CEYLON BRANCH- — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 4i 



as the means of instruction remain defective. Because there 

 has not been one of the clergy sufficiently advanced in Singha- 

 lese, little instruction could, comparatively speaking, be com- 

 municated. 



The Rev. J. Ruel has by the grace of God succeeded so 

 far as to preach his first Singhalese sermon on the 11th of 

 "October 1696. Being better able to judge of the correctness 

 of existing versions he has introduced several idiomatic improve- 

 ments. If now we were supplied with two or three young mi- 

 nisters, inclined to master the language, then, under divine bless- 

 ing, might we expect to see some real good done among this 

 people. It is true that with respect to members we are well 

 supplied, especially at Colombo, but with respect to the nature 

 of the work to be done, ministers are not many. M. Masius 

 has retired on account of age and infirmity ; Simon Cat a man 

 of 72 years and infirm in body has ceased to preach, but is 

 going on with his Singhalese and Tamil dictionaries, and other 

 books for the seminary. Ruel also has been allowed to dis- 

 continue public preaching on account of his other engagements. 

 The Rev. Mr. Specht is now 50 years of age ; and his indis- 

 position has increased to such a degree as to confine him to 

 his bed, so that but two remain capable of preaching, Vander 

 Bank and Meerland, the latter about 55 years of age, infirm, 

 and not likely to continue long; and the former is entirely 

 prevented by his heavy duties from applying himself to Sing- 

 halese. If it should please the Almighty to remove by death 

 &. Cat and J. Ruel, no one would be left to do anything for 

 the good of native Christianity." 



In the next year two died at Colombo; one sent out from 

 Holland died on the voyage. Two were about to leave the 

 colony^ so that there remained in all but five, which called 

 forth an urgent request for more ministers. This year an angry 

 letter was received from the Batavian consistory about two mi- 

 nisters who had arrived there from Jaffna without the necessary 



