CEYLON BRANCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, 147 



80,845, baptized, of whom 7 are in church membership. 

 There is besides in that District not a single native propo- 

 nent, and (as it appear to us) the Rev. Mr. Weyerman met 

 with much trouble and unpleasantness in accomplishing his 

 visitation. 



This my Lords is what Ave have judged necessary to in- 

 form you with all respect, as to the state of God's church 

 in this Island. Your Lordships will easily be able to per- 

 ceive that on the whole the state of native Christianity in 

 Ceylon is very inferior, and especially how highly necessary 

 it is that God's church here be furnished with more minis- 

 ters, otherwise it is to be feared that within a short time 

 even the ordinary work of preaching will fail to be per- 

 formed. I speak not so much of other work which is an- 

 nexed to the office in this place. It is therefore our urgent 

 request most noble Lords, that it may please you, in pur- 

 suance of old and laudable practice, to be mindful for good 

 of God's church in this Island, and to make arrangements 

 that a few zealous and pious ministers may the sooner the 

 better come over to us. 



May Jehovah make your Government and authority in 

 this land honorable, prosperous, desired and abiding. Let 

 the cause of God and His church be precious in your Lord- 

 ships' eyes, in order that of your administration God may 

 have the glory, and his church the benefit, and that your 

 Lordships' persons may in every respect have the praise of 

 being tender foster fathers of God's church, which his own 

 Son has purchased with his blood. Praying for a rich 

 measure of divine blessing on your Lordships' persons, 

 families, and office, we remain with deep respect, most ho- 

 norable gentlemen, your obedient and humble servants, the 

 Consistory of Colombo, and in name and by authority of 

 all. 



(Signed; G. Pot ken, 

 Pro tempore Praesis et 

 epistolam hujus anni scriba. 

 and 



(Signed) J. P. Wetzelius, 



hujus temporis scriha, 



Colombo, 



2d November 1738, 



