44 



CEYLON BRANCH 



divine blessing, 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 discontinue public preaching on account of his other en- 

 gagements. The Rev. Mr. Specht is now 50 years of age ; 

 and his indisposition has increased to such a degree as to con- 

 fine him to his bed, so that but two remain capable of preach- 

 ing, Yander 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 him- 

 self to Singhalese. If it should please the Almighty to 

 remove by death S. 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 ministers who had arrived there from Jaffna without the 

 necessary testimonials. It appears that they departed on ac- 

 count of a certain misunderstanding which had arisen at Jaffna 

 and had rendered their ministration less acceptable to the 

 people. The Colombo consistory, with the co-operation of 

 Government, had forbidden the Jaffna Church to grant the 

 document,, which the Batavian people considered an unjusti- 

 fiable interference with the liberty of individual Churches and 

 congregations ; and an injury to the said ministers, not only 



