54 



CEYLON BRANCH 



Christianity, and then whether they were disposed with their own 

 mouth to mention the principal tenets of their idolatry or super- 

 stition, which were specified to them, and to declare, as each tenet 

 was successively set before them, that they abominated it as 

 an impious work. These interrogations gave occasion to the 

 rejection of several, which also might well have been done to 

 those who replied to the questions laughing and jesting : but 

 the reverend gentleman observed moderation, being unwilling 

 to take upon himself the responsibility of the great revolution 

 in practice which would proceed from the strict introduction 

 of this new method, and judging it sufficient for the present 

 to expel as an example to the rest the hardened despisers of 

 religion, who refused to abandon their superstitions. But 

 inasmuch as we experience from time to time the wretched 

 state of the native Churches, through their obstinate refusal to 

 destroy the places of heathen worship, notwithstanding the 

 stringent placards, we find ourselves in a dilemma. For were 

 we to refuse those whom we judge incompetent, the number of 

 baptized persons would become very small, the generality not 

 concerning themselves much about it, the evil consequences 

 of which would become still greater: while on the other hand 

 our consciences will not allow us to baptize indiscriminately. 

 "We are therefore in great perplexity and beg your advice and 

 assistance. In order to shew the melancholy state of things, 

 we must refer to a commission lately executed by J. W. 

 Marinus and two scholarchs, to revise and adjust the thombos 

 throughout the district, with the view of preventing heathens 

 by means of false witnesses to have their names registered as 

 already baptized. Since the year 1721 there have always 

 been applicants for having their names inscribed in the thom- 

 bos as baptized, when they are about to get married, and as 

 there was no end of such suspicious applicants, it was dis- 



