The inhabitants of this part of the island have been much afflicted lately by a dreadful flood, which no one living ever recollects to have been equalled. It came on suddenly and unexpectedly, at mid-night, like the judgment day. By it multitudes were roused from their slumbers, and obliged to fly for their lives. Many were killed by it; the houses of others destroyed--and being near the approach of harvest, the injury done to the rice and other crops is incalculable. Many of our members have suffered severely from it, in the loss of their little property, in the destruction of their houses, and in the bodily privations they have endured. I went on Wednesday last to preach at a village where one of our members lives, and the account he gave me of the perilous condition in which he and his family were, was most heart-rending. The water rose as high as the shoulders of a tall man in his house. His dwelling was washed away. He and his son were obliged to ascend to the outside of the roof of a bungalow, where they remained two days without food; if they called no one could hear them, they could get near no one, nor any one near to them. There, amidst the pelting of the rain--the howling of the wind--the creaking of the trees--and the fear of the place on which they were sitting falling, they were obliged to continue. The government, with the most commendable diligence, sent boats laden with rice and dried fish, as far as they were able; and a subscription has been opened to afford relief to the sufferers, which has been liberally supported. I engaged persons, whom I supplied with money, to go among the most needy in and near to Colombo, and give them food to prevent their dying with hunger. Our meeting-house at Hanwella has been entirely destroyed by the inundation; and, in the present state of things there, I do not think it expedient to build it again. A small bungalow will be erected for the accommodation of those who wish to hear the word of God; and I hope to obtain a sufficient quantity of timber from the wreck to erect a little place of worship at Byamvillee, if I can obtain sufficient subscriptions for it.