native pastors, and 
 superintending the same, which are functions no less missionary 
 than any other — then there will be the most simplicity, the least fric- 
 tion, the least ground for dissatisfaction, the most saving of time 
 and strength, the greatest amount of co-operation and efficiency, 
 and the most satisfaction, on the whole, among the great body of 
 patrons at home. 
 
 Your report on caste and polygamy will be highly satisfactory 
 to the Board and to the churches at home. At the date of this 
 letter, ninety-eight male church members have signed the decla- 
 ration, that they will wholly renounce in themselves and discoun- 
 tenance in others all caste and other distinctions and usages, which 
 tend to foster pride, impair the affections, and hinder the kindly 
 
110 
 
 offices of Christian love ; and that they will not object to eating 
 any kind of food on account of the caste of the cook, or of him 
 who tenders it. The signers embrace the leading minds in the 
 native churches, and it is not known that any will ultimately de- 
 cline to subscribe to it. 
 
 This relieves us from the painful embarrassment we stated to 
 our native brethren when we met them at Manepy, and which 
 they at once took into respectful consideration. We would not say, 
 that we found caste tolerated in the mission churches ; we accord 
 with the language of your report as to that matter ; but we found 
 caste existing in the social life of the Christian community, and we 
 thought that more should be done to expel it thence. It is doubt- 
 less true, that the peculiar state of caste in the Jaffiia community 
 makes it the more difficult to eradicate it wholly from the church. 
 It is an evil, like intemperance in our own country, that requires 
 a perpetual watch, a perpetual effort ; and thus it will be for a 
 long time to come. We do not find evidence, that it stands con- 
 nected, in the minds of native Christians, with the idea of blood- 
 purity; but it connects itself with notions of family rank and con- 
 sequence, and of the value of dowry in the matrimonial market ; 
 and many of our native Christians seem to us to be too desirous of 
 retaining their connections with their heathen relatives, and too 
 fearful of the consequences that will follow from breaking wholly 
 with the world. In this view of the subject, their brethren in our 
 own country, who are not free from similar weaknesses, should be 
 slow in condemning them. However, it is our belief, that the na- 
 tive churches will never rise to be self-supporting, efficient, and 
 reliable, until the lines of distinction drawn by caste are obliterat- 
 ed from their social life. The declaration above mentioned is valu- 
 able chiefly as a basis from your own action, a thing to be followed 
 up. We advise that, after a proper time for explanation and coun- 
 sel, no native be received or retained in the employ of the mission, 
 as schoolmaster, or catechist, and that none receive aid in their 
 support as pastors, who refuse to sign the declaration against caste, 
 or who show by their conduct that they signed it from unworthy 
 motives. 
 
 Your reports on station schools, the female boarding school, 
 the seminary, and Government grants, embody results, and rea- 
 sons for them, which must be of the highest interest to reflecting 
 minds. The English language, heretofore taught in schools at all 
 or nearly all the stations, is to cease being one of the studies. The 
 
Ill 
 
 liberal grants heretofore received for schools from the government, 
 are to be respectfully declined. A custom, commenced in the early 
 stages of the mission, of drawing heathen girls to the schools by 
 small presents of cloths, is not to be continued. Twenty schools 
 for Christian children, and as many more for heathen children with 
 Christian masters, are to take the place of the English schools, se- 
 lect girls’ schools, and some sixty or seventy of the old free schools. 
 In the female boarding school at Oodooville, the English language 
 is to be discontinued, the number of scholars is to be reduced gra- 
 dually from seventy-two, the present number, to thirty-five, and 
 the time of residence in the school shortened from six years to five. 
 The term in the Batticotta seminary is to be shortened from eight 
 years to four, the number of its pupils reduced from ninety-six 
 to twenty-five, and its studies are to be hereafter restricted to the 
 Tamil language. 
 
 There is of course an urgent reason for these changes ; nor, great 
 as they seem, do they necessarily imply any considerable amount of 
 positive error in the previous course. It is our belief that most of 
 these changes could not well have been effected at an earlier day. 
 
 The place which education should hold in the missionary work, 
 is no longer a matter for theoretical speculations. It is to be de- 
 termined in the light of a long, expensive and very ample experi- 
 ence. The results of this experience, where schools have been ex- 
 tensively used as an auxiliary to the preaching of the gospel to the 
 heathen, and still more where they have been made a preparatory 
 process, are well stated under the fourth general division of your 
 first report — on the governing object in missions to the heathen. 
 Experience affords little encouragement to employ them among the 
 heathen as a converting instrumentality, or as a means of gaining 
 stated congregations for the preacher, or in any form as a prepa- 
 ratory means for the publication of the gospel. Their proper sphere 
 is among the children of converts and stated hearers, in helping to 
 build up a Christian community, and for the education of the na- 
 tive helpers of the mission, and pastors for the 'native churches ; 
 and the medium of instruction, in all cases, should be the vernacu- 
 lar language. Such, we believe, to be the teaching of experience. 
 Such, at least, is that teaching within the range of our own obser- 
 vation. And the experiment of your mission, one of the oldest from 
 our favored land, is pre-eminently instructive on this subject. 
 
 The large number of excommunications among the clmrch-mem- 
 
112 
 
 bers in the Batticotta seminary, amounting to 92, or somewhat 
 more than a fourth-part of the whole number, as well as the prin- 
 cipal cause of the same — the marrying of heathen wives — is sig- 
 nificant of important facts in the character and relations of the 
 graduates of that institution. One of the elder brethren has stated, 
 as the leading cause of these unlawful marriages, “ that the lads 
 in Batticotta seminary have come from far more aristocratic or 
 wealthy families, than the girls at Oodooville ; or else, by their 
 education, they have raised their worth above their former value 
 in the matrimonial market, and sell themselves for rank and dowry.” 
 The excommunications of church-members in the Oodooville female 
 boarding school have been only 12, or about one in 15. The firm- 
 ness with which the females from the Oodooville school have adhered 
 to their Christian profession, is remarkable. We saw many of them 
 as wives and mothers at their houses. It has always been a plea- 
 sure for us to see them. They were intelligent looking women, and 
 thoroughly christianized, cordial in their manners, and evidently a 
 blessing in their community. Beyond all question, the Oodooville 
 female boarding school has been, and is, a powerful means of im- 
 planting Christian institutions among the Tamil people of this island. 
 
 Of the 454 graduates of the Batticotta seminary now living, and 
 of the 185 graduates now connected with our own churches, 81, or 
 less than one-half of the church-members, are in the employ of our 
 mission; 17 are employed by other missions ; and 87 have gone into 
 secular occupations. Your report states, that only 1 1 of the 96 now 
 in the seminary are members of the church ; and that many of the 
 elder pupils are looking mainly to government employment, and 
 seem determined to have nothing to do with Christianity. It is in- 
 deed a redeeming feature, as you remark, that many in the lower 
 classes are children of church-members ; but there is reason for 
 anxiety in their being so intimately connected with such unpromis- 
 ing associates. 
 
 The plan of introducing pay-scholars, which has been in pros- 
 perous experiment for some years past, is believed to be incompa- 
 tible with the highest success of a missionary institution. In the 
 new class of 1850, we perceive that eight were received on charity, 
 eight were to pay half their board, and 14 were to pay full board. 
 It was the same in 1854, the full board for a month being four 
 shillings and six pence sterling. Were it an object simply to pro- 
 mote education in this province, or to raise the tone of it, if that 
 
1 13 
 
 alone were our object, all this might be well. But our object is 
 different. Education is not an end with us, but simply a means, 
 and a means to accomplish an object purely religious. In our high 
 schools, it is to raise up native helpers for the mission, and wives 
 for those helpers. Now the necessary effect of this pay system in 
 the seminary must be to make the greater part of the students the 
 sons of rich men, or of men in government employ, who will be 
 preparing for secular posts of honor or profit ; and who may be 
 expected to prefer heathen wives with large dowries, and to be 
 utterly averse to a connection with our pious Oodooville girls. 
 
 The studies in the seminary, moreover, though adopted with no 
 such intent, fall in with the views and wishes of these young men, 
 and with their ambitious schemes of wealth and influence. They 
 are mainly English. Under the force of adverse circumstances, the 
 English studies have been gaining on the Tamil, until, as we have 
 it for the respected principal, the studies stand related to each 
 other as follows : — 
 
 Tamil. Eng. Sf Tam. English. 
 
 Senior class, during six years, 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 19 
 
 Junior class, during four years, 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 12 
 
 First class, during two years, 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 Totals. . 
 
 .12 
 
 14 
 
 35 
 
 The injurious tendencies of this system are stated in your report, 
 and are such as demand a change. To the changes recommended 
 in the report, we are happy to give the sanction of the Prudential 
 Committee. We also give that sanction to the changes recommend- 
 ed to be made in the Oodooville female boarding school. Ample 
 time appears to us to be allowed for reducing the present number 
 of pupils in that school, and so making way for a new class. There 
 is clearly no principle, on which the support of the older pupils 
 beyond the times specified, can properly be devoted on the trea- 
 sury of the Board. 
 
 No fitting in English studies being required hereafter for entering 
 the institutions at Batticotta and Oodooville, the propriety of sus- 
 taining English studies in the station schools fails of course. It 
 seemed to us, however, apart from these institutions, that the village 
 Tamil school system should be relieved from all English studies 
 in what are called the ‘ English schools’ at the several stations. 
 There being at least four hundred baptized children in the mis- 
 
 r 
 
114 
 
 3ion churches not too old for the village school, and the verna- 
 cular tongue being the only proper basis for common school educa- 
 tion, it was time for the mission to give earnest attention to this 
 matter. A radical change of mission policy in respect to village 
 school education was needed. A vernacular school is, just now, 
 below the mark of the English-taught young men from the seminary, 
 and no parents would send their children to such a school when 
 they can reach an English school. Thus the passion for the Eng- 
 lish language, in preference to the Tamil, is every where cultivated ; 
 increasing our perplexities as a mission. The declarations we have 
 heard from the most intelligent natives, as to the rush of feeling for 
 English in the native mind, almost exceeds belief; and yet, until 
 quite lately, we have heard no contrary testimony from any quar- 
 ter. We have heard it affirmed by the highest Tamil authority in 
 the district, that no education is valued by the people except in 
 the English language ; that the value placed upon that language is 
 simply as a means of acquiring wealth, office and influence — and not 
 for the purpose of reading English books, and so gaining access to 
 the fountains of English knowledge ; that western science is not 
 sought by the people for its own sake, and would not be valued if 
 clad in a Tamil garb ; that if English were excluded from the se- 
 minary, the scholars would all flee from the institution ; and that 
 if the mission should cease giving instruction in English, and restrict 
 its labors to the use of Tamil, the natives would lose all interest in 
 the mission, and all its schools and congregations would come to an 
 end. We could only reply, that if such would be the consequences 
 resulting from the change, it was high time for us to abandon the 
 English, and restrict ourselves to the Tamil altogether. But the 
 belief that such would be the result is sustained by no experience 
 whatsoever. Who ever heard of such a phenomenon? It would 
 prove the people of Jaffna to be the most narrow-minded, unintel- 
 lectual, mean spirited people in the world. What could be said in 
 favor of schools as pioneers and auxiliaries of preaching, were such 
 consequences to follow in Jaffna from restricting ourselves to im- 
 parting instruction in the mother tongue ? It would show that the 
 minds of the people, in all their gradations of society, — and of 
 Christians no less than heathens, — were grasping at nothing but 
 rupees. We will not believe in the possibility of this, before the 
 facts demonstrate it. 
 
 Our past outlay for education in this province, so far as we are 
 
able to ascertain it, without present access to the treasurer’s books, 
 
 has been as follows : — 
 
 For the Seminary, for thirty-one years £20,000 
 
 For the Female Boarding School, for thirty years 10,850 
 
 For native Free Schools, for thirty years 13,455 
 
 For other schools, estimated at 6,000 
 
 Total. ..£50, 305 
 
 The Church Missionary Society, and the Wesleyan Missionary 
 Society, have also expended largely in this department. 
 
 After such an outlay, we may well presume that a sufficiently 
 broad foundation in the district is laid in general education. If 
 it be not, then that is beyond the power of missionary societies. 
 We are entitled to presume, that the great body of our alumni 
 have acquired some measure of that appreciation of knowledge, and 
 enlargement of views and public spirit, which are supposed to be- 
 long to educated men. They are among the leading men, the in- 
 tellectual aristocracy, of their day; and if science has taught them 
 the falsehood and folly of Hindu mythology, and is at all reliable 
 as a missionary influence, then they in their respective spheres 
 will bear witness to the truth. They, too, will favor a vernacular 
 education for the masses of the people, and will co-operate with us 
 in the effort to make it take root in the soil, and to become self- 
 supporting and independent. We may expect to rely on them as 
 allies in this work. 
 
 The precise value, however, of the results of the above expendi- 
 ture, in a religious and missionary point of view, will more clearly 
 appear after there has been time to know the effects of the changes 
 in the working of all the missions, that are now in progress. There 
 can be no doubt that the good results are in many respects great. 
 At all events, it is proper that we should begin to curtail our ex- 
 penditure for education, and make it bear more exclusively on our 
 religious object. The effect of the changes proposed in your re- 
 ports will be to reduce our expenditure in the department of educa- 
 tion about one -half. 
 
 With these changes in view, it will be no longer proper for us 
 to receive the grant of d-200, which the government has heretofore 
 placed in the hands of the mission to expend for schools. This 
 class of governmental grants, as we understand, is expended under 
 the supervision of a government commission at Colombo, and there 
 
1J6 
 
 is a school commissioner whose duty it is to visit the schools thus 
 supported, and see that all is right. This is proper on the part 
 of government. The reception of a grant acknowledges of course 
 the right of visitation. It is not only a right on the part of the 
 government, but a duty. We have heard of but one case of actual 
 interference in the instruction of missionary schools, and that grew 
 out of Jesuit complaints of the teaching as contrary to their re- 
 ligion ; and the interference was little more than nominal. Our 
 Prudential Committee have a decided objection to receiving govern- 
 ment grants for missionary schools, whether from our own or 
 foreign governments. Sooner or later in various ways it works 
 adversely to the strictly evangelical character of the schools. Such 
 grants, moreover, are wholly unnecessary for missionary schools. 
 Experience has shown in our country, that taking the personal 
 support of the missionary as the basis of operation, and giving that 
 the precedence of claim, not only is the missionary’s support sure, 
 but, taking one year with another, the fair distribution of the ba- 
 lance of funds remaining on hand for auxiliary objects, secures for 
 each of those objects its most healthful place and proportion in the 
 system. Whether the proportion for schools be a fourth, a third, 
 or less, it is generally thought to be as large as the healthful deve- 
 lopment of the particular mission renders desirable on the whole. 
 For a secular government to come in with its grants for schools, 
 and still more for specific schools and classes of schools, tends to 
 destroy the balance of powers, and to mar the system. We believe 
 it has really had that effect here. The annual cost of your mis- 
 sion is £3, GOO. The actual cost of your schools, including the go- 
 vernment grants, is thirteen or fourteen hundred pounds, which is 
 more than one-third of the whole annual grant to the mission by 
 the Board. Besides, it is an evil to have the mission become a 
 channel for the disbursement of large sums of money among the 
 people. It tends to strengthen the mercenary feelings with which 
 they approach you, and their hopes of earthly gain. 
 
 The impression made upon us by your native assistants, is in ac- 
 cordance with the representation in your report on that class of 
 persons. The effect of the English studies in your educational de- 
 partment has been here, as elsewhere, to raise the standard of 
 salaries for native helpers higher than you now wish it to be. The 
 tendency of your maximum of <£l'5 per month, if firmly adhered 
 to, in respect to all salaries not now above that standard, and in all 
 
117 
 
 future salaries, will be gradually to bring down most of those that 
 are above it, without danger of exciting reactionary sympathies, 
 which a sudden reduction might occasion. We think that salaries 
 should not be increased faster than the rule proposes, and only at 
 the times specified, except in very extraordinary cases; and that 
 the mission should refuse an increase, even then, when the candi- 
 date is not worthy. It is thus we understand the rule. The habit 
 among the native assistants of petitioning for an increase of salary 
 will now, we should hope, be effectually discountenanced. 
 
 The provision in your report for only three classes of helpers, 
 viz., teachers, catechists, and pastors, strikes us favorably. The 
 first are schoolmasters ; the second are in effect preachers ; the third 
 sustain a somewhat peculiar relation to the mission. Indeed it seems 
 questionable whether we should give the name of assistants to 
 native pastors. When they shall derive their full support from 
 their people, the work of the mission will have been completed, as 
 regards those people. Pastor and people then become independent. 
 It should be considered, moreover, that the relation between a pas- 
 tor and his church is a divine ordinance, and that many of its re- 
 sponsibilities are placed by the Head of the church beyond all hu- 
 man legislation. Ordination does not indeed put a native pastor 
 beyond the watch and care of the mission in the first instance, as 
 regards his Christian and ministerial character, and it leaves the 
 question of aiding in his support perfectly open to the mission. 
 But it does give him a latitude of discretion as regards the flock 
 over which the Holy Ghost has made him overseer, beyond 
 what a mere catechist may assume, and which it becomes us care- 
 fully to respect. Much of the comfort and success of this effort to 
 multiply village churches and pastors will depend on this. Neither 
 too much nor too little interference — the golden mean — is what we 
 should seek for prayerfully in the light of God’s holy word. 
 
 You licensed three of your catechists to be preachers of the gospel 
 during your late meeting ; but we saw not what they were authorized 
 to do more than they had been long doing, and had before been in 
 effect licensed to do, by the same authority. It seemed to be confer- 
 ring a dignity upon them, raising them above their fellow-catechists. 
 Their occupation was unchanged, only they had a new and higher 
 rank. This will foster a spiritual disease of which there is already 
 too much almost every where. The only question seems to be 
 whether all shall be called catechists, or all preachers. The New 
 
118 
 
 Testament throws no light on the subject. Neither class is there dis- 
 tinctly recognised as such. So far as preaching was concerned at the 
 outset of the gospel, it was enough to make a man a preacher that he 
 was a Christian, and felt constrained to bear witness to the truth. 
 The great desideratum in foreign missions now is, that every convert 
 should feel that as a Christian he is bound to declare the great salva- 
 tion to his neighbors. This is one secret of the success at Aintab in 
 Asia Minor, and at Amoy in China. There is no need of all the 
 restrictions and formalities in heathen lands, that are required in old 
 Christian countries. The very profession of Christianity, the very 
 fact of preaching Christ, brings consequences, brings restraining, 
 regulating influences, of which little is known in Christendom. When 
 all shall be preachers, it will be easy for the missions to select assist- 
 ants ; and when these have had time to prove their gifts, and have 
 secured general confidence, a farther selection may be safely and easily 
 made for ordination as pastors ; with less danger, than now, of minis- 
 tering to pride and ambition. It seems well to apply some one term 
 to all who belong to the same class. Our statistical tables at home 
 are defective under the head of preachers. There are really many 
 more preachers, authorized by the missions as such, than our annual 
 reports indicate. But it would be an exaggeration to call all the 
 catechists preachers ; and it is the reverse when all who are not 
 pastors are called catechists. In reporting to the Prudential Com- 
 mittee for our annual tables, it will be well to indicate those who are 
 really preachers by that term. It will be easy to make the distinc- 
 tion. Those who are allowed to make formal addresses in your regu- 
 lar places of worship, are preachers. 
 
 We are glad to see your report speaking strongly on the importance 
 of full occupation for your assistants. We thought there was occasion 
 for improvement here. In a few cases there appeared to be an imper- 
 fect division of labor among helpers at the same station. Responsi- 
 bility is what, with God’s grace, develops and makes men. A man 
 should feel that he has a work, which nobody will do if he neglect 
 it. He should have the certainty of detection, and a fear of conse- 
 quences, when neglecting his duty. If there are too many native 
 assistants to allow of this division of labor, some should by all means 
 be dismissed, or there should be a new distribution. Perhaps there 
 are some who would even gather reliable churches in villages, if that 
 object were set distinctly before them, and if they might hope to be- 
 come pastors of the flock they succeed in gathering. 
 
119 
 
 The results, to which you came in respect to the printing estab- 
 lishment, as detailed in your report on that subject, are somewhat 
 beyond what we had anticipated. But they have our decided ap- 
 proval. Present circumstances pre-eminently favor an effort to plant 
 this establishment in the native Christian soil. A part will be sold 
 out of the province, as no longer needed, seeing our larger works 
 are printed at Madras. The risk of placing the remainder in native 
 hands, in the ways and under the restrictions you propose, seems not 
 to be such as to forbid the experiment. The missionary printer will 
 thus be spared for what is to him the more congenial business of 
 preaching the gospel in the native language, in which he has made 
 good proficiency ; and, with his own assent and yours, he is author- 
 ized to remove to the Madura mission, if there be no unforeseen 
 cause to prevent, at the close of the year. 
 
 The changes thus made in your mission give additional import- 
 ance to another, going to diminish the amount of your secular labors. 
 We refer to that described in your report on the grants of the Ame- 
 rican Bible and American Tract Societies. Retaining the grants 
 of those societies in your own hands as a mission, you will purchase 
 from the local societies, or elsewhere, the Bibles and Tracts that 
 you need ; or, should it better answer your purpose, you will print 
 for yourselves. The local societies will be as free as ever to act for 
 themselves, and you to be members of them as heretofore. 
 
 Your report on the medical establishment suggests a few re- 
 marks. The Board cannot educate native physicians and support 
 them, as such, for medical practice among their countrymen. That 
 lies beyond our legitimate province. But if there be a prospect that 
 native physicians, educated by the missionary physician, will obtain 
 a support from their practice in the rural districts of Jalfna, and if 
 the expense of their education be defrayed by the government, or 
 from private sources, it would seem to be proper that the mission- 
 ary physician should bestow some portion of his time on their 
 medical training. The object will require that their education be 
 in the Tamil language ; that they be in no way connected with the 
 mission ; and that there be no gratuitous distribution of medicines 
 to the people among whom they are to practice. If medical books 
 are prepared in the Tamil language, there will probably be no 
 great difficulty in procuring the funds for printing them from pri- 
 vate sources in America. And as such books are of indispensable 
 
120 
 
 necessity to the ultimate success of this enterprise, we earnestly 
 hope they may be prepared and printed at an early day. 
 
 Finally, we are happy to give the Prudential Committee’s sanc- 
 tion to your other reports, not here specifically mentioned. The 
 whole will form a new basis for our mutual action and co-operation. 
 And may the Head of the church vouchsafe his presence, and the 
 awakening, converting, sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 The aggregate of our expenditure as a Board, during the thirty-nine 
 years of our missionary labor in this province, is about £130,000; 
 and the grants of Bible and Tract Societies, and of the Government, 
 to us may have been £6,000 more. Divided among the people to 
 whom we have had access, this would be a pound to each indivi- 
 dual. Taking into view the superior value of money in this part 
 of the world, it is a large sum to be received, in one form or 
 another, by the people. The expenditure in Jaffna by missionary 
 societies during the past thirty years, must have had a decided influ- 
 ence on the physical prosperity of the district. Our own annual 
 expenditure of £ 1,400 for education, considering the small cost of 
 labor as compared with it in our own land, was worth six times 
 that amount to the natives. This has made it impossible to know 
 how much of the desire every where manifested for schools has 
 been owing to a genuine wish for education, and how much to the 
 monthly receipt of wages by some teacher residing in the place 
 with numerous relations to share (as they generally do) in his in- 
 come. And your discussions have shown how hard it has been to 
 ascertain, when such a teacher was required to give notice of the 
 intended visit of the missionary to the village, how many of the 
 audience attended through the solicitation of the schoolmaster, to 
 preserve his credit, and ensure the uninterrupted flow of rupees into 
 the family circle. Such are the disadvantages and evils of a system 
 involving appeals to the mercenary spirit. And then there was the 
 additional stimulus to the imagination of the upper and more in- 
 fluential classes, arising from the culture of the English language, 
 opening to them visions of wealth and honor. From these and other 
 causes it is difficult, just at this stage of our operations, to feel 
 confident as to the extent of the hold you have upon the soil. 
 And as we have already remarked, there are not wanting prophets 
 of evil, foretelling the ruinous consequences of a reduction in our 
 schools, and of an exclusion of English studies. 
 
 We shall see. Of this we are assured, that the time has come 
 
121 
 
 for such changes, and that there is no safe, wise course but to make 
 the changes thorough. We have agreed, most cordially, in opinion 
 with you, that we must abide the consequences of such changes. 
 And it is evident to us all, that Providence has remarkably prepar- 
 ed the way for their being made, just at the present time. And 
 as the fact of their being under consideration has come out upon 
 the natives, it has been more and more evident, that the changes, 
 as they became understood, were commending themselves to the na- 
 tive judgment, as being proper for us to make, in view of our 
 governing objects as a missionary society and a mission. 
 
 It cannot bo doubted, that Jaffna is a peculiarly difficult field 
 for missionary cultivation; and what would seem to be one grand 
 cause of the peculiarity, is thus described by our lamented brother 
 Poor. “After an external pressure,” he says, “weighing the peo- 
 ple down for ages and drying up their spirits, was removed by 
 their being brought under British rule, they believed not for joy 
 that they were once more allowed to taste the sweets of idolatrous 
 liberty. But on finding that it was even so, there was a mighty 
 rush from a nominal Christianity to the all-absorbing system of 
 Hindu idolatry ; and they entered on a course of temple-building 
 and adornment wholly unparalleled in tho annals of the province, 
 and which is in vigorous progress at the present time. Such was 
 the state of things on our arrival in the year 1816.” 
 
 Our mission followed the Portuguese and the Dutch, with a religion 
 nominally the same ; and what, perhaps, has more significance than we 
 are disposed to believe, it has sought, though with mere persuasion, 
 to assemble the people for hearing the gospel in the very same 
 church edifices, to which, within the memory of Tamulians now liv- 
 ing, they had been compelled by force to resort. When passing the 
 old ruin of the Changany church, on the road from Manepy to Bat- 
 ticotta — as we often had occasion to do — around which the natives 
 are wont to burn their dead, we have sometimes had the wish, 
 that the ruins of the other great parish churches had been left to 
 moulder as that has been. But wishes in respect to the past are 
 vain. Happily the time has come when we may begin to dispense 
 with the use of these great buildings, and to assemble our hearers 
 more and more in village bungalows of simple structure. We are 
 far from taking a dark view of the future. We saw much evi- 
 dence of piety among your native assistants. And it is a fact of 
 great importance, that the oldest members of the mission are the 
 Q 
 
122 
 
 ones most impressed with the favorable changes wrought in the 
 province, and they are the ones most confident of future success. 
 And how different the impression made on the native mind, as to 
 the character of the working power now in Jaffna, from that made 
 by the Dutch and the Portuguese ! The means employed, more- 
 over, how different ! If there has been too much leaning to sci- 
 ence, too much use of the English language, too much minister- 
 ing (though unintentionally) to the mercenary spirit, the grand aim 
 and effort of the mission has been to publish the gospel. We are 
 assured, that the change in the deportment of the natives towards 
 the missionary, since the commencement of your mission, is aston- 
 ishingly great. The people are now comparatively accessible to the 
 gospel. You may even preach the gospel from house to house. 
 A knowledge of the fundamental truths of the gospel has been ex- 
 tensively diffused. And thus the way has been in a good degree 
 prepared for an out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 We must express our warmest acknowledgment* to you for the kind 
 manner in which your closing resolution speaks of us and our official 
 labors among you. We hope we did no more than it was our duty to 
 do, and we sought to do no less. If our suggestions were reasonable 
 and useful, it was owing to the grace of God upon us. We shall 
 always have delight in recalling to mind our intercourse with you, 
 and with your families. Our interest in each of you personally, and 
 in your work and field, is increased by this visit. We sympathize 
 deeply with you both in your trials and in your joys. Our prayer 
 is that, as you have sown in tears, you may soon reap in joy. We are, 
 dear Brethren, yours most affectionately in the bonds of the gospel. 
 
 It. ANDERSON, 
 
 A. C. THOMPSON, 
 
 Deputation. 
 

 
 
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