children, to prison. They were very cruelly treated, and next morning brought before the Dutch judge, Van Rheede; who dismissed the women and imposed fines on the men. Eight of these, however, were reserved to a severer doom; of whom one, a recent convert from Protestantism, was put to death with studied cruelty; the other seven were condemned, after a severe scourging, to irons and hard labour for life.*

Such were the means resorted to, to put down the Church which had been established by St. Francis in that island; and this course was continued for 150 years, until the British took possession of it in 1795. Indeed, the laws which proscribed the Catholic religion, were not repealed till 1806, when Sir Alexander Johnston, to whom the Catholics of that part of the world owe more than they can repay, obtained equality for all religions, and, consequently, the free exercise of ours.

And what do you think has been the consequence of this step? Hear how Dr. Buchanan speaks on the subject. "In the island of Ceylon, in which, by a calculation made in 1801, there were 342,000 Protestants,-it is a well known fact that more than 50,000 have gone over to the Catholic religion, from want of teachers in their own religion." So that, within a few years after liberty was restored, more than 50,000 have returned to the faith originally planted there, and afterwards crushed by persecution.+ "The ancient Protestant Churches," he farther observes, "some of which are spacious buildings, and which, in the province of Jaffnapatam alone, amount to thirty-two, are now occupied at will by the Catholic priests of the order of St. Philip Neri, who have taken quiet possession of the island. If a remedy be not speedily applied, we may calculate that, in a few years, the island of Ceylon will be in the same situation as Ireland, as to the proportion between *See the life of Father Vaz by F. Sebastian Dorego.

The British Critic, Jan. 1828, p. 215, observes, that "the Dutch ef fected a nominal conversion in Ceylon." As to Dr. B.'s complaint of want of sufficient teachers in the Protestant religion, there are many more than kept up the Catholic faith through 150 years of persecution, and even as many as there are catholic clergy there at present.

Catholics and Protestants. I must farther add, however painful the reflection may be, that the defection to idolatry, in many districts, is very rapid."*

Here, then, are the results of an attempt to establish the Protestant religion, by building and endowing churches, and by doing precisely all that the Catholics did in the Peninsula of India; and see what has been the event; that there were 340,000 Protestants in this neighbouring island, and the moment the pressure of the law is taken off, 50,000 returned to the Catholic faith, and a great many of the rest went back to their old idolatry! I will quote some other authorities on this subject. Bishop Heber visited also this part of his diocese, and while there, he says, "those who are still Heathen are professedly worshippers of Buddha, but by far the greater part reverence nothing except the devil, to whom they offer sacrifices at night that he may do them no harm.+ Many of the nominal Christians are infected with the same superstition, and are therefore not acknowledged by our missionaries, otherwise, instead of 300 to be confirmed, I might have had several thousand candidates." Mrs. Heber, by whom his narrative is continued, says, "the number of Christians on the coast, and in our settlements, do not fall far short of half a million; very many of these undoubtedly are only nominally such, who have no objection to attend our Church, and even would, if they were allowed, partake without scruple in her rites; and then, perhaps, the same evening offer a propitiatory sacrifice to the devil! Still the number of real Christians is very considerable; the congregations in the native Churches are good, and the numbers who came for confirmation (none were of

* Memoir, Dedication to 4th ed. p. 3.

This is literally true; as, besides Buddhism, there exists in Ceylon a real demonology, or worship of evil beings, known by the name of Capuism, from Capua, enchantment. This is described by Upham, in his history of Buddhism. See also the translation of the Yakkun Nattannawa, by Mr. Callaway, published by the Oriental Translation Committee. Lond.

1829.

Tom. iii. p. 400.

course admitted of whose fitness their ministers were not well convinced,) was extremely gratifying; I think the bishop confirmed above 300." She then says, "after service his lordship took a view of the Mission Church, and expressed his regret at the decayed state it was in, and the distress of the mission."*

The Missionary Register observes, "that we cannot question, that the Protestant congregations were as numerous as Baldeus has described them; for the ruins of a large edifice in every parish show how much was done to root up idolatry and introduce a new religion. There are here,” it adds, "many poor Protestant natives, but for the most part they have relapsed into heathenism." And another letter says, that "the Pagans, Mohammedans, and Catholics, are bigoted in their respective systems, but that the Protestants in general are perfectly indifferent to the religion of Christ.”+

Such are the results of precisely similar foundations: when laid by the Catholic Church in India, the people remained attached to that religion, after the empire and dominion of the Catholics had passed away: in another case, where the same provision had been made for the Protestant Church, the moment their dominion was ended a large portion of the people became Catholics, and a great many relapsed into their ancient idolatry.

Pursuing this matter a little farther, the returns which we have, regarding the increase of Catholicity there, have continued to be of the most consoling character. By official returns presented to the government, we learn that in 1806, the number of Catholics was 66,830; by 1809, there had been an encrease from 66,000 to 83,595 ;—in 1820, the return was 130,000; and on the 16th August, 1826, the vicar-general stated the number to be 150,060; so that from 1806 to 1826, a period of twenty years, we have an encrease from 66,000 to 150,000. This assuredly shows that religion gains ground, and makes its way without the protection of government, or Twentieth Rep. pp. 353, 354.

* Ib. p. 194.

any provision being made in its favour. For, although there are 250 churches in the island, there were only twenty-six priests in 1826; and it is most beautiful to read the accounts of the manner in which their system is conducted. In each parish there is a Catechist, who instructs the people, and reads prayers and religious discourses to them on the Sunday; and the clergy, who have all particular districts allotted to them, come at stated periods; when they find all prepared to receive those consolations which the Catholic religion affords to its members.

I have had the satisfaction of seeing a later return, which gives a very full and detailed account of the state of religion in that island, drawn up by order of the present governor, Sir Wilmot Horton. In it every chapel and school is exactly laid down, with the number of attendants at each. It proves a continued and progressive encrease; while, still, the same zeal and good order are observable throughout. Since I came to this country, I have learnt with sincere pleasure that a Bishop has been appointed to that island, which has been made an apostolic vicariate; so that, now, provision is made for keeping up the succession of pastors there. Had I been aware that I should have been called on to treat of these subjects, I should have procured far more interesting documents, than are now within my reach; at present, I can only make use of such as most easily come to hand. But to show that the conversions in this island are not merely nominal, I will read you the testimony borne to the character of the Catholics, by Sir Alex. Johnston, when Chief Justice of the island. In 1807, he thus addressed the archbishop of Goa. "The propriety of their (the Catholics') conduct, reflects great honour upon the priests of the order of St. Philip Neri, who have the charge of their instruction. In a circuit which I lately made round the island, I was much pleased to find, that there was not a single Catholic brought before me for trial." Again, on another occasion, he repeats the same observation:-" The records of the circuit which the supreme

court made round the island in 1806, show that not a single individual of your religion, was even accused of the smallest misdemeanour during that circuit." There is another passage in which he speaks of the example given to the whole of the East, by the zeal with which the clergy had made arrangements for the education of their flocks, and the liberality with which they had provided for it; so as to prove, how they considered that a Christian ought to be distinguished beyond others, by his intelligence and superior education. I think, indeed, that it would be difficult to find a history of any Church more consoling, or more truly proving the blessing of God to be on it, and on the labours of those who watch over its care, than the history of this island.*

So far, I have been engaged on those countries, in which other religions have also missionaries; and I have been able, consequently, to take these in some respects, if not as guides, at least as guarantees for my assertions; and this circumstance affords a fair ground of comparison between what we have effected, and what they have been able to do. We must now proceed into countries where the Protestant religion has not been able to penetrate, or where, if it has attempted anything, its labours have been perfectly without fruit. Let us begin with China, in which the mission was begun in 1583, or rather even later, when the Jesuits were admitted into court, and were allowed to preach the Catholic religion and build churches.

Before proceeding, however, I will give you the character of these missionaries, as drawn by one most intimately acquainted with China and its history. "They all happened to belong to different religious societies of the Roman Catholic persuasion, founded in different parts of the Continent of Europe; and were men who, being inspired with zeal for the propagation of the principles of their faith among distant nations, had been sent abroad for that purpose by their respective

* The details here given of the progress of religion in this island, are chiefly taken from an interesting article in the Catholic Miscellany, vol. vii. p. 273.

R