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CEYLON BRANCH 



state of native churches and schools, you can perceive that 

 their care and supervision involves no little labour and trouble, 

 and that the service of ministers in India is by no means of 

 the easiest sort, so that not aged but young and strong men 

 ought to be sent out, who can endure the fatigues of the 

 climate, are capable of acquiring the requisite knowledge of the 

 languages, and by a long residence can aid effectually to build 

 up Christianity. We therefore request that this be kept in 

 view in the choice of labourers." 



For the instruction of slaves, belonging to the Company, 

 a school existed in Colombo, which was stated this year to be 

 attended by 200. The slaves of private individuals were 

 taught at their houses by masters employed by the Govern-, 

 ment for the purpose. There was also at Colombo a Portu- 

 guese school with 56 scholars ; and besides the orphan school, 

 a Dutch school which had 80 children. At this time the scho- 

 larchal commission is mentioned as having been formed, 

 composed of 6 members of the Politic Council and 3 clergy- 

 men.* 



On the subject of baptism of native children the same 

 letter says that, previous to the adminstration, parents were 

 examined on their knowledge of religion, and when they were 

 found deficient, the baptism of their children was postponed 

 to the next visitation, the schoolmaster being in the meantime 

 enjoined to impart the necessary instruction to such parents. 

 The same practice of examination was adopted with respect to 

 adult candidates for baptism. They who were found imperfect 

 in their religious knowledge and belief, were entered on a 

 separate list, and at each returning visitation re-examined 



* I mention these facts respecting the educational department 

 because at the time I wrote the paper on that subject I was not in 

 possession of information of so early a date, 



