h

might apply to him if they were poor boys such as had made good progress in T study, and whose parents were willing to sign a written agreement specifying on what conditions the children were taken. This proposal produced much excitement among the children and people Several, of whom he had the strongest hopes, drew back and refused, from religious scruples, to commit their children to his care, and there was much reason to fear, that the plan would be entirely frustrated. At length four boys who belonged to the same family circle were given up by their friends, and immediately after two others. To quiet the fears of their parents brother P. promised, that their children should be required to eat nothing contrary to their cast; that they should have a separate cook, cookroom, and dwelling house, upon the premises, and that their water should be brought from a heathen's well. He insisted only, that the boys should remain constantly with him, excepting that they should have occasional permissions to go home, and that they should learn such things as he might think it proper to teach them.

Thus the principal objects of a boarding school abovementioned were fully secured. The principal motive which induced the friends of those six boys to part with their children, was, we doubt not, that they might be freed from the trouble and expense of supporting them. They also had a vague impression that our favor would be advantageous to them. These boys, for about three months were the objects of much ridicule, reproach, and envy, without any addition to their number. The number of boys at that station has gradually increased to 30; and as many more might have been taken, had it been thought expedient. They have now no hesitation in using the water at the station. A part of their food, when it is convenient, is prepared at the family's cook room, and other similar changes have taken place, but without any interference on our part. If such things as they now do voluntarily had been insisted on as necessary, before boys could be supported by us, we should probably have been without a boarding school till the present time. Parents do not now, when they come to offer their children, even make an inquiry or request on the subject of our indulging their heathen prejudices. Their usual plea is, that they bring a poor boy or an orphan, and they beg that we would support him.

Seeing the operation of the experiment at Tillipally, brother Meigs did not hesitate so far to comply with the prejudices of the heathen at Batticotta, as to build a cook-house upon a piece of land owned by a heathen, which adjoined the church premises. This measure did not interfere with any important object which we hope to gain by a boarding school. He probably could purchase that land now for a few rix-dollars, without giving the least offence.

We consider it to be our duty to yield so far to the prejudices of this people as is necessary in order to make known to them, in the most favorable circumstances, the Gospel of Christ,-provided our concessions do not imply any thing which is morally wrong. Such is the dark, ignorant state of their minds, that they are altogether more tenacious of their external rites and ceremonies, than of their sentiments on moral subjects; and judging from the conversation of many, they appear to think, that they would have no great objection against receiving the Christian religion into their hearts, provided they should not be under the necessity of changing their external conduct.

On the whole, respecting our boarding schools we have much pleasure, after two years of experience, in assuring the Prudential Committee, that our warmest expectations have thus far been fully realized; that we now experience important advantages which we did not anticipate; that we do not realize those difficulties, and impediments to improvement, which we expected would arise from the circumstance of our taking the children of idolaters; but on the contrary, we do not see how we should materially alter our plan of instruction, or our course of conduct, in case the same number of children belonging to Christian parents should be committed to our care. Judging from what we already experience, and what we may with confidence anticipate, we consider our boarding school as holding the second place in the system of means, which are to be used for the conversion of this people;-as second only to the stated preaching of the Gospel. You, Dear Sir, can readily estimate the probable advantages to the cause of Christianity, from the Christian education of 50 youth on heathen ground, in circumstances which almost entirely free them from the baneful influence of idolatry. Our boarding schools are giving shape to all the

other schools connected with our stations. The progress which our boys have made has become a powerful stimulus to many who attend our day schools. Several boys of the first families around us, whose parents would not permit them to eat on land occupied by Christians, spend most of their time day and night upon our premises, that they may enjoy equal advantages, and make equal progress with our boarders.

We are very desirous that this subject should be distinctly before the American churches. We wish them to know, and attentively to consider, the peculiar advantages with which the state of this people furnishes them for the exercise of their charity.

In the first place this is a very poor people. To their poverty we are greatly indebted for the success we have had in obtaining boarding schools, and for the influence we have among the people, by which many have been brought within the sound of the Gospel. We therefore confidently believe, that their poverty will, in the providence of God, be made the occasion of many of them receiving the unsearchable riches of divine grace.

Probably in no part of the heathen world can children be supported and educated in a decent, comfortable mode of living, so cheap as in this district. We repeat now with confidence what we ventured to conjecture three years ago: viz. that $12 are sufficient for the annual support of boys from 6 to 15 years of age. Though we have labored a long time without success, to obtain boys to be educated, such is the change that has taken place in the minds of the people, that as many children could now easily be obtained as we can find means and accommodations to support.

Considering the rank and influence which females ought to hold in every society, and the well known state of degradation in which they are held in this, as well as in every idolatrous country, your mind, and the minds of the Christian public will at once be deeply impressed with the importance and utility of Female Charity Boarding Schools. The obstacles to such we have found to be very great. Sometimes we have thought them to be insuperable. But we are new greatly encouraged on the subject, by our present success and future prospects. We have at present 9 girls who reside in our houses, and eat on our premises. These are taught household affairs, sewing, reading, &c. About the same number occasionally attend the day school at Tillipally. We are therefore greatly encouraged on this subject to hope that we shall succeed in obtaining as many promising girls as we shall be able to support. In taking these girls we make no compromise whatever on the subject of idolatry, excepting that they eat in a separate building. They, however, ask a Christian blessing upon their food.

On the subject of giving Christian names to these children, we wish the public in America to know, that in Ceylon no evil whatever can result from the practice. The heathen children received into the Government school at Jaffnapatam receive Christian names. Such boys are known among the heathen by their old names, and among Europeans by their new ones. It often happens, for various reasons, that persons among the heathen are called by names different from those which are registered. Most of the children around us bear the names of imaginary deities and devils, which are held in high veneration by the people: and they are usually much pleased with their new names which we give them, since they consider them as tokens of our approbation, and a sort of pledge that we regard them in some sense as our children. And let it not be thought the subject of naming children is void of interest to us. What, dear sir, can be a better, what in our minds can be so good, a substitute for the society of beloved brethren, sisters and friends, whom we have left behind, as the presence of a circle of young men and women bearing their names, snatched from the ignorance and misery of idolatry through their instrumentality, and placed in circumstances favorable for cultivating the same virtues, which our friends possess. Surely in the countenances of such native children we shall recognise our American friends saying to us, in the language of encouragement and exhortation, "Go on; be courageous; we are ready to support you with the aid of names, and with the assistance of property."

The facility of supporting children here forms but one of the strong claims which this people have upon the charity of the American public. Within a short time we have had five or six pressing requests to establish free schools in

the neighboring villages, where yet there are none. The monthly expense of such schools, after suitable buildings are prepared, is from $1,50 to $2. We have now 15 such schools, and they might easily be greatly multiplied. Applications have also been made from other parishes, that missionaries would come and establish themselves among the people, as we have done at Tillipally and Batticotta. And we may say generally, that our influence and missionary operations, which were at first feared and dreaded, are now welcomed by many and sought after by some. Think not, however, from this that the people are hungry for the bread of life. No, dear Sir, they are stout-hearted idolaters, and bear striking marks of their captivity to Satan. They wish us to take their children, to establish schools, and to come and dwell among them, partly on account of their poverty, and partly because their eyes are open to see some of the worldly advantages which result to them from our mission. But though their sordid motives of worldly gain become the means of opening the way for publishing the Gospel among them, we may confidently indulge the hope, that many will learn by happy experience, that temporal advantages rank lowest among those blessings which Christianity ever carries in her train.

We have now more health and strength than in months past. We have, in some degree, got through with the pressure and expense of building, and the drudgery of learning a new language. We might therefore superintend a few more schools, take more children, and in other respects enlarge our missionary plans. But we dare not further hazard the consequences, of involving the mission in debt. We look to America with great anxiety for adequate supplies. We wish to tell you more distinctly how much our hearts are pained within us, on witnessing the forlorn state of many children around us. More than 20, principally orphans, many of whom appear to be in a starving condition, have appeared at our doors, intreating, of entimes with tears, that we would receive them to our boarding school; but whom we have been compelled to reject for the want of means to support them. Thus these miserable objects are cast back again upon the world, some probably to perish in the streets, others to drag out a long and miserable existence in poverty, and all to live in the darkness of idolatry till they go down to the regions of death. It is an awfully interesting inquiry with us to know in whose skirts the blood of these souls will be found. We see their misery. We know, that by the assistance of a few dollars we could snatch them from their present circumstances, and point them to Jesus the Redeemer of men. Even since this letter has been on hand, a boy about six years old, an orphan entirely naked, has been brought by a distant relation and urged upon us; but to whom we could only say, "we have so many already, that we have no room for more." Consequently he was taken away. But again to-day, amidst the heavy showers of rain he presents himself at our doors, and seems to say, that his claims upon our charity are not to be resisted. The language of our hearts to him is, that he may tarry with us for the present, till we can present his case to our churches, and learn, whether there be any there whose bowels of compassion will prompt them to extend the hand of charity to such as he:-whether there be any there, who, if this starving wanderer were a son of theirs, would think it our duty to welcome him to our dwelling, or exert ourselves in his behalf. Though the parents of this boy live not in America, let all who are parents there consider, that he is their brother's and their sister's son.

Connected with both stations we have 15 schools containing about 700 children. In this number are included 48 boys and nine girls, who are supported in our boarding schools. Many of the remarks in this letter on the subject of schools and taking children to be supported do not apply with equal force to both stations. One obvious reason is, that missionary labors were not commenced so soon at one as at the other.

Our course of preaching at present is the same as heretofore. We are happy to say, that the number of persons who have of late attended at our stations on sabbath mornings, has been greater than at any former period.

The frequent receipt of letters from you would be a source of high gratification and encouragement, and the contents of them could not fail of having a favorable bearing upon our missionary operations.

Requesting your prayers and the prayers of the churches in America, that the blessing of God may rest upon us and on the heathen around us; that we may be richly endued with every missionary qualification, and especially that utterance

VOL. XVI.

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may be given unto us, that we may open our mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel, we subscribe ourselves, Yours in the bonds of Christian affection, JAMES RICHARDS, BENJAMIN C. MEIGS, DANIEL POOR. Rev. Samuel Worcester, D. D.

Letter from the Rev. Mr. Meigs to the Corresponding Secretary.
Batticotta, Jaffna, Nov. 25, 1819.

REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,

INCLOSED I send you a letter from Gabriel Tissera, of whose character and qualifications to assist in our mission you will by this time have considerable knowledge.

He is a young man of distinguished promise. Since he has become hopefully pious, we regard him with new and increased affection, and think his connexion with our mission of very great importance. He possesses talents of a superior order, and an ardent thirst for knowledge; and, so far as we can judge, possesses sincere piety. He is now well qualified to act as a catechist among the people; and at no very distant period he will probably be well qualified for ordination. He shows a strong desire to be permanently connected with our mission, and we are certainly no less desirous of such an event. He manifests a fervent love for the souls of this miserable people, and I have strong faith to believe, that he will be made, by the blessing of God, an instrument in the conversion of many souls. Indeed his labors have already been attended with the divine blessing. He expects, in the course of a few weeks, to visit Columbo, and intends if possible to bring his mother* and only brother to reside permanently in this place. We shall in the first instance, be under the necessity of advancing some money to provide them a small house; but the object to be accomplished is very great, and will, we think, justify the expense.

On the 10th of October he came forward, and before many witnesses made a profession of his faith in Christ, and was admitted to our church. It was a day long to be remembered. He is the first native whom we have received to our communion. O may he be the first fruit of an abundant harvest.

You will be able to judge with tolerable accuracy the progress which Gabriel has made in the English language, after reading his letter. After he had written It once, I corrected some of the obvious mistakes, and suggested a few alterations and additions. With this exception you may be assured, that both the sentiments and phraseology are entirely his own. Indeed he understands the grammar of the English language very well, but lacks experience in composition. It is extremely difficult for a native of the East to acquire a correct English idiom. He, however, has made very considerable advances towards the attainment of it, As the principal facts respecting our mission are detailed in our public letter to you, it would be superfluous for me to mention them again here. The health of brother Richards is a wonder to us all. By being able to visit and superintend most of our common schools, he allows me more time for the Tamul language.

Brother Poor's health is much improved since our last public letter in July. The rest of the mission family enjoy this blessing as usual.

Believe me, Dear Sir, yours very affectionately in the bonds of Christian love and respect, BENJAMIN C. MEIGS.

Rev. Dr. Worcester.

Letter from Gabriel Tissera to the Corresponding Secretary of A. B. C. F. M. Batticotta, Jaffna, Nov. 16, 1819.

REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,

THOUGH nearly unknown to you except by name, yet having some knowledge of your character, and knowing the connexion that subsists between you and the American missionaries in Jaffna, I take the liberty to write to you. I know

His father died about six months ago.

that you are a friend to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ. When I consider that I am writing to a friend whose face I never saw in the flesh, but whom I hope to meet in the kingdom of heaven, where we shall unite in the pleasant employment of loving and praising our Redeemer,-my heart glows with warm affection towards you, and towards God my Savior, who hath inspired such a hope in my breast.

The idea, that the children of God in America, and converts to Christianity in this heathen land, though separated by distance of place, are yet praying to the same God, loving the same Savior, and communing together through the same Spirit, has been a great comfort to my soul. When I read of revivals in that land, and of what Christians are there doing for the spread of the Gospel, I feel a peculiar affection for them. When I see the heathen around me worshipping idols, sacrificing to devils whom they call gods, given to all kinds of vice, wholly ignorant of God who made them and of the Savior who redeemed them, and void of all just ideas of future retribution,-my heart is moved with compassion towards them: I am anxious to do much for their salvation, and it is my wish to spend my life in the service of Christ among the heathen. I should be greatly discouraged did I not know that Christ has promised always to be with his faithful servants. But when I consider the promises of God in his word, and that we in this heathen land are not alone, but that all the Christian world are praying for us, I am encouraged to go forward in the strength of the Lord, and to do what I can in this glorious work.

I will now attempt to state to you some of my feelings before, as I hope, God had mercy on me. I was born and educated a Roman Catholic. I was in some degree zealous and strict in my profession, till, as near as I can remember, my thirteenth year, when, getting into the company of some bad young men, my mind was corrupted. By the influence of these young men, and the bad books they gave me to read, I left off attending church and was almost ready to laugh at religion. I did not believe that the Word of God was true, nor did I care for the things contained in it. In short, I had no relish for any thing serious; but, on the contrary, I recollect very well that I had the most bitter hatred to every thing which had even the appearance of religion. In this dangerous condition, dear Sir, with a heart full of pride on account of my supposed attainments, Í went to your missionaries, who had a few weeks before arrived at Columbo, and they were kindly pleased to instruct me.

I remember one remarkable instance of my unbelief and hatred to serious things. The Rev. Mr. Meigs attempted to speak to me on the importance of having a new heart, &c. Having a hatred to such talking, I first tried to wave the subject, by calling his attention to various objects that were in the room. But seeing that he was determined to pursue his topic, I became so impatient, that I exclaimed, "I beg, I beseech you, Sir, to say no more to me on this subject." Such were my feelings that he could by no means persuade me to hear him. I manifested so much impatience, that he was, no doubt with grief, obliged to leave off for the time.

I remember some other circumstances like the following: viz. that instead of saying, God has granted me these mercies, I was used to say, 'Nature has granted them.' Instead of saying, that God in his providence has done so, I was used to say, "chance has done it." I thought, and many times said, the universe has existed from eternity. It never was created, and it never will end. I denied the resurrection of the dead. I thought that there would be no such thing as a final judgment,-that the earth would not undergo those changes which the Holy Scriptures foretel,-that the miracles recorded in Scripture were all fabulous, that the Bible is but a device for deceiving men, and that, since there is no such thing as revelation, one religion is as good as another. I was used to say, that I would welcome death, because it will be an eternal sleep: meaning that my soul will be annihilated. The causes of disease and death, I argued, are no more than the necessary operations of nature, and that the soul is created and destroyed by chance. I had not the least fear of God before my eyes. I was literally living "without hope and without God in the world." I neither prayed to God as Protestants do, nor invoked the saints as Roman Catholics do. I sometimes went to a Protestant meeting, sometimes to a heathen temple, and sometimes to a Roman Catholic church. I cared little about any of them; only when in the last en