ries are not educated for the particular
colonies to which they are sent; upon arrival, they are totally
ignorant of the language of the natives, accordingly, they are
perfectly useless for the purpose of "propagating the gospel among the
heathen." Their mission should be that of instructing the young, and
for this purpose they should first be instructed themselves.

I do not wish to throw a shade upon the efforts of missionary labor; I
have no doubt that they use great exertions privately, which the public
on the spot do not observe; but taking this for granted as the case,
the total want of success in the result becomes the more deplorable. I
have also no doubt that the missionaries penetrate into the most remote
parts of Ceylon and preach the gospel. For many years I have traversed
the wildernesses of Ceylon at all hours and at all seasons. I have met
many strange things during my journeys, but I never recollect having
met a missionary. The bishop of Colombo is the only man I know who
travels out of the high road for this purpose; and he, both in this and
many other respects, offers an example which few appear to follow.

Nevertheless, although Protestant missionaries are so rare in the
jungles of the interior, and, if ever there, no vestige ever remains of
such a visit, still, in spots where it might be least expected, may be
seen the humble mud hut, surmounted by a cross, the certain trace of
some persevering priest of the Roman faith. These men display an
untiring zeal, and no point is too remote for their good offices.
Probably they are not so comfortable in their quarters in the towns as
the Protestant missionaries, and thus they have less hesitation in
leaving home.

The few converts that have been made are chiefly Roman Catholics, as
among the confusion arising from our multitudinous sects and schisms
the native is naturally bewildered. What with High Church, Low Church,
Baptists, Wesleyans, Presbyterians, etc., etc., etc., the ignorant
native is perfectly aghast at the variety of choice.

With the members of our Church in such a dislocated state, progression
cannot be expected by simple attempts at conversion; even were the
natives willing to embrace the true faith, they would have great
difficulty in finding it amidst the crowd of adverse opinions. Without
probing more deeply into these social wounds, I must take leave of the
missionary labors in Ceylon, trusting that ere long the eyes of the
govern