Hamp. Chris. Depos. Ms. Sundries, fr. fem. miss. asso. and fr. a friend, Northampton; fr. fem. asso. Worthington; fr. fem. asso. West Hampton; fr. asso. and fr. W. Packard, Cummington; fr. gent. asso. Norwich; fr. fem. sewing so. Hatfield. Hardwick, Ms. A box, fr. fem. char. so. Littleton, N. H. A roll of cloth, fr. D. Goodall. 88 50 14.00 12.00 Peacham, Vt. Gent. asso. 41,07; la. asso. 32,98; mon. con. 4,95; 79 00 Perry Centre, N. Y. Mon. con. Pepperell, Ms. Gent. asso. 6,75; la. asso. 14,63; 21 38 27 63 65 00 12 00 Rochester, Vt. Mon. con. 7 72 Rowley, W. par. Ms. Sab. sch. by Miss S. H. 55 Peacham, Vt. A bundle, fr. fem. union so. for wes. miss. Salisbury, N. C. Mon. con. 19 00 Sandy Hill, N. Y. Mon. con. in presb. chh. 12 00 Seneca, N. Y. Mon. con. 16 56 Sharon, Vt. La. asso. 14 00 Sherburne, Ms. Devotional so. 12; a lady, av. of jewelry, 1; 13 00 Shippensburg, Pa. Rev. H. R. Wilson, 10 00 Sidney Plains, N. Y. Mon. con. 12 00 4.40 Smithtown, N. Y. Mon. con. in presb. so. class, 3d pay. for Stephen Saunders, at Seneca, 12; fem. char. so. 25; T. Mead, 5; Mary Gilbert, 5; J. Gilbert, 6; Springfield, Ms. I. E. Trask, for Israel E. Trask, in Ceylon, Taunton, Ms. La. asso. to constitute the 12 00 5.00 90 50 12 00 Rev. ERASTUS MALTBY an Honorary Member of the Board, Thetford, Vt. Mon. con. in 1st cong. chh. Vershire, Vt. Mrs. Prescott, 1; E. Fuller, 50 00 10 00 1; mon. con. 73 c. 2 73 Walpole, N. H. Mrs. S. Allen, 5 00 Walton, N. Y. A friend, 5.00 Warren, O. A lady, Warwick, N. Y. Fem. miss. so. 8,79; J. Roy, 1; 25 9.79 65 00 Watervliet, Nisticunna, and Amity, Aux. so. West Bloomfield, N. Y. Mon. con. to constitute the Rev. S. C. BROWN an Honorary Member of the Board, 50; ded. prev. rem. 15; 35 00 The following sums were received in Bombay, in 1826 and 1827, chiefly for the female schools and for schools for boys. The currency is Bombay rupees, equal to about 46 cents each, and the whole amount, therefore, is about $1,587. Hon. M. Elphinstone, (Governor,) 500; Remittance by Capt. G. Tomkyns, (Anrungabad,) 2901; Capt. I. Molesworth, 250; Asso. for Native free schools in Bombay and vic. 209; R. T. Goodwin, an. sub. 200; Lieut. H. Sandwith, 180; Lieut. G. Candy, 150; F. Warden, 150; J. J. Sparrow, 150, Belgaum benev. association, 165; Lieut. T. Candy, 130, A friend to the ed. of native fem. children, 100; Mrs. Ogilvie, 100; Lieut. Athill, 100; A friend, an. sub. 100; A friend, 100; Rev. H. and Mrs. Davies, an. sub. 100; G. Ogilvie, 94; Rev. T. Carr, 50; Mrs. Col. Baker, 50; T. Robson, an. sub. 60; Mr. C. Smith, (Madras Cavalry,) for the poor, 50; Capt. Lawe, 50; E. H. Townsend, 32; Capt. Jacob, 25; Rev. I. Stevenson, an. sub. 20; Rev. A. Crawford, 20; 2d European Regiment, 7; A friend, 10; Mr. Brewer, of Brig Cornelia, 7; 3,450 The following articles are respectfully solicited from Manufacturers and others. Printing paper, to be used in publishing portions of the Scriptures, school books, tracts, &c. at Bombay, and at the Sandwich Islands. Writing paper, writing books, blank books, quills, slates, &c. for all the missions and mission schools: especially for the Sandwich Islands. Shoes of a good quality, of all sizes, for persons of both sexes; principally for the Indian missions. Blankets, coverlets, sheets, &c. Fulled cloth, and domestic cottons of all kinds. received. Whatever may accrue to the Board from the same estate hereafter, will be acknowledged under the head of legacies. Mr. Goodell was one of the earliest contributors to the Board, and, according to his means, one of the most liberal contributors that can be numbered among the patrons of any institution. Though a hard-working farmer, in moderate circumstances, he gave, at different times, sums amounting in the whole to $3,686,16; and all within four years antecedent to his death. He also left a residuary legacy to the Board, the amount of which is not yet known, as the estate is not fully settled. See Her. for Aug 1825, p. 256. distribute among them about 300 portions of the sacred Scriptures, consisting of the Pentateuch, single Gospels, the Acts, and the Epistles. The first effort I made to distribute the address to the Catholic priests, mentioned above, was at Uraturay, Circulation and Influence of Tracts among (Kaits,) an island about nine miles from the Catholics. THE situation of Doct. Scudder brings him very much into contact with native Catholics. His principal means of communicating religious truth are the distribution of tracts and free discussion. Some of the effects of these labors were published in the last volume of this work, p. 376;|| others will be given here. In April, the Jaffna Religious Tract Society addressed a tract to the Romish priests, pointing out ten of the errors of their church; among which were the worshipping of saints and angels and images, praying in any other name than that of Christ, forbidding the people to read the Scriptures, adding to, and taking away from, the Scriptures, and the receiving of traditions as of equal authority with the Scriptures. After mentioning these, we pointed out the different times when these corruptions were introduced. This tract called forth an answer from the Catholic priest residing in Jaffna, which was written with much art and abuse. As we deem it important to have our tracts as short as possible, to secure their being read, we took up one subject only as our first answer, in which we give the ten commandments as they give them to their people here, and the ten found in the Bible. This has been answered by the same priest. As we have the prospect of being engaged in this contest for some time to come, I cannot but hope great good will be the result and much Scripture truth be brought before the people. Our tracts are printed and have a wide circulation. Theirs are not printed, and have, as I have reason to believe, a very limited circulation. While distributing tracts, I have been enabled to XXV. After my re this place. Ispent several days there with four native helpers. The portions of Scripture given at that time were received with so great avidity, that I soon disposed of all my stock and was obliged to send home for more. Sixty copies more were distributed and 150 tracts. turn, my native helpers were for several days very busily engaged in distributing tracts and books among the people here, and making known the contents of the tracts. The people received the portions of Scripture with great apparent delight. In almost every instance they begged for them, before they were given. More than a hundred were distributed besides tracts. While I was thus busily employed in endeavoring to expose the errors of popery, it was not to be expected that these priests would be silent spectators of what was going on. The priest, who was in this parish at that time, issued his anathema against "every one who did not burn the books given by me, within 24 hours." A great excitement was produced among the people, and they seemed to burn with anger against us. As this was the case, all labor among them for a season was suspended, in order that time might have its effect in allaying their feelings. I am glad to say their anger, in some degree, has subsided, and our labors have been renewed among them. I believe but few have been found wicked enough to destroy the portions of Scripture distributed by me. Probably the number torn and burnt will not exceed ten. Five or six were returned to me. Visit to Manaar. As there are large numbers of Catholics in Manaar and its neighborhood, with four 30 native helpers I left home on the 25th of June to visit that place, and returned on the 13th of July. We distributed more than 600 tracts, and about 130 portions of Scripture, principally among the Catholics. While at Manaar, I preached repeatedly to the Protestants of Dutch descent. There are a few Roman Catholics also of Dutch descent, most of whose houses I visited. One of them requested me to give him the Bible. Since I returned, I sent him one with a few lines, to which I received a pleasing answer. After mentioning his determination to read it, he writes, "I entirely agree with you that we ought not to credit what man says, but what is in the holy Scripture; so I trust, that my exertion to find out the way of salvation will, by the mercy of God, bring the thing about." During the last month, my native helpers again visited Uraturay. They distributed 800 tracts or more, and 38 portions of the Scriptures. As the priest's orders had been very strictly given not to read, but to destroy our books, it is a subject for our gratitude, that so many received tracts and books. The people, however, are very much afraid, and keep what they receive with great secresy. Five or six fearing to come and ask for books by day, came by night, and obtained them. The priest has liers-in-wait to catch all who dare disobey him. My native helpers met with a number of persons, who shewed them the portions of Scripture which had been given to them on a former occasion. By means of the small amount of labor already bestowed, great good we are persuaded, has been done; and we will take it as an earnest of what God will do hereafter. We need a number of tracts for them. In our first address to the priests, we touched very cursorily upon several subjects, which we wish to present at large in separate tracts. In addition to these, their other errors must be shown to the people. We have it in prospect to put immediately to press, a tract proving that the second command forbids the image worship of the Catholics, as well as the image worship of the heathen, which the priest denies; and in which we endeavor to point out his sin in taking from the word of God, (Deut. iv. 2,) and to show that he violates the bounds of truth, in saying that the ten commandments which the priests give are the same which God gave. We very much need six or eight new tracts, adapted to the errors and prejudices of the Catholics. The London Tract Society, with the generosity which distinguishes that noble institution, has heretofore helped us in our work to a degree which calls for our warmest thanks. Repeatedly have they sent large supplies of paper to our Tract Society. Indeed, had it not been for their help we must have been much cramped in this very important department of our work. They have reaped their reward. Last month a young man was baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and admitted to the privileges of Christian communion with us, whose attention to divine things was first arrested by a tract published on some of the paper thus furnished. There is but one Catholic who attends church here, except those in some way connected with me. He is an aged man, and one of the most respectable in the parish. He has left off going to the Catholic church, and is, I hope, speculatively convinced of its errors. I feel strong hopes that he may experimentally know the Saviour, before he shall be removed from this world to eternity. Though I cannot speak of any true conversion, as far as I know, which have been the result of our late labors among them, yet I indulge the hope, that the eyes of a few begin to be opened sufficiently to see some of the surrounding darkness. The people cannot but be fully aware that the priest has deceived them respecting the commandments. In a late conversation with a physician of considerable note among them, who has shown himself to be one of the most strenuous defenders of their faith, I produced the priest's second answer, acknowledging the second command. He was so far staggered as to confess that there was some reason to believe that falsehood lay at the door of their priests. I do not recollect, that in all my conversation with him before, he ever manifested any thing like such a feeling. Many have freely confessed that they are in an error; but they are bound by so many shackles, that, if they are rescued from them, it may well be said to be a miracle of divine grace. They deserve our commiseration and call for our prayers. Parts of the Scriptures are in the hands of many: maying, attended both by men and women. they prove a lamp unto their feet and a With respect to the great body of the heathen around me, I have but little of an encouraging nature to state, except in the village of Santilipay, about two miles distant from each of the parishes of Oodooville, Manepy, and this place. I have a regular service there on Sabbath even Some of the native members of the church us. generally take a part in the religious exercises. I have reason to believe that a few have altogether forsaken their idols. Two or three have expressed a desire to join Sethumparapullay, the teacher of the New York Spring School, resides in this village and has been one of the principal means of the good effected there. A meeting was held at that place on Friday evening, the 22d of August, at which all the brethren, and most of the sisters were present. As it was desirable that the people might witness the administration of the ordinance of baptism, two who stood candidates were then baptised and received as members of the church. One of them is the young man abovementioned; the other is the teacher of the female charitable boarding school. NOTICES OF THE PEOPLE AND DISTRICT OF JAFFNA. It has often been desired, by curious and inquisitive readers of the various missionary publications of the day, that missionaries would furnish more full and accurate descriptions of the countries where they reside, than has been common: and doubtless there are advantages in presenting to the mind such a view of the country and of the state of society, in regions where our brethren are laboring, as will enable intelligent friends of missions to form some definite conceptions of most objects which are brought before them. On its being suggested to the missionaries in Ceylon, that more full and accurate descriptions of the country, than had yet appeared, would be interesting to American Christians, Mr. Winslow wrote "notices of the country and people of Jaffna," from which parts will be selected for publication in our pages, as our limits will permit. His letters, on this subject, were addressed to Mr. Anderson, assistant secretary, by whom the suggestion was made. My dear brother,-Your hint that an account of the old churches in this district might make an article of some interest for the Herald, has led me to think, that more enlarged notices of the country, and of the people, may be acceptable to those who take an interest in the mission here, and consequently in the scene of its labors. I have therefore thought proper to throw into the form of letters some observations, which though detached, are somewhat extended, and which were prepared from time to time, as my pressing duties gave opportunity, in reference to a small publication, which, it is likely, may never make its appearance. Under these disadvantages, if any part of the letters should be thought worthy of a place in the Herald, and contribute any thing to its usefulness, or to increase an interest in this mission, I shall consider the little time spent on them, as spent in a manner consistent with the professed object of my life. Situation and appearance of Jaffna. You are aware that the district, or more properly the island of Jaffna, is situated at the northern extremity of Ceylon; and separated from the principal island, by a narrow arm of the sea, which is usually fordable at Elephant Pass, near the south eastern extremity. On its eastern and northern side, it has the deep waters of the Bay of Bengal, and on its western, the straits of Manaar; in which, near to Jaffna, are Karatiooe, Kaits, Poengertiooe, Delft, and several smaller islands,* separated from Jaffna, most of them, only by shallow waters. By such, Jaffna itself is divided some parts of the year, Salt river extending, when swollen, wholly across from north to south. But, not regarding this intersection, the whole of the island is about 35 miles in length, from N. W. to S. E., and from 5 to 15 miles in width, from N. E. to S. W.; being shaped much like a ham, the smaller extremity of which is almost a wilderness, lying along by Elephant pass; and the larger, where the population is very dense, embracing Pt. Pedro, Jaffnapatam, and the parishes in which our mission is situated. Number and Character of the Inhabitants. The inhabitants of Jaffna, composed principally of native Malabars and Moormen, are estimated at about 200,000; but the real number may be somewhat less. A few Europeans, mostly connected with government, and some hundreds of country born descendants of the Portuguese and Dutch, reside in the town of Jaffnapatam, and a few at the out-stations of Point Pedro, Mallagum and Chavycheng; where there are sitting magistrates. The country born descendants of the Portuguese and Dutch, either retain some remnant of former family estate, and live by loaning out the little money they may have, at an exorbitant interest, or they get a scanty subsistence by petty trade, or by writing in the public offices. Some of the Portuguese are tailors, and a few are shoemakers-the latter trade being conducted, mostly, by moormen; and their wives act as Ayahs, or female servants, in European families. There is, however, but little industry among those born in the country, of European descent, because labor is a disgrace; *These islands are called Coral islands by some, as formed, probably, by the growth and increase of coralline on the rocky strata below the shallow water. ufactures. Probable Period of Settlement. Jaffna has not, probably, been cultivated and thickly inhabited, any very great and indeed, so cheap is the price of native | cloth, and various English and Indian manlabor, and so different the expense of living in the native style, from even a wretched imitation of European dress and manners, that few will attempt to support themselves by labor, and most are tending to a very low state of poverty. Few circumstances are more affecting, than the dete-length of time. There appear to be no rioration and gradual sinking-often even below the natives-of the descendants of Europeans, not only here, but throughout India. Some strong remedy must soon be applied, or the evil will be past remedy, without a convulsion. State and appearance of Jaffnapatam. During the occupation of Ceylon by the Dutch, Jaffnapatam was in a flourishing state. Since the English have had possession, it has gone much to decay. The Dutch colonized; and Jaffna was a favorite part of the island. When it was given up to the English, many of the principal families left and went to Batavia; and no English families came to supply their places; for the policy of the present masters is, not to colonize, but to hold and govern as a province. The houses of the town are low-all being of one story-but some of them are large and airy; and all being built of brick, or stone handsomely plaistered and whitewashed, outside as well as in, and generally having open verandahs, or porticoes in front, they make, on the whole, no bad appearance; especially when the eye takes in, at the same view, the back and intermingled scene of tall bending cocoa nut-trees, straight palmy ras, branching and luxuriant mango, jack, margosa, and other trees, evergreen, and affording a fine contrast to the burning sand of the streets, and to the low shore of the arm of the sea, at which the streets terminate. The fort is a regular, strong, and handsome fortification, having within its walls an old Dutch church, a commandant's house, and some other good buildings, besides barracks, and accommodations for a large number of soldiers. Vessels, of any considerable size, cannot now approach Jaffnapatam, on account of the increasing shallowness of the water; (which is owing, probably, to the growth of coralline)-but unload at Kaits, twelve miles to the westward, and have their cargoes conveyed up in small boats. Owing, in part, to this disadvantage, Jaffnapatam has not so much native trade as Point Pedro, which has deep waters, and is conveniently situated for vessels to leave for Madras, and other parts of the coast. The principal articles of export, are tobacco and lumber, and the imports are rice, decisive marks of antiquity, in the district. There are no ancient temples, no ruins of generations long gone by, as is the case in other parts of the island, and in India generally. The hillocks raised by the potters, and gradually increased, by burning their ware on the top of them, until they are become considerable hills, mark the accumulation of some scores, and perhaps hundreds of years; and the heaps of earth thrown out from the rice fields, to prepare them the better to receive and retain the water, which falls in the rainy season, or is let in upon them from the tanks, also witness to many years of labor; and labor, in some places, long since done; because considerable trees may be found on these mounds. But none of these appearances carry us far back. The only native history, on which any reliance can be placed, puts the period of the first extensive settlement of Jaffna, only at a few hundred years from the present time. Geological Notices. Jaffna is an extended plain, without a single hill or valley, and with only a trifling elevation, in any place, above the level of the ocean. A great part of it was, probably, once under water; at least the presence of shells, corals, and other marine productions, more or less decomposed, and mingled with the soil, bordering upon the low shores at the southwest, and the gradual increase of coralline in the waters near these shores, show something like a natural and steady encroachment of the land upon the sea. Where there is, however, a little more elevation, a bright red soil, composed principally of sand colored with iron, but without any appearance of marine substances, to the depth of 10 or 12 feet, evinces, certainly, a different origin; and may perhaps be thought to prove that it never was the bed of the ocean. There are, however, though unusual in so low a situation, some traces of former volcanic action, in these parts of the district, particularly in the vicinity of the natural well,. or cavern, at Pooltoor. Botanical Notices. I shall next endeavor to give some account of the most important trees, shrubs, * See p. 74, of the last volume of the Herald. |