which, after singing, reading, prayer, and provender, we accomplished without much difficulty. At his Pa, called Pehiakura, I found a very good and large chapel, to which all the people repaired; and an excellent young man, going to the Institution, called Samuel, sang, prayed, and addressed the congregation, who, for the most part, were professed Christians. I baptized five persons, and then proceeded towards Manukau, which we crossed in about seventeen hours in a native canoe; or, in other words, in a hollow tree. Jabez took charge of the helm, and brought me safely to the shore, only six miles from the waters of Auckland; which we soon entered, I in my shirt-sleeves, and my faithful natives with my tent and other burdens on their backs. It need scarcely be said, that I was very glad once more to be at home, and thankful to a kind Providence for my preservation. Many a time during this journey did the sweat stream from my brow with a copiousness to which I was before a stranger. This, however, is the work of the Missionaries in New-Zealand. general they look old for their years; and how can it be otherwise, amid such violent and wasting toils, often wet for days and nights together, without a single comfort ?

In

During this journey I had, at one time or another, as my fellow-travellers in flood and field, a rare assemblage of ancients and moderns, mostly men of renown these were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; David, Saul, and Samuel; Nicodemus, Matthew, John, Peter, and Paul; Adam Clarke, Richard Watson, Jabez Bunting, Robert Newton, William Naylor, William Barton; and others, without saying who or how

many.

In the choice of their names at bap

tism, they generally select an honoured one, either from the Scriptures, or from the wise and good and great, of whom they may have learnt something that has pleased them.

All the way as we passed through the woods, or plains, or villages, I was cheered with the sight of all the natives without exception; and whether they travelled with us or not, all united in morning and evening devotion. The hymn was sung, the chapter was read, and prayer was offered up to Almighty God. This is now the general practice in those parts where the Missionary influence has been brought to bear; and small indeed is the part where it has not reached. At the same time, I am afraid that many of them are only nominal Christians, and not saved from sin. In their domestic worship they do not change their attitude, but squat upon their hams all the time; only at prayer they hide their faces with their blankets or their mats.

Another thing struck me very forcibly; and that was their truthfulness and honesty. This was the more remarkable, as the very opposite was their character formerly. I did not hear of any departure from truth or honesty in the case of a single individual of our people with whom I travelled, or was at all associated, during a journey of about seven weeks; and reviewing what has passed under my own observation, I am exceedingly gratified to observe the advanced state of Christianity in some individuals, and of its general influence upon the New-Zealand population throughout; but the labour of the Missionaries, and their exposures, are often distressing, arising from the scattered state of the people, and the rough character of this country, where there are no roads.

years ago, the Heathen and Mahomedans confidently prophesied that all, or nearly all, who had embraced Christianity would, in a few months, return to

the religion of their fathers; and several half-hearted Christians joined them in their predictions. But I am happy to be able, at the end of four years, to pronounce them false prophets. We could expect no better of Heathens and Mahomedans, whose systems of religion are human, and who judged of ours by their own, and who, consequently, concluded that both the means which brought their neighbours over and the end were worldly. And with regard to nominal Christians, they knew not the Scriptures, nor the power of God; they had never felt the converting grace of that Spirit which led those round about them to renounce their false systems, and believe on the living and true God, and Jesus Christ whom he had sent.

However, there were others who learned better things. The work began with them, and they were savingly converted; and when they saw their Heathen neighbours renounce their idols, and embrace the truth, they recognised the finger of God, and rejoiced; and I bless the Most High that we have still cause of rejoicing; for though the excitement which we had at the first has subsided, those who have come over hold fast their profession, and others are gradually joining their ranks. Out of four hundred and forty-seven adults who have embraced Christianity, I only know one who again professes his belief in Heathenism.

BAPTISMS AND CHURCH-MEMBERS.

The number of baptisms during the year is one hundred and thirteen ; namely, forty-eight above twelve years of age; thirty-two children born of heathen parents, under twelve years of age; and thirty-three children born of Christian parents, under twelve years of age. By" children born of heathen parents," "I mean those who were born while their parents were Heathens, but who have since embraced Christianity, and given their children to the Lord.

I find, from the baptismal register, that the number of children under twelve years of age, which have been baptized since the work began, is three hundred and eleven. The parents of these are now Christians, and therefore, we have reason to believe, will bring them up to worship the true and living God. May these be a seed to serve him in their day and generation!

Our number of members has increased from one hundred and forty-seven to one hundred and seventy. These are all in Batticaloa. There are also one hundred

and eighty-seven on trial: forty-four of these are in Batticaloa, and one hundred and forty-three Veddahs, in Bintenne. A considerable number more have renounced Heathenism, and are under religious instruction, either stated or occasional. We think it best not to report them as on trial this year.

We have also had seven recantations from Roman Catholicism during the year. We still labour amongst that deluded people with increased prospects of success.

The whole number of persons professing the Protestant religion in the districts of Batticaloa and Bintenne nine hundred and sixteen. As there is no Mission of any other denomination in the place, these all attend our ministry, statedly or occasionally. Indeed, the average attendance is better than in England.

The attendance of our members on the means of grace is good; and, although we cannot say, that they are all in earnest about the salvation of their souls, yet they are moral in their conduct, and are increasing in Christian knowledge.

Perhaps the contributions of our members may be looked upon as small, considering their numbers; but when we take off the Veddahs, who have nothing to give, and consider the poverty of many others, and the small salary of those who have employment, perhaps it is as much as we can expect for the present. Our Tamul Schoolmasters have only nine shillings per month, and many others have not so much; so that but few of our people can contribute largely to the cause of God.

Those employed as Preachers and Exhorters conduct themselves with propriety. They maintain a lively sense of divine things; and, therefore, their hearts are in the work, and God owns their labours. They obey the Gospel which they preach; and this tells upon the understandings and hearts of the people. Those who are employed altogether by the Mission go out daily from village to village, from street to street, and from house to house, " warning every man, and exhorting every man.'

The number of our regular preachingplaces is twenty-two, where about three thousand five hundred Christians and Heathens attend; but this number is small, compared with the thousands who hear the Gospel in the streets, and in their own houses. I believe our success, under God, in a great measure, depends upon

this. Many will not come to us, we must therefore go to them; and the Lord shines upon their minds, and leads them to inquire; and thus many are brought to Christ.

SCHOOLS.

Our schools increase in importance as Christianity spreads in the district. Several adults who, by the preaching of the word, have turned to the Lord, are able to read the word of God from the instruction they received in them. There are Christians in all the villages where we have schools, which thus become nurseries for the children of our people, who would otherwise be deprived of instruction, or be thrown into the hands of Heathenism.

The English boys' school contains forty-three boys, most of whom are Christians, the children of our members or constant hearers. It is therefore a school to which I attach considerable importance, inasmuch as our instructions are not neutralized by Heathenism at home. The boys learn reading, writing, our Catechisms, arithmetic, grammar, geography, philosophy, &c., and make good progress. We give them an exhortation every morning, and hold a meeting with them on Wednesdays, to ascertain which of them are seriously inclined. They all attend the preaching on Sundays.

We have a Burgher female school on the island of Batticaloa: the girls are taught English by a native man, and needle-work by a young woman brought up by Mrs. Stott. We have also a native girls' school, in which Tamul and needle-work are taught by the same Teachers. We have a third girls' school on the island, taught by the daughter of the chief Modlier. The girls learn Tamul and needle-work. These three schools are superintended by Mrs. Stott, who also teaches the Modlier's married daughters fancy needle-work and English.

The Tamul boys' school on the island is taught in the chapel-verandah. It contains fifty-two boys, who are increasing in knowledge.

We have a good Tamul school at Amerdagalle, about three miles distant. It contains forty-two boys, and one girl. Several of the scholars are Christians, and we have every prospect of increasing success. Three years ago the village was entirely Heathen; and now we have above one hundred Christians in it. Forty meet in class: most of the rest are children. In this and the

adjoining villages we have weekly services.

At Navatcudah we have a school of thirty boys. There is service in the school once a week, and a class-meeting in the Government-school adjoining.

At Arapette we have a school containing fifty-five boys, mostly Heath ens or Mahomedans. We have preaching in the school every Sunday. There are three Christians in the village, and two heathen men have offered themselves as candidates for baptism.

At Ambalanturre, ten miles distant, we have a school of twenty-two boys. There we have preaching every week, and a class of fourteen members; and I have just heard that a few more have renounced Heathenism, and are joining us.

At Tatateevo, on the opposite side of the river, we have a small school, and a few members. The school was burnt down a year and a half ago; but, though the Schoolmaster has continued to teach, the number of scholars is considerably reduced. We think of trying another place.

Our school at Caltury contains thirtyfive boys. There are also a few Christians in the village, and a considerable number of Heathens are on the point of coming over. While Mr. Philips was exhorting in the street a fortnight ago, the village Brahmin came up, and told the people that Christianity was very good, and that he wished them all to embrace it.

Our next school is at Calmony, twenty-five miles from us. It has in it twenty-five boys. This is the place where we requested the Committee to build a Mission-house. We have a class of twelve members, and a prospect of an increase. Richard Watson, our Catechist, is stationed here, who itinerates to the surrounding villages, of which there are a considerable number within a few miles, containing a large population. We have purchased a small piece of ground, and are building a large schoolbungalow, which will also answer as a preaching-place. We ought, by all means, to have a good bungalow as a temporary residence, where we may remain for a week or ten days at a time, and visit the neighbouring villages. At present there is no place fit to stop in, except in very fine weather; and then we are exposed to night-dews.

At Samanturre, in the same neighbourhood, our school contains twentyfive boys. There we have a small class, and preaching. The Headman

of that part of the district is an Exhorter.

We have another Tamul school at Anamally, of twenty boys; and there are two Christians in the village, and many Heathens who are well inclined. This and the neighbouring villages are regularly visited by Richard Watson, and once a month by one of us from Pullientecoor.

The work in Bintenne continues to be interesting. Those who have embraced Christianity manifest no wish to return to their devil-dancing, or other bad practices. They are teachable, though slower in improvement than the Tamul people on the coast. Twenty-three have been baptized during the year, nineteen of them children, eighteen of whom have been born since their parents embraced Christianity. Thus we see that they give their children to the Lord. Eighteen more, the entire inhabitants of a jungle-village at some distance from the rest, have determined to embrace Christianity, and are receiving instruction.

We have now three schools, one in each Veddah village. The progress of the scholars is not rapid, but gives us encouragement. Three months ago, I placed an interesting young Singhalese man in Bintenne, as an Exhorter. He was baptized in Batticaloa two years ago, and has been employed by me as a Singhalese pundit. He lives at the middle village, and visits the other two, and

occasionally other places. The Veddahs are therefore well supplied. They have three Schoolmasters, a resident Exhorter, our frequent visitation, and a Christian Vaman, an Exhorter, who is frequently amongst them.

In the success which has attended the preaching of the Gospel in this district, we thank God, and consider it but an earnest of what he will do if we are faithful in the use of the divinelyappointed means. We would therefore give ourselves up entirely to the work; and, while we use the means, look to Him for his blessing, being assured that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, that the world is to be subdued to the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The daughter of Samanaden, Modlier, teaches a day-school gratuitously.

All the Sunday-schools are day-schools also, and are taught by the day-school Teachers.

The three thousand five hundred, put down as attending divine service, gives a very imperfect idea of the number of those who hear the Gospel in twelve months, as we are continually itinerating from village to village, and making known the Gospel to all to whom we have access.

Those called members all reside in Batticaloa one hundred and forty-three of those on trial are Veddahs in Bintenne. The remaining forty-four are in Batticaloa.