106 VISIT OF THE BISHOP OF MADRAS TO CEYLON. The Singhalese are certainly a very quick-witted race: all they need is, to be instructed in that which is good; and this, I am bound to say, is done for them at Cotta. Sad, however, is it, to think, that many, very many, of those who are thus brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, no sooner go forth than they are exposed to all the temptations and lusts and abominations of idolatry. But what can we do in a heathen land, but teach and preach the Gospel, leaving to God the increase and the in-gathering? Hundreds, doubtless, of those who profess Christ in youth deny Him in manhood; but, still, let us rejoice even over one sheep found and rescued in this wilderness. The day is not yet come for Ceylon, when thousands shall be brought daily into the fold. But to return to our Examination, which was by no means limited to the Bible, although the Bible was the foundation on which it was built. The whole of the first class showed a very creditable knowledge of the Greek Testament, and indeed of the Greek Language, in which they have been well grounded by the Rev. J. F. Haslam; and it was highly gratifying to me to hear them give a correct explanation of some word in one of the Evangelists, the grammatical meaning of which developed some important point of Christian doctrine or discipline. They passed also a very creditable Examination in Modern History; although I was insensibly led on, by the interest of the scene, to put questions which they could scarcely be expected to answer. subsequently went from the verandah to the large room used for Divine Service, where I took an opportunity, in the course of my Address, to endeavour to interest all present in the Missionary Cause; and for which that day's Examination will, I really believe, raise up many new friends, and strengthen the love of old ones. We The pleasing duties of the morning were finished by a visit to Mrs. J. Bailey's School. Half-an-hour's talk with them fully satisfied me that the poor girls are being virtuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life; and let us hope that they will exercise hereafter, among their countrymen, the almost irresistible influence of Christian wives and Christian mothers. The Reverend Missionaries being very desirous that I should preach to their congregation, I gladly revisited Cotta on the following Sunday; when I chose for my text, 1 Cor. VISIT OF THE BISHOP OF MADRAS TO CEYLON. 107 ix. 24; and did my utmost to persuade them, both Ministers and people, of the necessity, which was especially laid upon Christians in a heathen land, so to run that we may obtain. The Rev. Cornelius Jayesinhe was my interpreter; an office which he discharged as readily, and I was assured as ably, as did the Rev. Abraham Goonesekera when I preached at Baddagame. In the course of the Service, which was very solemn the whole congregation joining in the responses, and a general "Amen" following upon every prayerI consecrated the Burial Ground. This was my last visitthe last that I can reasonably hope ever to make-to a place which will always be very dear to my memory. Visit to Kandy-Need of more Missionaries. The next of the Society's Missions that I visited was that at Kandy, a place where the Missionaries' voice cannot be raised too loudly and unceasingly against its many abominations. Kandy is the capital of the coffee-plantations; and God is outraged every Sunday, by thousands of Coolies (native-labourers on the adjoining estates) crowding in to make their weekly purchases of provisions-drunkenness and blasphemy being their constant companions. It is with the greatest difficulty that the Rev. Messrs. Oakley and Greenwood can stand up against the torrent, or keep together their few sheep in this wilderness of Mammon. They continue, however, patient in well-doing, assured that in due time, that is, in God's time, they will reap, if they faint not. Mr. Oakley, an old and valued acquaintance and correspondent, received me as I expected to be received, and gave me much useful but very sad information. I did not fail to examine Mr. and Mrs. Oakley's School; of the state of which I can report very favourably; although, during my brief stay at Kandy, I was too much occupied by other duties to give the Mission as much of my time as I would gladly have bestowed upon it. Admission of the Rev. Messrs. Jayesinhe and Goonesekera to Priests' Orders. On the 19th of February I held an Ordination at Colombo, when I admitted two of the Society's Missionaries, together with two Missionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, to the Holy Order of Priests. It will be as gratifying to your Lordship and the Church Missionary Society to hear it, as it is to myself to be able to 108 state, that I have received the highest testimonials in favour of Messrs. Jayesinhe and Goonesekera during the three years that they have passed as Deacons; that they have used the office of a Deacon well, and have purchased to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus; and I am persuaded that, by God's grace, they will prove themselves equally faithful in the higher charge to which Providence has now called them. PRAYER FOR BLESSING ON MISSIONARY LABOUR. I must not omit to add, that the examination of Messrs. Goonesekera and Jayesinhe was most creditable to them. "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. xviii. 19. 1 OF all the joys Thy pilgrims know, None is more blest, than round Thy throne 2 Thus are we met together now, 3 O Thou, in whom Thy saints are one, In this short hour of prayer and praise, 4 With all Thy scatter'd flock on earth A blessing on the cause we love 5 Descend and bless our sacred work Of leading souls to Thee; That thousands, by Thy Gospel's power, 6 Go forth with all Thy heralds still, Shall know and fear Thy name! |