56 



CEYLON BRANCEt 



The obstacles to the success of Christianity according tcf 

 this Galle report, were 1st. — The evil example of native chiefs 

 who were incorrigible buddhists. To gratify their prejudice 

 to caste and their pride of birth, they wanted a separate place 

 of worship to themselves ; their wives consequently never came 

 to Church, nor their children to school. Notwithstanding the 

 existing orders they allowed the places of worship to fall into 

 decay, whilst they could build for themselves spacious dwell- 

 ings, like palaces. 2nd. — The public prevalence of idolatry ^ 

 and the secret adherence to it, under the cloak of Christianity. 

 In 1730 and 1731 Marinus and Weyman were in danger of 

 losing their lives while on duty in the country. From their 

 birth to their death the Singhalese are said to be buddhists in 

 heart. When a child is born they consult astrologers. Is it 

 sick, they tie charms to its neck, hands and feet. Does it eat 

 rice for the first time, a heathen name is given it, letting go 

 the name given at baptism. Would they undertake any work ? 

 they must needs first ascertain the lucky day, the propitious- 

 hour. Are they sick, or in adversity, devil ceremonies are 

 performed. Do they marry, it must be in a good hour, accom- 

 panied with all manner of superstitions. Do they die, their 

 graves are ornamented with white leaves and cocoanuts as 

 food for the deceased ; for which purpose also they bring, a few 

 days after the burial, rice and other victuals to the grave. 

 They take offerings to Kattergam, in the King's territories,- 

 or they give them to the itinerant servants of dagobas. They 

 honor a certain tree of buddhu, with flowers, lamps, rice, &c. 

 The highest benediction they can pronounce \&,—May you 

 become a buddhu. They worship him at places where his 

 image, made of clay, is erected, or where they say his bones 

 are buried. 3rd. — They apathy of the Singhalese, and the 

 indolence of the proponents. 4th. — The non-observance of 



