CEYLON BRANCH ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 57 



In 1737 a question was raised about the name Jehovah 

 in the Singhalese version, and it was agreed that it should not 

 be rendered into Singhalese, but retained with a marginal ex- 

 planation of its meaning. About this time, as the printing press 

 came into full operation, the translation of the Old Testament 

 was vigorously prosecuted, and Mr. Conyn, the greatest Sing- 

 halese scholar, was entrusted with the work. Before this time 

 they had only manuscript copies of detached books of sacred 

 scripture, and the only printed work, was Mr. Ruel's gram- 

 mar, published in Holland with the Singhalese characters in 

 wood-cuts. The Jaffna district had the following number of 

 places of worship, Tenmoratchie, Wademoratchie and Patchile- 

 pale 12, Trincomalie, Batticaloa and the Wanny 4, Mantotte 

 and Manaar 10, the Islands 9. The low state of Christianity 

 in the Island was made the subject of serious consideration 

 and earnest prayer, and rather desponding letters were written 

 to the classes. 



It appears to have been the uniform practice of the Dutch 

 Government to require persons who proposed settling as Co- 

 lonists to report themselves and their intended occupation. 

 In 1739 two persons arrived from Holland, belonging to the 

 sect of Hernhutters or Moravian brethren ; who were reported 

 to the Governor as mechanics, but were not ecclesiastically known 

 to the consistory. They at first attracted little public notice, 

 but instead of following their professed occupation, they began 

 after a while to hold, what the consistory termed, conventicles 

 or unauthorized assemblies in private dwellings, in which, it is 

 stated, offensive and fantastical propositions were discussed ; 

 such as, whether the Colombo congregation were a body ot 

 regenerate persons ; whether their clergy had indeed received 

 tbe Holy Ghost ; whether the Sacrament might not with equal pro- 

 priety be received of the hands of the Hernhutters, in their 

 particular assemblies ; whether it was right to communicate with 

 an unregenerate congregation, and such like, 



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