ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 45 



because it deprived them of a fresh employment, but because 

 both they and their wives were furnished by the Jaffna con- 

 gregation with attestations of membership, which was sufficient 

 proof that no objection had been made to their life and Chris- 

 tian conversation. The classes on being informed of the 

 matter upheld the Colombo consistory. A few years previous 

 to this there was also at Trincomalie an unpleasant occurrence 

 which brought forth a lengthy correspondence. A deacon was 

 excommunicated after repeated admonitions on the charge of 

 intemperance and domestic disturbances. The aggrieved party 

 would not submit to the censure, and brought the case before 

 the Magistrate. The Trincomalie consistory were thought to 

 have committed themselves by giving reasons for their step to 

 the Magistrate, who, after all, acknowledged that he could not 

 entertain the case, which was of an Ecclesiastical nature. 



In a letter of the classis in 1700 a few remarks are made 

 which would indicate that notwithstanding their pious and 

 zealous efforts to establish religion both in Ceylon and in the 

 Colonies, abuses existed among the Dutch which could not 

 but have a contrary effect. " But, worthy Sirs and Brethren 

 we cannot omit giving utterance to our anxious thoughts on 

 the state of Indian Churches, both with respect to heathens 

 who embrace the Christian faith, as also with respect to Euro- 

 peans, on account of the following circumstances which have 

 reached our ears, and we believe on good authority. 



1st — Respecting the natives, that in some places attempts 

 are made by improper and unallowable means to coerce them to 

 the reception of Christianity, that is, of baptism ; that they 

 who are not baptized are declared to have forfeited a third of 

 their property ; and that fines are imposed on those baptized 

 who do not come to Church, nor send their children to school. 



2ndly — Touching Europeans, first, that in all Psalm books 



