CEYLON BRAXCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 33 



This year was remarkable for the projection of the Singha* 

 lese seminary, for the benefit of Colombo, Galle and Matura. 

 The Government submitted the consideration of it to the Co- 

 lombo consistory ; each member gave in writing his opinion as 

 to the most practicable plan, after which a meeting was held 

 and their proceeding were forwarded to the East India Com- 

 pany. But a delay of two or three years occurred before the 

 plan was brought to maturity. In consideration of increased 

 labours and extended plans of usefulness suggestions were also 

 submitted to Government for augmenting the number of mi- 

 nisters. The Rev. Mr. Roman was asked in the meeting whe- 

 ther he intended remaining in India, he answered that his time 

 of life did not permit him to study the native languages, he 

 saw some likelihood of acquiring the Portuguese, but he would 

 prefer a station where he would not be called on to take charge 

 of native schools and congregations; Here was no such station 

 in Ceylon, and it was recommended to Government that he should 

 exchange with Mr. Clement at Negapatara, who was a young 

 man and inclined to remain a long time in India, and likely to 

 prove a valuable instrument in the work of native Christianity. 

 The arrangement was sanctioned. The consistory further re- 

 quested Mr. Spegt, whose term of service was expired to con- 

 tinue longer in the colony in the present emergency, on account 

 of his local experience. He thanked his brethren for their estima- 

 tion of his services, but regretted that circumstances placed it 

 out of his power to give a decided answer. 



There was a concern for the welfare of n?tive Christianity : j 

 the number of ministers able to take charge of the rural Churches 

 and schools was small ; the stations required to be frequently 

 inspected ; they used to be visited every five weeks, it should 

 never be less than once a quarter, in order that the interest 

 might be kept up, which could be done in no other way than 

 by frequent and continued inspection and visitation; especially 

 it a time when so many means were employed to revive hea- 



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