CEYLON BRANCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 4fl 



selves well, and appeared useful. Frequent complaints were made 

 about two Jaffna proponents. 



In 1729 the Dutch congregation was represented to be in a 

 flourishing state, under the figure of a vine, which can indeed 

 bear good grapes, though the number be not great, nor all come 

 to perfection, nor be so apparent to spectators; but the hus* 

 bandman can satisfy himself that the vine has not been neg- 

 lected, and that the fruit though not abundant is of a good qua- 

 lity. A great drawback to the Dutch congregation was that its 

 members, being mostly Company's servants, were not perma- 

 nent, but had continually to remove from one station to another. 

 But the next year it was remarked that they could be more 

 exemplary. The state of native christians was said this year, 

 to be melancholy, heathenism had revived among nominal chris- 

 tians ; temples and sanctuaries for images exceeded in number 

 the Churches and schools, which latter had often to be closed 

 on account of priests who had settled almost in every village, 

 to destroy what had been built up with much care, and who 

 were more esteemed than the clergyman. In the Colombo dis- 

 trict however things were not so bad ; there was no public ma- 

 nifestation of heathenism ; while many were found at the annual 

 visitation to possess a decent amount of knowledge, and an eager- 

 ness to learn, which was encouraging and hopeful. 



In 1730 there were at Colombo, Ministers 5, native propo- 

 nents 2j krankbezoekers 3, one at Hangwelle, one at Negombo 

 and one at Caltura. Dutch congregation at Colombo 405 mem- 

 bers, in the Leper Hospital 15, at Calpentyn 15, at Negombo 

 81. Singhalese congregation at Cotta 316 members, at Ne- 

 gombo 130. Baptized persons in the Colombo district 40,621. 

 At Jaffna, ministers 3, native proponents 2. Dutch congrega- 

 tion 190 members, at Manar 33, Trincomalie 49, Batticaloa 36. 

 Baptized natives in the Jaffna district 169,256, of whom 26 were 

 Church members, at Galle, ministers 2, Dutch congregation 109 

 members, Matura 26, natives professing the christian religion 



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