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last grand conflict with the prince of devils, who is leading on an army of devils to oppose his assumption of the character of Buddhu: so that, in these writings, the existence of the devil is acknowledged, and he is recognised also in his own infernal character.

"In the form of devil worship established in Ceylon, this chief of devils, in his own real character, is also recognised and acknowledged. Under him is a succession of subordinate devils, of different sizes, dispositions, and colours! These all have to do with human affairs. In a word, the world, and all things in it, are under their controul and government. The demon worship of the Greeks and Romans acknowledged good as well as evil demons: but, from all that I have ever been able to collect, I have never yet heard of a benevolent being in the worship, as practised in Ceylon. They are all evil; exercising a most wicked and malicious influence over the affairs of men: and, on this account, the natives are in continual fear of them. Hence a very sensible native young man, in my company one evening, refused to pass under a large tree which overhangs the road; and, on my asking his reasons, he told me, with great gravity, that every branch and twig of that tree was full of devils. The ideas, which the natives have of the nature and character of these objects of their devotion, may be inferred, both from the accounts given of them in their books, their attempts at representing them in pictures, and the manner in which they invariably speak of them; all of which, if we may add the services rendered them, go to shew that these invisible beings, in the opinion of the Natives, are wicked, malignant, mischievous, cruel!-in a word, diabolical! And such are the objects of devotion pointed out by the Yakadurism of Ceylon!

"This system of idolatry has its prescribed forms; which are found in records, the antiquity of which it is not easy to trace: it has its priests, and round of established ceremonies; which point out, in all their appalling display, the place from whence they sprang. The object to which all these lead, is the devil. From the brief sketch just taken of the atheistical opinions of the people, it is plain that he must be considered by them as the being into whose hands fall the government and sole management of human affairs. To conciliate the esteem and friendship of the devil, or, more properly, to avoid his malignant or mischievous interference in

their concerns, the natives propitiate him by various offerings and ceremonies, which it is impossible in this place to detail.

"The chief actors in these ceremonies are the Yakadurayas.' These men are supposed to carry on continual intercourse with the devil: they are also supposed not only to have a particular acquaintance with him, but also great influence over him. They are resorted to in cases in which persons dedicate themselves to one of these infernal beings; for it is a practice of the natives to place themselves under the protection of the devil. I forbear to describe the ceremonies practised on these occasions of self-dedication to Satan. Like most of their works of darkness, they are performed in the night. Children, at the hour of their birth, are generally dedicated to some one of these evil beings : and it is an awful fact, that, in hundreds and thousands of instances, the poor deluded people are so anxious to place themselves and all connected with them under the care and protection of the devil, that their children are solemnly dedicated to him before they are born! In such cases, the first thing put on the body of the infant, at the period of its birth, is the amulet or the charm, or, in other words, the writing which contains the name, the colour, the office, the influence, and general character of that devil to whom the child is dedicated.

"So generally does this superstition prevail, that, in a sermon which I once heard the worthy Petrus Panddetta Sekera preach out of doors to a large congregation against the worship of devils, he made a solemn appeal to his congregation; and said, that he feared almost every individual who heard him that day was living in the practice of devil-worship. He stated, also, a fact, which shews to what an extent the superstition prevails: That when he was a priest of Buddhu, he commenced a journey to the city of Kandy, with a number of other priests, to attend a celebrated festival: they arrived at a certain place, one evening, said to be under the government of a very noted devil; and all his companions feared to pass through that part of his dominions, without making some offering to him: Petrus, heathen as he was at the time, remonstrated with his fellow-travellers, but in vain: every one of them went to the place where the devil was worshipped, and, by an act of devotion, acknowledged their submission to his power.

"When the Portuguese had possession of the island of Ceylon, they prohibited

devil worship by government regulations; and made it a capital offence for any one to profess himself a devil-priest. The Dutch enacted laws against it, but of a less rigorous kind. How far such measures were successful, it is difficult to say; but it is a fact, that the delusion has so complete a hold on the hearts of the people, and occupies their hopes and fears so strongly, that nothing but the Gospel of Christ can effectually succeed in eradicating its principles and destroying its practice.

"Of late years many important steps have been taken toward a complete overthrow of this system. The Missionaries, on the various stations which they now occupy, have directed much of their attention to it, and have exposed it by every prudent means and in all our schools, among the children, the horror of this wicked worship is deeply impressed on their minds. So successful have we been in this respect, that the Christian youths, taught in our schools, not only refuse to have any thing to do with such ceremonies themselves, but, by the most public opposition, manifest their dislike. When they hear of preparations being made, in any house, for what is called a devil dance,' a small party of them will often go to the spot, remonstrate with the people, and, if their own arguments will not avail, threaten to inform, and bring the Missionary, which is generally successful.

"In the large and populous village of Colpetty, I have known many instances in which our elder boys have, by their own exertions, put down these vile ceremonies: hence, in that village, which a few years ago abounded with such practices, a ceremony of this kind is now scarcely ever performed. At another large and populous village, about two miles to the south of Colpetty, where the same practices were very prevalent, a number of 'Yakadurayas' and 'Cappoas' united together to have a grand ceremony, which was to continue a week, and at which thousands of people were expected to attend with offerings; in this village several pious natives reside, who have been truly converted to God: they were shocked to witness the preparations going on; they united to protest against the ceremony, exerted all their influence to prevent it, and came to me to beg that I would assist them. I went to the spot, witnessed the shocking preparations, and shall never forget the zeal of the pious natives, who were principally females: after contending the matter for two days, with a whole host of devil's priests, our friends suc

ceeded in preventing this ceremony being performed; and, pleasing to tell, these men have scarcely ever since been able to raise their heads in public.

"Our excellent friend, George Nadoris, a short time before I left the country, was taken very ill; and was ordered by the doctors to go to his native village for a change of air. That village (Amblom Goddy) is the most notorious in the island for devil-worship, and is proverbially given up to it. When George arrived there, he was instantly surrounded by his family, his friends, and their numerous connexions; entreating him to allow them to send for the devil's priests, to expel the devil, and cure him of his disorder. But George was firm, and proof against all the attempts made upon him: and not only opposed these practices, as they related to his own case, but continued, while there, to reason with the people on their wickedness; and assured them, that Christianity had taught him to look to God, and to cast all his concerns into the hands of a merciful Saviour, Jesus Christ. God graciously raised him up from the bed of death, and restored him to his friends and his work again; and, on his return to Colombo, I had from himself the particulars of this Christian triumph over the works of darkness.

"One of those agents of Satan, with whom I had much conversation on the subject, lately begged a New Testament from me; which I gave him on his solemnly promising that he would take care of it, and read it with attention and prayer. A day or two before I went on board, he came from his village, about fifteen miles from Colombo; and brought a petition signed by about fifty of the chief men of the village, requesting a Christian school, with the names of about fifty children as a commencement.

He offered himself as the master; and engaged, if we would help and stand by him, that he would not only teach the school on Christian principles, but would drive the worship of the devil both from his own and the neighbouring villages."

PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY IN SOUTH AMERICA.

The conductors of the Missionary Register have for several years furnished the public with an annual survey of the progress of Christian Missions which has at length become the most complete and important table of missionary statistics to be found in any language. We present our readers, as a specimen,

with the following synoptical view of the incipient efforts now in progress for the promotion of Christian truth and its accompanying blessings in South America. The chief facts have already appeared at different times in our pages; but our readers will not be displeased at a summary recapitulation of circumstances so fraught with the brightest hopes for that extensive continent.

The progress of education in the new States of South America is gradually consolidating their civil liberties, and opening the way to religious freedom. In Columbia, between forty and fifty schools of mutual instruction have been established; one of which, at Santa Fé, contains six hundred scholars. In Peru, the Government has manifested the deep interest which it feels in the universal education of the people, by a decree, issued July 6, 1822, for the establishment of the system throughout the whole of Peru. The work had met with delay; but, in May last, it had been entered on with one hundred scholars, in the college of the Dominicans, at Lima, the whole of which has been appropriated by the Government to this object. For the preservation and extension of the design, the conduct of it has been committed to a special society; and an article has been adopted in the Constitution, by which every person will be disqualified, after the year 1840, from becoming a citizen, who cannot read and write-time being given for the operation of this law, from a consideration of the neglect in which education has been left in these countries. In Chili, the Government had issued, on the 19th of January, a similar decree, establishing a society for the promotion of universal mutual instruction, under its own especial authority and patronage. In Buenos Ayres, at Mendoza at the foot of the Andes, Mr. Thompson, who has rendered in this State, and in those of Chili and Peru, the most important aid, organized a flourishing female school, under the highest patronage: at San Juan and Monte Video, also, schools were established. Of the state of education in the Brazils, no particular information has appeared. That some judgment may be formed of the manner in which the subject of education is viewed in these lately emancipated portions of the New World, we shall quote the decrees, above mentioned, issued by the Governments of Peru and Chili. In that of Peru, it is said

"Without education, there is, properly speaking, no society. Men may, indeed, CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 267.

live together without it; but they cannot know the extent of the duties and the rights which bind thein one to another, and it is in the knowledge of these duties and rights that the well-being of society consists. The bringing of education to some degree of perfection is, from the nature of the thing, slow to accomplish it, time is required, and some degree of stability in the Government, as well as some other circumstances both natural and moral: all these must combine, in order that the education of the people may become general, and that thus a foundation may be laid for the continuance of those institutions which may be established among them. Of the various improvements which the Government has been desirous of making, none has been more earnestly and constantly kept in view, since the moment of its commencement, than the reformation of public education. In those intervals of tranquillity which have been enjoyed from the clamour of arms, this object has occupied their attention."

In the same truly wise and patriotic strain the Government of Chili speaks

"The surest method of promoting the happiness of any country, is to make all the people in it well informed and industrious. An end has at length been put to the obstacles which prevented the natives of Chili from enjoying those blessings which are enjoyed by other nations less favoured by nature, but who have preceded us in the cultivation of literature and the arts it is hence necessary now to strain every nerve to regain that time, which idleness and darkness have thrown away. We begin, then, by offering an opportunity of acquiring knowledge to all classes of the community, without respect of rank or fortune, of sex or age. The propagation of this system holds out the surest means of extirpating those principles formed among us during the time of darkness. The Government has resolved zealously to protect this establishment; and, as the best way of fulfilling its intention, has resolved to unite with it in this object those persons who have the same sentiments on the subject, and who at the same time possess that activity, zeal, and energy, which this important matter demands. The object of this institution is, to extend, in every direction throughout Chili, the benefits of education-to promote the instruction of all classes, but especially of the poor-to seize all the advantages which this new system of education holds out, and to open resources by

2 C

Vicar with a large family, being so poor himself, and I believe insolvent, can give me but very little salary. Out of 401. my nominal stipend, I have received less than twenty for the last twelvemonth, which, as I have a wife and five young children to support, involves me in difficulties. I have the happiness to say, that my congregation is on the increase, the Sundayschool thriving, and that I trust a good work is going on among us. The parishioners, though they are but poor, and can do but little for me, are very kind and, affectionate, and I should be sorry to leave them."

6." It has pleased our heavenly Father to permit my poor wife to labour under very great affliction since Christmas, 1821. Her sufferings have been great, but she was wonderfully supported and comforted in the day of affliction by the Holy Spirit. My eldest daughter was very ill all the winter, and my own health is greatly im paired; but I have cause to be thankful to my heavenly Father, that my condition is not worse, and that it hath pleased Him to deal so mercifully with me and them.I have six children, the eldest not quite fourteen years of age, dependent on me for support. The whole of my income will not exceed sixty-two pounds this year, and that very uncertain, as the farmers are so poor. The number of my communicants is about 120. The sacrament is administered every month."

7. "I take the liberty of addressing you once more for that assistance, of which I stand as much in need as ever.—I have a family of six children at home, and the other four, I provide with clothes, with a salary of fifty pounds per annum. The produce of my farm, this and the last year, was so much damaged, and almost spoiled, that it is worth little more than the charges attending it; and I am obliged to buy corn to support my numerous family till the next harvest! However, as things are, I desire to praise God for such a truly Christian Society, where the faithful ministers of the Gospel can pour out their tale of woe, when depressed by pinching poverty, and bowed down with urgent wants; and where they generally find friends to alleviate their distresses."

8. "It is with the liveliest emotions of gratitude to a faithful God, the Author of all good, that 1 take up my pen to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favour, containing a bank post bill, value

Oh! my dear sir, thank also, in a better way than I am able, your benevolent and sympathising Committee.-Blessed be the name of our God for this seasonable measure of relief; whereby I shall be enabled conscientiously to continue my ministry among a people dearly beloved and longed for in the Gospel. Assure them, that their undeserved liberality shall (God being my helper) stimulate me to greater diligence to make full proof of my ministry, in all the various departments of the pastoral care."

During the thirty-six years in which this Society has existed, it has distributed to distressed clergymen, one thousand, five hundred, and ninty-six grants of various sums of money; amounting, in the whole, to forty-three thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight pounds.

Until within the last few years, the regular income of the Society proved sufficient to meet the applications that were made for its assistance. It conscientiously laid out, on government security, nearly all the legacies, donations, and lifeit received; in subscriptions which order that the yearly interest on these sums might be a permanent supply in addition to the annual subscriptions. The Committee is now, however, constrained to say, that the calls upon its resources have of late been so increasingly numerous, that besides, in many cases, granting smaller sums than would otherwise have been done, they have, within the last three years, been under the painful necessity of disposing of seventeen hundred pounds of their capital stock; although upon the interest of their funded property so much of their operations depends. Independently of stock sold, the total receipts of the Society compared with its payments in the past year, are as 16847. received, to 23937. paid.

On these grounds the Committee are constrained to make a more pressing appeal than they ever yet have done to the liberality of the Christian public. Their solicitation is on behalf of a class of pious and diligent persons, highly deserving the commiseration and assistance of all who wish well to the efficiency of our excellent Establishment, and view it as powerful instrument, under Divine Providence, for promoting true religion and sound morality, in the more sequestered, as well as the more populous, parts of England and Wales.

a most

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

FOREIGN.

FRANCE. The returns of deputies from the recent elections have been so well secured by the government, that only seventeen opposition members are to be found in a chamber of 430 members. The sessions have just opened. The speech gives no pledge as to any specific time for withdrawing the army of occupation in Spain. It proposes a septennial parliament, which will add greatly to the already too dominant influence of the crown. With regard to the East of Europe, and Spanish and Portuguese America, it only expresses a hope that the affairs of these countries will be regulated for the interests of the people, and the commercial benefit of the world.

AMERICA.---The new American Governments are consolidating their liberties, and drawing together the ties of union for their common defence. A treaty of amity and confederation has been ratified between the Columbian Republic and the State of Mexico, in which each contracting party binds itself to assist the other in case of hostile aggression against its nascent liberties. Chili, Peru,and BuenosAyres were expected to unite in the same measure. In Brazil, respecting which some apprehensions were entertained on account of the counter-revolution in Portugal, and the probable views of the reigning prince, the eldest son of the house of Braganza, the issue has been very favourable; the emperor having himself proposed a constitution built upon very liberal principles, and not much unlike our own in some of its leading provisions. The crown is to be hereditary; the Roman Catholic worship is to be the established religion, with toleration for private or domestic worship by all other persuasions, but without allowing them any external form or temple. This disgraceful bigotry continues to cleave to the Roman Catholic states in the new as well as the old world. The legislature will consist of two chambers, senators and deputies, with much the same duties as our two houses of parliament. The senators are fixed for life, the deputies are to be periodically dissolved. Suffrage is in a sense universal, though not directly so; every citizen having a vote in his parish in the choice of the provincial electors, who are to choose the

deputies and senators. The ministry are constitutionally responsible for the proceedings of the crown. The military are to act under the civil power, and no officer is to be deprived of his commission without the sentence of a regular tribunal. All causes, civil and criminal, are to be decided by a jury; the judge determining the law, and the jury the fact. Most of the other provisions are in a similar spirit. We are not informed whether the Slaves have derived any benefit from the constitution which has been given to Brazil.

DOMESTIC.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer's financial scheme for the year, has not only the great merit of being perfectly clear and intelligible, which is a new aud auspicious feature in our public accounts, but it discloses views and prospects of the most hopeful kind, as respects the future prosperity of the country, and which demand our national gratitude to the Supreme Author of all blessings, public and private. After liquidating every demand for the year 1823, and reserving a sinking fund of 5,000,000l. allotted by Parliament, there remains an excess of revenue of 1,710,985l. The estimates for 1824 are as follow:

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