Trouble now broke out afresh in Madras, for the French were again investing the town, and the missionaries at Vepery gathered together in prayer for the safety and success of the British arms. During an assault on the town the native horsemen who were assisting the French troops swept down on to the mission buildings and robbed the Christian men, women, and children who were in the church for security. It is surprising that there was no bloodshed, but, as one of the missionaries said, “Our gracious God, however, without whose permission not a hair falls from our heads, mercifully preserved his servants, so that their persons were not touched and, with the exception of being plundered, no one sustained the slightest injury.” After getting some protection from the French officers, Mr. Fabricius went back to his dismantled station at Vepery, where everything was in confusion and only a few manuscripts and books were left by the fierce Mohammedan troops. For some time it seemed as if the English in the fort would not be able to hold out, but at the critical moment their fleet appeared before Madras and not only was the siege abandoned but in several subsequent battles the French power was, as regards India, broken for ever. The visit of Schwartz to the island of Ceylon was in response to an appeal by the Dutch missionary there, and on his arrival he received a very respectful and kind welcome from the brethren and also the Dutch commandant. The missionaries were converted Tamils, and it was a great delight to them to receive the instructions and advice of Schwartz in their own language. With unwearied zeal he travelled from place to place, visiting the hospitals, preaching in the churches, and, at the Governor’s request, administering Holy Communion. But here his health broke down; what was the nature of his sickness does not appear, but for a whole month he was laid aside and the only record we have is the gratitude of his heart when he was sufficiently recovered to begin work again. At the end of his visit, on his way to India, the ship lost sight of land and the Mohammedan sailors implored him to tell them about Jesus Christ, and when he did so they listened with respect. Schwartz was one of those men of whom it may be said they are never off duty, not only in his ministrations as a preacher, but continually from quite unexpected quarters and at frequent times an opportunity came or someone would open a conversation with him, asking his help and advice. While he was at Jaffna, for instance, a well educated and serious native, who viewed religion as other matters from a scientific standpoint, wanted him to relieve his mind of many doubts on the subject of revelation. A long conversation followed in which Schwartz tried to lead him from his doubts one by one to a position of faith and liberty. The closing advice exhibits the far-seeing judgment of the missionary and is just as applicable to the case to-day as then.