ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 61 



In 1737 a question was raised about the name Jehovah 

 in the Singhalese version, and it was agreed that it should not 

 be rendered into Singhalese, but retained with a marginal 

 explanation of its meaning. About this time, as the printing 

 press came into full operation, the translation of the Old Tes- 

 tament was vigorously prosecuted, and Mr. Conyn, the greatest 

 Singhalese scholar, was entrusted with the work. Before this 

 time they had only manuscript copies of detached books of 

 sacred scripture, and the only printed work, was Mr. Ruel's 

 grammar, published in Holland with the Singhalese characters 

 in wood-euts. The Jaffna district had the following number 

 of places of worship, Tenmoratchie, Wademoratchie and Pat- 

 chilepale 12, Trincomalie, Batticaloa and the Wanny 4, Man- 

 totte and Manaar 10, the Islands 9. The low state of 

 Christianity in the Island was made the subject of serious 

 consideration and earnest prayer, and rather desponding letters 

 were written to the classes. 



It appears to have been the uniform practice of the Dutch 

 Government to require persons who proposed settling as Co- 

 lonists to report themselves and their intended occupation. In 

 1739 two persons arrived from Holland, belonging to the sect 

 of Hernhutters or Moravian brethren ; who were reported to 

 the Governor as mechanics, but were not ecclesiastically known 

 to the consistory. They at first attracted little public notice, 

 but instead of following their professed occupation, they began 

 after a while to hold, what the consistory termed, conventicles 

 or unauthorized assemblies in private dwellings, in which, it 

 is stated, offensive and fantastical propositions were discussed; 

 such as, whether the Colombo congregation were a body of 

 regenerate persons ; whether their clergy had indeed received 

 the Holy Ghost; whether the Sacrament might not with equal 

 propriety be received of the hands of the Hernhutters, in their 



