CEYLON BRANCH—ROYAL ASIATIC SO 01 ET V, 139 



the consistory of the town to which they were attached, 

 and in particular to the European minister to whose care 

 they were entrusted. 



While the proponents were designed for the native 

 churches, another description of agents, subordinate to the 

 ministers and all natives of Holland, were appointed for 

 the benefit of the Duteh inhabitants, especially at out-sta- 

 tions. They were known by the name of Krankbezoekers, 

 or Zieketroosters, visitors or comforters of the sick. Their 

 primary duty was to visit the hospitals, to teach the orphan 

 children and hold religious meetings in the week ; but they 

 were also sent to small towns or villages, such as Matura, 

 C alt ura, Hangwelle, Manaar, Batticaloa and Caits, where 

 Europeans resided, but too few in number to entitle them 

 to the appointment of a fixed minister. At Colombo both 

 the military and town hospitals were supplied with such 

 a Krankhezoeker, and there was a meeting house called the 

 Gebedzaal, prayer-hall, where these held public evening 

 meetings. Besides the two at Colombo, there was one at 

 Galle, and another at Jafiha, who had the charge of the or- 

 phan house in those towns, and did the duties of catechist. 

 They were sent out by the authorities in Holland, and on 

 their arrival were to address themselves to the consistory 3 

 produce their testimonials, and receive their appointed sphere 

 of labour. But they were generally found an untractable 

 set of men, ambitious of being looked upon as preachers, and 

 consequently impatient under the restraint of the clergy. 



We come now to the consistory or Kerkeraad church 

 council. There were three, the Colombo, the Galle, and 

 the Jaffna consistory ; which consisted of all the European 

 clergymen of the town, together with two or three lay 

 elders, and six deacons. No proponents nor native subor- 

 dinate preachers had a seat in the meeting. The fixed cler- 

 gy of the town where a consistory was formed, were ex- 

 ofiicio and permanent members of that session ; the elders 

 and deacons remained in it for a certain period, at the ex- 

 piration of which half the number went out (unless circum- 

 stances required the continuance of some or all of them) to 

 make room for others of the congregation to occupy that 

 position in the church. The consistory were of a self-elect- 

 ing body, but before the final election of the new members 

 took place, and before their public ordination, Government 

 sanction was required. The mode pursued was as follows : 

 The consistory first nominated a number, double to that 

 actually required, and submitted the list to the Governor 



