Tuere was a large attendance at the Philharmonic Hall on Thursday night (4th) to hear a lecture on Ceylon," delivered by the Rev. T. R. Stevenson, in connection with the Shanghai Young Men's Christian Association, The chair was taken by the Rev. J. A. Silsby, who, after the meeting had been opened with prayer by the Rev.
F, Tatum, introduced Mr. Stevenson to the meeting.
The lecture began with " somewhat detailed examination of Bishop Heber's popular hymn commencing with the words Prom Greenland's icy mountains." A reference is there made to Ceylon. How about its correctness? It was shown to be both false and true. "Spicy breezes" do not exist there. There are breezes, e cially during the monsoons, and there are miles and miles of cinnamon gardens, but no odour is emitted: "Thy Bishop adds that every prospect plessea" and. his is absolutely true; Ceylon isa lovely island, Both by night and by day the natural attractions of sea, sky and earth are great. Is it also correct that, as the hymn says, "Only man is vile?" tis. Heathenism is nut without its virtues, but the moral atmosphere surrounding it is bad. For instance, honesty and trustfulness are greatly at a discount. The Singalese are deficient in truthfulness. Several instances of this were adduced. Deeds of violence, too, are by no means rare. Buddhism, which is the religion of Ceylon, declares all life to be sacred; nevertheless, human life is sometimes held very cheap. The lecturer mentioned some examples of this, dwelling on jo as a common thing in certain Allusion was next made to the work carried on by the various missions in the island, Preaching is a main means of effecting the spiritual welfare of the people. The native preachers are usually very eficieut. They are commonly good speakers and sometimes really el Illustratious of this followed. cation is a grand aid to evangelization. A knowledge lence often undermines the then in their own religion, 'A case was adduced in which a young man declared that he was led to doubt and finally to abandon Buddhism by studying astronomy. All the mission stations have day-schools, and these are a powerful auxiliary. Kaucation often proved to be a John the Baptist, crying, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." An account was given of Biblical translation and revision. The lecturer closed with extended reference to Christian literature which was circulated in Ceylon, especially able, interesting, and suitable tracts. Dr. Judson of America was found tobe most helpful in this way by books of his which were rendered into the language of Ceylon and often eagerly read. "The finale of the address was an appeal to the audience to confide in, pray for, and in all available ways to aid those who were working in the dark places of the earth" for Him who is the Light of the World."
On the motion of the Chairman, the usual compliment of a vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.