64 CEYLON BRAtfCK 



one to solemnize their marriages and baptize their children* 

 By order of Government the rector of the Colombo seminary 

 paid periodical visits to Galle until provision could be made £ 

 and in 1747 there were five ministers in all in Ceylon, three 

 at Colombo, one at Jaffna and one at Galle, which scanty 

 supply induced them to apply to Batavia to send over any that 

 could be spared. The Colombo minister who had to visit 

 Calpentyn this year was obliged to proceed not only to Tutu- 

 coreen but even to Cochin, which were also vacant Churches. 



In 1745 not only from ten to twelve printed editions both 

 in Singhalese and Tamil of catechisms large and small, of 

 prayers, formularies, sermons, and of the New Testament had 

 successively come to light, but also a work was in circulation 

 for the benefit of Singhalese readers, consisting of 243 octavo 

 pages, entitled, the Doctrine of Truth and Godliness. Three 

 successive years complaint was uniformly made of indifference, 

 and small amount of religious knowledge among native Chris- 

 tians. But the Reformed Church met with increased opposi- 

 tion from Popery ; its emissaries were stated to be in all places 

 drawing away the people. These agents, who appear to have 

 held the office of catechists, were, on account of their colour 

 and dress, not distinguishable from other people, and therefore 

 difficulty was found in discovering and apprehending them. 

 Their influence had so far increased, that several Singhalese 

 refused to answer certain questions of the catechism out of 

 which they were taught, alledging that they were Roman 

 Catholics. 



In 1750 the Roman Catholics in the Negombo district 

 addressed a Memorial in Tamil to Government, which was 

 referred to the consistory for consideration. It contained the 

 following complaints. That as the petitioners adhered to the 

 Roman Catholic faith which had been taught two hundred 



