= + Asacasacaaasseraaroaracapadrseaedsaadegesoaaaeagasacadggcgasdaateddessasaosoeaasaa j ‘1818, fo 1868, a ISSION Ji NORTH CEYLON. s — SAPFENA ‘Strona & Aspury, Printers. 1868. °CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY'S From the Commencement of the M Monge MISSION IN JAPENA, F F a ae { A - ati: ) $ a ‘ »* , t Y ~? 4 ” a bas : r Be Rh ats Sn We iy | bar f Em 2 . = ‘del A Sh aly we ? ie ch ae ‘ } or ’ R _ : ee oY athe ae Coe ae, bsg AF, e os 2 < ; . * . > x 7 z x Z “ a s : - ie 7 : - . z - ' x ‘ ° - % > = t : ; ? ‘ JA ; ‘ ¢ - : . i : * : , > * = ~ * : wt r > 4 f F ¢ a 2 3 : % : \ * ; } 3 e a %, ‘BRIEF SKETCH OF THE - CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY'S MISSION IN JAPENA, NORTH CEYLON. — From the Commencement of the Mission in 1818, to 1868, -” JAFFNA: STRONG & Asbury, PRINTERS, IS6A, —_ = gga ie eS rane TY ee res ae ic =aees a we Le pe Ped BRIEF SKETCH QF THE C. M. §. MISSION IN JAFFNA. THE Country. The district, and peninsula of Jaffna, at the Northern extremity of Ceylon, extends about twenty miles from North to South ; and thirty six from East to West. It is one vast plain covered with trees, of which the majority are Palmyra and Cocoanut Palms. There are very extensive cocoanut plantations in the Eastern part of the Provinee, which are farmed by Eng- lish resident Planters. Rice, millet, various kinds of dry - grain and tobaceo &e. are also very extensively culti- vated by the natives. It is thickly populated containing in all upwards of 215,000 souls. It is divided into thirty seven districts, each containing several villages. In three - of these districts the Missionaries of the C. M. S. reside. In six others Missionaries of the American Board of Foreign Missions occupy a larger extent of the country, having usually from eight to ten Missionaries. The Weslyan Missionaries occupy three districts. There is al- so a Roman Catholic Bishop with six or seven Priests and lay helpers, and five or six Nuns; their proselytes are chiefly from amongst the Fisher's waste, The Missionary operations of the three Protestants Societies thus occupy- ~yY a af 3 f oie Bae Fg L)OT XK Ji * ~~ TS. ky 4 ing distinct portions of the country, adds in no small de- gree, to the unanimity and peace with which they carry on respectively their common work. ~ THE PEOPLE are Tamil speaking Hindoos;—emigrant settlers from South India; a fine, healthy race ; but who are frequently visited, by those fearful scourges of tropi- cal climes, Fever and Cholera—the latter always taking its thousands into eternity. We are often struck with the resemblance, which exists physically, with regard to this people and Europeans. They are shrewd, witty, sel- fish, and in their circumstances very independent. The Dutch when they possessed. the Island forced the inhabit- ants to forsake idolatry ; built Churches in every district and compelled them to attend and receive the rite of Bap- tism ; without it no native possessed a secure title to land-. nor could obtain Government employment. This system of compulsion nvt only failed in its object of making them Christians but it embittered the minds of the e peo- ple egainst. Christianity. They clung with a secret ad- leamaie to thew old superstitions, all the more resolate because stimulated by persecutiou. Sie people had suf- fered under Christians and therefore hated them,and their religion. Then came. British indifference, Churches were ailcaced to fall into decay. No provision was made for the spiritual wants of the people, even had there been some willing to remain Christians. Hence when Protestant Missicnarivs first arrived, they found the people relapsed into heathenism, and they themselves regarded with the utmost suspicion, Missionaries. 1. THe Rev. Josepu Kyraut, the vot Church Missionary to Jaffna, landed in 1818 and com- menced his work of evangelization at Nellore, : » Place, situated about two miles to the Noith East of the town of Jaffna. Having acquired a little of the language he devoted his early ergs Vv career, in visiting the coos Woe from house to house, and from village to village. He found darkness brooding over the land and gross darkness resting on the people. “Their prophets prophesying fal- sely, their priests bearing rule by their means;” and the worst feature of all, “the people loving to have it so.” Innumerable were the difficulties and opposition which he had to encounter ;—as indeed all first Missionaries to heathen lands. Some considered him an outcast and thought it pollution to admit him to their houses. Others were afraid of him, women and children inveriably hid themselves when he made his appearance, and it was not unusual for him sometimes to find hi:nself sole possessor of their dwellings, as he appeared at one end, the inmates disappearing at the other. There were instances when the people bathed, and purified their houses after the Missionary’s visit. Andit was always usual for the Pundit to go to the Tank and bathe, on his way to his house, aft- er his morning lesson with the Missionary. Mr.. Knight during his residence in the land, passed through severe domestic afflictions, in the successive deaths of his first and second wife. He collected materials for an Anglo- Tamil Dictionary which has since been largely improved nd published by the Rev. Dr. Spaulding. The first religious tracts were written on palmyra olas.. Mr. Knight was the first to introduce a printing press into the Pro- vince, which he had set up at Nellore. The first speci- men of its work came forth in the form of a little Tract entitled, “The Heavenly Way” Mr. Knight went to England in 1838 and returned again in 1840; but ere he reached the~scene cf his labours it pleased the Lord to take him home to his rest. He died at Cotta near Colombo a few days after disembarking on his return to the Island. In the little burial ground of that Mission staticn his remains were laid torest, there to await the glorious morn- ing of the Resurrection. | 6 é The present venerable head cf the American Mission the Rev. Dr. Spaulding, who knew him intimately, says of him that “he was a warm friend, a diligent student jn Tamil, a faithful Missionary, an active labourer, and a most devoted servant of the Lord Jesus.” THE Rey. WILLIAM ADLEY, landed inthe Island and joined Mr. Knight at Nellore in 1824. Here he continued till the death of his wife in 1839, when, he left for Eng- land, and again returned in 1841, having married a second time. He remained in the land till 1845, when ill health compelled him to relinquish his work and return to Eng- land. 3. THe Rev. F. W. Taytor, joined the Mission in 1839, and remained at Nellore till 1841: when he re- meved to Chundicully, and at the close of the year left for Colombo and thence to England. 4. THE Rev. JNo. TALBoT JoHNSTON, commenced his work at Chundicully in 1841, and continued his labours in that place till 1849 ; when through the illness of Mrs. Johnston he had to return to England, where he still resides. | | 5. Tue Rev. Ropert Parcirer, was added to the Missionary band in 1846. He spent the greater part of his time and Missionary life at Chundicully. He remain- ed in the field till 1864. | | 6. THE Rey. James O’NEILL, landed in the same year as Mr Pargiter, and took up the work at Nellore. In 1848 Mrs. O'Neill died. Her loss was deeply felt in the Mission. Under her judicious superintendence the Girls’ Boarding School, grew and prospered. In 1856 after 10 _ years labor Mr. O’Neill returned to England, where he is still labouring. | 7. THE Rey. RoBert BREN, whose sojourn in the ° Province is chiefly connected with Copay, landed in 1849. He superintended the Schools of the Copay District, col- 7 lected and consolidated the congregation, superintenced the buildiag of the Mission House and Church, and after a residence cf 9 years, in 1858, through ill health returned to England. | : 8. Toe Rev. C. C.. Mc’ArTHuR, arrived in 1859 and took charge of the Mission, which was then without the superintendence of a Missionary. He made Nellore his residence, and with the exception of one visit home to England, remained in the Mission field, till the February of last year, 1867. | 9. THE Rev. H. D. Beswett, landed in 1862 and took charge of Copay till 1865; when through ill-health he had to give up his work, and return to England. He is now labouring in the Mauritius. o Toe Rev. THomas Goop, lined Sin’ Webi uArTy v6? a few days before Mr. Mc’Arthur had left. It was a time of peculiar trial to the Mission; the Schools, Semin- aries, and general work of the Mission, were completely suspended in consequence of a fearful visitation of Cholera which was then passing through the land. — , 11. fue Rev. D. Woop, landed in the January of the present year, 1568. The last two mentioned, are at th esent the only European labourers in the field. Tur CONGREGATIONS. Seven long years of hard toil and earnest labour had passed, and yet there was no fruit seen. The first convert from Heathenism whom it was the Missionary’s privilege to receive into the Church by baptism was Mr. Adley’s horse-keeper. He was baptized, | by the name of Sacuel, at the close of the year 1825. . In the same year the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered for the first time ; five persons only being present, At the close of the first 10 years 1828, the num-— ier of Christians eonneeted with the Church amounted | only te ten persons. Of these one still survives; now an 8 old experienced Christian, at that time the only Catechist .... - employed in the Mission (Mr. M. Philips.) The present Church at Nellore was also built d uring this time,the foun- dation being the ruins of an old Dutch Church. During the succeeding ten years from 1828 to 1838, the number of Christians had only increased to twenty-five, and amongst these, as far as we are able to gather, there was nota single woman, The number of Catechists employed were four. In 1841 the district. of Chundicully was taken up. The old Portugese Church of St. John’s with its Congregation of about 90 had veen handed over to the C. M. 8. Missi- onary by their old Pastor the Rey, Christian David, who was himself a convert of the Missionary Swartz. This Congregation formed the nucleus of the present Chundi- cully Congregation; and in this old Building, Sabbath services were conducted till 1862, when the present new Church was erected. During this Decade from 1838 to {848 the number of Catechists employed at Nellore were six, and at Chundicully two. At the close of this. period the number of Christians at the former place had increased to 80. The number of Communicants in both places amounted t> 70. In July of 1847, Jaffna was favoured with a visit from the first Bishop of Colombo, Dr. Chapman. His Lordship held twoconfirmation services,(the first everheldin J afina;) one at Chundicully, in English, where 56 Candidates were confirmed ; the other at Nellore in Tamil where 57 Can- . _ didates were also.confirmed. | In the year 1849, Copay was taken up asa separate Mission District. Of the Christians already enrolled on the Nellore Books, seven belonged to this place. These _ seven formed the nucleus of the Congregation there. The Mission House and Church were built ona piece of land, presented to the Mission by P. A. Dyke Esq, the Gov- ernment Agent of the Northern Province, The Church. 9 was cpened for services on January 9th 1852. On the day of opening, three services were h:ld, which were at- tended by the Missionaries of the American and Wesleyan Societies, and a large concourse of people. At the services £15 was collected. At the first service three adults were baptized ; and at the mid-day service there were upwards of 130 communicants. The whole cost of the Church was about £400. During the present year this Church has been throughly repaired ; the congregation bearing part of the expense. Towards the close of the year 1855, the Rev. W. Knight, ceputed by the Home Committee to inspect the Mission work in the Island, ar- rived in Jaffna, and visited each of the statioas and schools - and reported on them aecordingly. At the close of this period the number of Christians at Nellore. had fallen to 51, consequent upon some changes having taken place there, in the mode of working that station. At Chundi- cully the number had increased to 106; and at Copay to 80. The number of communicants in all three amoun- ted to 154. Subscriptions towards a Native Pastorate Fund were also commenced,—the first indications of an attempt towards self support. During the last Decade from 1858 to 1868, the Con- gregatious of the three Districts, appear to have commenc- ed to form character, and show permanent signs of vitali- ty, The number of members were increasing steadily. The contributions for religious and charitable purposes. assumed a more systematic, and substantial form. In 1862 the work was extended to the Cocoanut estates, and a little congregation gathered out from amongst the coolies cinployed there. At present there are connected with the Society there from 30 to 40 Christians. | In the September of 1868, a most important step was taken towards the advancement, and progress cf the na- tive Church. Mr. J. Hensman one of the Head Catechists 2 10 was admitted into Holy Orders, by the Bishop of Colombo. And twoyears after, in 1865, three others ofthe Catechists Messrs. Handy, Hoole, and Champion were also ordained Deacons; and Mr, Hensman admitted into Priests Orders. The whole number of baptized native Christians at present connected with the Church Mission Society's con- eregations in Jaffna, are at Nellore and the Estates 215, at Chundicully 267; and at Copay 195; making in all 677; The number of communicants at Nellore are 81, at Chun- dicully 84, and at Copay 72, making in all 287. As with all congregations gathered out of heathan lands, it must be aipaubena that surrounding circumstances are against them. They feel the opposition more keenly and Rasctiy than the European can. They are constantly exposed to adverse inftuences,and are therefore in need of more grace to keep themselves stedfast in the ways of tlre Lord. Though we see in them more of the negative than positive side of Christianity, and have often to measure their at- tainments in Christian life, more by the amount of evil which they resist, than by the positive advance in spiritual life and conduct. Yet in justice to them,—without cast- ing any reflections on the congregations of other Societi- es ;—we feel bound to say, that the standard of the Native Christians of the Church M issionary Society in Jaffna is equal to, if not higher, than any which we have seen. Though we have been encouraged by the steady Christian deportment of many of our people, yet we long for'a deeper, wider, hoher, more extensive manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit. It is an interesting fact, that many Native Christians whose unsteady walk had given their pastor, great solicitude, have in the hour of death, manifested a stedfast attachnent to the Christian faith, and an appar- ent reliance on Christ, which has encouraged the hope that many of them, even the weak and wayward, will be found at last gathered into the kingdom of our God. Some oe A a a ‘ a — 11 of our Christians, in the hour of death particularly those who were cut off in the late dreadful scourge of Cholera; have exhibited such heavenly peace and joy, as to stir up the hearts of their heathen relatives around them, with wonder and adrairation: —One exclaiming, while his body was writhing in agony, (“#sCsragu, ¢6Csragm.”) “Joy, ” ° ° Joy.” Another saying. “Do not weep for me, I am going to my Lord Jesus.” - Since 1855 subscriptions have been collected in each of the congregations towards the Native Pastorate Endow. ment Fund; there is at present to the credit of that fund in the Local Bank £370. 13. 2. During the past year the total amount contributed by the congregations for reli- gious and charitable purposes amounted to £75. 10. 10. Donations and subscriptions given by European re- sidents £57. 5. 7. and private friends in England £ 68. 15. 0., making in all £191. 11. 5. The late trials in the visitation of Cholera the removal _ by illness of the late Missionary, and recent arrival of the present Missionaries will account for the non-existence of our Native Church Council. Nevertheless our Churches are putting forth every effort: to maintain their own Pastors, and we doubt not, that ere long we shall have them organized and established. | Epucation. THe Enciisn Seminary, for the higher education of Tamil youths was opened at Nellore in 1825, Mr. Adley taking charge of it. The main design of this Seminary was to bring forward Native Agents for the Missionary work. The pupils were boarded on the Prem- ‘ses and were required to attend public worship and other religious services. The Bible was the most promi- nent subject of study, and was always regarded as the text-book of morals and religion. Science and other see- ular subjects were taught, principally as auxiliaries to this subject. In 1841, it was removed to Chundicully A A NS A SE en Se 12 to make room for the girl’s Boarding School. And in 1857, as a Boarding Seminary, it was abolished. From its foun- ation to its close upwards of 200 lads have passed through the regular course. Upwards of 70 have become converts to Christianity, Some are employed by the Mission, some hold respectable and responsible offices under Government in the province ana elsewhere, and others have died. THE CHUNDICULLY SEMINARY, as it at present exists, was commenced in 1857, at the dissolution of the Board- ing School. All the pupils pay fees from 8s.tols. a quarter. A Government grant-in-aid was received until 1862, when, by new regulations, restrictions were placed upon the instructions in the Bible. The Society thought it bet- ter to retain God’s Word without restrictions and gave up the grant. Since then the school has been maintained by the fees, an additional grant from the Society, and private supporters. Reading, Writing, Composition, His- tory, Arithmetic, Algebra, Euclic, Trigonometry, Latin and Tamil form the programme ‘of instruction. In the school there sare six classes. The first of these consists of boys preparing for Matriculation in the Madras Uni- versity, with which the Seminary is affiliated. Amongst the candidates, who presented themselves at the Univer- sity Examination, in December 1867, from Jaffna, the only two, who were successful, were both lads of the first class of this school. Its pupils now number 150. Before the outbreak of Cholera the number was 230. Since the opening of the School in 1851, to the present year, the number of lads educated in it have been upwards of 200. These together with those of the Boarding Seminary will make 400, concerning whom we may say, there are very few, who are not convinced of the truth of the Christian Religion. | THE Copay TRAINING InstTITUTION, for the instruction _ and training of Readers, Catechists, Teachers, School-mas- 13 ters, Agents fur the Mission, &c. was opened at Copay in 1853. From that time to the present 100 lads have been trained, of whom the majority are employed in the Mission, some by the other Missions, some have gone to Kandy and others have died. These lads are boarded and educated at the expense of the Mission. There are at present 20 lads in course of training. | THE NELLORE FEMALE BOARDING SCHOOL, was opened in 1842. It was completely broken up by a visitation of Cholera in 1845. It was again re-opened in 1850, by Mr. O'Neill. The girls educated there were almost all Vellalii (Qacrerrert) girls, of ages from about ten to eighteen. The majority of them were children of heathen parents. As it was a rule arising from the necessity of circumstan- ces in the Mission, that Catechists, Schoolmasters &c. should marry young women from this school, girls chosen by some for their future wives, were sent there to be ed- ucated. No stipulation was made about Baptism when girls were admitted. The average cost. cf food and cloth- ing for each girl was then £3, per annum; now # 4, per annum. ‘he hohe haying passed through various stages, was a second time closed, because of Cholera, in1866 and remained so until the April of the present year, when it was again re-opened. There are at present in the School 40 girls the majority of whom pay fees and provide their own clothing. Upwards of 200 girls have graduated since it was established until the present time. Of these 60 have become wives and mothers, who by their lives and con- duct, adorn the Gospel of God our Saviour. This is one of the roost interesting and hopeful results of our educational labors; its value cannot be over-estimated. Mothers bear an important part in the religion of every land and parti- cularly so in Jaffna. 3 , VERNACULAR ScHoors. NeELLoRE Sration Boys’ ScHOOL, was first commenced by Mr. Knight. The majorj 14 ty of the children who attend are heathen, sons of Dyers, Weavers, Brass-founders &c. The children pay no fees but have to buy their own books. The school is efficient, and when last reported numbered 79, on the list. TIRNELVALLY Boys’ ScHooL, first opened as a mixed school by Mr. Knight, afterwards closed and again reop- ened in 1859, ‘elie the boys and girls were hae a and taught in separate Bungalows. We have had some hope- ful converts from this school. It maintains its character. It stands in the midst of those, who are chiefly employed in the cultivation of tobacco. Number on the list 51. CocKoVILLE Boys’ Scuoot. In this Bungalow at differ- ent hours in the day there are two classes of lads taught the one in English, who pay fees, the other in Tamil. It is one of the most efficient of our village schools. The numb- er on the list is 65. The children are those whose parents are cniefly engaged in agriculture, . CoNDAVILLE Boys’ ScHoot. This is also a very useful and efficient school. It is in the midst of a very bigoted, but yet industrious people. There have been some pro- mising fruit gathered from this school. We hope to see many more. Number on the list 76. 7 PARtAH STREET MIxED ScHOOL. Situated in the midst of one of the lowest and most degraded castes among the Hindoos. One peculiarity we have noticed amongst the children of this school—their readiness in picking up and retaining knowledge. The people of this caste are remark- able for their ability | in singing and speaking. The numb- er of children at present on the list is 37. NavaTcoo.y Boys’ ScHoot, opened in 1847, as an Ang- lo-Vernacular Schocl. It was afterwards closed and was again opened asa Tamil School. This School has given us some converts, and some of our best helpers owe their first impressions to lessons in God’s Word taught in that School. Number on the list 42. The School Bungalow stands on the ruins of an old Dutch Church, he OIE 4 5 i 1 j PR BRE se TE TE GEL ES IE Ty Te Ee RI a RH 5 NET Bg lS ROTTS, 15 Coma-Kanpy ExatisH ScrooL, was first opened by Mr. Mc’Arthur, but has been recently closed, the pecple having failed to fulfil their promises as regards fees and the number of children which they promised to send. We have again re-opened it under the auspices of a Teach- er, a native of the place, whose local interest will enable him to maintain the effeciency of the School. He has now 30 boys ou the list. NELLORE STATION GIRLS’ SCHOOL, has been a very large and useful School, supplying many of our girls for the Boarding School. The present number cn the list is 30. It is taught by one of the old girls of the Boarding School now the wife of a man living near Nellore. TEMPLE STREET GIRLS’ ScHOoL. The chief matter of interest connected with this school is its situation—not being many yards distant from the Kantha-Swamy Tem- ple one of the most noted in Northern Ceylon. And also the children taught in the Schcol, are of the highest and most bigoted castes, Bramins &c. The number on the list is i, KONDAVILLE GIRLS’ ScHooL, situated near the ree school, has been a useful school and sustains its character and importance The number on the list is 35. TIRNELVELLY GIRL’s SCHOOL, situated near the boys’ school of the same place, is taught by the wife of the boys’ school teacher. This school has been particularly useful in training girls who on becoming mothers, though not Christians, yet are most favourably disposed and readily throw open their houses for Bible reading and Cottage meetings. Number on the list 46. CHUNDICULLY STATION Boys’ ScHoon, at present held in the same Bungalow as the preparatory English school, was first opened in 1842, and has continued with various changes up to the present time. Number now on the list 80. This school has given us some of our best boys for 16 the Tamil Institation and not a few converts to Christi- anity. CoLoMBoGAM Boys’ ScHooL, The Bungalow is large and commodious and has been most useful as a place to hold our Moon-light meetings, Bible meetings, Sunday services and preaching to the heathen. With respect to numbers this school fluctuates, boys leave early. Parents chiefly engagedin fishing and toddy-drawing. Number on list at present 45. NADOOTERROE Boys’ ScHooL, was at first connectcd with Nellore, afterwards transferred to Chundicully. This is the oldest school in the District. It is situated amongst a people who are very unsteady and fickle in character and of whom not a few have brought a disgrace upon the Christian name by apostacy. The number of children an the rollis 43. Z ATHICADOE MIxep ScHooL, commenced in 1845, a- mongst the Chevia people(who originally came to Jaffna, as Palanquin bearers to the old kings &now gain their lively- hood by working at the salt pans in the manufacturing of salt &e.) This school has not made as much progress as the other schools. The present teacher is the son of the old Catechist Mark, whose name is so frequently met with in the Journals of some of the first Missionaries in Jaffna. The number on the list 30, CHUNDICULLY West Boys’ ScHoot. The great difficul- ty with which this school has to contend arises from its situation, being surrounded by people of difterent castes, and other opposition schools in its neighbourhood. New ertheless it maintains its position, and under the zealous efforts of its present teacher is advancing in influence and importance. Number on the list 52. | MANDATIVOE MIXED SCHOOL, in the island of the same name, one of those, lying opposite the Town of Jaffna. During the present year the Bungalow was erected by the people at the cost of £5 17 6. It is one of the most tiourishing of our schools. The teacher is a native of the | 17 Island trained at our Training Institution at Copay who with his wife works most energetically amongst the chil- dren and people of his District. Number on the list: 75. CHUNDICULLY STATION GIRLS’ ScHooL, commenced by Mrs. Johnston as a Boarding School. Several of the chil- dren educated here have become Christians, and even those who have not become Christians, are «favourably disposed towards Christianity ; this remark will apply to the majority of our Schools. Number on the list 36. NADOOTERRUE GIRLS’ SCHOOL, recently opened. The people of this District are not by any means disposed to- wards Female education, and as a consequence we find it difficult to retain the children sufliciently long in the Schoo] to receive any marked benefits. The School mis- tress is an experienced teacher and we hope that through her influence the parents may soon be led to appreciate the education of their children. Number on the list 46. CHUNDICULLY West Gir.Ls’ ScuooLt. A New School, opened in the February of the present year. It has to con- tend with difficulties of different castes and opposition Schools. It is nevertheless going on well. The School mistress is the widow of one of our Catechists who died a very happy death during the late visitation of Cholera. Number on the list 29. i Copay STATION Boys’ ScHooL, first opened at Copay South by Mr. Knight, afterwards removed to the eld Dutch Chureh near Copay and again in 1851 to its present position. Some of the Catechists at present em- ployed in the Missicn received their first instruction in this School. It has given us several lads, converts to Christianity. Number on the list 43. TRooVALLE Boys’ ScHooL, situated in a district Where there has Leer a strong epposition to Christianity meni- tested. The School maintains its position, and its number of Boys in daily attendance, steady and rezular. Nuin- ber on the hst 50. : ~ * w= 186 CoIL-TERRUE Boys’ ScHoon, opened by Mr. Knight» afterwards closed. Again re-opened, and again closed be- cause of Cholera. It was again re-opened and placed under the charge of its present teacher im 1867. Num- ber on the list 40. | | | NEERVALEE Boys’ ScHooL, A Heathen master was first employed in this School, it then struggled on very slowly. Now there is a’ Christian (as in all our Schools) under whose efforts it is flourishing. Number on the lst 50. OoRUMPERAY Boys’ ScHook. Situated in an outlying village of Copay. The people, engaged in cultivation, aie very ignorant and were at first very much opposed to Christianity. A change has passed over them, they are more favourably inclined now. We have had several hopeful converts from this School. The present teacher is a Convert of the School. Number on the list 46. OorALoo Boys’ ScHoot.-First opened by Mr. Bron. It has not so many boys in attendance as other Schools. It has lately given us two Converts. Number on the list 37. Copay Sration Giris’ ScHooL, Some of the beneficial results of Female Education, we have séen illustrated in this School. Some of those who have been taught in the School though not having become Christians, yet are fa- vourably disrosed towards Christianity and never attend the Heathen Temples, nor make offerings to the idols, like other women, by whom they ave surrounded. Number on the list 23. < TROOVALLE Gris’ ScHooL, opened in the Octcber of last vear, is beginning to make itself felt. Is taught by the widow of our late Catechist Mr. Wynn, who was_her- self educated at the Nellore Boarding School. In due sea- son we hone to reap rauch fruit from this School. Number en the list 25. All. these Schools which had been closed because of Cholera in 1866 were re-opened in 1867 and 1868. They 19 are examined and reported every month, by an Inspector. - A general examination is held at the close of each year by a Committee appointed for the purpose. These Schools have not generally been of a very high order. The pupils are taught to read and write (chiefty on the ola) in the vernacular language, and to recite from memory Cate- chisms prepared on the Christian Religion. A synopsis of Scripture History, and portions of the sacred Scriptures Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar, IT,and III Tamil Read- ing Books &e. have lately been added and the standard considerably raised. 1t will be seen by the above separate notice of each of the Schools, that there are at present under the charge of the Mission in each of the three stations six Boys’ Schools containing 961 boys, and at Nellore 4 Girls’ School, at Chundicully 3, and at Copay 2, containing 397 girls, who together with the boys, make the number 1358._ It is supposed that not fewer than 25,000 children have receiv- ed more or less Christian instruction in these Schools, since the commencement of the Misssion. What may be the results of this instruction we are not in a position to tell. Frequently we hear from some of our old Christian agents, and helpers, the exclamation, “How changed the times and the people are,—Before, Children would not come near the School and would not take even a-plantain from the Missionary, now they come gladly to School,” and a Brahmin Priest has teen heard to say, “the Christi- an Religion will prevail. It has made great changes in Jaffna.” From conversation with our people we find with very few exceptions the majority owe their first religious impressions, directly or indirectly to Gospel truths'taught jn those Schools. We feel persuaded that these sagt oe severally and _ collectively, are taking a foremost part in the great con- test which is being waged, between light and dar kness 20 Christianity and Heathenism, and are tending, we trust largely to forward the interests of Him, who was revealed to bring “Life and Immortality to light by the Gospel.” The following incident may help to illustrate the advanc- ed state of public feeling on the subject of Education, Christian, sentiment, and Bible truths. One day a Brahmin brought to me his son wishing him to be admitted to the Chundicully Seminary. But said I “we teach the Bible there, and I shall make a Christian of him if I can” he re- plied “I know it, the Bible precepts are good fur a son to learn, and as to becoming a Christian, the Christian reh- gion is good, it is better than Hinduism. If he wishes to become a Christian, why, he may, but I] should not like at least before I die.” ) | Another interesting fact is seen in the case of an oppo- sition School established by Heathens near the town of Jafina. The managers were under the necessity of introdu-_ cing the study of the Bible in order to sustain the School, SABBATH ScHoous,. There ave upwards of 500 children who meet from Sabbath to Sabbath at each of the sta- tions. They are instructed in the Scripture Catechism hey commit tomemory texts of Scripture and Hymns which they repeat. BIBLE CLAssES, have also been carried on with more or less regularity at each of the Churches before the morn_ nz service and in severa! families during the week days. An interesting class of the native women who speak Eng. lish has also been established by Mrs. G—d at Chundi- cully after the morning service. BrsLE MEETINGS. A series of most Natl interesting Bible meetings, have lately been held in different parts of the District, "They are usually held during the moonlight nights of the summer montis, sometimes in the Church sometimes in the compound of some friendly Villager, and sometimes under the shade of a wide spreading tree. On 21 une occasion I have seen upwards of 300, seated under the shade of a large tamarind tree, listening to the glori- ous truths of G5a's s Blessed Gospel. CoLporTaGE. Through the kindness of the British and Foreign Bible Society we have been enabled to keep a colporteur employed now for some time. We have adopted the plan of selling alland giving none. During the last _ few months he has sold upwards of 400 portions of God’s Word to Heathens, Christians, and Roman Catholies alike, though the latter we find to be the most bitter opponents of God s truth, “They hate the light because their deeds are evil. ”- BIBLE Wonrew. Several have been at different times employed in the Mission during the preceding years. At present there are two employed. ‘There is much interest and importance connected with this work. The Bible women have access to houses and their immates where it would not be prudent for our Catechists or readers to ent- er, and where we fcrbid them to enter. God has owned and blessed the labour of those women when it has been faithfully performed. J UBILEE SERMONS. On Sunday June 21° sermons were preached in our three station Churches Chundicully, Nel- lore,and Copay and at our preaching Bungalow at Cokoo- ville, also at our English service in Chundicully Church on the evening of the same day all the sermons were peached on the Text. “It shall be a Jubilee unto you”— Lev: 25, 10.—Collections were made after each sermon and the amount transferred to the Jubilee Fund. JUBILEE Meretines, The following account of our Ju- bilee Meetings is taken from a Local Paper the “ Jaffna Freeman” which is edited and. published by Natives of Jaffna, who were themselves educated at ne Chundicully Seminary. “Some interesting services and public Meetings were I | ; i i i i H i ‘ | iH ue f ' — ane LI AEN RI eat Scene: Se. aoe ° . ; = | : | & se | = fae a : ot —— : - 7 H He 8 ~. “A ‘STOOHIS : STOOHODS ° Da ; & = cs “ONT | FOVIINA a | | | 95 | . | _ | yauaTlHg "ON BVVTINIVNUDA | = | = | 'SOSL ‘WOISSTE BVUHVE Ss AJITIIOG ALBWOISS]TAY YOAMY,D OY} JO MATA TBLNGE LE APR 23 ‘70 ee iat of Subscribers to iis J fables Fund will be published at the close « of the year. oa ay GooD. | Bept. 30th, 1868. ¥ Pa « pe % en ae ke