My faith and patience are still tried with regard to the success of my Ministry among the people around me. It is most difficult to secure any thing like a constant attendance on Public Worship; with the exception of the Modeliar, mentioned in former Reports, his Family, and persons connected with the Mission. Others, though most of them are Nominal Christians, and though they are frequently invited, will only come occasionally. I sometimes indulge the hope, when I see 20 or 30 assembled, listening attentively to the Word preached, that they feel interested in it, and that they will be induced to hear constantly; but perhaps I may not see the faces of these persons again for a month or six weeks. This conduct plainly indicates that they have no real desire to love and serve God. The Portuguese part of the population have been so negligent in this respect, that I have sometimes had none to hear me; and I have felt it necessary to tell them, repeatedly, that I must discontinue to preach in that language, unless the Service is better attended. How lamentable is it, that of several hundreds of that class of people who inhabit this town, so few feel inclined to worship their Creator! Oh, that God would work effectually upon their minds, and make them willing in the day of His power!

In July, Mr. Browning mentions that he had addressed a Letter to the Portuguese professing Christianity at Kandy, reproving their indifference to religious ordinances, and exhorting them to a more diligent use of the Means of Grace: this Letter had not been without effect, and had induced many to come and hear the Gospel who had not attended before, and others to be more constant in their attendance. In his Annual Report of the Station, Mr. Browning writes

The people generally listen attentively, when they can be induced to come; but our Congregations, for the most part, are very small. Of the Communicants mentioned last year, one has left Kandy, one has been suspended: the other seven continue to walk orderly, as far as I know. There are a few others whose conduct appears hopeful, but who have not yet expressed a wish to be admitted to the Lord's Table.

The number of Baptisms during the year is 16; of Marriages 10; and of Burials 16. Mr. Browning thinks that there is a little advance in moral feeling among the Native Professing Christians respecting Marriage, though many of them still live in the neglect of it.

There are 9 SCHOOLS Connected with the Station; 7 for Boys, and 2 for Girls. The Boys' Schools have

188 on the list, with an average attendance of 108; and the Girls 24, with an average attendance of 15. On these, Mr. Browning observes

A degree of progress has been made in the knowledge of Reading and Writing, and also in the theoretic knowledge of Christianity; but it is far less than could be desired, owing to the irregular attendance of the Children, and want of knowledge, zeal, and activity in the Masters: yet it may be hoped that some good is done, since many Children are thus daily taught to read the Holy Scriptures, and to commit portions of them to memory.

Four of the most promising Lads in the English School have been admitted on probation into the Christian Institution at Cotta: of the conduct of three others, supported by the Society, Mr. Browning gives a favourable account. The conduct of the English Schoolmaster, who is now separated from the Mission, has greatly tried Mr. Browning. On a review of the Station in September, he writes

It is still with us the day of small things; but, as that period is not to be despised, we must persevere in the expectation of seeing greater things. The Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor are the minds of the people so debased, but that He can raise them; so hardened, but that He can soften them; or so careless, but that He can awaken them to an anxious inquiry after the way of Salvation. May it please Him, in His own good time, to effect this glorious change, and to call from among the poor deluded Kandians a people to love Him, and to shew forth His praise!

BADDAGAME.

It was stated in the last Report, that the impaired state of their health had rendered it necessary for the Rev. Benjamin Ward and the Rev. Robert Mayor to leave Ceylon; and their arrival, with their Families, has been already mentioned. The care of the Station, on their departure, devolved on the Rev. George S. Trimnell; who has since been joined by the Rev. G. S. Faught, from Cotta.

In reference to their MINISTRY, Mr. Trimnell states, that, besides regularly preaching at the Church, and Country Schools, they constantly visit the people at their own houses; sometimes collecting together as many neighbours as they can; at others, conversing with individuals, and distributing Tracts to those who are able to read them.

In their Annual Report, they state that the Congregation at Church on the Sunday has evidently increased; and on this circumstance they remark

We wish we were able to attribute this increase to a desire in the people to hear the Word of Eternal Life; but we fear that it arises chiefly from their having been more pressingly invited to come, and from their unwillingness to offend us. But from whatever cause it arises, we are glad to see an increase in our Congregation; and, though many appear to pay little attention, yet to some we hope that the Word is not spoken altogether in vain. In our visits to the people at their own houses, and in our meetings with them at the Country Schools, we find many things to try our faith and patience; many things which ought and sometimes do, we hope, excite our pity and compassion; and some things to encourage us to persevere in the strength of the Lord.

Among their trials, they mention the circumstance of two Buddhist Priests who have come to reside in the Village, and who attract large Congregations: this, with other difficulties inseparable from Missionary Labour, has greatly harassed them but their remarks, in reference to these, shew that they know where to look for support :

The strength and the battle are the Lord's, not ours. His is the power to pull down the strong holds of Satan, and to extend His own dominions to the ends of the earth. And it may be His pleasure fully to shew us our own weakness and insufficiency, by bringing a host of enemies, trials, difficulties, and oppositions against us, that we may learn to look more to Him and less to ourselves; that He may display most clearly His more invincible power; that all may know and confess, that it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

The care of the DAY SCHOOLS is committed to Mr. Faught, and Mr. Trimnell takes charge of the Boarding Boys. Two new Schools have been opened during the year, making, exclusive of the Boarding School, 6 in number. 220 Boys are on the list; but, on an average, only 162 attend.

In the BOARDING SCHOOL there are 11 Scholars. 5 have during the year been removed to the Institution at Cotta; 1, there is reason to hope, has died in the faith and love of the Saviour; 1 has been dismissed; and 2 have been received. Of those now in the School, the Missionaries write

They, in general, make satisfactory progress in their Cingalese and English Studies, and in the knowledge of the Word of God and Christian Principles; and we are not without hope, that Divine Light may be gradually illuminating their minds, though there is no evidence of any of them being powerfully awakened to a sense of their sin and danger.

The Girls' School is not so well attended as it has been; which may, in a great measure, be accounted for by the departure of Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Mayor, who had so long conducted it. Of the general state of the Mission, Mr. Trimnell gives the following view:

We could send home statements, in which there might not be the least deviation from truth, which would be very interesting and encouraging to our friends, but would produce, however, very false impressions on their minds, and lead them to think that our work was prospering much more than it really is. Our accounts are discouraging to you, but not a tenth part so much so as the things are to us which we constantly see and hear. We would, therefore, earnestly beg, that, in all your Missionary Sermons, and in all your Addresses at Missionary Meetings, you would crave from the people, above every thing else, their believing and earnest prayers.

I must not, however, lead you to think that we have no encouragement, or that we have no distant prospect of the Sun of Righteousness rising upon this benighted land. The twilight in some countries is much longer than it is in others. In this land, the natural sun very soon after day-break springs up and shines with great splendor: in England, the faint but increasing twilight continues some hours before the sun breaks forth; yet the rising of the sun is certain. It may be the same in this country with the Sun of Righteousness: it may be long ere He shines with splendor; but His rising is sure, and the time is appointed; and we believe that there is, even now, a little glimmering of light, which will shine more and more unto the perfect day.

Mr. Selkirk and Mr. Trimnell have given an account of the many indications of regard shewn by the people towards Mr. Ward and Mr. Mayor, on occasion of the Farewell Sermon preached by Mr. Mayor previous to their departure. Referring to the expression of feeling then shewn, Mr. Trimnell writes

I have never been so much encouraged by any thing that has happened before, as I have by this scene; for I perceive that the people are not void of feeling and affection. My love for them has been greatly increased; and I hope, that I shall labour among them with more zeal and delight than I have hitherto done.

Nellore.

The Rev. Joseph Knight and the Rev. William Adley, with Mrs. Knight and Mrs. Adley, have continued their labours at Nellore. Mr. Adley visited Madras in the beginning of the year; and passed a fortnight there, with Messrs. Sawyer and Ridsdale.

In the exercise of their MINISTRY, the Missionaries have an English Service every alternate Sunday at the Fort, and a Tamul Service at Nellore on Sunday Morning and Wednesday Afternoon: the Youths, and persons connected with the Mission, are instructed on the Sunday Afternoon, and there is usually Preaching or Exposition of the Scriptures at two of the OutSchools; and, in the Evening, while the Mission Families are engaged in an English Service, the Communicants and others hold a Meeting in the Church for Prayer and mutual instruction. The Missionaries

further state:

On Monday Afternoon, a Meeting is held for Inquirers: on Wednesday Noon, one of the Missionaries assembles the Communicants; and in the Evening, after Sermon, there is a general meeting of all at the Station desirous of knowledge and instruction in the Christian Religion: on Fridays, the Schoolmasters attend, to be instructed from portions of Scripture previously given to them: on Saturday Afternoon, the Boys have a Meeting, for the purpose of being instructed in Scriptural Knowledge; and in the Evening, for Prayer that a blessing may attend Missionary Exertions: For some months past, a Monthly Native Missionary Meeting has been held on the Second Monday in the month, and, we trust, has been productive of much good: the Members of it have obtained more enlarged views of Missionary Subjects, and have been roused to more diligence and care for the souls of their Heathen Brethren.

The SCHOOLS, 19 in number, contain 973 Scholars; of whom 868 are Boys, and 105 Girls: of these, on an average, 714 Boys attend, and 80 Girls, making a Total of 794. A proportion of the Children from all the Schools attend Church on Sunday, excepting those of two of the Schools which are in an adjacent Island. Of the Children, the Missionaries report :

The attendance of the Children at School and their progress in learning have been, on the whole, more satisfactory during the past year than formerly. The Monthly Examinations to which the Schools are subjected, and by which the Master's