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barked on the 8th of the preceding June, there is reason for great thankfulness to the Supreme Disposer. The vessel was not, indeed, in season to touch at Ceylon, and leave the missionaries there, as it was hoped she might, on her way to Calcutta ; but at the latter place, the port of her destination, she arrived, ali on board being well, about the middle of October. "Though our passage," they say in their first letter, "has been longer than we hoped it would be, it has been much more pleasant than we anticipated. On the whole, our sca has been smooth, our accommodations good, and our long passage the journey of a day." Their time, during the passage, as there is good reason to believe, was not spent in vain.*

The se

By the particular and full account given by the missionaries in their letter and journal, most amply confirmed by the testimony of the highly and justly beloved and respected captain, and of the officers and men generally, it is placed beyond doubt, that the abundant and faithful instructions and warnings given to the seamen, were efficacious in an extraordinary measure. riousness, which began with a few, became general; and for a considerable time before their arrival, the impression upon the whole company was most solemn and most profound. From all that is known since the return of the vessel, it is most fully believed, that the Lord, in very deed, was with the missionaries, and that few instances are on record, in which the power of His grace was more manifest, or those within its influence in greater proportion evidently reformed, and hopefully renewed for immortality and glory.

Of what befell these favoured brethren at Calcutta, they observe-" On our arrival at Calcutta, we thought it best to accept a kind invitation from Capt. Wills, to take a part of his house. We can never say too much concerning the kindness of this dear man; nor mention the many little attentions which contributed to make our passage pleasant. During our stay of three weeks at Calcutta, he not only provided rooms for us, and kept us all at his table free of expense, but in various ways contributed, in articles of necessity and convenience for our mission, not less than $200; beside many nameless expenses, incurred for our comfort while with him. By his exertions, likewise, and those of Mr. Ceyder, an American resident in Calcutta, whom we would mention with gratitude, more than $100 were raised for us from other American friends. Mr. Newton, too, whose name is probably familiar to you, partly by his means, became so much interested for us, as not only to take the trouble of providing for us a passage to Ceylon, but, in connexion with a few other friends of missions, to contribute $500 towards the expense. This benevolent gentleman, with Mrs. Newton, a native of Pittsfield, (Mass.) who likewise showed us much kindness, is about to return to Boston.

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"At Calcutta, though in a land of strangers, we found ourselves surrounded by friends. The evening after our arrival, we met most of the Baptist brethren, of whom there are now at Calcutta (the younger brethren, who were at Serampore, having separated from Drs. Carey and Marshman, and established themselves in Calcutta,) all the brethren from the London Society, of whom there are four, and Mr. Schmidt, from the Church Missionary Society. We enjoyed with them a precious season of prayer and Christian intercourse. The first hymn was given out by Mr. Townley, of the London Society:-" Kindred in Christ for his dear sake, a hearty welcome here receive." This, we believe, expresses the real feelings of those whom we met. They are precious men, and are doing a good work in Calcutta. Their moral influence is already felt, and an important change is effected; especially as to the treatment of missionaries. This was seen in our polite reception at the police office, and in the generosity at the custom house, where all our baggage, together with the boxes of medicine, books, &c. belonging to the Board, were passed, both in landing and re-shipping, free of duty, and even of inspec

tion.

"But it was not designed that we should leave Calcutta without trials. We had been there but five days, when brother Scudder was called to part with his dear little daughter. She died after an illness of three days. The next day, sister Winslow was taken sick, and brought near the grave. The woman of colour was also very sick, and sister Woodward was brought so low, that her life was almost despaired of; and we were obliged to leave her and her husband behind. After her recovery they will take the earliest opportunity of a passage to Ceylon.

"We are now on board the Dick, of London, Capt. Harrison, a pleasant ship, with good accommodations; and are to be landed either at Trincomalee or Columbo, as we please."

It was a painful circumstance to Mr. and Mrs. Woodward to be left behind; and before the Dick had got far down the river, Mrs. Woodward felt herself so much better, that, after advising with her physician, they made arrangements for attempting to overtake the ship. But just at the time, their infant was seized with severe illness, the attempt was relinquished. In the fore part of December, they embarked in a brig bound, as was the Dick, to Trincomalee and Columbo.

The only communication which has been received from these young brethren, since their leaving Calcutta, is contained in a letter from Messrs. Winslow and Spaulding, dated Columbo, February 2d.

They here mention some circumstances, which unavoidably lengthened their stay at Columbo, and state, that they were to go thence to Jaffna in company with that very valuable friend of our mission, J. N. Mooyart, Esq.

In a postscript, bearing date Dec. 23d, the brethren in Jaffna express their feelings as follows:

"As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. On the first Monday in the month, (a joyful day to missionaries,) we went to Nellore, to unite with our missionary brethren in the observance of the monthly prayer meeting. On our ar rival at the mission house in that place, we found a letter containing the joyful intelligence, that four American Missionaries and their wives, destined to Ceylon, had arrived at Calcutta. In regard to some of the important petitions which we were about to offer at the prayer meeting, we could testify to the truth of God's gracious promise, And it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.' The contents of the preceding letter will give you a better idea of our feelings on this occasion, than any particular description of them. You can readily imagine, in some degree, what effect this intelligence must have had upon our minds, as we entered upon the pleasing solemnities of the day.

"In the midst of our services, yea' while we were yet speaking,' we were interrupted by the receipt of a letter from a kind Wesleyan brother at Trincomalee, informing us that three of our brethren and sisters had arrived at that place, and that he was making arrangements for some of them to come to Jaffna by land. This information gave a fresh impulse to our feelings, which were already highly excited. Our missionary brethren present were partakers of our joy, and could unite in rendering thanksgiving to God, both on our account, and on account of the missionary cause in this district.

Though it was the intention of our brethren to come from Trincomalee to Jaffna by land, they found it to be impracticable. Proper conveyances could be obtained only for two persons.

"Brother and sister Scudder arrived at Tillipally the 17th instant, to our great joy and comfort. They were the bearers of large packages of letters, which made us quite ashamed of the suspicions we had indulged, that our American friends had forgotten us. We are sorry to say, that a number of letters, referred to in those we have now received, have not reached us; and we fear they are lost. We hope our friends will consider, that the possibility of some of their letters being lost, is no small reason which should induce them to write to us more frequently."

A private letter dated in Feb. states, that Dr. Scudder arrived at the station on the 17th of December. Mr. Woodward early in January, and Messrs. Winslow and Spaulding just before the date of the letter.

It is gratifying to your Committee to state, that in all the places visited by Messrs. Winslow and Spaulding, at Trincomalee, at Galle, and at Columbo, they found an unanimous sentiment of high and affectionate esteem and admiration of our mission

aries in Jaffna, as most laborious, and faithful, and devoted men ; and, which cannot be stated without strong and mingled feelings, a general and deep impression, that by their increasing efforts, their constant self-denial, their readiness to spend and be spent in the service, they were fast wearing themselves out;-and that it would be much for the honour of American Christians to afford them a more liberal patronage and more ample aid.

A printing press, however, a donation from a most liberal friend to this Board, and to its objects, having been previously sent by the way of Calcutta, a fount of types for English print ́ing, and a supply of paper were added. Types for the Tamul, the native language of the principal population of that part of Ceylon, and of the neighbouring districts of the continent, have been obtained from Calcutta ; and your Committee have since had the satisfaction to send out a printer.

Mr. James Garrett, a young man belonging to Utica, (N. Y.) offered himself for the service, and on the 6th of April, he embarked in a vessel bound to Pondicherry. From that place it is but a short distance to the seat of the mission; at which, it is hoped, he has ere this time arrived.

The Committee next allude to the afflictions which have befallen the brethren, in being visited with severe sickness. Mr. Warren's course was short and bright, and its termination full of immortality. The life of Mr. Richards, it has pleased a gracious -Providence to lengthen out, and to render, in no small degree, consolotary and helpful to his brethren. Mr. Poor, for a considerable time, was unable to attend to his accustomed labours; and there were serious apprehensions that he was soon to follow Mr. Warren. But the latest accounts give reason for hope.

In a postscript, dated Jan. 10, 1820, the brethren at the station write:"About a month ago brother Meigs was visited with a heavy cold and cough. About a week since his complaints became somewhat alarming. He has had a severe affection of the lungs. But from his present state, we have good reason to hope, that the seasonable and energetic means which have been used, will be made effectual to his restoration to health."

If all who have lately been sent out have duly arrived, and no breach has been made, of which intelligence has not been received, our Ceylon mission now consists of six ordained missionaries, a physician, preparing also for ordination, their wives, and a printer. It occupies two principal stations, Tillipally and Batticotta, and has specially assigned to it six large parishes, with ancient buildings and lands, devoted to religious use, and containing a dense Pagan population. It is advantageously situated for communication with the different parts of the island, and with a populous province of Southern India, and for extensive and efficient operations; and it has enjoyed, in no slight degree, the confidence of the people and of the government. 3 S

VOL. VII.

Although the missionaries were under the necessity of devoting labour and time to the acquisition of the language, yet it was not necessary for them to undertake the translating of the Scriptures, as a good translation into the native Tamul had long before been made.

In preaching, the missionaries have been constant and laborious; and their advantages for collecting regular congregations, or assemblies of hearers, are much better than are enjoyed by their brethren at Bombay, though they do not, in the course of a year, address by any means so great a multitude of immortal beings.

During the three years, from the time of their arrival to the 13th of Nov. last, they had established 15 schools; nine in connexion with Tillipally, and six with Batticotta. The total number of regular pupils was reckoned about 700, at the last date.

Besides these common free schools, there is at each station, a boarding school, consisting of youths taken under the especial and parental care of the missionaries, supported by the bounty of benevolent societies and individuals in this country, and bearing names selected by the respective donors. Of these there were, at the time now specified, 48 males and 9 females.

The accounts of the schools generally, and of the boarding schools in particular, are exceedingly interesting and encouraging. In all the schools, with the common branches of instruction, Scripture tracts are read, and the principles of Christianity are taught. The pupils in general make good progress in their studies.

Not only have these missionaries been thus encouraged by the facilities given to their operations, and the general success which has attended them; but they have also been favoured with more special tokens of the divine presence, and manifestations of divine grace. Mention has been made, in preceding Reports, of several individuals, who appeared to be subjects of abiding religious impressions. Of two, Supyen and Franciscus Maleappa, more particular accounts have been given. With respect to Supyen no later intelligence has been received. Maleappa, who had been a valuable helper at Tillipally, and was afterwards, in connexion with that station, placed as a schoolmaster and catechist at Mallagum ;-who was strongly attached to the mission, and was expected to abide as a permanent assistant, felt it is duty, about 16 months ago, to leave the mission for the purpose of accompanying his aged and infirm father to Columbo; and his return was considered as uncertain. Very interesting accounts have since been given of other individuals.

NEW-YORK FEMALE ASSISTANCE SOCIETY,

For the Relief of Sick Poor Women and Children.

The seventh annual meeting of this society was held on the 13th of last month, in the lecture room of the Methodist Church in John-street.

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