RI

OF

History of the Dutch Reformed Church

in Sri Lanka (Ceylon).

SPES EST, RECERM:NAT

Collated and Edited a,tthe requ€st of

the General Consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church
in Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

″
‐
S.D。 ■ 錮山 咽
Copyright-1983 .....
The General Consistgry of
.

The Dutch Reformed Church in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) ..1

Published by ・
Pragna Publishers
懸 ,Galle Road,Colombo 4.

Printed at
The Evangel Press Ltd。 ,

490/8,Havdock Road,c910mb9 6.
 FOREWORD

Oven the years there had been much talk of writing a history of the
"Dutch Reformed Church." While the names of many were sugges-
ted and some were even asked, no one attempted to write the history.

Five years ago the name of Mr. Douglas Franciscus was sug-
gested as one who was suitable for the task. He had been involved
in the administration of the Church for a number of years and is one
who has a deep love for the Church and for the Truth it proclaims.
He very readily took up the Challenge.

By nature, Mr. Franciscus is an annotator and one who is not

satisfied till he checks and cross checks his facts and will spare no
pains in doing so. I am personally aware that he burnt much mid-
night oil and picked many brains-the result "Faith of Our Fathers."

The History of a Church is not just the story of a pedple, their

lliumphs and failures-it is more-it is the working of God in a parti-
cular context, in and through a particular people.

I am personally grateful to Mr. Franciscus for placing before the

present generation "The Faith of Our Fathers" and my prayer is
that God will through this history spur us on in Faith to emulate
"Our Father" to do greater things for His Glory.

Dpston Thuring
Presidcnt
The General Consistory of the
Dutch Reformed Churchin Sri Lanka lCeylon),
August 1983.

」
 P REFAC E

THe need for a Handbook for easy reference, covering the work and
the beginning of the Dutch Reformed Church in this Island had been
felt for a long time, but, no attempt had been made to produce one.
There was a move to publish a book giving the History of the Church
to coincide with the Tercentenary Celebrations in 1942, but very
unfortunately, it did not materialise.

The step forward is taken now. This little Handbook is not a

pretentious effort at a Historical treatise or a scholarly monograph,
but rather, a humble brief Manual recording fascinating historical
data and events in the life of the Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon,
in a simple narrative, to link the glory of the past to the needs oI the
present and the hopes for the future. Here then, is a Sook of Refe-
rence with a difference-a book in retrospect, introspect and prospect.

It is not possible to review in detail the story of the Church in a

publication of this size. That which is related is by no means com-
prehensive because of limited research. Nevertheless, it is presented
with the hope that it will prove useful and be of interest to the mem-
bers of our Church and show what a rich heritage is ours.

In compiling this book, I have to acknowledge the invaluable

assistance given byMr. Sam Mottau (retired Senior Assistant Govern-
ment Archivist) and Rev. Dunstan Thuring in checking the manu-
scripts, and the many members of the Church and friends with whom
information was counterchecked before inclusion.

As you read these pages, you will be led to observe the remark-
able and rich variety of tasks and callings of faithful servants of God.
It clearly demonstrates how God employs the ordinary talents He
gives to ordinary men and women that His Church and the world
in which they laboured ungrudgingly, may be enriched and blest.
As the path to dedication and achievement is clearly unfolded for the
years ahead, let us do it as "From......through......unto Him"
(Romans 11 :36).

Douglas Franciscus
Colombo.
August 1983.
 CONTENTS
Page,
1. A Brief Historical Survev 1

2. Galle Church 32
3. Matara Church 41
4. Jaffna Church 45
5。 Wolvendaal Church 51
6. The Belfry at Kaym4n's Gate 65
7. Maligakande Church 68
8. Bambalapitiya Church 73
9. Regent Street Church 78
10。 Dehiwela Church 83
11. Wellawatte Church 89
12. Nugegoda Church 95
13. The North Central Province 100
14. The Tamil Church 105
15. The Sinhala Church 110
16. Makandura Church 115
17. The Sunday School 119
18. The Presbytery of Ceylon 135
19. The Annual Church Conference 139
20. The Church Papers-The Herald-The Duthaya-
The Toothan .. 146
21. Youth Work 152
22. Thc Music Guild 159
23. The Youth Choir 169
24. The D.RoC.Seminary&Bible lnstitute 175
25。 Church Schools 184
26。 Church Scals 187
27. Ministers of the】 〕utch Reformed Church .. … 189
28. The Dutch Reformed Church― What she Teaches and
Believes 203
29. Wolvendaal-A Poem by L. E. Blaz6 213
30. A Calendar of Events 216
31. Bibliography .. 228
Appendix I. The Additiqnal Supplement to the Ceylon
Gover,nnent Gazette dated 2nd September
1813
I
Appendix Dutch Governors of CeYlon
Rectbrs of the Colombo Seminary
Apperdix The Dutch Administration
The Collegiatc MinistrY ..
Appendix VI. Tho Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon
1642-1942, by the Hon. G. A. H. Wille-
A publication on the Tercentenary of the

２
３  ５
７  １
Church

２
Index

Vlll
 A BRIEF HISTORICAL SURVEY

In a Greek work of the 6th Century entitled "The Christian Topo-

graphy" by Cosmos Indicopleustes published about 547 ^A.D.,r we
read "Even in Taprobane, an island in further India, where the Indian
Sea is, there is a Church of Christians with clergy and a body of belie-
vers. But I know not whether there be Christians in the parts beyond
it." They belonged to the Persian Church who appeared to have
resided at Anuradhapura. Hough, in his book, "The History of
Christianity in India" has gone so far as to propound it "aE more
than probable that the Church so implanted, survived until the arrival
of the Portuguese in 1505, when their buildings, no doubt, shared
the fate of the temples of Buddha which they (the Portuguese) pulled
do-wn and with the materials erected churches of their own religion
on all parts of the coast".2 Sir Emerson Tennent who appears to
have examined all the authorities on the subject disposes of these
"eager conjectures" as merely legendary, and "the probability is that
among the concourse of nerchants and travellers who then resorted
to the Northern ports of Ceylon, there might have been sojourners
who belbnged to the Syrian Church. Churches were founded in
South India in the 3rd and 4th Century by Christians from the Per-
sian Gulf whose successors have preserved a form of Christianity."
Even if Christianity had been introduced at so early a date into Ceylon,
it never took firm root and gradually disappeared with the diminished
resort of merchants and travellers from Arabia and Persia, consequent
upon the decline of Oriental comrnerce. Between the 6th Century
and the arrival of the Portuguese in the l6th century, there is no
mention whatever of a Christian comnunity in Ceylon. The legends
relating to the preaching of Christianity in Ceylon by St. Thomas and
St. Bartholomew, and the still more curious tradition that Ceylon
had been visited by and the Christian faith introduced bA the Eunuch
of Candace,3 rest on no better foundation than the imagination of
the early fathers.a

The Portuguese came to Ceylon in 1505, but, it was, to use a

historical metaphor, "with the sword in one hand and the cross in the
other"J. Every heathen temple was an abomination and from the
famed 'Teurple of a thousand pillars' on the promontory of Trinco-
malee, to that of the 'City of God' at Dondra Head, all that came in
their way were destroyed and the'holy' places desecrated by acts of
unheard enormity at which Hindu and Buddhist alike stood aghast
with horror6. The elaborate ritual of the Roman Catholic Church,
its pomp and musie, their images and feasts, presented many points
of resemblance, that even without the inducement of material favours
so liberally held out, the people found no diffrculty in exohanging the
old faith for the new cult. The first Roman Catholic Missionary to
set foot on the Island was the Franciscan friar, Father Vincente,
(in 1505).

And so, rivers flowed peacefully by, merchants carried on their

trade, there were wars and rumours of wars, political unrest and in-
trigue in the countries of the world as we travel down the years to'
1595, which now engages our attention.

In this year, Cornelius Houtman, flying the Dutch flag, conducied

the first fleet of free merchantmen of the Company for Distant Lands,
round the Cape of Good Hope. One of these ships, the "Leouw"
called at Matecato (Batticoloa) on the homeward journey, for vict-
uals.? This was the first recorded visit of the Dutch-whether by
accident or design is difficult to say, as the Oriental trade was consi-
dered to be a rich one, by the countries of the west. Seven years later,
three ships arrived off Cape Comorin and headed South. They flew
the flag of Holland at the masthead. "Land ahoy," carne the cry
from the forward lookout in the leadingship, riding on an easy swell
with gentle breezes blowing them on, and with all sail unfurled.
"Land Ahoy! Five degrees on the Port Bow." Word was conveyed
to the Admiral on boatd, by the Captain.

"This is the island we are heading for, but our intelligence is that
the main port of Galle, is heavily fortified by the Portugrrese, and that
there are at least ten ships of the line riding at anchor in the harbour"
is the aruiwer that Admiral Joris Van Spilbergen may have given
the excited Captain. Accordingly, the "Le Brebis" and her two es'
corts steered a south easterly course till Galle was sighted, and then
sailed round the island to the East Coast, for the port of Batticoloa
where they anchored on 3lst May, 1602. Sumrnoning the crew to
the deck, Admiral Van Spilbergen offered prayers of thanksgiving to
Almighty God for having brought him and his men safely through a
long a1d perilous voysge.

2
 The King of Kandy, King Vimala Dharma Sutiya, who had by
this time grown weary of the Portuguese, received him in a very
friendly manner, going to the extent of sending the Royal palanquin
for the Admiral's journey to the palace at Kandy. An astute man,
the Admiral, made a Treaty with the King promising every assistance
to expel the hated Portuguese in return for trading facilities and the
right to erect fortresses on the coast. Above all, it was emphasised
that the King of Kandy would have the active assistance and friend-
ship of the Pr-ince of orange and the states General of Holland through
this Treaty. This opened up the way for the expeditions that fol-
lowed.

The beginning however was disastrous. The fortress the Dutch

commenced to build at Kottiyar, near Trincomalee, was attacked by
the Portuguese and the entire complement massacred' In 1637
Admiral edutn westerwold renewed the Treaty, and from this time
on, folloWed a series of triumphs for Dutch arms over the Portuguese,
but with much spilling of blood on both sides. Batticoloa rvas taken
by westerwold on 10th May, 1638. Trincomalee was taken by
Anthony Caen on lst May, 1639;Negombo by Philip Lucasz on-9th
February, 1640, but recaptured by the Portuguese on 8th November'
the same year. Galle wis taken by William Jacobsz Coster on 13th
March, 16,t0. The capture of Galle marks the beginning of the
ofrcial administratioo of th" Dutch in the Island. Negombo which
was retaken by the Portuguese, was attacked again by Dutch lTopt
who capturea it on 3rd January , lf/1.. For sixteen years, Galle re-
mained the seat of the Dutch Government while colombo was still
in the hands of the Portuguese, with the gradual losses sustained
through the fall of their many forts, the Portuguese began to concen'
trate their whole strength in the Capital, Colombo'

Between1645and1655,therewasaperiodoftrucebetweenthe
two warring nations, by mutual consent. This came to an end with
the attack on the Fort at Kalutara by General Gerard Hulft on 15th
October, 1655, and its capture. Later in the same year, the Portuguese
Governor at Jaffnapatam, Admiral De Menezes, was taken prisoner
at Mutwal, while on his way to Colombo from Mannar'

After a series of attacks and repulses, involving heavy losses, the

Dutoh laid siege to colombo on 2lst october, 1655. Following an
obstinate resistance lasting seven months, the Portuguese finally
capitulated on l2th May, 1656. Mannar fell to the Dutch on 22td
March, 1658 and Fort St. George on 24th February, 1658. Fort
Hammenheil, guarding the entrance to Kayts and the Northern ports,
soon followed on 28th April, of the same year, while Jaffna fell on 2lst
June in the next year, after a siege lasting 3 months. The Dutch
thus became masters of the Maritime Districts of the Island, and the
struggle for mastery came to an end.

When the Dutch wrested the Maritime Provinces from the Portu-
guese, they found three religions already established in the Island-
Buddhism, Hinduism and Roman Catholicism.E Buddhism had
been there having been established for nearly 2000 years. Hinduism
was introduced by the Dravidian invasion of the 13th Century and
was firmly established in the North. The Portuguese had brought
their own Roman Catholic religion, and during the 150 years of rule,
endeavoured to graft it in, even through violent measures. In the
face of this opposition, from the three established religions, the efforts
of the Dutch to introduce the austere Reformed Faith wcre feeble.e
At no time was there a sufficient number of Ministers sent out from
the Motherland to meet the spiritual needs of the settlers or of the
people of the Island, let alone the areas that were occupied by them
elsewhere. The Dutch were never a proselytising nation, although
the Home Government considered it one of their chief duties to spread
their religion by such means as were open to them.t0

Coming as they did, from desperate struggles tbr religious free-

dom in their homeland, with poignant memories and bitter recollect-
ions of the Eighty Years War fresh in their minds, "they had already
discovered in their settlements in the East that no security could exist
for them when the Roman Catholic Church and Clergy exercised any
influen@".rr It should be borne in mind that Tennent was no apolo-
gistfor the Dutch in Ceylon, but on the contrary, an uncompromising
critic of their Reformed religion. All Roman Catholic Churches
and Monasteries were taken possession of and converted for the use
of the Reformed Faith as Schools, Alms Houses etc. The taking of
Roman Catholic Churches and religious buildings, was according to
modern ideas no doubt as act of spoilation, but it was no more than
an exercise of an equally undoubted right--the tight of conquest-as
undorstood in Europe, even till a later poriod. The religious buildings
of the Roman Catholics howevef, were never in any case put to
secular use.l2

In addition to these Roman Catholic places of worship that were

appropriated, Churches were built all over the Island in an endeavour
to spread the Reformed Faith to all those'who lived in darkness'.
The number of local adherents grew, due partly to compulsion which
had been brought to bear and also the inducements that had been
offered by the Dutchmen to the Ceylonese to become Christians and
embrace their religion. In some instances, political expedience,
rather than Christian conviction prompted conversions. Anyway,
the number of adherents grew because the simpler and more austere
form of worship appeared to appeal to ther.r to that form of worship
followed by the Church of Rome.

It was not until they became sole masters of the Maritime Pro-
vinces in I 658, that anything like Church Organisation was attempted. I 3
Still burning with resentment against their European rivals, the first
efforts of their newly acquired power was directed against the Roman
Catholic clergy. "Those who were found in Colombo on its sur-
render, and those who marched out with the troops on the subse-
quent capture of Jaffna were summarily transported to the Conti-
nent of Europe.la Catholics in Ceylon were viewed by the Dutch
as a threat to the political security of the Island, and the stern measures
adopted at the early stages were aimed at rooting out all traces of
Portu$re$e power and influence. That the Dutch displayed a spirit
of intolerance in painful contrast to the advanced liberalism of the
national character, must be admitted, but it was an intolerance
inqpired by fear of political intrigue and a feeling of insecurity the
Hollanders felt, as well as the possibility of a Portuguese attempt to
recapture the Island. All Roman Catholic religious practices were
forbidden and no Catholic priest was permitted to be on the Island.
It was in this context that many of the nominal Catholics reverted to
Buddhism or were absorbed into the Reformed Faith. There were
however the hard core believers who weathered the storm forming the
nucleus of Catholics who continued through the Dutch era. Alongside
the spirit of intolerance, the Dutch had a genuine desire to promote
good government and better commerce and believed that this policy of
inspiring loyalty to their religion would assure them of both. It is
this that accounted for their constructive policy both in religion and
education.ln Edicts were directed against the clergy, while lay Catho-
lics were left comparatively unmolested.ro While Catholic worship
was discouraged, no Roman Catholic was persecuted to death on
ac.count of his religion, and if any disabilities were imposed upon
them, it was with the view of rendering the inducements held out to
join the Reformed Faith the more attractive.t?

In Ceylon, as in India, the Dutch tried to banish the Romish

priests found in the country after the first batch had been expatriated
on the surrender of Colombo. In the Treaty with the King of Kandy,
in 1638, a clause was inserted by which the King bound himself to
"suffer no priests or friar or Romish clergy to dwell in his dominion,
but to oblige them to depart as the authors of all rebellions, and the
ruin of all governments.';r8 The severe measures against the clergy,
so 6pical of this age, and so inconsistent with the spirit of the dation
which had been the first to fight a long war for religious freedom, were
not too successful as also the various plakaatsle or proolamations
stringently forbidding "the concealing or harbouring of a Romish
priest" issued in 1658 and other Edicts prohibiting public assemblies
or private conventicles under heavy fines for the first and second
offences and chastisemeot at the discretion of the magistrate for the
third offence2o (tZtS). Another plakaat forbade the administration
of the Sacrament of Baptism by the Roman Catholic clergy. This
was republished again in 1733 and 1745. Strangely enough, Roman
Catholicism increased most during the Dutch period while the Re-
formed Faith decreased as time went on,20' mainly due to contri-
butory factors. The Catholic Church abroad did not forget the
faithful in Ceylon after the Portuguese had left, but kept on sending
priests to minister to them and their wants, thus keeping the Church
alive. The persecutions that the Catholics suffered had the effect
of giving Ceylonese Catholics a resilience which the Reformed Faith
might well have envied. In addition, most of the anti-Catholic
plakaats lost their edge and open breaches of the law went unpunished.
The Schoolmasters and other workers appointed by the Dutch were
not only ignorant of the vernaculars but in some instances prone to
take an easy attitudc letting things slip by. No extreme action was
taken against the people and the plakaats were half heartedly carried
out2r. The last thres Dutoh Governors, largely modified these
plakaats and admitted to them something like a share of toleration.

6
In the 18th Century,theFe Were more Roman Catholic priestS than
Reformed Church MiniSters. The colonisatio■ scheme whiCh thc
:
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f需
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龍 盤l庶 器留留hFT盤 驚認

will.There was omcial disapprbva1 0f persccutions and,uniSIments

and:hard meaSur6s against heathens and Mohamedais on religious

1難11:攀鰍
驚甘 憾
or admitted to any employIInent under the State,without subscribing
to the Helvetit COnfession and also professing to beamemberof the
Refomed Church."

In spite 6fthe fact that therc were ollly a fcw Ordained Mini山 護s
from Hoiland,it is reё orded that even insignittant places aS Bentota
had a Church established thereo Practically every villagc had a
n馬
譜 sT出 鑑 鵠麟刷 s譜宅 瀾箋
=蹴
both Dutch and Cey10nest,that is,men who had gone through a
Theological Course and wereliccnsed but■ otpermittedtO′ perfom othё r
Ministerial dutics. Fpr variows rcasons,they were■ ot altogether a

rccorded that abou1 900 Miniξ terscamcouttO tho Eastlndies3 but nOt
more than a third camO to COylOn′ 6 Early Pr″ ′
た ′ S,6 oOme 9ut
here were27 `″
 1642 Gallc Antonius Hornhovius
1658 Jmattam Phillipus Baldaeus
1660 Colombo Ludovicus Bogaard
1685 Matara Felco Weijlsma
1692 Negombo Antonius Stamperius

. When Galle fell to the Dutch, it is recorded that a Thanksgiving

Service was held by the Predikant Nicholas Molinaeus, then serving
with the Armed Forces of the Dutch East India Company. The
capture of Colombowas celebratedwithaThanksgiving Service on May
l4th, 1656 conducted by Predikant Franciscus Wyngaart. At Jaffna-
patam, the Service was conducted by the celebrated historian and
writer, Predikant Phillipus Baldaeus on June lst, 1658. He used the
words of Exodus 17: 15 as his text on this occasion. The Service
that was conducted on the fall of Kayts was held on April2Sth,
1658, at which the Ziekentooster of the ship "Hendetta Louisa"
officiated. Besides those mentioned, other Predikants of repute were
M. Wetzelius (l7zl4) who supervised the casting of the first Tamil
and Sinhala types for the printing of the Bible translated by the Dutch
and Ceylonese clergymen; Adriaan de Meij; Petrus Synjeu; Johannes
Ruel; Conijn; Fybrandsz; and J. de Meijer, Rector of the Colombo
Seminary, who was a Doctor of Divinity of the University of Leyden.28
Predikant Johannes Ruel was the Second Rector of the Colombo
Seminary besides his other Ministerial duties in Colombo. He
together with Hendrick Phillips, a Sinhalese Minister and Phillip de
Melho, a Tamil Minister, were responsible for the translations of
many books of the Bible, The Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles
The Classis in Holland readily encouraged and helped in these publi-
cations in every wuy.ze
There were three large divisions for the pulpose of administration
-Colombo, Jafrna and Galle, while Church
Councils watched the
interests of the smaller congregations that were inland.30 In spite
of the shortage of Ministers experienced, the zeal of the Hollander
knew no bounds. Contending with the established religions and more
specially with a revival of Buddhismcoming about, as well as the con-
tinuous conflict with the Sinhalese Kngs, the Hollandei carried on
with a patient confidence they had always displayed. The Dutch
East India Company insisted on the development of trade and the
question of conversion was overshadowed by this policy. They
however continued their labours under adverse conditions.sl

8
 Roman Catholic clergy soon began to move out from the Mari-
time Provinces which were under the Dutch and sought refuge in the
Kandyan kingdom. The King who had originally welcomed the
Dutch to get rid of the Portuguese, 'was now repentant and gave the
Catholic priests the asylum sought. It was at this time that Fr.
Joseph \az, apriest ofthe Oratory of St. Philip Neri at Goa, crossed
over to Coylon in disguise and won the goodwill of the Kandyan king.
Undergoing many hardships and perils for the sake of the gospel and
the Church, he began a revival and a reorganisation of the Roman
Catholic Church with the help of other priests who joined him.32
The other revivalist movement was led by Valvita Saranankara Thero
who was one of those ordained to Upasampada status after its restora-
tion through the good offices of a Chapter of Siamese monks which
had been invited to Ceylon. Saranankara Thero encouraged the.
study of Pali and also initiated a cultural revival not only in the
Kandyan kingdom, but also through his pupils in the south. In
view of his great contribution to both religious and secular learning,
he was installed as Sangha Raja in later years.

The foundations of the Christian missionary enterprise, begun

by Roman Catholism and built upon by the Dutch always sought
the assistance of the rulers in the propagation of their faiths. This
was given when it redounded to their favour. However, this close
connection of a particular religion with the State has often brought
many good results to both agencies, but there is no doubt that how-
ever unofficial the connection, it has also created many evils, the chief
of which has been nominal religion<specially among those who
would exploit religion for the sake of political power, material ad-
vancement or organisational prestige. If it was tru€ in the times of
the Portuguese, it was equally true in the times of the Dutch when
many succumbed to temptation and nominal Christianity abounded.

Despite the weakness caused to the Church by nominal Christ-

ianity, there were however, undoubtedly many Ceylonese who were
convinced of the ruth of the message of the Gospel and accepted the
Christian religion and supported the personal and social Evangelism
of the Church whether the government of the day was favourable to
them or not. They formed the nucleus of the Church in Ceylon, and
it was chiefly through them that Christianity was transmitted to later
generations and was able to serve the country as the years went by.33
 Although the Dutch had occupied G"ll9 in 1640'
it was not until
6th October] 1640 thatthey began ministrations
there' It is this date
Church was
which is accepted as that oo ntttiot' the Dutch Reformed
established ii ceylon. predikant Antonius Hornhovius of utrecht,
and a former Minister at Ermyes, in Holland was appointed althe
firstPredikantofthenewlyacquiredterritoryatPointdeGalle.This
was significant as he was L Remonstrant,3a and in
view of the wave
years earlier and made
of Calvinism that swept Holland about 25
consistory was
memorable with the synod of Dort (1618-1619). The
time on that day'
constituted on October 6th,l@2 and met for the fust
Jaffna and in
Stately edifrces were built for worstrip at Galle'

由 ﹁
colomuo,,tne chief stations, all following the classical style
of the
period-withmassivewallsanddeeplyrecessedmullionedwindows.
two churches had served the Galle conglegation prior to the one now
in use. The fust near the Memorial Clock Tower' was superseded
by a more elaborate structure. Perhaps, the belfry still
in use relates
to tne second church, and in fact is accepted as such today' It is
ear$ Dutch
however, the oldest Dutch monument coming down from
times.

In his book "The Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon", the Rev'

C. A. L. Van Troostenburg de Bryun @redikant of Java) wrote: "In
ceylon, at Jafrnapatam, there was in the time of Phillipus Baldaeus,
three services on Sundays and once during the week besides the usual
visitations to the congregations in the outlying districts. In colombo,
about the yeat 1662, there were two services in Dutch of a sunday,
and in the forenoon, prayers were read in Tamil and religious in-
struction given in that language. In the afternoon, scriptures were
rea.d in Portuguese-this happened every Tuesday in the afternoon.
There were prayers everyday in the evening at the residence of the
Governor, and rnice a day at the Hospital, and the Lord's Supger,
once in three months3s." In a letter from the Colombo Consistory
to the Ministers at Malacca dated May,1662, "the good order of the
services in Ceylon of the Dutch and Portuguese congregations" was
praised.36

It was on the schools principally, that the Dutch established their

hopes for propagating the Reformed Faith as the adults "were imbued
with the leaven of popery"37 Attendance was compulsory and edu-
cation was free, special smphasis being laid on religious instruction.

10
Naturally, schoolmasters, Proponents and other ofrcials were expected
to be men of religious sincerity, able and eager to promote the Re-
formed Faith if their hopes of making the schools the seedbeds of the
future Reformed Church in Ceylon, would be realised.3s

Children had to be passed by Inspectors (Scholarchs) appointed

by the Govern:nent before being permitted to stay away from school,
after the examinations. Baptism was usually administered to the
children of professing Christians while Marriages were also solemnised
at the time of the visit of tjre Scholarcft and the Predikant. When a
small congregation had thus been formed, a Proponent was assigned
to extend the missionary work.3e

Educational Institutions were under a Special Commission-DE

SCHOLARCIIALE YERGADERING which catered to both reli-
gious and secular instruction.ao Under this Commission, a Seminary
was established for preparing candidates for the Ministry. Execpt-
ional cases were sent on to Holland to complete their training in Dutch
Universities and be Ordained there before returning home.ar Then,
there were also the Dutch Schools, teaching the three R's and Geo-
graphy. Thirdly, Orphan Schools which catered for orphans and the
children of the Dutch descendants. Lastly, there were the Vernacular
Schools for the benefit of the native children. Female education,
though not wide spread, was attended to in the principal towns.42
School leaving age for girls was l0 yea.rs, as higher education for fe-
males was not considered desirable by their parents.ag

The two Seminaries at Jaffna and Colombo had chequered

careers, but it is on record that many Ministers were produced.
Some, as mentioned earlier, after completion of training in Holland
and Ordination there, returned to Ceylon to help in the work of reach-
ing out to the local population. A Minister of note was Pblllip de
Melho, famed as an eminent Divine, Orientalist and Poet. Another
was Hendrick Phillips, an industrious and capable translator, res-
ponsible for the many translations of parts of the Bible into Sinhalese.
Others were William Jiriaan Ondaatje, Manuel Ondaatje, Johannes de
Sylva, Manuel Morgal4pa, I. de Melho, Petro de Melho Louis Pieris,
Philip Emmanuel, Franciscus Jansz, Andreas Spoor, Bernard Giflen-
ing, and Jan Franciscus.{a
 Durlng the years of the establishment of the Seminaries, it was the
hope of both the Governm,ent and the Church that the graduates
would serve their own people.as Facts however, indicate that many
failed to fulfill the expectations of the Authorities, because they
identified themselves closely with the Dutch Predikants and contented
themselves with an annual visit to the outlying areas and Churches.
Missions did not mean anything then.

One of the most encouraging and significant statements made of

the Seminary is attributed to Governor G. W. Baron Van Imhoff
(173640). Reflecting on the failure of the Jaffna Seminary and the
prospects of that in Colombo he said: "It does not matter that one
of them has been tried without success. what has not been successful
in one century can be successful in another. The Seminary estab-
lished in Ceylon is a test of the possibility of such an enterprise."ao
(fhe Colombo Seminary was situated where the present Pettah Post
Ofrce served the public, but had to move out due to the danger of the
building collapsing. It has since been renovated and is being used
as a Dutch Museum).

The names of the Rectors of the Colombo Seminary can be found

in Appendix III.

From the early days of the Dutch occupation of Colombo, the

erstwhile Church of St. Francis built by the Portuguese, became the
oEcial church of the United East India Company The V.O.C- @E
VEREENIGDE OOST-INDISCIIE COMPAGNIE) as it was then
called. Besides being a place of worship, it was also a place for bur-
ials, and soon becam.e full of crypts and vaults.

Governor G. W. Baron Van Imoff in 1736, advised the authori-

ties in Batavia "that the old ohurch was falling to decay and becoming
dangerous for us€" and appealed for sanction to erect a new one on
its site. This was not approved and tho matter remained at tbat, a
complete stand still, till Governor Julius Stein Van Gollenesse arrived
in the island as Governor in, t743. Through his zeal and interest, a
new kerk came to be built. A hill top, outside the Fort, was selected
commanding the finest view over the ramparts, far out to sea. The
church thus erected is the Wolvendaal Church of today. lt will be

t2
of interest to know that the Wolvendaal Church is one of the first
landmarks to be seen from out at sea and is given a prominent place
as such in British Admiralty Charts.

After the Wolvendaal Church was built, that at Gordon Gardens

--fhe Church of St. Francis, was neglected and fell to ruin. This
was the situation when in 1804 the British Government acquired the
house owned by the last Dutch Governor (Van Anglebeek) which
stood adjacent and was called King's House (this is President's House
today).

Soon consultations began with the Consistory at Wolvendaal and

the principal Dutoh inhabitants. It was determined thereafter "'to
removethe coffins and the remainsof the bodies interred' tothe Church
at Wolvendaal, where proper vaults will be prepared for their re-
ception." The official notification went on to state that "the removal
will take place on Saturday evening, the 4th of September, l8l3 at
6 o'clock" and gave expression to the wishes of the Government that
"Hls Majesty's Civil and Military Servants and the inhabitants of
Colombo would vie with one another in showing respect to the
memory of the deceased, by their attendance upon the proc,ession."
The procedure to be followed was prescribed by an Order published
in the Gazette of September, 2nd, 1813.4? The text of the notifica'
tion is reproduced at the end as .Appendix I. The statue of Queen
Victoria, which was at the entrance to the old Passenger Jetty, was
removed and re-erected in the now cleared area of the Church which
had served generations of Dutchmen and their families in Colombo,
as well as the Portuguese before them. It is feported that the statue
stands at the approxirnate entrance to the old church.

In 1760, the people roseup against the Dutch because of the

agitation by the chiefs of the provinces against the administration.
From about 1?40, the Dutch had begun to make thombos or lists of
lands and fields in Colombo, Galle and Matara distriots. On com-
pletion, taxes were levied from the people, a thing without precedent
in the days of the Portuguese and Sinhalese Kings. These and other
taxes considered pernioious brought about a rebellion in the Matara
district which nearly ruined tho Dutch East India Company.
Mounting tension and unrest paved the way for the overthrow of the
Dutch.

13
 The King of Kandy, Rajasingha lI, knowing that he could never
become the master of the Low Country without aid from a foreign
nation, sent Megasthanna Adigar to Madras as Ambassador and
concluded a treaty with Lord Hobart, the Governor of Fort St. George
By this, the British agreed to help to drive out the Dutch from ceylon
in return for harbour facilities urgently required by them in their
programme of conquest in India as well as for a oontrol of the cinna-
mon trade which was very lucrative. News of the treaty reached the
ears of the Dutch Governor, Van Eck, who took stern measures to
ensure the position of the Dutch in the island.
The initial move by the British East India Company to secure a
footing in Ceylon was taken in 1?63, when John Pybus arrived from
Madras, at the Court of the King of Kandy, proposing an amicable
heaty with King Sri Raja Singha. He was received favourably, but
failure on the part of the British to fulfil their promises defeated the
purpose of the visit.48

In 1?80 however, the British in Madras, decided to attack Ceylon

as a part of the hostilities that had broken out between t'hem and
Holland. The port of Trincomalee fell to British arms in 1782, but
the French drove them out and gave Trincomalee back to the Dutch at
the end of the war. Matters were by no means settled and constant
unrest prevailed.
In 1793, France declared war against England and Holland
(the Netherlands), and s€nt .an army into Holland. Willian V,
Prince of Orange, fled to England and sought the assistance of the
British. Meanwhile, the French overran the Netherlands, resulting
in the States General being replaoed by the Batavian Republic in close
alliance with Frlnce. Wtrite-in exile, William V, Prince of Orange,
claimed to be the States General and England, constituting herself as
Protector, emphasised the claim.ae Being aware of the oppoftunity
offered them, the British persuaded the erstwhile Stadtholder to em-
power the Dutch authorities in their Colonies to avail themselves of
the protection of His Brittanic Majesty. Quite obviously, the Dutch
Governor at Colombo, Van Anglebeek, was one of the many other
Dutch Colonial administrators who was placed in the greatest un-
certainty when on July 25th, 1795 he received the following bewilder-
ing communication from the Council at Fort St. George, Madras
dated 7th July, 1795 along with another signed by the Prince of Orange
dated ?th February, 1795.50

L4
 Noble and MOSt HOnoured Conndante,our TrllSty and Wen
Bdoved.
We haVe deemed it necessary to address you this Communi‐
cation and to require you to admit tO TrincomaleC and elsewhere
in the Co10ny lnder your rule the troops of His Maiesty thC

獄l電 鷲1鳥燎譜:漁吼F∬震I胤 舞鑑』

節鸞
撃言I灘 轟
to prcvent the Colo■ y from being invaded by the French.
Wherefore, Noble and MOSt HOnoured Conndante, our
BeloVed,We cOmmit you to God's事 。ly pro‐
Trusty and Well‐
tection,and remain.
Your Well・・
Wishing friend,
W.PR.OF ORANGE
Kew,7th February,1795。
To the HONOURABLE J.G. van ANGELBEEK,Governor of
colombo. ＼
I have the honour tO acquaint you that l have rccciVed orders
SSary to
tO carry into cXecutiOn Such measures as appear nc∝
mS∞ untry tt br Ⅲ Spurp∝ e
洲 譜 酬 L譜 冊 1° ns been oЫ iged tO take refuge in
Great Britain has transmitted a letter for you whiCh COntains the
orderS of His Serene Highness fOr putting the Dutch Settlement
on the ISland Of Cey10n under the protection of HiS MaieSty'S
forces.¨ ¨....upon the COndition of their being restored to the
●
●
Republic at the cOnClusion of thc gcneral peace......●
Having made thiS CommuniCation it is my duty to inform
you that if COntrary to HiS MaieSty's expectations reSittmcc

領
should be lnadC tO deliver up the several Colonies and Settlements
ng h∝
“ fOr the“
eg額 r of tt PЁ e

:鶏 品よ驚電 “you responSible

l render

=F喘 l躙 留 蹴

ぷ 猟 椰
脩
(Sig4θ ′):HOBART
Fort,St.Georgc,
7th July,1795
15
 Five days after the Dutch Governor received these letters, an
expedition fitted out by the British Governor Hobart, at Madras,
arrived off Trincomalce. Reisistance was offered by the garrison
there, but after a siege lasting three weeks, surrendered. Jaffna sur-
rendered the following month and Kalpitiya (Calpetyn) on the 5th
of November. Colombo capitulatcd on l5th February the following
year, while Galle was handed over a week later without any resistance
as was in the case of Colombo. Thus came to an end the link this
island had with the Dutch which had lasted for nearly 150 years.st

When the Maritime Provinces passed into British hands, they were
attached to the Madras Presidency and administered by the British
East India Company, through Military Governors. This lasted from
1796-1798 and was so incompetent that hopes were being cherished
that the island would be restored to the Dutch. These hopes were
however, finatly crushed and abandoned, when, by the Treaty ofAmiens
on27th March 1802, it was agreed "that all the possessions and es-
tablishments in the island of Ceylon, belonging to the Dutch, were to
be ceded to the British."

In the meantime, religion and education suffered most, and work

in these areas was brought almost to a stand still. When the Dutch
clergy bccame prisoners of war, no provision was made to continue
their work. Parishes and schools were neglected. Salaries were
not paid to Schootnasters and Catechists resulting in thq neglect of
a number of Schools andChurches. and allowed to fall into ruin.s2

Clause 18 of the Terms of Capitulation, provided that the clergy

and other Ecclesiastical Servants should continue in their office and
receive the sarne pay and emoluments as they did from the Dutch
East India Company, subject to ratification by the Government of
Fort St. George (Madras). Some of the clergy who were not deported,
at the time of the Capitulation, left for Batavia. This was the situa-
tion when the fust Civil Governor, Hon. Frederic North, (later Earl of
Guildford) assumed office on October 2nd, 1798.

Unlike the Military Governors before him, North was interested

in the moral and spiritual improvement of the people, and during his
tenure of off.ce, there was a change of policy towards the neglected
religious and educational establishments. As there were a large
number of people professing Christianity and belonging to either the

l6
Roman Catholic or the Dutch Reformed Church, one of the fust
acts after assuming ofrce was to issue a proclamation in 1799, per-
mitting freedom of worship.ss

With the arrival of Rev. James Cordiner, as Chaplain to the Garrj-

son at Colombo, Governor North got fresh encouragement to carry
out his plans by appointing Rev. cordiner principal of all the schools
in the settlement, and with the assistance of the Dutch clergy, who had
been prisoners of war, now reinstated, instruction in schools was
revived. There were some Dutchmen, however, who refused to pray
for the British King, and were accordingly not allowed to exercise
any ecclesiastical authority for some time. With the signing of the
Treaty of Amiens, they requested the Governor to be allowed to con-
tinue in their offices as subjects of the King of Britain. .,This was
apparently allowed" says L. B. Turner, "and the Hetvetic Confession
was given the support of the official Anglican Episcopacy',. The
Consistory of Colombo earnestly besought the Government to take
effectual steps to secure the congregations from the influence of the
Roman Catholic. Proponents were accordingly appointed and paid
by the British Government to meet the situation. Very soon, Minis-
tnrs, Proponents and. Catechists from the Coromandel Coast of Sout!
India were brought to strengthen the ranks of those labouring here,
and ere long "for all intents and purposes the presbyterian religion
according to the church of Holland was regarded as the state Religion
of the Colony."sr It was so styled by Sir Thomas Maitland in his
communications to the Consistory in l80Z and in lgl0. The Dutch
clergy wero chiefly concerned with the ministration to the European
congregations while the south Indian Ministers looked after the others.
In 1810, the Earl of Liverpool, Secretary of State for the Colonies,
proposed to reinforce the Dutch Clergy by appointments from those
ordained by the Church of Scotland and to receive young men from
Ceylon to be educated for the Ministry in Edinburgh.

In spite of all the encouragement given by the Governor and those

in authority, "there appears to have been little intercourse between the
Dutch residents and the British. The aloofness was probably chiefly
on the side of the Dutch and may be explained by the feeling of bitter-
ness which would naturally be. created in the hearts of those who had
been dispossessed of their position and influence they once held.',sj

17
 Ithas beeu recorded by cordiner that "they (i.e. thc Dutch and
the British) meet seldom unless on public occasions, when they
are

mutually friendly and agreeable to one another", but that "this led
to no intimate acquainiance or lasting attachments'"56

TheRomanCatholicChurchwasnotidle.Manypriestsand
educators were brougbt in to help build up the work.
At this time
(1g03), Lord Hobart, the Secretary of state for the colonies wrote to
,n" Cou.rnor that for reasoos of economy, th€ anount spent on school
establishments should be drastically curtailed. Funds
available were
for the support of the European Orphanages and Segi-
oity pernitted
n*i.-*. The salaries of att country schoolmasters were therefore
suppressed making both North and cordiner geatly disappointed.
Wten Cordiner left in 18O4, he earnestly hoped that the indigent
schoolmasters would be reinstated soon's?

The practice of appointing a Political cornnissioner to the

North,
Colombo Consistory wis continued by Governor Frederic
and now, in consultation with the authorities of the Durch Church
urr*g.o'ror the election of the Hon. George Melville kslie, (son in
taw olf Governor Van Anglebeek) and William Boyd of the Civil
S.*io." (both members of the Soottish Church) and !t !s ll-t-odltty
that other members of the same persuasion attended wolvendaal
Church until a Church of their own was built'

Although the numbers of Dutch olergymen were small, especially

senring in the outstations, the process of withdrawal, due to ctutail-
trent Jf expenditure referred to earlier, continued until
the irreducible
minimum was reached. Gatle and Matara ceased to be provided
the use of the Dutchchurches was glanted to
with residentclergy, and
tne Cfaphin. oiino Church of England. Dutch Ministers
visited
tho outstations once or twice a year for the purpos€ of administering
the sacranents. The decline of the Dutoh church was however
not
due to any hostile influence on the part of the Government' or to any
failure to honour their Promises.

In 1805, there were serious apprehensions being expressed thatthe

Dutch comnunity would soon be extinct in Ceylon' This was fur'
ther aggravated when the new Goveinor, sir Thomas Maitland,
ar'
,i*O iifofy that year. Unlike his predecessors, Governor Maitland

1E
had no enthusiasm for the propagation of religion. What he wanted
was efficient government and he did all he could to attain it. In his
religious policy he adopted the method of conciliating all who could
help him in his prime purpose of maling them loyal subjects. lVhen
the nominal Christians saw they could not gain special favours by
professing christianity, they vent back to the religion of their fore-
fathers.se

Reports went to England from Dr. Claudius Buchanan, a visiting

prelate, resulting in much dissatisfaction at the state of affairs, but it
was agreed that conformity to the christian religion should not be
forced upon the natives and the Governor was urged to have a gXeater
concern for the progress ofthe Christian religion and general education
in Ceylon.6o
In spite of tension in some quarters, and certain aloofness on the
part of some Englishmen and Dutchmen, a friendly spirit prevailed
between the two churches for some years after the capitulation to the
British. The Church of England service for the troops was held in
Wolvendaal. About 1800, so liberal were the views of the Consistory,
in regard to such matters, that they agreed to the appointment of a
Proponent under the direction of the Church of England Chaplain,
to officiate to that section of the congregation who were showing an
inclination to join the Episcopalian Church. This coddition pre-
vailed until separate churches were provided for the Sinhalese and
Tamil congregations.

An awareness now arose lbr the need of missionary work in

ceylon by the church of England. Thechief Justiceatthistime,
Sir Alexander Johnstone, realised that the work being done by the
Dutch clergy, Proponents, and Schoolmasters was inadequate, and
that immediate assistance was needed. The Missionary spirit was
growing in England at this time, and Ceylon particularly came
into the view of several Missionary Societies. The first Missionary visits
from England to the Island, camefrom the London Missionary society,
followed by others who addressed themselves to the task of evangel-
ism and education.6r

In 1805, Rev.M. C. de Vos, an ordained Minister of the Dutch

Church at the Cape, of which he was a native, was sent along with
two others by the London Missionary Sooiety to work in Ceylon' The
19
Governor, was however, not willing that they should be independent
of the Civil or Ecclesiastical government and aocordingly appointed
Rev. de Vos to be Minister of the Galle Church on an allowance
of l0? Rix Dollars a month, while Rev. Reid was attached to him as
Assistant on a salary of 81 Rix Dollars, The other, Rev. Erhardt,
who was of the Lutheran persuasion, was employed to form a
Church of that denomination for the general instruction of the people.

Rev. J. D. Palm was sent out shortly afterwards by the same

Society and was stationed at Ja.ffna. Rev. de Vos incurring the dis-
pleasure of the Authorities, returned to the Cape in 1814, teing, it is
stut"d, unceremoniously shipped off by the arbitrary fiat of the ruling
power of the daY.
The state of the Church in Jaffna in the early years of the century
is strikingly set out by Dr. Claudius Buohanan D.D. in his "Christian
Researches in Asia". He visited Jaffna in 1806 and again in 1808.
The des6iption of the decay he witnessed there is recorded as follows:

"I will be scarcely believed in England that there are here Pro-
testant Churches, under the King's Government, which are without
Minisrcrs. In the time of Baldaeus, the Dutch preacher and historian,
there were 32 Christian churches in the Province of Jafina alone.
At thistime, there is not one Protestant Minister in the whole Province.
I ought to exc€pt Mr. Palm, a solitary Missionary, who had been
sent out by the London Society, and receives a stipend from the
British Governnent. I visited Mr. Palm at his residence, a few miles
from the town of Ja.frna. Mr. Patm has taken possession of the old
Protestant Church of Tilly-Pally.62 By reference to history, I found
it was the church in which Baldaeus himself preached (as he himself
mentions) to a congregation of two thousand natives, A. view of the
church is given in his work. Most of those bandsome churches, of
which views are given in the plates of Baldaeus' history, a.re now in ruins
Even in the town and Fort of Jafrna, where there is a spacious sdifice
for Divine worship, no clergyman has yet been appointed. The
Dutch Ministers, who formerly offrciated here, bave gone to Batavia
or Europe. The whole District is now in the hands of Romish priests
from the College of Goa."63
A worsg state of thrags was soon to follow. The last Presbyterian
Minister in Jafrna was the Rev. Cadenski, whose services were tet'"
minated.about the time Dr. Buchanan visited Jafrna. An appeal by

20
the Jafrna Consistory, for the appointment of a successor, sub4itting
the name of Rev. Erhardt as being acceptable and suitable, was not
complied with, and they had to be satisfied with Prelectors. These
were p€rsons who were only permitted to read prayers and sermons
from a book and not authorised to perform the rites of the Church
The consequence was that the congregations graduallydrifted away to
other denominations.

In 1819, the Silver Communion service, belonging to the Church

at Mannar, which was in the custody of the Consistory at Jaffna
(though not in use by them), was, at the request of the Government,
lent to the Anglican Church. They were taken on charge by and receipt
aoknowledged by Rev. Christian David. Though these were ostensi-
bly taken on loan, they were never returned.6a

From 1811 to 1847 there was no Minister at Galle but services

were kqrt up by the Consistory. The labours of a Proponeht-J. M.
Wittensleger and later his son, at this period, stand out. In 1812.
when Rev. J. D. Palm was appointed to the Wolvendaal Church, he
paid visits to Galle, and carried out the work there jointly with the
Wittenslegers. On his quarterly visits, Rev. Palm solemnised mar-
riages and administered the Sacraments. The Anglicans used the
Galle Church from the early days of the British occupation up to
about 1867. This gave a colourful pretext for Bishop Chapman to
lay a claim to the Church on the ground of common possession. The
claim was however dismissed and amity restored.65

Matara was placed in a similar plight to the other outstation

churches. Rev. Palm visited Matara about once a year, wheh mar-
riages were solemnised and the Sacraments administered.66 It is
interesting to note that the Portuguese languagewas used in conducting
the evening services at Matara in the early days.

In 1845, a petition by the members of the Dutch and Scottish -

communities was presented to the Governor, requesting a Presbyterian

Minister to be appointed to Galle and Matara. Dr. J. King Clarke, a
scholar of profound attainments, was appointed in 1847 and served
till his retircm€nt in 1869. He was succeeded by his son in law Rev.
Henry L. Mitchell. It was during his tenure of office that the Dis-
establishment of the Churoh took place, that is, State aid given hither-
to towards the maintenance of the churches as well as the Anglican

21
and Presbyterian chaplains in the island was withdrawn. Rev.
Mitchell resolutely met the situation by starting an Endowment Fund.
when he retired in 1891 there was sufficient money held in Trust so
that the interest could supplement the salary of his succpssor.6T It
also transpired that while he was in charge at Galle, that this church
along with other churohes of the Dutch Reformed church in colombo,
wereloined to the presbytery ofCeylon, to work in cooperation with
the eiisting Scottish Churches.68

By 1815, the work of the Dutoh Church in Ceylon had become

settled. Rev. Bernard Abraham Giffening, Head Clergyman of the
Reformed Church in Colombo District, as he was styled, died in 1812
after 30 years of faithful service. In deference to the wishes of the
Consistoiy, the Governor appointed Rev. Palm to filI the vacant officeoe
Rev. Palm, as we have already seen, started his missionary career in
Jaffna, with fruitful results. He subsequently served at Kalutara,
where he established a sohool, before coming to Colombo. He served
.in Colombo with much aoceptance until his death on 10th Sep-
tember, 1842.

There was very good rapport between the Lay Officers of the
Church and the Clergy. The Elder always accompanied the Minister
in his house to house visitations and exercised a controlling influence
in matters of doctrine, while the Deacons were charged with the
temporal concerns of the Church. Besides these Ofhcers, there was a
Voorlezer.or Prelector, who read the introductory chapters at the
Services and led in the singing. The form of public worship, though in
accordance with the strictest Christian simplicity, is nevertheless not
of so gloomy a character as the absence of any elaborate ritual may
imply. The great importance which the Dutch Church always at-
tached to singing and its accompaniment of sacred music serves to
relieve the Services of taseness prevalent in Soottish Churches. The
Sermon began with the Yoorlezer reading an appropriate chapter
from the Old and New Testaments, followed by the Apostles Creed
and the Ten Commandments, on the first Sunday of the month, after
whioh he gave out the number of the Psalm, with all standing and
joining in. By the time the Psalm was ended, the Minister had as-
cended the Pulpit. The first prayer was then offered. Two select
portions of Scripture, one from the Old and the other from tbe New
Testament were next read and a second Psalm sung, during which

22
the Deacons waited on the congregation for their ofrerings. .A second
prayer followed, concluding with the Lord's Prayer. The Sermon
followed at this time. The singing of a hymn after the Sermon and a
third prayer was offered followed by another hymn and the Bene-
diction. When neces ary, the Sacrament of Baptism was adminis-
tered in public, after the Service, and Sponsors were insisted upon'
The congegation stood for prayer and sat when the Psalms were sung'
followin! the practice introduced by the Dutch in early times.7o

At this time, the Governor's Pew was closed, but the pews along
the walls in Wolvendaal Church, were occupied by the old Company's
Servants, who filled the seats they were wont to occupy in olden days'
The seats in the body of the church were res€rved for ladies, who sat
apart from the men.
In spite ofopposition from certain individuals, the Church
Services were conducted in Dutch for a number of years. The last
Minister to preach in that language being Rev. J. D. Palm (Jr.) who
succeeded his father.?r During his ministry, the elder Palm strove
hard to perpetuate the use of the Dutch language, and in doing so,
incurred the displeasure of Archdeacon Twistleton, who complained
in 1813 to the Governor that Rev. Palm had excluded from communion
in his Church all those Dutch descendants who did not use the Dutch
language-a language which he was of opinion, should not be en-
couraged, but should, on the contrary, be allowed to die away. The
Archdeacon's attempt at suppression proved fruitless, and Dutch
continued to be used until about 1861, by which time the older gene-
ration of Dutch descendants had passed away, and with th€m, their
langaage.T2

During the early days of the British rule, and before they could
build churches for themselves, the Anglican olergy were allowed the
use of the Wolvendaal Church for services for the English members
of the Anglican Church as well as the Sinhalese who had given up the
?3
faith of thi Dutch Reformed Church for that of the Anglican Churoh.
The hour of service was regulated not to clash with the regular Dutch
Services. This circumstanc€ gave rise to a claim put forward on be-
half of the Anglican Church in 1849. to the exolusive proprietary
right for the possession of the Church.. After a long controversy, it
was decided by the Secretary of State that the Church belonged to
those who adhered to the Dutch Reformed Church.To A similar

23
claim, made on behalf of the Galle Church, in sympathy, has been
referred to earlier. The judgement of the Secretary of State was
definitely influenced by a clause in the Treaty of Capitulation (Clause
7) which provided for the securing "of all private property by the
proprietors."TS

All records and proceedings of Meetings were maintained in the

Dutch language till about 1837,
as were the Services, when the use of
English was introduced, and the use of Dutch gradually discontinued.
A check with the early records at Wolvendaal Church contains a letter
from the Deputy Secretary to the Government conveying the decision
of the Governor on the subject and quoted in note No. 72. Further,
there is a statement on page 17 of the "Report on theRecordsof the
Dutch Reformed Church in Wolvendaal"76 which states "about the
year 1840, a change over from Dutch to English as the language
the administration of the Wolvendaal Consistory appears to have
taken place rather earlier, circa 1837." On page 46 another statement
on the change over, states: "the diference in the languages used for
recording could be observed in the Volume bearing Number 4A/7
in the Catalogue, in the Appendix."

In the early days of the British occupation, Wolvendaal Church

was used on occasions of National importance. Rev. James Cordiner
officiated in 1800 at a Publio Service of thanksgiving for the success
of British arms in Europe and Mysore. This Service was attended
by the Governor, the Commander of the Troops, British troops, all
English ladies and gentlemen together with a large number of Dutch
residents. Another memorable occasion was when tidings were
received that the Treaty of Peace (Treaty of Amiens) had been
signed. By terms of this Treaty, Ceylon was ceded to the British.
At a service of Thanksgiving in the Wolvendaal Church, a throne was
erected for the Governor. Rev. Cordiner conducted this Service too,
using as his text: "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord".

In 1825, Bishop Heber-the author of "From Greenlands' icy

mountains" attended a Sinhalese Service conducted by Rev. J. H. de
Saram, the Sinhalese Colonial Chaplain attached to the Church.
In later years, the Wolvendaal Church was destined to be drawn into
service of mathematical science research. It is stated that about the
turn of the century, a pendulum experiment was made in the Church,
but for what purpose and with what result has not been ascertained.
24
 Anongst other Memorial Services were those conducted on the
passing of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII. King George V and
King George VI. Services of Thanksgiving on the occasion of the
Coronation of Royalty in Britain as well as that of Queen Wilhelmina
of the Netherlands, and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria are
also recorded. Services of Thanksgiving on the cessation of hostilities
in World War I and II were conducted, while in more recent times,
on the National Day of Independent Ceylon are those on whioh the
faithful gathered to give thanks to God.

The Church in Ceylon was dis-established in 1831, shortly after

the arrival of Rev. Samuel Lindsay. IIe was therefore, the last of the
Dutch Presbyterian Ministers to be paid by the Governnent. A bitter
struggle ensued with the Government on the Question of the dis-
establishment, as according to the Articles of the Capitulation' the
British Governnent undertook to maintain the services of the Dutch
Reformed Church. One of thO arguments urged by the Consistory
was that the Government had constantly kept faith in this matter with
the Churoh in Colombo at any rate, by the long succession of Minis-
ters who had been on the Government Establishment. The appoint-
ment of Rev. Giffening in 1807 was regarded by the Secretary of State
as a Special Arrangement due the kindness of Governor Maitland and
the stipulation in the Treaty was held to have been voluntarily sur-
rendered by the Dutch Church in 1806 when the Dutch Ministers left
Ceylon and the Colombo Consistory informed tbe Government that
Divine Services could no longer be maintained. With the Dis'
establishment, began another era for the Dutch Reformed Church in
Ceylon.

Considering the dark days that ensued for the Reformed Faith,
after the British occupation, there still remained the few who were
faithful and strived hard to keep the flame alive. The little leaven of
Protestant Christianity introduced by the l{ollanders, if it failed to
leaven the whole lump had y€t left, here and there, in far isolated
corners, germs which in later years, under the nourishing care of
their successors, have taken root and grown into vigorous trees.76o

Ministerial assistance was sought from Ireland, Scotland and

South Africa. Dedicated men of God answered the Call and came to
this island to labour for the Master, some to spend their whole lives

25
here and lie buried beneath the soil of the country which became a
second home to them. The hope, encouragement and leadership
given by them cannot be forgotten. We remember them and their
work with gratitude.

All the established Dutch churches worked more or less for the
great€r part of the 19th century as indqrendent Church Courts'
The Scoioh presbyterian Church which had gained membership very
rapidly, soon formed their own Presbytery Court as a Colonial Prcsby-
tery of Scotland in 1863. In 1881 a General Presbytery was formed,
with the Wolvendaal Church being admitted into membership, thus
bringing the Scottish and Dutch churches together for a joint witness.
Galle and Matara Churches came in shortly afterwards. The terms
of union, while constituting the Presbytery as the final Court of Ap-
peal for the Scottish and Dutch Churches in Ceylon, reserved the
respective rights of these Churches to be governed by their own laws
and usages.

At the Annual Church Conference in 1925, a Committee was

appointed to consider the revision of the Ordinance No. 12 of 1896.
It fell to the lot of the Hon. Mr. G. A. H. Wille to pre'pare the draft.
For the purpos€ of promoting the welfare of the Church it was con-
sidered expedient to have s€parate Local Consistodes for the manage-
ment of one or more Churches as required by ciicumstances, and a
General Consistory in which should vest all property and financial
Trusts of the various Churches and have a general supervising author-
ity77. when general acceptance was reached, the Draft Ordinance
was pres€nted to the Legislative Council by the Hon. Mr. Wille, with
Mr. Herman Loos in support. On passing into the Statute Book,
on November 3rd, this carrre to be known as Ordinange No. 9 of
1926. Local Consistories were then constituted with separate Minis-
ters in charge and their quota of Elders and Deacons. The General
Consistory is formed by representation of all Local Consistories,
and is the form of Churah Government in force foday. ,

In 1948, The Christian Reformed Churoh of Aqerica came to

help in the labours here. Ministers came in succession and workcd
till 1968 along with the Sons of the Chwch who had periodically
qualified in Seminaries abroad, and kept the,flame of the Reformed
Faith alive.

26
 The Church was however not spared the ravages of error. It
has to be recorded with regret, that in 1952, a group of members
sepa.rat€d from the Dutch Reformed Church on a doctrinal issue
resulting in a schism. Many families were broken by it, while others
withdrew their membership from the Churc-h of their fathers. In the
Providence of God, this Schism was used as a means to draw the
Church and its members closer to His Word.

Today, there are five Churches flourishing in Colombo, two in the

suburbs, and ono each at Galle and Matara for the English speaking
congregations. The Sinhala Church has three congregatioos es-
tablished at Colombo and one in the suburbs with Churches at
Makandura and Kandanagedera in the North Western Provincc;
congregations at Galle and Matara as well as nine growing Mission
Stations in other Provinces. The Tamil speaking members have
Services at three Centres in Colombo, and one in the suburbs with
growing Missionary activity in the Eastern and Central Provinces.
There were Schools attached to each of the Colombo Churches till
they were taken over by the Government in 1962 in keeping with their
Education Policy. The Church has grorn, slowly and stoadily
through the efforts of devoted Ministers and their Consistories,
determined to see a revival.

From this point, onwards we find ourselves among.qt people rtho

are still with us and are faced with a history that has yet to be written.

The Missionary spirit has now taken a greater hold on the Church,
and though unequal to her task, she is taking meaningful steps to go
forward with determination encouraged by the assurance that "the
eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
Truly, we are confident that our God will give the increase as we go
forward trusting in Him. Trust has been the anchor of the Church
from the beginning as is evidenced by the motto 6PES, EST RE-
GERMINAT. This motto is fit for today and for this genoration
as it was in the days of the sturdy rnen who'fashioned it. lt is ther€ to
rouse our z.eal and raise us from torpor. This is the noble sentiment
of priceless worth and buoyant hope,we must carry with us in the
journey we have to accomplish, and the race finally won. It imparts
a spirit of quiet yet brave endurance.and an authority which is its
essential ingredient, a sense of discipline which is its instrument,
through the abiding strength of a dominant tradition.

27
 Let us build for the future by skilful adaption of all the old re-
sour@s, cementing them with collective memory to meet new needs in
old terms. Thus will we hold fast that which we have been given and
handed down through the past, remembering that we are not custo-
dians of today but of the future.

This is OUR CHURCH, YOUR CHURCH AND MINE, Let

us pledge ourselves to serve her wholeheartedly, each of us giving of
our best to further her cause and be true to the Faith of our Fathers'

Thy hand, O God has guided

Thy flock, from age to age;
The wondrous tale is written,
Full clear on every pag€.
Our Fathers owned Thy goodness,
And we their deeds record,
And both of this bear witness,
One Church, One Faith, One Lord.

l. The Greck Text is found in Mirne. Jacque Paul: Patrologia Graeca Tonr
88 o. l?0 (Ed. 1860). The Ens-lish tradslation is found in "The Christian
Todography" of Cos'mos Indicoileustes (Ed. Mc Crindie) Bk.III pp 1 18-119
as qubtdl by Rev. C. N. V. Fernando in "Early Christianity in Ceylon"
J.D.B.U. Vol.38 No.4 p. ll5.
2. J. Hough-"A History of Christianity in India" (London 183945) Vol. III
Bk. 7 p. ?4; also Fr. S G. Perera-Ceylon Antiquary and Literary Register
January t923 op. lE,t-190: and Fr. S. Gnanaprakasan: "A History of the
Cathoiic Churcli in Ceylon" (Colombo l92 \ ip l-12. Lapidarium Zeylani-
cum p.4.
3. Acts t :28 and Tenent's "Christianity in Ceylon" p. 3.
4. Iapidarium Zeylanicum p. 5
5. Ibid p. 5.
６     ７

t-eembruggen-Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon. JDBU Vol. 32 No. 2

p.57.
Brohier-Historical Links between the Netherlands and Ceylon on p. 6.
JDBU Vol. 53 Nos. 3 and 4. (oricinally nublished in "Neerlandia", a Monthlv
Bulletin pubtished by the RiyalNetheilands Legation, Colombo.) ILit he
says: "Only July 29th, 1600, after an absence of two years, a large l)utch
Sailing Ship "IJouw" canied home to Middelburg the first news of the
island of Zeilon, of its stones and marshes, of the spices and animals'
of proud peacocks strutting around in regal maje3ty, while Birds of Paradise
and swallows f,ew overhead."
８．

Iembruggen: Dutch Rdormed Church in Ceylon JDBU Vol. 37 No. 2

p.57.
９．  鶴

Ibid p. 58
10. Ludovici: Lapidariunr Zeylanicunr p. l0 and Introduction by Saparamadu
to Description of the Great Island of Ceylon by Baldaeus p. xxiii.
ll. Tennent: Christianity in Ceylon arid Lcembruggen JDBU Vol. 38 No. 2
p. 59.
12. Ludovici: Lapidarium Zeylanicunr p. 7.
13. Ludovici: Lapidarium Zeylanicum p. 6
14. Tennent: Christianity in Ceylon p. 39
15. Fernando: Christianity in Ceylon JDBU Vol. 39 No. 3 p. 92
16. Ludovici: Op cit p. 7
17. Ibid p. 7 and Tennent p.40
18. Leembruggen: Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon JDBU Vol. 32 No. 2
p. 59
19. An Edict or official proclamation of the Dutch Government.
20. Leembruggel: OP cit P. 60
20a Tennent. Christianity in Ceylon p. 54.
21. Ibid p.60
22. Ludovicil Lapidarium Zeylanicum p. 5.
Fernando: Christianity in Ceylon JDBU Vol. 39 No. 3 p. 101
- - bttntn:
23. Baldaeus: Ceylon P. 165 and
Dirtch Reformed Church in Cevlon JDBU Vol. 30 No.4 p- 130
24.
- ' ' Baldaeus: Op cit p' 173-De Bruy-n: - Op cit-Vol. !0 \o--4 p. 1-16.^
ntinoniiz: Dutch in Ceylon p. 186, Ludovici : .p. 7 ?nd Fernando : Op' cit
J.D.B.U, 3913193 Ziekentroosters were also called Krankbezoelcers.
il;d;d crelatbd by Classis il 1593, were sent to small towns and vjllages
i;Ubita bt E rofeans, too few to permit the allointment of a Predikant.
iiuii"'-ir.q;""tli, these'men proved to be troublesome, rvishing to. looked
iloiiai-M'ii.,irtei6 and yielded to-Ecclesiastical a_uthoritywith.great reluctance
ii;;; iiiiJ tt ev weri later ordained into thc Ministry, and there are cases
;'hili["yi";rC dismissed and sent back to Holland-,(De Bruvn: Ch. vi). -
proponents were a class of_probationers for the Ministry who performed
they became Predikants. (De Bruyn: JDBU
i"iiiiit}iirtical duties til[ 9).
iol. 30 No. 3 P. 72 footnote
25. De Bruyn: Dutch Reformed church in ccylon JDBU Vol. 30 No. 4 p. 116
iiOovici: L,apidarium Zeylanicum p' 7'
26. De Bruyn: Op' cit Vol. 30 No'-3. p.]2p"66
-"' G;-bttggen:- Op. cit Vol. 32 No' 2
27. DeBruyn OP cit Vol. 30 No. 3 P. 72
28. I-eembruggen: OP cit P' 67
2g.Fernando:EarlyChristianityinCeylonJDBUVol'39No'2p'99and
--' iudouici: oP cit PP' 9-10
10- De Bruyn Op. cit Vol. 3Q No. I p. 3--Baldaeus Cevlon p' 173 and
Iittton'i.i: 'Dutch in Ceylon p' 186'
31. Fernando: OP cit P. 102'103'

" $:ffi#:, "E"fllHtl,,l1.%ll,l3"oji$#v". 3e No. 3 p. r02

29
33. Fernando: Op cit p. 102-103.
34. Remonstrants-followers of Jacobus Arnrenius who dissented from the
decisions of the Synod of Dort, l6l8-16f9
35. De Bruyn: Op cit JDBU Vol. 30 No. 2 p. 37
36。 Ibid p. 37
37。 Quoted by De Bruyn frorn Munich JDBU Vol. 3l No. 2 p.56.
38. Ludovici: Op cit P. 7-ll
39. Icembruggen: Op cit JDBU Vol. 32 No. 2 p. 65
40. Ludovici: Op cit P. 8
41. Leembrucsen: Op cit p. 66-J. D. Palm Educational Establishmonts of the
- Durctrii Ceylori JDEU vol. 29 No. 2 p. 46 and JRAS 1846/47.
42. Ludovici: Op cit p.9

仁
43. Lambruggen: Op cit p.ω
44. lbid p.67 and``Wolvendaal Church Minutes Vol.4/Aノ 3p.315 and p.424

にP驚
藻
胸盤#熱1熱 驚黒鞣脚
Ceylon est un ёpreuve de la possiblitも de l'enterprise."
:鮒f柵
47. Lewis: TombstOnes a,Monuments in Ceylon p. 101 and Ludovici:Lapi‐

48.

零辮 織朧 柵 螂 情霧 郡
ぽ留 ∬
４
９

Brohicr: New Light on an 01d Controvcrsy JDBU Vol.43 No.lp.2

５
。

lbid pp.3 and 4

５
︲

Brohier: Historical Links ЛDBU Vol.53 NOs.3,4p.11

５
２

Femando: Christianity in Ceylon, quoting fronl Cordiner Vol. I p. 15

(1807)in.JDBU Vol.39N。 .3p.133
53. Tcnnent: Christianity in Cey10n p.75‐ 76 and Fernando:Ear● Cltristianiy
in Ceylon JDBl」 Vol.39 NO。 3p.133 1
54. Fcrnando: Early Christianity in Ccylon JDBU Vol.39 No.3p.135
55. Anthonisz: A Hundred Ycars Ago JDBU v。 1.14N。 .4p.119
56. lbid p.119
57. bn ad ttdedけ Ret Ferna“ o
M、 lb:,3 h A Desaubnofcり
58. LudoViCi: Op cit p.8
59. Tennent: Op cit p.84.85
60。 1bid p.85
61. Cordiner: A Description of Ceylon p.165 and Fernando Op cit.p.173
62. NOte by Etitor.― Hc c宙dently rettt to Tellipallai

30
63. Buchanan: "Christian Researches in Asia" Ed. 1849 p. 43 ff as quotd by
Rev. Fernando Christianity in Ceylon in the British Period JDBU Vol. 39
No. 4 p. 136
64. Ludovici: Op cit p. 17
65. Ibid p. l7
66. Ibid p. 15
67. ' Vander Gert: A Nursery of Dutch History in South Ceylon-JDBU Vol.
42 No. 4 p.157
68. Ibid p. l5l and Anthonisz: The Dutch Reformed Church-JDBU Vol 45
No. I p.25
69. Minutes of an Extra Ordinary Meeting of the Consistory dated l2th August,
1812.
70. Ludovici: Op cit p. 13
71. 1bid p. 13 .
72. Anthonisを : A∬ undred Years Ago JDBU Vol.14 NO.4p.121
EXtract from the Minutes of the Wolvendaal Church.dated 7th January,
勧 Sby Mr.AL
評 酬 』 T譜 総 ∬
難 鎚 鮮 撫 i鱗
Sir, ￨
In reply tO yourietter ofthe 17th illstant,addressod to His EXcellency the
GovOrnor,I amdirected to say thattheproceedingsOf the Dutch cOnsistOry
are tO be recorded in the English language in order that a copy may be fOr‐
lvardedlfoi ttt informtion ofthe Covernment,through its Political Agent.

I have the honour to be Sir,

Yours etc.
ⅢI協 ￨し &乱蹴 鷺働″ ′
““
73. Ludovici: Op.Cit p.12
74.

75.
灘慰驚裏理1奮鱗黒轟 淋轟
Vol.11656・ 1879 on pages 7 to ll.
i藁
76. A copy Ofthis Rcport can be sccn in the VVolvendaal Church.
76α Ludovici: Op cit p.11
77. 8:亀
蹴 Fl鳳 服 輩び 肝 調 L顎 詔 計器 t舗 よ 網 wiざ 総 :
fro■ 11925

31
 GALLE

THe Port of Galle was known to the ancient sea farers:-the Arabs'
the Romans and the Persians, before the Portuguese came here. The
Arabs coming in the 15th century, had enclosed the Peninsula with
a
pallisade. tn 1SOS, The Portuguesc Viceroy of Goa, Francisco de
Almeida, sent his son Lorenzo to the Maldives with a fleet of nine
ships to;,k .p an eye" on the Arab traders who used to pass this way.
He was driven by contrary winds to the coast of ceylon and anchored
at Galle. A Treaty with the King of Colombo resulted, and the
Portuguese gained a foothold on the island. "The Fort of Galle wasr
built in 1589 on the orders of viceroy Mathias de Albuquerque"
as recorded in the Sloane Manuscripts, now in the British Museum.
The fort was actually a 'retreat' and not a 'fort' in the accepted sense
of the word. The fortifications came in between 1621 and 1625.
It was entered from inside thc present gateway over which was a huge
tower mounted with cannon. A similar tower was at the other end,
jutting out into the sea. The rest of the Peninsula was cut off by
a line of wall. Facing the land side was the povoacao (town). The
bastion at the end of the town was called Santa cruz and is most
probably where the present utrecht bastion stands. on the left of the
pt"s.ot Sun bastion, and below it, was a gate called Porta de Muro
(the gate of the Wall) which must have occupied the present Sallyport
with the date 169? on it. Where the present gate is, there was a glte
called the Porto da Traiso. The space between the fortaleza and the
present Akersloot bastion was the site of the Monastery called
Misericordia. St. Pedro was the site opposite the Kachcheri where the
feitord (factory) stood. The Cathedral was not far from where the
Mosque now stands and St. Domingo about where Pedlar Sfteet ends
towards the west and St. Ftancisco, to the north.

The Dutch laid seige to Galle under Admiral Willem Jacobsz

Coster with 12 ships and landed at Galle on 8th March, 1640. The
fort fell on the l2th Maroh after heavy fighting. The last Com-
mandeur of Galle was Deidrich Thomas Fretz. With the capitulation
of Colombo, Galle too was handed over along with other Dutch
possessions to the British, but Comrrandeur Fretz, by special provision,
was permitted to live here in peace amongst the townsfolk he once
governed.

32
 One popular derivation of the name Galle is from the Sinhalese
word 'galla' meaning rock, plenty of which abound in the sea off
Galle. Another possible derivation is that the Portuguese struck by
the similarity in sound, of the word 'galla' with their word 'gallo'
(gallus, a cock) seem to have connected this bird with the name of the
place. The Dutchmen following them, continued the idea of adopting
a cock as a charge on the Arms they assigned to the town. These
Arms are on a shield argerot (silver) with a cock standing on a rock, all
in natural colours, thus suggesting the two theories of the derivation
of the name of the town.

An early description by Fr. Fernao de Queyroz S.J. (1640) of the

fort of Galle is as follows: "The fortress of Galle was built on a point
of land with the sea on two sides and a steep line of rocks on the north,
where there was no other defence. On the south side, there was a bay,
and here it was protected by a stockade of pointed stakes. A line of
ramparts with its moat and three bastions cut across the land side
from sea to sea. In the niiddle, there was a gate with a drawbridge,
and the position could be defended with this fortification. The In-
habitants called it a city, but it was only a fortress."2 After the Hol-
landers took possession, they did nothing more than build anew
the bastions, enlarge and deepen the moat.'

When the Dutch conquered the Portuguese and took Galle on

12th March, 1640, they were in the grip of a war that had lasted 80
long years-a struggle for religious and political freedom as well as
for self determination. It was still a time of strife, heresy and schism.
The viotory was celebrated with a Serrrice of Thanksgiving conducted
by Predikant Nicholas Molinaeus on the following day, with the armed
forces of the Dutch as his congregation. No more than shreds of
information help to link history with the time honoured place of
worship which was the earliest monument to the oldest Dutch Insti-
tution in the Island today-The Dutoh Reformed Church. Passing
years have removed all traces of it. The only evidence that helps to
confirm it stood on a site parallel to Kerk Street and facing l,eyn Baan
Street is Valentyn's map of the Fort of Galle as it appeared in 1663.
The exact site of this building could not be identified-but it gave
place to a large building referred to in Valentlm's great book as the
'Groote Kerk', (an expression inplying both size and importance)
that was erected within the Fort.'
33
 Two other buildings served the Dutohmen in times prior to the
erection of the present Church. The first was near about the Memorial
Clock Tower. A second and more elaborate building which served the
Dutch community wason a sitepresumed to be opposite the present
church. with only the Belfry still being inexistence, and still in use
today. This was an old Roman Catholic Monastery and was used by
the |onsistory for nearly 110 years. It was dismantled about the
middle of the lSth century. The pr€sent church is therefore the
third edifice to serve the Dutch Reformed Church at Galle'

There is a story that the present church is built on the site of a

capuchin convent demolished by the Dutch. But this has since been
discredited by maps of valentyn and Barrete de Resinde (sloane MS),
who do not suggest the existence of a religious institution here. A
German work, published in 1767,s shows the area as open area, in a
ground plan of the Fort of Galle, making it clear that the site was an
open and unused Plot of land.

Completed in August, 1755, the present Church was built, ac-

cording to ttadition, as a-thank offering to God on the birth of a
daughter to the Commandeur of Galle-Caqparus de Jong and his
wiflaGertruyda Adriana Le Grand. The child was not baptised until
the church was completed. An entry in the Baptismal Register, tells
the story of the taptism of the child, Adriana Johanna, daughter of
the Commandeur, under the date 24th August,1755. Three years
later, the Commandeur died in his 50th year, on the 13th of April.

In keeping with the oustom of the times, a'wdpenboard' bearing

the miniature designs of his fanily armorial escutcheons, spurir, gaunt-
lets and the date of his death, was hung up on the walls of thb Church.
There was one important omission however, the na.me of Comrnandeur
de Jong was left out. The widow is said to have resolved that her
husband.'s na.me should not appear in the Church they built for the
glory of God. This Church therefore stands as evidence of unosten-
tation and humility' characteristic of true Christian gving.

The "Dag Register" states: "Monday 4th July' 1752' there

began the erection of the new Churoh." Another entry-"Friday
24th May, 1754, the walls of the new Reformed Church, erected at the
expense of His Exoellency, the Hon. Caqparus de Jong, having been

34
through God's blessing, thus far without a mishap, raised to their ap-
propriate height and become quite dry, a beginning is made with the
conshuction of the roof by the Superintendent Abraham Anthonisz.
May the Good Lord crown this holy work further with His gracious
blessing and with good success. May He preserve all those who are
engaged in the work against misfortune and suffbring till the founder's
anxious object is achieved and successfully completed to the honour of
God's Holy Name."6

Casparus de Jong (Lord of Spanbroek) was the Commandeur of

Galle from 1751 to l?53. Abraham Anthonisz held an office similar
to that of a Provincial Engineer and was a Lieutenant of the Burgery
(Militia).7 Like the Wolvendaal, Church, this church too is cruci-
form, only that the transepts are shorter. Two arches separate thern
from the nave. The high;vaulted ceiling was originally painted blue
and studded with golden stars. The main timber used on the roqf
was iron wood. Repairers in 1925, had to use seasoned teak ae iron
wood was not available. Notable features of the Church are (l) the
Organ Loft. Sorne of the timbers haVc sincc perished, no longer
making it safe to se*e its original purpose. (2) The absence of
pillars and (3) the ereotion of high seats along the walls. Those on
the Western and Northern sides still remain, while tle pews on the
Southern end were dismantled to accommodate the Altar and Com-
munion Rails of the'Anglican Community, who used this Church
from the time of the ebrly British rule, till 186?, when the present All
Sainu Church was btiilt for their use. The Consistory who readily
gave permission to the Anglican Community to hold services were
severely criticised for sanctioning structural alterations, but, today,
the presence of Commuaion Rails in a Reformed Church iStthe
embodiment of Christian charity and amity, extended in the'true
Christian spirit.

During the dispute bctween the Wolvendaal Conristory and

Bishop Chapman, tne Catt" Consistory came to the assiidanci of the
former and showed a warm zeal in defending the rights of what is
now callcd the parent Church. This brought down upon the Galle
Consistory an equally unjustifiable olaim from the Anglican clergy-
man. This claim was resisted by the Consistory with equal succe$s'
and the Government, dcclining to interfere on behalf of the Chaplain,
thc question was dropped.t That the Anglican community had
り
，
worshipped in this church from early British times down to 1867,
would L"tn to have given the Bishop a colourable pretext for founding
a claim on the ground of common possession, but the fact that the
possession, being on sufferance, as was in the case of wolvendaal,
would have been lost sight of at that time. Happily, these differences
are of the past.

In 1g45, a joint petition signed by the members of the Dutoh and

that a
Scotch communities was presented to the Governor, requesting
rresuyt"tiot Minister be appointed for Galle and Matara. In 1847'
referring
il. ;. King Clarke was appointed. Emerson Tennent,State
the appointment of Dr. King clarke by the secretary of says:
;io uiiitio"to the highest reputation as a zealous and devoted minis-
* oi the Gospel, Dr. Clarke has been recommended as a seholar of
profound attainnents."e

At this time, with the consent of the Consistory, the evening

*or*nip service on Sundays conducted by the Anglicans was timed for
+-lo p._., and the presbyterians had theirs_at 6-30 p.m. Dr. Garstin,
the Anglican colonial chaplain, changed the time of service to 5 p.m.
*iinooi any intimation to the Consistory. Whenever their service
exc.eeded thi one hour limit,-and it often
happened-the Presbyterian
congregation had to remain outside. However, there was no com-
piuiit in this score, but Dr. Garstin complained that the ringing of
p'm. w&s
ihe first bell at 6 p.m. for the Presbyterian Service at 630
JisturUing his service. Interviews and correspondence could not
,trl" th"-i*ro" and Dr. Garstin prosecuted Dr. Clarke in the Police
court for disturbing a religious service by the ringing of a bell. Judge
judgement,
Thomas Berwick who heard the case, in a very interesting
acquitted and discharged Dr' King Clarke'ro

The finest piece of furniture in the r.hurch is the Pulpit, made of

finely grained calamander with flowered satinwood panels. carvings
at the-bottom of the Pulpit show how beautiful a lDmegranate could
be. The sounding board is massive and is suspended by iron rods
and hooks. Around it are carved wooden tassels. The Pulpit is
built into the wall and is reached by a stairway served by a hand rail
alsq made of calamander, which is typical of the style of the
period.
A simplicity and sensitiveness about the wood and carving,,in the
selection ofwhich the Dutch so excelled, bespeak even to the unini-
iiui"a *nat the world has lost since machinery replaced the patielt

36
craftsman. The wooden ribbons and tassels hanging around the
canopy over the Pulpit display to perfection the vanishing art' Unique
furniture associated with the Dutch churches of the 17th and 18th
Centuries, in variety of designs in ebony, nadun and calamander,
that will facinate the connoisseur as well as capture the admiration
of the casual visitor can be seen in the Church.

The visitor will be impressed by and charmed by the size and

architecture of the church. J. P. l,ewis records it as being "the finest
specimen of a gabled roof edifice in Ceylon".tl No large scale
repairs appear to have been done in the early years. In 1904. however,
thi roof was repaired and the outer walls replastered. Wherever the
healy iron *ood ti-b.t beams showed signs of deterioration or seemed
unreliable, they were removed and replaced by seasoned jak beams'
The woodwork and furniture were overhauled and painted at the sarne
time.

The commandeur's Pew, built of satin wood and lined with vel'
vet, appears to have been removed after the last Dutch Governor left
the town. Another pew, along the wall of the north trans€pt used by
the various boekhoutlers of the East lndia Company had to make
room for the platform and massive communion rails required by the
Episcopalian services which came to be held later. In 1860, the huge
memorial tablet to Commandeur Samlantr2, who succeeded Com-
mander de Jong, which stood on the wall facing the main entrance to
the Church was remov€d to the less prominent position it is now in
so that more light might be introduced into the Church by a
window glazed with small panes in imitation of the older windows
which were fitted in early Dutch times. This is the largest and most
interesting of the many hatchments inside the Church. Lewis calls
it "the most elaborate mural tablet in the Island."l3 It is the only
one in the East decorated not only with armorial ensigns but also
with designs of martial insignia.

Galle was the headquarters of the Dutch territory in Ceylon until

the conquest of Colombo in 1656. Predikants served here for periods
of five years after which they either renewed their terms of service or
went elsewhere. The oldest congregation was at Galle. Later, when
the seat of Government shifted to olombo, Galle lost its importance:
Ludovicus Bogaard who was the first Minister to bc appointed to
37
Colombo, hailed from Flanders. The first Predikant at Galle was
Rev. J. Hornhovious. He was succeeded by Rev. Nicholas Molli-
naeus and later by Rev. Antonius Hilarius.

As in the case of other Dutch Churches, there are a large numbcr

of tombstones on the floor as well as tablets and hatchments on the
walls. The tombstones originally placed over the graves of distin-
guished Dutchmen buried in the earlier Church, were, after it had
fallen into ruin, left exposed on the bare site of the building. The
Consistory made a resolution that thes€ tombstones, as well as the
remains which they covered, should be removed and deposited in the
Church. Application was accordingly made to the Governnent in
1853 for the usual honouts, and on the 22r:d October that, year, the
remains were exhumed and removed with respect, reverence and due
honours. and re-interred inside the Church, the tombstones marking
the remains of each one departed being carefully placed over the re-
mains of its proper owner.

The area beneath the floor opposite the Organ loft is the main
burial Vault of the Church. There are two Vaults outside too-
These extend from the side walls of the Church to the parapet wall of
the Church garden, and is roofed over with a pavement. The two
cha.mbers have been in disuse for a long titne, one of which had never
been opened within the living memory of the past three generations
and the other had not been opened since 1808, and is stated that it
would afford an excellent field for study for any one who has the time
and taste for such research work.l3

During the repairs to the Church in 1925, heavy rains made the
floor sink in certain places as the roof had to be removed for the re-
placement of timbers. At this time there was a fear expressed that
the Vaults had collapsed. Mr. R. G. Anthonisz, the Government
Archivist, who was consulted in regard to the opening of the vault,
along with engineers, who incidentally confirmed that the vaults were
in perfect condition, had some interesting details to give when the main
vault was last opened in 1863, on 23rd February to be exact, for the
burial of Mrs. C. P. Walker wife of the District Judge. "Permission
had to be obtained from the Go'vernmental Authorities because burials
within places of *orship had been restricted by law......To get at the
entrance, the tombstone of Matthew vander Spaar opposite the vestry
door was taken away. When the sea gand was removed to a depth of
about 6 feet, there was a stone gate from Which a couple of steps led
into the vault. I got down into the vault...;...there were a number of
cofrns in a fair state of preservation, some of these were lined with
black velvet."!4 a decision was taken however to open the vault again.
In his article on the Galle Church and also in a newspap€r article
written on the occasion of the 175th Anniversary of the Church, Rev.
Vander Gert refers to this incident.

"According to instructions received, we opened up the vault.

It was in good preservation. The vault was much smaller than we
expected. It was only 6 x 9 x 5* feet, the remains of the last cofrn were
there, the lid covering the bones. On a side there were fragments of
old bones and bits of coffin. It is possible that there is another vault
to the northern side. But this one which we opened up is quite
detached and in perfect condition. Coins, an account giving the
history of the vault, and the cause for opening it, were bottled and the
vault was closed."ls There they will lie till they are 'exhumed'at
some later date, to serve the needs of history and research.

The earliest tablet on the floor of the Church is in memory of

B.Coq (1662) who was buried in the Groote Kerk grounds. Another
interesting tablet is the one to the memory of Johapna Maria Ba:q an
infant ten months old. The Coat of Arms of the family is embossed
on hard sandstone. The largest and most interesting is the elaborate
l0 foot hatchment to the menory of Abraham Samlant, already
referred to. To the south end, near the Pulpit, is the memorial to
the de Lyfamily. Andreas Everhardus de Ly succeeded Krayenhoff as
Commandeur of Galle. His son, Abraham was an Elder in the Church.
With his death in 1807, the family of de Ly ceased to exist as he died
childless. He had stipulated in his Will that "whereas I am the last
surviving heir of the family of the house of de Ly, I hereby require,
wish and desire that my Testamentary executor will name and appoint
a p€rson to carry my family arms before my corpse to the place where
it is to be interred, and there.beaten to pieces as then being extinct."
This injunction was carried out to the letter at his death.l6

The l75th Anniversary of the Church wgs celebrated on 12th

August, 1927, the Thanksgiving Service being conductcd by Rev. S.
F. Skeen, who addressed the congregation using the l2th verse of

39
Jeremiah chapter 17 as his text. Other Ministers who participated in
this Service were Rev. L. N. Hitchcock, Rev. Allan Vander Gert,
Rev. W. C. Fleming and Rev. David Tweed. In 1930, a part qf the
choir loft collapsed, this led to the complete restoration of the whole
section. The Bi-Centenary of the Church was celebrated in August,
r955.

The tombstones from the old Dutch Cemetery were transferred

to the Church grounds early this yea,r (1982) when the Government
acquired 'God's little acre' for the purpose of erecting 4 nsw Post
Office to serve the town.
There is no resident Minister at Galle today, but regular visits by
Ministers from Colombo every fortnight are made, to meet the needs
of the members there. As there is no Local Consistory, the oversight
of this area and that of Matara cornes under the Regent Street and
Maligakande Local Consistory.
It is with eager anticipation that we look forward to the day when
the congregation at Galle wilt have their own Local Consistory and
Minister so that the work here may go on even more smoothly than
at present.
１

SIoan Manuscript Nc.197,follo 367 as quoted by F.H.dc Vosin``01d Calle"

  ２

― JDBU Vol.IN。 .3p.120。

irilud de cahぴ `by De oeyrOZ as qud“ by
:鋼 .1夕
  Ｒ︶４

FT'ど 詩 肥
lbid p. 122
1bid pp.129‐ 136
５

椰硼踏踊翻鰐漱f犠 毅 犠震撫鷺囃
Monuments in Ceylon,p. 155.
l『
６

De Vos Op cit p.137.

７

Ibid p. 137
８

Ludovici: Lapidarium zeylanicum p.15.

９

Vander Gert: A Nursery of Dutcll History in South Ccylon JDBU Vo1 42

 

No.4p. 150
︲
０

Vander Gert Op cit JDI〕 U Vol.42 No.4p.151

︲
１

1bid p.145
２
︲

L♂ wis: Tombstoncs&Monuments p.155 and LudOVici:Lapidarium Zey‐

laniculn p.48.
13. Lewis: Op cit p.155
14. Vander Cert Op cit JDBU Vol.42 No.4p.148
15。 Ibid p. 158
16. Ibid p. 149 and Ncwspaper Articie on thc 175bll Annivcrsary of the CaHc
Church
40
 MATARA

Starrding af the gateway to ancient Ruhuna, Matara derives its name

from a mispronunciation of the word 'Matora' by the Portuguese
who called it 'Mature'. The native word 'Matora' derivgs from
'Maha Tera' meaning theplace where the Great River (Nilwala Ganga)
rvas crossed. It was also called 'Maha Tota' (Malo Tota) or Maha-
pattana, the great ferry. In 1673, Baldaeus called it 'Mature" In
t6g1, Robrtt Knox named it as 'Matura' and in 1744, Heydt called it
'Maderon'.

Some historians believe that the origin of Matara as a settlement

goes back to pro-vijayan times when it was inhabited by a clan.or a
iotemistic tribe called 'Nagas' (Snake Worshippers). According to
the Great Chronicle-the Mahavamsa-King Muthasiva's son Maha-
naga left Anuradhapura and settled downwith his family atMaha-
gum" in the soulh of Lanka. It could be asserted that the settlement
of Nog"* in the Rohanadesa became prominent during the time of
Mahanaga.

Geographically, the Matara district lies in the southern Province,

bounded by the hills of Bulutota on the North, by the Galle District
onr the West and the Hambantota District on the East' lts
Southern boundary is the Indian Ocean.

The 'decline' of the District began with the advent of th€ Portu'
guese and their struggle for power with the Dutch. In 1587, the
bevinuwara Devalaya, adjacent towns and villages were destroyed by
the Portuguese. In 1639, neady a century later, Matara came under
the Dutch by a Treaty, and later under the British in 1796.

Itwas only in Dutch times, five years after the capture of Galle
from the Portuguese, that Matara was fortified, probably with a
smaller fort than the present one, or perhaps only a maftello tower.
The existing fort was, iudging fronr the date oo the structure, the
cumulative result of periodical improvements. The otber fort, called
the Star Fort, built so late as 1762 by Baron Van Eck, was doubtless
the result of the bitter lesson learnt by the Dutch during the gFeat
rebellion of 1?60.1761.r
41
 Tho Dutch Church is a plain building with round headed windows
on each side, a verandah on the south side; with the entrance in the
middle.2 This is in reality a side view of the building and bears little
appearance to that of an ecclesiastical edifice. The main entrance is
from the middle as stated, from the verandah on the south side, en-
closed with masonry pillars and a railing familiar to the style pre-
valent in domestic houses built by the Dutch in the town. It is under-
stood that these railings were an addition after the Church was built.
They were removed in 1949 when the Church was repaired and a
low masonry wall built in its place. Mr. J. P. Irwis refers to this
Church building in an article and says "the tout ewemble strikes one at
onoe as very Dutch".3 He refers here to thegables chiefly, which run
in graceful lines over the surface of the walls on the East and West
sides. "The building, was, acoording to the insoiption over the
doorway, erected in 1706. lt is a plain unpretentious edifice sufrcient
to hold about 200 seats" wrote Ludovici.a This date appears to
have been obliterated during subsequent repairs and another date,
that of 1767 is now to be seen. There can be no doubt that this is
not the date of erection, and is, as Mr. I,ewis suggests, that of the
repair of the Church at some time later. The building is shown as
having been in existence in. 1736, when the island was visited by the
German, Johann Wolffgang Heydt, who included a sketch of it in the
work published by him in 1744. However, there is evidence of re-
moter antiquity in the tombstones which pave the floor of the Church.
One of these is of Barbara Jongeling, the young wife of Lam6ert
Lambertyn, the medical officer of the station in 1686. Another of
Gabriella de Tramblay, widow of the Dessavet Abraham Schepmoes,
in 1703, while the Dessaves Pieter Christiaatsz Bolscho in 1709 and
Isaac Weyns in 1711 appear to have also been buried here. In any
case, even if some other explanation be forthcoming for the existence
of these old tombstones, inside the Church, there can be little doubt
that the Dessaves, Frank Willem Falck, father of the Governor by
that name, and Johannes Ferdinandus Crytsman, it t737 and 1758
respectively, found their resting place within the Church.6 The
date,1767, which is now visible, refers to the time when the Church
was repaired during the time when Daniel Burnat was Dessave, 7
(Opperkoopman).

It isindeed a tragedy, thatearly records are not available. Writing

on the Matara Church, Mr. Ludovici states: "Eerwardes H. Silvius,
Predikant, appears to have been the first Minister appointed under the

42
 Dutch Government to be in charge of this Church. He seens to have
laboured here for a period ofeleven years, and at the end ofthat time
(whether owing to his death or retirement, it does not appear) was
succeeded in office in 1?78 by Eervtarde J. Manger, Predikant. This
Minister continued in office for eight years and was succeeded by
Eerwarde F. W. Capelle V.D.M. who in turn was displaced by the
last Dutch Minister Eerwarde H. E. Vanden Broek in l1g2. It
would appear, that after a while this gentleman left the Colony, and
no Minister was appointed in his room, owing probably to the
withdrawal of Government support consequent upon the cession of the
Island to the British".e

After the removal of the last Minister, some of the congregation

left the Colony for Holland, some for Java, and others who remained,
were after some timecompelledto join the Anglican Church or connect
themselves with other rnembers of the Methodist persuasion. There
were however, many who still adhered to the Church of tbeir fathers
and were ministered to by Rev. J. D. Palm who visited the Matara
congregation from Colombo, twice a year. At this time, marriages
uere solemnised and the Sacraments administered.

In 1847, Rev. J. King Clarke was, at the reque;t of the Galle and
Matara Consi.;tories, appointed to the joint charge of the two Churches,
with residence at Galle. Later, with the Ordination of Mr. W. C.
Vander Wall on l2th August, 1869, Matara had a resident Minister
once again. Galle and Matara were generally considered to be one
charge as could be seen by the Act of Appointment of Rev. King
Clarke as "the Dutch Presbyterian Minister of Galle and Matara.',
Application to the Consistory of Colombo in later years brought
Prelectors. ^|l1sss Preleclors could only read prayers and sermons
from a book, while for the administration of the Sacraments and the
solemnisation of Marriages, the congregation were dependent upon
the Ministers of the Anglican Church. This condition did not con-
tinue for long, and the congregation deprived of Services of an Or-
dained Minister, drifted away or identified tbemselves with other
Churches and denominations who were fortunate to have a Minister
of their own.ro

The silverware and plates of the Communion Service have in-

scriptions in Latin and Dutch. One very ornamental plate was
donated by Dedric Van Domburg, a Commandeur of the town.rt

43
 the assistance of the Governor' the ClPrch
was
In 1825, due to
repaired and renovat"Jui-it" of the Government.r2
"*prnse
now visible'
Evidently being guided by the date over-the doorway'
the Anniversary of the
the Presbytery of Ceylon celebrated .150th
a Public Meeting. and a
Church oo gin August,'nev.
191? with Social,
C' Francke conducted this Service and
Thanksgiving Service.
of the Lord's Sup'per' A report of this
administered the Sacrament
13
event is recorded in The Herald.

The General Congistory today is taking interest in th-e lork

at
Matara sending a uinister'regularty to conduct Services
in English
andanEvangelisttoministertotheneedsoftheSinhalesecongle.
gation that is growing.

JDBU
a and the Rebelion of 1760-61 publishe.d in
""*"[_g;;**"ra
Vol. I P. 7
15 No.
Tombstones and Monuments p. 205
２

Lewis:
The Dutch Church at Matara JDBII Y9l' LY-I";l
３

Vandei Wall, E. H.:

p. f qtoti"g i.p. Lewis's butch Architecture in Ceylon (Architecturat re-
view Sept. 1902)
４

Ludovici: Lapidarium Zeylanicum p. 15

It
５

The title Dessawa is one which the Dutch borrowed from the Sinhalese'
*"t Orri by them in 16j0 when the Sinhalese Dessave Ramblpota:1:
,.pL..*a "r.O f"f"t"us Cosser a Koopman in the Dutch Company's
seryice. "i-it"t"ruO'
The title *u, applie6 inihe same sense to high ofhcials
"fi.r*u6r
in the provinces of Colombo and Jaffna-JDBU l5-l-10'
6. Vanderwall: Op cit P. 2.
7. kwis: Tombstones & Monuments p.205
8. Eerwarde is the Dutch term for Reverend.
9. Ludovici: Lapidarium Zeylanicunr p. 15.
10. Ibid p. 15 and 16
11. Herald April 1929 p. 9.
12. Ludovici: Op cit p. 17
13. Herald August/September 191? issue p. 2 with a short resume on p' 3 of the
June l9l7 issue.

44
 J Atr'FN A

This Church is, in point of dats, the oldest of the existing

ecclesiasti-
cal edifices of th€ Dutch in Ceylon. It was erected in 1706-nearly
half a century prior to the building of the churches at Wolvendaal
Ada,m van
and Galle{uring the administration of thc Honourable
The arohitect and builder
4". Ooyo, Comm-andeur of Jaffnapatam'
in an old family record as
rvas Martinus I,eusekam, who is discribed
at Jafftrapatam-ie' chief
Bads Landmeter in the iompany's service
of the Survey Department, witl the rank of an Onderkoopman'
TheresidentclergymanwasRev.PhilippusdeVriestandthefollowing
Jan Lode-
formed the Consistory: Arnout Mom,-Alexander Ravens'
Marten Verdonk and Louis
*yt Sto.phius, Marten Anthonisz, Jan
Verwyk.l

Mr. J. P. kwis writing about the Church has this

to say: "The
as showing how effeotive a
OutcU Church at Jaffna is iery interesting
uuiiaiog can be made with simple materials and a little attempt at
Cross with a wide
ornament; and the pla-n of it *tti"U it that of a Greek
where the
.""t*f area, is especially suited for a modern townof churchthe congregation
objeot is that as large a proportion as-possible
should be within ,iglt uoa t'earing of the pulpit
a1d.1lt1 is
probably due to-It its
eapable of seating some 600 people' The-
interior'
cool and airy' and is
loftiness, and the tnickness of ttle watts, is very
nave' transepts
*.ii fiei"c by the deeply recessed-windows ofthe of
lantern' It is
and chancel, as well ut fi foot small windows
the
possible to have ,oo -oti, or rather. too little' of the "dim religious
suffer
ligbt", and many modern churches in London and elsewhere
like' and reflects
from this defect. At the same time, it is very churc!
of churclr Duilolog
credit on its Calvinistic builders, who, in lcspect
justice done them by the
in their colonial possessions, have had scant
late James Ferguson"'

"They were' their ecclesiastical architecture' permeated

as regards
that Heydt's drawing
with the mediaevat spirit. lt is curious to note
macle in 1738' shows' that
of the Dutch Church at Bstavia, which was
a or Renaissance
though this building wasin the main of
Classical
stone columns as the
type, with a central aome- supported 9V .:tFht
build-ing were all of three ligbts
chief features, ttre wirllwr oiinr*ui"
of the lantern were of
with debased p"tp.oai*tut t'u""'y, and those
45
the same style, but of two lights. Similarly, those of the Jaffna
Church might pass for Romanesque. The Gothic or Mediaeval
tradition appears to have survived until late among the Dutch."

"That the Church is in such a good state of preservation is due to

the substantial and massive structure of the building qualities which
were always found in the work of the Dutch. The walls are from four
to five feet thick, built of rubble and coral stone, and having a covering
of cement. The floor is paved rvith rectangular stones something
under two feet square, which the Dutch seem to have used for this
purpose in all their buildings. The pillars, arches and pedirnents
of the doorways are in the thin yellow bricks that the Dutch also
happened to have imported."z

The date over the main entrance is 1706, but an older building
probably occupied this site, as the church contains tombstones of,
inter alia,1666,1672,1673 and 1693 let into the floor and no doubt
in situ.3

"The Portuguese Church, according to the plan of the fort in

Baldaeus' book stood near the opposite corner ofthe Fort green, so
that th€ Dutch would s€em to have built a church on a different site,
and this church was either rebuilt or a new church built in 1706. The
present church possosses the bell of its Portuguese predecessor, bear.,
ing the legend of "N. S. dos Milagree de Jaffnapatao" (Our Lady of
Miracles of Jaffnapatam), and the date 1648. The bell was until
recently in the belfry but has been removed into the vestry for better
preservation."

"Sketches of the exterior and interior made by the German geo-

metrician and traveller Heydt in 1733 a, showwhat the church was like
in that year, and their fidelity derives corroboration from some water
colour drawings made by.a Dutchman, C. Steiger, in 1260, which are
preserved in the Rijks Museum at Amsterdam.s The church has
little changed at the present day. Both artists represent the lantern
as having externally a balustrade carried on the walls at the spring,
capped with eight stone or cement balls at the corners, and the roof
of the lantern is more high pitched than it is at present. The disap-
pearance of these two features is a decided loss to the building, the
lantern now being too squat to be effective."

6
 "The details of the belfry are rathgr different, but this may be due
to the artists having not paid much attention to copying their exact
form."

"The interior, too is much the same. The Pulpit is now what is
known as the Chalice Pulpit, but the shaft or Column on which it
stands is of different workmanship from the rest of the pulpit, and the
old engravings show that originally the pulpit was attached to the wall.
The sounding board is the same as it was, suspended by a twisted
iron rod."

The present organ gallery, which is of wood, seems to have been

erected at the same time as the alteration in the pulpit was made. The
organ, in Heydt's time, stood on a platform supported by stone pillars
at the west end, but in 1760 there was a stone platform at the end ofthe
north transept. The window here has been built up. We need not
however, regret the substitution for the original gallery of the present
wooden one, seeing that it has given us the quaint carved and painted
panel on which is represented King David, very bald, harping on his
harp, and glancing between whiles at the Psalm book resting on a
reading desk of the eighteenth century, on the open page of which is
displayed the beginning of a psabn written in the Greek language and
alphabet. The three wooden hatchments shown in Steiger's draw-
ings-one of which is also seen in Heydt's sketch-have unfortunately
disappeared; but the church now contains a curious and elaborate
wooden hatchment on the west wall of the south transept, dated 1769,
to the memory of Baron de Reder of Goldberg in Silesia, Comman-
dant of Jaffna. It is in the quasi-classical style of the period. His
Coat-of-arms, surmounted by Time represented by his head and wings
only, one wing being folded, is flanked on one side by the figure of a
lady in classical costume, who turns away to wipo her tears with a
handkerchief, and on the other, by a suit of armour and modern mili-
tary emblems. At the foot, a boy reading from a book proclaims
with a trumpet the Baron's titles and services. At the back, among
other flags, is a white one with a gold border, displaying the mono-
gram V.O.C. in gold-apparently the Banner of the Dutch Company.
The Baron lies buried under the floor close by."

"The Commandeur's pew, which is at the angle of the Chancel

and south transE t, opposite the Pulpit, has been somewhat altered,

47
 a

and so have the stalls next to it. Both Heydt and steiger depict the
former with twisted columns, which have since been replaced by
rounded ones with capitals. It, and the stalls are of difrerent Ceylon
woods, the mouldings of the latter being ebony, These stalls are of
typical Dutch outline, surmounted by shells ca'rved in ebony. Thesc
ornaments are not shown in the plate,6 as they had not been found
when the photograph was taken. Four of them have since been
found at the back of the stalls-betvreen them and the walls-and
replaced in their original positions'"

"There are stalls of plainer pattern the whole length of the west-
ern walls of the nave and transepts. Some of the wooden hat pegs
and of the iron brackets for lamps or candles still remain, and there is a
rvooden peg on the front panel of the Pulpit on which lhe Precentof ,
before seating himself at the desk below, used to hang, just above his
head, his three-cornered hat."

"The doors have large iron hinges, bolts and handles of Dutch
pattern; that of the Commandeur's pew is of brass on a brass plarc of
artistic design."

"A curious external feature is the staircase leading up the wall and
over the gable of rhe north traosept to the west gable, and up this
gable to thc belfry."
"It should be added that the interior was to some extent re-
arranged when, in the earlier part of the century, English (Anglican)
services were held in it. A platform with altar rails was erected at thc
west end, and afont supplied atthe west. It is probable that lherewere
originally stalls against the east wall, in accordance with the Dutch
fashion."?

The year 1812 saw the departure of the last Dutch clergyman from
Ceylon and for seven years before this, the Jaffna Church was without
an ordained Minister. This marked the rapid decline of the Church
organisation the Dutch had established in the North and also the
decline and disintegration of the congregations. They gradually
identified themselves with other denominations, rnainly Episcopalian'

Eve:rtually, on llth July, 1872, the building was handed over to

the Government, and by arrangement, services were to be held there

48
 a

occasionally.s The Scriba of the General Consistory at the timb-

the IIon. Mr. G. A. H. Wille-visiting the Jaffna Church and Kach-
cheri on 15th February, 1935 in the company of tbe Government Agent
Mr. Dyson made a report to that Body which stated anong other
things:- .,In the Kachcheri besides gleaning other information in-
formally,I was able to see the Deed of Surrendcr of 1lth July, 1872, by
which the late consistory of the Dutch church at lYolvendaal,
Colombo, transferred the Jaffna Church to the Government for a
consideration of Rs. 6000/00. Although the early negotiations bet-
ween the Go?ernment and the consistory stipulated expressly for the
fabric of the church being maintained by the Government at its own
expense and being allowed to be used by Protestant bodies, with even a
rcservation in favour of the Consistory to resume services in it if a
Minister were obtained by us for the purpose, later, the consistory
decided to make over the church to Government outright for a con-
sideration, and the Deed is accordingly in the form of an ordinary
transfer, with no reference to any conditions'"8

The Baptismal Font and silver communion service were taken to

the church at Bambalapitiya for use there. In 1936, the Font was
repaired and gifted to the Maligakande church, where it is still in use.

The valuable Silver communion service belonging to the Mannar

congregation brought to the Jaffna Church for safe keeping, was
orderedtobelentforthe useof the AnglicanChurch,'then in the charge
of Rev. christian David by a letter signed by w. Granville, Deputy
secretary to the Government. In submission to the principle that
.might is right" the consistory at Jafrna quietly surrendered the pro-
perty to Rev. David, who, although he forwarded a receip in which it
ii*ti*tty stated that it was borrowed for a time, never seemed to have
thought of returning the property thus borrowed' The items were:
ooa *iln", fbnt, three large silver plates, two silver cups, and two silver
plates.e

The building in 1960, was in a neglected state and in a dangerous

condition and had to be attended to through the intervention of the
General Consistory, who took up the firattef with the Government.
The Church is now an Archaeological presefve,lo and still stands,
boldly withstanding tho ravages of time and the elements, a mute
reminder of the ancient grandeur and glory of the Dutch and their
faith which they introduced into this island.
49
 a

1. Lewis: Tombstones & Monuments p, 215 and

De Bruyn: The Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon. JDBU Vol. xxx
No. 1 P.8.
2. 1907 and quoted by R. G.
Irwis J. P., in the Architectural Review of August
Anthonisz in "The Dutch Church at Jaffna" JDBU Vol. II No. 3 p. l.
3. Lewis: Tombstones & Monuments p.215.
4. Alterneuster Geographisch und Topographisch Schau Platz von Africa und
Ostindien, (Leipzig), a copy may be seen in the Library of the C.B.R.A.S,
Colombo.
5. Photographic reproductions of these drawings may be seen in the Library of
the C.B.R.A.S, Colombo.
6. This plate appears in the article in the Architectural Review referred to
earlier.
7. kwis J. P.: Tombstones and Monuments p. 215 also quoted in toto by the
Editor J.D.B.U. in Vol. II No. 3 pp 99-103 & Lewis in Architectural Review
issue of August 1907.
8. "The Herald", March 1935 p. 6.
9. Ludovici: Lapidarium Zeylanicum P17.
t0. "The Antiquities Ordinance prescribes an'aotiquity'as an object which can
reasonably be believed todate from a period prior to the 2nd day of March,
1815. This is in itself antiquated and should be immediately revised to
provide a marginal date of 150 years from current times." This is the version
given by Dr. R. L. Brohier in his article "Linking the Past" in the J.D.B.U
Vol. 58 p. 52.
Reference on the subject can also be made to the Report of the Special Com-
mittee on Antiquities published as a Sessional Paper-VII of 1959.

50
 WOLVENDAAL
The church, built on a hill facing the colombo Harbour, bearing the
szrmename as that of the church (now changed to vivekananda ttit9,
is the oldest Protestant church in use in ieylon. older christian
churches have fallen into ruin and in some instances, no traces are to
be found today. It was built by the Dutch East India Company_
towards the middle of the Dutch occupation of the island-in l7+9.
The initials rvsvc on the gable associate the building with the name
of the Governor-Julius valentyn Stein van Gollennesse, who ad-
ministered ceylon as Governor from llth May,1743 to 6th March
r75t.

The choice of the site is easily explained when it is mentioned that

wolvendaal had, from the time of the Dutoh occupation of colombo
in 1656, been a parish of the church. That a small church or school-
room, for teaching on week days and for services on Sundays, had
always been maintained there on behalf of thc Native christians is
an
established fact. when, therefore, we read of ministrations of the
clergy at wolvendaal before the year 1757,itmust be remembered that
these ministrations had nothing to do with the present edifce.l

The area outside the fort was covered with swamps and marsh-
land. The Portuguese, when they came, called the area ,Agoa de_
Loupe', which meant 'The Dale of 'wolves', evidently because wild
animals identified by them as wolves used to roam here unhindered.
wolvendaal is the Dutch rendition of the name given by the portu-
guese. In his bool Mr. J. P. Lewis expresses the view that wolven-
daal means a marsh or swamp frequented by jackals, and that the
hill on which the church stands takes its name from the surrounding
low ground.2 The wolves have now been identified as nothing more
formidable than the jackals which abounded in the Kotahena aiea and
made occasional inroads into the town in search of food. when we
reflect on the position today, it seems ironically inappropriateo since a
hill can hardly be a valley and again, wolves have never been iound to
exist in Ceylon.

The earlier church, that of the church of St. Francis, built by the
Portuguese, and used by the Dutchmen when they occupied Colombo,
was within the Fort, but it has long since disappeared. The site where

51
it stood is the present Gordon Gardcns, adjoining Queen's House
(Now Presidentis House or Janadipathi Mandiriya)' When this
ifru."h was dcmolished, in 1813, the remains and tombstones of pro-
minent Dutchmen and their families,were exhumed and
re'interred in
by the
the Wolvendast Qhurch, with the consent of the inhabitants'
Gover-
British Authorities. The r.emains included thosc of flve Dutch
nors. The oldest tombstone bears the date 1607' The ceremonytook
procedure
place by torohlight, on the night of 4th September' and the
in the Gazette of
io be, followed wasprescribed byan orcler published
a troop of Cavalry
September 2nd, 1813. The procession was headed by
after which came a Captain's Guard of
followed by a Military Band
Behind the coffins walked
Honour oi Hit Majesty's 19th Regiment'
of the latc
the clergymen of the Colony followed by the Gentlemen
and other
Dutch dovernment, His Excellency the Governor, Judges
Digoitaries. An account of the procession as published in
the

Gazette Extraordinary is reproduced as Appendix I at the end of this

book.
of King Dharma-
In passing, it has to be recorded that the remains
pala of'KotteltS+Z-f Sgf) who was converted to the
Roman Catholic
iaith in 1550 and died in 1607 were interred in the old Church at
those removed to
Gordon Gardens and his tombstone was among
the Church at Wolvendaal. lt is a matter for
regret that-this-stone
ii"ri*;;"" inscription in pure Portuguese" is not to beItfound
could
there
well
now.3 According t'o J. P. Lewis it was tbere in 1766'
tre that his tombstone was the one removed flom
the Wolvendaal
to His Excellency
Church on a request made on 4th December' 1832
the Governor to use it for a monument to the memoly
of Capt'
which is now to be seen on a
Chrisp Master Attendant of Colombo
application and
wall of St. Peter's Church, Fort, Colombo'a This
dated 21st November, 1832 are to be seen in the Records
of
another
memorial
the Wolvendaal Church (Volume 23)' Another noteworthy
was that to the memory of General Gerard
Hulft' who commanded the
in 1656. His body lay for some
Dutch forces at the siege of Colombo
timeduringthecontinuanceofthesiege,atthe..GrooteKerk''
Galle, and was, in 1658, brought to Colombo and
laid under a stately
though thcre
mausoleum. Every vestige of this has now disappeared'

52
is a rumour that tbe stone which bore the inscription was used, turned
the other way, for Sir William Coke's monument, which was erected
five years after the removal from the Fort Church to Wolvendaal.s

The burial ground in the Pettah, was used to inter all Dutch people
who did not care to pay the high fees charged for burial within the
Church, and in the flrst few years of the British occupation, all mem-
bers of the British conmunity who died within that period.6 The
following observation is to be seen in the records of the Wolvendaal
Church: "Owing to the difficulty of carrying the coffins application
was made to provide h€arses7." A sketch of a hearse ot Triacle'
the three wheeled hearses provided in 1814,and a plan of the Burial
Ground (1832) have been preserved in Volume 3 of the old Records,
while volume 22 also contains a plan of the Pettah Burial Ground,
dated 3lst December 1840. Permission was obtained by the General
consistory in 1958 from the Ministryof Home Affairs, to build on the
Cemetery and for re-interning the remains found on excavation,
along one of the bounclaries, together with all monuments found in-
side the Cemetery. The New Consistory Buildings now occupy the
site of the Old Pettah Cemetery.

The church is built in the Doric style of the period, in the form
of a Greek cross, with walls nearly five feet thick, over which the
gables have been raised. The transepts are roofed with brick barrel
arches ancl a centre dome. This dome was originally arched with
brick and surmounted with a gilt weather-cock. A stroke of lightn-
ing in 1856 destroyed this weather-cock and so injured the dome,
tnat the brick work had to be removed and replaced with a wooden
roof covered with blue Bangor slates, somewhat detrimental to the
acoustic effects. The slates were again replaced with an iron covering
necessitating frequent painting and maintenancs to preserve it against
the corroding effects of the sea spray and damp climate. while re-
pairs to the church were being effected in 1845, worship Se,rvices
were held temporarily in the premises of the Supreme Court' Hulfts-
dorp. services were resumed in the church in 1846. Referring to
the disaster caused by the stroke of lightning, Mr. J. L. K' Van Dort
says: "The dome, or rather the bell shaped octagonal cupola, was
composed of lead and above it was a brazen lion with a crown on its
head and beanng a sword in one hand and seven arrows, representing
the seven United States of the Dutch Republic as seen in the Arms of

53
Holland appearing on the coins used in Ceylon before the introduction
of British Indian Currency. This dome was struck by lightning some
time in thg 50's. The molten lead poured down to the ground and

ｗ ・
ａ ｍ
ｓ ｅ．
the masonry was shattered. The molten lead surreptitiously

ｌ
sold to Moorish traders bv the Sexton at that He was dis-
missed for this."8

According to rumour that was current at the time, the ruins of

the Royal City of Kotte were utilised in the construqion of the Church.
It is on record that ships of the Dutch East Company brought heavy
granite slabs in ballast, for the building of the Church and the paving
of the floor. White there is no record in support of the former, tbe
Iatter is definite considering the fact that the Dutchmen would have
done everything in their power to make this Church of theirs reminis-
cent of the Churches they were accustomed to worship in their Home-
Iand. The Dutch Political Minutes of 27th June, 1749 record that
"stones for the floor of Wolvendaal Church were obtained from
Coromandel."

The Church, whose foundation was laid in l749,took 8 years to

build and is capable of seating 1000 persons. Completed on 6th
March, 1757, it was dedicated for public worship by Rev. Mathias
Wirmelskircker, Rector of the Colombo Seminary, assisted by Rev.
Gerrard Pottken, Bernardhus Engelbert, Johannes Joachim Fybrands,
Johannes Jacobus Meyer, and Philippus Melho. There were two
Governors pr€sent-John Gideon Loten, who was relinquishing the
Govern:nent, and his successor Jan Schreuder; Members of the poli-
tical Council; Abraham Samland (Hoofd Administrator); Robertus
Cramer (Dessave); Major Ilrich Hemingson (Ofrcer Commanding the
Forces); Albert Burgart de Joncheer (Fiscal); Huybert Hoogerwaard
(Koopman); Andreas Jacobus de Ley (Civil paymaster); Joannes
Blaauwestein (chief warehouse Keeper) ; Godfried Kretschman (Trade
commissioner) and Justus Rutgard Kriekenbeek (political secretary)
in addition to a large number of Burghers and their families who had
been specially invited. The text used on this occasion was Genesis
28 :22 "And this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's
!ou-se." ("Ende dese steen dien ick tot een opgerecht teecken geset
hebbe sal een Huys Godts wesen,,)g

Provision has been made for the Governor,s accommodation in a

solidly constructed state Pew with half a dozen Ebony and calamander

54
 chairs. To tbose who admire Dutch furniture, the Church is a verit-
able mine of treasures. There is a remarkable collectron of ebony
charrs dating back to the lTth and l8th centuries that will fascinate
the connoisseur as it will capture the admiration of the casual visitor.
"There is good cause for reproach that nothing definite is known of the
history of the collection of chairs in Wolvendaal Church. A custom
which prevailed in the t8th century of keeping the 'kerkstoel' or churcli
chair in the home, and having itcarriedtoChurch each Sunday (by a
slave-Ed) is a possible explanation of how such a large variety of
chairs came to be collected here" wrote Dr. Brohierro. In contrast
to this statement, the following extract from the Minutes of the
Wolvendaal Consistory, (as have been translated by Mr. S. A. W.
Mottau from the original Dutch) gives another story: ..The Rev.
President further mentioned that a certain person who wished to be
anonymous, had made a gift of 12 nadun wood ladies chairs and that
Mr. Andringa had made a gift of 18 Calamander wood ladies chairs
to the Church......" Another extract reads: .'The Church Warden
Mr. Wambeek informed the meeting that 24 chairs had been gifted
to the Church by an anonymous donor."rr Wolfgang Heydt, the
German traveller, who was also in the service of the Dutch East India
Company and spent over two years in Ceylon, and later wrote an
account of his travels in 1744, observed: .,The women are accustomed
to sit on chairs, which they at all times have carried behind them by
slaves......and when Church is over, they are taken home again.
Each one takes care, not only to have a fi,ne seat, but that it be provided
with a stately cushion."r2 It is also possible that some chairs were
transferred to the Wolvendaal Church from the older Church in Gor-
don Gardens.

The pulpit, kctern,Governor's and Elders' pews are as originally

constructed, as are the oldpewsalong and around the walls for other
members of the public. Indiffercnce in the past of those concerned
has caused much damage through the disposal of castings, mouldings
and carvings brought from Holland-items that cannot be replaced.

An octagonal lantern hung from the centre of the dome and

quaint square lamps were used for lighting. These unfortunately
have not been preserved with the introduction of a chandalier and
otber lamps in subsequent years. It is however recorded in the
Minutes of the wolvendaal church that this chandalier was lent to
the Matara Church.ra

55
 part of
At a later stage, a Chandalier of glass prisms, a very elaborate
the decoratiolo, *u. brought from.Holland together with ancillary
lamps, to replace the old lantern. lt was fitted on 9th
October' 1839
and'cost f,56. Fitting charges were 95. In referring to this incident,
there is a record that "labour and expenses were met from Church
the lamp is suspended was placed
funds......the toprnost rods on which
in position by ivlr. B. Thornas"la The record goes on to say that
onbecember, 30, 1844, another presentation of 4 small chandaliers
and
and 8 globe lamps rvas made by rnembers' These chandaliers
,o-" oi the lamps are at present in the Matara Church'"

ThereisaromanticstoryrelatedinconnectionwiththeChanda.
lier.Itisreportedthatacertainyoungladywasjiltedbyherfiance.
She sued him for breach of promise and won
heavy damages' Scorn-
donated the
id; te enriched by the dimage to her affections, she
subscriptions to
,o- to the Church to be used along with other
"oiir"
put"fru." the chandalier, undet $hich brides in happier circumstances
i"ri. morrira.tt It was originally intended to burn oil.hasLater,
run." got *ot used fot illumination, it ceased to be used' but
been
pr"*ri.O in its original form and still adorns the central dome.
Tlrereishowever,noreoordtoauthgntioatethestoryrelatedbutthere
giving
is in the records of the wolvendaal church a subscription list
names of thoso who contributed towards the cost of
the purchase of
tlre chandalier which was obtained at a specially reduced
price of
ff0.
The communion service is of fine silver, which, though bearing
no datc has its weight inscribed in Rix Dollars or Surat Rupees'
The set consists of a large Wine toureen, a latge plate' four small
plates, four chalice cups, and two ahns dishes' Each piece is chastely
iesigned. The entire service is still in use' In passing, it has to be
recolrded, that the widorv of Rev. Mr. Schroter had sent the Commun-
ion silverware brought over from Jaffna, from the church at Trinco-
malee.t6 It was to be used in the administration of the sacrament
at Mannar, Kalpitiya and Negombo. The Communion silver from
the church at Tutocorin, also held in the wolvendaal church was to
be returned to that church, "who would gladly meet the expenses
of
despatohing thesearticles."l? The silver from Trincomalee, was later
givin to the Matara Church and from here "lent" to the Anglican
iongregation at Matara by the order of the Governor through the
Deputy SecretarY.lt

56
 ゝ漁TI嵐ぽ1寓1織 需紺TttLR
gerboren den XIV en gcdoOpt den xvII Juny. Ao MDCLXVII
…
Wege Ropy 206キ 。
" o「 his bOwl is presented to the Co10mbo Church
by RttcklofFVan G∝ ns and his wife EstherSa10mnc in cOmmemOra中
tiOn Of their daughter Esther Cey10nia Van Goens whO was the
larst t。 1℃ ceive Holy Baptisln therefrom. Born the 14th and baptised

苑
蝙 3Tttittτ ttm∬ 避精儡器 慇l叩
ter,it also cnshrines a tale of human love and lifeo The mother,
Esther Sa10mme,dicd a day after the baptism Of their infant daughter.
A tombstOneto her memory andthat Of the Governor Rttck10fF Van
Goens is stillto be scen against One ofthe external wans ofthe Church.

There was a■ old brass ink stand in the shape of a cruct with
twoミ、 s forink that went together with a qucer shaped bell and
bottle in the shape of a pepper pot containing sand fOr sprinkling
over the writing. These are■ o10n,r there. Evidcntly disposed Of
over the years along witll some of the cxquisite chairs,the valuc of
which had■ ot been known at that timc.

Let us tt this tiIILC,宙 Sualise● scene ofpast days.“ Mynheer and

Mcvrouw,dad in their Sunday best,arc dowly walking up Wolvcn‐
daal Hlll frOm their home in thc Pettah,whilc tlle old bcll brcaks the
Sabbtth calm,with its deep boom. They linger b,the dOor of thc
Church,greeting a k■ ot of friends v/ho havc alrcady gathered there.
Suddenly,the word g∝ s round―the Governor!― and a stately caト
riage draws up. Amid the respectful bows of the asscmbly,thc Ruler
of the land,in wig,knee■ )recches and silk stockings,moves to his
elevated pew.The Pred経 ″′has■ ot yet mounted the Pulpiti but
the sOnorous tones of the Krα ″たbθ Zο θたθr ttc heard at the Lcctcm,
reading the opening passages of the grand service of the Dutch Rc‐
fOrmed churcr'.21

57
 TheinteresttakenbythepeopleintheChurchinDutchtimes
and in the early British days was great and the evidence of this is
seen in the large stained glass windows presented by Governor
Sir
William H. Grigory, Mr. W. H. Wright, another placed by public
subscription in memory of Sir Richard F. Morgan.22 The third and
fourth windows were placed by the Church in memory of two ladies
named Schroter and i.aymond, benefactors of the Church'23 The
inclusion of a sum of Rs. 3,880-00 in the Supplementary Bill of 1875-
1876
..for fixing new windows io the wolvendaal church" was op-
posed and led to a spirited debate in the Legislative council of that
ti-". The proceedings are recorded in Hansard of wednesday
November tOtU-tgZS. It throws light on an often discussed contro-
versy built around Article 18 of the Terms of capitulation of colombo
ty itre Dutch to the British entered into on February 15th, 1796.
In putting the motion to the House, the Governor, sir v/illiam Gre-
gory, said: .,thereis a morat obligation involved andl shallgivemy
own vote in support of the Estimate." The division took place, and
the motion was carried. Succeeding Governments have since in-
cluded an annual grant of Rs. 200-00 for the maintenance of the
wolvendaal church. A veritable monument of the oldest Dutch
Institutions in ceylon, the wolvendaal church, is the only unspoiled
evidence in Colombo of thearchitecturalskill of the Nation whichceded
the Island to the British through the Treaty of Amiens in 1796 and
acknowledged by them in their desire to maintain the buildings.

Sir Vrlilliam Gregory, the English Governor, described the Church

as "The Westminster Abbey of Ceylon where so many brave Holland-
ers lie buried". Whilst remembering the good done by so many, it is
also recalled that one of the Dutch Governors, Petrus Vuyst (1726-
1729) was a tyrant and had caused disrepute to be brought on the
Dutchmen by his aotions. Many buildings were destroyed through
spite or acquired thus causing much hardship to the inhabitants.
There is still a carved granite stone over the gable of a building in
Baillie Street-the Globe Hotel's western doorway-reading "Door
Gewelt Doo'rt regt herstelt" which translated means "Destroyed by
might, Restored by right", a mute testimony to the reign of terror
which was sought to be undone by his successor. Tradition has it
that the stone slab commemorates the restoration of the building des-
troyed by Vuyst to revenge himself on the owners.24

58
 On the walls of the Church are many mural tablets while there
are many more built into the external walls. The floor is paved with
tombstones of those who lie buried within the Church. Wapen
Boards and monuments indicatethe gentledescent of thos€ gonebefore,
linking their names with a glorious past. The last Dutch Governor
to be buried here was Jan Gerard Van Angelbeek, who died in Colombo
in 1799, three years after the British Occupation, and was buried in a
vault beside his wife.

During the early British period, and before they could build
churches for themselves, the Anglican clergy were allowed to officiate
to their flock in the Wolvendaal Church. The hours of worship
were so regulated as not to clash with the regular Dutch services.
The Sinhalese section of the Dutch congregation soon went over to
the Anglican communion, and as the Church was originally intended
for their benefit as well as for the Dutchmen, their families and des-
cendants who were now in a minority, Bishop Chapman set up a claim
in 1849,to an exclusive proprietary right on behalf of the Church of
England, to the puilding. The Consistory as well as the Secretary of
State for the Colonies rightly interpreting the Clause in the Treaty of
Capitulation, that, by it,the proprietary right was vested in the
Consistory as representing the congregation of the Dutch Reformed
Church, dis-allowed the Bishop's olaim.25 Since then, no attempt
has been made to deprive the congregation of the Wolvendaal Church
the sole right of occupation.

The fust Century of the existence of the Church was celebrated

with much pomp and pageantry. The Thanksgiving Service was
conducted by Rev. John G. Mac Vicar. He used the words of Heb'
rews 2 : 12 as his text. The concluding words of his address on this
occasion were: "But, if it should appear that we have to thank
our forefathers for bequeathing to us, and to praise our God for
preserving us throughmanyvicissitudes a Church Order and Discipline
agreeable to the primitive model.........shall Inot say to you, hold
fast that which thou hast. And in retrospeot of a hundred years may
we not all well unite one heart and voice in saying I will sing praises
to the Lord. Long shall I remember with delight the cheerful sight
of so many families making this beautiful Island their home, as I
saw united in worship the morning this discourse was delivered."

59
 In the Main Street of the Pettah, at the foot of wolvendaal Hill,
stands the old Belfry with the bell that used to summon the worship-
Irrs to prayer and praise in the early days of the Church'
Time was,
when it-was also used as a curfew bell "to mark the closing of the
castle gates and lights out". It is said to date back to the 16th cen-
tury and to have hung originally in the Portuguese church dedicated
to 3t. Francis whioh once stood in the Royal City of Jayawardene-
pura Kotte.26 The City was abandoned in 1565 and re-occupied by
ih" Dot"h. The bell wa( found among the ruins and removed in due
course by the Dutch and set up in the Belfry at Kalnnan's Gate. There
it stands, even today. In the str€am of commerce that whirls around
it, both bell and belfry fail to attract any attention now. At the turn
of the century, it was also uSed to mark festive occasions or to mark
special services in the Church. It then proclaimed its existence by a
joyful peal to the multi coloured seething life of the East which has
invaded this part of the city. The last time on which it rang out,
ofrcially, otot oo V. J. Day-August 14th 1945, to mark the cessation
of hostilities in the Second World War.

In 1882, it was decided to sell off the old Organ as it had served its
useful span of life and to obtain a new one. "lt was to be disposed
of to G highest bidder, Mr. Brodie having a preferential claim".27
At a previous meeting of tbe Consistory a decision had been taken to
sell the Organ to Mr. Brodie for Rs. 100/00 and to pay Messrs. Caves
Ltd. the sum of Rs. 100/00 for fitting the new Organ.2E Subsequently,
it was reported that members had subsgribed the sum of Rs. 2199/73;
a special collection had realised the sum of Rs. 63/37 and the old organ
had been sold for Rs: 120/00 making a total of Rs. 2,383/10 by way of
receipts. Payments made in connection with the installation of the
new organ were: Cost of Organ Fi.s. 3,426125; platform for organ
Rs, 88i00; fixing charges Rs. 84/50; Curtains, brass posts, rails and
rings Rs. 7 21 42 makirig a total of Rs. 3,491 / 17. The excess Rs. 1, 108/07
was to be charged to Church funds. The condemngd curtains were
to be gifrcd to the Ladies'Dorcas Society orto beutilised for the Pulpit
and Governor's pews.ze

Extensive plastering and repairs were carried out in 1903, but no

structural alterations were made, so that the Church appears sub-
stantially the same as it was when it was built. Subsequent repairs
too have not affected the architecture or app€arance of the building.

60
At the time of writing, (1 980), the plaslering is once again being renewed
and repairs being carried out where necessary. On inspection, it has been
ascertained that the walls have been built of cabook with coral and
lime for binding. The stones are somewhat larger than the average
cabook stones one sees today.

The Ordination of the newly appointed members to the General

Consistory, Incorporated under Ordinance No. 9 of 1926, with Rev.
David Tweed as the first President, was conducted in this Church on
December lgth,1926, before a congregation that filled the Church.

The installation of electricity in the church was corlmemorated

with a special service on Sunday 27th September, 1931 at 6-45 p.m.
by Rev. David Tweed who based his address on the first verse of
Psalm 122 : "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the
House of the Lord". The total cost of the installation Rs. 1'500i00.

At the Bi-Centenary Commemoration Senice in 1949, Leaders

of other Christian Denominations joined with members of the Dutch
Reformed church and others in giving thanks for the Faith that was
responsible for the building of the Church, and for the fearless preach-
ing of God's Word from her Pulpit. The Bishop of Colombo, the
Rt. Rev. A. Rollo Graham-Campbell took a part of the Service,
while the Assistant Bishop of Colombo, the Rt. Rev. Lakdasa de Mel
was the preacher. To mark the occasion, a Souvenir was arranged
and edited by Mr. L. n. gtaztr and Dr. R. L. Brohier- Printed on
fine art paper, it has proved to be a very valuable publication as well
as being a collector's item.

On February l3th, 1951, the Captdin of the Dutch Naval Des-

troyer "Tjerk Hiddes"-I. Haentjes; the Naval Chaplain-Captain
H. Van Beek and fifty men of the crew, paid a special visit to colombo
to present a memorial tablet to "the Wolvendaal Church of the Dutch
Buighers as a token of appreciation by the Protestant Churches in
the Netherlands for the warm welcome given to Dutch soldiers,
sailors and Airmen during and after world war II". This tablet
has been fitted in a place of pride immediately beneath the Fulpit'

On January l3th, 1969, gale force winds blowing across Colombo,

wrenched off some of the lead sheets on the roof and badly damaged

61
the dome. Immediate action was taken by the General consistory
with the cooperation of the Archaeological Department 1nd further
damagewasarrested.TheDutchAmbassadorhimselfexpressed
on his own behalf and on behalf of the Netherlands Govern-
"on""i,
ment at the extent of the damage caused and moved to be of
assistance
in a very practical way. Donations from the Dutch Government
and from tire Foundation of Cultural History of the Dutch
Overseas
came to Rs. 12y'63-50 and helped to meet the cost of repairs which
amounted to Rs. 23,350-00. It has to be rnentioned here, that mem-
bers of the Church and others who had emigrated to Australia and
other parts, showed their concern too by making donations towards
the cost of repairs.

On October 20th, 1971, at 9 a'm' His Excellency Mr'

C' G' Ver-
made
donk Huffnagel, Ambassador of the Netherlands Government'
a formal presentation of 50 yards of red velvet and 25
yards of gold
History
braid on Lf,"ff of the Nethlrhnds Association for Cultural
of the Dutch Overseas. Having addressedthe gathering' His Ex-
cellency made the presentation which was received by Mrs'
S' R'
Nugara, an old and devoted member of the Church' The draping
was entrusted to Messrs. Colombo Apothecaries Co., Ltd.,
at a cost
of Rs. 625-00. The Pulpit, Governor's Pew and Reading Desk were

the items of furniture tirat had their drapes renewed by this muni-
ficence

A new silver Alms Plate, suitably inscribcd in English and Dutch

purchased from funds representing the offertories taken at services in
ihe Church conducted foi Dutch troops during the War, was handed
to tlrc wolvendaal consistory by the scriba of the General consis-
tory, Mr. C. A. Speldewinde, in November, 1949' A sum of
Rs. ],SOO-OO had been-collected. Of this, Rs. 765{0 was expended
on the purchase of the plate and a sum of Rs' 85-00 was spent on en-
graving.

The church is termed as a Archaeologically Protected Monument

today, under the Antiquities Ordinance Cap. 188'30

Affectionately referred to as the Mother church, wolvendaal

still attracts the faithful from all over on special days of worship,
when as ohe united congregation, they seek to praise an Eternal God
from whom all blessings flow.

62
 Before concluding this chapter, it would be good to see the origin
of the misspelling of the name Wolvendaal by some in using the spell-
ing of Wolfendbal or Wolfendahl instead. Mr. W. S. Christofhlsz
I.S.O. writing in "Neerlandia" in June 1929 atd' quoted in the Journal
of the Dutch Burgher Union3t places the blame fairly and squarely
on the soldiers of the De Meuron Regiment (a band of mercenaries
in the service of the Dutch) "who, coming as they did, mainly from
Germany, adopted the German way of spelling, while Rev. J. D'
Palm, who was not a Hollander by birth, perpetuated the error."

1. Toussaint: Wolvendaal Church JDBU Vol. I No. 3 p. 116

2. Lewis: Tombstones and Monuments p. 101
3. Toussaint: Op cit p. 59 and Lewis: Op cit p. 102
4. Perera and Reimers: Report on the Historical Manuscripts Commission at
Wolveodaal, published in 1939 on 8th December p. 20--
5. Toussaint: Op cit p. 59 and kwis: Op cit p. 102
6. Irwis: Op citp.72
7. Perera and Reimers: Op cit p. 5
8. Van Dort: Wolvendaal Church in Earlv Times JDBU Vol. 28 No' 2 p' 60
Ludovici: Lapidarium Zeylanicum p. 12
9. Toussaint, J. R. T.: Wolvendaal Church JDBU Vol' I No. 3 p, 116, ll7
who expands on this by saying: The event is thus recorded in the Public
Diary for the year: De nicuwe kerk op Wolvendaal door des Heeren
zeegin voltooyf geraakt zynde, is deselve door de Eerwarde Wirmelskir-
chei ingeweigi, iemende-Zyn Eerw: tot zyne text applicabel tot zulken
gplegentheid uytGen. 28.v 22,lietende do Weledele Heeren Gouverneurs
ieffeir de Heeien Politicque Leeden en de Eerw; Predikanten, zug ook
aldaar bevinden, dewelke by een roundraage ten dien einde verzogt
waaren. "(The iranslation being-ThenewChurch at Wolvendaal having
now been completed with God's blessing, it was dedicated by the Rev. Mr'
Wermelskircher, who preached on the text appropriate for such an occas-
ion from Geneiis 28,-v. 22. The Right Honourable Governors and the
Members of the Political Council andlhe Rev. Predikants, who were invi-
ted by circular to attend were also present there'-Ed)
10. Brohier, R. L.: De Wolvendaalsche Ke.rk (1938) p. 20
11. Page 150 of the Eoglish Translations Vol. 4Al5 and page 169 of Vol. 4Ale
6v Mr. S. A. W. Mottau in the Govt. Archives, copy in the Gcneral Con-
sistory Office, Library.
12. Brohier: Furniture of the Dutch Period in Ceylon, Introduction p. xiv.
13. Minute dated lTth June, 1838
14. The Herald April, l9l5 P. 4
15. Toussaint: Wolvendaal Church in Early times JDBU Vol. 2E No' 2 p' 62
16, 1?. Minutes of the Wolvendaal Church dated 20th June 1804; 3rd
October 1804 and l9th March' 1805
18. Ludovici: Iapidarium Zevlanicum p. 17
19. The Rix Dollar was the'nominal'money in which the Dutch kept their ac-
counts aod was valued at 48 stivers. Later" before the Britishtook over

63
 the value of the rupee was made equal to 30 stivers. When the British
took over, the value was increased again to 48 stivers, equal to the Arcot
Rupee and Madras.Rupee, causing financial loss to the Dutch residents.
(Douglas Papers pp. l5l-152) One Rix Dollar was oqual to |€ sterling.
20. Dekker, F. The Dutch in Ceylon JDBU Vol. 28 No: 2 p. 83.
21. Vander Wall, E. H.: Article in The Ceylon Causerie October 1924 p. ll
and Toussaint, J. R.: Wolvendaal Church in Early Times JDBU Vol. 28
No. 2 p. 63.
22. Richard Francis Morgan was an unomcial member of the I-€gislative Council
representing the Burgher community in 1851. Became D. J. Colombo
in October 1856 and Actg. Puisne Justice December 1856, Queen's Advocate
Jan. 1863. Declined appointment of Actg. Chief Justice due to ill health.
"He was the first of Her Majesty's Eurasian subjects to be Knighted (Digby
Vol. I p. 53;" "oo" who was honoured as no Burgher before him had
been honoured" (Ibid Preface)
23. Miss Schroter is remembered in the records of the Wolvendaal Church as the
donor of her valuable property in the Fort which stood in close proximity
to the Dutch Governor's residence (-present President's Hous,c) Van
Dort, J. L. K. in 'tOld Colombo" JDBU Vol 22 No. 2 p.79.
The installation of this window eost Rs. 1,560/00 and was paid from Church.
fuods-obtained through the Crown Agents at a cost of Rs. 7,800/00 and
made by Messrs. John Powel Sons of White Friars Glass Works, Temple
St. I,ondon for € 300 (Wolvendaal Minutes datedgthMarch 1876 and
3lst May 1876.)
24. Anthonisz R. G.: The Dutch in Ceylon JDBU Vol.24 No. 4 p. l3t
25. Ludovici: Lapidarium Zeylanicum p. 12 and The Report printed on the
order'of the House of Commons dated l6th May l85l in the-Library of the
General Consistory and Government Archives.
26. Toussaint: Op cit. p. 66
27. Wolvendaal Church Minutes dated 2nd fune, 1885
28. Wolvendaal Church Minutes dated 28rh April, l8B2
29. wolvendaal church Minutes dated lSth February 1888 and 4th August, lggg.
30. Herald January, 1973 p. 5.
31. JDBU Vol. XIX No.2 p. 105

64
 THE BEIT'RY AT KAYMAT{'S GATE

About the same time that the Dutch built the Church at Wolvendaal,
they also erected a belfry and hung a bell on it to serve the Church.
The bell was apparently salvaged from the ruins of a 16th Century
Portuguese Church dedicated to St. Francis in the heart of Jaya-
wardenapura, Kotte r--Ihe Fort of the City of Yictory,-which was
abandoned in 1565, to be over run by the ever greedy undergrowth and
by trees, to transform a once flourishing city into a howling wilder-
ness. This city was re-occupied by the Dutch. It is reported by
early Dutch writers that elephants "were catched here".

If one is permitted flights of fancy, we may even conjecture that

this same bell would have rung out joyously and in triumph when the
first Christian Emperor of Ceylon, the last King of Kotte, Don Juan
Dhaunapala, was baptised with his Queen, Dona Margarida, about a
decade before the city was abandoned to tlre maurading forces of
Rajasiughe of Sitawake who came down on it ,,like a wolf on the fold,'.

Both the Belfry and the Church it served .,were a fabric which
inspired and enriched the memory of the forbears of many a member
of the Dutch Reformed Church living today,'.2 In an incalculablc
manner, these monuments have helped to keep alive the feelings, tra-
ditions and heritage of the early Dutchmen. Therefore, taken to-
gether, these two monuments today, make up the sum total of that
which is left in brick and mortar of what we could call a legacy of the
past. They are eloquent witnesses of the achievement in art and
architecture of the Dutch.
In early Dutch times, the outer defence of the town of Colombo,
consisted of a barrier running from the lake, along what was, till
about fifty years ago, known as St. John's Canal, to the sea, near St.
John's Market. St. John's canal itself connected the lake (Beira
Lake) with the sea, and served as an outlet for the former when it rose
beyond its usual level. The barrier was razed to the ground soon
after the British occupation, and St. John's canal itself was filled up.
On a part of the land thus reclaimed, stands the Municipal Market
and the Old Town Hall.3 Kayman's Gate as well as the Fort Gate
were closed every night at a certain hour, after wbich, no one could
leave the inner or outer forts. The huge portals of the Gate, on
ponderous hinges, were fixed to a bridge over a shallow Canal-_the
St. John's Canal-at a point near the present St. John's Market.

65
 Crooodiles (or Kaaimans) used to frequent
this spot from the
for food' Their
Beiralake, along St. John's (River) Canal' scavenging
pr..rn . here had apparently given the early Dutch garrison
"""ii*A
the inspiration to name this liace as Kaimaur's
Poort later Anglici-
sed to KaYman's Gate.
ItwasatthisparticularGate,thattheinterohangeofcourtesies
tetween the Dutch Govefnor and the Kandyan
Court took place to
the accompaniment of martial music and the firing
of guns' It is
alsorecord-ed,thatintheCapitulationofColombototheBritish'the
:'Mu3ot Agnew advancing to Kayman's
writer Thomber mention,
Gate at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on February
15th 1796, bearing
a flag of truce.5"

AlthoughnotincloseproximitytotheChurchatWolvendaal
Poort (Kayman's'
the Belfry * Xtot, Toren, was erected at Kdimaan's
town' The bell was rung three times'
Gate) at ihe northern exit of the
morning and evening services on
at h;lf hour intervals, before the
of giving sufficientnotice to the
i""auy., evidently with the intention
to get into their Sunday
Dutch residents to enable their leisurely selves
three powerful negro
best and order their pikels around, when two or
slaves would negotiate them uP the Wolvendaal Hill' Negro
slaves sexes carried palanquins and propelled the trikels'
of both
These conveyances were arranged in order, outside
the Church door
by the Sexton.6
so far away
Today, it may seem difficult to understand how a bell
from the Church could have been of any use' The houses of the
Dutchmenextended from the Fort to wolvendaal
Hill along the present
b1 all' it was
Vf"io S*"*, and in order that the bell might be heard
placed midway between these two points' It must also be remembered
of street noises of
it ut in these early days, there waJan entire absence
toAof u"a the tones of itt" U.tt must have carried f'rther
than it would
bell also served the
rro*. Besides calling the faithful to worship, the
Dutch command as a "curfew Bell" to indicate to that
everyone the
gate was being closed for the night.

BesidestheBelfrystoodaGuardHouse,whichlaterservedasa
police station and loik up. The foot of the Belfry was also t\ site
where justice was meted out in the form of whipping
ut th"- hands o1
the Police. Public executions took place in the square hard by.r

66
 In March, l926,the Municipal Engineer Colombo, intimated that
certain repairs were needed to the Belfry to preserve it. The General
Consistory at their meeting held on 22nd March, 1926, decided to
request the Municipality to carry out such repairs as were necessary
and to forward the bill for settlement. In 1952, the Director of Nat-
ional Museums wanted to take over the bell for preservation and
exhibition. The General Consistory after their meeting of 26th
March, 1952, replied that since the taking over the bell was motivated
by a desire on the part of the Municipality to widen the road, they
were pr€pared to shift the bell to Wolvendaal Church, if and when the
widening became necessary. But the belfry proudly carrying its his-
toric and precious burden still stands sentinel as it used to 340 years
ago, watching passing crowds and trafhc, while eagerly waiting for an
opportunity to ring out its message of hope and encouragement to a
busy world, who, in passing by, pay scant attention to this historical
monument today.

The last two occasions on whichthisbell was'officially', used were

on January 21st and 28th,1926 when it tolled out the news of the death
of King George V and the hour of the memorial service for him in
Wolvendaal Church as well as to join in joyous pealing along with the
bells of other churches, on 14th August, 1945, when Japan uncondit-
ionally surrendered to the Allies in World War II-VJ Day-to bring
to an end of the war and the beginning of a period of peace to the
world, sick from the ravages and the demands of War.
１

Toussaint, J. R.: Wolvendaal Church in Early Times. JDBU Vol. 28

 

No. 2 p. 66, 67
２

Brohier R. L.: "For Whom the Bell Tolls", Herald October, 1959 p. 6.
３

Louis Nell quoted by Editor JDBU in Vol. 31 31 No. I p. 37 under the title
 

of "Street Nomenclature."
４

Van Dort, J. L. K.-Old Colombo JDBU Vol. 22 No. 2 p. 83

５

Ibid p. 83
Major Patrick Alexander Agnew was delegated by Col. James Steuart, Com-
mander of the British Forces, to receive the surrender of Colombo from
Governor Van Anglebeek.-Clause I of the Act of Capitulation.
Van Dort Op cit p. 82
Main Strcet was known as Koningsstraat (King's Street) in Dutch times and
terminated at Kayman's Gate where there was a high Gate and belfry. The
fortifications of the outer fort (the Oude Stadt) of the Dutch, were originally
put up by the Portuguese and known as St. John's Bastion, hence thenamt
of the Canal (river).
Toussaint, Op cit p. 66.
Van Dort Op cit p. 82

67
 MALIGAKANDE

Tire Housing problem is nothing new. It was experienced over 150

years ago too. The Pettah district, where the elite of the Dutch
iescendauts lived, was overcrowded by 1850, necessitating the moving
of many families to the surrounding areas. The Maradana and Dema-
tagoda districts took the overflow. From here, the faithful had to
trivel every Sunday to Wolvendaal for Worship Services. Trans-
portation was by Buggy Cart or Horse and Trap, both of which pro-
uid.d u"ty limited accommodation, resulting in many of the ohildren
being left behind at home to their own devices, not being able to ac-
their parents to Church. Into this scene, came Mr. Corng-
"o*fuoy
lius bicicman from the Pettah, where he had already starled a Sunday
School for the children there besides that at wolvendaal which was
flourishing at this time.

He immediately set about to start a sunday School at his home in

Rudd's Lane (now occupied by Suduwella Stores) in March 1867.
It came to be known as the Dematagoda Spnday school and proved
to be very popular, attracting marry children in the district. Because
of increasing numbers, and the lack of space, the Sunday School
moved in t8?5 to a large room in the\laradana Police Barracks, by
kind permission of the- Inspector General of Police' Here' he was
joined by Rev. Burnett of the scot's Kirk and Mrs. cochran. This
joint efrort continued till 1882 when Mr. Dickman left'the district
tn retirement. It is of interest to note that Mr. Dickman was
affectionately known as 'Coaohy' by all, because of the fact that he
went around every Sunday before Sunday School tirne, in his coach,
gathering the children from their homes that were "a little bit out of
ih" o,uy;, and taking t'lrem home again in a shuttle service along with
others, after the sessions were over.

At this time, Mr. Charles Bertram Brodie, came to reside in thc

Dematagoda area and took a keen interest in everything connected
with the District, especially that of the Presbyterian Church' In
August, 1887, he took up residence in "Palm House" along with
Mr. and Mrs. Michael cochran who had purchased it from Rev. J. D.
palm of the wolvendaal church. These premises, subsequently
came to be the home of the Maligakande churoh as it is today.
Mr. Brodie, immediately took the responsibility to carry on the work

68
 started byMr. Dickman, and in August, 188? had the Sunday School
shifted to "Paltn House", using the verandahs and lawn until the
Maligakande Church was built and completed in March, 1889. In
addition to this, he started a "Ragged School" for the very poor
children of the area. This proved to be an immediate success and
alternate accommodation had to be sotrght for it within a few months.
How long this "Ragged School" was in existence, has not been possi-
ble to establish, but from the recollection of elders, it appears to have
served the district for about 8 or 10 years.

In 1888, after some agitation and correspondence, Mr' Brodie

succeeded inpersuading the Wolvendaal Consistory to purchase
"Palm House"l from Mr. Cochran. This was finally accomplished on
28th July, 1888 for the sum of Rs. 5000/00. On application, the
Consistory rented the premises to Mr. Brodie on a monthly rental of
Rs. 25/00 with the stipulation that all taxes and costs of repairs had to
be met by him subsequently. Repairs to the building and boundary
walls had however been done by the Consistory in the first instance'
Besides the Ragged School, Mr. Brodie began classes for other child-
ren on week days in his home. This was the beginning of the school
known today as the "Clifton Girls' High School". Extensions to the
school buildings that came up on the same grounds, had soon to be
made and the cost was met by public subscription. The new build-
ings were formally declared open, on Friday 31st March, 1889 at
5-30 p.m. by Rev. Samuel Lindsay of the Wolvendaal Church, who
presided over the Public Meeting that day. Others associated with
him that day were Rev. Joseph Burnett of St. Andrew's Scots Kirk,
Rev. G. Brewster (Assistant to Rev. Lindsay) and Mr. J. H. Renton,
the Superintendent of the Pettah Sunday School.
Meanwhile, structural alterations were being carried out to
"Palm flouse" in order to fit it out for holding "Church Services".
This was due to the urgent need to provide an alternate place of wor-
ship for the growing population in the area, as Wolvendaal was "a bit
out of the way". On March 30th, 1889, the new Maligakande
Church was completed and ready. The preacher on the occasion of
the Dedication was Rev. G. Brewster, who used the words of St.
Matthew 2: 19 ts his text. The Sunday School too found a per-
manent home now and came to be known as the Maligakande Sunday
School. The step taken in providing a place of worship at Maliga-
kande was very opportune indeed and proved to be a blessing to both

69
adults and children.2 Incidentally, the first time the Sacrament of
the Lord's Supper was administered in this District was on 7th June,
t871.3

With the arrival of Rev. Lloyd Joseph in September, 1908, the

Church made great strides in its progress and new activiti€s were
starled. These included a Worker's Union (the precursor of the
present Sooial Service Committee), Band of Hope, Boys' Brigade,
Ladies' Sewing Class and a Scout Troop.
Within the space of 25 years, accommodation was found to be
inadequate and the Consistory early in 1914 acquired an acre of land
at Regent Street for Rs. 35,000/00 with a view of moving the Mali-
gakande Churoh there. The premises known as "Palm House" was
to be sold and the proceeds used to fi.nance the building of the new
church at Regent Street, The sale, however, did not materialise, but
with money raised by members of the congregation as well as from
Fetes and Fairs organised for the purpose, together with a loan from
the Consistory, the Church at Regent Street was completed and was
ready for use on December, 22n6, 1915.

In 1916, the District Committee of the Regent Street and Maliga-

kande Churches recommended to the Colombo Consistory inter aliaa
that (1) The Teachers and Schola.rs of the Maligakande Sunday School
be transferred to Regent Street. (2) Provision be made to carry on
the Sunday School at Maligakande for those who were unable to
attend the Regent Street Sunday School, as it is not advisable to close
the Sunday School at Maligakande (3) The old Sunday School Regis-
ter to be retained at Maligakande and a new register be maintained
for the Regent Street Sunday School from January, 1916 (4) The
Maligakande Sunday School funds be transferred to the Regent Street
Sunday School.
With effect being given to these proposals, Maligakande Sunday
School had to start artew as from January, 1916. Much has to be said
of the devotion and enthusiasm of Mr. Brodie who carried on the
work single handed, in the service of the children and poor people of
the neighbourhood. By the end of 1919, ill health compelled Mr.
Brodie to resign. lVe must praise and thank our lleavenly Father
for raising faithful and devoted men to take up the task and continue
the labours at Maligakande, both in the Church as well as in the
Sunday School.

70
 with the Dedication of the church at Regent street, Services
at Maligakande were discontinued, but due to persistent demand, the
Consistory decided to re-commence the evening Services as from 6th
Novembei, 1921. The old Jaffna Church Baptismal Font, which
was in use at Bambalapitiya, was renovated and given to Maligakande
for use on January llth, 1936. The 50th Anniversary was cele-
brated with a Thanksgiving Service and Social on Saturday May 20th,
1939 and a Special Comrnunion Service was held in the Church on
Sunday 21st ivlay, 1939, conducted by Rev. Neville Jansz' The
Address at the Public Meeting on Saturday was given by Rev' D' E'
Joseph.

A new double manual American organ was installed on l4th

September, 1890. later, a new Pipe Organ was purchased from
money donated by members of the church and friends as well as tiom
special ofrerings taken for the purpose. lt was installed by Messrs
Caves and used for the first time on 7th September, 1902. This was
transferred to the Regent street church in 1915 and used there till
the end of 1957, when it was overhauled and re'transferred to the
Maligakande Church, where it still stands.

The sunday school celebrated their centenary with a Service of

Thanksgiving followed by a Social Get-Together on Saturday lst
April, 1967. The Address was given by Rev. JohnVan Ens. Others
participating were Rev. A. G. W. Foenander, Rev. R. V. Metzeling
and Rev. Dunstan Thuring-an 'old boy' of the Sunday Sohool'
The Sunday School Superintendent, Mrs. Janet Bird, traced the his'
tory of the sunday school and work in the District in an interesting
report. (Report and pictorial record in Herald of May 1967).
The Government took over Clifton Giils' School from April,
1962 by Vesting Order No. 1108 published in the Gaz-ette Extra-
ordinary No. 12998 of 28th March, 1962, page 735, to be managed by
the Director of Education, under their Education Policy.
Now, under the guidance of the Regent Street-Maligakande
Local Consistory, there are worship services every Sunday as well as
Sunday School sessions in both English and Sinhalese. Due to com-
mercialisation, many of the families that used to reside here, have
moved out of the District and gone southwards to join other Churches
in other Districts, leaving a remnant here to gather together from week
to week in obedience to the Divine Command to "Rememlrer to keep
the Sabbath Day holy."
7l
 *Palm
4 pi.tqry of House" is reproduced on pagie 2 of the issue of April,
l9l4 of The Herald, and another at the time of Golden Jubilee in 1939, on
page 4 of the May 1939, issue of Tho Herald.
$.ev.. W. C. Fleming, speaking at the 25th Anniversary Thanksgiving
Service oo Tuesday 3lst March, l9l4 said "....At the outset, there wal
considerable difficulty, and even opposition to the establishment of a cause in
this place. But the promotors persevered, and the subsequent success has
justified their venture. . . . . .This Church has supplied a real religious need in
this District. All honour therefore to the founders and pioneers of this
movement."-Herald April l9l4 p.2.
Extract of the Minutes of the Wolvendaal Consistory dated lTth June, 1912:
The President laid on the table a letter from Rev. Tweed intimating that he
had purchased for Maligakande Church a solid silver set of Communion
plates for €34, The Treasurer was authorised to remit the amount to
Rev. Tweed.
Extract of Minutes dated lTth February, l9l3 (Wolvendaal Consistory):
ASre€d to purchase a safe for Rs. 120/00 to keep the silver Communion plates
rcceived from the President.
4. Herald March 1916 p. 1.

72
 BAIVIBATAPITIYA

As the years passed, numbers grew, trade expanded, and with ex-
pansion, families mo'ved away from the area around Wolvendaal
towards Bambalapitiya, Regent Street, and to towns in the South.
The need soon arose for a Church to cater to the needs of the la.rge
number of members resident in Bambalapitiya,-who by force of cir-
cumstances were compelled to rnove from the vicinity of the parent
church at Wolvendaal. With this intention, Mr. C. L. Ferdinands,
District Judge of Colombo, and a staunch son of the Church, addressed
a letter on l2th December, 1886 to the Wolvendaal Consistory (who
had sole jurisdiction over the Dutch Reforrred Church in Ceylon)
urging the erection of a building in a suitable place, for worship.
o'I
feel" wrote Mr. Ferdinands "that a crisis has arrived in the history
of our Church, and the Consistory should grapple with it in a liberal
spirit."

At a meeting of the Consistory, presided over by Rev. Samuel

Lindsay on 29th January, 1887, it was considered desirable that the
project should be entertained, but, they were nevertheless ofthe opinion
that the people interested in this matter should contribute a moiety
of the expenses. A committee comprising of Messrs. C. Dickman,
R. A. Brohier, John Weinman, H. E. Thomasz, J. P. de Vos and C. L.
Ferdinands were appointed to find a suitable location for the proposed
branch Church. On August 4th, 1888, it was reported by the Treasurer,
Mr. de Vos, "that an excellent bit of ground, about two acres in extent
on the Colombo side of the Bambalapitiya Railway Station was avail-
able and couldbepurchased for f,450 or Rs. 4,500/00". Messrs. Brohier,
Weinman and De Vos were authorised to enter into negotiations and
at a meeting of the Consistory on 24th September, 1888, it was r€-
solved to purchase the site then known as "Talgahawatte" for a sum
of Rs. 4,500/00.

Encouraged by this step forward in the building of a Church at

Bambalapitiya, and until further preparations were made, it was
decided to hold Divine Services at "The Lodge", Bambalapitiya, every
Sunday at 9-00 a.m. commencing from January, 1889.

Already, in 1887, through the efforts of Mr. Justin de Zilwa, and

Mr. H. E. Thomasz, a Sunday School had been started with 6 scholars

73
 on thaRoll, at "Berkley House", the residence of Mr' Thomaszo
who was also the first Superintendent. with growing numbers in the
Sunday school and the encouraging attendance at the morning ser-
vices held at ..The Lodge", the proposal to build a church gained
momentum. In February, 1889, Elder, Mr. John Weinman' was
authorised to enter into a contract for the construction of a new
church for Rs. 3,835/00. The corner stone was laid by Miss susan
Lindsay, sister of Rev. samuel Lindsay, who was taking a keen interest
in all the activities of tbe Church, and especially in the Sunday School.
With a minor setback, through the default on the part of the Con-
tractor, the building was finally completed in mid November mainly
through the personal efforts of Mr. Weinman' The New Church
was Dldicated anJ opened for Divine Worship Services on December
15th, 1889. The fust time the Sacrament of the Lord's supper was
administered was on June lst, 1890. A Manse for the use of the
'Minister, was also built at about the same time as the Church'

The work among the children was a part of the burden of the
church, and as it flourished in other Districts, the church here at Bam-
balapitiya, felt it was their duty to break out into the field of schooling'
Accordingly, on 3rd September, 1900, a Day School known as the
Presbyterian Girls' High School was opened in the Lindsay Lecture
Hall, which had been designcd by Mr. Edward Skinner, a leading
Architect in colombo at the time. Mrs. Paulusz was the fust Princi-
pal and 29 pupils were admitted on the first day. A Church School
was always considered to be the most potent factor in making
children loyalto the church and fitting them for servic,e in the
church in later years. It is no small wonder therefore that the
move to open this school was enthusiastically supported'

The silver communion Plate and service that had been in use in
the churoh at Jafina, was brought for use in the church at Bambala-
pitiya together with the Baptismal Font. The latter, was later reno-
vated and taken to the Maligakande Church on llth January, 1936.

Within the short space of fifteen years, the Church was found to be
totalty inadequate to accom.modate the numbers attending Services.
The Church was capable of seating 200 persons' It was therefore
decided to enlarge and to practically rebuild the Church at a cost of
Rs. 25,000/00, inclusive of furniture and Gas installation. Tenders

74
were called for, and that of Messrs. Walker Sons & Co., !td', was
acoepted. Building operations were carried out e4)€ditiously and on
lst June, 1906, the present Church, as it now stands, was re-opened.
In the words of the late Rev. Tweed "it presents a pleasing appear-
ance and afrords comfortable acoom:nodation for 400 persons." The
Church owes a debt of gratitude to Rev. R. J. M. Park (who came to
Ceylon in 1903 when Rev. Fleming went on leave) and Rev. Tweed for
the effort they took to make the enlargement and rebuilding a success.
Work was carried out under the personal direction of Rev. Tweed.
no less than Rs. 9,939/29 was subscribed
It has to be recorded that
by 188 members. To this was added the proceeds of a Grand Bazaar
held in the Public Hall in November, 1908 and opened by Lady Mc
Callum, the wife of the Governor. By 1911, the balance of the debt
was cleared. Gas soon gave way to Electricity and the cost of install-
ing the "new power" was met by Mrs. Myra Canagasabey in memory
of her mother, Mrs. A. B. Claessen. The Ceiling Fans were gifts of
Mr. J. P. de Vos, Misses L. and E. Van Geyzel and Mr. Andrew Van
Geyzel. The clock was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. J. P. de Vos on the
occasion of the XXVth Anniversary of their Wedding.

About 1909, Mrs. Harrison lte, the great Temperance worker,

visited the Island, and a Band of Hope & Total Abstinence Society
was formed. The Hon. Mr. Alexander Fairlie was its flrst President.

On llth September 1911, Rev. J. C. Abels arrived in Ceylon and

was assigned to the Bambalapitiya Church. Through his efforts,
benevolent work anong the poor was started. This led to the forma-
tion of the Guild. The first President was Rev. J. C. Abels, Vice
President-Miss N. Collette; Secretary-Miss M. Garvin, Trea-
surer-Miss L. Wells.

In Novembet, 1920, an Organ Fund was started with the goal of

collecting Rs. 10,000/00 for a new Organ. But it was not until August,
lg22thatthe Consistory deoided to purchase the Organ of the Church
of St. Michael's and All Angels, Polwatte, to replace that purchased
for the Church by Rev. Fleming in 1902, whilst away on leave, at the
request of the Consistory. This was used for the first time on Satur-
day 2lst Decenber l9M at 5-00 p.m. at the Annual Carol Service
which was preceeded by a Service of Dedication. The old organ was
gifted to the Wellawatte Church.
 Golden Jubilee celebrations began with the rendition of the
Cantata "IJnder the Palns" on Deoember 15th, 1939, at G00 p'm'
preceeded by session of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgivlng conducted
by nev. R. V. MetzelinS. On Saturday 16th December, there was a
Ciildrens' Rally and Garden Party at 4-00 p.m. followed by a Public
Meeting in the church at 6-00 p.m. where His Excellency the Governor,
Sir Andrew caldecott, presided. A service of Thanksgiving was held
on sunday 17th December at 9-15 a$. at which the sacrament of the
Lord's. Supper was administered.

On 12th January, 1953, the newly appointed Music Committee

met and decided that urgent action had to be taken to attend to imme-
diate repairs needed to the organ. Professional advice was sought
and a recommendation was made to the Local Consistory that a new
organ should be purchased. The General consistory gave their
approval and the need for funds was brought before the members
of the Congregation on Sunday evening 29th March, 1953, for the
first time. The Rs. 65,000/00 project soon had many enthusiastic
workers soliciting funds from friends and well wishers. Very soon, it
became possible to place a fum order on Messrs E. F. Walcker & Cie
of Ludwigsburg, Germany, for a two manual Organ with 18 stops and
over 1000 pipes. With the instrument, came an expert to see to the
installation-Mr. Gerhart Opitz. This dedicated man, worked on
26th March, 1955 through the night until 5-00 a.m. tuning the Organ
and putting the final touches, in order that the Dedication of the
Organ could go on as planned on Sunday 27tt. March, 1955. This
job, incidentally was the 3329th done by the Company. (Mr. OPit"'
on a visit to the Island in 1980 checked on the installation and
advised on repairs needed).

A weekly Bulletin, keeping the congregation informed of activi-

ties during the week and forthcoming events was introduced in 1953.

Migration has affected this branch of the Church as it has the

others, leaving empty pews and aching voids in the hearts of those left
behind. The Sunday School celebrated their 75th Anniversary on
lSth December,1964 with a Thanksgiving Service and Public Meeting.

The Seth Thomas Wall Clock, which graced the wall directly
opposite the Pulpit, was carried away by burglars along with other

76
District.........It gives me pleasure to promise a subscription of five
hundred rupees. I feel that I owe much to the people of Ceylon, and
especially to the members of the Dutch Presbyterian Church, to whom
I had the privilege of ministering for over twenty years and hence,
I thank yoo fot giving me the opportunity of repaying a small portion
of my indebtedness."2

The Church is built in the Romanesque style and is oapable of

seating up to 350 people. The total cost of the building, furniture
and the installation oi electricity amounted to Rs. 3),974i07. On
completion, a Service of Dedication was held on Wednesday Decem-
beri1nd,19l5 at 5-30 p.m. The Ministers who participated were
Rev. L. A. Joseph (the Moderator, Presbytery of Ceylon), Rev'
David
Tweed, REv. D. C. Mac Michael (St. Andrew's Church' Colpetty)'
Rev. G. Francke (Galle) and Rev. W' C' Fleming' In
his opening
remarks Rev. Joseph said: "This new Dutch Church, which is to take
for the purpose
the place of the Maligakande church being now ready
for which it has been erected, we are now gathered in the presence of
Almighty God to dedicate this House for the sacred use of worship."
Rev.MacMichaelgavetheAddressusingthewordsoflKingsT:22
as his text.3

Besides donations for the construction of the church, the follow-

iog gifts wgre received from members of the congtegation: ,Three'
.ti'iiea ghss windows from Dr. (Miss) A. de Boer, Dr. H. P. Joseph,
Revds. 6. L. anO L. A. Joseph and Mr' F' Ohlmus' The cost of
fourteen memorial windows was met by Mr. H. E. de Silva, the child-
ren of Mr. Abraham O. Joseph, E. V' Vander Zeil, F' J' kmphers
EdwinJoseph,Mrs.S.VanderStraaten,H'D'Blackett'A'A'
n"ytottO, lilrs. Charlotte Schokman, J' W' P' Siebel, R' H' Schok'
*uo, t"ti.. Ella de Silva, W. P. Thuring, and Mrs' W' de Kretser' The
p"fpit was a gift from Dr. C. W. Van Geyzel. The Baptismal Font,
o gin rro- Jim and Grace Sicket, in memory of their son sam. A
Table came from Mr. Alfred Bowen, in memory of George Bowen;
while a Grinlinton chair was donated by Mrs. iJames de Kretser'
The Hymn Boards were a gift from Mrs. S- W. Dassanaike,
in memory
of A,. b. Joseph. pulpit Bible was from Mrs. Ferweda and the
-fromThe of
vestry Table J. v. Franciscus. The initial stock Hymn
Books was a donation from Mr. Henry Franciscus, in memory of his

79
sister Jane. The kctern came from Mr. John Josef, in memory of
his mother; and the cost of the electrical installation was met by
Mr. (later Rev.) D. E. Joseph and other members of the family."

The administration of the Church at the start, was by a District

Committee under the Wolvendaal Consistory until 1927, when with
the change of the Constitution, under Ordinance No. 9 of 1926, sepa-
rate Local Consistories were formed. The first President of the Local
Consistory at Regent Street was Rev. D. E. Joseph. Others who
formed this local Consistory for the Regent Street and Maligakande
Churches were: J. A. Poulier and D. V. Altendorff (Elders) S. P.
Fernando, F. J. Lemphers, G. T. Nugara and Dr. E. R' Loos (Dea-
cons). The first meeting was held on 14th January, 1927 inthe Regent
Street School Hall. The Ordination of the Office Bearers was con-
ducted on Palm Sunday, 1927.

The Sunday School was started on lst January, 1916 with the
transfer of Teachers and Scholars from the Maligakande Sunday
School. The District Comrnittee, however, decided to oontinue the
Sunday School at Maligakande for those who were unable to attend
sessions at Regent Street. Rev. L. A. Joseph was appointed the fust
Superintendent of the Sunday School. The conditions governing the
transfer of the Teachers, Scholars and funds from Maligakande to
Regent Street Sunday School, have already been referred to in the
chapter on Maligakande.s In addition to the children from Maliga-
kande, the Sunday School that wasinexistence at Campbell Park was
also closed and the Staff and Scholars transferred to the new Sunday
School at Regent Street. The time for commencing sessions was
fixed at 3-45 p.m.

In order to foster a spirit of fellowship amongst the members of

the Congregation, the Local Consistory organised the first "Social" for
the Parish on Saturday I lth March, 1916 "which was largely attended"
said a report in a local newspaper the next day. Continuing this
same report "The Ceylon Independent" said: "After spending
two very enjoyable hours, the gathering dispersed. Before the funct-
ion was brought to a close, Rev. L. A. Joseph thanked those present
for their presence and the ladies who helped to make the function a
su@oss, and took the opportunity of appealing to the members for

80
items of booty in 19?6. An Electric wall clock, presented by Mrs.
Iris Samarasinghe, to take its place suffered the sane fate a few
months later in mid 19??. Lindsay Girls' School was taken over by
the Government in 1962 to be managed by the Director of Education,
and by the same token, the land and buildings occupied by the
School at the time, were lost to the Church.

The Budget Envelope system was introduced from January 1981

giving way to the time honoured District Collection Books'

In passing it has to be recorded that both the Silver and Golden

Jubilee fell in the first year of world wars I and II, thus preventing
celebrations on a large scale. Speaking on the occasion oftbe Public
Meeting on saturday 16th December 1939 (the Golden Jubilee) His
Excellency the Governor sir Andrew caldecott said in his concluding
remarks:1.O* doty as Christians today is not only to pray that after
our victory over thi forces of evil, there will arise leaders who will lead
the nations into the paths of peace, but to prepare ourselves to be so
led and to realise that those paths will require of us quite as much
strain and sacrifice as the present path of war, Only thus can we hope
to make sure that the centenary of this church will not be held in
circumstances as sad and distressful as those of its Silver and Golden
Jubilee. We must not only seek peace but ensure it." (Herald
January 1940 Supplement).

77
 REGENT STREET

Residents in the Maradana and Borella districts, about 90 years ago,

used to gather together at "Palm House", Maligakande on a Sunday
for worship. These people recalled that it was built and named as
such by dev. J. D. palm (snr.) of the wolvendaal church who
later sold it to Mr. Michael cochran from whom the wolvendaal
Consistory purchased it in 1888, for the purpose of using it as a Church,
having ma&e the necessary structural alterations. This coincided
wlttr itre period of service of Rev. G. Brewster and Rev. Samuel
Lindsay.

Writing in February, lgl4 to the "Herald", Rev' L' A' Joseph

said:

..of late years owing to the increased attendance at Divine Ser-

vice and the general ptogr.*t of the work, it has been found that
the
pres'ent building is inadequateto meet the needs of the congregation'
ihe site has also been found inconvenient to a large number of mem-
ber; of the church. consequently, the District committee of Mali.
gakande recommended the advisability of securing more commodious
ind conveniently situated premises. This proposal was cordially
approved by the Wolvendaal Consistory, and so the property at Regent
Sireet, Noriis Canal Road, Maradana, one aqre in extent was acquired.
The site is within easy reach of over 100 families, and not inconven'
iently inaccessible to any family of the church. The amount paid
for ihe purchase of the land was Rs. 35,000/00, which will be met by
the sale of the Maligakande property."l llowever, with the receipt
of donations, as well as the funds received from Fairs and Fetes
organised for the pulpose, and the loan of the balance needed, from
thJ Consistory, the need to sell the Maligakande Churoh did not
arise. Plans were now laid to build the new church at Regent Street.

The District committee and the consistory meeting soon after-

lvards, approved the plans drawn by Mr. W. Claessen M'S'A' and the
construction of the new Church commenced on December lst, 1914.

when Rev. Sa.muel Lindsay, who had retired a few years earlier,
heard of the proposal to build a new Church, he wrote saying: "f am
glad to hear you are about to get a new church for the Maradana

78
funds for building the new School Hall on the Church grounds, the
necessity of which he said was quite sure all those present was impres-
sed with."5

The need for a Day School now engaged the attention of the
Local Consistory who invited Mr. Claessen, who had designed the
Church a few years earlier, to submit plans for one. The Congre-
gation was informed of the decision of the Local Consistory in July
while a copy ofthe plan ofthe proposed School and details connected,
were published in "The Herald"T The plan approved was "one that
was on the principle of a large School with a central assembly hall
60x30 which could be subdivided into four separate class rooms by
folding partitions, each class room acconunodating 20 scholars.
Flanking the assembly hall, on the right and left, are placed six class
roomrs each accommodating 24 scholars. A verandah 9 feet widespans
the entire front of the building. At the back, connected to the main
building by a corridor 60 feet long and 8 feet wide, are placed the
Teachers' room, gids'tiffin room and store room. The Assembly Hall
provides accommodation for 250 people. The total accommodation
for scholars amounts to 224."8

The School was ready in January, 1918 and was formally opened
on Tuesday 15th January, 1918 at 10-30 a.m. with the reading of the
Scriptures from St. Mark's Gospel Chapter 10 verses 13 to 16 and a
prayer by Rev. Lloyd Joseph. Miss H. Ferdinands was the first lady
Principal and Miss Milryll Maok was in charge of the Kindergarten.
Fourteen scholars presented themselves for enrolment on the fust
day. A separate Kindergarten block was added in 1930. The School
known as the Presbyterian Girls' School, Regent Street, was under the
management of the Local Consistory until it was taken over by the
Government in January, 1962, to be managed by the Director of Edu-
cation.

The Pipe Organ which was in the Maligakande Church was

transferred to Regent Street in 1915 and continued to be used there
until the end of 195?, when it was completely overhauled and returned
to Maligakande Church, where it still stands. An Organ Fund was
started in February 1941 with the nucleus of Rs. 3,026121received at
the Silver Jubilee Celebrations with the intention of "purchasing an
Organ worthy of the Church'. Through the kindness of Mr. Bruce

81
collette, tlre purchase of an "Allen" Electronic organ was made
possiblefrom inr U.S.e. at a cost of Rs. 1?,043/35, including Custom's
buty and other incidental expenses. The new Organ was dedicated
guest
on Sunday l5th December, 1957. Mrs. Clarence Van Ens was
organist on this oocasion and Rev. John van Ens gave the Addroes.

The Silver Jubilee was oelebrated on sunday 22nd December,

lg40,withaThanksgivingServiceconductedbyRev.D.E.Joseph
and Rev. N. B. Janv.

The Local Consistory at their meeting on June 22nd' 1927

decided to name the School Hall the Lloyd Joseph Hall in memory
of
had laboured here so faithfully and had passed
Rev. Lloyd Joseph who
to his reward in 1920.

After tlre take over of the School by the Government, the nsed for
a Parish Hall was greatly felt and it was decided to convert that part
of the building that had been used by the Montessori Section of the
School, for this purpose. After a few'structural alterations and the
installation of electrioity and drainage, the new Parish Hall was ready
and was Dedicated on dctober 14th, 1961. Tbe wisdom of this move
has been proved from the usefulness it has been served through the
years for meetings of the Distriot as well as for all Youth activities.

TheLocalConsistorybeganpublishingaweeklybulletinin
August, 1963 and has continued to do so until today'

The church has two flourishing congregations in the English

and Ta.rnil streams as well as active Youth Fellowships in botb.
Together, they are building the Church of tomonow to the glory of
God.

l. Herald February l9l4 P. I

2. Ibid p. 3
3. Herald January 1916 p. I gives a record of the Dedication Service'
4. Herald February l94l P. 5.
5. Herald March 1916 P. I
6. rbid
7. Herald SePtember 1916
8. Herald Deoember, l9l7 P.3
9. Herald January l9l8 P. 7
E2
 DEHIWELA

It all began with a request for Private Communion'

Early in 1908, Rev. Tweed had a call to administer private com-
tnooioo to the aged mother of Dr. collin Rodrigo at "carlyn House",
Station Road, Dehiwela. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Rev.
Tweed was prevented from attending and arranged for Rev. william
Sinclair to gio instead. From this visit originated the idea of starting
work in thi Oehiwela area. Both Rev. Sinclair and Dr. Rodrigo
travelled from one end of Dehiwela to the other, covering about 80
homes, in an endeavour to assess the need for oommencing Services
regularly. The reception they received was !o enthusiastic, that in the
,pi." oi two days, arrangements v/ere made to hold a Service on the
fottowing sunday, 31st May, 1908, at the residence of Dr. Rodrigo.
After a i.* *..ir, feeling the need for music, the venue was shifted
to the residence of Mr. J. Ma.rtin Foenander at "Sunbeam Lodge",
Gregory Place, Dehiwela. when worship Services were started, the
time of meeting was 4-30 p.m. but, this was latpr changed to 8-45 a.m.
in June, Igl2. Services were conducted by Rev' Sinclair, Mr' J' C'
Jansz and Mr. Linden de Zilwa.

In its early days, the Church at Dehiwela was known as the

.,Mission Hall" and was under the supervision of the Wolvendaal
consistory. A special committee was appointed by this consistory
to arrange for the smooth working of the new parish. Those com-
prising the Speciar committee were Rev. D. Tweed, Rev. sinclair,
Rev. L. A. Joseph, and Mr. P. D. A. Mack'

The Sunday School which also had its otigin at the same time
3lst May 1908-cet at the residence of Mr. J. M. Foenandet at2-45
p.m. with Mr. Linden de Zilwa as the first Superintendent' He was
'Wert),
by Miss Hilda Vander Wert (Mrs. A. E. Vander
assisted
Miss Hetiy Collette, Miss Cora Foenander (Mrs. R. H. Ludekens)
and Mr. Evelyn Mack. There were 26 pupils on the Roll'

Zbal was so gteat that members began to think in terms of a Day

School to cater to the needs of the children in the area. The initiative
was taken by Miss Cora Foenander and in about November, 1908,
a School of small proportions was started in the home of Mr. J. M.

83
Foenander. Thus, here in one place, there was a Church, Sunday
school and a Day School. In 1909, the consistory obtained the use
of the land belonging to Mr. w. c. Bastiansz on Station Road, and
put up a cadjan structure to house the School which had grown in
popularity and numbers. This was the beginning of the present
presbyterian Girls' School, Dehiwela. In addition to holding Day
Sctrool sessions, the Church Services and the Sunday School too met
here.

The thatched roof building, popularly referred to as "the pol athu

palliya" served the faithful for a period of 4.| years when it had to
6" poU.a down about Easter 1914, as the owner wanted to build on the
tani. At this time, the Consistory providentially were led to pur-
chase a 2\ aclre block of land from Mr. T. H' A' de Soysa for
Rs. 24,500100, near the Railway Station, and building operations
soon commenced. Through the kindness of the Y.M.C.A., Services
were held in their Hall at "Killarney" during the interim period.
when the new semi-permanent building was completed, the school
met once again in the new quarters on 19th May, 1914, after the
Easter Vacation. The church and sunday school too found accom-
modation hete once more.

Numbers kept increasing, and soon the wolvendaal consistory

deemed it fit to appoint a District committee to look after the in-
terests of this fast growing township. Accordingly, the first District
committee was appointed on 6th January, 1915. It comprised of
Rev. D. Tweed, Mr. P. D. A. Mack, Dr' Collin Rodrigo, Mr' L' G'
Vollenhoven (Treasurer), Mr. R. H. Ludekens, Mr' W' F' Mottau
and Mr. C. V. Foenander (Secretary).

A Wolf Cub Pack was forrned in the Sunday School in 1919, but
was later taken over by the Y.M.C.A. authorities.

The fust New Year's Day Service was held in January, 1916 and
was conducted by Rev. David Tweed. Now, in order to be of greater
service to the ever growing numbers, the District Committee decided
to launch out on a Building Fund to erect a permanent building to
replace the cadjan roofed structure in use. The supervision, of the
building was under the watchful eye of Mr. charles Foenander and
cost Rs. 3,380/00. The School moved into occupation on llth July,

84
1917, and the first worship Service in the New Hall was conducted by
Rev. Tweed on 15th July, 191?. The need for an Organ which was
greatly felt, was met through the kindness of the Trustees of St. An-
drew's Scots Kirk, Colpetty, and a Hamlin Organ with 14 stops was
gifted to the Church. Their generosity was gratefully acknowledged.
This Organ continued to be in use till 1951, when in May of that year,
Mr. W. H. de Kretser gifted a new Ha^mmond Electric Organ' This
was dedicated at a simple service on May 18th, 1951 with Rev. R. V'
Metzeling and Rev. A. G. W. Foenander taking part' Mr. Winston
Foenander was the guest Organist on this occasion.

Soon after the completiulo of tn" Hall, Rev. Vander Gert start€d
a free school for the poor children of the Sinhalese Mission, in August'
Work amongst these children was soon extended to cover a Sunday
School as well. To meet the needs of this enterprise, another Hall
had to be built with the material available from the old Hall that was
broken, with the Ba.rnbalapitiya Guild meeting the cost of erection
as well as contributing in no small way towards its support. This
endeavour was greatly blessed and very soon, due to increasing num-
bers, steps were takOn to register it with the Education Department
as a Mission School.

In 1919, the pressing need to provide the Minister in charge with a

suitable residence in close proximity to the Church resulted in the
negotiation and purchase of "Arthur's Cottage" at a coFt of
Rs. 14,600/00. This house served as a Manse through the years'
until it was sold to the Salvation Army with a part of the land on which
it stood, on 23rd Novernber, 1972, for the sum of Rs. 60,000/00.
On the part of the land that was retained, a New Manse was erected
for the use of the Minister of the Dehiwela Church, at a cost of
Rs. 84,277193.

In June 1925, Rev. A. J. K. de Klerk was appointed to be in

charge of the District.He immediately set about collecting funds and
obtaining donations from members of the congregation and had a
bell installed. This bell lvas rung for the fust time on June 7th,
1925 to call the faitMul to worship, ringing first an hour before the
time of Worship, and again half an hour before. At this tirne, the
need to have a separate place for worship, apart from the School
Hall, took the attention of Rev. de Klerk. Accordingly, at a meeting

85
of the District Committee held on 8th June, 1925, his suggestion was
enthusiastically accepted and a Building Committee was appointed.
Through the energetic efforts of Rev. de Klerk, an anonymous dona-
tion of half the cost of the new building was promised and t[e balance
was raised from friends and members of the congregation' Plans wert
approved by the Consistory, and a Corner Stone was laid on Safur-
day 6th November, 1926 by Mrs. A. J. de Klerk. Incidentally, the
Corner Stone was a gift from Messrs. A. F. Raymond & Co. The
building was comileted by the end of April, 1927 at a cost of
Rs. 34,700/00 A 'Thanksgiving Servicc' as he oalled it, was held by
Rev. de Klerk on 'f uesday 3rd May, t927 , for the last time in the School
Hall, when thanks were given to God for the opportunity of having
services there for almost ten years and for the new church which he
hoped to dedicate on ?th May, 1927 . In the hour of his happiness
and triumph, this privilege was denied Rev. de Klerk, rvho fell ill and
was called Home to be with his Maker on l5th May, 1927. Thus, it
was left to another person, to complete the work he had started. The
Dedication Service took place on June Znd, 1927. The Ministers
taking part in this ceremony were Rev. David Tweed, Rev. D. E.
Joseph, Rev. W. C. Fleming, Rev. L. N. Hitchcock, and Rev. Allan
Vander Gert, who preached the first sermon in the New Church using
the words of Genesis 28:22 "This stone have I set up for a pillar, shall
be God's House." This incidentally, was the same text used at tbe
Dedication Service of the Wolvendaal Church, many years before.
At this Service, a mural tablet to the memory of Rev. de Klerk was
unveiled by Rev. S. F. Skeen, a close friend and colleague, who had
but a few days before, arrived in the island.

The Womens' Missionary Union was formed in March, 1926

with the object of doing missionary work in Dehiwela and Wellawatte.
The fust Office Bearers were: Mrs. A. J. K. de Klerk (President),
Mrs. C. A. Ferdinands (Secretary) and Miss Hilda Deutrom (Irea-
surer).

With the dissolution of tbe Wolvendaal Consistory in January

1927, and the Constituting of the General Consistory of the Dutch
Reformed Church in Ceylon under Ordinance No. 9 of 1926, Dehi-
wela became a s,eparate Local Consistory together with Wellawatte on
8th January, 1927. The first members for Dehiwela were Rev. de
Klerk (President) Mr. C. V. Foenander (Elder) Messrs. C. A.'Woutersz
and C. A. Ferdinands (Deacons).

86
 Sinhalese Serviccs were commenced in 1928, and the first Baptism
recorded is that of two converts from Buddhism onsunday lst March,
1931, when Rev. Vander Gert administered the Sacrament to Dina
(22) and Banda (13).

The 25th Anniversary of the Church and Sunday School was

celebrated on Saturday 24th June, 1933 with a Garden Party at 4-30
p.m. followed by a Public Meeting at which Rev. R. V. Metzeling
took the chair while Rev. G. H. P. Leembruggen spoke to the child-
ren and Rev. James Ker addressed the adult congregation. The
Anniversary Thanksgiving Service was held the next day, Sunday 25th
June, 1933 conducted by Rev. Metzeling in the morning and there was
a special Childrens' Service in the evening conducted by Rev' Fred
Bennett.

A Chandalier was gifted by Mr. L. H. Nicholle of Hill Street,

Dehiwela it l9M and was hung in the nave. In November, 1975,
Mr. Jaan Harris, an old member of the Church, who was in the
Island on vacation, presented the Church with a new Chandalier to
replace the old one. This is still in use today.

The Church and Sunday School celebrated their Golden Jubilee

with a Public Meeting on Saturday June 14th, 1958. On this occasion'
it was observed that some of the very first members of the Congre-
gation were present. They were: Mr. T. E' S. Moser, Mr. Sam A-
W. Mottau, Mrs. Hilda Vander Wert, Dr. Collin Rodrigo and Mr.
Harry Collette. The Chairman\was the Pastor, Rev. Clarence Van
Ens, while Rev. Metzeling addressed the gathering with much feeling
and encouraged those present firstly, to remember the past, secondly,
to rejoice io the present, and thirdly to be confident as they faced the
future. The Anniversary Service was held at 4-30 p.m. on Sunday
I 5th, June 1958. Rev. Clarence Van Ens, qreaking on this occasion used
the words of Revelation 3: 11 as his text-"Behold, I come quickly:
hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." At this
Service, 100 new pew Bibles were received for the use of the Church.

The need for a Parish Hall was greatly felt and after some time of
exploration, it became a reality. Built adjacentto the Church, the,Hall
was Dedicated at a Service on 12th June, 1970 by Rev. L. C. de
Kretser. Work had commenced in October, 1969. The final cost
of the building was Rs. 37,269100.

87
 With the take over of the Schools by the Director of Education,
the Church Bell remained in "Government property" and the mem-
bers of the fa,mily of the late.Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Ferdinands made
arrangements for a new bell tower to be erected in front of the Church
and the bell transferred. The tower was dedicated by Rev. C. N.
Jansz on 18th December, 1974 at 5.45 p.m. before a representative
gathering.

The 50th Anniversary of the erection of the new Church was

celebrated on 5th June, 1977 with a Thanksgiving Service. Those
participating were Rev. N. L. Koch, Rev. C. N. Jansz, Rev. L. C. de
Kretser and Rev. D. H. R. Thuring. Rev. Koch gave the Address.

The Local Consistory uses the Budget Envelope system for tithing
and contributions for the needs of the Church. A weekly Bulletin
was introduced on 31st May, 1953 with Rev. John Van Ens as thc first
Editor. It continues to be published still.

In an efrort to reach the many children of other denominations

as well as those of our own Church who lived far away from the
Church, thereby frnding it difficult to attend sessions of the Sunday
School, the Pastor and Teachers of the Dehiwela Sunday School deci-
ded to take the Sunday School to them. Accordingly, on 3rd June,
1979 a branch was started in the home of friends, Mr. and Mrs. Jesu-
das at Quarry Road commencing at 8-30 a.m. The Superintendent
appointed was Mr. Darrel de Zilwa. The step has proved to be very
successful as many children who had no Sunday School to attend
found a warm welcome here. In the short time it has been in exist-
ence, numbers have grown to such an extent, that steps have now to be
taken, and meaningf,ul ones at that, are being taken to erect a
permanent building to serve this area as well as to be a centre to reach
out to the unchurched round about.

88
 and declare the new School buildings open. With the establishment
of the new home, "A,rethusa College," like the Nymph of the same
narne in classic story, had been changed from lesser uses to be a fount-
ain of light, love and dedication in the service of boyhood and the
Church.

With the arrival of Rev. John O. Schuring as Minister in Charge

of the District in 1943, numbers kept increasing needing some struotu-
ral alterations to be made to the Church to accommodate them.
The southern wall was demolished to form a wing with the adjacent
room used by the Sunday School. The cost was Rs. 36U00. The
other alternative suggestion, vhich did not meet with favour, was to
have the portico demolished and the Church extended 12 feet towards
the Galle Road (westwards).

Enthusiasm was high at the time, and members kept urging for a
new Church. At a Cougregational Meeting held on lgth Marct, 1930,
a decision was taken that a New Church should be erected and a
Building Committee comprising of Messrs. John Gauder, J. L. Mar-
tenstyn, Mrs. Mira Fernando, Mrs. E. L. Raftel, Mrs. W. J. Stork,
' Misses Dafimar and Clarice Ingram, Mrs. M. B. Franciscus, Mrs. D.
C. Drieberg, Messrs. W.. H. de Kretser, H. H. Collette, F. N. de
Kretser, E. C. de Kretser with the Scriba and Treasurer of the Local
Consirstory was appointed. The General Consistory gave their
official sanction on Wednesday 29th March, 1950. The Colombo
Municipal Council passed the plans approved by the Building Com-
mittee on 9th October, 1950 and Tenders were called. That of Mes-
srs. Wanaguru and Ranasinghe was accepted fo3 Rs: 69,996150.

At a special service on May 5th, 1951, Mrs. John Gauder, laid

the Foundation Stone at a simple yet impressive ceremony. This was
indeed the realisation of the hopes of about 20 years. While building
operations were in progress, services were held in the Methodist
Memorial Church, Moors Road, opposite, from Sunday 26th August,
1951.

A generous donation of Rs. 50,000/00 from Mr. John Gauder

towards the cost of the building was made to the Looal Consistory and
this helped in no small way for building operations to commence.

91
soon fanily units and individual members came forward to
provide
tho furniture and on September 20th, 1952, thp New Church was
dedicated for Sorvices and to the glory of God'

Gifts for the church were: The Pulpit from Elder and Mrs.
George Pereira; The Lectern from Elder and Mrs. c. A. Ferdinands;
The iaptismal Font from Mr. C. C. Cannon, in memory of his wife
ndith who was the cradle Roll Mother of the sunday School at one
time; A Wall Clock from Mr. R. D. Ferdinands; The Pulpit Bible
from Mr. Y. n. Joseph; The chandatier and Ligbting from Mrs.
Mira Fernando; Two 2 ft Brass cylindrical vases from Mr. Douglas
Franciscus; A Silver Vase from Mrs. H. R. Outschoorn; The Pews,
pew Screens and Kneelers from rnany members of the congregation
whose names it is not quite possible to recall after such a lapse of time'
There were other gifts too, received after the Dedication Service-
these were Two red velvet ofrertory Bags with ohromium plated hand-
les from Elder and Mrs. George van Hoff; Ceiling Fans from Mrs.
Doreen Rutnam; Mrs. M. B. Franciscus; MessrS. Elliston and Lorensz
Martenstyn', togcther with their sister Sheila. Two ornamental
Wrought Iron flower stands from Mr. & Mrs. H' L' de Kretser; A
Table for the nave of the church from Miss Ruby Martenstyn; An
ornemental hanging Lamp from Mr. Donald Martenstyir and two
Hymn Book racks from the rnembers of the Ja^ffpa Diocese of the
churoh of south India (who use the churoh on Sunday mornings
for a worship service of their own). Through the generosity of Mr.
Bruce collette" a new Allen Electronic organ was installed and dedi-
cated on December 15th, 1957, taking the place of a pedal Organ in
use from the early years of the Church.

An Assembly Hall was built at a cost of Rs. 50'000/00 for the

use of the Sunday School and the District and Dedicated on Saturday
24th October, 1959, at 5-00 p.m. It was named Calvin Hall.

The Budget Envelope System of Tithing and for making contri-

butions towards Church Funds was introduced in July, 1960 and has
proved to,be a success. The old Belfry was rebuilt in keeping with
the architecture of the Church through the efforts of the members
of The Calvin Youth League. They raised the necessary funds for it
t\ough a Sale organisod by them in July, 1962. The whole job of
rebuilding and redecorating cost Rs. 72U05. Pew kneelers were

92
 WELLAWATTE

A Live Church is a growingChurch, and the Dutch Reformed Church

was really growing at the turn of the Century. Numbers were in-
creasing and members were also moving towards the towns in the
South from the familiar places around Wolvendaal. The Church at
Bambalapitiya became a necessity to cater to the needs of the mem-
bers in the area. Now, in 1910 there were quite a goodly number of
members belonging to the Presbyterian Church residing at Wella-
watte, who attended Divine Worship Services either at Dehiwela or
Banbalapitiya.

A Sunday School had already been started in the home of Mr. J.

E. Christofrelsz, at Frances Road, on 6th November, 1908 with 14
boys and 15 girls. The Superintendent was Mr. J. G. Claessen, who
was assisted by the following Teachers: Miss Annie Ohlmus, Miss
Neline Joseph (Mrs. Stewart), Miss Rita Schokman (Mrs. Lloyd de
Kretser), Miss Millie Mack and Mr. Eric Christofrelsz. Numbers
kept increasing, and to accommodate them as well as to make the
Sunday School nrore centrally situated, the venuewas changed from
Frances Road to St. Lawrence's School, in March 1912, through the
kindness of the Misses Poulier who ran that Institution. Latsr, a
further shift had to be made to the old Weslyan Chapel in High Street,
where Mr. John Guthtie was Superintendent for many years. A Guild
was started on 6th September, 191? and their fi-rst Anniversary Service
was held in the same Weslyan Chapel on 17th September, 1918. By
this time the number of Presbyterian families at Wellawatte had in-
creased to 52'besides those in Dehiwela.

The Consistory at Wolvendaal took cognizance of the pressing

needs of the people, for a separate place of worship in the area, and
it was decided to start Services for the faithful as from Sunday llth
August, 1918 at 445 p.m. in the Hall of King's College, opposite
Arcthusa Lane, which had been rented for the 2nd and 4th Sundays of
each month. Rev. G. H. P. Leembruggen conducted the fust ser-
vice at which there were 66 Adults and 15 children. Regular weekly
services were held from Sth Septernber. It has to be recorded that
Rev. W. C. Fleming was originally scheduled to conduct the flrst ser-
vice in the District, but was called away on War Service to Mesopota-
mia as Chaplain to the Forces.

89
 On October 20th, 1919, the Consistory decided.to purchase
"Arethusa Villa, about one acre in extent, for Church pufposes in this
rapidly growing district" from Dr. John Drieberg for Rs. 17'000/00.
Vacant possession, however, was not given immediately. It was
finally on lst May, 1920 that Services were begun in buildings belong-
i4g to the Church. Some structural alterations had to be done
aimost at once and the fust service in the "New Hall" was held on
November 5th,1922. Rev. Fleming conducted this Service using the
words of Psalm l22i I as his text. The fust Communion Service
\n'as held on llth March, 1923 with Elder J. C. Jansz and Deacon
James E. Martenstyn serving at the Table. In September of the same
year, Dr. and Mrs. E. L. Raffel presented two platform rails, similar
to those in use at Bambalapitiya. Good lighting is always conducive
to better worship. Accordingly, a small generator was purchased and
Installed on October 3rd, 1927, to supply electricity to the Church and
bungalow.

The burden of educating the children was always pres€nt and was
the primary concern of the Consistory. It was no wonder therefore,
that aware of the growing need for a Church School--especially one
for boys, as there were others catering to the needs of girls-plans
were soon afoot to establish one. In 1931, although an economic
blizzard blew over the world and had affected our Church finances
too, faith ovefcame the despondency prevailing, and the Local Con-
sistory at their meeting on 17th April, 1931, passed a resolution re-
commending to the General Consistory that an Elementary School
recognized by the Education Department and run by Mr. J. V.
Dharmarajah at High Street, Wellawatte, about to be abandoned,
should be taken over.r It was finally agreed to open the School on
lst July, 1931 with 18 boys.z Boys from all communities were ad-
mitted and before long, more were seeking admissipn. The School
progressed and soon became self supporting. Space became a prob-
lem, and the School that was housed at "Arethusa" premises had to
be moved to a more spacious block of land acquired at 6fth Lane,
Wellawatte.

On Wednesday 24th May, 11939, Dr. R. L. Spittel F. R. C. S.

who had taken a great interest in this Institution, laid the Corner
Stone for the new building. On.July l5th, 1939, Mrs. James de
Kretser and Miss Ellen Van Geyzel were invited "to cut the tapes"

90
replaced in AIIgust,1962 witll the JafFna Diocesc of the ChurCh Of
South lndia lnceting half the cost. A Manse for the use Of the
Minister, was built, contiguous to the Church, at a cost of
Rs.33,256′ 00。 COmpleted in March.1964,it was occupied on l"
April,1964 by thc Pastorダ Revo Dunstan Thuring.

At a meeting of the Sunday School Tcachers,in February 1970,

it was decided to launch out on a Vacation Bible sCh001 prograrnme.
Di to unfOreseen circumstances however,it had to be put or till
Ap五 l ofthe following year before the planS c9uld be put into efFect.
And so it was,that with the assistance of the Sunday School Tcachers
■om DehiWela and Bambalapitiya,Vacation Bible School becume a
reality in l'71.It has proved to be so popular,that With larttr parti‐

『 胤l慧 審喰
押職F:fTttlだ器 訓臨出 ぶ
Church as a whole。 .
wellawatte became a ttparate Local Consistory on 8th October,
1959. It had been a part of the combined Wellawatte‐ Dehiwela―
NugcgOda Local Consistory up to this timc. In August,1962,due
to the added ministry, the Consistory was enlarged to comprise of
2 Elders and 4 Deacons. In 1975, due to the paucity of Ministers
wenawattc and Nugegoda were COmbined into one.LOCal Consistory
and continued so through 1976. In 1977, with a reshuning of
tl“ administration, the General Consistory made the Weuawatte

癬 鋼 竃 鱗 剛 種獄 鱗

i酬
驚l儀 驚:Ъ ∬船tttrt詣 潔五 『 1鯛 冨::
槻
i讐
靴管 織為北Bl酬lヽ1電朧 意 ご
暉 詭∬:席 jf職鮮:緊ll電 :￡:胤 絆t譜鷺滞Ъぱ18
The Local Consistory began publiShing a wcckly Bulletin g市 ing
information to the membership Of fOrthcoming e“ nts and other
relatcd Church matters.The ttst issue wtt put out on Sunday 31st
March 1953 under the editordlip of Rev.John Van Ens. It has
continued to be publiJた d without a break,since then。

93
 Calvin Youth League was started on 23rd September, 1960 by
Rev. Ananda Perera and had Mr. Franklyn Baptist as the first Secre-
tary. This met a long felt need in the Distriot as the earlier Youth
Recreational Centre had to be closed with the demolition of the old
Church and the resultant lack of space for games and other activities.

There has never been a dearth of volunteer workers who were

always ready to give of their time and talent in the service of the Master.
This has been true in every other district as well. It is no wonder then
that the Church, in'obedience to the Divine Command, goes forward.

Herald June 1931. Page 4.

Herald August 1931. Page 3.

94
 NUGEGODA

The burden of starting work in the Nugegoda area lay heavy on the
heart and mind of Rev. D. E. Josefh. Accordingly, at a meeting of
the General Consistory on 24th November, 1934, he brought to tlie
notice of the Assembly the great need of the many members in the
District requiring regular ministration.

The Wellawatte-Dehiwela Local Consistory in session on 13th

February, 1936, made a recommendation to the General ConsistopY,
to commence holding worship services at Nugegoda for the conveni- -
ence of the members in that township as otherwise, they had to travel
to Dehiwela or to Wellawatte to attend a Divine Worship Service of
the Dutch Reformed Church. It was indeed fofiunatet that at this
time, Mr. C. E. P. de Silva, an Elder of the-Wellawatte-Dehiwela
Local Consistory, came into residence at Kohuwela. In consultation
with Rev. R. V. Metzeling, the Minister in charge of the Local Con-
sistery, arrangements were made to commence the holding of 'Cottage
Meetings'. The proposal to start these meetings of the residence of
Mr. C. E. P. de Silva, at Church Street, was warmly received. Accord- 1

ingly, on Sunday 3rd May" 1936, no less than 30 persons gathered at

thi home of the'Elder, to be led by Rev. Metzeling "befote Jehovah's
awful throne" to worship our God, who is a "grea( King above all
gods". Miss Netta Toussaint was at the piano to lead in the singing.
The address was based on Matthew 7 verses 13 and 14. "This indeed
was a great venture, and one taken in the fullest confidence and hdpe
because we believe that our God is with us" said Rev. Metzeling in
his opening remarks.

At this service, the congregation were warned to exp€ot problems,

but they were assured that there would be no difficulty that could not
be braved and overcone in His Name. Ilere toon were sown the seeds
of keen anticipation when Rev. Metzeling said 'Jfrom tonight, itself,
we ought to look forward to have a little place of worship of our own-
the Dutch Reformed Church in Nugegoda. That Church is waiting
to be built and it is up to you to help us build it-"

T\rrning our thoughts away from this Service, let us look into some
information recorded by an erudite philologist, and a member of the
Church. The place na,me of Nugegoda is said to have been derived
95
 \
from the well known Nuga tree (Ficus Indica or the Banyan tree as it is
commoqly known to many) in the area. Nugegoda means Nuga
Tree Place or Nuga Tree Hamlet. In the environs of Nugegoda,
firstly, comes the town of Kotte, which was the Capital of Ceylon in
the 15th century. So, Nugegoda enjoys the rare distinction of being
an important suburb not only of the modern capital of ceylon, but of
an ancient one as well. The neXt place of historical interest in the
vicinity of Nugegoda is Pepiliyana (on the road from Kohuwela to
Kesbewa,) where King Parakrama Bahu vI established a great seat of
learning called sunethra Maha Devi Pirivena, in memory of his mother.

Now, I,ike the Banyan tree, spreading its branches, the Dutch
Reformed Church, began spreading out and witnessing in the area, to
spread the good news to all and sundry-and inviting them to come to a
fuller and saving knowledge of the Lord.

Within four short years, in fact on 28th September, 1940, a'ppro-

val was given by the General Consistory for funds to be collected for a
new Church. Having irSspected sevdral sites, one on Church Street
was chosen as the price quoted was reasonable-the figure being
Rs. 2,?50/00. This however fell through for the lack of a clear Title.
Six months later an alternative site was reported to be available,
near the Kohuwela Ccmetery. With the Lawyers reportifig favour-
ably on the Title Deeds, the General Consistory, at their meeting of
4th October, !941, approved the purchase of this'block of land for
Rs. 2,862/00, inclusive of all Notarial and other charges.

Although the land was purchased in 1941, no action was taken to

build till May 1943. when Rev. Joseph came in charge of the District.
He set about at once on a scheme to build the nerv Church he had
envisaged for so long, with immediate gratifying results. Almost
immediately, an awakward set back was experienced. The Urban
Council proved to be the stumbling block. A'communication was
addressed to the Church that they contemplated acquiring the block
of land held by the Church for the extension of the Kohuwela Ceme'
tery. So, things went back to the place from where it had started.
The Sub Committee appointed to select a suitable block of land was
now reqyested to make a fresh start and to look out for another. With
renewed z.eal, a search began and finally, the site on which the Church
now sta.nds, in Mudaliyar Avenue, was secured in September,'l949

96
for Rs. 8,785/00. On 26th January, 1949, the General Consistory
gave permission for a Grand Bazaar to be held with a view of raising
funds for the erection of the new Church. It was estimated that
approximately Rs. 20,000/00 would be required to complete it accord-
ing to the plans approved. The sum of Rs. 8,806/91 was realised from
the Bazaar held in the Lindsay Hall, Bambalapitiya on 4th and 5th
November, 1949.

Tenders were called, and that of Messrs. M. Perera & Co., of

Kotahena for Rs. 16,500/00 was accepted.

While all this action was taking place, Services continued to be held
in the homes of various members. In January, 1942, Mrs. Stella de
Silva, (widow of Elder, C. E. P. de Silva) in whose home Services had
been held regularly, since the commencement, and now for a period
of flve continuous years, left the district. Services had accordingly
to be held in the homes of other members. Those who were of
assistance in this respect were Mr. and Mrs. H' W. Harris, Mr. F- J-
kmphers, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Dickson (Anglican friends) Mr. A. C.
Eaton, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Fetnando, and Mr' P. D. Martenstyn,
who was one of the original members and the first Deacon of this
Church. In 1946, Mrs. Stella de Silva returned to Nugegoda, and her
home was once again made available for the meeting of the faithful
in obedisnce to the Divine Commandment to "keep the Sabbath day
holy".
'At a simple ceremony on Tuesday August 23rd,1949, thb cutting
of the first sod for the new Church took place. To Mrs. Stella de
Silva, fell the unique honour of performing this act. Rev.'D. E.
Joseph assisted by Rev. R. V. Metzeling conducted a short service
in the presence of the members of the Church and friends from the
District as well.

Invoking a blessing, Rev. Joseph said "May the true faith flourish,
the fcar of God, the love of the Bretheren. Here may the voice of
prayer be continually heard, the voice of rejoicing and salvation, the
voice of praise and the invocation of God's most glorious and honour-
able Name."

Building operations went on apace and by the end of Novembcr,

the walls had reached roof level. Since then, a series of vicissitudes

97
and unforeseen events added to the delay brought about
by the de-
prevented the building from growing with
iaulting of the Contractor,
aivttiigrirc reasonable speed. Mr. H.I( de Kretser took over from
,un"t" Cot. Stanley Fernando left off, when he went away from the
Island to work in the U.K., and helped in the supervision of the
building, uP to the end. r

At6p.m.on26thSeptember,lg50,whenover300personswere
present within the walls of the new church, the Presbytery of ceylon
a Service of Dedication with Rev. D. E. Joseph, Rev. A.
Gert, Rev. Bryan de Kretser, Rev' L' N' Hitchcock' Rev' J'
"onduct"d
Vander
O. Schuring, Rev. L. A. Felsianes, and Rev' Taylor Mac Kenzie of
the scots' Kirk, colombo, partioipating. Rev. Taylor Mac Kenzie
preached a challenging sermon using as his text the words of Ephe-
sians 4:17. The offertory, amounting to Rl' 465132, received on tbis
occasion was donated to the Building Fund of the Nugegoda church.

The first regular Serviie in the newly completed Church was held
on sunday evening lst october, 1950 at 5 p.m. and was conducted by
Rev. D. d. Joseptr. The fust Communion Service was held on Octo-
ber 8th, 1950. THe Sunday school v/as "commissioned" by Rev. Joseph
on Sunday 24th December, 1950 with Mrs. A. G' W' Foenander as
the first superintendent, and 16 children on the Roll. Initial work
amongst the children had been started 3 years earlier by Miss Louise
(Loo) Bartholomeusz who continued as a Teacher with Mrs.
ioenander. Tamil Mission work was started by Evangelist, Mr'. L.
IvL chades on lst Novembor, 1953 while Sinhala work commen-ced
on lst February, 1959 under Rev. Ananda Perera'

Nugegoda was at this time administered by the combined wella-

watte-Dehiwela-Nugegoda Local consistory. In October, 1959,
the General Consistory decided to form three separate Local Consist'
ories for the three Districts effective from January 1960, owing to
increased membership in eacb of them.

In lg60 steps were taken to collect money for a Bell and the
erection of a Belfry. With the generous response of the members and
the proceeds of two sales organised by the Ladies' Aid society, the
required sum was soon raised. The bell was specially ordered from
a nrm in Germany and has inscribed on it the words NUGEGODA,
DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH, CHRISTMAS DAY, I96O_thE

98
day on which it was dedicated at a service conducted by Rev. Dr.
Leonard Greenway (father of the Minister in charge, Rev. Roger S.
Groenway.)

The Budget Envelope system was introduced from the beginning

of 1961. A long felt need was also met during this year, when the
Fellowship Hall was built at a oost of Rs. 20,433/00 and dedicated on
Saturday t2th August, 1961 at 5 p.m. A Manse for the Minister in
charge was built at a cost of Rs. 46,717i00 being completed in July
1962. Rev. Aubrey Van Hoff moved into occupation shortly after-
wards.

$Ihen in January 1962, Students in training for the Ministry werrc

recruited into the Dutch Reforrred Church Seminary & Bible Insti-
tute. Nugegoda was considered the best place to give them accom-
modation, and has continued to be the Seat of Learning from that
time onwards.

99
 THE NORTH CENTRAL PROVINCE

Whatever may be said of the methods used by the Dutch to evangelise

this Island, their sincerity of purpose, their zeal and keen desire to
bring people to a knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ' can-
not b; denied. Missionary efforts among the Sinhalese community
had been confined to colombo, besides the village schools established
by the Dutchmen all over the territory they held sway through
which they tried to spread the good news in spite of the language
barrier. The enthusiasm displayed by them brbught reasonable
resulds, but many drifted back to the faith they had been taught from
their infancy, leaving a nucleus of those who adhered to the christian
faith all over the Island when they left, handing the country over to the
British. Not much can be ascertained from tho old records as to the
work in colombo.,.amorgst the sinhalese people, but it is evident
that it continued in a lethargic manner. Into this scene came the
Ministers of the Dutch Reformed church, at the turn of the century,
beginning with Rev. J. D. Palm, (snr.) They helped to stimulate
interest in Missions amongst the members of the congXegations and
the Organisations of the Church. Indications of a favourable res-
ponse were immediately in evidence and a tender shoot was soon
observed to be sprouting.

A zealous C.M.S. Missionary, Rev. Robert Phair, who was in

charge of St. Andrew's Churoh, Anuradhapura, was called Home to
be with his.Maker on 4th December, 1919. The following sunday,
Rev. Allan Vander Gert preaching at Bambalapitiya, challenged the
congregation there to accept thc responsibility for the work done by
Rev. Phair. The challenge was accepted and the call to work in the
Hurulu Palata of the North Central Province was at the doorstep
of the Dutch Reformed Church. With the courtesy and consent of
the c.M.S. authorities, the Dutch Reformed church entered into the
field to oarry on the work from where it had been left off, to tell the
people of Jesus and His love. In addition to his full time labours at
Galle and Matara, Rev. Vander Gert travelled regularly to the N'C'P'
to preach and visit the converts. This he did with a sense of dedication
which made the Presbytery of ceylon talte a keen interest in his labo-
urs in 1920.

100
 On Sunday 7th March, tgZi, nfr. G. Dias Abeysinghe was
appointed and set apart as a worker in the Mission Field in the Anu-
radhapura District, where much spade work had already,been done
by Rev. Vander Gert. Steps had been taken earlier to build au un'
pietentious house for him at Kahatagasdigiliya which was the hub
of the missionary effort. lt was ready fbr occupation in February,
1926. This was a district stricken with rnalaria and one hard to labour
in, but one that was full of opportunity and promise. At the start,
Mr. Abeysinghe met with oppostion, but he kep! on in faith and love,
encouraged by Rev. Vander Gert, gradually finding a place in the
hearts of the folk in the Hurulu Palata.

But, what preceded this appointment?

The Presbytery of Ceylon, at their'meeting of llth February,

1920 held in the Scot's Kirk, Kandy' in adopting the Report of a
Special Committee that had been.appointed by them, decided that
.,in the future, the Mission work will be the united work of the Ptesby-
terian Churches @utch and Scotch) in Ceylon, and will be under the
immediate supervision of the Committee appointed by the Presby-
tery." Those nominated to se(ve on this Exeiutive Committee were:
Rev. L. A. Joseph (Moderator), Rev' A. Vander Gert, Rev. G. Francke,
Rev. D. Mac. Michael, Mr. W. Hunter, Mr' A. Metzeling and Mr'
Oswald de Kretser. At the same meeting, it was conflrmed that "the
Presbytery of Ceylon approves the suggestion that this part of the
North Central Province be inspected with a view to its becoming a
new sphere of Missionary work." The Constitution of the Presby-
terian Mission was also adopted at this meeting.

Writing in the July, 1920 issue of "The Herald", the Editor made a
reference to the decision of the Presbytery to launch a joint action by
the Dutch and Scottish Churches and said ".. . , . 'there is every prospect
of this being effected in the near future, as our friends, the Pastor of
St. Andrew's and his people have expressed their willingness to do
what they can. It is now a question of the best ways and means of
carrying on a Mission that will be worthy of the Presbytery of Ceylon.
The field which it is proposed to occupy is tbe North Central Province,
where the late Rev. Phair of the Church Missionary Society, laboured
for a short time, so faithfully,'and where we hope to continue the good
work, so tragically brought to an end by his deoease." A bricfreport

101
on the area and of the work involved written by Rev. Vander Gert and
Mr. c. F. Hettiaraohchi (another worker in the area who was of assist-
ance to Rev. vander Gert) was then added for the information of the
readers.

r The work was by no means an easy one owing to the nature of the
environment, besides the difficulty of travel and the prevalance of
malaria. But Rev. vander Gert in his Report for 1921 says "......every
Evangelist who entered the field, came with a hope and an earnest
desire to visit it again, because of the ripeness of the field and the
willingness of the people to hear." The names of those who served
here in the early days of labours are Messrs Hettiarachchi, Colombage ,
and N. de Silva. lt is good to know that the church wFs not alone in
meeting the financial commitments as donations for the cause of
Missions were received from The Ceylon Mission Association of
South Africa who took an interest"in the spread of the Gospel in the
land......where our lot is cast in the providence of God"'

Efforts were rnade at this time to obtain a plot of land "for one
or two workers living in the districf ' and soon it was possible to re-
port that..for this purpos€, a very excellent piece of land has been
ieased close to the tank, to the villagej to the bazaat in Kahatagasdi-
giliya. Arrangernents are being rnade to put up a little house." The
estimated cost of erection was put down to Rs. 750/00. The extent
of the land leased by Rev. vander Gert was 3 roods 17.5 perches under
Permit No. 138. The Annual Rental payable at that time was Rs. 'l-00.
The extent of the land now available to the church is considerably
less. The Evangelist's Quarters have been re-built and extended to
accommodate a Chapel where regular services are held. The most
recent addition is tbe Parsonage built in 1979 at an expense of
Rs.4,997/65.

In 1934, arrangements \ryere made to start a new venture at

Yakkala, 24 miles away and 32 miles from Anuradhapura. The
main feature of this outreach was the establishment of a Rural Hos-
pital and Maternity Home-the first of its kind in the Province. The
Centre was ofrcially declared open by the Government Agent, Mr. L.
L. Hunter, bn Saturday 8th June, 1935, in the presence of a large
gathering. A Service of Dedication was conducted by Rev. Vander
Gert and Rev. C. M. Elangasekera of the Baptist Mission at Anuradha-
pura. As the years went by, the Government opened up three other
rcz
 Maternity Hospitals in the District, yet, in spite of the faciliti€s offered,
it has been recorded that admission to the Church Hospital was always
sought after in the first instance' A Sunday School was started for-
the children by the Evangelist, Mr. T. G. Somawardena. The Church
was indeed fortunate in having the devoted voluntary services of Miss
Harriet de Kretser at Yakalla. She laboured selflessly in the Maternity
Home and spent the rest of her time in teaching the village folk to read
and sing Choruses, besides being a friend in need and of assistance in
general whenever it was required. With the passing of the Nursing
Homes (Regulation) Act No. 16 of 1949, registration of thb Maternity
Home with the Government became necessary. It also followed that
the erection of more permanent buildings were needed in place of
the existing ones in addition to the employment of additional staff, at
an expense that surpassed the financial capacity of the Church. And
so, it was with great sorrow and reluctance, that the.decision was
taken to close this Institution on 3lst January, 1956. With the closure
of the Maternity Home, we lost a block of land 3 acres in extent that
had been leased by Rev. Vander Gert under Permit No. 140 at an annual
rental of Rs. 3/00. This was not so great a tragedy as the loss of a
place to work from and reach the many people who had come to
regard the Centre as their very own. The Maternity Home had a
Ward with 7 beds with Mrs. Ellen de Silva, a fully qualified Midwife
in charge with the assistance of Mrs. Mary Approu-a convert in
the area-who had been trained in Nursing at the Uduvil Hospital,
Jaffna. Mr. Somawardena and Mrs. Ellen de Silva have now gone
on to their reward, while Mrs. Approu lives in retirement.

Tire broad outlines of the work continued at Kahatagasdigiliya

along the traditional lines, quietly but steadily. The Gospel continued
to be proclaimed by word and deed, thus maintaining an effectual
witness.

Attempts were made to provide education to the villagers, but

the school had to close down when the Buddhists'started a School of
their own. Another School was opened a few miles to the North,
on the road between the two Mission Stations, with a devoted Tamil
Christian Teacher from Colombo in charge. This too, came to a
sudden end when one day he was found dead in the jungle, a victim of
malaria.

103
 Early converts had to face persecution. Their houses were
burned and in some cases were chased away from the village; they were
rejected and ostracised by their relatives and suffered bodily harm.
But they remained steadfast. God always had His people among
them and they proved to be shining lights.

The economic situation in the area has changed considerably.

Much has been done by the Government to improve the lot of the
villager, but the majority remain in subjection to the animism and
Buddhism which controls every activity of his life. He is a slave to
local deities and gods at whose shrines they worship though their re-
ligion is nominally Buddhism. There is still more that could be done
in this area.

Now, under thc guidance of the Dutch Reformed Church

Mission Committee and a resident Evangelist Mr. S. Pushpa-
rajah, the work is expanding. ihe latest effort is the start of work at
Nika Wewa, a village 7 miles from Yakalla, a predominantly Buddhist
area, where the message of the Saviour of the World is being received
with enthusiasm.

Wo have accepted the responsibility for 800 square miles of terri-

tory, 150 nriles away from Colombo. There is no other Christian
gFoup proclaiming the Word here. Men are ready to listen. They
will read what is given. Some come to onquire further. Some believe
and are saved. More have yet to be oontacted-but the labourers are
few. Let us pray "the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth
labourers into His harvest."

104
 THE TAMIL CHTJRCH

When the Dutch came to Ceylon, they recognised the need to conduct
for the people in their own languages and took steps imme-
Services
diately to meet the situation. Predikants were instructed to make a
study of the Ta.mil and Sinhala languages in order that a greater impact
could be made and counter that being made by the Portuguese who
had already made an indelible impression with their Scholar Priests
conducting the Services of the Roman Catholic Church in the verna-
culars.

Many Churches were built in the Northern, Eastern and North

Westernregions. In the Jaffna District, there were no fewer than 14
churches. These have now passed into the hands of the Methodist
Church or the Ja,frna Diocese of the Church of South India. In
Mannar too there were 14 Churches which have now passed into the
possession 'of the Methodist Church. In Mannar, Rev. Baldaeus
who was Chaplain to the Dutch Forces began work in Tamil acquiring
proficiency in this language rapidly. He was in charge of all the
Tamil work in the Island. In 1663, it was estimated that in the Jaffna
and Mannar Districts alone, there were 73,198 Tamil Christians.
By 1688, the number had risen to 180,000 in Jaffna alone.r Work
spread to Colombo when the seat of Government was moved there
from Galle. With the Capitalation to the British, and the lack of
Ministers to preach in Tamil, the work sufrered although a bold
attempt was made to continue the work in Colombo, with the assist-
ance of the new British Government. This arrangement however
did not last very long, and Services in Tamil had to be discontinued
during the time of Rev. J. D. Palm. The last Minister at this time to
conduct a Service in the Tamil language was Rev. Schroter, in about
the year 1843.

Writing to the Magazine "Our Friend" in April, 1926,the Editor,

Rev. J. C. Abels says "The Missionary spirit in our Church seems to be
growing....,....we are pleased to learn that thcre is a movement to
start Tamil services in the Wolvendaal Churcli.....,During the time
of the Dutch, active mission work was carried out amongst the Tamils
chiefly by mean: of Parish Schools".

105
 At their Meeting on Monday 22nd March' 1926' the Consistory
send out a Call
through the efrorts oi R"v. D. E. Joseph, resolved "To
to Mrl L. N. Hitchcock to be a collegiate Minister of tho Dutch Re-
(Elder) were
formed church. Rev. Joseph and Bro A. W. Metzeling
and prosecute the
appointed, if necessary, to visit the Jaffna.Council
in Ja.ffna,
maTtter.,, Mr. Hitchcook belonged to the American Mission
and was a Graduate of the united Theological college, Bangalore'
Tbc Call was accepted, but was to be only for a period 9f !v9-Vea1s'
as

stipulated by the luffou Council of the South India United Church' as

from January lst,1927.

was held
The fust Service in Tanil, by the Wolvendaal Consistory
on8thJanuary,lg27atdcontinuedeverySundaythereafterat5p'm'
At first, thcre were only six persons pt9!ent, but rapid progfess-was
made tirrough direct by Rev. Hitchcock and numbers kept
"ootu"i
growing. Soon it was consideied that a Morning Service would be
Lor" .oon"nient and suit the members better. .4 cbange was accord-
ingly made resulting in a betler and much improved attendance'
work was carried out in the slums and among the cooly class
who were not cared for by any Missionary Body. Among those-who
attend€d Services with regularity were members of the South India
Unircd Church of Ja.frna alnd mdia, (now the Jafrna Diocese of the
Church of South India) in addition to members of the Lutheran
church of India who had no Missionary at that time in colombo to
care for then, and so, were without any local connection' At the end
of the first year of work, the membership was 50.
A Night School started in 1928, helped those not proflcient in the
language to learn to read the Bible. work soon expanded and went
furtheiafield to Regent Street, Cinnamon Gardens, Slave Island and
Maradana areas. In all these efforts, Rev. Hitchcock was assisted
by the Evangelist Mr. A. J. Ambrose who was appointed in 1941'
Clttage prayer Meetings formed the special feature of tho outreach
anO trilped ihe congregation to meet in gxoups and strengfhen-9ach
other and their Non christian friends in the christian way of life.
Some dis-organisation was caused by the outbreak of the Second
World War, more especially through the housing shortage- Cottage
Prayer Meetings and Prayer Groups were temporarily suspended, but
resumed as soon as conditions improved and the situation permitted.
Through loyal support from friends, the work went on without inter-
ruption.

i06
 In October 1953, in accordance with the decision of the Ta,mil
Sub-Committee, statistics were forwarded to the General Consistory
with the request that the Tamil speaking congregations may be formed
into a "Church". Work flourished and spread rapidly to the \Mella-
watte, Ratnapura, Mount Lavinia and \Melimada areas. The need
foranadditional Worker was felt, and Mr.L.M. Charles, who had
been appointed in 1950 was assigned to work in the Nugegoda
District, while Mr. V. J. Ariyacuddy was appointed to work in the
Regent Street area fronr October, 1953. This brought immediate
results. At the first Service in the Nugegoda District, on lst November,
1953 at 5-30 p.m. there were 128 persons present. It was conducted
by Rev. Hitchcock. Ta.mil literature was ordered from Vellore,
South India. This included 2,500 tracts, 300 copies of the Compen-
dium as well as copies of the Liturgical Forms. Work amongst the
cooly class in the Hill country and on the Estates called for additionat
labourers, and so it was that Mr. J. Moses Dhas was appointed to
attend to this important work as from 2nd February, 1958, in addition
to other work in the Colombo area.

On 6th January, 1950, a special Bi-lingual Service of Thanksgiving

was held in the Wolvendaal Church to mark the Silver Jubilee of the
re-commencement of Tamil work in the Dutch Reformed Church.
The Preacher was Rev. D. E. Joseph. Work went on smoothly.
When Rev. Hitchcock retired in October, 1954 and the Tamil speaking
congregations were left without a Minister, a Call was sent out to
Rev. B. C. D. Mather to join the ranks of the Lollegiate Ministers of
the Dutch Reformed Church and on acccptance was Installed as such
on November 5th. 1961 in the Wolvendaal Church

At a Meeting of the General Consistory on the 29thl30th Nov-

it was decided that the Colombo Tamil work as well as
ernber, 1961,
the Tamil work in all the other Districts should be controlled by a
Tamil Local Consistory with Rev. Mather as President assisted by two
Elders and a Deacon. The Wolvendaal Local Consistory together
with Rev. Mather and the Secretary of Missions were direoted to take
steps to implement this decision, so that the fust Tamil Local Consistory
could be Constituted as early as posrible. With the Ordination and
Installation of Messrs. Ben. Ebenezer and I. P. Samuel as Elders and
Mr. J. E. Abraham as Deacon on 4th March, 1963, the Tamil Local
Consistory was Constituted and held their first meeting on 8th May,

107
in the Wolvendaal Churcb. Their numbers were added to' when on
enlargement of the Local consistory, two new Deacons were
ordained
and I-nstalled. They were Messr$. David Ebenezer and G. J. Sofalas.

A Youth Fellowship was started at Wolvendaal in May' 196?'

The appointment of Mr. E. N. Lawrence of the Wolvendaal

congregatioJis an Evangelist in 1968, strengthened the ranks of tbe
*orLr-r. In February,lg6g, Rev. Reginald Ebenezer was ordained
as a Mioister for the Tamil work in succession to Rev' B' C' D'
Mather, who retired in November, 19?0 Yet another full time Minis-
ter was ordained on 22nd August,1971, and Rev. Rajkumar Thurai-
rajah took his place among the others labouring in the Master's
Vineyard, to spread the message of hope and Salvation'

Many enquirers after the Truth had to be met and requests for
information about christianity kept pouring in. It was aocordingly
decided to launch a correspondence course in Tamil. To help in
this work, another worker, Mr. Crispus Emmanuel was taken on from
lst rune, t9?5 as an Evangelist. with the assistance of the Local
consistory, he set about the task of sending out literature to those
who reguested it, correcting the answer scripts on return and met per-
sonal callers in addition to preaching assignments in Colombo.
This then, was the start of the "Gnana Oli" (or Good News) pro-
gramme which has gone on since that day without a break'

Just as the fruitsof devoted labourwerebeing reaped difficult

days were experienced. Mr. crispus Emmanuel left at the end of June
1979 topursue a course of Theological training in India, in a private
capacity. Shortly afterwards on l0th October the same year (1979)
Rev. Rajkumar Thurairajah submitted his resignation. In order to
meet the situation, the General Consistory released Rev. Ebenezer
from work in the Tamil Church and appointed him as Secretary of
Missions. The work of building up the Mission outreach of the
Chwch amongst the Sinhalese and Tamil speaking communities was
to be his special care.

In God's good providence, another worker was recruited to the

staff for Gnana Oli work on lst March, 198O-Mr. M. Selvarajah.
He was later appbinted to the post of Evangelist on I st May 1981 '

108
 Fifty years of unbroken work was gratcfully remembered in
January,1977 with a irhanksglVing Service and othcr events organised
by the Local Consistory.

In order that the needs of the ear,Church could“ meti thC

Dutch caused to LVe the following tran,latiOns made into Tamil by
Revo Phillip Baldaeus and Franciscus de Bonyega2:

The Gospel of Sto Matthew― -1740‐ 1741

The Smaller Ch“ ChiSm.
Short QuestiOns and Answers.
QueStiOns and Answers relating to the Old Testament,
, Comfort and Consolatio■ to the SiCk.
Child and Adult Baptism Ordinmcc,17“

‐1
.

:I撚∬鮒1露 恩
翌 響乳h野
Prayers for Rain and Fertile Seasons.
The Marriage Service‐ 1744.
Some Sc.l・・OnS.
Psalms(MetriCall.
The Ten CommandmentS.
The Lord's Prayer.
The Hcidelberg Catechism‐ 1754 1 1
The New Testament‐ 1758,

批:盟織 盤ll瞭 常翌hJ・ 8 cRev:Ⅲ Ⅲ )

よ棚 朧 19身 15m“ 呻口
"…

109
 THE SINHALA CHIJRCH

One of the features that characterised the Dutch rule in Ceylon was
the missionary enterprise of the Church. There was not a place in the
territory over whioh the Dutch held sway where the sound of the Gos-
pel was not heard. There was not a village of any importance that
did not have its own Mission School. Whatever may be said of the
methods used to evangelise the Island, their sincerity of purpose,
their zeal aod keen desire to bring the people to a knowledge of the
saving grace of Jesus Christ cannot be gain said. With the departure
of the Dutch from the Island, the Dutch Reformed Church main-
tained herself with difficulty. As a result of the struggle for her own
existence, the missionary function was overlooked, and the Church
became self-centred. A decline in her missionary zeal set in, with the
result that the Church at one time marked for her missionary enter-
prise soon became noted for her missionary indifference and neglect.

On June 3rd, 1892, the Consistory at Wolvendaal decided to re-

vive the work in Sinhala at Wolvendaal. Similar work began in the
Banbalapitiya area on 2nd October' 1896. Rev. H. Martensz, a
Methodist Minister from Galle conducted Services and classes prin-
cipally for domestic serlants of the members of the congregations'
He was ably assisted by Mr. Lloyd Joseph who laboured from about
1900 tin 1904 when he left for Theological studies in the U.S.A.
Another Methodist Minister, Rev. Hettiarachchi, filled the vacancy
caused. Due to ill health and advancing years, Rev. Martensz was
compelled to give up active work at the end of 1909. Yet another
Methodist Minister Rev. Samuel Silva was appointed to carry on the
work immediately afterwards. Through the lack of men for active
work at Wolvendaal the services there had soon to be discontinued.
Rev. Sam Silva, however made an attempt in September l9l2 to revive
the work again in the Wolvendaal district with a measure of success
and carried on heroically, single handed at Wolvendaal and Bambala-
pitiya.

The Missionary spirit was not dead however but only lying dor-
mant. The necessary impetus appears to have been given by a sister
Church in South Africa-The Dutch Reformed Church in South
Africa, and helped on by the outbreak of the Boer War and
especially the internment of the Boer prisoners at Diyatalarva during

110
the Boer War was the means ofrev市 ing interest in Missions and the
the КsuscitatiOII of Misslonary activities. It is therefore no wonder
to read that the carly Sinhala Mission was also called the South Africa
Sinhala mission,鶴 the nllssionaries were Suppolted by funds scnt by

盤 iF胤 総 織 宙 盤 冒 柵 乳 1宝 よ T譜 ∫習 柵

showed Signs and indications of growth and development.

lle retired in 1954.

織J樹 凛 胤ぽ1:温 糠 乱零.燎響撼 [

in March, 1949 as an Evangelist. He was followed by Mr. Joel Sena-
singhe in October, 1954. A new area of work was started in Decem-
ber, 1955 at Makandura, in the North Western Province.

The effective use of the printed page was not overlooked, a"nd a
tract entitled "Pemhanda" was published together with a monthly
paper in Sinhala entitled "The Duthaya" (Ihe Herald). Mr. Joel
Senasinghe who edited the first issue of The Duthaya, carriecl out this
labour oflove and devotion till January 1980. Today this paper has
grown in size and in circulation, with Mr. S. Pushparajah as Editor.

Mr. Walter Wijewickrema joined the ranks of "labourers in the

Field" in March, 1957. The following year, 1958 saw the appoint-
ment of Rev. Ananda Perera as Minister in charge of the Sinhala work
and it was in October this year too that Mr. David Kulasena came into
the Dutch Reformed Church to work as an Evangelist. The ranks
were further strengthened by the addition of Mr. Raj D'Sahayam in
September, 1963, even though it was only for a comparatively short
time.

A significant step forward was taken when the Colombo Sinhala

Mission and the Makandura Mission were formed into Local Consis-
tories on Sunday March 28th 1963 and Sunday 4th March, 1963
respectively. The Colombo Sinhala Local Consistory had Rev.
Ananda Perera as its fust President with Mr. Paul Samuel (Elder)
and Mr. Walter Wijeratne as Deacon. At Makandura, the fust
President was Rev. Ananda Perera who had the other members of the
Consistory as Mr. P. William Fernando and Mr. Jacob Appuhamy as
Elders and Messrs. Thomas Fernando and Joseph Fernando as Dea-
cons when it was constituted.

The Christian Youth Front at Makandura was startedin 1963, and

provided.an opportunity for new converts to get together and study
God's Word as well as being affordedtimes of fellowshipwith believers
stronger in the faith. The first Sinhala Church Conference was held
on 28th and 29th December, 1964 with 35 members participating
full time. This was an achievement indeed to have been proud of.

In January, 1967, with the resignation of Rev. Perera, the oversight

care of the Sinhala Missionwork came underthe care ofthe Wellawatte
Local Consistory whose President, Rev. Aubrey Van Hoff was elected

tt2
to be in chargc of a Colombo Sinhala Working Committee. With the
area of work being enlarged and larger numbers having to be looked
after, it became necessary to employ more workers. Accordingly, in
June, 1963, Mr. James Kulasena was appointed as Evangelist. He was
followed by Mr. Reginald Ratnayake soon afterwards. In Decem-
ber, 1971, Rev. Van Hoff was appointed to be full time Minister in
charge of the Sinhala Church, being relieved of other duties to the
English speaking congregations, and continued to s€rve in this capa-
city until his resignation in May 1976.

Much effort was expended to advance and coordinate the work in

the various Districts with the appointment of a full time Minister.
A Correspondence Course on the Gospel of St. John entitled ..pre-
maya" was prepared by Rev. Aubrey Van Hoff for enquirers who
were steadily increasing. In addition, many tracts were written and
printed for distribution. These efforts were not without results.
The "Suba Asna" (Good News) programme rvas initiated in 1920.
Mailing was done from the Evangelist's residence at Maligakande, but
as the volume of work increased, a Centre was set up in the General
Consistory Office, in January, 1971 with Minister and Evangelists
taking turns in dealing with correspondence, callers and correcting
answer scripts of the Correspondence Course which by now had gained
great popularity. A long felt need-a Sinhala typewriter-was pur-
chased from funde received fromfriendsinthe Transcona Christian
Reformed Church (Canada) and helped in the neater and methodicat
maintenance of records and in the office work in general.

The work kept on increasing. The Scripture Gift Mission in

England, responded readily and sent suitable literature for the use
of the Suba Asna outreach. The Evangelists stationed in Colombo,
together with two part time workers (one of whom was later absorbed
on to the staff in the Suba Asna Office) under the guidance of Rev.
Crosbie de Kretser, attended to all the correspondence, correction of
answer scripts besides meeting with and counselling personal callers
and those wanting to know more about the',God of the Christians',.
Rev. de Kretser was appointed to be in charge of the Sinhala work
as from lanuary 1977. At the moment, Enquirers are sent the W. H.
B. L. Correspondence Course, on the completion of which they are
sent the more advanced "Premaya" Course. A new Course is now
being prepared by Evangelist Mr. Joel Senasinghe and will be ready
for publication shortly.

113
.¶ 棚 為脚 Ttt」 誂
↓ 認 漁 l譜 三
朧 I
in July,1973,in order to enugrate to Australia.
In 1971,the ranks of the Evmgelists were further strengthened
with the recruitment of a young man fro■ l the Makandura congre‐

gclist on August, 1978.

At their meeting held on 30th September 1976, the General

葬 舗 脚 憮 鴛 鸞 驚 硼

is now receiving attcntion.

A Chulch,was built to mect thc pressing necds of the members
in the Kandanagedera(N.W.P。 )籠ca and dedicated on 22nd May
1980.It coSt Rs.4,350/00。
Thc work continues to glow, galning momentum. TO God be
thc glory.
L露

菖
覇
需嚢
爾 勲 鸞総
藷 濡曹諏蕊 電
難
島計臨∬ 畷路
i繭 :瓢
talawa. (the urioccupied jail wai converted for this purpose).
ttandiva'for
handiya for those who offered ib
to tate the oaitr
take ttre Allegianct
Oath of Atlebian6e-to the British
S3↓ 5話 LiI五 轟
l儡 ξ 蔦
裏IⅢ L玉 Ⅲ ⅢⅢ 口,摯 勲 ,11空 ,I野 塑
i■

IIJ翻 鴨
嶽減認1聰 1電 諸鷺話 J° 出鳳∬ 細
「麟
需需濡 蕗
電1喘配
July

灘綱贖l奪轟罵鳳 ?mmenCCd i■ Junt,1"2望 t■ 9■ :

ギЪ鉾ぶM_S=雲
面 鵠鵬奮鷲
鶏 ヽ ど
sIAuthor面
sやAuthorities蔦面nist"0営 Tl:ijし
sユ 1調 計
∬五 置
階齢
British eζ to 1:lil::i:I「
Lavinia and Urugasmanhandiyao ReV M億
work.
鵬鴨 鵬
`IW島 翌S器話戦 脳 熙胸
留 電 器誡∫
and Vol.XXXVH No.1).
114
 MAKAFI.DI.'RA

Makandura is a peaceful village in the North Western Province,

rvhere the inhabitants tended their paddy lands, coconut plantations
or farms and found that "God was in His heaven and all was right
with the world". Village Elders recall having been told by their fore-
bears that this place was the location of a large military camp during
the late Dutch and early British times. In fact the name bears out
this version. The name Makandura is a corruption of Maha-
Kandavura meaning "the big camp' and is in all probability where the
armies of the conquering nations faced each other in combat for the
supremacy of the Island. The other probability is that the River
Maha Oya which flows peacefully through this area affording life
giving water to people and fields has in a way affected the place name.

Here, the adherents of the Methodist communion had come with

the news of life eternal and the message of the Gospel, creating a desire
among quite a few for a deeper knowledge of God's Word and the
establishment of a Church for their worship. Not satisfied with the
message, "a number of Protestant Christians in the community at
Makandura, N.W.P. came and plead,.d with the Dutch Reformed
Church to initiate a witness in the areaj'wrote Rev. John Van Ens in a
report. In June 1954, Dr. and Mrs. Allan visited Rev. John Van Ens
at his home in Colombo with this end in mind.

Negotiations followed. Consultations with the National

Christian Council (N.C.C.) were held and the believers were exhorted
"to be patient" and to "keep on knocking." In the meantime,
Evangelist Mr. Walter Wijewickrema kept the flame alive by conduct-
ing prayer meetings and services in the area every Sunday with a
Minister visiting them once a month from Colombo. It must have
been very discouraging to the folk at Makandura to be informed by
the General Consistory after about a year that the Dutch Reformed
Church was unable to start work in the North Western Province and
requested all such as were interested to join any one of the congre-
gations in Colombo.

At this juncture, another call was made on Rev. John'O. Schuring

with the earnest plea "to do something to assist", as otherwise things
did not have a bright outlook for the village folk at Makandura. It

115
was emphasized by Rev. Schuring, that what
had to be done had to
be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
N'C'C' as well
as those of the General Constitory. Finally, it was ageed to conduct
from home, in Colombo'
instruction classes twice a week,42 miles away
itri, -"ot, a real time of testing for the faithful, with their meagre
keep the ap-
earnings, to make the journey up and down, in order to
pointment.

Then came the long awaited day, when Rev' John O' Schlring
conducted the fust service on behalf of the Dutch Reformed
church
on Christmas Day, at Makandura, in the year 1955, in the home of
Dr. and Mrs. D. s. Allan. Earlier, on llth December, 1955' a group
of believers appeared before the Bambalapitiya Local consistory who
examined them and on satisfactory evidence of their faith and
belief'
44 souls were received into the fellowship of the D' R' C' Sinhala Con-
gregation, by Public Profession of Faith and by the Baptism of 2
Adults who had not been afforded this Sacrarnent before. The re-
cord also states that 8 children were baptised' At the Service on
Christmas Day,4 more made Profession of Faith while 3 Adults and
8 children were baptised' In a report to the General Consistory'
Rev. Schuring wrott that there were 60 Adults and 24 children present
which he considered as a "sizeable group and a pleasant surprise as it
rained continuously."

To meet the needs of the people, Dr. Allan permitted the erection
of a modest Church with half walls and a thatched roof on his Estate-
a building described by Rev. John van Ens as "a simple yet beautiful
church standing amongst towering coconut palms." This _indeed
was a building erected with the labour and devotion of the membership
at Makandura. In February, 1957, the building was registered for
the Solemni zation of Marriages. Evangelist Mr' Samuel Mendis
assumed full time duties in the district as from lst March 1957.

At the first Anniversary Service heldon sunday 2nd February,

1958, the congregation came together from the neighbouring villages
too, and it was on this day that the 104th soul made his Publio Pro-
fession of Faith. Rev. John vao Ens, speaking through the inter-
pretation of Mr. samuel Mendis, used the words of lst samuel7zl2
as his text..Then Samuel took a stone and set it betweon Mizpeh and
shem, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the
Lord helped us."

116
 'On July 23rd,1963, Mr. Paul Fernando, the oldest member of the
Church cut the first sod for the building of a Mission House, conti-
guous to the Church. Rev. Ananda Perera assisted by Evangelists
Samuel Mendis and David Kulasena conducted a short service on the
occasion. Rev. Perera gave the address. Work on the building was
being done by the members of the church with material being provided
by the General Consistory. However, due to the explosion of build-
ing costs and the non technical training of those involved in the actual
building, the General Consistory was finally called in to see to the
completion of the Mission House. This was done at total cost of
Rs. 23,070/26. A Service of Dedication was held on July 6th, 1963,
conducted by Rev. Ananda Perera and Rev. John Van Ens. Evange-
lists Sa.rnuel Mendis and David Kulasena were associated with them
on this occasion. Mr. David Kulasena and his family moved in as
the first occupants of the new Mission House.

By a decision of the General Consistory, taken on 29th Novem-

ber, 1961, the Makandura Church was to be raised to the status of a
Local Consistory with 1 Elder and I Deacon to assist the President.
This was brought into efrect on Sunday 4th March, 1962 when the
first office Bearers were ordained and Installed. The Christian Youth
Front was stafred in 1963.

A Belfry was erected by the members of the congregation to take

the bell gifted by Rev. and Mrs. J. W. D. Gauder. A Service of Dedi-
cation was conducted on 27th April, 1974. The inscription in Sinha-
lese characters engraved in the stone work of the Belfry reads "This
Belfry was dedicated to the glory of God on 27th April, 1974".

Both the Church and the Mission House were served with Electri-
city in 1977.

Not satisfied with working amongst themselves, the congregatton

at Makandura began reaching out with the good news they had to the
neighbouring villages of Kandanagedera, Lihiriyagama and Bodi-
mulle through the indefatigable labours of the Evangelists in charge.
Under the guidance of the Secretary of Missions, Rev. Reginald
Ebenezer, the work at Kandanagedera had advanced to the extent
that it necessitated the erection of a church for the members to meet.
A building of hodest proportion was built for them at a cost of
Rs. 4,350/00 and dedicated on 22nd May 1980. As from August,

117
1978, a second Evangelist has been appointed to the area to help in
the work. He is Mr. S. W. P. Weerasinghe who has teamed up with
Mr. David Kulasena in working for the furtherance of the spreading
of the Gospel. To this end, because of travel difrculties, the Womens'
Missionary Unions and the Youth Fellowships of the Bambalapitiya
and Wellawatte Districts made an all out effort to raise funds to pul-
chase a motor cycle to be used by the Evangelist in this far flung
district. Their efrorts were met with success, and a Yamaha motor
cycle is now in the possession of Mr. lVeerasinghe. It was purohased
at a cost of Rs. 12,000/00, through the hard work of Rev. Crosbie de
Kretser, who as Minister in oharge of the Wellawatte and Bambala-
pitiya Districts worked energetically to organise the collections.
With the retirement of Mr. David Kulasena at the end of 1979,
Mr. lVeerasinghe continued under the direction of Rev. Ebenez'et at
Kandanagedera together with Mr. Reginald Ratnayake who was
appointed to work at Makandura.

118
 IIIE SUNDAY SCIIOOL

Wh"; the Dutch came to Ceylon, they brought with them their
system ofeducation, as prescribed by the Synod of Dordrecht (1618-
1619). Article 7l in the venerable and historic Church Order reads
as follows:

"Everywhere, Consistories shall see to it that there are good

schoolmasterg who shall not only instruct the children in reading,
writing and languages and the liberal arts, but likewise in godliness
and in the Catechism." Schoolmasters were enjoined to instruct their
scholars, according to their age and capacity, at least two days a week,
not only causing them to commit to memory, but also by instilling
into their minds an acquaintance with the truths of the Catechism.
"For this, three forms of Catechism adapted to the threefold cir-
cumstances aad ages of the young shall be used. The first shall be
for the young children, comprising the Articles of Faith or Creed,
The Ten Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, The Institution of the
Saorarnents and Church Discipline with some short prayers and plain
questions adapted to the three parts of the Catechism. The Second
and Third are the Compendiurn and the Heidelberg Catechism."

Right from the start, while exhorting and teaching the Adults,
with a view to conversion, a careful and systematic mode of instruction
by godly men was introduced for the careful indoctrination and train-
ing of the children, using the Heidelberg Catechism as the means
towards this end, in grade form. The graded system obtaining in
our Sunday Schools today, therefore, is nothing new in our Church.
The Synod of Dort ena,oted "that the Christian youth from their
tender years may be carefully trained in the fundamental truths of
true religion and imbued with true piety. This threefold method of
catechising ought to be taken at Home by their parents, at School by
their Teachers, and in the Church by their Pastors, Elders and Read-
ers.tt

In introducing the system prescribed by the Synod of Dort, the

Dutch used five Catechisms (l) On Scripture History (2) Borstius'
Primer of Christian Truth (3) The Principle Doctrines of Christianity
(4) The Compendium (5) The Heidelberg Catechism. These Cate-
chisms with the Lord's Prayer, The Creed, and the Holy Scriptures

119
 I

were translated into the vernaculars. Catechising was done on Sun-

days as well as on week days. There were schools for the Dutch and
for their slaves too who were admitted into full membership of the
Church, as well as Vernacular Schools for the Sinhalese and Tamil
children. When the Dutch left, their system was disorganised.
Most of the Tamil and Sinhalese schools were Anglicanised and
eventually absorbed into the Church of England and the rest into other
Denominations. TheChurch,duetothe paucity of Pastors, could not
continue its cathetical work even among her own members. After
Ceylon was ceded to the British by the Dutch, English was taught in
the schools and by 1838, a large portion of the congregation knew
English and made their Profession of Faith in that language. In
view of this, the Consistory in 1838 allowed the use of the Shorter
Catechism in Catechumen classes and further resolved that on the
second Sunday every three months, the entire Worship Service, inclu-
ding the Lord's Supper, should be conducted in English. It therefore
happened that when the Sunday Schools were started, they were con-
ducted in English. Hymns from Watt's "Psalms and Hymns" and
the Shorter Catechism were used. The Heidelberg Catechism was in
Dutch and used concurrently.

The Dutch system of Christian education in the Home, School

and Church, for which the graded Catechism was introduced, grad-
ually fell into dis-use due to lack ofPastors and qualified personnel to
carry out the high aims, but Catechising on Sundays and week days
continued for some time after the Dutch left the Island. In 1846,
there was only one Pastor in Colombo, and Rev. Palm, who had to
conduct Services in Dutch, English and Portuguese, which absorbed
most of his time, was compelled to give up catechising on Sundays.

When the Wolvendaal Church was under repairs in 1845, Services

were held temporarily in the Supreme Court premises, Hulftsdorp.
The congregation moved back in 1846, but it was soon found that one
of the reasons for the declining in its use for worship by the Sinbalese
Episcopalians, for whom the Church of St. Paul, Pettah, had by then
been built, was that "a Sabbath School was also thought to be highly
desirable, which, with the other services would require the whole
Sabbath."

The Sunday School was flourishing in England at this time, being

started there by Robert Raikes in 1780.

t20
 The Minute of the Consistory Meeting held on 26th April, 1g47,
records:

"The Rev. Pracsis informs the meeting that having made arrange-
ments to open a Sunday School for the Congregation in the Church,
between the hours of half past three o'clock and half past five o'clock,
it will be necessary to procure a few class books to which the meeting
agrees." Those who formed the Consistory at Wolvendaal at this time
were Rev. J. D. Palm, Messrs. H. J. Pompeus, E. J. Jongblooed, J. G.
Ide, P. Brohier, P. E. Vander Straaten, P. L. de Vos, S. Kelaart,
L. H. Schokman, and J. Ludekens.

On May 2nd, 1847, Rev. J. D. Palm gave effect to this plan and
the burden on his mind for a Sunday School, specially for the children
of the Dutch Reformed Church. There were Sunday Schools for the
Baptists, Methodists aod the Church of England already flourishing.
Together with Mr. Cornelius Dickman and Mr. Louis kishing, of
the Ceylon Civil Service, he started the first Sunday School at Wolven-
daal. Mr. Dickman, who resided in the neighbourhood, was the
first Superintendent and Rev. Palm took the Senior Class. Soon, they
rvere joined by Messrs. Ludekens and Andrizen in'their labours.
From the inception, one member of the Consistorial Committee at-
tended the Sunday School session. The Scriba (who was the Assist-
ant Minister from the time there was one) was for some time the
Secretary of the Sunday School, while the Treasurer of the Consistory
functioned as the Honorary Treasurer of the Sunday School. Mr.
Leopold Ludovici, in his book "Lapidarium Zeylanicum" writes
"Attached to the Wolvendaal Church there are four schools in which,
upwards of 400 children are taught the Scriptures and the tenets of
the Church under either an Elder or a Deacon. These Schools were
first established in 1846 and are now in a most flourishing condition,
and have done not a little in arresting the seccession of children of
members of the Church to other Denominations."l This ,book
incidentally, was published in 1877,

As fal as can be traced, the scholars on the opening day were

Messrs. H. A. de Boer, F. N. Gomes, John de Kretser, W. E. Gomes,
G. M. Spittel, J. G. Gomes, F. C. Loos, Mrs. E. M. Mack, Mrs. John
Foenander, and Mrs. Joseph. It is of interest to note that Mr. F. C.
Loos was the fust Sunday School scholar to become a memb€r of the
Consistory as a Deacon, later.

121
 In a letter dated 2nd July, 1849, to theConsistory, Rev' J' D' Palm
wrote: "there never was a Sunday School in the Pettah' The
catechumens were never instructed on Sundays, but in the week,
Tuesdays still being catechising day. The sunday school was opened
on 2nd May, 1847, with your sanction, at the request of the families
Iiving not in the Pettah but about wolvendaal. The hour of half
pastihree was needed because parents could not send their children
iarlier in the heat of the day, nor all afford carriages' I had pre-
viously, repeatedly, stated my inability on account of my unsustained
Sunday duties to open a Sunday School much less in the Pettah where
there is already one in the Baptist Chapel. Were it not for the great
need whioh existed for such a Sunday School in oonnection with our
congfegation, both for religious ihstruction and preser"vation of ttre
Sabbath, I would not have undertaken this additional duty."

The Sunday School grew and flourished, and in 1852, it is re'

corded as'being "satisfactory" and "the attendance having been of
Iate larger and more regular." The Minutes of the Consistory of 24th
Margh, 1855, records "that several ladies of the congregation are
willing to become Sunday School Teachers to conduct a girls' class,
but find it inconvenient to attend owing to the distance, which might
be obviated by the hire of a carriage to take them to Church and back.
Resolved that a sum of seven shillings and six pence per month be
allowed from Church funds."

The Annual Examinations date back to as far as 1857. The

Consistory Minutes of 23rd September, 1857 records a letter from
Mr. Egbert Ludekens asking for "permission of the Meeting for hold-
ing a public examination of the Sunday Schcol children in the Church,
on which occasion tea will be served to those present in the School
Room." The Consistory had no objection to this arrangement.
Public Prize Distributions do not appear to have been held in the early
days of the Examinations. Prizes, mostly bottles of sweets, however,
were distributed among the winners during - the Sunday School
session, from Sunday School funds. In July, 1858, Mr. C. Dickman
made an application to the Consistory "on behalf of the Sunday
School for a loan of f, 3 being the value of 20 books purchased by
the Committee to be awarded as prizcs, the loan to be repaid on or
before the 9th November, next." The loan was approved and it is
recorded that it wa6 "resolved accordingly."

122
 For many years, there was no uniform system regarding lessons,
the Teachers being responsible for arranging their own subjects.
Laler,aComrnittee was appointed to draw up a scheme for each year.
This continued tilt 1884 when the Intcrnational Lessons were intro-
duced. In the earty days, the Infant Classes were taught from the
usual class books in use, but, later, they were taught Bible Truths by
means of pictures, the black board or in "sone other interesting way".

In I 868, we read of an appl ication, the flrst of its nature, for the
consent of the Consistory "for the Annual Sermon to be preached in
the Wolvendaal Church on Sunday morning as well as for the collect-
io4 at the Service". This then, is the first record of an Anniversary
Service. It had been the practice thereafter, for the Pastor at Wol-
vendaal to conduct the Annual Anniversary Service, but a departure
was made in 1869 when the Sunday School Teachers elected Rev. R.
V. Dunlop as the Speaker for the "Annual Sermon". The Consistory
after due deliberation gave permission but on the understanding
"that the question when the Wolvendaal pulpit is to be made o,pen to
all denominations and under what conditions, be brought up at an
early date."

An interesting feature *as the appointment of a Singing Master

for the Sunday School. Those who filled this office were Messrs.
Louis Pompeus, V. Van Langenberg, G. Van Houten ano F. Foe-
nander besides others.

We have to be grateful to those who worshipped in this historic

church at Wolvendaal for their devotion and keei interest in the causc
of the Sunday Schools, because it was they who were instrumental in
starting the branch Sunday Schools, as they are now functioning, to
build up the children of the coming generations, in the faith of our
fathers.

In the @urse of time, Sunday Schools came to be opened in

Pettah, Maradana, Hulftsdorp, Slave Island, Canrpbell Park, Colpetty,
Bambalapitiya, Dehiwela, Wellawatte, Regent Street, Nugegoda,
Galle, Matara. The Sunday Schools in the Pettah, Colpetty, Slave
Island, Campbell Park and Hulftsdorp areas had to close down as the
districts became commercialised and the families living there had to
move on to other residential areas. With the spread of the work

123
among the sinhalese and Tamil communities, sunday schools
for the
children of these congf,egations too, Were started' Today, we have
schools for tbe Sinhala congregations at Maligakande Ba.mbalapitiya,
Dehiwela, Nugegoda, Makandura, Kahatagasdigiliya, Katubedde
Ratmalana, Lihiriyagama and ulapane. The Tamil speaking children
have Sunday Schools located at Wolvenclaal, Regent Street, and at
Nugegoda.

The first meeting of the Sunday School Teachers was beld in the
Vestry of the Wolvendaal Church on Sunday l3th August, l87l- at
10.15 a.m. Those present at this meeting were: Rev. J. R' Brotchie
(in the Chair) Miises J. Etders, Charlotte Andrizen, Priscilla Zy-
brandt, Lydia Rafrel, Frances de Vos, Lydia de Vos, A,lice Woutersz'
Georgiana Van Geyzel, Alice Vander Slraaten Emily Jansz, Grace
Anjou, Agnes Van Geyzel, Annie Wright, Sarah Schokman, Messrs'
Cecil Schokman, A Jansz, J' C. Jansz, Fred Ludekens, W. Brittain
Horace de Kretser, G. Van Houten, Alfred Garnier, E' Roelofsz,
James Fernando, Frances Foenander, Egbert Ludekens, J. H. Ebell,
George Schokman, Cecil Koch, C.W' Schokman and Eugene de
Waas.

The second meeting was held on Sunday 20th August, 1871,

after the fore noon Service at Wolvendaal, in the Vestry. The third
meeting is recorded as being held on Thursday 24th August, 1871 at
7-50 p.m. at the residence of Mr. F. T. Foenander at Barber Street.
The main item on the Agenda at this meeting was the appointment
of Collectors for the forthooming Anniversary Service.

Some landmarks in trhe history of the Sunday Schools are:

1847 The first Sunday School started at Wolvendaal on May
2nd.
1884 The lnternational l,essons introduced.
1897 Golden Jubilee Celebrations Service conducted by
Rev. S. Lindsay in the Wolvendaal Church.
1926 The lVestminster Catechism is introduced.
1928 The Graded system is introduced by Miss Merle Wille
(later Mrs. R. V. Metzeling).
1939 The Constitution is revised and adopted, llth January.
l9!7 Centenary Celebrations
1954 The Compendium is introduced for instruction in place of
the Shorter Catechism.

124
 l97l The first Vacation Bible School is held in April.
1978 The Constitution is revised and adopted in January.

Centenary Cclebrations were observed with a United Service of

Thanksgiving in the Wolvendaal Church on Sunday July l3th, 1947 at
9-30 a.m. The Preacher was Rev. R. V. Metzeling. The Public
Meeting and Distribution of Pfizes was also held in the Wolvendaal
Church on Thursday 17th July ai 5-30 p.m., at which the Acting
Chief Justice Honourable Mr. Justice A. E. Keurieman and Rev. S. J.
de S. Weerasinghe, Secretary of the Bible Society addressed the
gathering, while Mrs. Keuneman distributed the prizes. "The Prize
List was longer than usual" said a report in the local press "and
Mrs. Keuneman, who handed over the gifts perhaps experienced the
strain, but, if she did, she skilfully hid it away in the smile that greeted
each prize winner.........Proceedings opened with an Address of
Welcome to Mr. Justice Keuneman and Mrs. Keuneman by Rev.
Vander Gert. Rev. !. A. Felsianes read a passage from the Scrip-
tures and a Prayer was offcred by Rev. N. B. Jansz. Mr. H. K. de
Kretser proposed the Vote of Thanks to the Chairman and other.
Speakers as well as to all those present and those who had helped to\
rnake the Celebrations a success."

A Birthday Party was held at the Town Hall, Colombo on Satur-

day June 14th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Chief Guest was the Chief
Justice's wife, Lady floward.

A Special United Communion Service in the Wolvendaal Chutch

on Sunday June 15th at 9-30 a.m' w€ul conducted by all the Ministers.
Rev. J. G. W. Hendrie M.C., M.A. of St. Andrew's Scots Kirk,
Colombo was the Speaker. He used the words of II Timothy 3 verses
14 to 17 as his text on this occasion.

At Galle, a Public Meeting and Distribution of Prizes was held

in the Galle Church on Saturday 2nd August, 1947 tt 5 p.m. The
Chairman was Mr. H. K. de Kretssr. Rev. A. Middlehurst of the
Methodist Church, Matara spoke ana Mrs. H. K. de Kretser distri'-
buted the Prizes. The Public Meeting was preceeded by a Social in
the Y.W.C.A. Hall.

A Pageant entitled "Leaves fron the Past" was staged at the

Central Y.M.C.A. Gymnasium on Friday August 8th, 1947 at 6 p.m.

125
 The Celebrations were scheduled to be held from June
8th to
postponed to an "epidemic of strikes that
June 2l st, but had to be due
Uiott out paralysing ihe transport services"' The Governor and
LadyMoore,wtrohadageedtogracetheoccasion'werenotavail-
able after the postponement, having left by air to England on
urgent
importaot Episcopal duties
State matters. Rev. Lakdasa de Mel had
ptesent on
to perform at an Outstation that prevented him from being
the new date, as SPeaker,
ExaminationsinscriptureandCatechismhavebeenanAnnual
feature since its introduction and are still being conducted. A third
Examination-.,search the scriptures" was started in 1947 but
was discontinued in 1978, as three examinations were considered to
be a strain on the scholars.
The Sunday school committoe has taken over the responsibility
of conducting the Annual Daily vocation Bible School in April.
This venture, started by the wellawatte sunday School in l97l for
their children initially, proved to be so successful and popular that
with the wider participation of all our Sunday schools, from the next
year, it has come to'be a regular feature in the life of the church.
it ttur now spread out to embrace the children of the Sinhala and
Tamil churches as well. sessions have been conducted in all three
language streams at difrerent centres sinre 1973, while English and
Sinhala streams onlY met in 1972.
The organising and conducting of the Sports Meet and Family
picnic in connection with Foundation Day Celebrations has been in
the charge of the Sunday School Committee from 1955 at the request
of the General consistory who had appointed a Special committee
to be in charge since these events were first startecl in 1945'
Wolvenrdaal Sunilay School. Started by Rev. J' D' Palm on May
2rtd 1847. The first Superintendent was Mr. C. Dickman' Wolven-
daal is no moro a residential quarter, hence the numbers of this Sunday
what once was the largest is
School have been adversely affected.
now the smallest. But we look down the years with gratitude on
those who worshipped here and decided to launch out to form branch
Sunday Sohools in other Districts as it became necessary'
Galle Sunrlay School. Started in 1847 when Rev. James King
clarke was the colonial chaplain there. The exact date is not avail-
able but it is known that it was in August that year as it is recorded in
the Minutes of the consistory dated 18th August-"Resolved that
Sunday School be commenced on the coming Sabbath."..'"

126
 Pettah Sunday School. Started in 1856 by Mr.\C. Dickman and
carried on by him until 1866 when he went to reside in Dematagoda.
Mr. Dickman was succeeded by Mr. James Jansz (Snr.) who continued
till December 1876 and in January, 1877 Mr. P. G. de Silva stepped
in to carry on the work. About this time the School had to mo've
to the premises of the Girls' School in First Cross Street. Here,
after a few)weeks, Mr. de Silva was succeeded by Mr. H. A. de Bocr
till 1878 when Mr. Ludekens from Wolvendaal took his place in a
temporary capacity. Mr. Justin de Zilwa now came in and was
Superintendent till February 1886, when he moved into the Colpetty
area and began a new Sunday School there. Sessions were held in
the premises of the Pettah Library and later in the Pettah Baptist
Chapel and thereafter in a building attached to the old Methodist
Church, opposite the Colombo Kaclcheri under the leadership of
Messrs. de Boer (for a second period), J. H. Renton and Alexander
Fairlie. The Pettah ceased to be a residential area and the Sunday
School bad to close down in August, l9M.

Hulftsrtorp Sundry School. In the oarly 1860's, a Sunday School

was started by Mr. J. L. K. Van Dort in the premises of the District
Court, and continued till January 1878, when he went to reside in
Bambalapitiya. An attempt was made by Mr. E. Ludekens to carry
on the work, but due to a new Sunday School being started by the
Anglican Church for children of their taith, (The Trinity Sunday
School), most of the children were weaned away and due to poor
numbers there was some difrculty in obtaining the use of the District
Court premises resulting in the closure of the School.

slave Island sunrlay school. This sunday School was started in

1865 in the house of Mrs. C. P. Jansz, an Anglican friend, with Mr. C.
W. Schokman as the Superintendent along with Rev. J. D. Vander
Straaten (Assistant Minister at that time) until the end of 1872.
Due to the falling off of numbers caused by scholars of other
Denominations, the Church Missionary Society, Baptist and Strict
Baptist, reverting to their own Sunday Schools, added to the paucity
-Presbyterian
of residents in the District, it had to be closed
down, regretably.

Marerlrnr'Maligakrnde Sunrlay School. Started by Mr' C' Dick-

man in 1867 in his house (see under Pettah). In 1875, the School
127
moved into the Maradana Police Barracks, kindly lent by the Inspector
General of Police. Rev. J. Barnett of St. Andrew's Scots Kirk,
joined Mr. Dickman in the work at Maradana and continued together
till 1882, when Mr. Dickrnan left the District. Mr. C. B. Brodie took
ovef, at this stage. When the Church acquired "Palm House" at
Maligakande, and the Maligakande Church was built in 1889, the
School was able to lind a place of "permanent abode" in the new
building, where it still meets.

Matarl Sunrlay School. Althorrgh Galle and Matara were being

arlmiuistered as one District, the Sunday School at Matara did not
meet at the same time that the Galle School began. As old records
are not available, it is not possible to ascertain thc exact date on which
the work among the children actually began. Writing the article
"A Summary of Sunday School Work in Galle and Mataru, 1847'
1947", Rev. N. B. Jansz states: "With regard to the Matara Sunday
School, I believe it started about 1871 and the work has been carried
on with varying success. 'i am afraid I do not know very much of its
past history, and I had had no opportunity to look up old tecords."
(Herald July/August, 1947 page l0). In the Minutes of the Colombo
Sundal' Schoolsheld on 27th June, 1873, it is recorded "that the
Matara Sunday School should be made a branch of the Colombo
Presbyterian Sunday Schools." Mr. C. H. B. Altendorff was the
Superintendent here for a considerable period. The School was
closed for a few years and we read in a Congregational Report from
Rev. G. F. Francke on 27th July, 1909, that the Sunday School which
u'as defunct for many years was re-organised and opened on 27tb
January, 1906 with 46 scholars. Miss R. Keuneman was the Super-
intendentofthisre-organised Sunday School. She was succeeded by
Mr. O. L. de Kretser and Mr. C. A. Speldewinde. Circumstances
necessitated the closure of the School once more, but it was re-started
by Rev. Bryan de Kretser on the first Sunday in September, 1942 with
Mrs. Frank Ernst as Superintendent, and continued for a brief period
after which it ceased to function.

Bambalapitiya Sunday School. The Sunday School was first

started at "Berkley House" the residence of Mr. H. E. Thomasz
the first Superiritendent, in August, 1887, with Mr. Justin de Zilwa,
Miss Ida Thomasz and Miss Agnes Ebert as Teachers. For a short

t28
time the School met at the residence of !Ir. Firth, the station Masrcr,
and afterwards at "The Lodge", a house in close proximity to the
Church, till the present Church was erected, where it has met since.

Colpetty Sunday School. (Colpetty, now known as Kollupitiya)

This School was started by Mr. Justin de Zilwa in December 1885
and carried on by him till 23rd February, 1890. It was closed when
scholars were transferred to the newly formed Sunday Schgol at Bam-
balapitiya.

Campbell Place Sunday School. This Sunday School was started

on 2nd June, 1907 with Mr. James de Kretser as Superintendent, at
Newnham School, Jail Road, Borella. Here again, as in the case of
the Colpetty Sunday School, when the Regent Street Church was built
in 1915, the scholars and Teachers were transftrred there along with
those from the Maligakande Sunday School. It ceased to function
after the last Sunday in December, 19.15 (t{erald of March, 1916,
page l)

Dehiwela Srmday School. In 1908, Rev. Sinclair, seeing the need

to educate the children in the area, in the Scriptures, invited Mr.
Linden de Zilwa to assist him as the Superintendent of the Sunday
School he proposed to start. On 3lst May, 1908, the first session
was held at the residence of Mr. J. Martin Foenander, close to the
Railway Station. (A Group photograph taken on the occasion
still hangs in the Vestry of the Dehiwela Chui'ch.) A cadjan structure
was soon erected to cope with the ever increasing numbers and was
put up on the land belonging to Mr. W. C. Bastiansz. This served
as a meeting place till Easter, 1914, when by kind permission of the
Y.M.C.A. Dehiwela,,a part of their premises was made available for
the use of the Sunday School to hold their regular meetings. When
the Church was built in 1917, the Sunday School was able to move into
permanent residence at Station Road. A Branch Sunday School was
started on 3rd June 1979 at Quarry Road, Dehiwela with Mr. Darrel
de Zilwa as Superintendent. It served the children of all denomina-
tions who had no such facility in this neighbourhood. It has proved
to be very popular, and-,more children keep coming in. The Local
Consistory is now considering putting up a semi permanent building

129
to meet the growing need not only of the Sunday School but also
the need for more effectual contact with the many who have come to
accept this ministry.

Wellawatte Sunday School. The non-existence of a Sunday

School at Wellawatte made it necessary for the children of Presby-
terian families to travel either to Bambalapitiya or Dehiwela to attend
one. On 6th November, 1908, Mr. J. E. Christoffelsz, began a Sunday
School at his home in Frances Road with himself as Superintendent.
Increasing numbers made him move to the School run by the Misses
Poulier (now St. Lawrence's School), where the present Post Office
stands. A further move was made soon afterwards and the new venue
was the Methodist Chapel in High Street, whep Mr. John Guthrie
wasSuperintendent. In l92l,the finalmovewas made to "Arethusa"
which had been purchased to meet the needs of the groying number of
families, both in the way of worship services as well as the Sunday
Sohool.

Regent Street Sunday School. When the Regent Street Church

was dedicated and opened for Services on 22nd Decembero 1915, the
Maradana and Campbell Place Sunday Schools transferred their
Teachers and Scholars to the "new" Church under the name of the
Regent Street Sunday School. The first Superintendent was Rev. L.
A. Joseph.

Nugegoila Sunday School. This is the "baby" of the English

stream Sunday Schools. It was started by Rev. D. E Joseph pn
Sunday 24th December, 1950 with Mrs. A. G. W. Foenander as Sirper-
intendent, and 16 children on the Roll. Children in the area were
organised into a "sunday Schooi Class" by Miss Louise (Loo) Bar-
tholomeusz three years eartier at the request of Rev. Joseph and met
in the home of Mrs. Stetla de Silva, where worship services too were
conducted. Work has been earried on steadily, sinoe then.

Besides the above, which cater to the English speaking children,

there are Sunday Schools for the children of our Sinhalese and Tamil
speaking congregations.

Sinhala Sunrlsy Schools. These are held at Maligakande, Bam-

balapitiya, Dehiwela, Katubedde, Makandura, Nugegoda, Kahata'
gasdigiliya, Lihiriyagama, Yakalla, Ratmalana, and Ulapane.

130
懺鶴腕篭:潔 X寵ヽ
烈 遣鳳認識篤:盪
of the Estate labourersp but had tO be stOpped duc to lack ofpersonnel.

1. Lud,wiCi:Lapidarium zeylanicum p 13

131
Thc Fol10wingis a Rccord oF Omcc Bttas as far as∽ n be traced:

Yelr Chairman Secretary Treasurcr

1871 Rcv.J.A.Brotchie Rev. J. D. Vander Straaten Mr, C. W. Schokntan

1872 dO do do
1873 do do do
1874 do Rev. G. B. Rulach do
1875 do do do
1876 do do Mr. Horace de Kretser
1877 Rev.Samuel Lindst■ y Mr. Egbert Ludekens Mr. J. de Zilva
1878 do do 'do
1879 do do do
1880 do do do
1881 do do do
1882 do do do
1883 do do do
1884 Rev.C.Mc Lcan Mr. C. B. Brodie do
1885 Rev.S.Lindsay do do
1886 do do do
1887 dO do do
1888 do do do
1889 do do do
1890 do do do
1891 do do do
1892 do do do
1893 do 'do Mr. J. H. Francke
1894 do do do
1895 do do do
1896 do do do
Mr.Cyril de Kretser(Asst.)
1897 ldo
〔 ・ )
1898 L.vα le面 埓 織 誇 翻 :grAct爵 do
1899 do do do
1900 do do Miss Ellen Van Geyzel
1901 do dO do
1902 do dO do
do
〔MLHmり 鍮amottsり 〕
1903 do

1904 Rev.David Twecd

〔M188島 晨嚇 指m。 (Asst.)〕 Mr. W. de Kretser
1905 dO dO Miss Ellen Van Ceyzel
1906 dO r Mr.C.B.Brodic
Mr.C.B.Brodic ) Mr. W. de Kretser
、
ィ Miss Netta RafFelは sst.) ト
t Miss Ruth Van Ceyzcl(Asst.)リ
ｄ ｄ ｄ ｄ
ｄ   ｄ ｄ

０ ０ ０ ０
０     ０  ０

1907
(Ml晶れ鷺需
&(As゛ ぅ
1908 do
1909 do

132
 漁
∬〕Hlぶ 〔∫乱甲鳳ld mtrncw劉
1灘 :逍ヽ:L轟 譜楓 :: ::
1914 Rev.W.C.Fleming dO d。
1915 Rev.L.A.JOseph dO d。
1916 Rev.David Tweed l dO d。
1917 Revo W.Co Fleming dO d。
1918 Rev.G.H.P.Loombruggcn dO dO ヽ
1919 Rev.D.Twecd dO d。
1920 Rev.L.A.JOseph dO d。

1927 Rev.D.Tweed do d。
1928 Rev.S.F.Skecn do d。
1929 Rev.N.B.Jansz do d。
1930 Rev.R.V.Metzcling Mr.EdWard StOrk dO
1931 Rev.Lo N.I【 itchcOck dO Mr.JOhn G.de Vos
1932 Rev.D.Tw∝ d do d。
1933 Rev.D.E.Joseph dO dO
1934 Revo W.C.Fleming do d。
1935 Rev.N.B.Jansz do do
1936 Rev.Ri V.Ⅳ Fetzeling do dO
1937 Rev.L.N.IIitchcOck ′ dO dO
1938 ReV.DoE.Joseph do Mr.Edward Stork
1939 Rev.A,vander Cert do Mr.Sam Fernando
1940 Rcv.N.B.Jansz d。 ,dO
∼
1941 Rev.R.Vo Metzcling dO dO
1942 Rev.W.C.FIeming do dO
1943 Rcvo L.N.I【 itchcock dO dO
1944 Rcv.Do Eo Joseph dO dO
1945 Re■ N.BL Jansz d。
(澁 冨:』 1:‐ 〕
lli‖ IE『
1946 Rev.A.vandcr Gcrt dO dO
1947 dO d。 Mr Rodlley Ferdinands
1948 Rev.J.0.SchuHng dO do
1949 dO 、 d。 do
1950 Rcv.R,V.Mctzcling dO do
り
，
Year Chairman Secrotary Treasurer
1951 Rcl.L.N.Hitchcock Mr.Edward Stork Mr. Sam Fernando
1952 Rev.A.G.W.Foenander do do
1953 Rev.L.A.Fcisianeζ Mr.E.T.Loos do

1954 Rev.C.Van Ens I Mr. E. T. Loos ) Mr. Sam Ferlrando

I Mr. D. Thuring (Asst.) J

“ ｄ
1955 ReVoJohn Van Ens Mr. E. T. Loos

。  。 “ 。  ｄ
1956 Rev.J.0.Schuring do
1957 Rcv.R.V.ヽlctzcling I Mr. S. D. Franciscus )

ｄ
L Mr. Len Senaris (Asst.) J
1958 Rcv.R.de Ridder Mr. S. D. Franciscus

ｄ
1959 Rcvo C.Van Ens do
1960 Rev.R.V.ヽ江etzeling fMr. S. Franciscus )
D.

。 。  。 。 “ 。 。  。 。 ｏ ｏ ｏ
Len Senaris (Asst.) )

ｄ
[Mr.
1961 Rev.R.S.Grecnway [Mr, I-en Senaris ]
LMr. S. D. Franciscus (Asst.)

ｄ ｄ
９ ９ ９ ９ ９
６ ６ “ “ ６
２ ３

.J
dO Mr. S. D, Franciscus
Rev.H.A.Van Ho∬ do
do Mr. C. M. Thomasz

ｄ ｄ
Rcv.D.H.R.Thuring do
６

Rev. A.G.W. Foenander f Mr. C. M. Thomasz l

[Mr. S. D. Franciscus (Asst.) J

ｄ ｄ ｄ ｄ ｄ
1967 Rev.B.C.D.Mather clo
1968 do do
1969 Rcv.D.H.R.Thuring do
1970 Rev.R.B.Ebenezer do
り ・・ r) Mr. S. D. Franciscus
・ 瞭 ξ」 ￡ f亀::ξ
1972 Rcv.H.A.Van HofF do do
1973 Rev.D.H.R.Thuring do do
1974 Rev.L.Ci de Krctser do Miss Ella Brohier
1975 Rev.C.No Jansz do do
1976 do ,do do
1977 do Mrs. Yvonne de Kretser do
1978 dO do do
1979 Rev.N.L.Koch do do
1980 Rev.L.C.de Kretser do do
1981 dO do Miss Rosemary Aldons
1982 Rev.C.N.Jansz do do

134
 TIIE PRESBYTERY OF CEYLON

The Presbytery of Ceylon was formed at Kandy on l5th April

1863 at the Scots' Kirk. Rev. Charles Merson M.A., the Minister
of St. Andrew's Scots' Kirk, Colombo, was th€ first Moderator.
The other Ministers who formed the Presbytery at this time were:
Rev. G. W. Sprott B.A. (Scots Kirk, Kandy), Rev. Robert Hogg
(Badulla), Rev. Alexander Young M. A. (Wolvendaal Church),
Rev. John Watt (Matale) Rev. Henry L. Mitchell M.A. (Gampola).
They met together by prior arrangement with one another and having
then severally produced certificates of tbeir Ordination or other
satisfactory proof that they were Ordained Ministers of the Church of
Scotland, resolved to form themselves under a Presbytery to be called
the Presbytery of Ceylon. Rev. Charles Merson was elected Modera-
tor and Constituted the Meeting with prayer Rev. Henry L. Mitchell
was elected Clerk. The Colonial Chaplain of the Dutch Presbyterian
Church, Galle, at the time of the formation of the Presbytery of
Ceylon was Rev. James King Clarke.

In 1878 Rev. S. Lindsay of the Wolvendaal Consistory proposed

that the Constitution should be changed to a General Presbytery of
Ceylon to include the Presbyterian Ministers from all the Churches.
The Presbytery which was established in 1863 as the Presbytery of the
Church of Scotland became a General Presbytery in August 1881,
when the Wolvendaal Consistory was admitted into full communion,
providing an opportunity for fellowship and united witness between
the Dutch Reformed Church and the Scottish Churches. There was
however, the express provision that matters referred to the Presbytery
from the Dutch Reformed Church should be judged according to
Dutch Reformed Church Laws whilst matters from the Scottish
Churches were to be adjudicated according to the Laws of.the Scottish
Church.

Meetings are held twice a year in February and August with

several sederunts. At thq meeting of April 22nd, 1863, it was resolved
that the Clerk's salary should be g 6 a year. Moderators were to be
appointed for a period of one year and were to be elected annually
from next in order on the Roll. There tvas no set period for the holder
︱︱ ︱ ︱ ︱ Ｉ Ｌ

of the office of Clerk to the Presbytery to continue in ofrce.

135
 The first meeting of the Presbytery of Ceylon and the lVolven-
daal Consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church, Colombo, was held
on lOthJuly,1882.

In 1926, the Presbytery of Ceylon, under a new Constitution,

which wasadopted, assunted responsibility for the, MissionWork in
the North Central Province as a joint effort of the Dutch and Scotisli
Churches. Till then. the Dutch Reformed Church had confined her
activities to three Centres in Colombo only. The rvithdrawal of ths
C.M.S. from the field in the North Central Province in 1919 became a
challenge to the Presbytery to enter and carry out the work and witness
done by them.

In this connection, mention must be made of the great services

rendered to the cause by Mr. William Hunter of Hunter & Co.,
Ltd., and Rev. Allan Vander Gert, who was appointed to be in charge
of the work in this area. In 1933, the Womens' Missionary Union
was recognised and taken under the care of the Presbytery.

The following is a Record of Ministers rvho have served as

Moderators of the Presbytery of Ceylon:

1863 Rev. Charles Merson 1878 J. R. Mclaren

- Rev. George W. Sprott 18'19
-Rev.
Rev. Charles Mclean
1864 Rev. John Watt 1880
- Rev. John Watt
- -.
Rev. Gerald Middleston 1881-.Rev. J. Burnett
1865
1866
- Rev. Robert Hogg
Rev. Alexander Young
1882
- Rev. Charles Mclean
1883 -. Rev. Samuel Lindsay
- Rev. John Watt Watt
1867
1868
- Rev. Henry L. Mitchell
1884
- Rev. J.John
Burnett
, 1885
1869
- Rev. Joseph Burnett lht886 -Rev. Samuel Lindsay
- Rev. Gerald Middleston
-Rev. Charles Mclean
1870
l87l
- Rev. fohn D. Vander
1887
1888
- Rev.
Rev. John Watt
- Straaten
-
1889 -_ Rev. H. L, Mitchell
Aley,ander Young Samuel Lindsay
1872
1873
- Rev.
Rev. Alexander Young
1890
1891
-Rev.
Rev. George Brewsler
t874
- Rev. John Watt - Charles Mclean
1875
- Rev. He1ry Mitohell
L.
1892
- Rev.
1893 - Rev. JohnV/att
-
1876 __ Rev. Joseph Burnett 1894 Rev. Samuel Lindsay
18'17 Rev. John Crawford 1895
- Rev. Charles Mcl-ean
- -
136
 1896 Rev. George Francke Rev. J. G. W. Hendrie
- Rev. Alexander Dunn
1934
- Rev.
1897 1935 J. Wright Wilson
1898
- Rev. John Watt
-
1936- Rev. W. C. Fleming
1899
- Rev. George Francke 1937 Rev. A. Vander Gert
1900
- Rev. Alexander Dunn
-
- 1938 Rev. D. E. Joseph
1901- Rev. W. C. Fleming 1939
- Rev. L. N. Hitohcock
1902 Rev. David Tweed 1940
- Rev. N. B. Jansz
1903
- Rev. George Francke l94l - Rev. R. V. Metzeling
1904
-
Rev. A. Dunn
- Rev. J. G. W. Hendrie
1905
-
Rev. David Tweed
1942
-
1943 -
- Rev. Bryal de Kretser
1906 Rev. Edmund S. Russell 1944 - Rev. W. C. Fleming
1907
-
Rev. George Franck! Rev. A. Vander Gert
1908
- A. Dunn 1915
1909
-Rev.
Rev. David Tweed
- Rev. Peter Innes
- Rev. D. E. Joseph
19l0 Rev. William Sinclair Rev. L. N. Hitchcock
l9l1
-Rev. L. A. Joseph
1946
-
1947 Rev. N. B. Jansz
l9l2 -Rev. John Faulds
-
Rev. R. V. Metzeling
1913
- George Francke
1948
-
1949 Rev. Bryan de Kretder
1914
-Rev.
Rev. David Tweed
-
-
1915 - Rev. L. A. Joseph
1950
- Rev. A.G.W. Foenander
l95l Rev. John O. Schuring
1916 - Rev L A. Felsianes
l9l7
- Rev. J. Faulds 1952
-
- Rev. D. C. MacMichael 1953 Rev. A. Vander Gert
l9l8 Rev. George Francke
-
1919
- Rev. David Tweed
1954
1955
- Rev. Clarence Van Ens
- Rev. Clarence Van Ens
1920 Rev. L. A. Joseph
-
- 1956 John O. Schuring
l92I Rev. D. C. Mac Michael -Rev.
1922
- Rev. A. Vander Gert
1957
- Rev. John O. Schuring
- 1958 Rev. Richard de Ridder
1923 Rev. G. H. P. Leem- -
- bruggen
1959
- Rev. John Van Ens
1960 Rev. Joha Van Ens
1924 Rev. D. E. Joseph - Rev. A.G.W. Foenander
1925
- Rev. C. V. A. Mac
- 1961 Rev. A.G.W. Foenander
Echeran 1962
- Rev. Ananda Perera
1926 Rev. C. G. Mackenzie
- Rev. A.G.W. Foenander
- Rev. A. J. K. de K{erk
1963
-
1927
- 1964
- Rev. H. A. Van Hoff
Rev. D. Tweed 1965 Rev. D.H.R. Thuring
1928 Rev. L. N. Hitchcock
-
1929
- Rev. S. F. Skeen
1966
-Rev. A.G.W. Foenander
1930
- Rev. J. Macara
1967
1968
- Rev. John Van Ens
Rev. B. C. D. Mather
1931
- Rev. N. B. Jansz 1969
- Rev. D.H.R. Thuring
1932
- Rev. Dr. J. Munro Ford 1970
- Rev. R.B. Ebenezer
1933
- Rev. R. V. Metzeling l97l
- Rev. J.W.D. Gauder
- -
187
1972■ 二Revo N.L`K● ch i l _ 1977_Revo R3.EbencaF
1973-R歯 。Co N.Jan磁 1978-Rev.Lo Code ntser
1974-Rev.R。 ■血draiah i 1979-Revo R ThuraiFttah
1975,‐ Rev.H.A.Van HoE 1980二 lRe■P.N.L.Koch
1976-Rev.D.HoR。 ,Th面 鴫 1 1981‐ ― Rev.Do H.R.Thuriig
. 1982二 珈 .D.Ho R:Thtringl .

138
 THE ANNUAL CHURCH CONFERENCE・
IN OCtOber,1921,Revo G.H.P.Lcclnbrugge■ ,the Pa"γ 年 a‐

pitiya,togethr with members of the conЁ regation rcpresenting the

'aml暉
various Church Organisations, decided to arrange for a Church
Conferencc early in ranuary 1922“ for stimulating the workcrs and
deepening the spiritual life Of the Church members generJly.,つ Tlle
Cooperation Ofthc PaStors and me=bers of allthe Colombo Chuvhes
was soughto lt was also the wish of the Organising Committcc that
the Churches at Galle and Matara would be represented.

The generalidea was“ to hold a series ofConferё nce dealing with

Sunday Scho01 wOrk,Guild work,Temperallce work,Choirs:Day
School work etc.,'' Speakers qualined by experiё nce were to be
inヤ itedto address the nleetings. Rcmarks,qucstions,suggestions and
discussions from the audience would be pe..l.itted at the end of cach
address.The nrst conference it was lЮ ped would bc held froコ
Thursday Janu町 5th to Sunday 8th Janua・ ry,1922.

Reporting On the“ Fir“ Presbyterian Conferen∝ "Rev.hm・・

bruggen has recorded that it was held in the Bambalapitiya church
as plannedo An evening IIllecting was leld On Thursday the sth
January,while bothmorning and evening lncetings were held On Friday
Saturday and Sunday the 6th,7th and 8th January.There was a
Special United cOmmunion Service o■ Sunday Morning in the W01_
vendaal Church and a Special Ser宙 ccin the Ba血balapltiya Church in
the cveningo The fol10wing is a schedule of thc speakers and the
addresses,at the arst Conference.

Rev. F. Bennet (Baptist Chu.rch) The Responsibility of thc

Sunday School Teacher.
Col. Milner (Salvation Army) Present Day Conditions and
needs in the lilorld and
Church.
一
 一

Miss Grace Nathanielsz The Graded Sunday School

 一

Rev. Allan Vander Gert Mission Work,

Rev. W. S. Senior (C.M.S. Galle The Vocation of the Day
Face) Sohool Teacher.
Mr. Edmund Clarke (C.S.S.M.) How to reach tbe Young
People.
 Miss Stokel The Gift of Song in the
Church.
造 .Jo C.Jansz The Church and the Fightfor
Prohibition.

At the Business Meeting which was held on Saturday afternoon,

after a short Social, it was decided that the Conference should be held
Annua.lly. Rev. David Tweed was elected Chairman, Mr. A. W.
Metzeling Treasurer, Messrs. E. C. de Kretser and F. J. Lemphers,
Joint Secretaries. The Office Bearers together with the Pastor and a
representative selected by the Pbstor from each district were to form
the Committee.

In the tenth Anniversary Report of the Ba.mba.lapitiya Guild for

lg2l-1922, it is recorded "A Conference of Church Workers of the
Dutch Reformed Church, Colombo, was held in January this year, of
which our Guild could claim to be the Originator. Our original idea
was to hold a Conference of Church Workers of the Bambalapitiya
Church, but the idea developed and eventually assumed the shape of a
Conference of Church Workers of the Dutch Reformed Church. The
Conference was a success, and it has been decided to hold a Conference
annually."

At the Business Meeting in 1923, it was generally agreed that the

previous decision of la.st year iz that the Conference should be held
Annually be confirmed and it was the gerreral opinion that it would be
of immense value to all Church Members. It was also decided that a
new Chairman and Officers should be elected for each year. Accord-
ingly, Rev. W. C. Fleming was elected Chairman, Mr. E. C' de Kretser
elected Secretary and Mr. A. W. Metzeling, Treasurer. It was
further decided that instea.d of having all the meetings in the Bambala-
pitiya Church, tbree evening meetings next year were to be held in the
Regent Street Church (as Northern Centre) and three evening meet-
ings at Arethusa Hall, Wellawatte (as Southern Centre).

Anothet change was introduced in 1925, when it was agteed at

the Business Meeting that meetings were to be held in each District
with the Opening United Communion Service in the Wolvendaal
Church and the closing meeting in the Bambalapitiya Church.

1lm
 In 1928, it wais proposed and the motion was carried that ''the
Presbyterian Church Conference should have a Motto". The Motto,
adopted and used in subsequent years was "They that feared the Lord
spake often to one another" (Malachi 3 : 16).

During the years t925 to 1953, Conference Meetings were held

with regularity in each District. St. Andrew's Scots' Kirk was
included as from 1936. The next important request made by the
Committee to the General Consistory in 1937 was that the Conference
should start with a United Communion Service in the Wolvendaal
Church on the 3rd Sunday instead of the 2nd Sunday in January,
whirh was the stated Communion Service at Wolvendaal. When the
Second World War broke out, and we had the presence of Cha.plains
to the Forces stationed in Colombo, it was the happy privilege of the
Organisers to be able to include these men of God as speakers at
Conferences between 1943 and 1947.

An innovation was brought about in 1952, when instead of the

usual "Social" on the Saturday afternoon, a Conference Dinner was
held at Regent Street which cost Rs. 1/50 per head. This however,
did not appear to have had much support, and the customary practice
of the Saturday afternoon Social was resumed from the next year.

In 1954, it was decided to oonduct all Conference Meetings in the

Bambalapitiya Church as it was the most central, with one Speaker
taking all the meetings, instead of having the meetings distributed
over the various districts with separate Speakers each day. The first
Speaker under this deoision was Rev. Clarence Van Ens.

In 1955 arrangements for the Conference, appear to have come

under Advisory Committee No. IV (Missions) of the General Con-
sistory, and as reported to this Body at their meeting of 9th December,
1954, it was decided to "Drop the Social this year."

Different Speakers were once again arranged for each day in the
1956 Conference, but in the following years, the practice of having a
single Speaker was reverted to. From 1960, the introduction of a
Hymn Sing before the meetings commenced each evening and the use
of Special Music was greatly appreciated and has come to stay. The
︱︱︱︱ＩＬ

asrc important change came in 1971 when the General Consistory

141
accepted the recommendation oF thc Ministers that the Annual Con‐
ference bc held mid‐ weck and the pre Conference Communion ScⅣ icc
bc left to the discretion ofcach Local Consistory。 (G.C.Mceting of
3oth August,1971)。 It Was Observed that many who attended the
meetings had to cotte direct trom their places of work and were ac‐
00rdingl,tired.To meet the situation,the Committee decided to
serve tea to all such WhO would like to partako of this generous o￡ br.
Tユ e practice is stin being Carrled out. It was in this year too, that
the Ceneral Consistory took the decision that the Orertory taken at
Holy Co■ 11■ uIILiOn Service, should be donated to
the Pre‐ Conference
the Church Conference Funds and not appropriatcd to the funds of
the Local Church in which the Servi∽ Was held.

The name “PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONFERENCE''

was changed to“ THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH CON―
FERENCE"in 1955 after Sto Andrew's Scots'Kirk withdrew from
the Colpmittec at the tnd Of 1953 Ctheir let“ r datd 20th November,
1953)。 There was a recommendation to the General ConsistOry in
1929, that all other Church activiticS would be suspended during
Confcrcnce Weeko While it htts■ ot been possible to follow up on thc
deOision takei by thc Gcneral ConsiStOry on this,it has however becn
the unwritten rule,as can be scen,that this has becn the practice.

Other than that for the irSt year,details of wbich mv,becn giVen
eanier in this chapter,the dates and SubicCtS for succeeding Con―
Fcrenccs arc listed below for record:

1921 January 29tho4th FebⅢ ary・ ThC SubicCtS included: The

HOme,The School,The Church,The Placc of the Bible and

How to Study lt,The Place OfPrayerin the Home and in thc

ChurCh,ThC Advan∝ mont of the Cause of Christ and thc
Good of Man.The Speakers included Rcv.F.Bcnnet,Rev.
■ Mac Echer五 .6coF Kirり ,Mr.C・ Beling.There was a
Special Communion Servicc O■ Sunday Morning and the
EIvening WorShip Service was cOnducted by Rev. II.J.
Car"r of tlle Balptist Church. _

1472
1924 January 13th″ -20th (United COmrnunion at Wolveni
daal) 14th: Presbyterianism――Rcvo Mac Echern;
15th:Presbyterianism in thc British lsLs― Rev.Do Tweed;
16th:Presbytcrianism On thc continent― Rcvo Wo C.nem‐
i瑶 ;17th:P“ sbytcrianism in America一・Mtt Go Pt Wishard;
18th:Presbyte五 anism in Ceylon一 MI.Go A.Ho Wil101
.19th:Why l aIIl a Prcttyterian■ Mr.Jo c.J油膨
;20thi
Rev.C.v.A.Mac Echern at Bambalapitiya.

1925 January 18th‐ 26● “ AR,宙 sed Organisation for the Chuお h。 '
DiscussiOns On thc Proposcd New Ordinancc and the E"
tablishlnent of a General ConsistOry with separate Local
Consistories.
1926 January 10th‐ 17th.``Our Ow五 Life as a ChFiStia■ ''

1927 January 17th‐ 23rd. “The Church."

1928 January 16th‐ 22nd. ``The Child''.
1929 rapuary 21st‐ 27th. ``The Sermon on tllc Mount."
1930 January 20th‐ 26th. ``Thc Place cf Lovc and Sacrince in
Religion''(All Services at Bambalapittyal.
1931 Janu町 19th-25th. “SecFetS Of a H01y Life."
1932 January 25th‐ 31st. “The Gallilea■ "
1933 FcbrЩ ry 2211d,28th.“ Chl・ istian Disciplcshiが '.che COn_
ference thisッ℃ar fonowcd an united Evangelistic Campttgn
in thc previous w℃ ek。 )
1934 January 15th‐ 20th. 1`Problcms tllat Pcrplex the Christi4寧
Today."
1935 Janua■ 20th.``Thc Lord's Prayer."
14th‐ .
1936 January 12th‐ 19th.“ Family Worship." .
1937 Lnutty 10th‐ 17th. “Evangelism&Witnessing."
1938 Januaw 17th‐ 23rd. ``Thc PcrsO■ Of Christ,His Great tts
And Aims."
1939 Jauuary 15th「22nd. ,fThe Living Church。 ''
1940 January 22nd‐ 28th. ``The Church a通 Her PrOblems".
l94L January 19th‐26th. “FoundatiOns Of christian Life."
1942 January 18th‐ 25日■ “The Youth Of our Churchestand the
Pr6blem of Wiining Thcm and Keeping Thel■ ."

143
1943 February 8th-14th. "The Three Great Chapters of the New
Tsstament and Their Message for Us Today."
lg/4 January 18th-25th. "The hiesthood of All Believers."
1945 January 2lst-28th. "The Answer of Jesus to some Problems
of Life."
1946 January 6th-13th. o'The Reformed Church and Its Faith".
1947 January 19th-26th. "Evangelism."
1948 January lSth-2sth. "Five Churches and an Arrty" (Various
Denominations and the Salvation Army.)
1949 January l6tb-23rd. 'oThe Church Union Movement in
eylon."
1950 January lSth-22nd. "The Reformed Church."
1951 January 2lst-28th. "Beliefs for Today."
1952 January 20th-27th. "The Christian Church".
1953 January 18th-25th. "Steps in the Christian Life."
1954 lanuary l7th-24th. "The Christian's Relationship to the
World,-Not of the World."
1955 January 16th-23rd. "Jesus Is Coming Again."
1956 January l5th-22nd. "The Covenant of Grace."
1957 January 20tJl,?7th. "The Risen Christ Speaks to His Living
Church " (Rev. J O. Schuring).
1958 January lgth-26th. "The Signs of the Times" (Rev' R' de
Ridder)
1959 January 18th-25th. "Facing the Future Without Fear"
(Rev. C. Van Ens)
1960 Janauary 17th-24th. "The Church" (Rev. Roger Greenway).
1961 January l5th-22nd "The End of the World" (Rev. Dr
Leonard Greenway).
1962 January 2lst-28th. "The Invisible Realities of God". (Rev.
Ananda Perera).
January z0ftr,A7th. "Some Paradoxes of the Christian Faith"
(Rev. B. C. D. Mather).
January 5th-l2th. "Justification by Faith" (Rev. G. C.
Bingham).
January 10th-l7th. "Reflections on Redemptive Realities."
(Rev. H. A. Van Hoff).
 It was anticipated that Rev. Dr. John Krominga of Calvtn
Seminary would be available as spsaker on his return trip
to the U.S.A. from Korea, but, as his wife fell ill, his direct
return home was necessitated, and we missed hearing him.
Rev. Aubrey Van Hoff filled in the gap.
1966 January 16th-23rd. "The Christian". (Rev. D. H. R.
Thuring).
1967 January l5th-22nd. "The Fruits of the Holy Spirit." (Rev.
John Van Ens).
1968 January 2nd-7th. Various Subjects-"The Unity that is
Worthy of the Gospel"; "The Test of Faith'; "Sin at the
Doof", "Beautiful Fe€t", "Worldliness", "Faith, Crisis
and Judgement."
An early date for the Conference was necessitated to accom-
modate the Speaker Dr. Paul Schrotenboer.
1969 January 19th-26th. "Out of Darkness, into God's Marvell-
ous Light". (Rev. B. C. D. Mather).
1970 January 14th-17th. "Evangelism" (Rev. H. A. Van Hoff
Rev. Celestine Fernando, Rev. George Lee, Mr. B. E.
Fernando).
l97l January lTth-20th. "Showing Ceylon-{hrist the Only Way."
(Rev. Neville Koch, Rev. Vernon Edward, Lt. Col. Fleming
Rev. Reginald Ebenezer).
1972 January 10th-l3th. "Coming Alive" in'72" (Rev. Lakshman
-4,. Van Hoff, Rev. J. W. D. Gauder, Mr. ,\. S.
Peries, Rev. H.
Weerasinghe).
1973 January 16th-l9th. "The lloly Spirit in the Life of the Church."
(Rev. Cecil Siriwardene).
1974 January 15th-18th. "The Personal and Practical Implica-
tions of Jesus Christ's Second Coming" (Rev. H. A. Van
Hoff).
1975 February 25th-27th. "The Christian Home" (Rev. L. C. de
Kretser). Meetings at Bambalapitiya and Wellawatte.
ヽ︱︱Ｉ ＩＩ Ｉ プ
６ ７ ８ ９
９ ９ ９ ９
７ ７ ７ ７

No Conferences. Speakers arranged fo.r the 1976 Con-

ference were unavoidably prevented from attending. The
Ｌ

subject advertised for 1978 was "Living Issues Facing the

Living Church". Here again, the Speakers were unavoid-
ably unable to accept the suggested or alternate dates.

145
 TI{E HERALD

JN December, 1911, Rev. J. C. Abels, feeling the need for a Church

Paper, published the fust issue of "The Flerald." To use his words it
was " to keep the rnembers of our congregation acquainted with the
needs and progrcss of the Church". There was to be no charge and
it was issued "with the hope that a copy would find its way into every
home". Continuing, Rev. Abels wrote We trust that this medium
will unify more and more of our churches and unite in common
interest, purpose and affection of the members."

'Since thdn, publication has bcen maintained, in spite la.ck ofof

funds and the high cost of paper and printing" brought about by the
first World War. In January l9l9, anappeal for funds was made as
"funds at present" wrote the Editor "$how a deficit balance". Con-
tributions soon came pouring ib and helped to stabilize the situation
and "The Herald" continued to be printed and issued free ofcharge to
the churches in Colombo, Galle and Matara. In 1923, there was no
publication during the months April to August "mainly for want of
funds". The Ministers and representatives of each district met in
August, 1923 to arrange "for ways and means if it was decided to
continue publication". It was then agreed that an appeal should
be made to all of ow churches o'for members to support the publi- ,

cation by paying an annual oubsoription for it." From October, 1923

only those who signified their desire to rcceive a copy monthly by
paying a subscription of Re. l/00 per annum-which was to be paid
through the Church Collection Book or'those who made payment of
Rs. l/50 had it mailed to them. Such copies as were not sent through
the post were distributed by the Church Custodian when he took the
Collection Book around every month. It was also emphasised that
all sut,scriptions wcre payable in advance. In 192rtr, the subscription
rates for Out Station members was raised to Rs. li50 per annum and
then irr April 1927 tfip ratb was revised and an annual Subsoription of
Rs. 2/00 was iniroduced for all. The next increase was made as
from lrebruary,1952 when a oharge of an additional fifty cents was
levied to make "an annual minimum subsoription" for all. The next
price h.ike came in June 1959 when the rate was raised to Rs. 5/00 per
arunuIt end the present rate of Rs. 6/00 per annum was introduced
from'Iune 1971.

-146
 At a meeting of the General Consistory held on Wednesday 29th
March, 1950, it was decided to acc€pt the recommendation of the
Ileratd Committee "that steps be taken to register "The Herald" as a
News paper with the Post Master General".

The Church paper was first printed at the Ceylon Examincr

Press, who continued doing a faithful job from the first issue in
December l91l to March 1927. The Caxton Printing lVorks Ltd
rrere next entrusted with the printing from April, 1927 to June 1961.
The Wesley Press were next given the opportunity of printing the
church paper and continued to do so till January 1963, when the
Caxton Printing Works were once more given the charge from the
February 1963 issue.

A change in the size and format of the paper came into effect
from October, 1968 with it a change in the Printers to the Tissara
Packaging Industries. The "tabloid" they produced continued to be
issued till the Decpmber 1970 issue. At this time, it was decided to
revert to the original size and the task of printing the "new" paper
fell to the lot of the Caxton Printing Works Ltd from January, l97l.
They have carried out this task with acceptance till now.

In a letter dated 16th March, 1p45, Rev. J. C. Abels, the first

Editor, writing to the General Consistory on the death of Rev. W.C'
Fleming, had, inter alia this to say "on an initiative I named and
publishedthe firstissueof TheHerald" in December 1911. Ifinanced
it without cost to the Consistory and the members of the Church.
It is in its thirty fifth par and not thirty ninth as printed in the head'
line." This led to a check on the numbering and in the January l9zt6
issue, the Editor made the followiog correction:-

"The numbering of both the Volumels and monthly issues of thc

Heratd has experienced many a slip in its ca,reer of thirty five yeats.
The first appeared as far back as October, 1924. It was reotified by
running the years of 1928 and L929 as one year of 24 numbers. But it
went wrong again in January, 1931 for just a month and thereafter
again in tbe months of Aprit May and July of the same year. It was
repeated again in August, 1932. The is-sues of January and February
1936 contained the curious reading in Roman figures attached to tho
Volume viz VOL. XXVIV, ob-rrigusly intended for VOL. XXIX.
聟一
The subsequent issue (March) read VOL XXXI. Thence forward it
ran snroothly until the last issue with the course of the wrong reading
carrierl forward from January 1931. The first volume of the maga-
zine appeared in 1912 and consequently the current issue should read
VOL. XXXV No. I which appears at the head of this........."

T.he General Consistory decided that as from 1975, the magazine

shoulcl be issued quarterly and not monthly. Accordingly, with
the issue for January, February and March 1975, publicc.tion
was made in terms of this directive. This was necessitated by the
shorta;ge experienced in obtaining paper as well as the increased cost
of prirrting.

It is indeed encouraging to note that many of our members who

have emigrated to other countries ha-ue expressed the desire to be
kept on the mailing list and-in some instances paying the cost of Air
Mail postage for this privilege.

EDITORS OF " THD HERALD ''

Rev. J. C. Abels December 1911 to July 1914
Rev.I\r. C. Fleming August 1914 to June 1915
Rev. David Tweed July 1915 to January 1916
Rev. L. A. Joseph February 1916 to January 1917
Rev. \4'. C. Fleming February 1917 to April1917
Rev. D. Tweed May 1917 to June 1918
Rev. G.H.P. Leembruggen July 1918 to June 1919
Rev. W'. C. Fleming July 1919 to lantary 1922
Rev. D. Tweed February 1922 fo December 1922
Rev. G.H.P. Leembruggen January 1923 to December 1923
Rev. D. E. Joseph Ianuary 1924 to September 1927
Rev. W. C. Fleming October 1927 to December 1928
Rev. N. B. Janw January 1929 to December 1930
Mr. J. C. Jansz January 1931 to December l93l
Rev.11'. C. Fleming January 1932 to December 1932
Rev. N. B. Jansz January 1933 to December 1936
Rev. D, E. Joseph January 1937 to December 1942
Rev. N, B. Jansz January 1943 to December 1943
Rev. D. E. Joseph January 1944 to April 1950
Rev. J. O. Sohuring May 1950 to October 1951

14E
Rev. R. V. Metzeling November 1951 to February 1956
Rev. Clarence Van Ens March 1956 to December 1956
Rev. John Van Ens January 1957 to January 1950
Rev. R. S. Greenway February 1960 to February 1962
Rev. Clarence Van Ens March 1962 to February 1965
Rev. H. A. Van Hoff Maroh 1965 to May 1958
Rev. R. B. Ebenezer June 1968 to May 1959
Rev. L. C. de Kretser June 1969 to January 1970
Rev. N. L. Koch February 1970 to May 1971
Rev. D. H. R. Thuring June 1971 to Marcb 1973
Rev. C. N. Jansz April 1973 to June 1980
Rev. L. C. de Kretser July 1980 to December l98l
Rev. C. N. Jansz January 1982

TI{E DUTHAYA

THe Publication of the Church paper in the vernaculars had to

become a reality soon and it was mainly due to the efforts of Rev.
Clarence Van Ens, Secretary of Missions whose vision and enthusiasm
made it possible for a motion to be processed throughthe General
Consistory to bring it into effect.

In 1956, Sri Lanka or Ceylon as it was then known officially

moved in the direction of making Sinhala the Official Language of
the Nation. The Dutch Reformed Church was not to be caught
sleeping in this hour of national pride. She too, with a sensitivity
befitting all those who work for the good of the nation, decided on
May 31st, 1956, to publish "The Duthaya". Mr. Joel Senansinghe
was appointed Editor and laboured in that post till January 1980.
The first issuewasputout inSeptember, 1956. It was onlyatwo page
issue and was to be used as a tract. Its witness has been consistently
of the great messege of the sacred scriptures-the Bible: Salvation by
grace alone through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The -value and
importance this "leaflet" far exceeded its size. Because of its ac-
'of
ceptance and due to the fact that it wasbeing eagerlyexpectedby those
who had received early copiesn the number of pages gradually were in-
creased. It is now a paper of 12 to 14 pages. It was issued free at the start,
but as printing costs and the cost ofpaper kept on increasing, a nomi-
nal charge of Rs. 2/50 was made as from January 1974. There is an

149
increasing demand for the Duthaya today. Requests from the pro-
vinces are a clear indication of how avidly the message is being
absorlrcd and the good news spread. Rich fruits have been reaped
from this effort, and regular enquiries come in from non-christians
who have had the privilege of obtaining a copy from friends. Evan-
gelist, Mr. S. Pushparajah took over the duties of Editqrship from
Januar y, 1980 and continues to see to the regular issue of this paper.

TIIE ITIOOTIIAN

One of the less publicised efrorts of the Dutch Reformed Church

and yot one of its significant contributions to the witness of the Church
is the :montlly publication of the church paper "The Herald" in the
Sinhalra and Tamil languages. The titles chosen are a translation
of the English edition and nothing fanciful, as had been charged at
one tirne. In fact, the two titles are not only euphonious in their
respective languages but also an indication that it is a source ofspread-
ing thr: good news.

This paper too, was first introduced to the members of the Tamil
congregations in 1956, under the guidance of Rev. Clarence Van Ens
and the editorship of Evangelist, Mr. L. M. Charles. Of course it
had to be issued concurrently with its counterpart in the Sinhala
Iangualge, in September in order to make its impact. Mr. Charles
continued to be Editor till 1960 when Rev. B. C. D. Mather took over
the task up to his retirement in 1969. Sipce then the paper was
edited by Rev. R. Ebenezer, assisted by Evangelist, Mr. Edward N.
Lawrence up to the end of 1971. There was a change in editors in
1972 when Rev. R. Thurairajah came in till February 1974. There-
after, Idr. E. N. Lawrence had continued in this position till Septem-
bet 19'17 when it was taken over once again by Rev. Thurairajah, in
October of the same year, to continue till February 1979. There
was no issue between March, 1979 and August 1979. Mr. E. N.
Lawrence onc€ more took over Editorship from September, 1979
and has continued to edit this paper since.

Th,e Thoothanwas, as inthe case of the sister paper, the Duthaya,

issued free. Here again, it was mainly used as a tract in the first instance
gradually assumingthe size it now is to meet the increasing demand and
circulation. $/hen in 1976, the Tamil Consistory decided to extend

150
its outrcach through the us● ofル hc printed pagc in the``Gnana C)li'・
(or Good NewsI MiSSiOnary endeavour,more copics were sent to non―
christialls and members of other de■ ominationso Now, catering to
the needs of mature Christians as well as to``babes in Christ",thc
Thoothan is an issu6 ol 15 pages.An annual subscription of Rs.3/00
has been cllarged for the past three ycars in qrdei to mect the increased
cost of papcr and printing.

In both pa・ pers referred to above,thc Christian faith is set fortl

in plain and simple language. The in■ u9■ 90 9f theW papCrs go be‐
yond the b01lnds of our little cornmuniOns,to bring others to a k■ ow―
ledge of a living and 16ving Saviour.

151
 YOUTH 1VORK

Tnn 1,ear 1942 was an important year in the history of the Dutch
Refonned Church in Ceylon. It was the Tercentenary of the estab-
lishment of the Reformed Faith in the Island.

At the Annual Church Conference in January of this year (1942),

the th,lme was "Youth and the Church". The result of the Con-
ferenq: was to provoke certain thought processes which finally cul-
minated in the young people of the Church organising another Con-
ference; in August with a view to forming themselves into an active
group within the Church and finally, the Presbyterian Youth League
was born with a view of "Coordinating the work of the various Socie-
ties." The I*ague had as its primary aim 'to deepen the spiritual
life of its members and awaken interest and enthusiasm in Church
activiqr.' In thq report presented on the occasion of the First Anni'
versary it is recorded that "with the due approval and sanction of the
Genera.l Consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon and the
Kirk fiessions, the inaugural meeting of the Presbyterian Youth
I,eague was held in the Lindsay Hall, Bambalapitiya on Tuesday 29th
October, 1942 with Rev. B. de Kretser in the Chair." Amongst the
first members of the Executive Committee were Mesdames W. Stork,
T. H. Jansz, V. S. de Kretser, Misses I. Raffel, H. de Silva, E. d'With
Barbut and C. Ingram. Messrs. E. Schokman, H. de Vos, W. Stork,
R. Ferctinands, D. Franciscus, F. Schoorman, and L. Felsianes. The
Constitution was adopted at the Inaugural Meeting and sent to the
General Consistory for approval. The a.ctivities planned were: An
Annual Conference in August; Youth Services; An Evangelistic
Campaign (in the Schools); Visits to the Mission Stations in the N.C.P.
Visits tr> the Sick and Aged in the Districts and Carol Singing. The
Choir was to be in charge of Mrs. V. S. de Kretser and Mr. Sam Mottau
The transport problem was to be solved, by those taking part, using
their bi,cycles.

Ther First Conference was held from August 28th to 30th, 1942
at the rr:sidence of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Austin at Maharagama with
the thenre "None other God". All those who were dis-satisfied with
their spiritual living or with their contribution to tbe life of the
Church were invited to attend. There was no age limit imposed.
The Conference fee was Rs. 3/00 per head.
 The Second Conference was held from August 26th to 29th
1943 also at Maharagama, through the/courtesy of Mr. and Mrs.
Lester Austin, and Mr. Tony Maartensz. The theme was "Cre€d
or Chaos"-an attempt to understand the Faith by which we live.
The Third Conference was at Dehiwela Presbyterian Girls' School
from August 3lst to September 3rd, 1944. The theme "Tfat They
Go Forward" was to help "youth to think constructively and pro-
gressively in the terms of Christian Faith in a post war world."

The fourth Conference was held from August 30th to September

2nd, 1945 on the theme "Building Christian Homes", at the Dehiwela
School. A "Quiet Day" was organised for the first time on January
l4th, 1946 at Regent Street. The Annual Conference was held from
August 28th to September lst, 1946, under tbe theme "We Shall Re-
build."

Other events that followed were:

1947 A Quiet Day at Wellawatte on January 14th. The Annual
Conference from August 28th to 3lst at Dehiwela under the
theme "Our Church at Work". A Gift Service was held at
St. Andrew's Scots' Kirk on 7th November and a Cantata
entitled "The Life of Christ in Service and Song."

1948 Gift Service on December 4th. Gifts in Cash and kind were
s€nt to the N.C.P. Mission Station and Maternity Home
through Miss Harriet de Kretser. Earlier in the year, there
was a Quiet Day at Bambalapitiya in February and the Con-
ference, once again at Dehiwela from lst to 5th September,
under the theme "Lord, Teach us to Pray."

1949 Conference at Dehiwela 3lst August to 4th September, The

Theme being "Facing the Present."

1950 Service of Talents at Bambalapitiya on June 29th. The Annual

Conference from August 30th to September 3rd at Dehiwela
having "Stewardship" as the theme.

1951 The Conference was held at Bambalapitiya under the theme

"The Kingdom of God within us now." from 29th August to
2nd September.

1113
lg52 Conference at Bambalapitiya from 27th August to 3lst August
on the subject of "Limited Atonement". The Church was
absorbed in a controversy on the Doctrine of Limited Atone-
ment, at this time.

1953 At the meeting of the General consistory on March 25th, the

following resolution was Passed:
"That in view of the disrupting influence of the P.Y.t. on
the life and work of the Dutch Reformed Church, this Con-
sistory do immediately withdraw its recognition of the
I,eague and debar its Ministers from associating with the
activities of the League and that a Committee be appointed
to organise the Youth work of our Church."

The following were appointed to serve on this Committee:

All the Ministers, Bros. (Dr.) H' E. Schokman, H. L. de
' Kretser, Douglas Franciscus, and Sam Fernando (Convenor).
It was agreed that the Committee should report to General
Consistory as earlY as Possible.

At their Meeting on November 6th, 1953, the General Con-

sistory accepted the report of the Committee and copies were sent to
each of the Local Consistories for necessary action. The recom-
mendations sought to organise all Youth Groups in the Local Churches
into ar United Youth Group o; Federation which would arrange for
perioclical Conferences from 2 to 3 days and other recreational
activities. The Organising Committee was to consist of the Youth
Committee of the General Consistory together with 3 appointed
members from each Youth Group. Quarterly Youth Services in
each (lhurch, in rotation, were also recommended, while enoouraging
the youth to participate in open air services, Church meetings and other
Kingd.om aotivities. The following recommendations were accepted
and adopted:

(l) That there should be a Youth Organisation in each District,

united in a Federation.
ⅢH“ J
肌 躊瀾 .md dm山 ,un bctO“ "m ttc
To traill thenl for service in the Church。 ￨

154
 (4) To prepare them for active citizenship in the Kingdom of
God.

(5) That prograrnmes should include (a) the systematic study of

the Scriptures, (b) Participation in Christian work, (c)
Missions, (d) Hospital Visiting, (e) Distribution of Tracts.
(f) Open Air Services and (g) Recreational Aotivities.

It was also agreed that th6 members of the General Consistory

Youth Committee should continue to function in the Organisation of
the United Youth Federption.

At the Meeting of the General Consistory on March 25th,

1954, these further recommendations of the General Conisistory
Youth Committee and the Youth Federation Committee were ac-
cepted:

(l) That the D.R.C. Youth Federation should meet once a

month on the fust Saturday. The first meeting was fixed
for June 5th, 1954 at 5 p.m. in the Bambalapitiya Church
with the Bambalapitiya Youth Group arranging a Devot-
ional Programme. Subsequent meetings were to be held in
. other Churches in rotation. The Local Youth Organisations
were to be responsible for the planning of the day's pro-
granme.

(2) That the organisation of Open Air Services and other King-
dom activities be the responsibility of each Local group.
(3) That competitive sports be organised at Distsict level and
teams raised to play against teams from other Districts
culminating in the Annual Sports Meet held by the Sunday
Schools on Foundation Day.

) Records of the proceeding of each meeting were to ie kept

in a book and read as Minutes at the next Meeting.
“

The Youth Conllnittec met on March 22nd at Bambalapitiya to

plan the irst Youth Conference of the Federation.The dates ittd
r血 ゎ 19th・
幣 t認 認 Ll壇 1摺 :驚 瞭 ゝ :.か ザ
 A period of lethargY followed.

.A meeting of the General Consistory Youth committee and the

D.R.C. YouthFederation committee was held in calvin Hall, wella-
watte, on 5th september, 1960 and forwarded the following resolutions
to the General consistory, which were accepted by that body at their
meeting held on 16th November, 1960:

('l)ThattheSecretaryoftheYouthFederationbeprovided
withreportsfromeachLocalOrganisationoftheirmonthly
activities and that these be issuedin the form of a News
Bulletin, once a Quaroer.
(2) That the President of the Youth Federa ion may be a Lay
man who is a member of the General Consistory'
(3) That the President of the D.R.C. Youth Federation may
remain in Office for not more than 2 years in succession'
(4) That monthly Youth Federation meetings be re-started from
October, 1960.

In1965, a request was made to the General Consistory to

sponsor a Contest for a Crest to be adoptect by the Federation in its
iews Letter but did not m€et with approval. The General Consistory
ruled that the church crest should be used by all organisations.

A, Revised and Amended constitution was adopted with efrect

from January 26th, 1980.

T'he following is a schedule of Annual Conferences held by the

Feder,ation:
lg54 August 19th to 21st at Bambalapitiya. Theme "Quo Vadis?
Youth Whither?". Conference fee Rs. 5/00 per head.
1955 Conference at Bambalapitiya 24th to 27th August. Theme
"You shall be MY Witnesses."
1956 Conference from August 22nd to 25th at Bambalapitiya,
Theme "Confessing Christ"'
1957 Bishop D. A. Thompson, Chairman, International Christian
Council of Christian Churches in the U.K. conducted the
Conference from August l4th to lTth at Bambalapitiya under
the theme "What wilt Thou have me to do?"

156
1958 Conference at B■ mbJapitiya frOm August 27th to 30th undcr
the theme``Tl■ e Acts ofthe How SPirit・ "

1959 Conference theme``What iS LoVe?''at Bambalapitiya from

26th to 29th August.
1960 Confcrence from August 23rd to 27th at Bambalapltiya undcr
thc theme``Sin and itS Curc.''
1961 Conferencc at Bambalapitiya from August 22nd to 26th With
thc theme as“ JesuS Christ,the Light ofthe WOrld.''

1962 The thcmc“ The Bible and SdiCnce'' waS COnsidered at the
Conference hcld at Bambalapitiya from August 21st t0 25th.
1963 Conference at Bambalapitiya from August 20th t0 23rd undcr
the thenlc``Living Hopc."

1964 Confcrencc at Bambalapitiya from August 18tll t0 22nd.

The theme was“ The Signs of the Times."
1965 ConferenccatBambalapitiyafrollnAugust24thto28th.
Theme: ``Today's Youth.… ………Tomorrow's Witnesscs."
1966 Conferen∝ at Bambalapitiya frol■ August 23rd to 26th
Theine: ``Guarding the Faith of a New Agc."
1967 Conferencc at Bambalapitiya from August 22nd to 25th
Theme: ``Thc Present State of Attairs."
1968 Confcrence at Bambalapltlya from August 20th t0 23rd.
Thcme: ``God's Sovcreignty and Your ResponSibility.''
1969 Conferencc at Bambalapitiya frbm August 18th to 22nd.
Theme: ``Revolution."
1970 fmttК Cttela龍 tl:織
“ 1電 nttSie∬ ￡ ifttι

1971 COnference at Bambalapitiya from August 17th to 21st.

Theme: ``Youth in Focus."
1'72 COnfcrencc at Bambala・ pitiya from August 15th t0 19th.
Theme: “TO Impttt Somc Spiritual Gift''。 (RichcS from
Romanめ
1973 First Youth Camp at Bandarawela from August 20th to 24th.
The Vcnuc was St. ThOmas' Prep Sch001. ThemC: “The
Deeper Life."

157
lg74 Youth Camp at the Y.M.C.A./Y.W.C.A. Youth Centre,
Welimada from August 19th to 23rd. Theme: "My Place
in His Plan."
lg75 Youth Camp at St. Thomas' Prep School, Bandarawela from
18th to 23rd August. Theme: "Facing Life's Realitles'"
lg76 Youth camp at st. Thomas' Prep. School, Bandarawela from
23rd to 2?th August. Theme: "The Relevance of Christ'"
lg77 No Camp held due to the period of unrest and disturbances in
the Country. It was planned to be held at St' Thomas' Prep'
school, Bandarawela lrom August 2}rtdto 27th under the theme
"ME?" Amends were however made by holding a MINI
' Camp at Wellawatte on October l5th' The theme on this
occasion was "Lilb is where I'm going."

lg78 Youth Camp at St. Thomas' Prep. School, Bandarawela' from

14th to lgth August. The theme was: "ME?"'
lglg Youth camp at st. Thomas' Prep. School, Bandarawela, from
August 2Ottr to ZSth. Theme: "The Quest for Power and
Freedom.'?

1980 Youth Camp at Trinity College, Kandy from August l8th to

23rd Theme: "BodY Life."
1981 Youth Camp at St. Thomas' Prep. School, Bandarawela'
from August24th to 29th. Theme: "Jesus, The Liberator'"
lg82 Youth camp at st. Thomas' Prep. School, Bandarawela
from August 30th to September 4th. Theme: "Cross fire"'

158
 TITE DUTCH REf,'ONMED CHURCH MUSIC GUILD

Heiqny PsacHA]t[ in his book "The compleat Gentleman" written in

1662, has made the following observation regarding music: "It
is the
principal means of glorifying our Merciful Creator, it heightens our
gives us delight and ease to our travails'
i.ootioor, it It
expelleth
sadness and heaviness of spirit, preserveth peoplg in concord and
amity, allayethfierceness and anger.......'.whom dod loves not, that
man loveth not music."

church music up till to the choirs of the Local

1955 was confined
churches with a certain degree of participation by the congregations.
Efforts had been made from time to time by organists, Ministers and
other interested persons to provide special music on Special Occas-
ions. These programmes or items though few and far between were
gr€atly appreciated whenever they were presented. A ferv enthusias-
Ii" .".U"tr to make an attempt to start a Music Guild to
agreed
bring togeth"t th" musical talent of all our Churches, for the glory
of God.

In planning the celebrations for Foundation Day, 6th October,

1954, th; General Consistory at their meeting held on 29th Septbmber,
1954 took a decision that (a) An oratorio be arranged and presented
by the Combined Choirs of our Churches and (b) that the President
should initiate joint action for the development of the Ministry of
Music. The Oratorio "Pardon, Penitence and Peace" by Maunder
was chosen. It was to be sung in the Dehiwela, Baqbalapitiya and
Regent Street Churches. Periodic Hymn sings were to be encoura-
ged after the regular evening worship services with the specific
tu.pot. of instruction in congregational singing' The firstSunday
hymn
,i"g to be arranged to be held in the wellawatte church on
December tzth,lgs4with Mrs. Esme Joseph leading and Mrs. Yvonne
Chapman as Organist.

As a result of getting together for regular hymn sings and the

needed encouragement given by the President of the General Consis-
tory, Rev. John Van Ens, the inaugural meeting of the Music Guild
was held on February l8th, 1955 and was duly constituted. All
organists and two representatives from each District wefe invited to
ｗＲ
ｃｄ
ｒ
ｅ   ｅ

attend this meeting. Those pressnt at this inaugural meeting

。

Rev. John Van Ens, Miss Mavis Ebert (Nugegoda), Miss Olive

159
 (Nugegoda), Mrs. F. R. L. Ferdinands (Regent Street), Miss Ruth
Thuring (Maligakande), Miss Netta Toussaint (Maligakande), Mrs.
C. de Silva (Wellawatte), Mr. Eric Foenander (Dehiwela), Mr. L. W.
Lea (Maligakande), Mr. Ivor Vander Wert (Wellawatte), Mrs. Esme
Joseph (Dehiwela), Mr. Orrrille Foenander (Wolvendaal), Mr. Wins-
ton Foenander (Bambalapitiya), Mrs. Margaret Van Ens (Bambala-
pitiya), Rev. Clarence Van Ens (B-:mbalapitiya), Mrs. Christobel
Brechman-Toussaint (Bambalapitiya), Rev. R. V. Metzeling (Regent
Street), Mrs. Merle Metzeling (Regent Street), Mrs. Sylvia Van Ens
(Dehiwela) Miss Charmaine Oorloff (Dehiwela), Mrs. T. Arnolda
(Nugegoda) and Mrs. Yvonne Chapman (Wellawatte).

Some of the significant decisions taken at the first meeting and

later ratified by the General Consistory were that:

(l) Organists and Choir Leaders organise themselves intotheDIR.C.

Music Guild.
(2) Organists and Choir Leaders be instructed to encourage the
children and young people to join the choir and be trained for
service in the ministry of music.
(3) The General Consistory look with favour upon the idea of having
periodic hymn sings following the Sunday evening Worship
Service.
(4) The objectives of the Music Guild were:
(a) To spread and deepen the appreciation of Church Music.
(b) To improve the standard of Choir singing.
(c) To present an Annual Oratorio or Cantata.
(d) To encourage the interchange of musical knowledge and
experience
(e) To hold monthly hymn sings after the Sunday Evening
Worship Service
(f) To coordinate our music p;'ogramme with the Worship
Services
(i) Choir responses to the reading of the Law and Creed.
(ii) Choir Anthems.
(iii) Develop and train and make use of individual talent
present in our Congregations.
 Since its formation, regular renditions of famous Oratorios and
Special items have been given at Christmas time and at Foundation
Day Celebrations. A String Orchestra was formed as a part of the
Guild, but, after they had participated in a few prograilrmes in 1955
and 1956, was disbanded through lack of interest and cooperation.
An effort was made by Mrs. Merle Metzeling and Mr. Orwell Foe-
nander to revive the Orchestra using the tal€nt of Misses Maureen and
Brenda Ferdinand as well as that of Mr. Harvey Deutrom along with
other Instrumentalists. Not much headway was made, and the
Church was not p;ivileged to hear the strains of Orchestral music for a
long time more.

In July 1956, an effort was made by Mr. Orwell Foenander to

start a Young Men's Choir with boys 16 years of age and over. Prac-
tices were held regularly at Bambalapitiya every fortnight, but after
a short while, interest flagged and this too was forgotten.

A Junior Choir was then formed by Miss Olive Rode assisted by

Miss Ruth Franciscus, at Wellawatte using the young people of the
Wellawatte and Nugegoda Districts. This was in the year of grace as
we count it-1957. Cognizance of the good work done by this Junior
Choir was made by the Music Guild when they were invited to give
an Item at the Foundation Day Celebrations in 1959. Here again,
due to the lack of cooperation and interest by the young people,
practices had to be discontinued and the venture failed at the end of
1960.

In an article written by Mrs. Merle Metzeling to the Church

Paper, "The Herald" in July 1966, she states "......years have gone by
since the inauguration of the Music Guild, but the Guild has never
lost sight of its responsibility to the Choirs of the various Churches
and continue to carry out the glorious aims maintained in the highest
traditions of making a "joyful noise unto the Lord" because we know
from God's Word that "whoso offereth praise, glorifieth Me."

The Church's interest had been roused and her outlook, music
wise, widened, and something gained as regards appreciation. Besides
the Guild's repertoire had greatly improved becoming larger and better
in quality with truly astounding results. Not the least gain has been
the lively interest shown by some of the younger mernbers of our

t6l
Churches, but it must be said with regret, that we do not seem to have
gone very far forward with our church choirs. George Darby said
;Singing is not only a delightful exercise, for the ChriStian, it is a
Divinely appointed medium of worship." It is therefore no wonder
that the interest in Church Music has grown through the efforts of
the Music Guild who have done everything to encourage its further-
ance. with the active participation of the choirs of the Sinhala and
Tamil churches and their respective Youth Groups at church Festi-
vals and functions, another step forward has been achieved'
Dr. Henry A. Bruinsma writing in the Calvin Forum of October
1954, has this to say about Music Education and the
joint responsi-
bilities of the Home, School and church: "I do feel, however, that the
Church must enter into this picture more actively than it has in the
past......The Church, rvhile it too is concerned with teaching the
with the primary
irinciples of daily living, is more directly concerned
iunctiott of worship in its worship services. While music in every day
life may be a source of-aesthetic pleasure, music has an entirely differ-
ent purpose in the church. Music is functional in the church.
It is
USifUU Unless music can fulfil its function as a vehicle for the
Lord or as a carrier of man's thoughts heavenward, it is out of place
in the Church."
..TheintelligentChurchorganistorChoirmemberknowsthat
he has a function to perform in worship, and that function is
not the
cntertainment of the individual in the pew' Since group worship
andtheteaching.oftheprinciplesofworship,isthefunctionofthe
proper
Church, rather ihan that of the School, it is essential that the
place oi music in worship should also. be taught to the worshipper. we
ieach him how to pruy, *" teach him howrto reason and how to evalu-
ate on doctrinal points. We insist on reverence' Let our Ministers
and Consistories, with the aid of our Parents and School teachers'
of music
also teach and insist upon a proper evaluation of the function
in the Senice."
..ManyChurcheshavechoirsparticipatingintheWorshipSer.
vices. Good choir members are rnade, not bofn, and the time must
comewhenourChurcheswillhavetofacetheproblemofeffective
training for musical participation in the Service' Unless a Churchly
attitudJ towards church music is instilled in the child, he
will have
little conception of what appropriate church music really is when he
reaches .aiotity. This foi many of us in an untapped field' and an
unthought field"'

t62
 MUSIC GIJILD PRESENTA■ ONS

1955 5th April "Passion of Christ" (Handel) and "Song of

Thanksgiving" (Maunder) at Bambalapitiya
by Augmented Choirs.
7th September Recital for Organ Voice and Violin-Mrs.
Margaret Van Ens, Mrs. Christobel Brech-
man-Toussaint, Miss Brenda Ferdinand, at
Bambalapitiya, in aid of the Wellawatte
Sunday School Hall building Fund.
1 24th September "Penitence, Pardon & Peace" (Maunder) in
the Bambalapitiya Church by Augmented
Choirs.
28th December Service of Carols at\ Bambalapitiya (Church
Music Assn.) Qarol Serices conducted in
in all the D.R. Churches with a select choir
of 50 voices.
1956 l6th to 22nd Special music for the Annual D.R.C. Con-
January ference.
2nd October Organ Recital by Alfred Wilson.
22nd December Carol Service at BambalapitiYa.
1957 15th April Special Service of Scripture Narrative,
Hymns and Anthems for Passiontide and
Easter, at Bambalapitiya.
l4th May Organ Recital by Mr. E. Ennulat ol Frank-
furt, W. Germany.
l4th October Organ Recital by Mr. Alfred Wilson.
19th October Cantata "Come Unto Him" (Mendelssohn)
20th to 23rd Carol Services in the Churches at Regent
December Street, Wellawatte, Dehiwela and Bambala-
pitiya.
1958 3lst March "Olivet to Calvary" (J. H. Maunder) at
Dehiwela.
4th October of Thanksgiving" (Maunder), at
"Song
Bambalapitiya.
22nd December "Christmas" (Arthur Sometvell), at Wella-
watte.
23rd December Repeat at Bambalapitiya.
163
1959 23rd March Ea“ er MuSiC fl・ om the“ Mcssiah''(Handd),
at Regcnt Strcct.

24th March Rcpeat at Bambalapitiya.

21st Dcccmbcr ``Bethicher'(Maundeぅ ''at Bambalapitiya.
23rd December Repeat at Bambalapitiya

1960 7th April Excerpts■ om“ M,SSiah''(Handel)at the

Y.M.C.A.
llth April Repeat at Bamlala・ pitiya.
March and April A Choral Drama``Jessica's First Prayer''at

駐1虞脳Wi梶 篭∴盤r需 撃
ranged by MIs. R.V. MetZeling.
6th October Fcst市 al of Music fOi Foundation Day.

21st December sertice of carols at Bambalapitiya.

1961 27th March Easter Programme with CXcerpts from

“Crucinxion" by Stainer-6,sto Matthew's
Passion" (Jo S・ 3acD and ``EaStertide''
(JamCS M00dic),at Bambalapitiya
20th December A Choral Pageant ``Christmas'' い rthur
SomerVell),at Regent Strect.
22nd Dec.ember Rcpeat at DehiWCla.

1962 16th APril ``Passion of Christ"(SOmervell),at Bambala‐

pitiya.

10th October Fest市 a10f Misic for Foundttion Day,at

Bttmbalapitiya.

23rd December Christmas Scrvice broadCast OVer Radio

Ceylon。

1963 8th APril Passiontide Scr宙 ce at Bambalapltiya with a

∝i棚 f盤
∬ 鶴 鷹 き lsH棚
Handel's ``NIlcSSiah" “and Gems fronl Bach
and Stainer.

15th April ∝ rittξ

l
8:荒 1■ 詰 鑑 “I楓 ∫
and Spccial numbOrs.

164
 11th and 12th A Drama to commemorate the 400th
October Anniversary of the writing of the Heidelberg
Catechism entitled "It Happened at Heidel-
berg" at Regent Street and Wellawatte'
23rd-December Service of Carols, at Bambalapitiya.
1964 23rdMarch "St. John's Passion" (Handel), at Bambala-
pitiya.
27thMay Thanksgiving Service-Quarter Century of
John Calvin at Bambalapi{iya-Special
Iv{usic.
7th October Foundation Day-Festival of Music.
Excerpts from Bach, Handel, Beethoven,
Haydn.
15th December Thanksgiving Service-75th Anniversary of
the Bambalapitiya Church. Special Music
23rd December "Bethlehem" (Maunder), at Bambalapitiya'
1965 l2th April Oratorio "The Passion of Christ" (Arthur
Somervell),at BambalaPitiYa.
7th October "St. Paul" (F. Mendelssohn), at Bambala-
pitiya.
l6th December Festival of Christmas Music', Bambalapitiya
1966 l6th January Broadcast Service.
lTth March "The Crucifixion" (Stainer), at Bambala-
pitiya.
6th October Foundation Day Service of Song. Excerpts
from Haydn's "Creation", Handel's "Sam-
son" and from Mozart.
l4th November Organ and Song Recital by Rev. Lucien
Fernando, Joan Cooray and Lylie Godridge,
16th December Special number at Y.M.p.A. Carol Service
lTth December Festival of Christmas Music. at Bambala-
pitiya.
1967 l5th to 22nd Special Music at the Annual Church COn‐
January ference.
I lth September Organ and Song Recital at BambalaPitiYa
by Rev. Lucien Fernando and Kathleen
165
 Brown. Music from Purcell, Bach, Men-
delssohn, Brahms, Vaughan Williams, P*ry,
Dvorak, O'Connor, Morris, Walford Davies.
6th October "Song of Thanksgiving" (Maunder), at
Bambalapitiya.
21st December Festival of Christmas Music at Bambala-
pitiya.
1968 2nd to 7th Special Music with the Youth Choir at thc
January Annual Church Conference.
9th October "Come Unto Him" (Mendelssohn) Aug-
mented Chairs, at Bambalapitiya.
lTth December Festival of Christmas Music at Bambala-
pitiya.
1969 lTth December Festival of Christmas Music at Bambala-
pitiya.
1970 4th November Cantata , "City of Gold" (Alexander Mat-
thews) Combined Music Guild and Youth
Choirs, at Bambalapitiya.
lSth December Festival of Choirs, at Bambalapitiya.
l97l l4th November Farewell Service to Misses Maureen and
Bienda Ferdinand. At this Service Miss
Brenda Ferdinand presented a Scrap Book of
the Music Guild Activities arranged in
chronological order with pictures, hymn
sheets and newspaper clippings.
l4th December Festival of Choirs at Bambalapitiya.
1972
' 7th October "Song of Thanksgiving" (J. H. Maunder)
with tbe Youth Choir, at Bambalapitiya.
l3th December Festival of Choirs at Bambalapitiya.
1973 6th October 33lst Anniversary Thanksgiving Service-
Foundation Day. Combined Choirs of all
Churches and Youth Choir.
lTth December Festival of Choirs at Bambalapitiya.
1974 5th October 332nd Anniversary of Foundation Day.
Special Service at Bambalapitiya with the
combined choirs of all the Branch Churches.
 2lst December "A Pageant of Christmas"-Tableau and
Music with the Youth Choir, at Bambala-
pitiya.
1975 4th October Foundation Day Programme with all Church
Choirs, at Bambalapitiya.
l5th December Festival of Choirs at Bambalapitiya.
1976 6th October Festival of Choral Music for Foundation
Day, Bambalapitiya.
15th December Festival of Choirs at Bambalapitiya.
1977 2nd October Special Programme in connection with the
335th Anniversary of Foundation Day and
Special Choral Music at the United Com-
munion Service, at BambalaPitiYa.
19th December Festival of Choirs, Bambalapitiya.
1978 30th October "So send I You" A Missionary Cantata
(John Peterson) with the Youth Choir, for
Foundation Day, and Reformation Day
Celebrations, at Bambalapitiya.
l2th December An Evening of Christmas Music at Bambala-
pitiya.
1979 6th October "The Greatest Story Yet Untold" (Peter-
son) with the Youth Choir, for Foundation
Day Celebrations, Bambalapitiya.
12th December' Festival of Christmas Music by Choirs of
all Churches.
1980 llth October "Go Ye Forth" A Missionary Cantata
(David Clydesdale) with the Youth Choir
for Foundation Day Celebrations.
l2th December "The King of Love" Cantata with the Youth
i
Choir. Cantata written by Rodger Strader.
26th December Repeat at Dehiwela.
1981 l6th October "Let the Earth Hear His Voicc" together
with the youth choir and a string ensemble,
/ Bambalapitiya.
llth December Rqreat, also at Bambalapitiya.
1982 9th October An Evening of Praise, Excerpts from Missio-
nary cantatas and items by a string ensem-
ble, Bambalapitiya.
lTth December Festival qf Choirs, Bambalapitiya.
Yea, we know that Thou rbjoioest
O'cr each work of Thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices
For Thy praise design;
Graftsman's art dnd music's measure
For Thy pleasure
All combine.
 THE DUTCH REFORMED CHT'RCH YOUTH CHOIR

Ir was August, in the year of grace One Thousand Nine Hundred

and Sixty.
_
*1
August in Colombo is synonymous with 'big' events in the arca
of Sport, and another great event was destined to take place in the
life of the Dutch Reformed Church. August is always associated
with the Annual Youth Conference, which of late has taken the form
of a Youth Camp. And so it was, in the usual pattern of things that
our Young People gathered at Bambalapitiya for one such time of
spiritual upliftment, fun and fellowship. Everything was done with
willingness and to the best of one's ability in every sphbre-singing
included, not to be relegated into second place by any other event.
The singing at Devotions as well as at times of recreation was so lusty
and spontaneous that it set Rev. Roger Greenway thinking of the
possibilities of starting a Conference Choir, if only with a select band
of willing young people, in order to present special items at the Public
Meetings scheduled for each evening. The response was encouraging
and the rendition of the numbers considered to be excellent, especially
when it was considered that they had never sung before as a Choir or
had any training. Rev. Greenway imrrediately proposed the con-
tinuance of practices after the Conference was over and the idea of
forming a Youth Choir was born.

Practices were held regularly in Calvin Hall, Wellawatte, every

Saturday from September, when about twenty young people answered
the call and gathered each week to learn to sing the great hymns ofthe
Church, while also learning to read music if they did not know it,
already. Painstakingly, this procedure kept on, and by early Decem-
ber of the same year (1960), it was generally felt that an impact could
be made on the Church with a maiden presentation of a Programme of
Christmas Carols. Being attachcd to "the Church in the Wildwoods",
it was naturally Rev. Greenway's first choice of a venue for the pre-
sentation of his Choir to the membership of the Dutch Reformed
Church. Accordingly, the first public performance of the new Youth
Choir was at Nugegoda. Both Choir Director and Choir must have
been justifiably proud of the reception tbey received. There was no
turning back now. All the members of the Choir showed a keenness
to attempt greater things for the Lord, in the Name of the Lord.

169
Miss Ishbelle de Kretser (later Mrs. Emil Poppenbeck) assisted by
Miss Eulalie Baptist (later Dr. Mrs. B. Herat) diligently and patiently
officiated at the piano during practices. Miss lshbelle de Kretser
was at the console as accompanist for the presentation of Cantatas
until her emigration to Australia, after marriage' Her place was
taken by Miss sheila Hofrman, who is still with the choir as accom-
panist.

There were moments of exasperation and desperation. If this

was nOt true, there would have been an uneasy and false 'front' and a
show of hypocrisy which would have evidenced itself in no uncertain
way. It was because of these signs, the Choir was able to make an
honest assessment of themselvgs and go forward to "make a joyful
noise unto the Lord" and be a source of blessing to those who heard
their youthful voices raised in joyous harmony.

Among those who were the founder members of the Youth Choir
were Messis. Crosbie de Kretser, Brindley Vander Wert, Roderick
Crozier, Neville Koch Emil Poppenbeck, Haig Maloney, Winston
Gaud.er, Charles Jansz, Misses Marie Vander Wert, (Mrs. J' W' D'
Gauder) Arleen VanderWert (Mrs. Stanton Rabot) Yvonne Foenan-
der, (Mrs. Crosbie de Kretser) Yvette Van Hoff, (Mrs' Alick
Duckworth), Ffances Foenander, Eulalie Baptist, (Dr. Mrs. $. Herat),
Audrey Baptist, (Mrs. R. B. Ebenezer) Myrna'Hoffman, (Mrs. B'
Vander Wert) Myrna Alvis, Mary Joseph (Mrs. Sritharan) and Martha
Joseph, (Mrs. Rajan).

When Rev. Greenway was elected by the Christian Reformed

Board of Foreign Missions in i{merica to take an appointment in
Mexico, the mantle fell upon Mr. Crosbie de Kretser to take over
the leadership and training of the Choir. This he did with spirit
and dedioation. "Soli Deo Gloria" was his watchword, and he infused
the idea and spirit into the Choir members as well whenever they
rendered a Canttzta or sang on any occasion needing special
music.

While he was away on Post Graduate studies at Calvin Seminary,

from May l97l to July, 1973, the responsibility fell on Rev. Neville
Koch. The reins were taken over again by Rev. de Kretser on his
return to the Island. He has been at the helm since, pleading, cajoling,

t70
exhorting and reprimanding as was necessary, with a final "welldone"
at the end of the performance. "Take my voice anil let me singn
always only for my King" appears to be the unwritten motto of the
Cboir which has now grown in numbers.

Many who were 'founder members' are no more with the Choir,
having left these shores for other climes, or have dropped ofr making
way for younger voices. New faces make their appearance from time
to time. Young people with a desire to sing will come and go, but
tbe indication is, that the Youth Choir, like 'the Brook' will go on
steadily in the service of the Church and our Triune God.

The following is a record of their major performanc€s:

1960 llthDecember Programme of Christmas Carols in the
Nugegoda Church.
1961 20th Decernber Sacred Concert of Gospel Songs and Spirit-
uals.
1962 All Ceylon Youth Music Festival.
Rev. Roger Greenway leaves and Mr' Cres-
bie de Kretser takes charge.
19th Decembcr Carol Service
1963 13th Ap」 Service of Easter Music and
I,essons and
Great Hymns of the Church, at Bambala-
pitiya.
/ ,

20th]December "Night of Miracles" by John Peterson, Cal-

vin Hall.
27th December Repeatin the Dehiwela Church.
1964 26th March "No Greater Love"-John Peterson
2nd May Repeat at Wolvendaal
21st Deccllnber "Love Transcending"-Peterson, Calvin'
Hall, Wellawatte.
1965 17th April "Hallelujah! What a Saviour"-John Peter-
son, in Calvin Hall, Wellawatte.
25th April Repeat at Dehiwela.
21st Deccmber "A Song Unending"-John Peterson, Wella-
watte Church.

171
1966 6th April "No Greater Love"-Peterson, Wellawatte
Church.
22nd December'"Carol of Christmas"-Peterson, Wellawatte
Church.
1967 22nd March Easter Music in the wellawatte church.
No
Cantata
.,The woncler of christmas" (John Peterson)
22nd December
in the Wellawatte Church.
1968 llth Aprit "Dehold Your King" (John Peterson)'
lambalapitiya
l lth December "Born A King" (John Peterson), Royal
College Hall.
2lst December Repeat in the Bambalapitiya Church'
1969 5th April "Hallelujah ! What A Saviour" (John Peter-
son) at BambalaPitiYa.
22nd December "Joy To The World" (John Peterson)
lgTO 4th April "Hallelujah! For the Cross" (John Peterson)
23rb December "The Night The Angels Sang" (JohnPererson)
..Glory of Easter" (John Peterson) had been
lg7l 3lst March
prepared but, duc to the state of unrest in
the Country, the presentation had to be
cancelled.
6th May Rev. de Kretser leaves for the. U.S'A' on
post Graduate studies, Rev. Neville Koch
acts for him.
23rd December "Night of Miracles" (John Peterson),
Bambalapitiya.
lg72 3lst March "The Glory of Easter" (John Peterson),
Bambalapitiya.
20th November "Sound of Singing" (John Peterson)' at
Galle.
23rd December "The Story of Christmas" (John Peterson),
Bambalapitiya.
1973 20th April "The Cross And The Empty Tomb"-Ex-
cerpts from the Cantatas "Halleujah! For
the Cross" and "Behold Young King"
@eterson), BambalaPitiya.

172
 23rd April Repeat at the Church of the Servant Lord,
Maya Avenue.
l4th June Rev. de Kretser returns from the U.S.A.
20th December "Born A King" (John Peterson), Bambala-
pitiya.
1974 12th April "Hail Glorious King" (Peterson), Bambala-
pitiya.
l3th December 'tThe King of Kings" (Peterson), Bambala-
pitiya.
26th December Repeat, also at BambalaPitiYa.
1975 28th March "Hallelujah! For the Cross" (Peterson),
Bambalapitiya.
l9th December "Rejoice" (Otis Skillings), Bambalapitiya.
29th December Repeat at BambalaPitiYa.
16th April "Easter Song" (Peterson), Bambalapitiya.
lTth December "Carol of Christmas" (Peterson), Bambala-
pitiya.
26th December Repeat at BambalaPitiYa.

1977 8th April "Hallelujah! What a Saviour" (Peterson),

Bambalapitiya.
15th December "God's Love Gift" (Harold de Cou), Bam-
balapitiya.
23rd December Repeat at BambalaPitiYa
1978 24th March "The Glory of Easter" (Peterson), Bambala-
pitiya.
30th October "So Send I You" (Peterson), in conjunction
with the Music Guild for Foundation Day
Celebrations. A Missionary Cantata'
l2th December "Down From His Gloryt' (Peterson), Bam-
balapitiya.
26th December Repeat in the Methodist Church, tJyana,
Moratuwa.
1979 13th April "No Greater Love" (Peterson), Bambala-
pitiya.
ウ′
 26th Octobcr "The Greatest Story Yet Untold" (Feterson),
A Missionary Cantata for Foundation
Day with the Music Guild at Bambalapitiya
14th December "Night of Miracles" (Peterson), Bambala-
pitiya.
1980 4th April 'oHail, Glorious King" (Peterson), Bambala-
pitiya.
7thApril Repeat in the Methodist Church, IJyana,
Moratuwa.
llth October "Go Ye Forth" (David T. Clydesdale), A
Missionary Cantata presented for Founda-
ti:on Day Celebrations together with the
Music Guild, at BambalaPitiYa.
12th Deccmber "King of Love" (Rodger Strader), with the
Music Guild at BambalaPitiYa.
26th]December Repeat at the Dehiwela Church.
1981 17th April "The Last Week" (Peterson), Bambalapitiya
18th April Repeat at the Methodist Church, tlyana,
Moratuwa.

Take my voice, and let me sing

Always, only for my King,
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee......
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
 THE DI.NCH REFORMED CI{T,.IRCH SEMINARY AND
BIBLE INSTITUTE

"SINcE it is necessary to prepare for the coming generations in order

not to leave the Church a desert for our children, it is imperative
that we establish a College to instruct the young to prepare them for
both the Ministry and Civil Government" said John Calvin at Geneva
on 20th November, 1541. This desire to impart knowledge has been
uppermost in the minds of tbe Dutchmen when they conquered this
Island as can be seen from the establishment of schools and other
educational institutions throughout the Island during their period
of power. "Religious education and proselytization formed an
integral part of the policy of the Dutch Government in Ceylon and
was intimately bound up with the system of administration"r

The Colombo Seminary, established in the early days of the

Dutch occupation, in 1685, was the pet Institution of the Dutch
Government and the Clergy, andtook pride of place. Nopains appear
to have been spared to make it efficient in every way to train young men
of the country as Proponents,,Catechists and Sohoolmasters. It
provided educational courses which included Latin, Greek, Hebrew,
Principles of Logic, Theology, Sinhalese and Tamil. Promising
students were sent to Leyden to compleG their training and were
Ordained there before returning to Ceylon. Those students who did
not have the good fortune to be sent to Holland, after a final examina-
tion in the Seminary were appointed by tbe Govern:nent and sent out
to preach in various stations. Their job was evangelising and were
not permitted to administer the Sacraments, or admit converts into
the membership of the Church. They worked directly under the
Predikants of the District. "The Theologioal Seminary in Colombo
has been of great service. It has produced more competent men and
teachers who have done a very good service to the Church in the
Indies" is the verdict of Rev. C. A. L. Troostenberg de Bruyn,
Predikant of Java, in a report after a visit to the Island.2

In 1709 a Seminary was started in Ja,ffna and was kept going till
l?23 when it was closed down and the 6 scholars there at the time were
transferred to the Colombo Institution.

Together with qualified local trainees of the Seninary, both at

Colombo and Jafrna, the Dutch made translations of the Scriptures

175

‐ J
into Sinhalese and Tamil for the use of the local population. Print-
ing was started in 1736 with the introduction of a printing press-the
first of its kind in Ceylon. A list of the translations made from time
to time and issued in print, is given at the end of this chapter.3

In
1710, the Seminary had 16 youths on the Roll, 9 of whom were
being prepared for the Ministry. Irr 1712, the Seminary was reported
to the East India Company to be "very promising". In 1743, there
were 24 young men enrolled as students. In 1744, two very promising
young men were sent to Leyden University. In 1778, the Seminary
was reporte.d to be "still doing well". The last Rector of the Semi-
nary appears to have been Rev. J. C. Manger.

The following are extracts of reports that have been made.

They have been taken from translations of Correspondence and
Reports between the Church at Colombo, Batavia and Delft, in the
possession of Mr. S. A. W. Mottau, retired Goverrunent Archivist.
Photostat copies of the originals were obtained from Utrecht, by
him.

Report dated 10th December, 1710 to Delft. "The students of

the Colombo Seminary were examined in the presence of the mem-
bers of the Political Council and the Predikant here, one part on the
Dutch language......Theology and certain preliminaries which they
will have to know in order, in the course of time, to be able to study
the "Ways of Truth"......and seven of the aforementioned 9 students
were passed. At this examination, the said students gave ample
satisfaction to each and every one in all these matters, so that we rea-
sonably consider that in the course of time, we could expect some good
results from them, with God's blessing for the benefit of Sinhalese
Christianity."

Sgd. G. Doude President

Nicholas Riemersma Sc■ lba
J. Hals
J. Jenner

Report itatert fth December, 1711. "Jaffna students (Seminarians)

still perform duties as Proponents and Catechists every Sunday......the
texts are given to them by us, on which they have to make their
r76
dissertations according to their own individual opinions; these are
then revised and corrected by us, and after approval, translated into
Tamil and presented to the native inhabitants."'

Sgd. P. Synjeu - President

G. Doude Scriba
J. Hals - Elder

Report rlated 7th November, 1720. As regards the state of affairs

at the Seminary in Colombo, it has so far made good progress under
the Superintendency of Rev. P. Synjeu. On the 23rd October this
year, the Seminarians were examined in the presenc€ of His Excellency
the Governor and the Members of the Political Council......and have
given good satisfaction in their progress."

Report dated 20th November, 1731. "The examination conducted

in the Old City (i.e. the Pettah) gives us very good hopes that they are
progressing as zealously as they have done, and would soon be able to
reach perfection."

The building used by the Colombo Seminary was situated in

PrinceStreet, so called by the Dutch as a compliment to the son of the
King-Raja Singha, and was in the centre of the Dutch residential
quarter. It was originally intended for use as a Orphanage and has
passed through many vicissitudes linking it to the days when it served
as an Orphan House, Asylum, and later as a residence of Count Carl
Van Ranzow. It next was put into use as a Hospital, then served as
the Headquarlers of the Ceylon Volunteers, a Police Training School
and lastly, as a Post Ofrce. Since the Post Office moved out owing to
the dilapidated condition of the building, the Government stepped
in and took steps to restore it and establish a Dutch Museum. The
edifice opens on to the road with a verandah or "Stoep". The roof
is supported by pillars of striking height and dignity. Over the en-
trance is a tablet with an ornamental border giving the date of the
building as 1780 and reads:

PSALM CXXNI PSALM 127 (Translation)

Nisi lehouva Aedificet Except the Lord build
Domum Frustrd Laborant the House, they labour
Aedificatores in vain that build it.
A.O MDCSLXXX A.D. 1780.
 The general imperfect state of the Government Schools, owing to
the incapacity of the Ministers, led to the establishment of a "New
Seminary" in l|N at Colombo. In 1750, Rev. P. de Melho, a Tamil
preachei, Ordained in Batavia, was its head. As no further mention
is made of this Institute, it is presumed that it must have been amal-
gamated with the other SeminarY.

The Hollanders felt that theif greatest obligation was the trans-
lation of the Bible and the catechism, besides other books needed
for the use of the Seminary and their schools. Together with young
Holland, they set about this
-eo who had completed their training in a Sinhalese, undertook the
ta*t witt great zeal. Rev. H. Phillips,
translation of the Pentateuch and Epistles, which was submitted to the
Consistory for revision, on cornpletion. Rev' P' de Melho was
res-
ponsible ior the translation of the Pentateuch, the Books of Joshua,
iuAges and Ruth, into Tamil. The complete works were then
revised
uv i*o other capable scholars. others,- entrusted with the work of
the
translating into Sinhalese wefe Rev. Hoffman whb was assisted by
Mudaliyai of the Governor's Gate, Don Daniel Perera, the Thombo
Holder l.D. Zypat and Adrian Perera, a Catechist'

with the return of the Dutch to Batavia after the capitualtion,

its
work in the seminary began to fall into neglect until it had to close
doors entirely, and make way for the educational system that was
introduced bY the British'

In 1882, efforts were made to continue the educational work of the

church, wben Rev. John watt moved a resolution in the Presbytery
saying i'Thut whereas it is highly expedient to raise upia Native
uinistry......andwhereasitismanifestlyimpossibletoexpectyg*g
men, however devoted to the work of the Lord to incur risk
and ex-
pense of attending eight years curriculum in Scotland"""a Com-
ilitt be appointed to consider the whole subject'" No record has
"
been seen of the result of this recortmendation'

The Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon had now to dePend

entirely on Ministers from outside' We have had
devoted men
South Africa, and from the
coming to us from Ireland, Scotland
United States of America.

178
 With commendable foresight, when it was evident in 1954, that
the Government of Ceylon did not intend extending the residential
Visas of the American Ministers serving the Church, or of issuing
fresh Visas for new men to come out to serve the Church here, the
Dutch Reformed Church was cballenged to redeem her foundation
and to re-think the Rock from which she had been hewn. As a
witness to the Faith of our Fathers and an awakening of the Church
to a lost heritage, the General Consistory took meaningful steps to go
forward by taking a decision to open a Seminarf and Bible Institute.
Once the urgent need was realised, the decision to go forward had to
follow. The challenge to open a Seminary was accepted, and now,
the Ministers propelled God's graoe into actual fact and reality.
Notes and syllabi were obtained from abroad and every effort was
made by the Faculty that was appointed, to accept and set as high a

呻
standard, in keeping with the requirements obtaining in Seminaries

ｂｔ
ｕ
in other countrics. It was a dcma]ling task thrust the

畿
shouldcrs of an alrcady overworked sct of Ministcrs, lnet
squarcly with complete confldence and reliancc upon Lord
of the Church.

The Aim of the Seminary and Bible Institute was to provide

instruction in harmony with Reformed truths. As an initial effort,
four study cours€s extending over three terms, each of eight weeks
duration, and corresponding to the regular Day School Schedule,
was introduced. Sessions were held on Tuesdays in the Bambala-
pitiya Church and were arranged to incorporate the Church's Prayer
Fellowehip Programme under the period devoted for "Chapel Time".
The following is the Schedule-that was put into operatign:

CLASS I CLASS II
6‐ ・ 6-4・ 5p.m.
00‐― Sunday Scho01 Lesson Bible Prophecy
6_50-‐ 7‐ 10 p.m. Chapel Time
7‐ 15-… 8‐ CЮ p.m. Doctrine Course Evangelisln

The Sunday School Lesson was conducted by Rev. Lionel Felsianes,

the Bible Prophecy Course by Rev. Clarence Van Ens; the Dochine
Course by Rev. R. V. Metzeling and that on Evangelisn by Rev. John
Van Ens.

179
 The Ofrcial opening of the Seminary and Bible Institute was on
8th June, 1954 with a Public service in the Bambalapitiya church.
At the conclusion, registrations took place. The terms for the first
Academic Year were fixed as follows:

FirstTerm 15th June 1954 to l0th August' 1954

Second Term 21st September, 1954 to 16th December, 1954
Third Term lst February, 1955 to 29th March, 1955'

There were 30 registrations when the First Term commenced'

The big break through came in January 1962, when two young
men, Mr. winston Gauder and Mr. George Jansen enrolled as stu-
dents in Training for the Ministry. They were later joined by Mr'
Reginald Ebenezer, on 10th April. Rev' Roger S. Greenway- was
givin charge of the three Students to commence their initial Training
and Introduction to Seminary life'

Avenues were being explored so as to give our boys the best

possible training, and it was finally agreed that they should proceed to
ih. Uoion Theological Seminary at Yeotmal (India) to prepare for the
G.Th. Degree. Instructions were given faithfully by Rev' Greenway
up to the time they were,ready to leave. The three students were
giu"o warm..send off" when they left on the 8-30 p.m. train from the
"
Fort station on 30th June, 1962. Exchange problems began to rear
its fearful head, and before long, they were back in colombo after
spending two Semesters at Yeotmal.

We had to start all over again, as it were; but equal to the chal-
lenge and undaunted, the Ministers took over the fresh responsibility
from July 9th, 1963 although harnessed by parophial duties. Their
work was blessed and did not go unrewarded. Soon new faces were
to be seen in the Seminary. Mr. crosbie de Kretser came in on llth
July, 1964; Mr. Neville Koch on 6th March, 1965; Mr. Arnold Mendis
and Mr. Charles Jansz on llth July, 1966 and Mr. Rajkumar Thurai-
rajah on 16th January,196'1 . A serious stomach operation on George
lansen compelled him to withdraw from further studies, while Arnold
Mendis ceased to follow olasses after 3t years of diligent work. He
caught up the brokin threads later to complete the requirements for
Ordination, though not in the Dutch Reformed Church. All the

lE0
other students have successfuelly completed the cotrrse of study and
have since been Ordained and Installed as Collegiate Ministers in the
Church.
Today, we face the problems very much the same as in 1889 and
later in 1962. We need devoted young men' men of our own land, to
come forward and give themselves to study and the Training for the
Ministry of the Word and the Sacraments. We do not have separate
Professors for the Seminary. We do not have any endowments,
but, we have a band of devoted Ministers who are ready to give time
and effort to €nsure that the Church of tomorrow will be served by
competent men. Whatever we may lack, or seem to lack, we do have
faith that the hand of our Sovereign God is moving in our midst'
and His command is to go forward, and go forv;'ard we shall.

When Governor Van Imoff spoke at the opening of the first

Seminary to be started by the Dutch in Colombo, he said: "What
has not been successful in one century, can be successful in another.
The Seminary established in Ceylon is the test of the possibility of such
an enterprise." Time has now proved that his words were true.
No Church may live, or dare to live only for the moment or onlY
in the present. To do so is to live in deterioration. To undertake
the opportunity that vision reveals to us is to execute a solemn and
sacred duty to the Church of tomorrow. As we lay hold of the
challenges and opportunities before us, we seek God's grace which
in turn moves Him to shower more grace on us.
From 1954 to 1961 the Ministers divided the courses of instruct-
ion offered by the Seminary with Rev. John Van Ens acting as Regis-
trat. ln 1962, Rev. R. S. Greenway was appointed to be the sole
Professor for preparing the three young men who enrolled for training
for the Ministry. The post of Registrar has been filled by Rev. Duns-
tan Thuring since 1963 while Rev. Aubrey Van Hoff was Principal
from 1963 to 1976 when Rev. Crosbie de Kretser took over.
More recently, there were two young men under training' one as
an external student. Both left for the Reformed Theological College
and Seminary, Geelong, Australia to complete their studies having
first gone through the initial requirements necessary, in our own
Seminary at Kohuwela. Mr. B. E. Joseph, who went as the Candidate
from the Church successfully completed the requirements for the B.D.
Degree in 1979 and returned to serve the Church in Sri Lanka.

181
 I;IST O[' TRANSLATIONS AND PI.'BLICATIONS
MADE BY TIIE COLOMBO SEMINARY
ESTABIJSIIED BY THE DIJTCH

l. Collection of Prayers, in Sinhalese, large type 8vo, 1737

2. A Confession of Faith, Sinhalese, 46 pages 8 vo, 1738
3. Catechisrir and Prayers, Tamil, 8vo, 1739
4. Four Gospels, Sinhalese, Avo.1739
5. Gospel of Matthew, Tamil, quarto, 1740 and 1741.
6. Heidelberg Catechism, Sinhalese, 79 pages, 8vo., 1741
7. A Volume comprising 5 smaller Catechisms, The Creed, The Ten
Commandments, and 5 Prayers, Sinhalese, 123 pages, Octavo,
1742.
8. Second Edition of the Confession of Faith, Sinhalese, improved
in size, 32 pages, Octavo,1742.
g. A shortplan of the Doctrine of Truth and Godliness,243 pages,
Octavo, 1743 and 1744-
10. Ritual containing Forms for the Administration of Baptism to
Infants of Believers, Of Baptism to Adqlt Persons, and of the
Lord's Supper, Forms for the Solemnization of Marriage, The
Visitation of the Sick, Prayers before and after the explanation
of the Catechism, Preparation for the attendance at the Lord's
Table, and the Benediction, Numbers 6, 25, 26., t44 pages,
Octavo, l7M
11. The Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, nearly com-
pleted, 1745
12. Collections of Sinhalese Sermons, Quarto.
13. The Triumph of Truth-A refutation of Roman Catholicism, by
one of the Native Qleryy, 1754.
14. Collection of Sinhalese Sermons, 1754
15. Heidelberg Catechism, tamil, ti54
16. Bern's Compendium of the Christian Religion, translated into
Malabar, 1755.
17. Borstius' Short Questions on Religion, Tamil
18. The Entire New Testament, Tamil, 1758
19. A Sinhalese Dictionarv
rB2
20. Several Psalms of David to be sung in Churches, Sinhalese,
Revised by Rev. Fybrands, with a preface by Rev. S. A. Brons-
weld, 1768.
21. Acts of the Apostles, translated by Rev. Fybrands. Epistle to
tle Romans by Rev. H. Philtips and revised by Rev. Fybrands,
I77T
22. Tbe Epistles, as far as the Epistle to the Colossians, by Rev. H.
Phillips, 1773
23. Genesis, by Rev. H. Phillips, 1783.
24. The Three Books of Moses, by Rev. H. Phillips, 1785
25. Leviticus and Numbers, Sinhalese, 1789.
Very few of the above works are now to be had, but it may be
mentioned that, among the works on Ceylon collected by the late
Mr. C. A. Lorensz and presented by his brother Mr. J. F. Lorensz to
the Colombo Museum, are the following early publications of the
Dutch Consistory.a

Johannes Ruells' Sinhalese Granmar, 1708

Form of Church Admission in Sinhalese, 1738
Wetzelius' Translation of a Dutch Catechism into Sinhalese' 1744
De Melho's Translation of the Psalms, 1755.
Four Sermons in Sinhalese, by Konyn, 1764
Dutch Baptismal Service in Sinhalese, 1764

Introduction to the Report on the Records at Wolvendaal by E. W. Perera

and E. Reimers (8-12-1939) p, 1.
De Bruyn: "The Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon, 1602'1795" J'D.B.U'
VoI.XXXI No. I p. 9
Palm: "Educational Establishments of the Dutch in Ceylon" J.D.B.U' Vol
XXIX No. II p. 52 and Ludovici: Lapidarium Zeylanicum p. 9.
Ludovici : Lapidarium Zeylanicum p. I 0

183
 CHlyRCH SCH00LS
TnB following day schools were attached to the various Churches
and managed by the Local Consistories until they were taken over by
the Government to be managed by the Director of Education in 1962.

Wolvendaal Girls' School. A Senior Secondary School. Founded

in 1890. Motto: "Spes est Regerminat". Classes up to the London
Matriculation. School hours 8-00 a.m. to l-15 p.m. Vesting Order
No. 284 in Gazette Extraordina.ry No. 12790 af l-12-1961. Taken
over from 15-4-1962. This Order was revoked as from lst March,
1982 by a further order in Government Gazette No. 13316 of Tuesday
March 24th 1981.

Ctifton Girls'School. Maligakan'de. A Senior Secondary School.

Founded 1888. Motto: "What you do, do well." Classes up to the
London Matriculation. School hours 8-30 a.m. to 3{0 p.m. Vesting
Order No. ll08 in Gazette Extraordinary No. 12998 of 28th March,
1962 on pa.ge 735. Taken over from April, 1962.

Regent Street Girls' School. A Senior Secondary School.

Founded l5th January, 1918. Motto: "On stepping stones to
levels higher." Classes up to the Cambridge Senior. School hours
10-00 a.m. to 3-30 p.m. Vesting Order No. 2169 in Gazette Extra-
ordinary No, 13398 of 22-ll-1962. Taken over as from l5th Decem-
ber, 1962.

Lindsay Girls' School, Bambalepitiya. Junior and Secondary

School. Founded 1900. Motto: "Onward and Upward". School
hours 9-30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Vesting Order No. 1107 in Gaz.ette
Extraordinary No. 12998 of Maroh 28th, 1962, page 734. Taken
over as from 15-4-1962.

Presbyterian Girls' School, Debiwela. A Senior Secondary

School. Founded 1908. Motto: "Spes est Regerminat." Classes
up to the Cambridge Senior. School hours from 9-45 a.m. to 3-30 p.m.
Vesting Order No. l22O in Gazette Extraordinary No. 13021 of 1l-4-
1962. Taken over as from lst May, 1962.
184
 Atethusa Boys' College, Wellawatte. Junior Secondary School.
Founded 1931. Motto: "Nondum erit Finis." School hours from
8-30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Vesting Order No. 284 in Guette Extra-
ordinary No. 12790 of 1-12-1961, covers the take over.

Presbyterian Vernacular Mixed School, Dehiwela. Founded in

August, 1914. Vesting Order No. l22O in Gazette Extraordinary
No. 13021 of tl-4-1962. Taken over as from lst May,1962.

There have been Tamil and Sinhala Night Schools run by the
Missionary bodies in Districts from time to time to reacb out to the
unchurched but none were of a lasting nature.

School hours quoted in all instances are those introduced at

the founding ofeachschool. They were changed about 1950 to
times ranging between 7.30 a.m. and I p.m. or 1.30 p.m.

Details of the Take Over and Vesting of Schools in the Govern-

ment were set out under the Assisted Schools and Training Colleges
(Supplementary Provisions) Act No. 8 of 1961, Section 4.

No sooner did the Vesting Order of l-12-1961 appear in the

Government Gazette, an appeal was lodged with the Ministry of
Education on 12th Decernber 1961, by the Scriba of the General
Consistory in respect of all tbe Schools. Only that for the School at
Wolvendaal however was entertained and referred to A,rbitration.

At the request of the Department of Education, the names of

Mr. A. E. Christoffelsz and Dr. R. L. Brohier were suggested to serve
on the Board. A retired judge, Mr. D. H. pandita Gunawardena
and Mr. A. E. Christoffelsz were appointed by the Minister to form
the Board and the first hearing was fixed by Gazette Notification for
10th July 1962.

Those who appeared before the Tribunal on behaif of the Church,

on different occasions were Dr. R. L. Brohier, Rev. R. V. Metzeling,
Rev. Ananda Perera, Messrs. S. D. Franciscus, H. L. de Kretser and
Mrs. Barbara Gunasekera @rincipal, Wolvendaal Girls' School).

185
 Many sittings were held and on 18th June 1966 after Dr. Ananda
Guruge, representing the Minister held a further meeting it was agreed
that the Church should pay Rs. 20,000/00 (instead of the Rs. 40,000/@
claimed) as compensation for the release of the 'school build-
ings which would be moved to a new site across the road. The
ofrcial order under the signature of the Arbitrators bearing the num'
ber SAl2l29 and dated 25th March 1968 stated inter alia "The Church
Authorities would be liable to pay the sum of Rs. 20,000/00 referred
to in the Aggeement as soon as the School is shifted from the pre-
mises within 2| years as directed."

Divesting of the premises, according to the Order should have

taken place on 25th September 1970 but no action was taken despite
repeated requests. Finally, after the President of General Consis-
tory, Rev. D. H. R. Thuring and the Scriba Mr. H. L. de Kretser had
an interview with the President Mr. J. R. Jayawardene, the Minister
was urged to expedite this matter and effect an early settlement.

In order to be ofassistance in the quick transfer' the Church paid

the sum of Rs. 20,000/00 at the request of the Ministry of Education,
on lfth February 1981, and tbe Vesting Order was revoked with
effect from lst March l98l by an Order puhlished in the Govern-
ment Gazette No. 133/6 of Tuesday March 24th 1981.
 DTITCH SEALS

occupied'
THs Durcn assigned a Seal or Emblem to each place they
even the smallesi of the Maritime Provinces was
given tbis 'honour'.
There has been careful research in this connection by others, and
contained in their books are the result of their findings' Seals

assigned to some of the Churches are listed below:

Curacao, This Seal has a broken wall with the words "Bouwt
de murren van Jerusalem on Ps. Li V' 18"

Batavia (Modern Djakarta)-A Candle stick with a burning

candle between two shieids, the one bearing the seal of
the Dutch
East India Company, viz. a ship; and the other the seal of
tbe City of
Batavia viz. a iword erect supporting a laurel wreath at its
point'
Round the border are the *otdt "Batavia, Apocalps Cap' ii Vs'
1"

Soerabaya (Surabaya). A with the emblem of Faith' Hope

seal
and Charity. nograned round the border are the words "Kerken-
raad de Protset Gem te Soerabaya 1 Cor. 13'13"
Galte. The Seal given to this fortress was a continuation of that
given by tho Portuguese, who in turn were influenced by the Sinhalese
iorA oi Galla (a rock), for Galle. As it was phonetically similar to
the word used by the Portuguese Ggllo (Gallus-a cock), they seem to
have connected the name with that used for a rooster and had adopted
the Cock as a charge on the Arms assigned to the town. These arms
are on a shield argent (silver) with a cock standing on a rock, in natural
colours.

Colombo. The Seal here was a sprout growing out of a lopped

off trunk of a tree, with the words "Spes est, Regerminat" round the
border. There is no Biblical reference given as in the other cases,
but one cannot fail to see a similarity in the free translation of the
Motto to the words of Job 14:7 which read "For there is hope of a
tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender
branch thereof will not ceas€." Taken very literally, the translation
is-the hope is, tbat it will put forth buds again.
Some recent depictions of the Seal, do not show the comma after
the rvord "est" which is to be seen in the older representations. There

187
 with two birds flying over the tree stump
have been'artistic' deviations
which are inaccurate. The original Seal has only the tree lopped off
with a branch sprouting from it, and the words round it with no arti-
stic additions.

General. At the first Meeting of the General consistory held on

8th January, lgn at 5 p.m. in the wolvendaal church (i.e. under the
New ordinance), it is recorded in the Minutes that "The Emblem and
Motto of the old seal were adopted and the words 'The General
consistory of the Dutch Reformed church in ceylon' instituted for
the words' the Consistory of the Dutch Reformed Church at Wolven-
daal, Colombo."

There is an illustration on the front cover of "De wolvendaalsche

KerK', a publication edited by R. L. Brohier in 1938 from an en-
stampage of the earliest Seal of the Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon
which was struck at Galle. The legend on tho outer oval border
reads .,sIGILLUM ECCESI AE GALENSIS" (Seal of the Galle
Church) and around the inner border the words "SPES EST* REG-
ERMINAT" (Hope live on* Springs up again). The Seal was photo-
graphed and prqrared (for the purposes of reproduction in this Bro-
through the courtesy of Mr. J. H. O. Paulusz of the Govern-
"noi";
ment Archives.

Itis recorded in the Minute of the wolvendaal church dated

28th September, 1803 that "Rev. Mr. Schroter produced a seal which
had been formerly used, it was handed over to the custody of the
Scriba". A further reference on 27th December, 1806 says "The
Rev. Mr. Gifrening also reported that since the church Seal was not
handed over to him, and coutd not be traced either by the widows of
the Predikant Mr. schroder or Mr. Phillipsz and must therefore
definitely have been lost, he was obliged to have one made in order
to seal the "attestaties" which have to be issued these days for those
Church members who were leaving for Batavia. (He was re-im-
bursed with the sum of 17 Rix Dollars expended on obtaining this
'seal).........it was further decided that the Seal should be left in the
custody of the Scriba and that it should be shown in the Inventory of
the Church property as having been given out to the Scriba for his
use."

188
 MINISTERS OF THE DUTCH REtr'ORMED CHURCH
IN CEYLON
From early records it has been possible to ascertain the names of
some of the Ministers who served the Duteh East India Company at
Jaffna, Galle and Colombo since the time they arrived in the Island.
The names given below have been compiled from two lists published
in the Church Paper "The Herald" in May 1962 and December, 1962
by Mr. George Van Hoff and Rev. R. S. Greenway as well as from
translations of letters between the Dutch Consistory at Colombo and
Batavia and Delft, in the possession of Mr. S. A. W. Mottau, retired
Government Archivist. The list is arranged in alphabetical order
and not according to the period of service in the Island.

N. Agotha D. David J. V. Japar

J..A.kker G. Doude I. de Jong
M.A..dbbehausen J. M. Donker C. J. Jongblood
D. V. .duguyar P. de Vriest S. H. Kadensky
P. Baldaeus L. E. de Boucq P.I(alden
I. V. D. Bank F. de Bonyega S. Kat
R. Bogaard B. Englebert W. Konijn
L Boogart A.B. Englebrecht W.I(auwerts
L. Bosch J. D. L. V. Einburg P. Kesslerus
E.F. Bosch D. Farnij A. Kramer
J. V. Briel J. Ferreira C. Kronenburg
A. E. Broek H. Florich R. Kronenburg
H. C. Broek I. J. Fijbrands J. V. Leesten
S. A. Buma J. Franciscus A. Lentius
S. A. Bronsweld G. W. Gerhard A. L. Lieftinc
C. Bucq R. V. Goens N. Livius
J. Bununnck G. Geldesma W. Loiermans
J. Buyning B. A. Gussening J. L. Manger
J. V. Buren P. Goting M. Mazius
R. Cabralsch N. Gray J. J. Manger
C. Caletus P. L. Gratiaan J. Marinus
C. Camp J. L. Hofman M. Maxwell
F. W. Capelle G. Hokoma R. Meerlant
K. Cezlles L. Himtus A. de Meij
F. Chase M. Hermanni B. de Meij
S. Clacius B. Heynnen Maiyer
A. Hilarius
-de
J.I. Meijer
J. Corf
P. Cornelius L. Hemling A. Mensing
J. Costerus J. G. Hoffman N. Motnaeus
G. V. Cotta G. Holkenburg J. B. Nordeck
J. Coiterus J. E. Hugonis G. de Oude
H. A. Daer A. Japin --Oorschot

189
 H.Saakensz B.Tykens
C.Fo Sch■ oter I.Tholig
J.Schultz Jo J.V.Th01ly
J.Sylvius
To Silnoy
i・ 鍮 s
Po Synicu
Fo Van de Sande
FtthiLIS J.Vanden VOrm
A.ScheVen J.Van Fever
W.ScaCVOla A.Van Brummen
A.Eo StaveSki
Ao StampheriuS kttl駐 譜 Brock
Jo Po Wetzelius
TWmels轟 rcher

Continuing the list from

just before the turn of the Century
(circa 1780), we have the following:
Jarnapatam
Rev.Fibrandus SCOevela
JarnapatamfNegombo
Rev.AdolphuS Crtter
Revo JOhanneS Buyning
rmam
Jarna・ patam
Rev.Godfridus lohannes Weyerman
ralnapatam
Revo ran Bernard Neerdbeck
Galle
hus Fabrtus Galle
逍 :焦 ∬ 置 ‰
1806--1812
Revo J.Girening
Revo Alexander YOung
1803-1842
Revo Jo Do Palm
1840-1861
Rev.Io Do Palm(Jnr.)
1869- ?
Rcv.Andrew Young
1877-… 1899
Revo Samuel Lindsay
1877-― ?
Rev.G.Bo Rulach
1888--1893
Rev.G.BrewSter
1890-1924
Rev.George R.Francke
1893-二 1942
Revo Wo C.Flelnlng
1899-1933
Rev.Davld TWeed
1903-1906
Revo R.「 。M.Park
1908--1910
Revo William Sinclair
1911… …1913
Revo Jo C.Abels
1913--1954
Rev.Allan Vander Gert
1908-“ 1920
Rev.L10yd Joseph
1917--1923
Rev.G.H,P.Lcembruggen
1918
Rev.E)r.Banninga

190
Rev. D. Evan Joseph 1922--1950
Rev. Louis N. Hitchcock 1927--19_4
Rev. A. J. K. de Klerk 1925--1927
Rev. S. F. Skeen 1927--1930
Rev. Neville B. Jansz 1928--1948
Rev. Richatd V. Metzeling 1929-1964
Rev. Bryan de Kretser 1941--1952
Rev. Lionel d. Fetsianes 1945--1955
Rev. A.. G. W. Foenander 1948--1974
Rev. John O. Schuring 1949-… 1951
1954-1957
Rev. Clarence Van Ens 1952-1965
Rev. John Van Ens 1952--1968
Rev. Richard de Ridder 1956--1960
Rev. Ananda Perera 1958-1967
Rev. Roger S. GreenwaY 1959--1962
Rev. B. C. D. Mather 1961-1970
Rev. Aubrey H. Van Hoff 1963-… 1976
Rev. Dunstan H. R. Thuring 1963
Rev. J. Winston D. Gauder 1968-1973
Rev. Reginald B. Ebenezer 1968--1982
Rev. L. Crosbie de Kretser 1969-
Rev. Neville L. Koch 1969-
Rev. Charles N. Jansz 1971-―
Rev. Rajkumar Thurairajah 1971-‐ 1979
Rev. Barnette E. IosePh 1980-―

Rev. Albert A. Hamstra 1980(Sept.)-1981(February)

THuDIBNAIL SKETCHES

Rev.John David P■ lm(Snr。 )A Prussian by descent.Studicd

珈篤 お iFtittJ鳳 ∬亀鳳乳n thcぷ胤

t∫ ll
death of
worked in Jarna.Invited to WOhcndaal in 1812。
Rev.j.Gircning,and servcd theК until his death on llth Sep“ m町 ,

1842.HiS Wife died in 1812 aま d38 years and was buried in the
Wolvendaal Church. He married a second time― MiSS Elizabeth

ュ
鷲場i淵lr翌鮒、鴛b嘱121≧遼 犠:15甜 LI鍵:1
August, 1842 but died the next mOnth.

191
 Revo John D■ 宙d Palm(Jllr。 )BOrn 14th March 1815(the year
of the Battle Of Waterloo).Went tO Leyden University for
Theological trainingo Ordaincd at the Haguc on 23rd June,1839
and came out tO COk)Hlbo in March 1840. Married Louise Anne
Wells on 20th January,1845.Appointed Colonial Chaplain 1842-―
1861. Resigned in 1862 and took an a・ ppointment as Chaplain,
Scots' Kirk in Rotterdam till 1865. Thcreα rter, tOok a Military
Chaplaincy in the lslo of Wight and scrved till 1909.Dicd in thc ISle
of Wight on 27th January 1909. HiS Wifc dicd in 1911. WfOte
``An Account of the Dutch in Ceylor'● ollected from 10Cal recordS
in the Wolvendaal Church)and``The Educ盤 lonal Establishments of
the]Dutch in Ceylon."

Revo Samuel Lindsay. Born June 1837 at Ballyclare COunty,

Antrim,Irelando Rcceived hiS University and The010giral training in
yCars at
BelfaSt. Ordaincd January, 1867 and worked for about te■
Armagh,Ireland,before coming to C01ombo as C01onial Chaplain.
Hc was attached in that capacity to thc Wolvcndaal ChurCh frOm
June 1877 to June 1899 when hC retired o■ pension after 22 ycars
service.Died 13th April,1922 at Greenvale,Dcrby,Ireland aged
85 years 10 months. `

Rev.G.B.Rulach. ノゝpointed Assistant MiniSter at WolVen―

daal in the 1870s. E》 ic in lndia in February, 1930。

Rev. G. Brewster. Arr市 ed in Colombo on 8th November,

1888. Went on leave in 1892. Resigned 1893.

Rev.George Rosemale Cocq Frante. Born at Kalutara on 5th

Dcccmbcr, 1863, and entered thc McthOdist Ministry in 1887 from
wherc he rcsigned in 1890. Ordaincd in thc Gallc Chulch o■ 15th
July, 1891. Married Minnie Vander Wa1l on 27th August, 1891 at
Kalutarao She was aSSOCiated with the Sunday Schools at Gallc and
Bambalapitiya. An indefatigable wOrker, she continued till failing
health cOmpened her tO giVe up active work about 1937. Rev.FranOkc
celebrated the 25th AnniverSary of hiS Ordinantion at Galle in July,
1916。 Died on 18th May,1930,aged 62 ycarso A mural tabletto his
mcmory has been crccted in thc Bambalapitiya Church.

192
 Rev. William Cowan Fleming. Born in Egypt on 8th March,
1868. Arrived in Colombo on 3lst October, 1896 as successor to
Rev. Lindsay at the Wolvendaal Church where he was Ordained and
Installed. Returned to England in 1903. Invited again to serve
Colombo while in Australia, and came back on June 5th, 1952. Served
as Chaplain to the Forces in Mespotamia during World War I,
and returned to Ceylon after a short period of work there. Went on
furlough on March, 1.926 and returned in October the same year.
Retired in 1942. Served at Scots' Kirk, Kandy, relieving Rev. Peter
Innes who was away on War duty with the R.A.F. (World War II).
Died at Kandy on 6th April, l9M, aged 76 years.

Rev. David Tweerl. Born 1870. Joined Queen's College,

Belfast, Ireland and obtained his B.A. degree. Followed a Theologi-
cal course of training at Magee College, Londonerry. After a short
period of work in Ireland, received a Call from the Consistory at
Colombo in 1898. Arrived in Colombo on 25th January, 1899
about the time of the retirement of Rev. Lindsay. Went on furlough
February 1920 to October 1920. Was chosen to represent the Church
at the Tercentenary Celebrations of the Reformed Church in America
in 1928, and on the return journey, attended the 350th Anniversary
of the Classis at Amsterdam. Appointed Chaplain to the Forces in
the first World War. Awarded the V.D. medal by the Governor at a
special parade. Married Rose Gratien. Died in retirement on
Tuesday 3rd October,1939 at "Struan", Nuwara Eliya, aged 69 years.

Rev. R. J. M. Prrk. Came to Colombo for a period of three

yeats on the return of Rev. Fleming to England, in 1903.

Rov. William Sinclair. Graduated from Princeton and Hartford

Theological Seminary. Served at Colombo from 1908 to 1911.
Arrived on lst November, 1907. Conducted the first Service in the
Dehiwela Church.

Rev. J. C. Abels. Served at Colombo from l9l1 to 1914. Was

responsible for starting the Church Paper "The Herald" in December.
1911. Returned to South Africa on completion of his term of office,
 Rev. Allan vaniler Gradueted from
Gert. Born 15th May, 1883.
the United Theological Seminary, Bangalore' Ordained on 14th
iune, 1917. Worked with the Sinhalese Mission primarily, at the
;;. He was appointed to this work on 4th May, 1913' Married
2irii, gn"rvn kodrigo. Retired 31st January, 1954. Diied 2'lth
June, 1966.

Rev. Lloyrl Annesley Joseph. Bornlgth May, 1879' Graduated

to
from princeion lJniversity and Tbeological Seminary. Came on
Church
C.Vf"" in 1908 and was appointed t9 t-he Maligakande
Oiiir,ution. He hatl ."ruJd the Sinhalese Mission before leaving
forAmericatopursuehistheologicalstudies.Died2Othoctober,
1920.

Rev. Oscar L. Joseph. Founder of the Church and School at

nrg"", Street. Failed to induce the Consistory to help hin 991lifV
ioiittr Ministry, but with dogged perseverance weot to the U'S'A'
Seminary on a
wher" he joined Drew University & Union Theological
Married Blanche slocum.
."i"r"r*t ip. obtained the D.Litt. degree.
Died in the U.S.A. in August, 1933'

Rev. G. H. P. Leembruggen' Applied to Bangalore Theological

ordained
college in 1gl5 and returneJ to colombo on Graduation.
ut W"oto"oOaal on 14th June, 1917 along with Rev' Vander Gert'
at Bambalapitiya and Wella-
Was mainly in charge of the Churches
rvatte. neiigned on a Doctrinal issue in January' 1924'

Rev. Duncan Evan Joseph' Born llth February'

1884' Un-
married. Left for Bangploie Theological College in July' l9l7 '
1922'having served
Ordained at Wolvendaal Church on 10th August'
in a temporary capacity at Galle and Matara from November' 1919'
churches
was ass6ciated with the Regent Street and Maligakande
the Church
fro* igZf to 193g. Was mainly responsible for building the Church
served
ul Nog"goau. Retired on 31st July, 1950, having
for 3tliars. Died on Saturday, 5th April, 1958'

Rev.LouisNavaratmmHitchcock.Born4thJuly,lS99'Gra-
Was with the
duate of the United Theological College, Bangalore'
Jaffna council of the South India united churcb.
Received special

traininginTamilnusicattheMissionarylnstituteinMadras.Ac.
Cail from the Wolvendaal Consistory, on being released
for a
".|,6;
period of five years by the south India united church. was Installed
as a Collegiaie Minister at Wolvendaal on April 20th, 1927. His
orclination had already takcn place at Atchuvely on october 9th,
lg26 at which, Rev. A. J. K. de Kletk represented the Dutch Re-
formed church. Married catherine Ponnammah. Retired on 6th
October, 1954.

Klerk. Born 23rd April, 1900.

Rev. Abraham Jacobus Koetzo ile
Accepted the call from the General consistory in February, 1925
when he had completed his Theological training and Graduated from
Wellington Seminary' Van Rhynsdorf, Cape Town, South Africa'
ordained and Installed in the wolvendaal church on May 21st,
1925 (Ascension Day). was responsible for the building of the Dehi-
we1u dhurch. A mural tablet has been elected to his memory there.
Died 15th May,1927, after a short illness, in Colombo'

Rev. Solomon Frank Skeen. Accepted the Call sent by the

General consistory on 25th October, 1926. Ordained at wolven-
daal on lst June, 1927. Resigned Pastorate of Dehiwela/Wellawatte
Churches to return to South Africa in October, 1930'

Rev. Neville Bertram Jansz. Born 17th, July, 1895. Bachelor' Was
o'The Herald" and in 1924, applied
challenged by an article wrirten in
to join the United Theological College, Bangalore, from where he
Graduated with the B.D. Degree. went to Princeton for post Gra-
duate studies and obtained the Th,B. Degree. Was Licensed by the
Presbytery of ceylon in August, 1928 and ordained in the wolven-
daal Church on Sunday 2nd November, 1928. He was a fully
qualified Advocate, having passed out in 1923' Died on lfth March,
1948.

Rev. Richarrl Vernon Metzeling. Born 16th July, 1901' Went to

princeton Theological Seminary in 1926 and Graduated with the
Th.B. Degree in 1929. .accepted the call from the General consis-
tory on 27th April,1929. Returned to Ceylon and was Ordained at
Wolvendaal on 23rd August, 1929. He had hoped to make Law his
profession, but later left the law college in 1925 and entered the
bangalore Theological Colbge in 1925 and qualified for the B'D'
Degree. Married Evill Merle Wille on 26th Decembet,1934' Dele-
gati to the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in America for
０ン
their Centenary Celebrations in 1957, leaving Ceylon on 3rd May,
1957 for a 12 week visit to Grand Rapids, U.S.A. and returned on
25th September, 1957. Began and ended his Ministry in the Wolven-
daal church. celebrated the 25th Anniversary of his ordination in
August, 1954. Retired on 3lst December, 1964, after 35 years of
Service to the Church.

Rev. Bryan De Kretser. Born 15th February, 1918. Entered

the Bangalore Theological College and qualified for the B.D. Degree'
Accepted the Call from the Church as from lst May, 1941' Was
Ordained at Wolvendaal on Friday 27th J'sne, 194L. Followed a
Post Graduate course at News college, Edinburgh and obtained the
Ph.D Degree. Returned to Ceylon on 24th February, 1949 and was
loaned to the Scots' Kirk, Kandy, where he was Inducted on 9th
March, 1949, remaining there till 30th April, 1950. Married Mildred
May de Kretser. Services were terminated by a decision of the Gene-
ral Consistory at their meeting of 30th July, 1952, due to Doctrinal
differences.

Rev. Lionel Antonio Felsianes. Born 31st December, l9l3'

Entered Bangalore Theological college and Graduated with the B.D.
Degree, in 1943. Appointed Assistant Minister at wellawatte as
froin tst January, 1944. Proceeded to Calvin College and Seminary
and obtained the Th.B Degree in May, 1950. Married clarice
Amelia Ingram on lSth April, 1953. Resigned on lst December,
1955. Died 5th August, 1971.

Rev. Alton Gordon Walter Foenantler. Born 27th September,

lgl2. Graduated from the united Theological ollege, Bangalore
join the
and applied to join the church. Letter of application to
Minisiry read at the Meeting of the General Consistory on 30th
January, 1948, but was informed that "it was not possible at the present
to give him an appointment." obtained the Th.B Degree from cal-
viriSeminary in June, 1948 and renewed application which was con-
sidered at the meeting of the General consistory on 14th July, 1948.
A Call was sent after the Special Meeting of the General Consistoly
on 6th ,{ugust, 1948 which was accepted. Was Ordaincd on 20th
october, 1948. Appointed delegate to the 19th General Council of
the world .dlliance of Reformed churches at Frankfurt on Maine,
West Germany from August 3rd to l3th, 1964, and at the Reformed

196
 覆 鸞 憮 暮 鸞 縦
on 24th September, 1949. Retired on lst NIIay, 1974. Died 21st
May, 1979.

Rev.JOhn O.Schuring. Ordained in 1935 from Cal宙n Semin‐

猟 r』 1∬ 胤 讐 Lふ 譜 in蠍 霧 rぶ 徳 :° 1:冨 tlim聰 1猛 :

194・ 9 and left for America at the end of his te.u.of scⅣ iCe,on lst
November, 1951. Came for a second te.... o■ 22nd June, 1954.
Installed in the WOIVendaal Church on 30th June,1954. Returned to
America on the terIIllination of the tem of service,leaving Colombo
on Wednesday 19th June,1957. Therc he scrved thc Neeland Avenuc
Church(1957)BoCa Rtton(1963)CmpuS Minister for the Univcrsity
of Minnesota(1968)Guam(1972)MiniSter Emeritus(197o`PreSendy
with East Martin C.RoC.in Michigan.

Rev.Clarence Van EELS. Ordained in May,1947. First came to

Ceylo■ on 22nd November, 1952. Inductcd in the WolVendaal
Church on 3rd December,1952. Went on furlough on 14th A_pril,
1956,returning on 18th OCtober, 1957. Second furlough from 28th
March,1961 to 16th]December,1962. Terminated services with the
DutCh Refo■ 1..ed Church on 31st,August,1965(ruesdayp and re_
turned to thc U.S.A. There he served as Campus Pasto■ Of Western
Michigan University(196o and waS in cllarge of the ChurCh at
Orhndo,Florida,since 1967.Presently serving the Reformed Church
ofAustralia at Box Hill,Melbourne(1982).

Revo John Van Ens. ordaillled on 13th August,1952 in the Ed¨

gerton Christian RefoE■ ■
■ed Church,ヽ 江inncsota. Cattnc to Ceylon on
Saturday 22nd Novenlber, 1952. Inducted in the Wolvendaal
Church on 3rd December, 1952. Had lrst decided to become a
School teachero Served with the U.S.Air]Forcc and soon decided to
enter Calvin Selninary to traln for the Ministry,in 1949。 Letter of
Ca1l sent by the Gencral ConsistOry on 28th May,1952. Went on
furlough on 19th February,1956.and returned on 27th November
1956。 Went on fuJough a second timc on 7th May 1960 returning
on 22nd Septcmber 1960.Third furlough was from 9th December

197
1963 to 15th June 1964. Terminated services with the Dutc! Re-
formed Church on lst February, 1968 and returned to the U.S.A.
Served First Los Angeles C.R.C. (1968). Appointed Campus Pastor,
University of South Dakota (1973). Next appointnent was at Clprus
Gardens Church, Winterhaven, Florida. Presently (1980) serving in
Guam. Married Sylvia Vander Hoven.

Rev. Richard De Riililer. Graduated from Calvin College and

Seminary in 1946. Received his Master's degree in 1956 from the
Kennedy School of Missions. Call sent by the General Consistoty
on lst October 1956. Arrived in Ceylon on 26th December, 1956.
Inducted in the Wolvendaal Church into the Collegiate Ministry of
the Dutch Reformed Church on 3fth December, 1956. Left Ceylon
on 16th May, 1960 for the U.S.A.' Obtained Th.D. degree. Presently
Associate Professor on Church Polity, Calvin Seminary.

Rev. Ananila Perera. A Buddhist young rnan converted in July'

lg4g at a Youth for christ Rally conducted by Rev. Hubert Mitchelt,
and came under the influence of Rev. John O. Schuring. Appeared
before the Local Consistory and was admitted into full membership of
the Dutch Reformed Church on Sunday 26th March, 1950. Went to
Calvin College and Seminary on a scholarship in April, 1952, where he
qualified for the B.A. and B.D. degrees. Letter of Call sent to him
on l4th June, 1958. Arrived in Colombo on 14th December, 1958'
Ordained and Inducted in the Wolvendaal Church on 28th December
1958. Represented the Dutch Reformed Church at the Reformed
Ecumenical synod, Grand Rapids, in August, 1963, leaving Colombo
on 17th January, 1963. Married Edna L. Van Dyken on 3rd June,
1957 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Resigned on 6th January, 1967'

Rev. Roger Selles Greenwey. Entered Calvin College in 1951

and Graduated with the 8.A.. degree in 1955 followed by the B.D. in
1958. Arrived in Ceylon on 15th May, 1959. Inducted into the
Collegiate Ministry in the Wolvendaal Church on 23rd May, 1959.
Left Ceylon on furlough on 5th .August, 1962 and did post Graduate
work for the Master's degree. Was appointed by the Board of Mis-
sions of the C.RC. to Mexico, thus not returning to Colombo to
serve a second term, Took up appointment as Professor at John
Calvin Theological Seminary, New Mexico in 1963. Received the

198
Doctorate in Theology at South Western Baptist Theological_Semt-
nary in Fort Worth, Tixas in 1972. Presently with the Burton Heights
Church, Grand RaPids, Michigan'

Rev. Bramwelt Christopher Devaratnam lVlather. Born 26th

November, 1905. Entered Serampore Seminary in 1928 and Gradua'
ter. with the B.D. degree in 1932. Followed a post graduate course at
Pacific School of Religion, Berkley, California and obtained his
Master's degree. Served the South India United Church from 1932
to 1952. Loaned to the National Christian council in 1953 to serve
as Secretary and was there for three years. Was with the Jaffna
Diocese of the Church of South India from 1957 to 1958 when he was
sent to serve the Methodist Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya from
1958 to 1960. During his stay in Malaya, he retired from the Church
of South India and on his return to Ceylon, offered his services to the
Dutch Reformed Church. Taken on as a Minister on probation on
16th March, 1961 for a period of six months, following instruction
on the Doctrines and Practices of the Dutch Reformed Church.
After an examination, was ac@pted into the Collegiate Ministry of
the Dutch Reformed Church in the Wolvendaal Church on 5th
November, 1961 when he was Installed there. He counted 28 years
of service when he joined the Dutch Reformed Church, being Or-
dained in A.ugust, 1932. Married Jane Navamoney. Retired in
November, 1970.

Rev. Herbert Aubrev Van Hoff. Born 7th December, 1934.

Applied to join the Ministry on 16th November, 1954 and was acc€p-
ted as a Student in Training of the Dutch Reformed Church on 26th
May, 1955. Left for Calvin College and Seminary on 5th June, 1955.
Graduated with the B.A. degree on 5th June, 1959 and with the
B.D. degree on in June, 1962. While away, he married Adrianna
(Dianne) Buis in Canada. Letter of Call sent on 9th June, 1962
which was accepted on 6th August, 1962. Ordained and Installed in
the Wolvendaal C*rurch on 13th January, 196-r. Post graduate course
at Calvin Seminry led to his being awarded the Master's degree in
July, 1969. Resitned on27thMay,1976. Emigrated to Canada on
30th May, 1976 where he has a Pastorate.

Rev. Dunstan Hamilton Ross Thuring. Born 2lst August, 1927.

Applied to join the Ministry on llth May, 1955. Accepted by the

199
General Consistory as a Student in training fOr thc Ministry on 26th
May,1955。 Left for Calvin CoHege,Grand Ratpids,on 5ttt August,
1955。 After two years,transferred to Thc Reformed Bible lnstitute.
Graduated with the B.A.degree on 3rd June,1961 and followed with
the B.Th.on 2nd June,1962. Gained the Teacher'sE)ip1011na of the
Evangelical Teachers' Training Association on 16th May, 1961
Lctter of Cal sent on 9th JanuaFy,1963 after his return to Ceylon.
A∝ epted Ca1l on 14th ranutty,1963. Ordained and lllducted intO
the Conegi″ 威e Ministry Of the Dutch ReforIIned Church on 24th
February, 1963, in the Wolvendaal Church. Marlied Magdalen
Buullens On 17th August, 1964 in the Bambahpitiya ChurCh.
Chai..lla,National Christian Council 1970‐ 1971. Represented thc
Church at the World Presbyterian Alliance in Nairobi, August
Septcmber,1970;and at thc WOrld Alliance of Reformed Churches
from August 17th to 28th 1982 at Ottawa.

Rev. John Winston Delano Gauder. Born 3rd Junc, 1943.

Applied to join the Ministry in September,1961. Tutored initially
in the DoR.Co Seminary by Rev.R.S. Greenway from ranuary tO
June,1962. Lcft for The Uniolll Biblical Seminary,Ycotmal,India,
on 30th June,1962. wherc he attended sessions till Mttch, 1963
when he had to return due to Exchange Control difnculties, Gra=
duatcd froIIl the D.R.Co Seminary,on 31st March, 1968 with the
G.Th.degrec. Ordained and lnstalled illthe Wolvendaal Church on
21st March,1968. Marfied Marie Elena Vander Wert on 9th July
1968. Obtained scholarship and left for Calvin Seminary in January
1969 passing out with thc B.D.degrecin May, 1970。 Resigned from
the Ministry Ofthe D.RC.on 31st July,1973 Emigrated to Austra‐
lia in August,1973

Rev.Reginald Ben Ebemzer. Born 5th June,1940。 Applied to

jOin the Mini"ry in May,1960 but latcr withdrcw.Re‐ applied in
March 1962. Received initiat training under Rev. Ro So Greenway
in the DoR.C.Seminary at Kohuwela. Left for The Union Biblical
ScIIlinary,Yeotmal,India, rem〔 uning there from June 1962 to rune

:糧 mぶ t:∵篤 翼 灘 冒 Ъtter° ttr嵐 嚇

ary at Kohuwela and Graduatcd with the G.Th.degrcc On 31st Janu‐
ary, 1968. Orddned and lnstdled in the Wolvendaal Church on
Married Audrcy Jcanette Baptist on 25th October,
21st lИ a・rch,1968。
1969 in the Wolvendaal Church. Received a scholarship to Calvin

200
Seminary and left on 30th dugust, 1974. Graduated with the M. Div.
degree on 7th September, 1976. Delegate to the Reformed Ecumenical
Synod in Sydney. .A.ustralia from August l4th to
25th L972.
Appointed Secretary of Missions on return, a post he held till he
resigned on 3lst December, 1982.

Rev. Lorensz Crosbie de Kretser. Born 3rd September, 1943.

Applied to join the Ministry and accepted by the General Consistory
as a Student in training on 2fth May, 1964. Graduated with the
G.Th. degree on l9th December, 1968. Ordained and Inducted in
the Bambalapitiya Church on 16th February, 1969. Manied Yvonne
Miriam Foenander on 9th January, 1969. Left for post graduate
studies at Calvin Seminary on llth May,lg7lleading up to the B.D.
degree. Followed up on 26th May, 1973 with the M.Th. degree.
Returned to Colombo on 14th July, 1973. A"ttended Seminar on
"Family Life and Educa.tion" at Penang Malaysia from 25th to 30th
April, 1975. Followed a Leadership Training Programme from
October 15th to November l9th at the Haggai Institute, Singapore.
Delegate to the Reformed Ecumenical Conference, Geelong,
Australia April 27th to 29th 1982 and to the Synod of Reformed
Churches of Australia at Adelaide, May 4th to l4rh 1982.

Rev. Neville Lawson Koch. Born 26th September, l9M. Applied

to join the Ministry in September, 1964. Accepted as a student in
training for the Ministry by the General Consistory on 5th March,
1965. Entered the D.R.C. Seminary and Graduated with the G.Th.
degree on 23rd July, 1969. Ordained and Inducted on 27th August
1969 in the Wolvendaal Church. Married Lorraine Shirlee Cannon
on lTth lune, 1972 in the Bambalapitiya Church. Obtained a scho-
larship to Calvin Seminary and left on 23rd August, 1977. Qualified
for the M.Div. degree on 20th May,1977. Delegate to the Reformed
Ecumenical Synod Pacific Conference at Tokyo, Japan from 16th
to 20th November, 1970. While in the States, he followed a Course
of Clinical Pastoral Education at the Pine Rest Christian Hospital,
working closely with emotionally disturbed people.

Rev. Rejkumar lhurairajah. Born 8th November,1941. Applied

to join the Ministry on 15th January, 1967. Entered the D.R.C.
Seminary and Graduated with the G.Th. degree on 6th July, 1971.
Ordained and Inducted on 22nd August, 1971 in the Bambalapitiya

201
糀 L.sYτ 留 留 臨 I躙 ltl:品 鮮 蜜 Lc識
Conference at Capc TOwn,August 2nd to 7th,1976. Resigned On
llth October, 1979.

Rev.Banette ErFOI De Meuron Joseph. Born 8th OctOber,1946.

202
 WIIAT TIfi DUTCII REI'ORMED CHIJRCH
TTACIIES AND BELTE\MS

The Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon is pledged to guard the

heritage that has been bequeathed to her by the early Reformers, and
is committed to stand for the "Faith of our Fathers", a Faith that was
once and for all delivered unto the Saints. The Reformed Faith as
it found expression in the Reformation, is Christianity come into its
own. According to the Reformed Faith, Calvinism is the purest
interpreration of the Bible. The principles expressed however, are
not those of Calvin or any of the Reformers-they are those of St.
Paul, and are to be found in the Bible. Calvin merely brought them
to light anC expounded them after they had remained hidden for many
years earlier. These doctrines were therefore called "Calvinism."

The Doctrinal Standards of the Dutch Reformed Church are:

(l) The Bclgic Confession
(2\ The Heidelberg Catechism
(3) The Canons ratified by the Synod of Dort.
THE BELGIC CON}'ESSION.
The Belgic Confession is so cal.led because it originated in Bel-
gium, and written by Guido de Bres (angticised to Guy de Bray) in
1561. Brought up as a Rornan Catholic, he was converted to the
Reformed Faith at the age of 25 years, through the personal reading
of the Scriptures. He was trained in London for the Ministry and
became a travelling Preacher in Belgium, Northern France and the
Netherlands. ,\tong with two others to assist him, De Bres prepared
the Belgic Confession-declaring that Protestants were not rebels,
as they were calted, but law abiding citizens and that the Reformed
Faith they professed was in complete accordance with the Holy
Scriptures.

A copy of the Confession was sent to King Phillip II in 1562 in

the hope that he would be tolerant. ,\ttached to this document was
an Address declaring that the Protestants were ready to obey the
Government in all lawful matters, but that they would "offer their
backs to stripes, their tongues to knives, their mouths to gags, and
their whole bodies to the fire" rather than deny the truth expressed
irr the Confession. Despite the apparent honesty of the Confession,

203
Phillip II showed no signs of the tolerance expected and awaited.
Many paid for their belief with their lives and De Bres himself was one
of them who died in the Netherlands. He died a martyr, but the faith
for which he stood, lives on on the hearts of Reformed Christians,
throughout the world today. After careful'consideration, a slight
revision of the te\t was made and this Confession was adopted by the
Synod of Dort in 1618-1619 as one of the Doctrinal Standards of the
Reformed Church. The Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon subscribes
fully to this. It is required of every mernber of the General Consistory,
that he signs the Formula of Subscription. This signing, pledges
their re-affirmation of the historic Reformed Faith.

THE HEIDELBERG CATECHTSM

The Second Confessional Standard of the Reformed Faith is the
Heidelberg Catechism.

This Catechism has provided the spiritual nourishment on which

she has been nurtured. It was composed, that henceforth, that not
only the youth may be piously trained and kept to such doctrines in the
same form, but tha,t the Preachers and Schooknasters also may them-
selves have a sure understanding, rule and measure, how to conduct
themselves in the instruction of the young, and not to presume to
make daily changes or to bring in strange doctrines at their own
pleasure.

It is evident that this Catechism is not by any means an original

composition, rather, it was a summary of catechetical literature of the
previous thirty years. It is this that gives it the peculiar power it has,
It is the finished product of the fervent devotional spirit of an age of
such re!.igious spirit as the Reformation, before it degenerated into
formalism and dry dogma. It was developed out of a period when the
warmth of the Holy Spirit's power was still filling the hearts of the
people.

No less than three translations appeared in the first year-in

Latin, Dutch and Platt-Dutch (the diatect of the Germans as it is
spoken on the borders of Holland). In 1566, it was used in Amster-
dam by Peter Gavriel in spite of the persecutions of the time. The
same year, the Synod of Wesel recommended that where the Dutch
language prevailed, use should be made of the Heidelberg Catechism.

244
The Synod of Emden in 1571, rens'ved the recommendation in some-
what stronger terms. Later, in 157 4, the Synod of Dort changed the
recommendation into a decree making the Heidelberg Catechismthe
symbolical authority for the whole Dutch Reformed Church. Soon
after this, it was required that Ministers everywhere should preach
uponitevery Sunday, soasto go over it once ayear. Thiswas possible
because the Catechism is divided into 52 parts in "Lord's Days."

Dr. Moffat, in his book "The Presbyterian Churches" asserts

that "whatever the reason, our literary output has not yielded any
book which has taken its place in the devotional literature of the
world......Still, even in the province of devotional literature, our
record is not quite barren. I shall mention two significant items.
First, the Heidelberg Catechism, a remarkable l6th Century pro-
duction......No Catechism has such lyrical beauty and insight in
dealing with Christian experiences; as a devotional expression of
Calvinism at best, this little book deserves to be circulated and read
still." (The Herald, September, 1930 page 9
The Catechism soon gained popularity, and was translated intc
many languages. A, translation into English was made by William
Turner. Though hedied in1658, soon after its translation, it con-
tinued to win favour and was one of the finest Catechisms in the
Anglican Church. In 1579, The University of Oxford ordered that it,
together with several other Catechisms, as Nowell's and Calvin's
"should be used for the extirpation of everyheresy and the prepara-
tion of the youth in true piety." The Catechism was printed in Scot-
land in l59l and was one of the first Catechisrrs of the Scottish
Church, and it was authorised for use by no less a person than
the King.

Rev. James Gardiner in "The Faiths of the World" says: "This

excellent Catechism was the model on which the Westminster Divines
forrired the Shorter Catechism of the Presbyterian Church."

It was translated and published in Portuguese by the Dutch East

India Company in 1665 and again in 1689. "This is a significant
translation" alleges Dr. Good in his book "The Heidelberg Cate-
chism in its newest light", "for there was not a single Protestant
among the Portuguese." But the Dutch were courageous. They

20s
prepared to make them Protestants, and they had the Heidelberg
Catechism ready for use when the opportunity offered itself. Oh,
how great was the faith of the Dutch in this their Catechisrn! In
1726,itwas translated into Sinhalese at the suggestion ofthe Church
here, by Wiltiam Konyn, and published in 1740, with reprints in 1769
and 1780.

But, I jump the gun. Let us briefly consider how this wonder-
ful little book came to be written.

Three men came to Heidelberg, guided by God's pro'videirce, in

order that an impact could be made on the world. The first, was a
Prince-uiho came to sit on thethroneofthePalatinate. Becauseof
this Prince, two other men were drawn here. One was a Preacher and
the other was a Professor. Through them, God gave the world in
1563, a profession of faith that has come ringing down the centuries,
in many lands and in many languages. It was the Heidelberg Cate-
chism.

, The Prince was Fredrick III. The Pres.cher was Caspar Olevia-
nus. The Professor was Zacharia-s Ursinus.

ThePrince. Frederick, who at the age of 44 was called to ascend

the throne of the greatest of the German States, on the death of the
Elector-otto Henry in February 1559. The throne of the Palatinate
and the ancient Castle in Heidelberg were now his. At a time when
Europe was throbbing, Frederiok was destined to play a major role tn
the Reformation. It is no wonder that he derived strength for his
task because he always put his trust in God. It is rqrorted that before
he retired every night, he prayed Psahn 31 as his own personal prayer'
' 'for your name's sake
"In thee O, Lord, do I put my trust. . .. lead me
and guide me."

The Preacher. Caspar Olevia.nus. Born at Treves, at the age of

14 years, found France pulsating with the Reformation and its teach'
ings. tle had come here to France to study Law in the famous
schools of Paris, Bourges and Orleans, Soon, he found himself
identifying himself with those brave people, who, if they could not
worship openly, met in secret places, using pass words. Eagerly,
together withthem, he studied the Bible and the writings of the leaders

206
such as John calvin. when he was sr.ved from drowning, in a river
accident at Bourges, he made a decision to become a Preacher instead
of a Lawyer. The next year, 2l yeals of age, olevianus received his
Doctor's degree. After stopping a while at home in Treves, he set out
for Geneva and Zurich Whire the great Reformers lived. Travelling
between these cities, olevianus wondered where he could serve the
Reformation best. a\t 25, the answer carne through william Farel
(who had earlier ordered the young Calvin to stay in Geneva)' "Pro-
rnise", he said, pointing a finger at plevianus, "promise that yorr will
go back to Treves and intro'duce the Reformation there'" "But, I
go to Metz, too" replied Olevianus. "No, no my son" the old
"uo
rnan answered emphatically "Tieves is the pliace for you'"

And so it was in May 1559, Olevianus returned to Treves and

took on a job as a Letin ieacher in a school in the Bursa, the High
school. Indeed, 1559 rvas an eventful year. The French Protestants
held their first Synod in France @aris). John Knox returned to Scot-
land to found the Presbyterian church. John Calvin opened his
Academy in Geneva and also'published the final edition of his "Insti-
tutes". In the Netherlands, Witti"- the Silerit made a vow "to dfive
the Spanish vermin from the land". In the Palatinate, Otto Henry
died, and thq Elector Frederick III began to rule in Heidelberg, a city
never visited by Olevianus.

As the result of an eloquent address on August l0th (his 23rd

Birthday) at the City Hall, the populace began talking of it, and it
appeared, that as a result, half the city was following him and turning
Piotestant. Tension grew, and soon' on October 8th, Olevianus and
twelve others were thrown into prison, on the order of Atchbishop
John of Treves.

For ten weeks olevianus languished in prison. Many attempts

were made to have him released through the pleadings of several
Princes. From Hpidelberg, aknost 200 miies away, eastwards' came
the personal envoy of Frederick III. He brought a trunk full-of,P9n"y
aqd an appointment for olevianus in Heidelberg s Collcge of wisdom.
f'oi fOOO itorins and the promise that he would never again return to
Treves, Olevianus, the young heacher, was set free. And so, Caspar
Olevianus ca.rne to Heidelberg to teach and to preach, where the Elector
was his friend.

207
 TheProfessor. 7-acharias Ursinus. Hewasthe last of the three
"special" men to come to Heidelberg. In 1550, four years after
Martin Luther was buried in the Castle Church of Wittenburg, a
young student from Breslau, came to the University in Heidelberg.
A quiet, unassuming man, nevertheless he was "discovered" by the
famous Professor Phillip Melanchthon, the 53 year old successor to
Martin Luther. Now, the 16 year old Zacharias Bear, who had his
surruune latinised into Ursinus, came under the direct teaching and
influence of the Professor for the next seven years. With the death
of Melanchthon in 1560 (he was buried next to Martin Luther in the
Castle Church) Zaclnrias tlrsinus, resigned from the job as head of
the Elizabethan School in his native city of Breslau, to which he had
been appointed, and left for Zurich, where he hoped to live in peace
and quiet.

At Zurich, Ursinus joined the 60year old Professor Martyn, who

led him to see, more clearly, the truths that came to be written in the
Catechism of Heidelberg. Frederick III had urgently requested
Professor Peter Martyn to come to Heidelberg as Principal of the
College of Wisdom. But Martyn declined. "I am too old to face a
new challenge" he replied to the Elector in the Autumn of 1561.
"But, we have here in Zurich, the rnan you seek. His name is Zacha.-
rius Ursinus. He is only 27 years old, but already he has the brill-
iance of a great scholar and the piety of a grcat servant of God.
Send for him instead of me." When in 1561 the appointment was
made, Ursinus is known to have stated "O' that I could remain hidden
in a corner. I would giye anything for the shelter of a quiet village."
Peter Martyn did not come to Heidelberg, but the quiet young
Ilrsinus came instead.

As the months passed, Fredetick grew more impressed with the

two young men. Olevianus, the eloquent Preacher, who could move
the hearts of men, and Ursinus, the quiet Professor, who taught with
piety and b*rilliant understanding. The idea grew strongly in the
mind of the Elector that he had a special assignnent for them to carry
out the writing of a Catechism. They were requested to write a
Catechism to teach the people, especially the young, what the Bible
said. Every part of every a.nswer in the Catechism was to give
Biblicd proof so that no one could say that the answers were not dght
and true.

208
 Ursinus had earlier written two Catechisrns in Latin. Olevianus
had written in German about the Covenant of Grace. Both were now
ready to formulate the Catechism required by the Elector.

It began with man's biggest problem, his sinfulness. This was

to be a personal catechism, speaking of the "I" and "We" in relation
to God. The second part was to be about deliverance. The Apostle's
Creed would be explained,line by line; the Sacraments too were to be
ffeated with special care. The last part would be devoted to show
thankfulness for salvation from sin. In it, the Ten Commandrnents
and the Lord's Prayer would be discussed.

In early Janua.ry 1563, the Elector Frederick III invited Ministers

and Teachers to Heidelberg,totheCollege of Wisdom. They studied
the new Catechism carefully.

"The order of it reminds me of the Book of Romans" said one

"I like it because it is a Catechism of peace and comfort all the way
through" said another. Said the third "The Elector is wise to have
a new Catechism written for the Palatinate. I say, we ought to thank
Go{ for the two young men who wrote it. Through this new Cate-
chism, the true faith will be established in the Palatinate."

On the 19th of January, 1563, the manuscript of the Catechism

was delivered to John Mayer, the finest printer in Heidelberg. At the
end of the text was written: "Given at Heidelberg, Tuesday the nine-
teenth day of Janua^ry, in the year 1563, after the birth of Christ, our
dear Lord and Saviour."

Three men, moved by the Spirit,left a legacy of faith, thc Heidel-

berg Catechism, whose great words bear witness to the perfect and
infallible Word of God. Many have been taught, inspired and com-
forted by this Catechism from Heidelberg. It has been translated. into
many languages, and is speaking to Christians, the world over, today.

THE CANONS OT' DORT.

. The third of our Doctrinal standards is the Canons of Dort.
These are statements of Doctrine adopted by the Synod of Dord-
recht, 16l&1619, which comprised of delegates from the Reformed
Churches in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzertrand, England and
Scotbnd.

209
 ￢

The Synod was convened by the States General on 13th Novem-

ber, 1618 and continued in session until 25th May, 1619' It held
1g0 sessions, 158 of which were devoted to formulating the canons
against the Remonstrants. There were 84 members and 18 secular
commissioners.

Due to the rise and spread of Armenianism, which caused a ser-

ious disturbance in the Reformed churcb, it was agreed to call this
,dssembly to settle the Controvcrsy and issue a statement to guide the
believers.

Now, just what was the cause,of this controversy ?

James Armenius (1590-1609), was a Professor of Theology at the

university of Leyden. He taught Conditional Election, on the ground
of forseen faith, Universal .Atonement, Partial Depravity, Resistable
Grace, and the possibility of a lapse from Grace. Those views were
rejected by the Synod and the opposite views were'embodied in what
is now th" canons of Dort or The Five Articles against the
"o-11"d
Remonstrants.

In these canons, the synod set out the Reformed Doctrine on

these points, nanely: unconditional Election, Lirnited Atonement,
Totaliepravity,Irresistable Grace, and the Perseverance of the Saints.
Each of ihe Canons contain a positive and nege.tive part. The former
being an exposition of the Reformed Doctrine on the subject, and the
lattei, a repudiation of the corresponding Armenian error'

Although in form, there are four chapters, occasioned by the com-

bination of ihe third and fourth heads of Doctrine into one, we speak
of five canons. The third chapter is always designated as chapter
III.IV.

All Ministers and Professors of Theology, as well as Office

Bearers in the Dutch Reformed Church are erpected to subscribe to
these Canons as well as the Belgic Confession and the
Heidelberg
Catechism.

TheGeneralconsistoryoftheDutchReformedChurchin
Ceylon,ataMeetingheldinColornboonl3thFebruary,1954'
210
re-affirmed herfirm adherence to the Ecclesiastical Ordinances of the
Synod of Dordrecht and gave ratification in these words: "ye abide
fully by the Constitution of the Reformed Church of the Netherlands,
as the same is established in the National Synod held at Dordrecht
(1618-1619). And whereas it is judged proper to publish the govern-
ment and discipline of the Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon, it is
hereby become necessary to explain in what manner the said rules are
executed, consistent with the locat circumstances of the said Church-"
The Rules of Church Government were then given and is to be found
on pages 2 to 8 of the Special Supplement to the Church paper "The
Herald" published in dpril, 1951.

By way of record-following the controversy on Limited Atone-

ment that arose in the Church here,leading to a schism, it is good to
note the decision taken by the General Consistory on this matter.
It was taken after much deliberation on 28th May,1952 and is found
recorded on page 5 of"The Herald" in the issue ofJune, 1952.

"This General Consistory, having considered the replies of the

Churches consulted and the Report of the Speciat Committee
of Ministers and Elders, endorse the view already taken by it
that Our Church's official stand commits to accqrt and believe
the Doctrine of Limited Atonement. This General Consistory
further agrees that the Atonement is understood to mean that
Christ's Sacrifice was sufficient for all and efficacious only for
the E|ect.........

"sufficienter pro omnibus, emcatur tantum pro Electis" as

stated by Calvin, which is the basis of the Doctrine of Limited
Atonement."

To these standards of Confession is added the three Ecumenical

Creeds. They are (1) The Apostle's Creed (2) The Nicene Creed (3)
The Athanasian Creed. They are called Ecumenical (universal)
because they have been approved and accepted by nearly all the
churches of Christendom.

The Apo$le's Cresl contains a brief surnm4rY of their teachings

and not because it is a production of the Apostles themselves. There
is a belief among some people, thatata certain time each of the Apos-

211
tles made a statement. These were put together to form the Apostle's
Creed. This is quite false and has absolutely no foundation. In its
present form, it is of no later date than the 4th Century. More than
any other Creeds in Christendom, it may justly be called an Ecumenical
symbol of faith.
The Nicene Creed, is also called the Nicaeno Cbnstantinopolitan
creed. It is a statement of the orthodox faith of the early christian
church in oplposition to certain heresies, especially Armenianism.
These heresies disturbed the church in the 4th century and concerned
the Doctrine of the Trinity and the person of Christ. Both, the
Greek (eastern) and Latin (western) church held this creed in honour,
though with one important difference. The western church insisted
on the inclusion of the phrase "and the Son" (known as the Filioque)
in the article on the procession of the Holy Spirit, which phrase, is
repudiated to this day by the Eastern church. Though in its present
foi:n, the Creed does not go back to the Council of Nicea (325 A'D')
nor to the council of constantinople 381 A.D.) as was erroneously
held till recent times, it is in substance an accurate and majestic formu-
lation of the Nicene faitb.
The Anthanasian Creerl. This Creed was named after Athana'
sius (293-373 A.D.), the champion of orthodoxy over against Arian
attacks upon the Doctrine of the Trinity. Although Athanasius did
not -write this creed, and it is improperly called after him, the name
persists because until the lTth century it was commonly ascribed to
irim. Anothel name for it is the symbol QUICUNQUE, this being
the opening word in the Latin original. Its author is unknown, but
in its present form, it probably does not date back further than the
6th Century.
It is not from Greek (Eastern), but from Latin (Western) origin,
and is not recognised by the Greek church today. Apart from the
opening and closing sentences, this symbol consists of two parts.
T-he first, setting out the orthodox Doctrine of the Trinity (3-28)
and the second dealing chiefly with the Incarnation and the two
natures doctrine (29-43). This creed, although more explicit and
advanced theologically, than the A,postle's creed and the Nicene
crced, cannot be said to contain the simplicity, spontaniety and majesty
of these. For Centuries, it has been the custom of the Roman church
and the Anglican church to chant this creed in public worship on
certain solemn occasions.

212
l
WOLVENDAAL
1749 1949
-
From this far height the noble Church looks round
On the fair city lying at her feet;
Brown roofs white walls, along the sloping ground'
A.nd many a narrow, redl, descending street;
And there that fragment of the westering sea,
Whereon from day to day unceasingly
The merchant navies of the nations meet.
The morning sun which sets the lands aglow
Brightens her proud austerity again;
The soft, pure moonlight enters, wandering slow
Over the quiet graves of sleeping men;
Upon her stubborn walls the monsoons break,
Walls that a mindful, reverent pattern take,
Preaching the wondrous Cross, nor all in vain.

Here hath she kept long vigil; here becorne

A shelter from the hot, unfeeling air;
Here every Sabbath call'd her exiles home,
From the world's sordid noise and selfish care,
To thoughts of Heaven and heavenly destinies,
Ev'n as Mother to her loving knees
Calls her dear children to their nightly prayer.

Here still they gather, Sabbath morn or eve,

The children who their sires have not forgot,
Tho' alien tongues the sacred echoes grieve,
And ancient forms are now remernber'd not.
Yet GOD is worshipp'd here, their GOD and ours,
Who, as on them, on us His bounty showers,
.{,nd thro' all ages portions each his lot.

Nor murmur thou, who in this hallow'd fane

Seest old things pass, and mournest Faith's decay,
GOD lives, tho' creeds and systerns wax and wane,
Here stands this symbol of an older day.
On surc foundations built, she looks below,
She sees the changing nations corne and go,
And she too, ages hence, may pass away.
And here their trophies hang-the blazon'd arms
Of burger, koopman, commandeur, and lord,
Here lie their bones, secure from envious harms,
Whose deeds and counsels faithful pens record.
Here too the lowlier, not less wise or brave,
Less lovely or less gentle, whom the grave
To Death's free comrnonalty has restored.

Ilier Rust-here rests, from toil and turmoil free,

tdier Eegt Begrooen-here he buried lies,
Rests'neath a rich and spacious canopy,
Tho' far from Holland's dear, inclement skies,
Schulte, who quell'd the Lusitanian rage,
The scholar Rumpf, the darling of his age,
Bring tears, proud tears, my people, here he lies.z

Here memories linger of van Gollenesse,

Founder and builder, to our needs awake;
Falck the Island-born, of highest place;
van Imhoff; Hulft; ill-fated A"ngelbeek;
van Goens; van Eck, and Jacob van de Graaf;
Each worthily has writ his ePitaPh
In deeds nor time nor envy can mistake.

Not now, as once, the Outer City smiles

With gardens fresh and green and trimly set;
No glorious, moonlit summer night beguiles
The wearied worker from his care and fret
Along the homely tulip-border'd street;
Neighbours no longer one another meet
With talk of mutual gladness or regret.

Turn we away from this hot, rushing throng,

From crowding shops, the market of the town;
Pass the old Belfry, which call'd old and young
To worship; leftward then go warily down
The tvristing, scrubby lanes of toil-until,
Sudden, there gleams before us' on the hill,
The sunlit Temple , radiant as a crown.
l
Royal she stands, alone, yet not aloof,
Let all around her give due reverence,
Of Courage and true Faith herself the proof-
So when Faith shrivels up in Self and Sense,
When Courage pales in the defeatist snare,
Spcs Est.-Regerninat Hope kneels in prayer,
Then follows Duty with new confidence.
L. E. B.

1. "The roads were ol red laterite on gravel until 50 years ago"-writes

R. L. Brohier in an article to "The Herald" page 2 October 1963 issue'

2. "Ille.........nature amor nostri temporis ecce jacet, Vos Ceylonnenses

saxum quoties videatis fundite vos lacrymas nam peter interiit".
Mural tablet.

This poem was writtenby Mr, L. E. Blaze on the occasion of th€ Bi-Centenary
of the buiiding of the Wolvendaal Church ltlr. Blaze was a scholar and his-
torian of no mean repute. In this poem, he has captured a rarc picture of
the past and its heroes, the awe and majesty of the Church upon the Hill,
even our own Wolvendaal Church. (nO.;
 ￨

A CALENDAR OF EVENTS

1602 ゝ屁ay 31st,Admiral Joris Van Spilbergen arrivcs on the ``Lc

Brebis''and anchors tt Batticaloa. A Treaty is signed withthe
King Of Kandy.
1618 Synod of Dort convened on 13th November and continues tin
25th May,1619。
1636 King Raia SinM II Writcs to the Dutch Governor at Palam―
cotta,South lndia,inviting an Alliance. Two Ambass灘 ors
are sent to Batavia.
1637 Admiral WesterwoJd renews the Trmty madc by Admiral
Spilbergen.
1638 May 10th,Admiral Adanl Westerwold captures Batticた loo.
1639 May lst,Tfincomalee taken by Admiral Anthony Cacn.
1640 February 9th,Negombo captured by Philip Lucasz
March 12th,Galle captured by William Jacobsz Coster.
1642 0ctober 6th,The flrst Clergyttn began ministrations at Galle
and the Reformed Faith is established as the religion of the
Colony.
1646 Temporary Truce betwecn the Dutch and thc Portuguese for
about ten years.
1655 0ctober 15th, Kalutara taken by Gcneral Hulft.
October 21st,Dutch iay sicge to Colombo.
1656 May 12th,Portuguese surrender Colombo to the Dutch after a
siege lasting 7 months. General Hulft dies during an assault.
1658 ゝ江arch 22nd,Mannar falls to the Dutch.
Apri1 28th,Capture of Fort Hammenheil.
1659 June 21st,Jarna ca・ ptured after a siege of 3'months.
The Reformed Faith is introduced into rarna by Revo Philip
B』 dacus。
Thc Refo■ .1.ed Faith is fully organised and establishcd with the
expulsiOn of thc Portuguese.The three principal circuits
being Gallo,Colombo and JaFna,are pレ Кed under respective
Consistories.
1685 The Colombo Selllinary is established.
King l■ ia Sinha II dies and is succeeded by King Vilnah
E)hrma Suriya II.
1701 Hcndrick Bccker arrives as Governor.

216
 . ヽ
￨

ヽ ′
:

1706 1ふa Church built(wer the she ofan 01der church?)

Maぼ a Church is bunt。 ,
1709 JFna Seminary i,Opened・ ヽ
1710 A series of■ Ve Cttechisms introduced(1)SCrlpture History

8器お認:出l黛 ∬颯 _∝ 精 驚蹴首
1戴
translated from the Dutch.
1723 Jarna seminary doseso SiX Stholars transferred tO C010mb0
1724 Th,Hcide16erg Cttechism is tiranshed i,tO Sinhalese by
Rev.W.Konyn.
1725 Rcvo Wetzelius,Rector of the Co10mbO Semintty,writes a
Compendium of ReligiOus Truths",in Sinhalese.

W鸞
1736 Baron Van lmOr arrives tt Governor(1736-1740).:He CS‐
tablishes a Printing Prest for Sinhalcse oharacters.

dated 27th February,1940)

撫ばI酬
1740 The Gospd of Matthcw publishcd in Tamil.
1741 The neiddberg Catechism is publiShed in Sinhalesc.
1747 Sec6nd cO10mbo Seminaw qpened by the Dutch.
1749 Fouttti6n laid for the building of the WOIVCndad Church
and building operations Comlnenced.
1752 July 4th,Building oper餞 lons on the ёane Church OOmmenCed,
1754 The Hcidelberg Catechism published in Tamil.
1755 TheChurchatAmbdangodaiζ built byAdrian 00Sdyk,Koop‐
叫 n and Superintendent of the Cinn,mon Trade.
August,Galle Church completed.
1757
' byMarch
t“ 6th,Wolvend餞 l Church dedicatcd for public worsh“
Rector ofthe Colombo S,minary,ReV.Mathias Wim‐
ёlskircher.
1758■ ntire New Testament published in Tmil.
1760 Rebellio■ against the Dutch.
1765 Dutch invasion of the Kandyan KingdOnl.
1766 Trcaty with Goverllor Fabk by the King of Kandy "hiCh
●onceded the sovereignty 9f GJle.Mattta,Colombo,Jarna,
Lbitiya,臨 nnar,Tincomalee and Batticaloa to the Dutch.
 into
1772 A Colloction of Prayers and Liturgical Forms translated
Sinhalese.
1777 Tamil tylte for printing first cast in Ceylon by Baas Hendricksz
lZgO The Sta.r Fort at Matara is built by Baron Van Eck'
1796 Megasthanna Adigar goes to Madras as Ambassador of the
iioi or Kandy and concludes a Treaty with the British Gover-
nor of Fort St. George, Lord Hobart'
February l5th, Colombo surrendered to the British
by the
Maritime Provinces a're governed
Treaty of Capitulation.
from Madras.
Hon'
lTgB October l2th, Ceylon made a Crown Colony with the
Frederick North Qater Earl of Guildford) as Governor'
tl9 Death of Governor Jan Gera'rd Van Angelbeek'
1805 A Classis ordains two Pastors'
1812 Rev. J. D. Palm (Snr.) appointed to Wolvendaal'
' Isst of the Dutch Clergymen leave Ceylon'
- -- September 4th,
1813 The mortal remains of 25 or more eminent
p.rrons, including 5 Dutch Governors, their wives and fanrilies
ire re-interred inthe Wolvendaal Churchbythe British
Authorities with the consent of the inhabitants, by torchlight'
l83t Dis-establishment of the Churches.
1832 First Plan of the Burial Ground prepared'
1g3? Change fro4 Dutch to English in the language of the Adminis'
' tration
-f -- Second Plan of the Burial Ground prepared'
1840
change from Dutch to English in the recording <if Minutes
of Consistory Meetings at Wolvendaal.
a
1g45 wolvendaal church under repairs and Services are held as
temporary measure at the Strpreme Court premises'
' Hulftsdorp
1E46 Services resumed at Wolvendaal.
184? 'February 6th, Rev. J. D. Palm presents his book "The Dutch
Reformed church in ceylon" colrpiled from records in the
Wolvendaal Church.
May 2nd, The first Sunday School sta.rted by Rev' J' D' Palm
at Wolvendaal ivith Mr. Cornelius Dickma.n and Mr' Louis
I-eisching.
1849 Controversy regarding the possession and use of the Wolven-
daal Church begins between the Anglican Church and the
Dutch Reformed Church, through Bishop Chapman. It
continued for over a period of three years and was concluded
a.fter it was taken up before the House of Lords, in favour of
the Dutch Reformed Church.
1853 October 22nd, Removal of remains of eminent Dutchmen from
the old Churches used by the Dutch, to the present Church at
Galle.
1856 A stroke of lightning struck the weather cock and damaged
the central dome of the Wolvendaal Church necessitating it to
be taken down and being replaced by a new timber roof covered
with blue Bangor slates.
Sunday School started, in the Pettah.
1857 October, Sunday School Examinations are held for the first
time.
1863 April 15th, Presbytery of Ceylon lormed at Kandy.
1867 Maligakande Sunday School started by Mr. Cornelius Dickman.
1869 Walls of the Dutch Fort, Colombo, demolished.
1870 Stained glass windows provided for Wolvendaal Church by
Sir William Gregory and Mr. W. H. Wright.
1872 July 1lth, Wolvenda.al Consistory transfers the Jaffna Church
building to the Government for Rs. 6000/00.
l88l Act of Dis-Establishment passed and State Aid enjoyed till
now, withdrawn. The Church has to rely on her own resour-
ces for her rnaintenance and existence.
1882 July 10th, First Meeting of the Presbytery of Ceylon together
with the Wolvendaal Consistory of the Dutch Reformed
Church, as the General Presbytery.
1887 January 15th, Branch Churches suggested "to suit the con-
venience of those who cannot now attend services at Wolven-
daal-l' Idea of Church expansion planted 25 years earlier,
now takes root and approval is given for extension to Barnbala-
pitiya and Maradana.
August, Bambalapitiya Sunday School started.

219
1888 July 28th, "Pahn House", Maligakande, purchased from
Mr. Cocnrane for Rs' 5,000/00'
September24th,Garden'called"Talgahawatte"atBambafa-
pitiya Purchased for Rs' 4,250/00'
1889 January, Worship Selrices comlnence at "The Lodge"' Bam'
balapitiya.
March itst,'Maligakanrie Church opened for Divine Worship'
The Preacher on this occasion being Rev' G' Brewster'
November 30th, Bambalapitiya Church opened'
Bambalapitiya Manse building commenced and completed
towards the end of the follorving year (1890)
1890 June lst, First Holy Communion Service at B"'mbalapitiya'
1892 June 3rd, Wolvenda.al Cot-''iistory decides to revive work in
Sinhalese.
1893 Separate Marriage and Baptismal Registers started
a't Bamba"
lapitiya.
1894 The Consistory'considers the question of building on the
Pettah CemeterY.
1896 Ordinance No. 12 Incorporates the Churches at Wolvendaal'
Bambalapitiya, Regent Street a'nd Dehiwela'
1899 october 22nd, use of the Scottish Hymnal introduceo in
place
of the old hYmnal.
1900 First Batch of Boer Prisoners arrive in ceylon and are sent
to Diyatalawa.
lm|- Marriage and BaptismaL Registers started at Maligakande'
1905 Enlarging and rebuilding of the BambalLapitiya Church by
lvlessrs. Walker Sons & Co., Ltd., according to plans drawn
by
Mr. E. Skinner, A.R.I.B.A.
1906 June lst, New Bambalapitiya Church. opened' Cost ol'
Building and furniture came to Rs. 25'000/00.
1908 Church Services at Dehiwela, in a temporary structtlre.
May 3lst, Dehiwels Sunday School started.
November 6th, Wellawatte Sunda.y School started'
1911 November l9th, The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper first
administered at Dehiwela.
December. Rev. J. C. dbels publishes the flrst issue of thc
Church paper entitled "The Heraltl."

220
「

lgl2 Junc 2lst, Presbyterian Guild started at Bambalapitiya by

Rev. Abels "to promote good fellowship amongst the congre-
gation of the Bambalapitiya Church." Meetings were held
on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month.. Hony. Secretary,
Miss Maysie Garvin. Hon. Treasurer, Miss Edna Wells'
lgl4 Landacquired at Regent Street iot a new Church at a cost of
Rs. 35,000/00
August, Vernaculat N{ission School started at Dehiwela'
1915 December 22nd, Dedication of the Regent Street Church'
1916 January lst, Regent Street Sunday School started'
IglT July llth, New t{all built at Dehiwela for the Church and
Sunday School.
l918 January 15th, Regent Street Sohool started.
August l lth, First Worship Service at Wellawatte'
November 15th, United Service of Thanksgiving in the Wol-
vendaal Church at 9 a'm. on the occasion of the cessation of
hostitities in World War I.
1919 August, Services started at Kurunegala by Rev. David Tweed,
at the Town Hall.
October 20th, General Consistory decides to purchase "Are-
thusa Villa" about one acre in extent, for Rs. 7,000/00 "for
Church PurPoses"
December, Rev. Allan Varider Gert begins labours in the
Hurulu Palata area of the North Central Province.
1920 February, The Presbytery of Ceylon a?proves the suggestion
the N.C.P. be inspected rvith a view to its becoming a new
' that
sphere of MissionarY work.
November, Organ Fund started at Bambala.pitiya.
1922 January 5th to 8th, First D.R.C. Conference at Bambal,apitiya,
1923 First Communion Service at Wellawatte'
April to August issues of "The Herald" not published for
lack of funds. ,{ sribscription of Re 1/00 is introduced.
1925 December, A monthly Guild Magazine entitled "Our Friend"
first published at -/10 cetrts a co.py or Re li00 per annum and
Rs. U50 for Outstation members.
うん
う４
1926 June 14th, The consistofy a.ccepts the Revised Draft of ordi-
nance No. 12 of 1896 and resolved to present it to the Legis-
lative Council through the Hon. G. A. H' Wille with Hon'
Herman A. Loos in support. It is pessed on 3rd November'
November 6th, Rev. A. J. K. de Klerk lays the Corner Stone
for the new Dehiwela Church.
The use of the Westminster Catechism introduced into the
D.R.C. SundaY Schools.
lg27 January, "The Herald" and "Our'Friend" are combined'
January 8th, The General Consistory meets for the first time
at 5 p.m' in the Wolvendaal Church' Galle and Matara
Consistories unite to become one unit of the Dutch Reformed
in Ceylon.
January, Revival of Tamil Set'vices at Wolvendaal'
Februa.ry, Ivlission House at Kahatagas$igiliya built
May 15th, Death of Rev. A. J. K' de Klerk almost on the eve
of the Dedication of the new Dehiu'ela Church'
June 2nd. Dedication of the new Dehiwela Church'

lg27 August, l75th Anniversary of the Galle Church celebrated'

lg28 H. M. the Queen of the Netherlands remits f, 10 to the Galle'
Matara Churches Ministers' Fund'
Rev.DavldTweedre.presentstlreD.R.C.attheTercentenary
of the Reformed church in ,america held in the church of st.
Nicholas. Fifth Avenue, New York, on 7th June at 2-30 p'm'
andalsoatthe350thAnniversaryoftheClassisatAmster.
dam.
IllustratedSouvenirontheWolvendaalChurchprodueedby
the Consistory primarily for the use of Dutch Tout.ists, a|so
made available to members at Re' 1i00 per copy'
Graded System introduced into the Sunday School by Miss
Merle Wille (Mrs. R. V. Metzeling)'
Tamil Night School started at Wolvendaal'
''That all
July 25th, Decision taken by the General Consistory
churches under the General Consistory should be described
and known as the Ducth Reformed Church in Ceylon in con-
formity with the Ordinance No. 9 of 1926 and not under any

222
 other designation, and that Pastors and Local Consistories be
accordingiy instructed,'and their attention be called-to the
Rule regarding the General name if the lnstitution on page
12 of the Rules passed by the General Consistory'"

1930 May, Restoration of the Choir loft in the Gate Church'

l93l January, A monthly magazine entitled "The old Paths"
published to educate the membership in the life and Doctrine
ortneReformedFaithastheEditorshipoftheChurchPaper
"The Herald" h3.d "gotten into the hands of a modernist
Editor".
July lst, Opening of the Wellarva.tte Boys' School $ater named
Arethusa College.)
August, Prince Van Gaulen van Scheveningen and Baron Van
Creen, Private Secretary. to H. M. the Queen of the Nether-
lands, visit the Wolvendaal Church and are impressed and
pleased with wha.t theY saw.
September, Electricity installed in the lilolvendaal Church.
1933 400th Anniversary of the Birth of william the silent-wiltiam
of Orange and Nassau.
June 24th, Silver Jubilee Cetebrations of the Dehiwela Church
and SundaY School.
November, Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Wellawatte
Sunday School.
1934 July 2lst, General Consistory decidcd to adopt the Revised
Church Hymnary, which was first approved in September,
1928,
Extension of the Mission Work in the N.C.P. to Yakala.

1935 May 12th, United Servioe of Thanksgiving at 9 a.m. in the

Wolvendaal Church for the 25th,\nniversary of the Accession
of H. M. King George V, to the throne.
June 8th, Opening of the new Yakalla Maternity Home by the
Government A.gent, Mr. L. L. Hunter.
1936 January 28th, The Bell at Kayman's Gate tolled in conuection
with the Memorial Service for King George V (died 2l'l-36).
May 3rd, First Servioe in the Nugegoda District, in the home
of Elder C. E. P. de Silva.

223
 ―
￢

1937 May 12th,Special United ServiCe tt WolVendad in connection

with the Coronation of King George VI。
1938 Aprn 10tll,The Rcvised Chul・ Ch Hymnaw int■ odu∝ d for usc
in all Churches of the D.R.C.
1939 January llth, Reviscd COnstitution adopted by tlle Sunday
Schools.
March, Gencral COnsistory decides to prillt booklets givin3
the CommuniOn ForIIL,tO nleet thc great dellnttd.
Apri1 6th,Cutting of thC irst sod fOr Arethusa Boys'School,
wenawatte,in the new premises at Daya Road.
May 20th,Golden Jubilee ThankSgiving Service Of the Mali‐
解 hnde Church.
Golden Jubilee Cdebrations of the Bambalapitiya Church.
September 3rd, Outbreak of WOrld War II.
1941 August,General Consistory approves thc purChase of land at
Nugegoda for Rs.2,750′ 00 fOr a church.
December 27th,Silver rubilee rrhanksgiving Service and Cele‐
brations of the Regent Strect Churcll.
1942 0ctOber 29th,Presbyterian Youth Lcague fomed.
1945 0CtOber,First observatio,Of``Foundation Day''.
1947 Centcnary of the founding of the Sunday School.
1949 Bl‐ Centenary of the WolVend露 l Church.
MarCh,Revo IOhn O.SChuring arr市 es as the trst Ministcr
from the Christian Reformed ChurCh in America.
August 23rd,Cutting of the irst sod fOr the new Church at
NugegOda。
1950 Septe血ber 26th,Dedi(2tion of the Nugegoda Church.
December 24th,Nugegoda Sunday School started.
1951 February 13th, Presentatio● of a Memorial Tablet by the
Protestant Churches in the Netherlands ``in a"FeClation Of
the ia・ 11・ WCICOmc to Dutch SOldiCrs,Sailors and Ai.inen in
World War n''。 sp∝ ial SerViCe in the Wolvendaal Church.
May 18thj New Hammond Organ dedicated in the Dehiwola
Church.
1952 Bi‐ Centenary of tlle commencement of the buikⅡ ng of Ga:le
Church.
September 20th,Dedication 6fthe New Church at Wettwattc.
1953 March 25th,General Consistory withdraws rccognition of the
Presbyterian Youth Lcaguc md appOints a Sped■ 9ommittee
for Youth Work.
rune 25th,Seven caskets with rcIILinS eXhumed frol■ the old

r肝 。
Pcttah Cenletery,reillterrcd in a sPccial Vault in a corncr ctf the
e凛
紺 Ч 鑑 :書 鍵 器 ゴ 協 避 淵ξ
November,DoRoCo Youth Federation fo..1.ed.
1954 January 27th,Gened Consistory approves thc PSC Of the
Compe,dium in the Sunday Schods.
June 8th,The lDoRoC. Seminary and Bible lnstitute is opened・
1955 The magazine “The C)ld Paths" ceases publication aftcr 25
, years, with the SecOnd Quarter's issuc― Vol。 25 Nos.2,3,4.
Febriary 18th,The DoR.Co Music Gulld is fomed:
March 27th,The new Pわ e Organ is installed and dediCtted in
the BttmLbpitiya Church.
ittC糧
:懺 監管宅]蹴調蹴謡
Lも
識認 y
Revo John Oo Schuring.
D“ r器
燎器J'摺 為∫tlゝ蠍 ピ協miげ H。 。
“
July llth,Reformed Book Centre opened at No.60,Galle
Road,We〕 lawatte.
1957 serviCes conducted by Ministcrs of the DoR.C.雛 Diyatalawa
in Sto James Churd1 6very 2nd alld 4th Sunday of each month.
December 15th, Dedication of thC Ilew Anen Organ at the
Rcgent Street Church。
December 15th,DediCation of thc neW Allen ELctronic Orean
in the Wellawatte Church. ・
1958 June 14th,Golden Jubilce Celebrations 6fthe]DehiwelaChurch。
1959 450th Anniverstty of the birth of John Cal宙 n Oorn3● 5‐ 15t19.)
October 24th,Dedimtion of Calvin]Ea11,Wenawatte.
1960 August,The DoR.C.Youth Choir is fomed.
December 25th, Dedication of the new Hall and Belfry at
Nugegoda.
1961 400th Anniversary of "The Belgic Confession"
50th Anniversary of "The Herald"
1962 April, Vesting of the D.R.C. Schools in the Governrnent'
July, Nugegoda Manse completed and occupied'
Aulust 12th, Dedication of "Fellowship Hall", Nugegoda'
December 9th, Service of Thanksgiving for the Life and
work
of Queen WilheLnina of the Netherlands' at Wolvendaal'
It is attended by the Dutch cbmmunity in Ceylon and the crew
d'Affairs
of 2 Dutch Frigates in Ha.rbour a's well as the Charge
of the Netherlands Legation, Mr' Van Suchtelen'

1963 February, 75th Anniversary of the Bambat'apitiya Sunday

School'
and
March 4th' Lccal Consistories Corstituted at Makandura
for the Tamil Church'
March 28th, Sinhala Local Consistory is Constituted'
April l5th, Centenary of the Presbytery of Ceylon'
House'
July 6th, Dedication of the Makandura Mission
July 9th, Genera.l Consistory conrmences cla"sses for 3 Students
in Kohu-
in iraining for the Ministry at the D'R'C' Seminary
wela.
1964 May 27th, 400th Death .Anniversary of John Calvin'
March 30th' Wellawatte Manse completed and occupied
as

from ,\Pril lst.

December 30th (Sunday) First Sinhala Conference'
dowu'
1968 November 30th, Reformed Book Centre closes
and roof of
1969 January l3th, Gale force wind's darnage the dome
the Wolvendaal Church.
by the
lg1l April 26th to 29th, First Vacation- Bible School held
Wellawatte Sunday School, at Wellawatte'
October 20th, The Dutch Ambassador' His Exceltency
G' G'
Verdonk lluffnagel presents red velvet and gold braid to the
old and faded drapes'
Wolvendaal Ctrurctr-to replace the
lg72 September, Reprint-of the Compendium'
1973 July 1st, Katubedde Sinhala Sunday School started'
lg74 A,pril 27th, Dedication of the new Bell and Belfry at Makan-
dura.
December 18th, Dedication of the Bell and the new
Bell Tower
at Dehiwela.
1975 January lst, Amalgamation of Loca.l Consistoriesinto 3
Regionsfor purposes of Admiriistration.
The Church Paper "The Herald" appears as a Quarterly
Magazine instead of a.s a Monthly, by decision of the General
Consistory.
July 3rd, Food'n' Fun Fair to raise funds, at the D.B.U. Hall.
July 31st, Mini Sale at Wellawatte--continuation of the above
with unsold articles.
1977 September, 4th, Unveiling of plaque by Mrs. Persis Ferdi-
nands at the site for the Home for Aged Christian Men.
1978 A.ugust llth, Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Wella-
watte Church.
November 24th znd 25th, Cyclone and Tidal Wave hits the
East Coast and North Central Province. Village of Padiya--
pelelle adopted by the Church for rehabilitation.
1979 March lst, Dedication of the "Dr. and Mrs. Eric Brohier
Memorial Home for Aged Christian Men."
June 3rd, Branch of the Dehiwela. Sunday School opened at
Quarry Road, Dehiwela.
1980 February 18th, Music Guild 25th Anniversary.
May 22nd, Thursday, Dedica.tion of thc Ka.ndana.gedera
Church.
l98l June 8th, Dedication of the D.R.C. "Shi:nthi Lama Nikatha-
naya"-{Childrens' Horne of Peace) at Balana.

227
 BIBL10GRAPHY
ANTHONISZ,R.G. The Dutch in Ces71on,Colombo C.Ao C.Press,1929
The Dutch in Ceylo■ ,J.D.B.U.Vol.XXIV NOs.3 and 4&Vol.XXV Nos.1&2
BALDAEUS,PHILLIPUS A Truo and Exact Descript,on oF山 o Great lsland of
C朝 o■ 。 (First published in Dutch in Amstcrdam in 1672)Sarnan Prcss 1960.
BROHIER,R.L. Do Wolvendmlsche Kerk,Colombo 1938. 、
Nursery oFDutch History in Ceylon,Articie published in the Ceylon Daily News,
20th January,1939.
Church ofヽ 4any MemoFieS,Article published in thc Ceylon Observer,Sunday

譜 B詰 :鯖 霜 :‰ LHn.メ mJDtt Vぬ XXⅥ H NQ■

FurnituFe Of the Dutch Period in Ceylon,cd.P.H.D.H.de Silva,Director,Nat・
ional Museums in Cey10o,Statc Printing Corp.Sri.Lanka,197,。
DEKKER,F.The Dutcl in Ceylon,J.D.B.U.Vol.XXVII Nos.1,2 and 3&
Vol.XXVHI Ns.2 and 3.
DE BRUYN,REV.C.A.L.TR00STENBERG,The Dutch Rerormed church in
‐
F:留 LⅥ ζ絲 IPe鵬 機 Ittt.普 ざ 響 嘔 メ 鑑 sITダ :器 l
&Vol.XXXI Nos.l and 2.
DE KRETSER,E.C. IIIstorical Sketch of the Sunday SChOols,Ceylon Daily
News,Lakc House,1943.
DE VOS,F.H. Old Cano,J.D.B.U.Vol.l No.3,orig.published in Ceylon
Literary Register,Vol.H.
Church Senls,J.D.B.U.Vol.II No.4.
FERNANDOLttLteヽ
こ:h躙 _」 げ 咄 l島島 ilFttTa謡 Ⅷ
xxxlx Nos.2,3,and 4.
00DEE MOLSBERCER,E.G. Report on the Dutch Records in the Govem‐
ment Archives at Colombo,Ceylon,Sessional Papcr,IX of August,1938.
HERAI』 D,THE Church paper Of thc Dutch Rcformed ChurCh in Sri Lanka
(Cey10n),1911‐ 1980,passim.
JURIAANSZ,M.W.RepOrt on the Dutch Archives,Sessional Paper IX,August,
1938.
KNOX,ROBERT An HIstorical Rolation oftho lsland Ceylon in the E■ st lndies,
00ndOn,1681)TisSara Prcss 1958.
LEEMBRUGGEN,H.U. ThO Dutch Roformed Church in CeylcDn,J.D.B.U,Vol.
xxxH No.2.
LEWIS,J.P. Tombstones and Monumonts in CoD・ lon,1913 0overnment Record
Otte.
LUDOVICI,LEOPOi n Lapidariull Zeyhnicum,J.Ⅳ raitland&Co.,Co10mbo,
1877.
NELL,E.H.′ Str00t Nomenclaturo,J.D.B.U.Vol,XXXI No.1
PALM,REV.J.D. Educational Establishments of the Dutch in Ceylon,J.DIB.U.
Vol.XXVIII No.4&Vol.XXIX Nos.l and 2-The Herald of the Dutch Re¨
formed Church,October 1925&Journal of the Ceylon Branch,Royal Asiatic
Society, 1846‐ 1847.

228

ヒ
PERERA,Eo W.&REIMERS,Eo Roport of the Records ofthe Dutch Roformed
Church in thc Wolvendaal Church,COlombo,1939(typeWrittcn).
PIERIS,PAUL E. Coylon and the Ho■ anders,1656_1796,1918
TENNENT,SIR EMERSON Christianity in Ceylo■ ,1860
TOUSSAINT,J.R. 取[atara,J.D.B.U.Vol.IV NO.1.
WOlvendaal Church,J.D.B.U.Vol.l NO.3.
Wolvendanl Church in Early Til12os,J.D.B.U.Vol.XXVIII No.2.
The Dutch Church in Jarna,J.D.B.U.Vol.II No.3.
VAN DORT,J.L.K.Old Co10mbo,J.D.B.U.Vol.XXH No.2.
VAN HALSEMA,THEA B. Threeル ren came to H6idelberg, Chl・ istian Rc‐
Formed Pablishing House, 1963.
VANDER GERT, REVo A.A Nursery of Dutch History in South Cw10n,
こD.B.U.Vol.XLII No.4.
VANDERミ ヽLL,E.H.Bunt in the“ Dale of w01ves'',Articic in tllc Ceylon
Causerie(OCtOber?),1933.
MINUTES AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE WOLVENDAAL CON‐
SISTORY FROM 1660,in the National Arch市 cs,trans.S,A.ヽ V.Ⅳ 【ottau from
the Dutch.
In the Days of the Dutch,Article in thc Times OF Ceylon, Sunday IIustrated,
dated 2nd｀ NOvembcr,1924 Author unknown.
WOLVENDAAL CHURCH. Copy of the Memorial addrcsscd t6 the Secrctaw
or statc for thc Colonies from thc Cinghalese EpiscOpalians respecting Wolfc・ n‐

dahi ChuК h;also copy oF the lⅥ cmoria1 0n the same suЧ cCt from the Dutch
Consistory with copics of EXtracts of(30rrespondencc betwcen the CoVernor Of
Ceylon and Secretary oF Statc for thc Colonies relating thtretO. Ordered by tile
HOusc Of COntmOns to be printcd 16th May, 1851. Colonia1 0mcc, Do、 vning
Street, 1851.

229
 APPENDD( 1

ADDruONAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE CEYLON

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

THURSDAY, 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1t13.

The forlorn negtected state of a piece of consecrated ground, once

the site of a Christian Church could hardly be seen in the midst of the
Fort of Colombo, close to the Grand Parade, without some feelings
ofconcern and regret.

But these sentiments are increased by observing tlrat the tombs of

several men eminent in their day were exposed to the destructive vio-
lence of the tropical rains which they were neither constructed or in-
tended to resist because they were orieinally placed under the pro-
tection of a building; a consultation, t{a.s therefore lately held with the
principal Dutch Inhabitants, a"nd with their consent and approbation,
it wac determined to rernove the coffins and remains of the bodies
interred to the Church of Wolvendaal, where pro'per vaults will be
prepr.red for their reception. This removal will take place on Satur-
day evening at 6 o'clock and we have'no doubt that His Majesty's
Civil a.nd Military Servants and the Inhabita.nts of Colombo will
vie with each other in showing respect to the memories of the deceased,
by their attendance upon the procession.

These men, whose mortal remains are to be transferred to Wol-

vendaal Church, all filled their high sta.tion in a rranner to deserve the
approbation of their counrry, but Governors VAN ECK & FALC
were particularly distinguished,-The former we.s ?.n able Military
Commander and between the years l'162 & 1765 he subdued most of
the Candian provinces except the mountainous district into which the
King was compelled to retreat-His ca.reer was unfortunately for his
country interrupted by sudden death in 1765 at the very moment when
the principal Ca.ndians were trea.tiug with him for the surrender of
their King.

Upon Baron VAN ECK'S death FAIC succeeded to the Govern-

ment, who coming from Batavia, found Candy evacuated and the
affairs of the Island in considerable disorder. He recommenced

230
hostilities and terminated the war within a year by the Treaty of 1766
in which the candians ceded to the Dutch in full sovereignty all the
lands which they were formerly possessed along the coast, being in
extent more than half the circumference of the Island. This truly
excellent man in the course of his Government which lasted 20 years,
retrieved the losses of the waf, festored good ordbr in every depart-
ment, and died in 1785 universally respected and regretted, leaving
behind him less money than he inherited from his Father, who was
Dessave of Matura,, where he was himself born.

Subjoined are the names of the decea.sed Governors with the

dates of their respective dea.ths, a list of their relations and others
whose remains are to be removed, and a table of the order to be ob-
served in the procession.

GOVERNORS

The Hon'ble Mr. HERTENBERG1 E)icd 1725

The Hon'ble Mr. VREELAND2 1752
The Hon'ble BARON VAN ECK3 1765
The Hon'ble Mr. FALC 1785
The Hon'ble Mr. V,\N ANGELBEEKS 1802

``Rchtions of Governor VREELAND''

MR.Lo SCHMIDT
Mrs.SCHMIDT
Two sons ofthelate Commander of G2撫 NIIr.FRETZ
``Rclttions of Governor Btton VAN ECK'
MR.DE LANNOY
Mrs,DE LANNOY
``Rclations of Governor FALC".
Colonel PARAVACINI
Mrs.PARAVACINI
Formerly Wido■ of Governor FALC
“Wifc and Relations of Govcrnor VAN ANGELBEEK.''
rs.ANGELBEEK
Ⅳ【
Mrs.VAN DE GRAAF
NIIIso LEVER
Mrs.VAN DE GRAAF
Governor SCHREUDEで S DAUGHTER
 Other persons whose remains have been ascertained
Head Administrator VAN MINNEN
The Son of Governor DOMBURG
Mrs. LOTEN, Wife of Governor LOTEN
Messrs. ALEBOS
' kHr?*uo*"
And the remains of three persons whose Names are unknown
OrderfortheCeremoniaJoftherernovaloftheBodiesof
Their Exoellencies the Dutch Governors from the old Burial
Ground adjoining the Parade within the Fort of Colombo,
, to the Church at Wolfendahl.
Troop of CavatlY
Military lr{usic
A Capla in's Guard of Honour

∪ 二ｏ Ｏｏ●一
︼︶ ﹂︵ＯＦ ︵︶０“〓 の目″〇”

of His MajestY's 19th

，
Regimtnt

The Bcdies

︼ｏ３ｏ●
borne bY Soldiers of His
MajestY's 19th Regiment
Clergymen of the ColonY
Dutch Burghers ”８ 調 ‘ＦＦ 弓９ ８
りｏＯ嬌∽増︼

Gentlemen of the late Dtttch Governrnent

ｒ”∽

The Modeliars of the Cutchery of Colombo

ｒ”∽ｏｏＬ

The Modeliars of the Commissioner of Revenue

ｏｏ﹂
絆 哺奎８コの∽
，

The Modeliars of the Chief Secretary

ｏ①●∽

ｏ①●∽

The Modeliars of the Supreme Court of Judicature

，       Ｆ”∽
        ”ヽ

f,he Modeliars of the Governor's Gate

Military Officers of the Garrison of Colombo

rnoving in files two deep
，
”∽

the Junior Ranks leading

〇〇﹃

のＯ﹁

The Civil Servants of His Majesty's Government

ｏ①〓∽

Ｏｏ●∽

The Members of His Majesty's Council

in their Carriages
The Military Staff and A.ides de Camp of His
Excellency the Governor

232
 The Governor in His Caniage accompanied by
The llodble the Chief & Puisne Justices
A Subaltern's 6uard of His Majesty's 19th Regimcnt
Orderly Dragoons
The Ceremony to be conducted by Captaiu llardy A.D.C. to
His Excellenoy the Governor, aided by Lieutenant Cox
Fort Adjutant.

l. fohannes llertenberg, Governor-January l2th, t72A.

2. Gcrrard Joan Vreland, Extraordinary Councillor of India and
Governor-March 6th 1751.

3. Lubbert Jan Baron Van Eck, conqueror of the Kingdom of Kandy

in February 1765, Governor*November llth, 1762.
4. Ivan Willem Falck, Governor and Director of India-August
gth,1765.

5. Joan Gerrard Van Angelbeek, Ordinary Councillor of India and

Governor July 15th 1794, until Fcbruary l6th 1796, when
Ceylon was ceded to Britain.

233
 mNDⅨ II

THE DUTCH GOVERNORS OF CEYLON

l. Willem Jacobsz Coster 1640
2. Jan Thijssen @ayart) 1640-1646
3. Joan Maetsuycker 1646-1652
4. Jacobvan Kittensteyn ... 1650--1653
5. Adriaan van der Meijden 1653-‐ 1662
6. Rijcklof van Goens 1662--1663
1665-‐ 1675

7. Jacob Hustaert 1663-1664

8. Rijcklof van Co"n, 3. ... ... '.: 1675--1679
9. Laurens Pijl 1679--1692
10. Thomas van Ree 1692--1697
11. Gerrit de Heere ... 1697-1702
12. Cornelis Jan Simonsz 1703--1707
13. Hendrik Bekker ... 1707-1716
14. Isaac Augustijn Rumph ... 1716--1723
15. JohannesHertenberg 1723-1725
Johan Paul Schagen (temPorarY) 1725--1726
16. Pieter Vuyst 1726-‐ 1729

17. Stephanus VersluYs 1729-1732

18。 Diederik van Domburch 1733--1736
19. Gustaaf Willem Baron van Imhofr 1736-1740
20。 Willem Maurits Bruininck 1740--1742
21. Daniel Overbeek 1742-1743
22. Julius Valentijn Steijn van Gollonesse... 1743--1751

23. Gerard foan Vreelandt 1751-1752

24. Joan Gideon Loten 1752--1757
25. Jan Schreuder 1756--1761
26. Lubbert Jan Baron van Eck 1761--1765
27. IVan Willem Falck 1765--1785
28. Willem Jacob van de Graafr 1785-‐ 1794

29. Johan Gerard van Angelbeek ... 1794--1796

234
 RECTORS OF THE COLOMBo sEMINARY
The Revo Simon Kat 。
¨ ¨。 …. …. 1696… …1697
The Rev. Joannes Ruel 1697--1698
The Rev. Petrus Sinjue 1704--1725
The Rev. Petrus Kalden 1725--1737
The Rev. Philippus Wetzelius 1737-1751
The Revo Matthitt Wemelskircher.¨ 1751--1757
The Rev. Johannes Jacobus Mever ... 1757--1762
The Rev. Sigisbertus Abraharhszen Bronsveld 1762-1769
The Rev. Willem Jurriaan Ondaatje ..- 1769--1776
The Rev. Johan Godfried Manger 1776--1785
Christiaan Camp, proponent 1785-1796

APPENDIX I I I
THE DUTCH ADMINISTRATION
The Dutch Governor was assisted by a Political Council of Mem-
bers which comprised of the following:
L The Chief Revenue Officer (Hoofd Administtaeur)
2. Officer Commanding the Forces.
3. Agent of the Government for Rural Districts (Dessawe)
4. Treasurer (Zoldy Boekhouder)
5. The Political Secretary.
6. The Chief Warehouse Keeper (Eerste Palchuismeester)
7. The Public Prosecutor (Fiscal)
8. The Trade Commissioner (Negotie Boekhouder)
As regards the Administration. it was bound to be characterised
by its origin. They were rnerchants who drove out tho Portuguese
from the Island, and merchants they remained while they ruled Ceylon
for 150 years. The Officers held the titles of Opperkoopman, Onder-
koopman, Boekhouder, and Aankwekelingen or Zoldyat by de pen. The
numbers on the grades from Koopman (a complimentary commercial
designation for a Merchant,) downwards increased in inverse pro-
portion to their importance and dignity. The highest grade #as that
of Opperkoopmanor UpperMerchant, the nexl Koopman or Merchant
followed by Onder Koopman or Under Merchant. Nqxt in order came
the Boekhouder or Book keeper, and then Ailsistent or Assistant;
while the Wiiters or Cadets were styled Aankwekelingen by de pen
and sometimes Zoldaat onlv
1235
 (]にル″″ S: A Chapter,fro■ l the Dutch Lusiad by Dr.L.A.
`θ
Prins,trans.from De NedeJttdsche Spectttor JDBU Vol.IP。 98-

肥 ぷ:鶴 肌 脚 辮 il嚇乳TtttttH
JDBU Vol.XXⅣ No.4p.131‐ 132,)

THE COLLECIATE lⅥ INISTRY

The CoHegiate Ministry iS that policy of thc Dutch Reformed

Church,whereby a Minister,though granted the privilege of a speciflc
parish,for week day pastoring,is not given the privilege of a speciflC
pulpit fOr Lord's Day pre“ hing,the pulpit being sharcd equally by all
the Ⅳ[inisters. The grollnds for thiS dennition wcre:

(1)The Preface to the Rules.

(2)The Practice of the Church.
(3)The Spirit of the Constitution,Church Order SectiOn H
of the Rules of the General COnsistory in paticul釘 .

(Rψ r“ ιι: Minutes Of the General Consistory of 27th and 28th

July,1960foundonpage23oftheNoVember,1960issue of The Herald.
AIso sce pages 5 and 6 Septemberissue Of 1959 in the artide by Rev.
John Van Ens on``MilllisterS and the pulpit.''

236
 APPENDIX I V
THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH IN CEYLON
1642-二 1942

TERCENrENARY OF THE DUTCH REFORMED

CHURCH IN CEVLON
BY GEO.A.WIILE

It was in Galle on 6th October, l642,tt:r,;t the firdt Church minis-

trations began, though it is from the Dutch occupation of the Island,
which may be said to have been completed in 1658-which was also
the year of the establishment of the Colombo Consistory-that we
must date the beginnings of organised Protestantism in Ceylon. The
Dutch may have been animated by the desire of glory and by love of
wealth in their adventure into Ceylon, but they certainly brought their
religion with them; and if the civil power did not feel quite so strongly
about it although the Dutch colonial policy had its religious side, the
same cannot be said of those who had immediate charge of sacred
things.

RsroRMsp Cnuncs
The outward form of that religion was that of the Dutch Re-
formed Church, and to many outside it, its origin is no doubt unknown.
It is based on the Protestant Reformation of which history- regards the
German Luther as the standard-beargr, and ErasFus, the gxeat Renais-
sance Dutch Scholar, as its precursor; and to this extent it is akin to
other Protestant religions. But the term Reformed Church arose in
contradistinction to the term Lutheran, ancl having been first assumed
by the Swiss and French Protestants came afterwards to be applied to
all Calvinistic Churches-of which the Dutch Reformed Church is
one-on the continent of Europe.

Ltmren
The distinction had its origin in this wise. The 16th century,
that is the century before that in which the Dutch came to Ceylon,
was to them a period not only of political, and religigus struggle

237
against the Spanish Catholic yoke, but of internal wrestling and drs'
putation among themselves as to the truth on certain vital points of
religion. Luther despite his stand against the Roman CaJholic Church,
was still unable to break away altogether from the influence of its
teaching, and he believed in the quasi-corporeal presence of Christ in
the Eucharist and in the comrnunication of gra.ce by the mere cele-
bration of it-as a.gainst the view which constitutes the distinctive
feature of the Reformed church as opposed to the Lutheran, that the
Lord's Supper is mainly & commemorative ordinance and the means
of grace only to those who partake of it in sincerity.

Zwwcr.r
One has heard of the Zwinglians of Switzerland, and as regards
this view of the Lord's Supper, members of the Dutch Reformed
Church may consider themselves Zwinglians; for Zwingli of Switzer-
land, who was a contemporary of Luther, was the founder oi the
Reformed Church. He had less influence on Lqther than his other
contemporary Melancthon, the Erasmus of the German Reformation,
who moderated Luther's vehemence. He was a student of theology at
Basel in Switzerland, a centre of influence in Reformation times, and
long the home of Erasmus to whom Zwingli owed his acquaintance with
Greek. He roused the people by his preaching, but when he met
Luther in conference the two could not agree on the question of the
Eucharist; and thus the Lutheran Church on the one side and the
Reformed Church on the other took their rise. In 1531 the Catholic
cantons of Switzerland declared war against the Reformers, and
among the dead on the battlefield was the great Zwingli, rvhose last
words were "They may kill the body, but not the soul". Such was
the founder of the Reformed Church, to which the Dutch who game
to Ceylon belonged as. a subsequent distinctive part of it, under the
name "Dutch R.eformed Church".

CervtN
As I have said above that the term Reforrned Church came to be
applied to all Calvinistic Churches on the continent, and as the Dutch
Reformed Church is Calvinistic in creed as well as polity, the term re-
quires explanation. John Calvin, another great Reformer (born 2l
yearsafter Lutherand 28 years after Zwingli), havinghadto flee from
his native land, France, owing to the religious eicitement he had caused

238
there, went over to Basel, where he studied Hebrew, and although
barely 27 yea,rs of age at the time, wrote his monumental work, in
Latin, "The Institutes of the Christian Religion"; regarding the French
translation of which by Calvin himself a little later, Professor Saints-
bury says, "it is beyond all qubstion the first serious work of great
literary mcrit, not historical. in the history of French prose".

Chancing to pass through Geneva he decided to prosecute his

wotk in that city which he has made so famous. Owing to his rigor-
ous doctrines he was expelled for a time, but returned to Geneva, and
for twenty years thereafter till hig death was regarded as the head of
the Reformed Churches of not only Scotland, Switzerland and France,
but also Holland, which adopted his theological system. Geneva
certainly became the best school of Protestantism in Europe, and Ca.l-
vin himself the ablest expounder, if not maker, of the modern Presby-
terian creed and polity.

,dnurNrus

It is the controversy that arose from opposition to tlte Calvinistic

creed that brings us to the historic standards of lfaith of the Dutoh
Reformpd Church, as they are still acknowledged by many of its
adherents to-day, whether in Ceylon or els'ewhere. Shortly before
Calvin's death in 1564 there was born in Holland Jacobus Arminius
who became in later life a Pastor at Amsterdam and Professor of
Theology at Leyden University. He asserted the doctrine of free-will
and man's agency in his salvation as against the doctrine of sovereign
divine grace which Calvin had taught, and hence arose the great Armi-
nian controversy. On his side was Barneveldt, a great advocate and
also a patriot who had fought against Spain, although he opposed on
the ground of the latter's selfishness, Maurice of Nassau, Prince of
Orange, son of the illustrious William the Silent the liberator from the
yoke of Spain of the United Provinces, that is, the seven Northern
Provinces of the Netherlands which abjured allegiance to Philip.

Svuon oF DoRr
Against Arminius was Prince Maurice, supported by the adherents
of Gomarus, another staunch Calvinist and although Arminius died
in l609,there was acute dissension over the Arminian "heresy", and
disturbances and riots connected with it lasted through the century,

籾
Prince Maurice was appealed to as stadtholder or head of the united
Provinces; and itwas in order to decide this theol,ogical dispute that
he
Dort whlch sat for over six
summoned in 1618 the National synod of
months, holding over 150 sessions, and which wa's to determine the
standards of faith of the Dutch Reformed church. As a representa-
tive Council it stands high in ecclesiastical history, if not in sotrle res-
pects quite so impressive as the Westminster Assembly of divines
it i"tr i q*t6r
of a century later framed the Rresbyterian Confession
of faith, so representative of Calvinsim. It was a'ttended by 35
Ministers ana ZO Elders from the Churches of the United Provinces;
five Professors of Theolo gy from the schools of Leyden and elsewhere ;
atd 27 delegates from tle Protestant Churches of Great Britain,
Germany, Switzerland and other places on the continent, while
18

political dommissaries deputed by the States-General (the Parliament

of f1onuoa) were present io watctr the proceedings-in this resemb-
ling the poiiticat iommissary who, as representing the State, always
attinded the Consistory meetings during the Dutch period in Ceylon'
as religion was then a concern of the civil power' The
proceedings
of the aynod of Dort were conducted in Latin, the literary language of
Europe at the time, and in the end the Arminianb were condemned as

heretics-among them the eminent jursit Grotius-a Confession of

Faith was adoped, and the rules of Church Governnent approved'
the States-Geniral confirming the Acts of the Synod'

Fonuur.enns

ImustobservebeforepassingontothehistoryoftheDutch
Reformed church in ceylon that the Reformed church in the Nether-
lands had at least begun its organisation long before the Synod of
Dort, though no final confession was adopted, existing as it did mean-
while on sufferance until the great national deliverance from the
strongest continental power of the time was achieved.
In 1566, half
r y earlier, at a Synod held in Antwerp, the Belgian Confession
""tit
was adopted, which itself was revised fronr a rnodel framed on the
Gallican confession, and consisted of 39 articles dealing with the
of christianity; and it was this Belgic confession which
fundamentals
was revised at the Synod of Dort, while the same Synod
ratifled cer-
tain Canons, five in number, dealing in an explanatory way with mat-
ters respecting which there had been controversy in the Belgic Chur-
ches and wlrcl formed the articles of the Arminian "heresy". As

2n
￨
part also of our formularies must be mentioned besides the 12 Arti-
cles of the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed--aomposed in the Coun-
cil of Nice in the year 325-the Athanasian Creed of the year 333,
the Heidelberg Catechism framed in 1560 by two Germans in the
famous German city of that name (another centre of Calvinism) and
adopted in 1571 at a Synod held at Emden, and a Compendium of the
Catechism made by a Dutchman in the year 1608.

CoNstrruuoN
As regards the Constitution or rules of Church government, this
too had its beginning at the Synod at Antwerp in 1566, and after suc-
oessive revisions was finally adopted at the Synod of Dort. It is
based on the interpretation of Scripture and early church practice
which favours the equality of Ministers as against the triple order of
Bishops, pfiests and deacons. It is administered through Ministers
and lay elders and deacons rnho constitute a Consistory, which is the
lowest Church Court having jurisdiction over a particular Church and
congregation, while there is a higher gradation of the classis, provin-
cial synods and national Synod, corresponding tb the Presbytery,
Synods, and the General Assembly of the Protestant Church of Scot-
land. How this constitution was applied and developed in Ceylon
owing to its special circumstances will be seen presently.

Ltruncv
While Scotch Presbyterianism has been said to be nonliturgical
(though every Church now has its ordered forms of worship), the
Dutch Reformed Church has been regarded as semiliturgical. Its
liiurgy appears. to have been adopted at a Synod held at Wesel in
1568, and is certainly a very simple one, consisting of the forms of
prayer to be used on vafious occasions, the administration ofthe sacra-
ments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, the exeroise of Church dis-
cipline, and the Ordination of Ministers and Elders and Deacons,
Confirmation, Marriage and the consolation of the sick and dying.

Tnn Cnuncg rN CeYr,oN

To cone now to the activities of the Church in Ceylon. The
Dutchtookpossession of the maritime portions of ceylon at difrerent
times, beginning with Galle in 1640, Negombo in l6M, Kalutara in
1645, Colombo in 1656 and Jaffna in 1658. The first ministration, as

241
 I

stated above, took place in Galle on 6th October, 1642. lr is impossi'

ble to go into. detail in regard to the religious work done by the Dutch
during the 156 years they spent in Ceylon, from 16z10 to the British
occupation in 1?96. Suffice it to say tfu'J they established numerous
churches and schools all over the parts ofthe country in their possess-
ion, often appropriating the Roman Catholic places of worship which
had belonged to the Portuguese; and the great Churches of Wolven-
daal, Galle and Jafrna and that at Matara which rve know today are
only a small fraction of the total number of places of worship main-
tained by thern.

The number of Ceylonese adherents was very large, but for var'
lous reasons there were hardly any real Dutch Reformed Church
adherents amongst the Ceylonese shortly after the British occupation.
The cause of this has been matter of controversy, and it may be attri-
buted partly to the adherence previously professed being simply due
on the one hand to the system offines inflicted for non-attendance at
church, and on the other to the worldty advancement of those who
joined the Dutch Reformed Church communion. Partly also it was
no doubt due to the austere views of that communion and its simpler
ritual not appealing to the people so effectively as the doctrines and
practices of tlhe Roman Catholic Church, which despite the repressive
*.*urer of the Dutch at the time; seems to have been maintaining
its work to a fairly wide extent.

Pructrv or MNrsrnns

Another contributory cause may have been the paucity of or-

dained Ministers from Holland, for there was a period about 100
years after the arrivd,l of the Dutch when only five such Ministers were
at work, although thg number of Churches was very large, parts of
the country.u"h * Bentota and many towns in the Jaffna Peninsula
having places of worship established in them. The records of the
Consist6ries, of which ih"te were three for the Island, Colombo,
Galle and Jaffna (colombo being tne chief and having a sort of pre-
eminent position and oversight over the work in general), shew that
the need-of Ministeis was keenly felt; and whether owing to want of
i nterest on the part of the Du tch East Ind ia Company, which appointed
Ministers while the Classis in Holland nominated them, or the diffi-
culties caused by the wars in which llolland was engaged during that

242
ＦＩＩＩＩ Ｉ︲

period-it has also'to be remembered that the Dutch had other settle-
ments in the East besides Ceyton-the supply of Ministers wa.s woe-
fully inadequate. They were assisted by Proponents (both Eurooean
and Ceylonese), that is, men who had gone through a theological
course and were licensed to preach, but were not authorised to per-
form the more solemn duties appertaining to the Minister's offi.ce.
But either from want of zeal on the part of these men or the little re-
gard the people had for them, the Consistory of Colombo had once
to point out to the Classis of Amsterdaln, the great loss the Church
was suffering, through their not sending out ordained men. So
strong was the feeling in favour of duly ordained Ministers that when
on one occasion the Consistory of Batavia (the seat of Strpreme
Government for the East) sent out a Minister whom they had taken
upon themselves to ordain, the Colombo Consistory would not have
him.

KuNr-nnzoEKERs AND Telcunns

The only other helpers the Ministers had were men known as
krank-bezoekers or visitors of the sick, whose duty it was to visit the
hospitals, look after orphans and hold week-day meetings. The few
Ministers sent out did the best they could under the difficult circums-
tances, visiting places outside ,h.ir irqmediate charge all over the
country, at stated intervals during the year for the purpose of baptising
or confirming or giving in marriage. The Dutch at the time seem to
have relied largely on the schools they had established for the purpose
of spreading Christianity. There were seminaries chiefly at Colombo
and faffna where students were trained especially for the Ministry,
the most promising being sent to Holland to be ordained, but the
number so sent'out was, as was to be expeoted in the circumstances, very
snall. There were also Dutch schools for the children of the Euro-
peans, schools of a lower grade for the children of European des-
cendants and the poor, and a very large number of vern4cular schools.
The schoolrqaster in every case was a sort of Assistant Minister and
was expected to inculcate the truths of Christianity as much as to
impart secular knowledge. I{e would prepare catechumens with a
view to confirmation when the regular Minister went on his visitations,
and he held the position of thomboholder, that is, keqrer of the land
and baptism and marriage registers.

243
 CHn$rtN.l PnncsPrs

Christ-
Despite the failure of the efforts of the Dutch to spread
(and controversy on this
ianity amongst the people of the country
circunrstances)
p"iii*""rcie profrtlesi now in our present changed not a
ii"un rrorary bJ gainsaid that the people must have benefited and other
iitrf" UV bein! maJe acquainted with the Christian fginlures
and ra.rnil
*iGi"i,. wriings s,hich were translated into both sinhalese
great scholars
as well as Portuguese. Men like Dr' Baldeus became
the part
in the vernaculars, the absence of a knowledge of which on
among
of the Ministers generally was felt to be one great drawback'
others I have rnentioned, to the spread of the Gospel
in the aoullry'
For this reason the local consistory, in writing to the classis in Hol-
Lnd, pr.*r.d upon them to send out scholarly young men $ho would
take'ip the study of the native languages. whatever harrn com-
p"r'i'"andinducementrnayhavedone-thestandardsofthought
-oittre
perioO and the particular circumstances of the Church in Ceylon
a.t leasi explain these methods whioh were not
peculiar to the Dutch-
the inculition of Christian precepts, especially considering the
cirndition of the country at the tine, cannot but be counted
blame-and
to the Dutctr for righteousness; and whoever else was to
the local Consistories themselVes were not slow to condemn lapses on
the part of some settlers if of evil exanple-one cannot read the
,.po'rt* which the Consistories sent out to Holland from time to time
*itt *t realising the anxiety with which they watched the trend of
things in Church matters in their charge, and the earnestness with
*f,iJf, they desired to see all hindrances removed, and the Christian
jurisdiction'
truth, as t-hey viewed it, spread throughout their

Wor-vpr.toAAr, Cnuncn

space forbids a detailed reference to the churches,

especially
with just a word
ttrose if Wotvendaal, Galle, Jaffna Matara,
and and
o. t*o in regard to thenr I must pass on to later periods' So- long as

wotu."auurchurchstandsitwillremain_apartfronitsarchitectural
interest,andthatofthememorialsandarchivesitcontains_a.monu.
pressure
*.ntof p","n Christian zeal. It was undertaken after much
*u, ti""gnt to bear by the local Consistory on the civil authorities,
in the
and one oan only ,r*iho the hope of wistful piety vxpressed
text wtrich was talen for the sermon on the occasion of its dedication:

244
"And this stone which I have set for a pillar shalt be God's house".
The foundation was laid in 1749, and the Church dedicated for wor-
ship in 1757, so that we are just 15 years short of the bicentenary of
the latter event. It was in this Church, called three-quarters of a
century later by Governor Sir Willia.m Gregory the Westminster
Abbey of Ceylon, that a Thanksgiving Service was held when Ceylon
was ratified to the British by the Peace of A.miens in 1802. The fam-
ous Bishop Heber also once attended a Sinhalese Service held in it in
1825.

Gnne Cnuncs
From the point of view of architecture, the Church at Galle,
built shortly after Wolvendaal Church, is said t'o be the most character-
istically Dutch Church in Ceylon, the gables giving it its distinctly
Dutch appearance. Its walls are covered with mural tablets, many of
them emblazoned with heraldic achievements, and as in the case of
Wolvendaal Church the floor is paved with gravestones, with shields of
arms and other emblems engraved on them. The high vaulted ceiling
was painted sky-blue and studded with stars of gold" so as to be em-
blematic of the heavens. The organ loft with an elaborately painted
front representing an organ runs across the entire width ofthe Church
on the side of the main entrance, like the organJoft at Wolvendaal
which runs similarly across the western wing of the Church.

J.lrrNe Cnuncn
If the Church at Galle has features of its own, there is far more
similarity in external appearance between Wolvendaal Church and
the Church at faffna. The latter building much older than any other
of the Church buildings standing today, was over a generation ago
purchased by Government, as owing to the departure of Dutch des-
cendants from Jaffna it ceased to be used as a Church; but with its
characteristic mediaeval features and the reminiscences it enshrines.
it will always remain an object of historic and religious interest.
Mlren^e, Cnuncn
The Church at Matara which is considered to be much older than
the others exccpt Ja,ffna, is of the meeting-hall type and less pretent-
ious architecturally, but Mr. J.P. Lewis who made Dutch architecture
among other antiquities in Ceylon a subject of special study, regarded
the tout ensemble as verv Dutch.

245
 Arrsn rne Bmrtsn OccuP,lrloN'

To.come back to our history. After: the British occupation nrost

of the Ministers left the Island, and both church and school systems
suffered. The schools were kept up for only a short time, and when
in 1806 even the few Ministers who had remained behind decided to
go, the colombo consistory informed the Go'vernment that divine
Jervice could no longer be psrformed. The Governor of the time,
however, sir Thomas Maitland, feeling bound under the terms of the
Dutch capitulation to support those so entitled in the formal exercise
of their ,"ligion, thought proper to grant to the Ret' Mr' Giffening
an allowance to enable him to continue, He did continue in charge of
palqr (Sr.) took charge, and
wolvendaal church till 1812, when Mr.
he in turn was succeeded by his son rvho served till the year 1861.
Meanwhile services contipued to be held in Wolvendaal Church (in-
cluding a sdrvice in iutch till about 1850), and besides its- own ser-
vices were those of the Anglican Church on behalf of many of the better
class singhalese who had given up the faith of the Dutch Reformed
Church for thatpf Anglicanism. This gave rise to a claim put for-
ward on behalf of the Anglican Church, in about the year 1849'
for the possession of woGndaal church. It, as well as a similar
claim in respect of the Galle church, arose out of the willingness of
the consistories throughout the Island to place their churches at the
disposal of those who wanted places of worship and who -were more
favourably situated as regards a supply of Ministers' After a long
. controversy it was decided by the Scretary of. State that the Church
belonged to those who adhered to the Dutch Reformed Church'
and
the papers on the subject were afterwards ordered by the House of
Commons to be Printed.

Rnvrv.nl- lNo D$esr^n'sLIsHMENT

ItwasbecausethemembersofWolvendaalChurchfeltaspirit
ofrevivalafterthedepressionofthefirsthalfofthel9thcentury
that the colombo con-sistory decided to ask the Anglican
church to
makeotherarrangementsforitsservices,whichitwaswellabletodo'
,atSt.Paul'spettatr.SincethattimetheChurchhasnotceasedto
gone on extending
have the loyalty of most of its adherents, and it has
be much as com'
its work to what it is at the present da1' .It may
not
considering the diffipulties of a com-
larea with other churches, but
this was truel ttO or 50
iaratively small and poor congregation-and

246
 years ago than it is today, especially owing to many of the Burghers
joining th.eAnglican Church in older days-much more could hardly
have been expected. But the faith rvas preserved, and the services
of the Church continued, and when the proposal for disestablishment
came, fortunately shortly after the late Rev. Mr. Lindsay's arrival in
1877, so that his salary as an existing interest was saved, it did not seem
to affect the Church in any way. A. great fight was waged with Govern-
ment on the question of this disestablishment, as according to tbe
Articles of Capitulation the Government undertook to maintain the
services of the Dutch Reformed Church; and one of the arguments
urged by the Consistory was that Government had constantly kept
faith in the matter, with the Church in Colornbo at any rate, by the
long succession of Ministers rvho had been on the Government es-
tablishment. But the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Giffening in
1806, to whicb I have referred, was regarded by the Secretary of State
as a special arrangement due to the kindness of Governor Maitland;
and the stipulation in the Treaty was held to have been voluntarily
surrendered by us in 1806 when the Dutch Ministers left our shores
and the Colombo Consistory informed Government that divine
services could no longer be maintained.

MrN$rsns ni Jarrxn
The other Dutch Reformed Churches in Ceylon sdffered much
more tban Wolvendaal Church a.fter the Capitulation. The last
Minister in Ja,ffna was Rev. Mr. Cadenski. whose services terminated
in 1807. The Jaffna Consistory made a strong appeal to Govern-
ment, and the Colombo Consistory for aid, but all that was vouch-
safed was the appointment of Prelectors, that is, officers who could
only read prayers and sermons from a book and were not authorised
to perform the rites of the Church.

Mrnnrrns nq Gerlp eNn Meren,l

In Galle the Government in 1805 appointed the Rev. M. C. de

Vos of Cape Colony, the first Minister appointed, after the British
occupation, but the Galle Consistory opposed the appointment on the
ground of want of due authentication on the part of the classis of
Holland. From 1811 to 1847 there qas no Minister in Galle and
services were kept up by the Consistdry through a Proponent, the

247'
Minister of Corombo visiting quafierly for the solemnization of mar-
riage and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the
Lord's Supper. The Anglicans used the Galle Church from the early
days of the British occupation up to about 1 867 and rested on this fact
the claim I bave already referred to. Matara was placed in a similar
plight to other out-station Churches till the year 1847 when the Rev.
J. G. Clarke wasappointed for both Galle andMatara; and in 1869
the Rev. Mr. Vanderwall wa.s appointed with the aidof the Colombo
Committee of the Church of Scotland and the local Scottish Presby-
tery of time, to whom Matara as well as Jaffna is indebted also for
pecuniary assistance once rendered conjointly with the Colombo
Consistory.

In tbis state of things it is not surprising that many outstation,

members of the Dutch Reformed Church joined other Communions
and it would be futile now to seek to apportion the blame for it to this
quarter or that. Sometimes the Government seems to have appointed
men who did not arrive. It is stated also that in 1810 the Secretary
of State pt'oposed to make appointments from Scotland and receive
young men for education for the Ministry in Edinburgh, but the offer
was evidently not taken advantage of.

RrcnnurNlr

Despite all these difficulties it is encouraging to know that al-

though Jaffna Church is no longer our property, and many minor
church buildings in various parts of the Island are used by others for
religious or school or other purposes, Wolvendaal, Galle and Matara
still serve as places of worship for members of the Dutch Reformed
Church. Besides Wolvendaat Church there are in Colombo five
branch Churches, and one in prospect at Nugegoda, with six English
day Schools and six Sunday Schools and three Singhalese free day
Schools and three Singbalese Sunday Schools at Wolvendaal, Dehi-
wala and Ba,rnbalapitiya. I should not also omit to rnention the
Singhalese Mission Services conducted at Wolvendaal, Bambalapitiya
and Dehiwala by two Catechists, the Women's Missionary Union at
Wellawatte and at Bambalapitiya and the Sinhalese Mission work in
the North-Central Province, which is in charge of Rev. Mr. Vander-
gert under the sanction of the Presbytery. Still more noteworthy is
the fact that a few years ago the Rev. L. N. Hitchcock of the'Jaffna

248
「
Council of the South India United Church (a Union of Presbyterians
and Congregationalists) was installed as a Collegiate Minister of the
Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon and placed in charge of the Tamil
Mission, and now besides occasionally helping intheEnglish services
and rendering other aid in day School or Sunday School carries on the
work for the Tamils, for whom d regular Sunday Service is held in
Wolvendaal Church, besides a Sunday School and Night School,
while Tamil Mission work is also carried on at Regent Street. Thus
has been vindicated however humbly the inspiring motto of the
Dutch Reformed Church-spes est, regerminat-with a sprouting
tree for its emblem so akin in spirit to the burning bush of Scotch
Presbyterianism with its motto-nec tamen consumebatur.

One who played a great part in our Church development in later

years was the late Rev. David Tweed, who served from 1899 up to his
retirement in 1933. He faithfulLy furthered the cause of Church
extension initiated in the last decade of the late Rev. $. l,indsay's
term of office which bnded in 1898: and to him is largely due the
training of indigcnous Ministers for the Church. Another from
abroad, just retired, who served us loqg is Rev. W. C. Fteming, who
has been appointed by the Presbytery Pastor Emeritus.

Tnr Pnessvrgnv
It will have been gathered from the above that the Colombo,
Galle and Matara Consistories worked more or less in isolation for
the greater part of the 19th century, and as independent Church
Courts. But the Scotch Presbyterian Church which had at one time
six Ministers in Ceylon, though it now has only two (in Colombo and
in Kandy) had established its Presbytery Court as a Colonial Presby-
tery of the Church of Scotland, over seventy-nine years ago. In
1880 it became a general Presbytery, and Wolvendaal Church joined
this Presbytery in the year 1882, Galle and Matara giving in their
adhesion shortly after. The terms of union, while constituting the
Presbytery the final Court of Appeal for the Ceylon Scotch and Dutch
Reformed Churches, reserved the respective rights of these Churches
to be governed by their own Laws and usages.
Pnsssxr CoNsrtruttol.r
lnl926 there was an important development in the constitution
of the Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon. By Ordinance No. 9
of that year, which it fell to my lot to draft and to pilot through the

249
late l-egislative Council, the General Consistory of the Dutch Reformed
Church in Ceylon was constituted and incorporated. After reciting
1 2 of 1896, the Members of the Consistory of the
that by Ordinance No.
Dutch Reformed Church at Wolvendaal were duly incorporated (the
branch Churches at Bambalapitiya and Maligakande being included
for the purposes of the Ordinance in the Church at Wolvendaal), and
that Churches had since been erected by the Wolveqdaal Consistory
at Regent Street, at Wellawatte and at Dehiwal,a, and that the Dutch
Reformed Churches in Galle and Matara were under the control of
their respective Consistories, and that for the purpose of promoting
the welfare of the Dutch Reformed Church in Ceylon generatly, it
was deemed expedient to have separate local Consistories for the
management of one or more Churchesas circumstances might require,
together with a General Consistory in which should vest all property,
and which should have a general supervising authority, and that the
Consistories at Galle and Matara had expressed their desire
that property possessed by them should vest in such General Con-
sistory, and that their Churches should likewise be governed by the
Ordinance, the Ordinance provided for the constitution of Consis-
tories for the Churches at (l) Wolvendaal, (2) Bambalapitiya, (3)
Regent Street and Maligakande, (4) Wellawatte and Dehiwala, and
(5)-Galle and Matara, each to consist of the Minister in charge with
two Elders and four Deacons, the General Consistory consisting of all
the members of local Consistories. The General Consistory was
vested.with property of every kind and power given to it to make rules
for all matters affecting the administration and welfare of the Dutch
Reformed Church in Ceylon, and in all matters the decision of the
General Consistory was to be final, subject in ecclesiastical a.ffairs to
the rights of the Presbytery of Ceylon.

CoNcrusroN

Thus have we arrived at a stage, when in the changed conditions

of the world material.ty, mentally and spiritually, we have different
problems to solve from those of other days, and for the solution of
which while appreciating the value of custom and tradition as binding
forces linking us together by ties of sentiment to which religion can
only give added force, we have to equip ourselves in the spirit of that
Christian unity which makes for strength.

250
￨

INDEX
Page Page
105 146

c躙 犠
Abels, Rev. J. C.

es i:il詐 "
Agnew, Major Patrick 15, 66, 67
Alexander
Annual Church Con- 26, 139
ference
Arrival of the British 14
Arrival of the Dutch 2
Arrival of the Portu- 1
guese
Baldaeus, Rev. Philli- 8, 10,20, 105
pus
Baptismal Font, Jafrna 49,71,74 from Ceylon
Church Dessave 42,44
Bentota 7, 242 Devinuwara Devala 21,41
Boer Prisoners 110, 114 (Dondra)
Bogaard, Rev. Ludc- 8, 37 Dharmapala, King of 52, 65
Kotte
絆wshmC・ ぴぬ
vlcus
British East India 14, 16 D霊 e2,25,解 7
Company
Buchanan, Dr. Claud-
tus
19,20
■:L:鋤 Imね 8,“
Cadenski, Rev. James 20,247
田鳥M岬 槻 s ll
揺:ndSt° ry誠 45
Calvin Hall 92 (燿

Ceylon ceded to the 16,24 Hず

British
Ceylon Mission Asso- 102, 111 First Dutch Minister to 10
ciation of South Ceylon
Africa First Dutch Minister 38
Chapman, Bishop 21, 35, 59 to Colombo
Church Councils 8 Fort St. George, 14, 15, 16
Church Courts 26 Madras
Church Seals 187, 249 Galle 2, 3, 8, 10, 16,
Church of our [,ady of 46 18, 20‐ 21,24,245
Miracles, Jaffna 247
Church of St. Francis, 12, 13, 51, 57 Gazette Notice for re- 52,230
Colombo moval of remains to
Church of St. Francis, 60,65 Wolvendaal Church
Kotte General Consistory 26, 111, 141, 154
Christian Reformed 26, 178, 179, 188, 250
Church, America Gifrening, Rev. Ber- 11, 22, 25,243
Clark, Rev. James 21, 36,43,248 nard Abraham
King Hammenheil, Fort 4
Collegiate Ministry 232 Heidelberg Catechism 119, 120,204
3, 8, 10, 16, 37
Hobart, Lord 14‐ 15, 16, 18
Colombo Hornhovius, Antonius 8, 10,38
Comforters of the Sick 7, 8, 29 Hulft, General Gerard 3, 52
Communion Silver, 49, 56, 74 Jafrna 4, 5, 8, 10, 16,
Jaffna Church 20,21, 105,245,
Communion Silver, 21,49, 56 247
Mannar Church Jaffna Church Baptis- 71, 74
Communion Silver, 43, 56 mal Font
Matara Church Janadipathi Maodiriya 13, 52, 64
Communion Silver, 56 Kalpitiya (Calpetyn) 16
Wolvendaal Church Kalutara 3,22
Consistory first Con- 10 Kayman's Oate Bell 60,65
stituted Kayts 4

251
 P零 Page

拙 F“ hl需 2叩
ち
ll敬
驚1配盤 rh ;i"ル ,23:謡
Seminary,Second
Last Dutch Minister
25 C010mbo
178
m20,48 S° uぬ A,i∝ n Chrchり ,Ю 2,lЮ
バMinister
:1黒 昇 :棚翠
,

111
in Jarna Star Fort 41
Lilnited Atoncment 21l State Religion 17
Lindsay,Revo Samue1 25, 73, 78, 135, Sunday Schools,EXa‐ 122
247 mlnations
London Missionary 19,20 SuppressiQn ofthe usc 24
S∝ icty ofthe Dutch Lang‐
r il:l:1125,247 syn″ ::Dort 186,11:ぅ 203,
単:椰
Matara
13tVern°

:;,1れ Tercentenary of the 237

ξ解'T鳳 宙
lを

Mitchell,Rev.Hcnry 21,22
,1ふ 13
Transiations 8, 11, 109, 182

rtt l,81,l 棚 鮮鑑 :L“ n設 釜籍 ,

蠅 罠∫ Trincomalee 3, 14, 15, 16

01evianus Caspar 206 ursinus,Zacharias 208
0pen Pulpit 123 usc Of Dutch,in ser‐ 23
0Fder Of Service in 22 vlces
early Dutch Times usc Of Dutch,Sup‐ 24
0rdinance tt of郎 96、

譜鷺臨:°
fD26 J ttl場 u∬ 欝騰ごand 24,■
Palm,Rev.J.D。 (Snr.)20,21,22,43,
身,:1° Eng‖ sh to recod
Minutes
68, 78, 100, 105 USe of English instead 23, 24, 120
120, 122 ofl)utch
nr.)需 Vacation Bible Schoo1 93
ミ、 鷺欺Lλ』 。 van Angebeek,J.G.:;il缶 ,::159,
Philllps,Rev.Hend‐ 8,11
Ptthtmmissbner■7i: じ謝Eck,臨P・ 11,41

躍 露:F°
Vl188鷺 鷺:鷲 空 ;」
Vanlmhot BarOn G. 12
51
Predikant 7, 11, 12,57, W.
105 Van Spilbcrgcn,Ad‐ 2,216
Prelectors 21,22,43, 247 miral Joris
■esけ tery 約 ng Of Schods 27,185

電緊密器 郎 " v.&∫

,後 91践 OIm,ve銀
Villcente,Father,Arst 2
・面雨… y 2,47
PЮ poncnt
ゑ1七41・ り'"砲 I協 繹鑑機 ?
Printing in Sinhala and 8, 176 Adam
獅
: 1 靴 品 晶 齢 "T猾
鼈 ギ♀ 翻霊Lckα ,Rc■ 54,63
鍮 、囲 :鴨
t'今 braham
:8,48 w。 市 cmad la ζ キ偽,%
記 冊 霊 解:翼 Womcn's Missionary 86,136
1
Union
Scholarch ll
Schools 27, 184 Zickentrooster , 7,29,57,243

252
 TntS book is intended to give a
u deepel appreciation and knowledge
of the work of the Dutch Reformed
Ghrurch in Sri Lanka. Jt endeavours to
fill in the gaps of history little known
tti ustoday. Written in simple language
it sets out to link the events of the past
to the needs of the present and the !

aspirations for the future. '

It proclaims the working of God in a ,'

particular context, using the ordinary
talents of ordinary men and women
to enrich and bless the world they lived
in.
Front Cover
- Dutch Reformed Church
Wolvendaal, Colombo"

The General Consistory of the

DUTCH REFORMED CHURCFI
363. Galle Road, Colombo 6.