and vegetables of this district; without pretending to any thing like a perfect view of its botany. Ceylon abounds in valuable wood; as ebony, calamander, satin-wood, &c.; but these are not at present found in Jaffna; the thick jungle, or native forest, being removed, for the cultivation of the soil. There are, however, the following, which are valuable, either for their timber, fruit, or shade. The margosa, jack, olive, tulip, banian, mango, tamarind, orange, lime, shadduck, custard apple, papaw, cocoa-nut, arica, palmyra, and some others, which are common, and most of them probably indigenous. Of the first of these, (the margosa,) which is a forest tree, but found more or less in all the gardens and by the side of all the roads, on account of its fine shade, I need say but little. It somewhat resembles, in appearance, and in the firm texture of its wood, the very large curly maples, seen in some open lands in New England. It bears a small fruit, of no value as such, but, enclosing a bitter nut, from which an oil is extracted, that is used both for lamps and for some medicinal preparations. The wood is used for boards and timber; is excessively hard, and receives a fine polish.

The jack, (Artocarpus Integrifolis,) is a species of the bread-fruit-tree, and a most valuable production. It grows to the size of a small beach, which it resembles, except that its limbs are fewer, and more upright. When wrought, its timber very much resembles mahogany; but it is less compact, and does not admit of so good a polish. The fruit verifies the fable of the pumpkin on the oak. It is attached by a stem, to the body and large branches of the tree, sometimes appearing on the body, quite down to the roots. It has a rough, indented, exterior coat, inclosing a thick fibrous cellular substance, in the cavities of which are fleshy bulbs, of the size of a small egg, around a nut like a very large bean. The latter, when roasted, has the taste of a potatoe, and the former is a cohesive gelatinous substance, of high, and often fine, flavor. It has a strong smell; and the taste is unpleasant to most persons at first, though there are few who do not subsequently become very fond of it. The natives use the fruit, which is very nourishing, both in its green and in its ripe state; and it forms a considerable part of their food, at some seasons of the year.

Olive, (Olea.) An inferior species of the olive is common here. It grows to be very large, and has an extended, branching top, so as to resemble an immense elm. Its fruit is of the size and shape of a good sized red plumb, somewhat larger than the green olive of France. The oil is extracted from the nut within, by heat

and pressure. It is used principally for

burning. The wood of the tree is used for beams and posts, in building, but not for furniture, as it does not take a polish. This is very common, and is used for shade, for ornament, or more substantially, for hedges. The flower a little resembles the common hollyhock, or rose-mallow, and the wood is particularly useful where strength is required. It is propagated by cuttings or slips.

Tulip-tree, (Liriodendron.)

Banian, (Ficus.) Of this singular tree, there are three species in Jaffna. The most remarkable thing concerning it is its well known property of self-propagation. One species, especially, sends out branches from all its lower limbs. which, hanging down like long ropes, reach the ground, take root, and become additional stems, or trunks to the parent tree. Thus there is a gradual addition to the family, until the whole often covers a very large space; while it is still connected together as one tree. I have seen, I think, two acres covered in this way, by the progeny of one ancient trunk. The tree is useful only for shade, but it is much reverenced by the natives, who think every ancient banian to be the residence of some evil spirit; and they will by no means be under one at noon or at sunset, lest the evil spirit should possess them.

Mango, (Mangifero.) This is a very valuable tree, and is abundant in the district. It is often very large, extending its limbs sometimes 30 or 40 feet from the trunk, in nearly a horizontal direction. Though so large, it is frequently well filled with fruits, of the size, and somewhat the shape, of large pears. When of a good quality, it is a rich and delicious fruit, sometimes approaching to the taste of a peach. It has a large flat stone in the middle. The timber is used for coarse work, being easily wrought.

It

Tamarind. This tree also grows to be very large, and lives a great number of years. It is exceedingly hard, being, when dry, almost impenetrable to the axe. is, therefore, seldom wrought. The fruit hangs in pods from all the branches, and the pods are nearly twice as long as those of the West Indian tamarind, and contain about twice as many seeds. The natives make from it an acid preparation, which they use with their common food.

Oranges, limes, citrons, and custard apples, especially the two former, are every where cultivated; and shadducks are common, but they are not so good as those of the continent. The orange, (Citrus Aurantium,) is very fine. The species most common, and most preferred, is the China, or sweet, orange, though the Seville, or

A Mohammedan Festival.

A procession passed our bungalow this morning, carrying the representation of an elephant, as large as life, profusely decorated with garlands, &c. Several Mohammedan fakeers, that is, religious mendicants, painted from head to foot with various colors, in imitation of leopards, panthers, &c., appeared naked before our windows, asking alms, to support their feasts. They look and act indescribably bad. One of the Mohammedan prophets has just arrived in the western part of the island, two miles distant from us, who is performing miracles, as the people say. They say he feeds several hundreds daily, while he is so poor, as not to have wherewith to purchase food; which proves that he creates the food, as Christ did when he fed the thousands, &c. But the hand that performs this miracle, is the alms, which their thousands of religious mendicants extort from the people, and secretly convey to his store house. The natives have already suspected the deception, so that this power of working miracles will soon cease. 'This festival continues several days; the people become more and more infatuated, till the last day, when they close the scene with fighting, &c.

Another Festival.

The

24. The great holiday of Hunorrhun, observed by the Mohammedans. streets have been crowded, by men, women, and children, attending the taboots, exhibited in the streets. The taboots are very splendid, temple-like constructions, of various sizes and figures, profusely decorated with ornaments. They are borne on men's shoulders, escorted by instrumental music, followed by a company of females, smiting on their breasts, and chanting, in wailing strains, a kind of funeral dirge. After having exhibited them the greater part of the day, they are carried to the sea shore, and entombed beneath the wave. The scenes of outrage, fighting, and bloodshed of this holiday, induced the government to interpose this year, by obliging the celebrators to defray the expenses of an English officer, with a company of seapoys, to attend each taboot, to preserve order. At what expense are the deluded followers of the false prophet obliged to maintain his institutions!

correct answers

Sev

and questioned them, as to the meaning of what they read. In general, ready and were given; such as would have done honor to any boy in a New England school. Heard them recite the ten commandments and catechism. The school is in good order, and flourishing. On my way to and from the school, read tracts to several circles of natives. I stopped near a collection of Hindoos, assembled for feasting. They had just finished eating, and were smoking their hookahs, (a kind of pipe, very unlike any thing in America,) and listening to the unharmonious notes of Hindoo harps, accompanied by vocal lays of a lascivious song. I requested a little lad, belonging to the school, who could read with great fluency, to read a tract. He began: soon the natives began to leave their seats, hookahs, and music, and clustered around us. eral brahmins came, and listened awhile, and then went back, and set their musicians to strike up louder notes, hoping to draw away all the people. I then addressed the people, and told them that to listen to such songs would do no good. God is not pleased with them; but that what the book said would do them good, if they would obey it, because it is the word of God. I then read the tract, entitled Good Tidings, written by Mr. Newell;commented upon it in a familiar manner, which chained the attention of the people, in spite of the influence of the brahmins and their music. The brahmins, seeing this, again came near, and attentively heard. I gave two books. Was happy to see, on my return, a respectable Hindoo, to whom, as I went to the school, I gave a copy of John's Gospel, sitting on a large rock under the shade of a tree, so diligently reading it, as not to notice me as I passed by near him. In the morning I would sow the seed, lifting up my heart in prayer to God, for a heavenly influence, to cause it to germinate and yield fruit.

Visit to a Temple.

28. Went to Mandave temple, one of the most celebrated Hindoo temples in Bombay. Found hundreds of people assembled there; not indeed, all to worship, but to relate and hear the news of the day. Two brahmin priests, one in each verandah, were reading out of their shasters, [sacred books,] to two or three hundred people. The priests read a few lines, then another brahmin expounded it to the people, in a louder tone of voice. I ascended into the verandah. Soon, two brahmins came to me, and asked for books. I gave to one of them, Matthew's Gospel, and to the other, the letter of the Bengalee converts,

addressed to their countrymen, which we have just published, in Mahratta. They began to read aloud, by my request, which soon attracted the attention of a multitude by which we were surrounded. I gave several books to such as promised to read them. While hearing a lad read a few questions and answers in a catechism, a venerable looking brahmin came, and after listening a few minutes said he would read himself. I gave him a book, and he read with much interest. I questioned

him on what he read about Christ as the only Saviour of sinners. He appeared intelligent and candid, and asked for books. I gave him "Scriptural History" and "Good Tidings." Had numerous applications for books; but could not supply them. spirit of religious inquiry is evidently waking up here, which I trust will not be satisfied till it comes to the knowledge of the truth.

Value of the Sabbath.

A

Sabbath, Aug. 3. Passed much as all my Sabbaths do here, in witnessing the abominations of heathenism, save when in the house of God, or secluded from the busy world in my own private dwelling. My friends at home can never prize the blessings of a N. E. Sabbath, as I now should. Oh how my heart would delight to witness once more the stillness of such a day, and to go up to Zion's courts to worship the God who made heaven and earth, with the multitudes that keep holy time. Oh that mine eyes might witness such a Sabbath in this pagan clime, ere they close in the darkness of the grave.

Need of Schools.

8. Had several applications for new schools, but do not think it expedient to establish any more for boys, till our funds are increased. We have now seven schools for boys, and eight for girls, in the native town of Bombay. Had we funds, and laborers, we might increase our female

schools to-morrow to an hundred.

9. Through the mercy of God, myself and family have been preserved from distressing sickness and death amidst the vicissitudes of another week. Since the last Sabbath several Europeans in Bombay have sunk into their tombs of the fever, which now prevails. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. have cause to speak of his goodness towards us from day to day.

We

The operations of the mission here, have moved on much as in preceding weeks, constantly assuming a more interesting aspect,

12. Had several puntogees, with their scholars, call at my house, and heard them repeat, memoriter, the commandments and catechism. It is very interesting to my feelings to hear these little pagan immortals repeat the ten commandments, and a catechism, comprising a summary of Gos pel doctrines and precepts; and to tell them about the compassionate Jesus, who invites children, as well as adults, to come to him for salvation. This is my very ele

ment.

Four o'clock, P. M. Attended the meeting for the puntogees, at the chapel. This is one of the most interesting and promising meetings we have. Each puntogee reads a verse in the chapter given out for the schools to study, and is then questioned as to its meaning. After the chapter is read in this way, Mr. Graves expounds the chapter and enforces the doctrines and duties it contained. The meeting is opened and closed with prayer; the puntogees all standing.

EXTRACTS OF A LETTER FROM MR. STONE, DATED NOV. 17TH, 1828.

Our prospects, we think, are brightening. Two persons were added to our little church, at the last communion. One of them, a Portuguese, a convert from the Roman Catholic church; the other, Mr. Barker, an American, whose parents reside in Barnstable, Mass. He left them three

years ago, in a whale ship for the South Seas-sailed round Cape Horn, touched at one of the Sandwich Islands-became acquainted with Rev. Mr. Bingham, of whom he speaks in high terms.

Hav.

He was left in Bombay sick and friendless. We providentially became acquainted with him, and received him into our family. While at sea, his attention was awakened to the subject of religion. At the Isle of France, he indulged a hope of having passed from death unto life. ing given us satisfactory evidence of being an humble Christian, he was received into our church. His health is much improved. He wishes, if he can be useful to the mission, to be connected with us: and, as he is a blacksmith, and shows quite a mechanical genius, we have concluded for the present to employ him in an attempt to make types; and, if he should succeed, to establish a type foundery, which will be of great service to the mission. Should he not succeed, he will probably return to America.

A few weeks since, a brahmin, from near Poonah, received Christian baptism, which has produced a great excitement among his relatives. He says his parents and brothers have destroyed their idols,

and are determined to become Christians. His attention was first directed to Christianity by reading some of our religious books, which had been sent to his country. He came first to the Scottish missionaries at Bankote, 60 miles south of Bombay, and by them was sent to the Rev. Mr. Stevenson, of the Scottish Mission recently established in Bombay--under whose instruction he has been, and by whom he was baptised.

Another native, an aged man, who lives on the continent, forty miles from Bombay, called on Mr. Graves a few weeks ago, and spoke as follows:-"When I was in Bombay sometime ago, you gave me a book, and said it was the word of God, and requested me to read it: you also invited me to come to the temple on the Sabbath, where I should hear more of the word of God. I did so, and my mind was affected-I returned home, and read my book-was convinced that I had received no good from my gods, and that they could not save me. I resolved I would destroy my household god, which I had worshipped more than thirty years. So I got up early one morning, and took my stone god, and carried him to the river, and cast him in, and he sank out of my sight. When my family arose, and found the family god was missing, there was no small stir to know what had become of him. I told them what I had done; and now I have come to you for instruction."

He left us to remove his family here: but has not yet arrived. Several natives of the first respectability have called on me recently, requesting Christian instruction; some of whom appear convinced that their religion cannot save them. Others may be considered as just beginning to inquire into the truth of Christianity. Our books are received with much eagerness. are beginning to read, and hear the Gospel.

Syria.

Many

COMMUNICATIONS FROM MR. SMITH.

[Continued from p. 207.]

Controversy of Tannoos El Haddad with his Priest.

A FEW days after the conversation between Tannoos and his priest, an account of which is given in the last number of this work, (pp. 205, 206,) the priest put into T.'s hand a written argument, intended as a defence of the fast in honor of the apostles. This piece abounds with declamation and incoherency; but the argument, so far as it can be understood, amounts to this: That the observance of this fast was VOL. XXV.

among the traditions, which were kept and recommended by the early fathers of the church, and even enjoined by the apostles themselves;that it was confirmed by the councils of the church;—and that even were it not confirmed by the apostles, nor by councils, nor yet among the traditions, still it is a custom which has prevailed among all good Christians until this day, and therefore it possesses the authority of a law; and whoever acts contrary to this law commits a deadly sin, and is deprived of the Christian's portion. In proof of this last argument, which is the one principally insisted on, the priest adduces two distinguished canons of the church; the first taken from Basil the great, and the second from a decision of the council of Gangora, which was admitted by all the learned to have been perfect.

To this written argument Tannoos returned the following answer:

Tannoos El Haddad to Priest Anton.

"Rev. Father, I have read your address, and understood what you have adduced to prove, that whatever traditions have been imagined are certain. As to your declaration that the fathers of the church directed that these traditions should be received, it is true they received some things; but at the same time cautioned us to receive no tradition, not even from themselves, unless with evidence from the holy Scriptures. As Cyril says; "Respecting the holy and sacred mysteries of faith, we ought not to give currency to any thing foreign from the sacred Scriptures; nor to be carried about by persuasion, and enticing words; and do not believe me when I say these things, unless you have proof of them from the holy Scriptures; for the safety of our faith itself is from the demonstration of the holy Scriptures." Observe, also, father, how Irenaeus makes a similar remark. "No tradition," says he, which passes under the name of the apostles, ought to be received, unless it is contained in the Bible, or accords with it."

"Now since these two saints give us such directions, in accordance with the others, and with the Gospel, we are under obligation to have our faith united with and conformed to the Gospel. But you say, the apostles teach us to keep their traditions; and I wish every one of us might keep them, for undoubtedly they were from the Holy Spirit. Yet we know that all their instructions accorded with what they wrote; for they taught nothing privately, but preached openly, as they were directed by our Lord; "What ye hear in the ear that preach ye upon the house tops." And it is beyond a doubt, that the apostles had no other doctrines than what

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