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our arrival in this country. For, although we have been exercised with many afflictions, yet these may be reckoned among our blessings; for with David we can say "It is good for us that we have been afflicted." "No affliction for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous: nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Our afflictions, through the Divine blessing, have been productive of this good; they have tended to draw our affections more fully from the present world, to increase our spirituality, and to stir us up to seek with greater diligence to be found of God without spot and blameless." Most gladly, therefore, will we glory in our infirmities (afflictions) that the power of Christ may rest upon us."

At the commencement of the past quarter we were visited by our dear Bro. Erskine, whose state of health obliged him for a time to leave his station. Soon after his arrival, he began to recover, and in a little time was able to resume his labour. While here he often told us his soul was greatly refreshed by witnessing the happy state of our little Society.

Soon after Bro. Erskine's arrival here, it was deemed adviseable that Bro. Carver should take a little journey to the coast. It was evident that a little relaxation was necessary for the recovery of his health, which had long been in a declining state. God was pleased to bless the meaus used, and in a short time he returned, strong to labour. Before Bro. Erskine could have time to leave this, we received the painful intelligence that brother Osborne was laid up with the Trincomalee fever. As nearly all who had been taken with it, had been carried off, we had alarming appreliensions that this would be the case with our dear brother. It was considered by some experienced persons, that the only hope of his life was in his leaving Trincomalee. Brothers Erskine and Squance therefore wrote, praying him to come hither as soon as possible. He took our advice, and arrived in Jaffna, the night before brother Erskine's departure. We were deeply affected when we saw him; and brother Erskine left, entertaining but little hope that he should see him again in the flesh. But in a few days he began so revive, and through the goodness of God he is now able to preach, though he still con

tinues weak.

Brother Carver is gone to Trincomalee, for the present, to supply his place; and it is likely he will be obliged to remain for some time. Sister Osborne was last week delivered of two daughters. She,

and one of the children are doing remarkably well; the other child it pleased God to take to himself. Sister Osborne, during her illness, was very happy in God; and though at the commencement she had some apprehensions that she should not live, yet she was enabled to rejoice in hope of the glory of God." O blessed religion, that carries the soul superior to every earthly trial. Thus dear brethren, we have given you an account of some of our individual and domestic afflictions.

During the past quarter we have had no increase to our Society, but God has deepened his work in the hearts of many. The progress which several of them have made in holiness is equal to any thing we have ever seen, for the time, even in England; and we seldom hear them relate their experience without being humbled in the dust on account of our great unfaithfulness. The young men's class is in a blessed state; and of late they have been greatly stirred up. They have often prayer-meetings among themselves; and there is only one of whom we stand in doubt; all the rest are very much in earnest. During the last month three of them have found peace with God: they are now going on their way rejoicing, and adorning the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. Last night their tickets were renewed; and they were much delighted to find that they were now considered as regular members of our Society.

Our congregations are all on the increase; both the Malabar and Portuguese congregations fill the chapel and even in our English preaching we have often more than a hundred hearers. Numbers of these have received good by our preaching, though they do not meet in class.

We have established a prayer-meeting on Sunday mornings, at six o'clock. It is very well attended; and here the young men have an opportunity of praying in public, which will, we hope, be the means of bringing them forward to greater usefulness.

Our schools begin to assume a more encouraging appearance than ever. We informed you in our last of our intention to open one at Vannarpannay, which we did on the 26th of April, with 64 boys; it has since increased to 92, 24 of whom are the children of Moormen; many of them can already read the Scriptures, and all are making rapid improvement. But a few have already returned to the heathen schools, because that heathenism is not taught in ours. This is a trial we shall no doubt be often exercised with on this side of the island. Our Jaffna school

was become so large that we found it necessary to divide it; so we have now in Jaffna two schools, the one consisting of European descendants, and the other of natives. But our Sunday School is by From Mr. CARVER, dated

THIS being the proper time for communicating to each other an account of the several stations, shewing the progress of the blessed work of God among us, as I am the only brother found here, it behoves me to give you all the information which is in my power.

The unhealthy season which has awfully prevailed at Trincomalee, and carried so many, at a short notice, to the tremendous bar of God, was felt also, but in mercy, by each of our dear brethren. Brother Osborne, as most of you know, has been severely afflicted; and was finally obliged to make a hasty departure to Jaffuapatam, where he has happily recovered, although sister Osborne's health remains delicate.

I had but just returned from an excursion to Tanjore and Trinchinopoly to regain a little strength, by a change of air, when it became necessary some one should join brother Erskine at this station. Therefore I set out from Jaffna, on the 8th instant, and after a run of 24 hours landed here.

Brother E. was taken ill the day after my arrival; and becoming worse daily, was constrained also to seek a purer air. He sailed for Batticoloa on the 19th instant.

Having immediately on reaching this, to become the companion of a sick bed, I could learn little from my brethren of the station, which will be accepted cheerfully by you as my apology for not being more particular in my remarks,

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From Mr. ERSKINE, dated

A short time after my return from Jaffna, I was seized with a violent headache, and soon after a burning fever. Brother Carver had just arrived one day. Medical assistance was obtained, and by strong opening medicines, the fever was carried off, but I was left very weak; and my cough so bad, I could not rest at night, nor enjoy ease in the day. The doctor said I must leave Trincomalee, that the climate did not suit me. I felt very reluctant again to remove; but finding my appetite failing, my weakness daily increasing, and that I was rendered unable to do any work, I consented to remove. It was my wish to have got round to Galle or Colombo; but there being no opportunity by sea, I sailed for

far the most encouraging of all; for in this we find many whose minds are opening to receive religious impressions. Upon the whole, we have reason to bless God for what our eyes have seen. Trincomalee, June 29, 1818.

Such is the state of this place at pre sent, that it wears a rather unfavourable aspect towards religious things; and many have paid litte attention to the dying groans of their fellow creatures, hardening themselves against the voice of God, which has so loudly sounded in their ears. May they finally escape the severe censure of an incensed judge, when God shall say to the wicked, "I called, and ye refused; I stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; I also will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh."

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The cases of fever have diminished, and it is to be hoped the wrath of God has nearly passed over us, for this season. In regard to the work, our English congregations are small, and the Porteguese I am told seldom attended. They are not very numerous, and still less in clined to hear the word of God. Of the Malabars I can say nothing, not having had any opportunity yet of seeing many of them; and as it respects the school, that is reduced very low indeed; only eight boys have attended since I came. They have been dispersed by sickness, and are afraid of taking the fever; most of them complain, saying they cannot come out in the sun. So that my present situation recommends itself to the prayers of the brethren, that God may bear with us a little longer, and awaken those that sleep; and that he may yet proclaim himself to us as a God of mercy, pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin. Batticoloa, July 10, 1818.

this place the 19th ultimo, and arrived the morning of the 20th. Through the mercy of God I got a house in a convenient situation; and was rot here three days before I experienced a considerable change for the better. I have had ne return of fever, and my cough is much abated, so that I sleep without interruption And although I still feel at times much indisposed, yet thanks be to God that I am so well. Batticoloa is a pretty spot, and I think healthy; it is about 3 miles in circumference, surrounded by u beautiful river.

The island contains about 500 inhabitants, and the district about 15,000. Here there are many nominal Christians, professing the Protestant religion, and many

Roman Catholics-they have two chapels. Contiguously, over the river, there is a village, pretty populous, and many nominal Christians, that I intend to visit the 15th instant, if ali be well. Several Modeliars and their sons have called on

me.

I ventured to preach twice, the 28th ult. The morning congregation consisted of a company of soldiers, the commandant,

From Mr. CLOUGH, dated Colombo During the last eight months we have met with many and serious hindrances in our proceedings. The Lord has been pleased to visit us with afflictions, insomuch so, that during that time one or the other of us has been entirely laid aside. These have been trials, and trials that we have greatly felt; yet, bless the Lord, who has thus far helped us, kept us from repining at any of his gracious dispensations, and has so blessedly accompanied his providential visitations with Divine grace, that I rejoice to think they have all been much sanctified to our good, and have tended to revive the work of grace in our souls. Thus we are enabled to praise God for our afflictions.

When I left Madras, I felt much rejoiced at the prospect of so soon joining my dear colleague, brother Harvard, in the arduous concerns of this station, and, as I thought, with body and soul benefitted, and better prepared to enter on my work, than I had been for a long time. But on my arrival at Colombo, I found brother H. confined to his bed by an sttack of inflammation on the lungs,and utterly unable to attend to any thing. As I had not heard a word of his affliction, previous to my arrival, you may easily conceive, my dear brethren, what a trial this was to my feelings. I could not help recalling to my mind those words of our blessed Lord: "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."

I felt, however, truly thankful to God, that I came so providentially, and just in time to lend a hand to the work, which otherwise, in some of its departments, must have stood still: and though a partial relapse of my affliction, which I had met with in Jaffna, had greatly weakened me again, yet I do bless God for the strength which he has hitherto given me, and which has enabled me to take my quantum of labour on the station, and which we are constrained almost to con. sider miraculous. O that my soul may be kept humble, and thankful to the God of all grace and goodness.

But notwithstanding we have had these afflictive dispensations to encounter on

two officers, burghers, &c. The evening I preached in Portuguese, at 5 o'clock, to 20 serious hearers, males and females. Finding there were nearly 30 in the hospi tal, wounded sick, I obtained leave of the commandant to visit them; this I do twice a week, when I am heard with thankful attention. I had a pretty large congregation last Sabbath.

Mission-House, October 16, 1818. this station, I am happy to assure you, dear brethren, and you will be no less happy to hear, that every department of our work has been carried on, almost as usual. We have derived great help from the great kindness and continued exertions of our dear brother Callaway; and I met on my arrival here, our dear brother Newstead, who had left his station to our help, when brother Harvard was supposed to be in dying circumstances. The Lord reward these dear brethren.

I am, however sorry, that I cannot enter into an exact detail of things during the last three months, having only just arrived; and brother Harvard's attempting to write is out of all question; and I must also assure you, there is nothing affects the complaint I feel still to hang about me, more than writing; so that these circumstances will necessarily curtail our correspondence from this station. I have indeed heard of a variety of pleasing and interesting circumstances which have occurred in my absence, and which convinces me the Lord is still with us, and blessing our labours. The work appears going on well, and prospering in all its branches; not indeed so extensively as we wish, and pray for, and expect; bat so really, as leaves not a doubt on our minds that it is of God.

We are much satisfied and pleased with the prospects of good in our English congregation and society in the Fort. During the last quarter I understand the congregations have always been compa ratively large, and a sensible unction from above has accompanied the word. I have felt my own soul greatly refreshed since my return in preaching to them; and the other night, at the renewal of the tickets, had the pleasure to join two

or

three new members, who appear in earnest for the full salvation of the gospel. Last night, when I preached to them,our preaching-house was so crowded that numbers could not get in, and the heat was so great that several were taken ill; and indeed I could hardly proceed with my sermon, yet the tears and prayers

of the people assured us that God was with us.

Nearly half of our Fort society are in the field, and it is a satisfaction to learn that they continue steadfast, and are advancing in Divine things. It has afforded us no small degree of pleasure to hear of the little ola churches which they have erected in the jungle, in different parts of the interior, to which they retired when duty allowed! O that our efforts to enter the interior ourselves, may not be entirely frustrated, but that God may graciously open our way to go and preach the gospel of Christ to the benighted and idolatrous Kandians!

Our English congregations in the Pettah still continue small; but this is more than compensated by our Portuguese and Cingalese congregations, which continue not only undiminished, but are evidently on the increase. I am confident there is a real work of grace on the minds of some of our Portuguese hearers.

But notwithstanding we have these prospects of usefulness among the Europeans and country-born inhabitants of this station, we are the most pleased and encouraged with the openings we have among the poor native Cingalese. Our schools are all doing well; praise the Lord! Our school-masters are drinking into a spirit of piety; and as they begin to feel the happiness of religion themselves, they do all in their power to bring the children to an acquaintance with it. Some of them have lately requested us to form the serious part of their scholars into classes, like those of Colpetty and New-bazar: but as it is impossible for us to be present with them unless very seldom, we feel it necessary to act a little cautiously; yet the work will go on, nay it is going on. In my absence brother Harvard opened a new school at a village called Kallibowilla, near Papiliana, most delightfully situated, and quite in the jungle, on the new road, lately cut into the interior. It promises well; the inhabitants have earnestly requested us to give them a sermon every Sunday, in the school-house. Thus we now supply four places in the country with preaching every Sunday.

In this part of our Sunday labours we have now an additional assistant in Don Adrian, one of the priests spoken of in our last January letter, who has been appointed a reader of sermons, and who we hope will prove in time a useful native preacher. The sermons which he reads, are copied principally from those which we and Cornelius supply hira with.

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At Wellewatte, about six miles from Colombo, Cornelius preaches every Friday evening in Cingalese. This is an additi onal sermon which the people earnestly requested. In that village there is a man who was formerly a notorious gambler and cock-fighter; he came one night to hear Cornelius preach; the word went with power to his soul: he began to be alarmed at his situation, insomuch so that on his going home, the first thing he did was to cut off the heads of his fighting cocks; resolving, lest they should again lead him into temptation, to put an end to that kind of wickedness at one stroke. A small class has been formed in this village, of some native people, who have begun to inquire what they must do to be saved, and appear under much concern. Cornelius meets it regularly.

I would gladly give you a full and exact account of the printing department for the last three months, but I am prevented by not having been on the station. Brother Callaway has it at present under his care, and has furnished me with a few particulars of what has been done since his arrival; the rest I have learned from brother Harvard. The whole concern appears increasingly important, and requires much more attention than a single Missionary could be supposed to give it. The arrival of Mr. Gogerley to take the concern under his care and superintendance, is most providential; and I have not the least doubt, by prudent management, it will prove a blessing, not only to the present generation, but millions yet unborn. I never think of the fact that we are now, by means of the presses, sending Divine light into all directions, but my heart glows with gratitude to God, who has so singularly favoured us in this respect.

We have just finished the sixth report of the Bible Society, and the anniversary sermon. Since our last letter we have nearly printed off 1000 copies of the book of Genesis in Cingalese. We have begun a second edition of 3500 copies of the New Testament in Cingalese. This is for the Bible Society. The Gospel by St. Matthew is nearly finished. As this is printing in the new type, it will give the Cingalese the whole of the New Testament in a pretty portable octavo volume. We are happy also to inform you, that we have in hand an edition of 3500 copies of the Common Prayer-Book in Cingalese. This has been translated by Mr. Armour, and we are printing it at the expense of

the Bishop of Calcutta, and the Hon. and venerable the Archdeacon of Colombo. We are just going to print another edition of 2000 copies of the little Form of Prayer which we had selected from the Liturgy, for the use of our native congregations; and I intend to add the burial service and the marriage ceremony, and also a short collection of Cingalese hymns, principally translations from our own hymabook.

I wish my time would allow me to translate for the use of our school-masters a series of short sermons on the most important subjects, for them to read in the schools on Sundays, when a preacher cannot attend. I had indeed begun this work when I was taken ill, and forced to go to Madras. I still see it of such im portance that it will not be lost sight of, until an opportunity occurs to effect it. In addition to those, we have printed a variety of little things; and among others, for our brethren in the Tamul stations, we have finished,

1, Mr. Wesley's Instructions for Children, 1000 copies.

2, Wood's Catechism, 1000 copies.
3, Folly of Idolatry, a Scripture Tract,

From Mr. NEWSTEAD, dated
In my last quarterly letter, I with much
pleasure noticed the progress and im-
provement in spiritual things, of the two
young men who were with me. And it
is with increased satisfaction that I now
confirm that statement, with this addi-
tion, that I have placed one of them (the
young man that came with me from
Galle,) under favourable circumstances
as English master, over a very flourishing
school of nearly 80 children, newly formed,
and which is doing very well under his
care. I believe he is not only truly con-
verted, but also seeking holiness with
great sincerity; and hence I have reason
to anticipate that he will be useful in
many ways; the school being in an en-
tirely heathen neighbourhood. The
other youth who continues with me, goes
on with much application to improve in
mental and spiritual acquirements, and is
so great a help to me on frequent occa-
sions, that without him, not being fa-
voured with a colleague, I know not how
I should have carried on the work of the
station.

1000 copies, all in the Tamul language: and which will help forward the blessed work.

The type-founders have been busily employed since our last. Many Cingalese, and some Tamul types have been got ready, and we are trying if we cannot accomplish a font of European types, of the size called minion.

It gives me pleasure also to inform you, that I have been enabled to resume my seat in the translating-room. We are now going through the book of Psalms. At our last meeting we finished the 38th Psalm. By degrees we hope to have the Word of Life in Cingalese, which will preach when we are gone.

I have not lost sight of the Cingalese Dictionary. I am giving all the time to it I can possibly spare from other engage ments; and consider it in fact as part of my missionary work. It will be a most essential help, not only to all classes of people in the island, but to Missionaries who may succeed us in the great work. The farther I get, the more arduous I find the undertaking; yet have no fear about me respecting it, should the Lord spare my life.

Negombo, October 8, 1818.
I have feit at the prospect of the loss to
the mission of the valuable labours and
services of our dear brother Harvard from
his present affliction and proposed re-
moval. May he, in answer to united
prayer, be raised up again to his health
and to his work! My late visit to Colombo
for a few days, in consequence of
brother Harvard's illness, was very profi
table to me, having an opportunity of
preaching several times in my own lan-
guage, to a people who not only under.
stand, but who also enjoy the precious
truths of the gospel. And this to me, who
am on a station where not a single Eu
ropean resides, is no inconsiderable pri-
vilege.

By the grace of God, 1 feel an undi minished desire to be useful in any way that I can, to the blessed cause in which we are engaged, and to answer the end, in some hunible measure, of Divine Providence, in bringing me to labour in conjunction with the brethren on this island; an honour of which I often feel myself deeply unworthy, a situation in which I am but too unprofitable.

1 cannot but mention the deep concern From Messrs. SQUANCE and OSBORNE, dated Jaffna, November 19, 1818. DURING the last quarter we have gone knowledge as well as in grace, and pro on much as usual in our work. Our mise very fairly at present to be useful. members in society visibly grow in grace, They read much, and frequently are meetand our class-meetings consequently, are ing together for prayer. peculiary interesting and profitable.

Our Portuguese young men increase in

A few weeks ago we missed two of them from our preaching on Sabbath-day,

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