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a very singular way to labour in behalf of religion. On the Sunday afternoon, (which is the leisure time with the people) he takes bis Bible in his hand, and wherever he meets with an assembly of people, he begs leave to read a portion of it to them: he then translates it into low Portuguese, and in the best manner he is able, explains it to them. This is of great use, as it inspires them with a disposition to hear the gospel." I am entreated, on every hand, to learn low Portuguese, in order to preach to them. This I hope soon to accomplish, though it will be attended with considerable difficulty, as my labour at present in this place is great, and I have no brother to assist me. Beside the time spent in learning the Cingalese language, I have to preach three times in the week to the same people, and lead a class. Add to this, I have the school to attend to, which engrosses much of my time, I believe this will ultimately be attended with good, as it affords an opportunity of instilling into the minds of the children the principles of the Christian religion; and I have 'even now the pleasing satisfaction to see some of the young men seriously disposed, and enquiring how they may please God, and go to heaven. These will, I trust, instead of being carried away by the idolatry and superstition of their country, become powerful advocates for the religion of Jesus.

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During my short residence in this place, I have been doing what good I could through the medium of interpreters among the Cingalese. I first endeavoured to get acquainted with their priests, and Providence cast me in the way of one of the most celebrated in the island, known both in the Candian and British dominions. resided for some time with the King of Candia, and is every where extolled for his extensive knowledge both of the religion and literature of the island, as well as of the Oriental languages. After about two months acquaintance with him, he, from the deepest conviction of mind, expressed a strong desire to throw aside his priestly garments and situation, and embrace Christianity. But he was aware that by this step he would not only lose every thing he had, and all means of support among the Cingalese people, but also be in danger of losing his life. As I knew his excellency, the governor, favoured religion, and was a decided friend to the propagation of the gospel among the natives, I made bold to represent the case to him, and received an immediate answer which gave us an entire satisfaction; viz. that he would not only defend him from all assaults, but, in case he forsook his priestly emoluments, he would allow him something to subsist on. We then made arrangements for his baptism, which was to be performed in the church at Columbo. At this time, I received a letter from Columbo, stating, that brother Squance had left Jaffna on account of his health, being seized with a fever, which they expected would carry him off speedily. He having no brother there, I was requested to go to him without delay. When I left the priest I ordered him to remain quiet until he received further directions from me. I had not been absent a week before the matter was blazed abroad through the district, and came to the knowledge of the high priest, who was so alarmed by the intelligence, that he assembled fourteen of the head priests, and sent them to prevail upon him, if possible, by some means or other, to abandon the idea of embrac ing Christianity; stating, that if a priest of his rank and respecta

bility in the religion of Boodho, forsook them, it would not only disgrace his own character, but injure the cause in general. However he continued immoveable, and the matter spread so rapidly, that before the fourteen left him, they were increased to fifty-seven, using every possible method to prevail upon him to continue as he was. Besides the priests, there were his family connections, some weeping, some scolding, and others threatening to put an end to their existence. Many head men of the district came to him with large presents, observing, "If you forsake the priesthood, it will ruin our religion in this country." However, he broke through them all, and made his escape at the hazard of his life. He got from his temple in the country, to the house of an European in the fort of Galle, where he met a letter from me, desiring him to go to Columbo without delay. On this occasion, the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Molesworth, Commandant of the Fort, behaved not only like a friend, but like a Christian, who had the work of God at heart. He took him into his own house, and when he came off to Columbo, gave him money sufficient to bear his own expences, and those of the men who went with him as guards. It would be ungrateful and unjust were I not to mention his Lordship's unremitting kindness and attention to me while I have been labouring in this place. Not content with a general countenance, he condescended to offer to assist and co-operate with me as far as lay in his power in any thing when I thought it necessary. Hence in all my intentions of public plans, &c. I have had his superior wisdom to consult, I have always found him willing, and pleased to do any thing for the furtherance of the work of God, and particularly as relating to the natives. Both officers and men have a bright example in the charac ter of his Lordship. He never absents himself from church except in a case of absolute necessity, and has even attended my lecture in a private house in the Fort on week day evenings. I may say, he has been to me a Father, a Christian, a Friend, and a Guide.

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But to return to the priest. After he arrived in Columbo, he had some severe conflicts both from within and without. He received several letters of a very severe kind. I was almost ready to wonder how he maintained his resolution. In this case we might say of a truth, Not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy name be the praise! A day or two before his baptism I called upon him, and found him uncommonly cheerful and happy. "I dreamt," said he, "last night, that my robes were covered with all kinds of filthy reptiles. disgusted at the sight, that I thought I went to a river and cast them in, never to touch them again. When I awoke this morning I found myself naked, and all my robes folded up and thrown on the far side of the room. Now, thought I, God has sent this dream to shew me the bad state I am in, aud to confirm me in all my former resolutions, and I am only sorry that I am forced to put them on again." He hardly ever let us rest after this, until something could" be provided to dress him in. After his baptism, his excellency the governor sent him two suits of new clothes. He is to have a salary from government as a translator; and is now going to translate the Bible into the two languages of this island, the Cingalese and Paariah or Maggada, which is spoken in the interior. He is to study the scriptures under the care of the Rev. Mr. Armour, who now

resides in Columbo, until he is qualified to preach. I flatter myself, that, humanly speaking, this man will be capable of doing as much good among the natives as fifty European missionaries. Many of the priests are so shaken by this conduct of their leader, that they also are wishful to embrace Christianity; but there is this difficulty in the way, when they cast off their robes, they lose all, even their freehold estates, if they have any, as our priest had to a considerable amount. But we hope soon to see the people coming over likewise, and then a way will be opened. This morning, after I concluded service in the church, I baptized eight persons, native Cingalese, six of whom were adults. Their confession, which they made at the fount, was as follows: "That they had forsaken all kinds of idolatry; believed in no God, but the great God who made all things; that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, was present in the church, and knew they were going to be baptized and called Christians; that they wanted to love Jesus more; would always pray to him to make them good people, that when they died they might go to heaven."-After this ceremony, I married Philip and Diana, who seemed a most affectionate couple. Should the English keep the island, I hope many more missionaries will be sent out. I think the rest of my brethren will fully agree with me in this, that there is here a fine field for action; a missionary may labour in this island without any kind of restraint from the civil power; on the contrary, he is assisted by it; the rulers being decided friends to the spread of the gospel; consequently, he has only to labour with all the powers of body and soul. On my arrival at Columbo I found brother Squance in a high fever, attended with delirium; he continued so for near a fortnight, and then began to recover. When his strength had increased, the Doctor and the brethren advised me to take him to Galle. I did so, and on the 31st of December, 1814, we arrived here. Since then his strength has increased, and he is now completely rid of every symptom of fever. But I am sorry to say the medical gentlemen are of opinion that his consumptive complaint will carry him off. The people are extremely kind, and pay him every attention. Should he leave us, our loss will be his gain.During my stay in Columbo, the governor requested me to draw up an account of the priest from our first acquaintance. I did so, and he caused it to be published in the news-paper, The introduction was written by the governor himself. With respect to the language of this country, I can read it tolerably well, speak it a little, and am beginning to catechise the children in it, &c.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE BUDHIST PRIEST BY MR. CLOUGH.

The manner in which I became acquainted with the Budhist priest, was, by attending the idolatrous worship and ceremonies.On these occasions I was always attended by an interpreter, by whose means I was enabled to make many enquiries; and I now particularly addressed this priest, perceiving that he possessed acuteness of intellect, and was acknowledged to be the best versed in the ground work of the religion of Budhu, and in the sciences of the country. I began to take great pleasure in conversing with him; and the

pleasure appearing to be reciprocal, our interviews became frequent and of protracted length; in one of which he requested (hoping it would not offend) that he might be allowed to put a few questions to me, relating to the christian religion, to which, when I readily assented, he began by observing, that man must be acknowledged to possess two spirits or principles of action, the one actuating him to do good, and the other to do bad. He then commenced his questions by asking whether, if the God of the Christians be perfectly holy, that God can be the author of evil; and if not, where did man get the spirit to do evil? I answered, that he got it from his forefathers, who could trace it up to our progenitors, Adam and Eve -He then enquired from whence did our first parents receive this evil? My answer was, the awful consequence of disobedience to their Creator; Whence then, said he, that disposition to disobey God?-Temptation, I replied, and the Devil was the tempter. What, said he, is the Devil? An evil spirit, I replied.—Who, said he, made the Devil, and how did he become evil? God, said I, created him a pure Angel, but on his refusing to give due honour to Jehovah, God appointed him to a place of inconceivable horror, and destined him and his wicked associates to it for ever, The English are printing Bibles in almost every language, which sufficiently treat on this subject, and missionaries are sent with them to explain them; and in the course of God's providence, I and my five companions have come to the Island of Ceylon, and that it was not for the past dark ness of the Cingalese that God would punish them, but for rejecting the offer of those exalted blessings tendered to them by us. I added, I have now to offer to you the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and if you reject this offer, you will assuredly be condemned at the last day. Here he began to be greatly agitated, and gathering up his loose garment with a countenance expressive of great concern, he mildly replied, "I hardly know what to do, I have been brought up in the religion I now profess, and am settled in it, I know not how to think about changing it, and it is a thing which I cannot at present determine to do. He then took his leave of me, and I began to suspect that I had offended him. He, however, delayed not long to make me another visit, and we resumed the usual subject,

Perceiving that he continued to be very inquisitive about christianity, I furnished him with a copy of the four gospels in Cingalese, with which he was much pleased, saying, that it was what he had long wished to see, and said, be assured I will read it with great attention; but, may I request an additional favour of you, which is to allow me to trouble you to explain any parts which I may not understand? To this I readily assented, and I presented to him the gospels at his own heathen temple, when some of his pupils preparing for the Budhist priesthood were present, who were not a little surprised at the joy he expressed, and the care manifested in wrapping it up, as being more valuable than gold.

After this, he soon put me to the pleasing task of explaining, to the best of my ability, those things which were rather mysterious to him. After he had read the gospels several times, he began to lament that he had not the Old Testament, supposing it would give him a clear explanation of the New.

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I must now pass over a number of interesting evening conversations, and hasten to the interview when he made a public confession of the state of his mind and present views, which was nearly as follows:

I feel I wish to give you a relation of my present condition, and I believe from what I know of you, that you will not make a wrong use of what I say.-Since I became acquainted with you, your conversation and your answers to my different questions, have made a deep impression on my mind; and during the past three weeks, I have been in a state of great distress of mind. I have frequently returned home after my interviews with you unable to sleep for many nights.

I asked him the cause of this trouble? he replied, that it arose from an apprehension, that he and his countrymen who followed the religion of Budhu, had been mistaken in their religious principles, which was to him a consideration of the greatest importance. He added, that the more he thought on the subject, the more the apprehension increased, inasmuch as the evidences in favour of the Christian Religion were making stronger impressions upon him. I then asked him, whether he thought the God of the Christian was he, who ought to be worshipped in preference to idols? He replied, that he had been considering the subject candidly, as though he were a member of neither communion, and had offered up prayers for direction in a matter so important, and that if he and his countrymen were in error, he prayed that he might receive conviction in the clearest manner, and that a way might be opened by which he might leave his present profession, and embrace christianity, not only for his own good, but for others to whom he would preach it. He added, that the more he prayed, the more did his desire to quit the religion of Budhu increase. He then asked me to assist him in managing this matter, for which his gratitude would be extreme, and that he should think that the great God had sent me from England to Ceylon, on purpose to instruct him, and shew him the right way of worshipping God; and in return should think it incumbent on him, to his latest hour, to make known to his countrymen the blessings of the gospel, which had been thus offered to him through my means.

Perceiving that he was prepared to manifest his conversion, I asked him what he conceived the most speedy andeffectual mode of doing it? He replied, "By laying aside my priestly garments, and joining myself to the society of Christians,”adding, I am in my present situation as comfortable as I can wish with regard to the things of this world; but as soon as I throw off the garment, I shall be deprived of all means of support, and this gives me some uneasiness, and if I embrace christianity I shall be brought into distress, because you know, for some time I shall be of no use to any religion, (meaning he would not be able to preach) yet, if I had only a sufficient knowledge of the Christian religion to enable me to preach it, I believe the great and good God would not suffer me for one moment to want; and one of the greatest acts of mercy you can do, will be to assist me a little in this particular.

At this period commenced the correspondence between me and the Rev. Mr. Bisset, the result of which settled all his fears and tended to confirm him in his intentions. Many were our subsequent

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