we owe the late completion of the Cingalese New-Testament, and must look for a translation of the remainder of the Bible.

"Were we to be deprived of their united talents, I know not how this important work could be continued."

The great utility of the Printing-office at Colombo, in providing for the natives of the southern parts of Ceylon the means of instruction, by means of the Scriptures and other books, has determined the Committee to recommend to the Conference a similar establishment at Jaffna. The language spoken in the Northern division of the island is the Tamul, and the inhabitants chiefly of Malabar origin. Hinduism too is the prevailing paganism of the North, as the religion of Budhu is that of the South; and though some works in the Tamul have been printed at Colombo, it will doubtless be the most efficient means of communicating the Scriptures and other publications in Tamul, by a separate establishment, where printing in that language will be the principal object. The importance of this part of the island is also heightened by the circumstance, that its language is also the language of a very large proportion of the opposite part of the continent of India; and whatever books are published there, and whatever of Christian knowledge and influence is produced, must be felt and circulated in the numerous population of the neighbouring Continent, from the constant intercourse which exists between them. For this reason too, the Committee have recommended the appointment of three additional Missionaries for the province of Jaffna; that every effort may be made to revive the Christian religion in a province where, formerly, paganism was almost utterly extirpated; but, where, from the supineness of later Christians, one of the worst forms of modern paganism covers the country with its polluted temples. Triumph in this quarter must make a powerful impression upon the idolatry of India itself; and many suitable instruments may, by the divine goodness, be raised up to communicate the knowledge of Christ in a tongue native to both, in that extensive district on the Continent where the Tamul language is spoken. Much greater difficulties and discouragements have presented themselves to the Missionaries in the North than in the South; but the importance of a Christian Mission there, will, we hope, only rouse them to new and superior efforts.

For much valuable information on the religious state of Ceylon, and other subjects connected with Missionary efforts, the Committee are greatly indebted to the condescension of Sir Alexander Johnston, who, since his return to England, has honoured them with several interviews; and whose communications have equally marked a profound judgment, and the most laudable zeal to promote the cause of Christianity among the natives of an island already so much indebted to his humane and enlightened exertions. For these communications, and for the atten tion of that gentleman to the Brethren in Ceylon, and the valu-, able counsels with which, at different times, he has had the kindness to favour them, the warmest thanks of the Committee are due; and in this sentiment they will be joined by the numerous friends of Missions throughout the kingdom. The late letters from the Missionaries to the Committee are, as might be expected, full of expressions of gratitude to this gentleman, for his kind and disinterested encouragement of their labours, and of regrets at his departure.

A circumstance has occurred of an interesting kind, as connected with its probable results in the promotion of the work of God in Ceylon. Two priests, of the highest order of the Budhist priesthood, were brought to England by Sir Alexander Johnston. They were taken on board his vessel when on the point of sailing, at their own most pressing request; and cheerfully submitted to the difficulties and privations of the voyage, that they might be placed under the care of the same religious body by whom the Wesleyan Missionaries had been sent out, to be instructed in Christianity and European knowledge. The committee agreed to take them under its protection; and liberal offers have been made, by several friends, for their support whilst they remain in England; -a generosity towards these interesting strangers, which the Committee hope will be imitated by others. The Rev. Dr. Clarke having kindly offered to superintend their religious and literary instruction, under the direction of the Committee, they are now under his care; and the zeal and affection with which he has applied himself to promote their best interests, will, we hope, be fully rewarded by the divine blessing upon his labours, and their true conversion to the faith of Christ. Their learning, and character among their countrymen, will, in that case, be powerful auxiliaries to their future exertions to communicate the light of the gospel to their benighted country; and very reasonable hopes may be entertained, that the cause of Christianity may, by their means, be greatly promoted in Ceylon.

Such is the general aspect of the Ceylon Mission. All those means which appear essential to the diffusion of Christian knowledge and influence have been put into activity :-the printing and circulation of the Scriptures and useful books on religious subjects, the instruction of children in the faith of Christ, and the preaching of the gospel. Generally, those stations appear to be occupied where the population is greatest, or the access to the pagan natives most easy; and the neglected professing Christians of the island have been again visited.In many of these stations, "laborious man has done his part," or is diligently employed in performing it; but the blessing of VOL. II.

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God is necessary to make it to prosper; and the Committee would join with all who are anxious for the spread of Christianity in heathen lands, in praying, with special reference to the work in Ceylon," Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children; and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon them, and establish thou the work of their hands upon them; yea, the work of their hands establish thou it."

BOMBAY and MADRAS.-In Bombay and Madras the Mission has not been enlarged, according to the direction of the last Conference, one Missionary only being fixed in each place. This the Committee regret; as it has been only for want of funds that more has not been done by them, in conjunction with other Christian bodies, to meet the spiritual wants of Continental India. The Committee earnestly trust that the increase of supplies may enable them to enlarge their exertions in this direction, and in this confidence recommend the appointment of two additional Brethern. For what are all the Missionaries employed among the millions even of British India? As men immortal and accountable, living in the practice of idolatry, "that abominable thing which the Lord hateth," they are objects of deep commiseration; but they have a special claim to our regards as fellow-subjects, and inhabiting portions of the earth which Almighty God, in his providence, has now made a part of the British empire. The new and awful discoveries which are daily made of the polluting and murderous nature of their superstitions, in writings of unquestionable authority, with the success of the Missionary labours of the excellent men of other denominations already employed there, the Committee think ought to be considered as special calls upon British Christians to increase the means of acquainting the natives of India with their divine religion; and to persevere in the glorious toil, until the name of Christ shall be sounded throughout the vast extent of our oriental dominions, and one God and Saviour shall be worshipped by every subject of the British throne.

NEW HOLLAND.-A recent letter has been received from Mr. Leigh, who is labouring alone in this colony; but will soon, it is hoped, be joined by Mr. Lawry, who sailed a few months ago for that station. He makes pressing appeals to the Committee for additional help: and besides the fourteen places in the colony, at which he regularly preaches, itinerating among the settlers, he had received invitations to six other places; which, he observes, he has the affliction to pass and repass without being able to visit. The societies increase; and every prospect of great usefulness presents itself. As many of the aboriginal natives of that country are occasionally met

with by Mr. Leigh in his excursions, it is hoped that, on the arrival of Mr. Lawry, not only will the calls of the settlers for religious help be met, but something effectual be done by the Brethren for the civilization and Christian instruction of the natives themselves. Mr. Lawry was encouraged by the Committee to make the attempt, and considers this as one of the objects of his Mission.

The following extracts are from a late communication of Mr. Leigh, dated "Sydney, September 9, 1817."

"I am glad in having to say that the Mission in this place is growing. The work appears to be gradual, but deep.Our little sheep-folds are at present preserved from the power of the lion; and the sheep feed in green pastures, and by still

waters.

"Within the last six months I have had the pleasure of receiving and conversing with eight Missionaries, sent from the London Society for Otaheite. All of them have acted in union with me, and have been zealously employed in preaching in my circuit. It is my duty to say, that they have conducted themselves towards me, and the cause in which I am engaged, as men of God; and 1 hope and pray that the God of all grace may preserve them now they are among the heathen, and crown their labours with thousands of souls truly converted, and made meet for heaven.

"There are more places to which I might go than those which are already attended to: but it is impossible to attend to any more, or make any alteration in the present plan of action, without three preachers. Two preachers can do very little more than I now attend to; and therefore I hope, and pray, and beseech you to supply us with sufficient preachers, that we may extend our labours to those who most need us. My present sphere is not one hundredth part so extensive as I wish it to be. Indeed, the field which requires Missionaries is not yet entered into. There are several districts in which there is neither church nor preaching-house, and the people are crying out for the gospel. I have been invited time after time, but I cannot, I dare not neglect my prior engagements..

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the first, Syd

1 propose the formation of three circuits ney, the second Panomotta, and the third Windsor. My reasons for wishing the adoption of this plan are the following. The settlers are at so great a distance from each other, that the people are afraid to leave their houses and property, from fear of ill disposed people, who are continually watching for opportunities to defraud and oppress their fellow-creatures. Several who have left their houses to attend divine service where we have stations, have been discouraged from continuing, on account of their having to return to their dwellings robbed of all.

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they had. I am persuaded, that many, who are labouring under these disadvantages, would be glad to receive us into their houses and families, could we attend on them. From these considerations your Missionary has proposed, and already acted on, the following plan; that is, to preach from house to house, even to a single family: and I can say that, from a conviction of duty, I have experienced as much of the power and presence of God while preaching to my congregations of twelves and twenties, as I have while preaching to as many hundreds in England. The number in society is seventy; and I expect an addition the next time I go into the country."

Here, as in other places, an attempt had been made, by a letter in the Sydney Gazette, to excite an opposition to Missions; but it was immediately discouraged by the excellent governor of the colony; who, in the government and general orders of the 15th of January 1817, observes, "that he deems it necessary, in justice to his own feelings, and also to the highly respectable and benevolent persons and societies engaged in Missionary labour and purposes, which have ever received his public support and sanction, publicly to express his disapprobation of the letter referred to."

AFRICA.

SIERRA LEONE.The work in Sierra Leone, under the care of Mr. Brown, is gradually advancing; but the Mission has sustained a severe loss in the death of Mrs. Brown, and in the removal of Mr. Davis, who has been obliged to leave the Colony for want of health. Mr. Davis, on his return, furnished the Committee with an account of his last labours in Leopold's Town. "I went there in December, 1816. The inhabitants, all re-captured Negroes, understand but little English; and as there were ten or twelve different tribes among them, I found that it would be useless to attempt learning any one of their languages, and I went on teaching them English; and endeavoured to preach among them the unsearchable riches of Christ every morning at five, and every evening at seven, and four times on the Lord's day. I had also a night and a Sunday school, in which were about sixty; and they made considerable progress. I gathered a few of the young people together, whom I met in class. I was sometimes enlivened with hopes, and at other times ready to despair; but as long as my health would permit I continued, faint yet persevering. In November last, the Lord graciously condescended to bless my public labours: there were fifty or sixty under serious impressions, and in the greatest concern for their salvation. I had a chapel that would hold between two and three hundred people, which, as the