46 CEYLON BRANCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



In 1720 the Dutch congregation at Colombo had 175 com- 

 municants, at Negombo, Caltura and Hangwelle together 269, 

 Jaffna 123, Manar SO, Trincomalie 35, Batticaloa 31, Galle 90 

 and Matura 2i. Two krankbezoekers were sent out from Hol- 

 land. The Leper Hospital near Colombo began from this time 

 to be visited quarterly by a minister, accompanied by an elder, 

 and the Lord's Supper was administered to the patients who 

 were members. Negombo was supplied with a resident minister* 

 Mr. Cramer, who had come out in the capacity of proponent, 

 and had been applying himself for several years to the Tamil 

 language at Jaffna, as also assisting the other clergy occasionally 

 by preaching, was ordained and stationed at Negombo, where 

 he was very acceptable both to the European and Native con- 

 gregations in and about that town. Heathenism and popery had 

 prevailed there, but now the pure doctrine of the gospel was 

 confessed, and 180 natives both Tamils and Singhalese were 

 stated communicants. Cotta was one of the most flourishing 

 native congregations, having 196 Church members with an in- 

 crease in the year 1723 of 26. The favourable report given 

 of these christians by the clergy excited the interest of the Go- 

 vernor, who, directed that a handsome Church be built at Cotta. 

 Respecting the religious knowledge of adults among the Sin- 

 ghalese about Colombo the following remarks are made in the 

 report of 1724. "It is hardly probable that the amount of know- 

 ledge in those who have just emerged from the darkness of 

 heathenism to the light of the gospel can be so great as with 

 those who from their birth and as it were by inheritance are 

 blessed with the means of grace, which are very scanty among 

 this people. It is also true, that though they bear the name of 

 christian, yet many are found with little knowledge and love of 

 our religion, which is no wonder when we consider their natural 

 and innate love of their own religion or rather idolatry. Although 

 the means employed for their benefit, are few, we must still de- 

 clare that our efforts have not been in vain ; we have with plea* 



