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them instead of an altar, and there they are offered up as so many sacrifices.

In their funeral ceremonies, they bury the bodies. of the dead in the earth, and they watch the grave seven nights together, least the devil should steal the body away; for they are fully persuaded that no injury can happen to them in the day. And during all this time, they make the bed of the deceased in the same manner as if he had been alive. Nay, they spread a table before the bed, and place victuals upon it. They imagine that the soul quits her tenement of clay with the utmost reluctance, and hovers for some time around it.

It has been asserted by some voyagers, that these islanders were formerly men-eaters, or cannibals; but of this we have no certain proof, and probably there are but few such wretches, if any at all in the world.

With all the customs above mentioned, they have some of a very extraordinary nature. When a prince or chief magistrate dies, those who inhabit the other islands send ambassadors to attend the funeral solemnity, and likewise to present their compliments of condolance. When they imagine death is approaching, they swallow large draughts of opium, in order to stupify their senses; this serves to drown their tears, and make them forget all thoughts of eternity or a future state. It is the same when they execute a malefactor; for they make him swallow opium till he knows not what he is doing, and then they crown his head with a chaplet of flowers, after which he is led out and put to death in a state of insensibility.

In their declarations of war against their enemies, they use several ceremonies of a formal and solemn nature, and very much like what was practised by the Greeks and Romans, and by many other ancient nations. They send a herald to the enemy, and when he arrives, he stands up in the most public place, where there are great numbers of people assembled, and with uplifted hands and eyes to heaven, he takes all the gods, earth, hell, and the souls of the dead to witness, that he has nothing more at heart, than doing justice to his country. He then repeats aloud the reasons why his countrymen have taken up arms, adding, that they scorn to take the advantage like cowards, but will meet them courageously face to face. Before they undertake any enterprize against their enemies, they have recourse for aid to several superstitious ceremonies, such as the flight of birds; but the most remarkable is, the striking a hatchet into the body of a tree, and if it falls out of itself, it points out that they will be successful, but if it remains fixed, then they

lay down their arms, and refrain for that season from fighting.

They wear round their necks bracelets of glass, and on the appearance of every new moon, they cut a hen's throat, and dip these bracelets, which they call Mamakus, into the blood, and from the colour of the glass when taken out, they pretend to foretel many future events. They use a vast variety of musical instruments on all their solemn fes-tivals, and when on such occasions they go in procession, they dance naked behind the musicians. This practice is of great antiquity, for we find, that David king of Israel, danced before the ark, and although it displeased his wife Michal, yet we do not find that any of the prophets reproved him for it, which they always did, on other occasions, when he displeased the divine Being.

Although it is difficult to discover any relation between dancing and religion, yet among the pagans it constantly made a part of their worship of the gods. It was usual to dance round the altars and statues; and there was at Rome, an order of priests called the Salii; they were dedicated to the service. of Mars, and they danced on particular days, thro' the streets, in honour of their god, and had their name from that very ceremony. Indeed religious dancing was so much the taste of the pagans, that the poets made the gods dance along with the graces, the muses, and virtues. When the Jews kept the feast of the golden calf, they sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play, which means to dance, and undoubtedly they learned this in Egypt. Arnobius, an ancient Christian writer, asked the pagans, if their gods were pleased with the tinkling of brass, and rattling of cymbals, or with the sound of drums, and musical instruments. The idolators in the other parts of the world, even to this day, have the same esteem for this custom, and the greatest part of the worship they pay to their deities consists in dancing. On the whole it appears, that dancing was first practised by the heathens in their temples, as a part of their religious worship, to point out their gratitude to their gods, either for general, or particular favours; nor have the Christians been altoge ther free from this custom. The Christians of St. Thomas dance in honour of that saint, before whom they cross themselves, and sing a hymn. The men dance in one apartment, and the women in another, but both observe the greatest decency. At present, however, there are but few of the Roman catholics who pay much regard to this ceremony, and in all probability it will fall into disrespect, and cease to be practised.

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The inhabit ants who reside on the sea coast of Borneo are Mahometans, of whom we shall speak in the proper place; but those in the inland parts are all pagans. They pay divine adoration to the sun, moon, and stars, and their actions in life are regulated by the flight of birds. Therefore, if one of these birds that merit their attention, nappens to fly toward them when they are going abroad in the morning, they return home, and stay within doors the remainder of the day. But on the other hand, if the bird directs her flight towards the road the traveller intends to take, it is considered as a propitious omen, and an assurance of success. Their rites and ceremonies are so like those of the Molucca islands, that they are plainly derived from the same original. |

In Borneo, the young men are not permitted to marry, till they have presented their mistresses with some heads of their enemies; and the same custom prevails in Sumatra, among such of the inhabitants as are pagans; for the sea-coast is, for the most part, inhabited by Mahometans. In Java, all the inland inhabitants are pagans, and believe in the doctrine of the transmigration of souls. They believe there are two gods, the one good and the other evil, and it is the evil spirit or devil whom they worship, from a principle of fear. They never address him, without presenting something at his altars, in order to prevail with him not to hurt them. Some of them were formerly even more stupid, for they worshipped, for the day, the first thing that presented itself to them in the morning. species of idolatry, which perhaps never before took place in any part of the world; and we are told, that the mahometans, who first settled among them, ridiculed them out of these notions. When these Indians were first discovered by the Europeans, they were more barbarous than they are at present, for whenever a person was taken sick, a magician was consulted, and if it was found that the patient was incurable, then he was immediately strangled, in order to put an end to his misery. In the same manner, they put all those to death, who either through old age or infirmities, were rendered incapable of working for a subsistence. Their nuptial ceremonies were formerly celebrated in the following manner: the friends and relations of the

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bridegroom marched in procession to the bride's house, with drums beating and tinkling cymbals; some of them carrying horses tails in their hands, in imitation of standards; others carried swords, and as they moved forward, they fought a kind of mock battle. The women complimented them with the usual presents, consisting of different articles of houshold goods, and the bride, who waited at the gate with a pitcher of water, washed the bridegroom's feet, as a token of her future submission.

This part of the ceremony being over, the bridegroom and bride went into the house, but instantly joined the procession to the bridegroom's house; with this difference, that the young couple walked hand in hand together, the bridegroom's horse being led by a servant. In this manner the procession went on, and when it arrived at the destined place, the bride and bridegroom were conducted into a commodious apartment, and left for sometime by themselves. After this a grand entertainment was given, which generally lasted about three days. Many of these ceremonies are now fallen into disuse, but still the people are gross idolators. It is true, the Dutch, who have some settlements in those islands, have converted a few of the natives to Christianity (though the number is very inconsiderable) owing rather to the pious zeal of the clergy, than to any assistance given by the merchants.

A fair opportunity presents itself to the Dutch, for the conversion of these idolators, they understand their language, and the Dutch religion having few rites and ceremonies, these people having heard it explained, and been taught to read, would see the purity and simplicity of a form of worship, which could not be presented to them by the Jesuits. They are protestants alone who should be sent to preach to heathen nations, for it signifies very little to change some ceremonies for others, and repeat prayers in a language they do not understand.

Vast success has attended the ministration and labours of some protestant missionaries, sent from the churches of England and Scotland, from the methodists and moravians; but it is greatly to be feared, that there are too many European merchants, who to acquire fortunes, would wish ignorance and error to prevail among their fellow creatures, who have precious and immortal souls as well as themselves. "They that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. xii. 3.

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The RELIGION of CEYLON.

The priests, however, who generally know how to be revenged on those who meddle with what they consider as their temporal interest, resolved to take part with their insulted god. One day, as the king went into the long deserted temple to mock at the image, the priests had so contrived matters, that the sovereign was like to have paid dear for his impiety.

THE inhabitants of Ceylon are all Pagans, for in it, was not capable of working miracles, and although some of them acknowledge there is therefore he ordered his subjects to treat it with every one Supreme God, yet they allow of many subor-mark of ignominy, to the no small loss of the priests. dinate ones to act under him; and this was the idolatry of the antient Greeks and Romans. Thus they have gods for agriculture, some for navigation, for sickness, and for almost every thing. All their idols are represented by the most fantastic and monstrous images. One of these is formed like a giant, a giant, and by them called Buddu, who lived a very holy and penitent life. The inhabitants reckon their years from the time this Buddu lived, and as it agrees with the fortieth year of the Christian Era, most of the Jesuits are of opinion, that he was St. Thomas the apostle.

They add further, that this Buddu, who was not born in their country, died on the continent, and the time of his death agrees with that of the apostle St. Thomas, although it is much more probable that he was a native of China, and perhaps the same person whom they call Fo, for we cannot depend on the truth of their chronologies. The tooth of an ape, which a Portuguese governor caused to be burnt, was formerly adored as one of Buddu's. In vain did the Portuguese attempt, by this means, to put an end to their superstition, and idolatrous worship; for they gave it out that the tooth made its escape from the hands of its enemies, and took refuge on a rose. It is the province of Buddu to watch over and protect the souls of men, to be with them in this life, and to support them when dying.

The devil is also worshipped here, under the name Jaca, and their religious motives arise from fear. They often sacrifice all they have to this infernal spirit; and although the Jesuits said all they could to persuade them to desist from such abominable idolatry, yet it was all in vain; for ignorant as those people are, they made answer, that they sacrificed to the devil to procure his friendship and favour. They are extremely fond of miracles, otherwise they could not have believed that the tooth of Buddu made its escape from the fire, but they have others no less wonderful.

One of their pagods or temples, had been shut-up many years, and totally deserted by the devotees, who formerly came to it to worship; for the king of the country had given out, that the image placed

Fire issued out of the mouth of the image, his eyes sparkled resentment, and in his hand he held a scymiter, ready to plunge into the heart of the royal unbeliever. His majesty, conscious of his guilt, acknowledged it, begged pardon in the most supplicant manner, and adored the deity that threatened to punish him. The devotees thronged in crowds to the pagod, worship was re-established there, and the god was adored with as much fervency as ever. From that time, the natives of Ceylon have there worshipped Buddu as the guardian of their island, and of the whole universe; and they are of opinion, that the world can never be destroyed while this image stands in his temple. In sickness, in adversity, and under all sorts of afflictions, they make their addresses to this image, and in every house there is a basket of flowers devoted to his service, and kept to make a part of their freewill-offerings.

As there are elephants in this island, so they have an idol, whose head resembles the head of that creature, and this image is worshipped as the deity who bestows on mankind the blessings of wisdom, understanding, riches, and health. They have likewise figures of this idol placed on their highways, and public roads. in the hollow parts of trees; and near these figures are erected heaps, or piles, of tones, to put travellers in mind that they are places of worship, and every worshipper must add a stone to the heap. This seems to have been a very antient practice; for we read in Gen. xxviii. 18. that when Jacob saw the vision of the ladder, and the angels ascending and decending while he was journing towards Padan-Aram, he took the stone he had used as a pillow, set it up, and poured oil upon it,

These people, also worship the sun, moon, and stars, and to that worship, they join the adoration of the devil, which is done in little rural huts erec

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ted in their gardens, and adorned with boughs and flowers, and all sorts of provisions are left in them for the devil to regale himself with. They summon the devil to make his appearance by beating a drum, but if he does not eat up all the provisions, then the remainder is distributed among the poor. Some of the priests in Ceylon, deny that the images are the gods themselves, but they imagine they are endued with divine virtues, and that they have the power of working miracles, as long as they are treated with reverence and respect.

They have three orders of priests, each of which is subordinate to, and dependant on superiors chosen out of the Tirinanxes, or Terumwanses; the first are, properly speaking, the sole priests of Buddu, and the most eminent clergy of the island, all the great officers being selected from them. They have likewise a high priest, who is always a venerable old man; and as a mark of distinction and honour, wears a gold ribband, and a kind of fan, which bears a near resemblance to the Talapat, made use of by the priests of Siam.

These priests have a convent, situated in a pleasant grove, but none are admitted into their order, except such as are come of the best families in the island, and whose characters are irreproachable. Buddu is the saint whom these priests adore, and they are all dressed in yellow silk gowns, tied round their bodies, with sashes made of thread. They never suffer their hair to grow, but go bareheaded. They are treated with the utmost respect, for the people fall down and adore them in the same manner as they do their idols; and, really, they are so highly conceited of themselves, that they never return the compliment, nor take any notice of those infatuated creatures who treat them with divine honours.

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The devotion of the common people is very advantageous to the priests, as will appear to the following particular instances, well known to all those who have visited the island of Ceylon: When a person begins to entertain serious thoughts concerning the salvation of his soul, he sends iminediately for one of the priests, who visits him in the most splendid manner, attended by four servants holding a canopy over his head. The devotee makes an elegant entertainment for his priest, and presents him with as many valuable things as his cucunstances will admit of. The priest stays two or thice days at the house, and during that time sings several hymns, extracted from the books of devo ion used in their temples, after which he explains the maning of those hymns to all such as are present. When the priest departs, he blesses the devotee, and tells him that he may be assured of happiness hereafter, after which the whole company depart. It is remarkable, that these people who believe in the doctrine of the transmigration of souls, should be so earnest to know what will be their state hereafter; but then it must be observed, that there are many different opinions among them, without so much as one being consistent to the truth.

The second order of their priests are called Koppuhs, but they wear no distinguishing habit from the laity, not even when they perform their solemn services, only that they wash themselves and put on clean linen. Each of them enjoys a small piece of ground, adjoining to their pagods, which they cultivate during their leisure hours, if the revenue of the temple is not sufficient to support them, but if it is, then they employ labourers for that purpose. The whole of their public service consists in offering up provisions to the idol, which they leave in his presence, and if he does not chuse to eat it (which perhaps he never does) then the priests and musicians come and take it away.

The priests of the Genii, are the third order; they are called faddeses, but they have no fixed revenue, their subsistence depending on those devotees who come to worship in the pagods. These pagods are richly adorned with figures of all sorts of warlike in

Wherever these priests appear, a mat is spread on ground, and their seats are covered with a white linen coverlid, which is an honour never shewn to any, but to them and the king. They are not permitted to follow any mechanical employment, nor to marry, or even so much as to touch a woman. They eat but one meal a day, and if they indulge themselves any farther, it must be only in the use of a few fruits, rice, beans, pease, or such other inno-struments; but in the temple of Buddu, there are cent things. They are allowed on particular occasions to eat flesh, but they are not to give any direcConcerning the killing of animals, that being considered as inconsistent with the nature of their order. Whenever they please, they may renounce their order and become laymen, which is attended with no other ceremony besides that of stripping themselves naked, throwing their cloaths into the river, and bathing themselves all over,

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No. 5.

figures of men sitting cross legged, in yellow cascocks, having their hair curled, and their hands placed before them just like women; and these they say, are the spirits of departed saints. Some devotees who are not priests, erect chappels for themselves, but in each of them they are obliged to have an image of Buddu, and light up tapers or wax candles before it, and adorn it with flowers, Theis principal days for public devotion are Wednesdays Gg

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and Thursdays, and the purport of their petitions | are, that God would be pleased to bless them, and preserve them in health, to keep them humble in prosperity, and support them in adversity. Their prayers are seldom directed to the Supreme Being, but to him, through the mediation of a subordinate deity. When none of their entreaties will prevail, they offer up a red cock to the devil, and this they perform in the most gloomy part of a grove, where they believe the devil is ready to accept of it, guarded by great numbers of his imps and attendants.

They have two sorts of solemn festivals, first, in honour of Buddu, whose peculiar province it is to take care of, and preserve the souls of men; secondly, in honour of those gods, who govern the universe and all things pertaining to this life. These earthly gods are called genii, and their festivals have not much in them remarkable. When the people are assembled together, the priest holds a painted staff in his hand, adorned with flowers, and the people fall down on their knees before it. When the people have made their offerings to the staff, the priest lays it upon his shoulders, and at the same time, covers his mouth with a linen cloth, lest his breath should pollute the sacred ensign of his order. He next mounts on the back of an elephant, covered with linen, and rides in the following manner through the city:

Forty or fifty elephants, adorned with little bells, open the procession, and these are followed by seveFal men, disguised like giants. The next part of the procession consists of drummers, trumpeters, and all sorts of musicians, followed by a select band of women, who dance to their different tunes. The priest makes his appearance next, mounted on his elephant, with his sacred staff in his hand, and this is considered as an emblematical representation of the great Creator of heaven and earth. Behind the chief priest, walks one of an inferior rank, with a long pole in his hand, at the end of which is fixed an umbrella, which is held over the pontiff's head, to screen him from the heat of the sun, from the rain, or from any inclemency of the weather. There are two other elephants, one on the right hand, and one one on the left, and on the back of each of these are two priests. The two priests who ride foremost on the elephants, represent gods of an inferior rank, and the two behind, hold umbrellas over their heads. These priests are followed by several female attendants, who fan them, and drive away the flies, and after them march some thousands of devotees, three a-breast, walking on flowers, with which the streets are covered.

This festival is observed fifteen days together,

during which time their images are set before the gates of their pagods, that the people may bring their oblations to them, and the houses are illuminated in the night, and covered with boughs in the day. The feast begins with the new moon, and about two or three days before her full, a great number of sedans are ranged at the doors of the pagods, filled with relics, and near each of them is placed a large silver chalice, as a testimony of veneration for the gods. As soon as the moon is just upon her full, all the devotees repair to the river, to fill their cha-. lices with water, and then they deposit them in their pagods. This holy water remains in the chalice till the next year, when it is again filled; and besides this feast, they have another in November, which: consists in planting tall pales around the pagods and illuminating them from top to bottom. This festival begins when the moon is at the full, and continues seven days; but it is not so solemn as the other already mentioned.

Buddu, the god of souls, is represented by several little images made of silver, brass, stone, or white clay, and these are set up in almost every corner, even in caverns and on rocks, to all which piles, the devotees carry a variety of provisions, every new and full moon throughout the year; but it is in March they celebrate the grand festivals of Buddu, at which time they imagine the new year begins. At this festival, they go to worship in two different places, which have been made famous by their legendary stories concerning them. One of them is the highest mountain in the island, and called by the Christians, Adam's Peake; the other is in a place where Buddu reposed himself under a tree, which planted itself there for the more commodious reception of the deity, who, when he was on earth, frequently amused himself under its agreeable shade, and under that tree, the pagans in Ceylon adore their Buddu, whom they really believe to be a god.

They have such a veneration for this place, and especially for the tree, that they go in pilgrimages to it, and such as are not able to reach that sacred place, get as near to it as possibly they can, and enter the first pagod they come to on the road, where they worship with their faces towards the sacred tree. This tree is surrounded with cabins, cells, huts, and tents, besides several larger edifices of different materials, which are divided into various apartments for the more commodious reception of separate families. The devotees are accompanied by a train of dancers, who perform several antic gestures, much in the same manner as is practised by our merry-andrews on stages.

When Buddu ascended into heaven, he left the

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