A Brief History of Wesley College Colombo

Wesley College is named after John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of the Methodist Church . An Oxford graduate, he was one of the greatest evangelists in the history of the Christian Church. A preacher of great power and an organiser of genius, he founded Methodism in the face of intense opposition and laid the foundations of future world-wide expansion.

Historically, Ceylon Methodism began when the first Methodist missionaries landed in Ceylon on 29 June 1814. But it was in 1813, when Dr Thomas Coke wrote those historic words of his, that Ceylon Methodism actually came into being "I am now dead to Europe and alive to India. God Himself has said to me, 'Go to Ceylon'! I am as convinced of the will of God in this respect as that I breathe - so fully convinced that methinks I would rather be set naked on the coast of Ceylon without clothes and without friends, than not go there".

The School in Dam Street Pettah

Wesley College began its life in Dam Street Pettah and was founded by Rev.Daniel Henry Pereira on the 2nd of March 1874. He became its first Vice Principal during the Principalship of Rev. Samuel Rowse Wilkin. Dam Street takes us back to the Dutch period. During the early days Pettah was a respectable residential area and its streets were lined by tall trees. Messenger Street was called 'Rue de Massang' by the Dutch as there were many Massang trees. Even today it is called Masang Gas Vidiya. Earlier Dam Street was called 'Damba Street' as Damba trees lined its path. The school had its beginnings on the dusty verandahs of the old Methodist Church at Dam street, Pettah.

Closely associated with Rev Pereira was Jan Crozier, a kindly Boer, from the South African Rand. The Pettah merchants, of mixed race and religions, sent their children to receive their education in this school. Daniel Henry Pereira was much loved by the people and his pupils. He laboured thus for years in the dust and the heat of Pettah. When Rev Highfield arrived In 1895 Pettah was rapidly becoming industrialised and he saw the need for

quieter surroundings for his school with room to expand. Wesley College was moved to its present site in 1905 with the help of the dynamic Rev. Henry Highfield.

The Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira Founder of Wesley College, Colombo. By Shelton Peiris

from the 125th Anniversary Souvenir

In a Journey, back in time, to the environs of the dusty noisy Pettah, we go over to the Wesleyan Mission premises in Dam Street, where we find a group of children at the feet of a benign Minister, the Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira. It certainly was no place for a school but in spite of the many difficulties, no doubt inspired by the Lords invitation "suffer the little children to come upto me" This man kept his grace. Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira, born (circa) 1926 was the eldest son of the Rev. Don Daniel Pereira who started life as a young school master and taught in a school built by the Rev. Benjamin Clough. On joining the Ministry he followed deep evangelistic trends.He was called " the apostle of Kurana - Negombo ". The Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira had a younger brother, who was Rev. Peter Bartholomeusz Pereira. Young Daniel Henry was keenly interested in teaching and at a very early age took an equally great interest in the snakes which he studied identifying their species and habits under a famous South Indian Snake Specialist who reserved no secrets as he instructed his pupil. Daniel Henry was quick to absorb the life pattern of these ophidian reptiles. In fact, in later years, he had edited a catalogue in Sinhala and had contributed to journals. He submitted papers to the Ceylon friend a journal associated with the Wesleyian Church. His contribution to these many journals gave rise to research. He was also an authority on ants in Ceylon. He had great hopes of being a Scientist but in response to his dying mothers wish, he entered the Ministry, in 1851. In addition to his knowledge of reptiles, ants, snails and slugs as a nature scientist he was also proficient in English, Sinhala and Portuguese. His fluency and masterly use of these languages kept this congregations spellbound. He had also a knowledge of Hebrew and Greek. He had a brilliant mind displaying itself in lhe clarity of expression. Certainly he would have been on par with the Western Missionaries of evangelistic fervour. He was a pupil of the famed Oriental Scholar, the Rev. Don John Gogerley who was in charge of the Institute of Colombo which was an early "Divinity School". His interest in teaching combined with his parish work and his deep interest in natural science made him eminent. In his Parish work he served in many stations for over 25 years. Moratuwa, then a very large Parish, which he took over from the Rev. G. G. de Zilva saw him work with zest and vigour. He founded an English School at Gorakagaha in Mankada conducting cottage meetings in the homes of those Methodists whilst he resided at Rawattawatte. He contributed largely to the spiritual revival at Moratuwa. When he fell ill his work was taken over by the Rev. Robert Hardy. The school at Dam Street he conducted formed the beginning of Wesley College which was founded on the 2nd March 1874 of which he was the first ever vice Principal with the Rev. Samuel Rowse Wilkin its first Principal. (1874 -1879) who was followed by the Rev. Arthur Shipham (1880 - 1883) with whom Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira works till the latter's retirement. The Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira's son, William H. D. Pereira, studied at Wesley. He was later an Assistant Accountant in the Colombo Port Commission. On his retirement as a Minister in 1882 he settled down in Hambantota. Though not in the best of health he visited homes and those persons who had surrendered their lives to Christ. They were greatly helped by this erudite, but simple, priest, with his life style, though plain, was rich in the -scriptures and its application. His was a life of deep prayer and faith of wide labour and concern ever with an alert mind. His old friend. Rev. Arthur Shipham who was stationed at Matara, no doubt, may have had communication with each other. The last few months of his life had been a challenge. His health was failing but his discipline and training, his deep reliance on his Saviour had increased his faith. He faced the storm yet on an even keel as he was confined to his home with restricted movement.

A large number of villagers visited him. It was on the 22nd November 1886 that death took him. His was a life that laboured and was well spent in the lords vineyard as 'answering the master's call 'come follow me'. Wesley commemorates the memory of her Founder, the Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira - annually on Founder's Day March 2nd. This is the most important event in the School's calendar. A three storeyed imposing building dedicated to his memory, the " D. H. Pereira Memorial Building" to accommodate the junior school was constructed during the Principalship of Dunstan Fernando No doubt the labours of the Rev. Daniel Henry Perera - servant of God - has accumulated a rich harvest of which we, in this present age, are beneficiaries and no doubt this harvest will be garnered by ages yet unborn.

Progress of the School in 1874

From the Ceylon Friend of February, 1874 (obtained from the archives held by Edmund Dissanayake )
"A project earnestly desired for the last sixteen years has at length been carried out. It was in 1858 that the Rev. J. Rippon first made the proposal for a superior Educational Institution for the Wesleyan Mission in South Ceylon. The idea has never been lost sight of; there have always been some to urge its importance j bun we have never succeeded in obtaining the appointment of a Principal until the last Wesleyan Methodist Conference (August 1873). Now the Principal has arrived--The Rev. S· R. Wilkin, of the London University. He is to be aided by an ardent friend of Education, the Rev. D. H. Pereira, as Vice Principal and Wesley College. Colombo. is to be opened, God willing, on March 2nd. The Mission Buildings opposite the Colombo Kachcheri are in process of adaptation, and for the present, it is hoped. will be adequate and complete. No doubt in time to come greater accommodation may be required; and we should be thankful for any friend who would give us a good site, say in the Cinnamon Gardens, for the College of the future.
This College is intended as the completion of our school arrangements. Without it our labour is to a large extent lost as our most promising scholars leave us for better schools elsewhere. .
"Financially, we mean to make those who learn English pay for it. We hope that this College will in no degree be a burden upon the funds of the parent Society. From Fees and Government Grants, we trust that an income will be derived sufficient, or nearly 80, for current expenses. But for alterations of buildings and purchase of furniture some Rs.2,000 or more must be expended; and those who love light and value instruction will, it is hoped, provide the needful funds. The Missionaries give time and care for this project. It is a fair bargain for others to give the money,"
Notes of the Month--April. 1874.
Wesley College, Colombo, was opened on March 2nd, the Anniversary of Mr. Wesley's death. In the evening a public meeting was held, the Honourable the Queen's Advocate in the Chair. The Rev. J. Scott delivered an address giving the reasons for the opening of the College from a Missionary point of view. R. V. Dunlop, Esq., and the Rev. S. R. Wilkin, the Principal, also took part in the meeting. It was largely attended, and much interest was manifested in the undertaking."
It is on these well-laid lines that the College has been run, and the change of site anticipated came about in 1907 when, after the begging campaign of 1904 and the generous grant from England out of the Million Guineas and Twentieth Century Fund. those present premises were opened with about tile same amount of debt-Rs. 20,000-that the Y.M.C.A. had to admit a week ago. The total cost of land and buildings (without one rupee of Government money) was about Rs: 220,000.
In fifty years the College has had seven Missionary Principals.
The portraits of the six who preceded me, with their names and dates, are in this Hall for all to see. Men enter the ministry of our Church with no expectation of being specially appointed to educational work; but they are ready to go where they are sent and to do to the best of their ability the work to which they .are appointed. Thus in the earlier days, the Principals of this College undertook its duties for periods of about the same length as they would have served in stations of pastoral and evangelistic character, and moved on to those other charges in due sequence. The period covered by my predecessors extended to the later months of 1895. Throughout this period the valuable help of a Master who is still with us, though he joined the staff somewhere about the year 1876. Mr. C. P. Dias still going strong, has advised and helped us all; and what the College owes to him, and What l owe to him is quite beyond words to express. Another 'valuable member of the staff, Mr. W. E. Mack, reckons forty years of service, having joined in 1884: I arrived in October, 1895, and there are also still with us four others who joined the Staff of Wesley before 1900; that is to say, there are to-day seven masters on the Staff who have each served over twenty-five years. At the end of 1906 the Home Committee sent us out the first full-time Missionary Vice-Principal-The Rev. P. T. Cash, B. Sc. The College Owes very much to Mr. and Mrs. Cash for services continued up to August 1920. It was Mr. Cash who initiated the work of the Boarding House in 1910 he too, by becoming lecturer in Zoology in the Medical College for some years, obtained funds to equip our Science Laboratory. He started our Boy Scout Colombo 14th Troop, just now I regret to say temporarily out of action. In very many ways the influence that he and Mrs. Cash exerted upon the College, and particularly the Boarders, has done much to make the College what it is today. To Mrs. Cash we owe the, inauguration of the College Choir, and it was her excellent training that enabled them to win the Singing Shield the first time it was offered to boys. After a well· earned furlough in 1920, Mr. Cash was appointed Principal of Central College, Jaffna. My present colleague, the Rev. E. C. Horler and Mrs. Horler, arrived in October, 1921, and he has taken up the care of the Hostel, also the organisation of the Lower School, and his work is of great value.
In the earlier days external examinations had not so strong a -vogue as now, but as the College grew it was affiliated to the Calcutta" University, and sent up students for that Calcutta Entrance, M.A. and B A. In 1892 we entered the Cambridge lists for the first time, and in so doing gained both honours and distinctions with pass list of ten. The Ceylon University Scholarship was won for the first time by a Wesleyite on the results of the Cambridge junior of 1895; and in subsequent years five more from Wesley have won that coveted prize. The schools can no longer win these scholarships. directly, but we hope that some of them will continue to be taken by Wesleyites after their course at University College.
I believe that it was not until the Principal ship of the Rev. Joseph Passmore that Wesley entered into the friendly rivalry of the cricket field with Royal and St. Thomas', but since those days in 1893, 189i we have bad regular matches with both of those Colleges, a Id later have had a place in the recognised. Inter-Collegiate competitions, and have had at least two Seasons when we were unbeaten by any College team. We joined the Cadet movement from the start and have done good work all along, though never coming, out first in the annual encounters.
Our Literary Associations, Y.M.C.A. and student Christian Union have maintained a steady existence of much usefulness.
Thirty-three Wesleyites took part in the Great War, in the fields of France, Palestine and Mesopotamia, and three -Redlich, Staples, and Brohier- gave their lives for the Empire.
Our Old Boys are to be found in positions of trust and usefulness all over the Island, and not a few in lands afar. Their names can be shown in the Legislative Council, in the Civil Service, in the' Christian Ministry, and that not only of our own Church, in the Medical and Legal professions, in Mercantile and Government Offices, as private Landowners and Cultivators. and last but by no means least important. as members of the Teaching Profession:’
We can fearlessly maintain that our past has been strenuous . Honourable and useful, and we are justified in looking forward into the future for the continuance and enlargement of our influence upon the life of this Colony. Of the achievements of Old Boys and the' humours awarded to them since last Prize. Day. we have pleasure in recording the following :-
The eight boys who left us in August, 1922. qualified to enter University College, are giving a good account of themselves. Four,. J. Sitheram, A. H. M. Ismail, W. V. D. Pieris and A. M. Charawanamuttu, have passed the Intermediate (Arts or Science) and are on the way to London degrees. H. S. Goonewardenl bas passed:
First M.B., and the first part of the Second year Medical; A. E. G. La Brooy. his First year Medical. Of older Old Boys who are following the Medical Profession, we may mention that M. Osman after a very successful course in. our~ Medical College. gaining prizes and medals. has now won the full diploma. Dr. Hector Ferdinando is practicing in Colombo on his return from England with British qualifications; Dr. C. M. Gwyllim has gained his B.Sc., (Lond.) and M.B., with honours in Midwifery:¬ Dr. R. P. Perera has gained British qualifications.
In the Legal Profession:-
E. W. Jayawardene is King's Counsel.
F. C. Loos, Junior, and K. Dhammakasiri. Barrister-at-Law.
J. R. V. D. Ferdinands and C. J. C. Jansz have passed the
Advocate's Final, Mr. Ferdinanda has also passed Inter-Laws Lond,. London, and is Assistant Adjutant to the C. C. B.
The following have passed their Proctor's Final :-
H. L. de Silva. M. T. Jainudeen. S. Ratnakaram, Allan de Zilwa and R. L. Kannangara. The last, however, though be gained the Intermediate Scholarship, has elected to train as a Teacher and is, along with S. V. O. Somanader and others, now at the Government Training College.

Men and their influence

There are photographs of the College Principals who guided Wesley’s destinies and touched hundreds of young lives into finer issues by their saintliness and scholarship. They have exemplified in their life and teaching all that is beautiful and striking in· "Ora et Labora". They are to us what Arnold. Thring, Jowett. Moulton. Paton and others have been to the larger educational world. We have entered on the Jubilee Year, and it will be fitting-even in a cursory manner-to find inspiration in the Men and their Message.
About sixty ago in an upstairs building adjoining the Pettah Wesleyan Church-the cradle of Ceylon Methodism-there lived a minister of genial and gentle temperament. He was an ardent student of men and books. As a preacher, Daniel Henry Pereira was as attractive and helpful in English as in Sinhalese and Portuguese. But teaching was his forte. He opened a private School at his residence, and his pupils were charmed by his magnetic personality and rare gift of imparting knowledge. The school gradually grew in popularity and efficiency. and in 1868 he made an application to the Chairman, John Scott. to have it registered 80S a Grant-in-Aid School. This was done in due course, and on March 2nd 1874 it was opened under the new designation of " Wesley College." But why on March 2nd? Just 83 years before its inauguration there passed away on the self-same day the great Prophet of the Eighteenth Century-John Wesley-with the final message, The Best of all is, God is with us," on his lips. He was great in genius as in generosity and piety. Augustine Birrell has well said" " No man lived nearer the centre than John Wesley, neither Clive nor Pitt. neither Mansfield nor Johnson. You cannot cut him out of our national life. No single figure influenced BO many minds. no single voice touched so many hearts." In many respects John Scott was a striking counterpart of the Founder of Methodism. During his long period of service in the-' Island he won the affection of all communities and creeds by his catholicity of spirit and kindliness of demeanour. To him the' College owes a great debt of gratitude for placing before it the highest ideals which a Missionary College should have. One of the salient features of his life was the intrinsic Value of Time. By a conscientious economy and habitual improvement of time he acquired considerable stores of information on abstruse subjects and they were applied with singular ability and success in the elucidation and defense of God's Word. In Daniel Henry Pereira.. we have another who 'scorned delights and lived laborious days'. He sought to emphasise the Value of Hobbies. During his leisure moments he prosecuted his studies in Chemistry, Astronomy. Geology, Biology and Natural History. He was an authority on the Fresh-Water Fishes and Snakes of Ceylon, and contributed a. series of articles to the" Ceylon Friend," and on other subjects to '"European journals. Sir Arthur Havelock, at a College Prize-Giving, sagely said, "Cultivate a hobby. A hobby is more than a recreation of the mind. It is a protection which relieves the man who has it from ennui or boredom, from the oppressive sense of the sameness of life, and from that tendency to judge everything from a single standpoint, which is the course of the efficient and the industrious.

Samuel Wilkin was the first Principal, and during his five years' work the College was singularly fortunate in having as its Pioneer one who combined, in a marked degree, Consummate Tact with Indomitable Energy. What a splendid union! Labour conquers all things but without tact or sanctified common sense' his work goes for naught. With it. for forty years after relinquishing hi. onerous duties. he Won the unstinted admiration of the people in
responsible spheres of activity in England. One of his pupils describes him as ., One eminently fitted for the role of a schoolmaster and a College Principal" and another was deeply impressed with his .. kindly disposition."
.. Oh! he was of knowledge a Pioneer

His successor. Arthur Shipham, was at the helm for three years. He has just retired from the active work of the ministry. 'His deep and abiding interest in our work was clearly indicated in the Message that. appeared in the Magazine recently ;_
" I am thankful that God has given me forty-four years in this work, the first eleven of which were spent in Ceylon. My memories of the beautiful Island and the kindness of many friends in Colombo and Matara are very pleasant and precious. Wesley College has still a warm place in my heart, and I have followed its magnificent progress with joy. The only Message I would send is. Ora et Labora the Motto for which I am personally responsible."
In giving so choice a Motto he has bequeathed a priceless legacy. Here is a man with a Vision, who has given us a noble watchword which, if carried out in our daily life, will make our lives nobler and sweeter. " A people that hath not the vision perisheth." It is the man of vision that has done an enduring work in all ages. Up, and follow the Gleam !
During the regime of these two Pioneers there was a. loyal band of Lieutenants. Two of the honorary tutors were men of brilliant gifts of bead and heart, whose names are proverbial in our midst.

Samuel Langdon was a man of versatile gifts. He was great as a preacher with his rich endowment of intellectual and spiritual gifts; great as a lecturer on literary and scientific subjects; great as writer; for such books as "'the Appeal of the Serpent", My Mission Garden". Two men of Devon," "Punchi Nona" , etc make interesting reading; great as an organiser, 'and in his advocacy of mission and reformatory work in Haputale and its environs he justly earned the name of the .. Apostle of Uva". But what struck me forcibly as a lad was his buoyant cheerfulness. He was always bright and Joyous. The glow of happiness on his countenance was contagious What a tonic to the jaded worker to have this choice gift I Carlyle says; Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness; altogether past calculation its power of endurance." The other tutor was John Otley Rhodes, a man of unswerving~ uprightness and integrity, of discriminating judgment, of solid attainments," of sincere piety. His sermons were perspicuous in style. orderly in arrangement, chaste in diction. and delivered with much fervour and warmth of feeling. Clarity of thought and keen spiritual insight distinguished his contributions to Magazines. Consumption, however, marked him for its prey, but his passion for work and sunny disposition stood him in good stead for several years· Ten, on medical advice, he left for Australia where he passed away. He was~ an Optimist. U alike the pessimist who sees difficulty in every opportunity, he saw an opportunity in every difficulty. Even in the most trying moments of ill health he shut out the gloomy and called. in the light. He greeted the Unseen with a cheer I In his lectures to the senior students on the book of Job he was self-revealing. The secret of his life was his Value of Prayer. He was able to say with 'one of Tennyson's characters;
"If you fear, Cast all your care on God: that anchor holds."

After a brief period of work as Principal of Richmond College. Samuel Hill assumed duties in 1885. He was one of the saintliest men that ever came out to the East. His entire conduit showed the beauty of holiness; his religion and his life were one. He was a man of meek and amiable disposition; his life blameless and transparent. By the force of holy example he allured others to brighter worlds and led the way.' His life was out short at thirty· two, hut it was crowded with activities. "We live in deeds. not years."

What better choice of a successor could there have been than Thomas Moscrop Many an Old Boy Will echo the sentiments of one who sat at his feet; II He was a great thinker and a very able writer. He was equally happy in the pulpit and in the lecture¬ room. He pos8esHed considerable administrative ability and organizing skill. His was one of the most comprehensive intellects that I have ever known. And he was withal very warm-hearted and brotherly. o him shoddy work was abhorrent. For every hours work in College he put in twice as much time in preparation: and on his Sunday sermons he worked diligently from Monday morning till Saturday evening; and no wonder that his sermons were' gems of purest ray serene.' Every week saw a steady improvement in the quality of his pulpit utterances. What a rebuke to our slipshod methods of work "The Utmost for the Highest " is what is expected from young and old alike

In Thomas Coke Hillard, who came from a talented family,. and Joseph Passmore, we have two men of sterling worth and clear-sightedness, who are still in labours abundant. What shall I more say? For every time will fail me to tell of Strutt, Burnett, Charlesworth, Bestall, Corlett, Triggs, Spaar, Willenburg, Nathanielsz, Cash and others-who have shown In their selfless devotion to duty the wisdom of Wesley's couplet:
" Unite the pair so oft disjoined, Knowledge and vital piety,"

Of the untiring efforts of the present Principal for over III quarter of a century- and of his coadjutors-primarily that of the Bead Master, who has been intimately associated with the College from its earliest years, you know as much as I do· To them, as well as to their predecessors, we are greatly indebted. Their fruitful lives and glowing message of hope and uplift should make our motto 'lit thing of beauty and a JOY for ever'We are the heirs of all the ages - the trustees of posterity.
What an inalienable inheritance is ours I In God's good providence we are nearing the fiftieth Anniversary, and as good stewards, the Past and Present should give due heed to the earnest Appeal of the Principal for a forward move, which will tend to consolidate and extend the work. Mr. Gladstone, in his Rectorial address to the
Edinburgh students, said :- If you let yourselves enjoy the praise of your teacher!!, let me beseech you to repay their Care, and to help their arduous work, by entering into it with them, and by showing them that you meet their exertions neither-with churlish mistrust. nor with a passive indifference, but with free and ready gratitude. Rely upon it, they require your sympathy." What stirring words.

Highfield of Wesley

Henry Highfield is to Wesley what Thesius is to Greece. His Legend is everywhere. Spurred on by his Missionary zeal and love for humanity collected the money to build the school in its present site. In the new Wesley there was pride in teaching and dignity in learning in an atmosphere of tranquillity and understanding. On leaving school they were able to face the struggles of the wider world with courage and fortitude. I am sure every Wesleyite will remember his photograph in the Assembly Hall above the stage in the centre. He was born in Bengal India, in 1865 and was the son of Rev. George Henry Highfeld, who spent many years on the Indian mission-field. His early education was at Kingswood, England, and he afterwards took the MA. degree at London and Cambridge. He was accepted as a candidate for the ministry, and after training at Richmond near London was sent to Ceylon in 1895. Here he had charge of Wesley College. Colombo, and remained in Ceylon for thirty years. On returning to England he served in the following circuits: Aberystwyth, Marazion, and Cradley Heath. He retired to Pickering in 1936 and to within a few months of his death was actively engaged in the life of the circuit, taking regular preaching appointments and leading a society class. He will always be remembered for his outstanding work in Ceylon. it was under his guidance that the new Wesley College at Colombo was built, at a cost of £15,000, and largely through his unremitting efforts this magnificent structure 'was opened free of debt. He cycled throughout the length and breadth of Ceylon soliciting subscriptions for the enterprise, and actually collected £2500 in this way. He left a lasting impression on the public life of Ceylon. and many of his former pupils came to occupy posts of great administrative responsibility. The first Governor-General of Ceylon was one of his old students. The Education Officer for Ceylon writes: Like "Arnold of Rugby ", he will ever be remembered as "Highfield of Wesley ".' He excelled as an expository preacher, his intimate knowledge of New Testament Greek enabling him to present ever-fresh aspects of Christian truth. During his retirement he freely placed his knowledge at the disposal of the probationers in the Ryedale area and guided their studies. He exercised a wonderfully helpful ministry in the homes of his people, where he was ever a welcome visitor. He was utterly consecrated to his Lord and counted no sacrifice too great for the extension of the Kingdom. He was most generous in his financial support of the work of God at home and overseas, and never refused a duty he was able to fulfil. He died at Scarborough on 1st February 1955. in the ninetieth year of his life and in the sixtieth of his ministry. A host of friends in England and Ceylon give thanks for his life of service. Henry Highfield is no more but his legend lives on.

Reminiscences of Wesley in the Pettah By Henry Highfield

I was one of four young Missionaries who left London in the British India ‘Golconda” for the East in September 1895.Two went on further for India. R.C. Oliver and I were for Ceylon and so left the ship at Colombo in the early hours of a mid-October day, being met by Rev. T. Moscrop and Mr. S. Passmore.
Mr. Passmore was to initiate me into the work of Wesley College and Mr. Moscrop was Chairman of the Colombo
District and a former Principal of Wesley. I lived with him and Mrs. Moscrop until they left to return into the work at home. I was thus exceptionally fortunate in having two such fine and experienced men to guide me at the start.
Besides, this, when Mr. Passmore took me the next day to Wesley I quickly found that I had two other unusually fine and experienced men on the Staff. Charles Peter Dias joined Wesley in its second year (1876) and continued as Head Master until after my departure in
1925. So too did W.E.Mack, the first assistant; and both, but especially Mr. Dias were of the very greatest help, not at the start only but all along and the School should never forget what it owes to them. Of the premises I had a very different opinion and I think from the very first I was resolved that the School must have a better habitation. It was good for Wesley that she had in Dias a genuine Church of England Christian and in Mack a good representative of the Dutch Reformed Faith. I quickly realised that the school believed in itself and was on its toes to spring forward towards the front and in Redlich and Honter we had two who would give any other school a hard tussle for the first place in scholarship.
Before Mr. Passmore took charge, Mr. Hillard venturing boldly had built the one building that had given the School an Assembly Hall in which all could gather together twice a day and so get to feel their corporate existence. This hall too served for the teaching of four large classes – not an ideal state of things. It is true that Hillard was unable to get it paid for but he wisely pledged the future to make good. So when in 1899 Wesleyan Methodism at Home set out to raise a million guineas from a million Methodists and successfully reached the target, as we would call it, the resolve in my heart on the first day of my seeing the school was
confirmed. As however none of these guineas was to be spent in cancelling debts I had to become a beggar. It was done almost as in a dream during the last six months of 1899 and so eventually the Committee at Home gave me a promise of five times all that we could raise in Ceylon. By the end of 1904 that came to Rs.35,000 and the Committee, though much surprised by the total, stood to their promise and the building facing Base Line Road was erected and opened early in 1907 with the Director of Education, John Harward (previously Principal of Royal College) as chief speaker.

Rev Henry Highfield's Vision for Wesley College Colombo (Written from the Dam Street Pettah)

Published by the Wesleyan Missionary Society London - obtained from the archives held by Edmund Dissanayake

Highfield's vision of the New Wesley College

In attempting to sketch the nature of the work already done and now, being done by Wesley College, I cannot avoid in some measure retracting ground traversed by Mr. Passmore in his article on the College, which appeared, in the November number of WORK AND WORKERS for the year 1895. But as that is nearly six years old now it may not be a disadvantage even for ", constant readers" of this magazine to have their memories refreshed with some details of the story of a brave struggle to win and keep a front rank place in the educational progress of Ceylon; and, at the same time, to do needed work for Methodism and for missionary enterprise generally in the island.

The College was opened on March 2nd, 1874 the anniversary of the day of John Wesley’s death and was intended to put on the roof to the building of our missionary school system. The need for this had long been felt and felt keenly. Our brightest boys, after passing through our primary and middle schools, were continually leaving us to seek the highest education in other schools, where the influence was very adverse to the retention of any loyal feeling for Methodism. The old mission premises adjoining the Pettah Church, in the heart of the city, were made to do duty as the College buildings at the very slight cost of some £200, including the furnishing. In these very modest quarters a good staff of teachers was quickly gathered together under the able and energetic lead of the Rev. S. R. Wilkin, the College's first Principal. The need of the undertaking and the demand for high English education was amply proved from the start by the fact that before the first term closed: over 200 boys were enrolled as pupils. From that day to this the numbers have steadily gone up, and we now have an annual return of over 550 boys.

From the outset, the aim of the College has been missionary. The Bible is regularly taught to every boy attending its classes, and school is opened and closed with prayers, from which no student is allowed to absent himself if on the premises. We are always glad to give any passing missionary, minister, or Godly layman the opportunity of addressing either the school as a whole or else the boys of the large upstairs classroom for senior scholars. I can vividly recall the memories of many such addresses during the last six years, and the close attention with which they were received by the boys who heard them.

For the last three years Foundation day-March 2nd-has been observed in a special manner. We have obtained the help of a missionary-one year Mr. Moscrop, another Mr. Darrell-to preach a special sermon to the boys who have been assembled either in our large hall or else in the Pettah Church, which they have thronged to its utmost seating capacity. After this service we have had holiday, and enjoyed a pleasant game of cricket, Past and Present Wesleyites engaging in friendly rivalry of bat and ball. .

Besides these words of passing visitants and special preachers, the Principal holds weekly a Society class meeting after the close of school an Wednesdays, and he and the staff are assisted in Scripture teaching by two. of the missionaries residing in Colombo, and by the Ceylonese minister of the Central Circuit, in I, which the College is situated. The methods employed in teaching Scripture, of course, vary greatly with the various teachers. In the lower classes, however, the work is mainly based upon the memoriter learning of small portions of the text and of the catechism, whilst in the middle 'school a whole gospel is Studied in the upper classes this is supplemented by the Acts. of the apostles. or 'by the Epistles selected for the Senior Cambridge examinations. These books are taught, not merely from the examiner's view point, but used as a means of elucidating and applying Christianity. Some do it by way of argument, directed to the discrediting of the false religious systems we are face to face with in Ceylon; others rather by way of exposition, aiming at expelling the false through the entrance of the true, just a5 mercury can be poured into a cup full of water and displace the water. Over and over again has the writer of this article struck out far himself same fresh thought, and seen the truth from a fresh paint of view as he has endeavoured to make clear the divine records to that large senior class already spoken of, and 'he has found the classroom a good preparation far the pulpit.

What, it may be asked, are the results of all this effort? Who can rightly tell? It is impossible to schedule or to number them. But they can be traced in many ways. Even the increased activity of Buddhist and Sivite school managers trying, to compete with missionary high schools proves that they knew that .our schools not only offer a first-class education, but are a Christianizing farce in the midst of their young people. There is also the nearly universal goodwill among Ceylonese parents, the lessening of prejudice generally in the community telling as it does of the quiet leavening process at work through our high schools. Again and again have we occasion to rejoice over young men acknowledging that, though they were born outside the influence of Christ, yet now they are Christians, and admitting that it was when they were at the College that the real change was being accomplished, although they did not then acknowledge it, and, indeed, scarcely could until they felt themselves in a less dependent position. Whilst I lived with Mr. and Mrs. Moscrop at Colpetty I heard of several such cases from Mr. Moscrop, who was Principal for four years.

Cases of direct and open conversion at college are comparatively few; still there are some within the knowledge of all who have been actively engaged for any length of time in the teaching work of the College. When I took over the charge of the College, in October, 1895. I found a boy in our senior Cambridge class who had but recently acknowledged Christ, and was having to suffer some amount of persecution from his parents, who were people of evil life and nominal Buddhists. After a time things came to such an acute crisis, that the lad was turned out of his home, and had I not been able to get him work to do in our Colpetty Boys' School, his case would have been a very hard: one. Now he is doing good work there, being head. Master of the school and setting the example of a good life lived by the power of Christ.

One day, at the close of school, when I was tired out with the five hours' teaching in am hot, humid, and yet dusty atmosphere, and was sitting for a few minutes at my desk in my own. small classroom, there came, as so frequently is the case, a knock at the door, and I admitted a boy, who advanced somewhat diffidently towards me, bearing a piece of paper in his hand. He said it was a poem he had written, and would I read it?
smiled inwardly as I heard this, but took the paper and read. As a poem, it certainly justified my inward smile, but the matter of it made my heart rejoice greatly, for it. told how J. A. R. had passed from the darkness into the light of Christ, from nominal Romanism into real fellowship with the Saviour. That lad has been a source of great stimulus and encouragement to me ever since. He is a regular attendant at my Society class. His work in school, if not always the most brilliant, is never beaten for diligence and carefulness’s; and on Sundays when I am planned at Maradana I can reckon safely on his being there and on seeing in his bright, earnest, attentive face that which is always a help to a preacher. When we were making our big effort to clear off the College debt--¬of which more by and bye-he twice came to me at the close of school with a rupee or two, saying that he had earned the money by self-denial, giving up sugar for a month or two or something else equally palatable to Ceylon lads.

All those who have won our highest honours have been boys of Christian parentage and good moral lives, and most of them truly Christian lads.
We do not require, or rather are unable to support, a great number of ministers in our Ceylon churches, and so there never are very many candidates for the ministry in training in our College at Galle at anyone time. At the present moment there are, I believe, six only, and of these two are old boys of Wesley College. One of these was there in my awry time, and took a very active part in all that was best in the College life. He was the most successful secretary of the College Literary Society that I have known. On Sundays he had a prayer meeting and Bible-class in connection with the small boarding establishment we then had, and was the means of leading several of his younger schoolmates to Christ. We put him on the plan as a local preacher in the Sinhalese work, and he was, whilst still a student with us, accepted as a candidate ·for our Ceylon ministry, and is now doing very well at our Theological College. One of our most popular and gifted young ministers, a B.A. of Calcutta University, is an Old boy of the College, and another ministerial Old Boy is a missionary in the fullest sense of the word, for he has gone over to Burma, and is labouring as a minister in our mission there to the Burmese Buddhists.

One boy who has just recently left the' college is a local preacher on trial, and has spoken very acceptably in Sinhalese several times at the open-air services held in front of the College on fine Sunday evenings under the shade of the big tree, whose spreading boughs can be seen depicted on the right of the illustration that accompanies this article, and that represents the front view of Wesley College as at present.
another old Wesleyite, a Tamil law student, who has been most successful in his law examinations, coming out first in both the Preliminary and the Intermediate, is a local preacher in the Tamil Circuit, and is a most diligent reader and student of the very best books. He has borrowed from my shelves many a volume of Westcott or Fairbairn or Dads and other of the leading theologians of today, and I have squeezed in time of an early morning to help him in the study of both classical and New Testament Greek.

Another Old Boy returned to take lessons in Logic and Latin, and over them I had many a talk with him on matters of higher value, and he, whilst successfully passing his preliminary and intermediate law examinations, is also at work for the Master under the auspices of the Y.M.CA., and is helping to keep up a vigorous evangelistic service for young men at Bambalapitiya every Sun. day evening.

All this proves that Wesley College is not only missionary in its profession, aim, and efforts, but also in its results.
I must now turn from the missionary to the purely educational side of Wesley College work, and try to prove that the College has already done what its founders hoped for-supplied to Methodists and to Free Church folk a college for higher studies that competes successfully with the very best schools of the Island. When Wesley College was started the only outside tests of its work were the Government inspection, on which an annual grant in aid was awarded, which tested the general and more elementary work at the classes throughout the school’ and also the examinations of the Indian Universities. Accordingly, Wesley College was affiliated to the Calcutta University, and its upper classes were directed towards the Matriculation and First Arts examinations of that body. The results, both of the Government inspections and of the Calcutta examinations, show that much good work was done; and by and bye Wesley College was able to boast its own graduates. One of them is the young minister already spoken of and another, who has recently been admitted to the Ceylon Bar, is a most enthusiastic and distinguished Old Boy, who still has much to do with the life of his alma mater. Another of these earlier alumni is a Crown counsel of high repute in Ceylon legal circles. Still another was last year appointed by His Excellency the Governor to the honourable position of a member of the Legislative Council as representing his co-religionists, the Mohammedans of Ceylon.
I have no means of summing up the results of the past in regard to the Calcutta University examinations, but I am convinced that the work done was far less of a "cram" nature than is the case in certain large colleges in India, where the University classes are unwieldy large and the teacher is little more than a lecturer, the students getting up their work afterwards from "cram" books of the most wretched description. Our classes were comparatively small, and the number of candidates annually sent in never large, hut each had had his share of individual attention.

After some years the Cambridge Locals were introduced into Ceylon, and though, at first, Wesley College did not take advantage of these newer tests, it soon came into line with the other Colombo Colleges. This naturally was detrimental to the Calcutta classes, which gradually languished, and have now at length died out.

Though our number of passes in these Cambridge examinations has not been as large as we could desire, yet there has been a steady annual record of success that indicates good work in progress_ As the records of these examinations are somewhat more complete and in my possession, I will now endeavour to give ketch of A DECADE'S HONOURS. The results for nine out of the ten years in the last decade (1891-190'0) are given in the College Log-Book. From this record I find that the College has won thirty-six passes in the Senior Cambridge, sixteen of which are passes in the Honours' Classes’ and that the successful candidates have amongst them secured eighteen marks of distinction in such important subjects as English (four), drawing (four), Latin, mathematics, and various branches of Natural Science. Our junior classes have scored in those nine years sixty-six passes, of which sixteen are in honours, and they have been responsible for fifteen marks of distinction.

The Cambridge Syndicate gives annually the order of merit of those who win distinctions in any subject, in which lists home and colonial candidates are placed together in competition. In December, 1894, one Wesley College boy was bracketed equal first in English among the Seniors, and in 1895 he had shaken off all competitors, and was first alone in this mast important section. In the last published lists, those for December, 1900, a Wesley College student came out first in Arithmetic for the senior examination, and two others are placed in the first bracket in that subject among junior candidates. Though Latin is one of the strongest subjects amongst the m English boys who take these Local tests, a Wesley College boy succeeded in ¬coming out fifth among the juniors who won distinctions in that language at the examination of 1896. Once-but before this decade-a Wesley College senior student came first in all the world in the Drawing section.

The Educational Department of the Ceylon Government encourages these local examinations by glinting to the first senior bay a scholarship of £150 value for four years, thus enabling him to proceed to an English University also a money prize to' the first in Mathematics in the Senior and in the Junior examination, three exhibitions to the first three in honours, to' stimulate and enable them to go' on further in their studies. Within the decade two Wesley College bays have won the first Junior Exhibition, another the second, and another the third. December 1895, was the last senior examination in which the Government scholarship was awarded, and Wesley College made its first big win by securing this much¬ coveted prize. The winner went to Cambridge, and has had a steadily creditable career there, and is still in England trying to' gain a place in the Higher Civil Service of the Colonies. Although the scholarship ceased to' be awarded on the Senior Cambridge, it did not cease to' be granted. In May, 1897, a special examination, conducted by the Joint Oxford and Cambridge Examining Board, gave the prize to' a second Wesley College lad, who' also proceeded to Cambridge, and has done some brilliant things there, and is still there and working for the Higher Colonial Service, like his comrade. In 1899 Wesley College again won this highest ·of Ceylon educational prizes. The winner proceeded to' Oxford, and had obtained the high esteem, not only of his college tutor, but also' of the men he met at the Wesley Society, and others, when the extreme ('old of the English climate settled an his lungs and brought an a rapid consumption. He passed away last August, but has left behind a bright Christian testimony and an unblemished memory.
There is one other high educational prize open to' Ceylon youths, and that is a scholarship granted by the Gilchrist Trust once every third year. It is awarded for proficiency in Mathematics and Natural Science, and is tested by the Cambridge Senior examination. It was not until the last year of the decade and of the century that Wesley College succeeded in winning this valuable prize but within the last month I have heard the very pleasant tidings that a Tamil youth, who took his final preparation in our College, is declared the winner an the results of last December's examination, and, as the same young man is first of all Ceylon candidates in the Mathematical sections, he has, I suppose, wan far Wesley College its first possession of the Government prize far mathematics.

Thus it will be seen that the College has been successful most markedly in· the highest competitions, and it has consequently taken up a truly front-rank position in the estimation of Ceylon people. It must be 'our business as missionaries, no' less than as educationists, to enable it to' keep there, and to see to' it that its future records not only equal, but excel its past.

Will the application of the same methods and of like energy be sufficient to' achieve this? If not, why not? And, if not, how are we to secure far Wesley College in the future this progressive and larger usefulness? These questions I will endeavour to answer in next month's issue.
cut short my account of the work of Wesley College in last month's issue by asking several questions, the answers to which I promised to try and give this month. The questions I asked were these: "Shall we be able to achieve equal and increasing results from the College if we continue to exert the same effort and to work along the same lines?" "If not, what is the reason why we should expect a less measure of success, and how are we to act so as to avoid any such disastrous declension?" To the first of these questions I am compelled to answer, No. We shall not continue to succeed at Wesley College: the latter days will not be better than the former, and, therefore, will be worse, if we only continue to employ exactly the same means and exert the same energy as in the past. The College has reached a most critical stage in its history, and unless we are able to launch out in a new direction we shall, as the years go on, be left hopelessly' behind by other institutions not at all favorable to the growth in strength of Methodism in Ceylon. What 'Wesley College most needs now is what it has needed more and more urgently) or many years-new buildings. With the exception of a large hall~ built in Mr. Hillard's time but almost entirely hidden away from public notice by our Pettah Church, the present College buildings are of the shabbiest and poorest description, utterly unworthy to represent Methodist collegiate work in the metropolis of Ceylon. The illustration given in last month's issue of the front view of our premises proves this completely old, irregular, mean, inconvenient they look and are to an unspeakable extent. To drive home that impression, I now give two other views of the ('allege as it now is. The first is a view of an inside corner of the quadrangle just behind that front range of buildings. It is interesting as showing where we tried to lodge some twenty or thirty boys not further back than three or four years ago. It looks more like a broken down table than a fit and proper place to house growing boys.

The second shows the unpretentious and indeed barnlike approach to our senior scholars' classrooms, and to the small room which the principal regards as his sanctum, but which' exigencies of space often turn into another small teaching-room.
Despite our earnest desire to improve these old stairs out of existence altogether, the sight of their picture recalls to me as I write many pleasant memories f hours of Scripture lessons and diversified tailings that contributed in part to the winning of those successes already chronicled.
My readers will now, I think, readily believe that the first founders of the College spent but little money in the up-fit of the College premises. That has not, however, been a really economical plan, for yearly our bill for absolutely necessary repairs to premises reaches a figure so large that it would be good interest on a fairly big capital outlay. It was, I suppose, a policy c-f painful compulsion. That new buildings have been a felt need for long enough back will at once appear when I quote the words recorded by Mr. Moscrop on retiring from the post of Principal, in December, 1889. He writes in the College log-book, "New buildings are perhaps the greatest need. The best scheme (excepting one to clear the whole away and begin afresh) seems to he that thought of first by Mr. Shipham (Principal, 1880-1882) an upstairs building at right angles to the present upstairs science room."
Mr. Hillard, who succeeded Mr. Moscrop, did build. He erected a large school hall, capable of containing our present large number as they assemble for prayers at the opening and closing of the school day. It is a plain structure, but the best school hall in the city. It is, however, wholly lost to view, and, moreover, it was left wholly unpaid for. It accommodates four large classes of over forty boys each during the teaching hours of the day. That the more comprehensive scheme was not abandoned is shown by the note which Mr. Passmore placed on record in the log-book on leaving the College in December, 1895 to the effect that" the new hall built by Mr. Hillard does not interfere with the building scheme recommended in 1889 by Mr. Moscrop, except financially, by the burden of debt incurred.

The need felt and voiced thus clearly in the past has only grown acuter in recent years, for our rivals. have made progress, and are projecting still further schemes. The Roman Catholics have been very active. They have erected a princely pile by the side of the lake, where they offer ample accommodation of the best description for 500 or 600 students, a large proportion of whom can be boarders and at St. Benedict's, another large institute of theirs in the north of the city, they are projecting new premises to take in a hundred boarders. St. Thomas' College, the High Anglican institution, has a beautiful site and very commodious premises, which they are steadily improving; and at. the. Royal College Government is sure to make, very soon indeed, some important amount of progress in the direction of buildings. However royal ,and energetic our staff we cannot long compete against the better equipments and superior attractiveness of these powerful colleges, unless we too do something, and' something really great, immediately. If we do not, we are bound, humanly speaking, to go to the wall.

If it were only a question of stylish and attractive premises to vie with the others, we should not feel so greatly concerned but the present buildings are really inadequate, not so much in matter of seating space as in real fitness for College work, but principally because of the total lack of boarding accommodation. Our main object in desiring to rebuild the greater part of the premises is that we may make good' and lasting pro
vision for a large number of boarders. This would at once almost double the missionary efficiency of the College, and make the higher teaching of the leading boys an easier matter for the Principal.

That this has been a great drawback in the past will be seen to be the opinion of those two previous Principals whom I have already quoted, fm Mr. Passmore states in the log-book that one of the great difficulties in the way of the progress of the College is the lack of proper premises for boarding" and Mr. Moscrop, on leaving, declares that the boarding establishment is imperatively necessary to make the College really successful " and It is of no use attempting first-class boarding until the Principal lives on mission property in its own grounds, unburdened by debt." Long and varied missionary experience in Ceylon has proved conclusively that the most effective means of Christianising the people is through boarding schools for girls and boys. Of course, it is essential to the success of these institutions that the European in charge should really live on the premises, in close daily contact with the whole life 0'£ the establishment, and that the supervision should be much more real than that of a daily visit, however careful and thorough the latter might be. Where a missionary and his wife can live in charge of a large boarding institution that has fairly taken root, the spiritual fruition is most satisfactory.

When, therefore, we say that we desire a good boarding house for Wesley College, we practically postulate the residence on the spot of the missionary Principal. This has been quite impossible for Wesley College in the past. Its Principal has usually commenced operations as an unmarried man, in the first years of his probation, and he has had to live in the home of another missionary at Colpetty, two and a half miles away from till' College, or even further out still. This has militated most seriously against his missionary influence of the Principal, It seems, after all, to be but as other I4'llihers of the staff-a day teacher, whose opportunities close with the close of school classes.

The College was opened in order that it might keep for Methodism the sons of her more well-to-do and able adherents.
Yet as things now are, these are the very lads we are losing, and all for want of good boarding premises. Many of our influential laymen live in outstation some of them very far from Colombo. They want their sons to receive the very best education, and, therefore, they turn towards Colombo and its colleges. If ours were as well equipped as the Church College, to say nothing of the princely Roman Catholic one, these laymen would not hesitate a moment: they would send their sons with full confidence to us. But we are not so equipped in fact, we have no accommodation whatever of late years, as the little attempt-because of its littleness and mean surroundings-proved a burdensome failure. It has grieved me again and again to be compelled to tell inquiring parents that we cannot take in their sons. Meeting with a refusal from us, they have had to accept one or other of two most unsatisfactory alternatives. Either they have attempted to board their sons in the families of others, and let them attend Wesley as day scholars, or else they have sent them where there is a thoroughly good boarding-house-to St. Thomas' College, or even to the Roman Catholics. The first course is not at all satisfactory, for the home discipline and moral oversight is far too slack, and our great port city is full of grievous snares for young lads. The second, though it may be morally safer-at any rate, the Church College -is disastrous in ninety-nine cases out of the hundred to the Methodist loyalty of the youth; He is lost to us, however much he is used- among others.

If we do not remedy this defect speedily, we shall lose more and more; and though our numbers may keep up we had 565 on our roll last October:-it will be by the influx of day boys of the lower and middle trader type, largely Mohammedans, the hardest to reach and to influence. We are even now finding the quality alike for scholarship and for Christianity of our boys showing a few subtle but unmistakable signs of deterioration and this will rapidly be intensified under the continuance of present conditions.

It is evident, therefore, that we must build. But where? At present we have a freehold site in the heart of the city between two converging road-arteries. The College takes up the greater part of the ground space, but our old and dearly loved Pettah Church occupies a central and fronting position, and on the other side of the plot is the girls' school, occupying property that really is the College's, and paying a small rental for it. If we build here we must build upwards, as the ground space is too limited for anything else. On the whole, this is the wisest plan, though many ,You’d urge us to move our site and seek opener ground in the southern suburbs. The fatal objection to this is the well-being of our , Pettah Church. If we sold the ground of our College and Girls' High School, the church would be completely crippled and quickly hedged in by unsanitary native shops and warehouses, and we should by-and-by have to sell it, and so break up bonds of affection and love that are of almost immemorial strength, and run the risk of alienating many adherents and shattering our work in the city. Whilst the College and Girls' School protects its flanks, the church can breathe and be comfortable and respectable, and its manifold activities have space to exercise themselves. Remove the College, and with it, sooner or later, the Girls' School, and we deprive the church of all its facilities for the conduct of the Sunday school, Wesley Guild, and Band of Hope, and also for holding social gatherings and similar reunions. The church owes more to the College than it is perhaps ready to admit.

An alternative plan is to seek good house property close to the College on some healthy spot, such as the upper slopes of Wolfendahl or of Hultsdorf Hill, buy it up and rebuild to accommodate both boarders and Principal's family. But house property in Colombo is very difficult to' acquire, and prices rule very high, and the house, when bought, would be practically worth to us no more than the freehold land it was situated on. In short, this plan, though attractive and possessing some features of advantage peculiarly its own, is a precarious one, and would prove quite as costly, if not more so, than the original one of rebuilding in, a skyward direction on land already our own. In favour of this original scheme is the fact that a thorough drainage of the neighbouring open ground has been going on, and that the Municipality allows our College lads special privileges in the use of the Price Park-as that open ground is now called---as playing fields for cricket and football. Our site is much healthier now than formerly for residential purposes, and even half a dozen years ago our boarders, meanly and inadequately housed as they were, were singularly free from serious illnesses.
Consequently an old boy, who has taken up the architect's profession, was commissioned to draw up preliminary plans for our project, and these were submitted to a most capable member of the best European firm of builders in Ceylon, and passed by him, and a rough estimate given of the cost of the new structure.

The illustration above is a photograph of his first sketch-plan of the front elevation to' Dam Street, and should be contrasted with the view of our present front, which is given on p. 7· The ground floor would be for classrooms, the first floor for boarders, and would allow of our taking in at least eighty, and possibly 100. The top floor would be practically another missionary's house, with a reception-room and the like. The illustration shows three stories, but that would only be the case in front. The two flanking portions would have only two floors. One wing would belong to the Boarding House, and the other would give a. sickroom and library, etc., over a range of classrooms. The estimated cost of all this, including allowances for furniture, comes to £10,000 Sterling: a very big sum indeed, but if we delay longer, a bigger still will be needed, and if forthcoming now, would prove a very valuable and profitable investment of Methodist money. We have only dared to ask for £5,000 of this from the Mission House, and our hopes of getting even that are not at all bright. If £5,000 were definitely promised, I believe that hard begging in Ceylon itself would raise £1,000 more in the next two years; and the College is now financially so sound ac; to be able to lay by annually from the commencement of this century £100 or a little more, say another £1,000 in ten. years. But where the rest is to' came from one cannot tell, except that the need is so convincing to those who know that we believe our wonder-working God looks with approval on us, and will open up a way if our faith fail not.

To show that we in Ceylon have been doing something to meet the financial position and prove ourselves worthy of help as trying hard to' help ourselves, I will now tell as briefly as may be the tale of How THE DEBT WAS CLEARED off Wesley College. Mention has already been made of the building of a new hall and of the financial burden involved by it. This debt remained untackled for several years, and has hampered us sorely, as the heavy charge for interest has prevented our making the College more than pay its way.

Although the inception, in 1898, of the Twentieth Century Fund in England stirred us up to contemplate clearing off the debt on the College, which then stood at over £600, very little was done in 1899 in the way of actual begging in Ceylon except that' my wife that now is made the College a present of £100, gathered in England. Indeed it was not until the close of the April holidays of 1900 that the realisation of imminent failure came home with full force, and I resolved that, cost what it might, I would be up actually begging.

Now I had always been under the firm conviction, strengthened by previous success, that I had no vocation as a beggar. I still feel it. I wanted confidence. And I can assure my readers that I displayed this timidity to the full in making my first attempt at a personal visit to beg for this fund. I cycled round the Government offices, where the object of my attentions was to be found, and ultimately I went home without even venturing a call. The next day, however, I screwed my courage up to the sticking point, and after blurting out awkwardly enough my errand, and getting, as I deemed it, too quickly the promise of" a small cheque," I was glad enough to turn the conversation on to other topics, and by-and-by, as quickly as might be, effect my departure. I waited a day or two before making any fresh ventures until the arrival' of the promised "small cheque." When, however, this turned out to be for one hundred rupees I began to take courage and work more determindly and hopefully. The next real effort was on a Thursday afternoon, taken by myself and my wife from our usual pastoral visitation and devoted to this campaign. A list of seven names had been given me by the esteemed headmaster of Wesley College, and we visited them all, though scattered somewhat widely over Colombo. Forty-five rupees paid down and promises which ultimately realised 160 rupees more made this a very memorable afternoon. The following Thursday afternoon exemplified the other side of this struggle, for three hours' cycling produced nothing but disappointments.

My rough notes call up to mind here the events of a couple of days taken off from College work, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 19th and 20th-one of these being a school holiday. On Tuesday morning I started out on my cycle at 10.30, and opened the ball by obtaining a promise (of two guineas) from the Mahamudaliyar. The next gentleman whom I called on was out, and thence I made my way up Hultsdorf and visited three gentlemen of the law; one had not yet arrived at his office; the other two made me promises which have been honourably redeemed. I then transferred my attentions to the Fort, but was not very fortunate, as two of the three on whom I purposed to call were out. After this I changed my district again and speedily found myself in the aristocratic quarters of Cinnamon Gardens, where five visits resulted in the receipt of Rs. 15.50 and one promise, the others called on being out. One of the gentlemen of the law on whom I had called at Hultsdorf had just left his home abode when I made my visit to the Cinnamon Gardens. I then returned to the Fort, only to find those whom I had called on earlier in the day still out. So I made my way back to Hultsdorf and made my third attempt on the aforesaid gentleman of the law and got a welcome promise of twenty rupees. Thus encouraged I returned to the Fort, and persistence was rewarded by finding one gentleman returned to his work and by receiving from him another very welcome twenty rupees. After this I returned homewards, arriving, tired, but on the whole cheered, about 4 p.m. After an hour's rest I spent an hour and a half in penning letters of appeal to a number of" old boys," and so closed a day of full toil. The next day I was out at 7 a.m. and stayed out till 9.30 and again started out at 10.30 a.m. and made upwards of twenty calls before returning home at 2 p.m. By this means fifty rupees were obtained in cash together with sundry promises. By the end of June we reviewed our progress and found that we had secured 2,000 rupees paid in. It was then that my wife and I were led to make it a matter of prayer that our rate of getting should be greatly increased. We aimed and worked for 500 rupees a week, and are thankful to record that God gave it to us for six consecutive weeks until the end of the school term, thus sending up the total to over 5,000 rupees by the middle of August and making it practically certain that, when the legitimate income of the year from all sources was obtained, the debt would be extinguished at last.

This resolve meant being out on the cycle every morning at seven, and staying out till nine j and then snatching every possible hour that could be in any way spared from the College work during the middle of the day. It also involved going out again almost immediately after the return from College and spending another two hours in this search after money.

My rough notes and memory supply me with the story of another day's endeavours. The day was Friday, July 13th .. A sharp shower early in the morning prevented a start until 7.30 a.m. I called first on a near neighbour, Dr. M., from whom I received a cheerfully given Rs.10 Thence, despite the wetting of another sharp shower, I proceeded to S--. Street, and taking shelter under the roof of Advocates., I rewarded his hospitality by lightening his purse of twenty rupees. My next call was at the top of St. Sebastian Hill, and resulted in the receipt of another twenty rupees. Thence I cycled across Colombo to Col petty, to be rewarded. by yet another twenty rupees' donation. A run back into Union Place brought -me in Rs 10., after which I returned home for a late breakfast, and then out again quickly, making calls on Pettah and Fort merchants, which resulted in two refusals, two promises, and three payments that totalled seventy-five rupees. A letter from a gentleman residing in N-- received that day made the actual receipts of the day come up ·to Rs. 165.50 or £11. General experience of Ceylon life led us to dread the fourth week in the month as the least likely to produce its 500 rupees owing to the recurring impecuniosities of many reaching its maximum as the month drew to its end. So when the Friday night of that week found us with only 350 rupees gathered in during the week we were not greatly surprised.

The two early morning hours did not do much to revive a somewhat fainting faith, for they only secured ten rupees. However, after breakfast I cycled forth once more, and journeying slowly down Main Street, Pettah, called on, a large number or the Mohammedan merchants, and in that way obtained another fifty rupees. After a brief period of work and of refreshment in the Fort I took the southern road through Col petty and Bambalapitiya, and made the Spinning Mills of Wellawatte my goal and turning point. Gradually the amount rose, and when I left Bambalapitiya on the return journey I had brought up the total for the day to 120 rupees, leaving only thirty rupees short of the prayed-for 500. Instead of going straight home and thus arriving to time agreed upon, I made my way into Flower Road, picked up ten rupees, and then called on a prosperous old Wesleyite who had often been out when I had made previous attempts upon his purse. This time he was at home, and a handsome cheque for one hundred rupees sent me home with curious sensations of joy and gratitude more easily to be imagined than described.

I think I have given with sufficient detail the story or some of the most outstanding days of this campaign, though I might yet say much of many other memorable incidents. As, for example, the elation felt when one Saturday morning Mr. Tarrant most generously promised me 500 rupees, or of the pleasant early morning spent in visiting the bank shroffs at their residences in or near Pickering's Road, and of the afternoon's hot and dusty exploration of the upstair offices of Keyzer Street commission agents. I may add', as throwing some light on the persistent nature of the campaign when at its height, that I bought and used up five packets of visiting-cards in four months, and that for ninety-five consecutive days, Sundays, of course, omitted, we obtained donations at the rate of fifty-five rupees a day. I must not forget to add that the boys and masters of the College helped somewhat in this effort. The boys raised over Rs.300 (£20) by cards that they took out; and a magic lantern entertainment got up by the College brought in about Rs. 70 (£413s. 4d.). The masters gave donations that were entered on the personal subscription lists. My wife too, beside all those home assiduities which need not be detailed but which meant so much, organised a sewing meeting among the young ladies of our Pettah Church, and raised for the Debt Fund no less than Rs. 531 (£35 odd).

At the commencement of 1900 the College debt stood at Rs. 6,765, In the course of the year we raised by sheer personal visitation and begging, the sum of Rs. 6,794, not counting in at all the Committee's grant of £300 sterling, which we at once put aside as a grant for boarding premises. Nothing more in the way of begging in Ceylon can be attempted until a substantial grant from the Committee or generous personal help from friends, at home proves to our Ceylon friends that the buildings will really be undertaken. Were they in actual progress I could again take up the beggar's task and make a further and larger appeal, but I really dare not do it until that is the case.

I cannot close without uttering a few words of appeal to all friends’ of Methodist education and of missionary enterprise to hold out the hand of help to us just now. You can make of Wesley College another Leys School-a Leys School for Ceylon Methodism-rich in influence of the best kind for the spiritual health of your churches there; or you may put our plea on one side as one among so very many, and leave us to an almost desperate struggle against circumstances, and forces that are from a merely human, point of view overwhelming us. I write these words amid the invigorating breezes and most pleasant. prospects of a North Yorkshire dale, "'here already we, have found warm-hearted and friendly, Methodists, ready to open their ears, and their hearts too, to personality told tales of the needs and Opportunities out yonder. One generously good lady has' already offered us help if only others can be induced to' join her. Our wants are very great, but many helpers can do very much to meet them, and God can do more. If only we are permitted to return to the work in Colombo and feel ourselves supported by the active goodwill of friends at home, we shall be able more easily to understand God's dealing with' us in stopping for awhile our share in that work and renew it again with greater courage and simpler' faith to follow His leading and do His will.

Rev.Henry Highfield's new school in 1907 by Dr Nihal D Amerasekera

The present site on which Wesley College stands and the surrounding land was once owned by Charles Ambrose Lorensz. The Burgher intelligentsia in the 1860s was led by a young man who hailed from Matara - Charles Ambrose Lorensz. Being a brilliant lawyer he was popularly known as the "morning star of Hulftsdorf". Together with a group of young Burghers like Leopold Ludovici, Francis Bevan, Samuel Grenier and James Stewart Drieberg they produced a leading local literary journal called Young Ceylon.

In 1859 Lorensz and a syndicate purchased the Ceylon Examiner which became the first Ceylonese newspaper. Until his death in 1871, at the age of forty two, Ambrose Lorensz wielded the powerful influence of his pen for social reform, championing democratic causes and courageously criticising the British colonial government, the Governor and his Executive Council. Principals bungalow was built around 1860. The architecture of the building is typical for that period with tall cylindrical columns supporting a large porch, a wide verandah and the lovely lounge with many spacious rooms. Part of the beautiful front garden has been taken over for the Chapel, a useful addition. It doesn't fail to amaze me that the Principals bungalow is almost 150 years old. It has been tastefully restored and redecorated recently maintaining its historic facade and its "Regal" appearance which we all remember. Its awesome to think every Principal since the move from Dam Street in 1905, lived in that bungalow. Its walls must keep the secrets of the trials and tribulations and of course the happiness and fulfilment of those years in service. "Karlsruhe" in German means "Charles Rest" and so it was the final rest of Charles Ambrose Lorensz, the first occupant of that magnificent building. He died at the young age of 42. Rev. Henry Highfield acquired this land including the bungalow for the School and the rest is our most cherished history.

Remembering C.A. Lorenz - The first owner of our Principal's bungalow
By Kalasuri Wilfred M. Gunasekera

There is no personality more dear to the Dutch Burgher community than C. A. Lorenz who was not only a great representative of his community but also one whom all the various races of Lanka claimed him as a distinguished countryman of theirs. In other words Lorenz was `a profound jurist, a consummate lawyer, a District Judge, an able and accomplished scholar, a fluent and eloquent speaker and a clever essayist.'

He was also known for his wit and good temper. Lorenz received his early education at the Colombo Academy (now Royal College) under the care of Rev. Dr. Barcroft Boake, the then Principal. Lorenz was bracketed with George Nell in 1857 for the Turner Prize. It was during his last year in school that Sir Emerson James Tennent, (1845-1851), the famous historian and the then Colonial Secretary visited the Academy and found that young Lorenz was not second to the best taught lads in England. In 1850 he married Eleaner Nell, the sister of his two literary friends G. F. Nell and Louis Nell. In 1953 he went to Europe and on his return, Governor Sri Henry George Ward offered him the post of Acting District Judge of Chilaw in October 1855. In the following year Sir Henry offered him the Burgher Seat in the Ceylon Legislative Council which fell vacant on the appointment of Sri Richard F. Morgan as the District Judge of Colombo.

Right through the seven years in Ceylon's Legislature, `he never faltered in the fulfilment of his responsible duties, never betrayed his trust, never showed himself less than equal to the difficult demands made on him. His clear intellect, his quick grasp of the intricacies of a problem and his sound knowledge of the principles of the law slowly won for him a reputation in Council which few enjoyed to the same degree. It was also said of him that he never missed a good argument or used a bad one. He began his compilation of the Law Reports from the first years of his practice as an advocate. This was issued for three years, thus `providing for professional men for the first time accessibility to the decisions of the Supreme Court in leading cases and guidance on important point of Law.' They were no doubt reports of a masterly character in which the salient points in cases and the authorities bearing on them were lucidly presented.

One other important venture he began in 1859 was his paper Ceylon Examiner which first owned by John Selby. Lorenz with H. Dias, James Dunuwila, Charles Ferdinands and James D'Alwis raised this paper as an organ of public opinion. To this paper Lorenz gave of his best, writing in every issue and practically editing it. ``Not only did he raise the `Examiner' to power and influence as an organ of public opinion but he gave to it the higher character of an Educator, teaching through its column the people of his country their rights and their privileges. And if his writings have accomplished nothing else, the confidence and self-reliance which they have infused into the character of his countrymen was no mean achievement.'' We need today such examples to enable us to live a dedicated and a consecrated life for the sake of Sri Lanka.

Let me wind up this Essay of a man who in social life was the soul of every gathering who displayed his considerations and affection to all present irrespective of creed, caste, race or class by placing before my readers a tribute of him by Sir Richard Morgan, then officiating Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, on the occasion of unveiling the portrait of Charles Ambrose Lorenz in the Colombo Municipal Council Town Hall, one hundred and twenty three years ago on August 19, 1894.``He was indeed a man of whom his country must well be proud. His versatile genius, his brilliant accomplishments, his public and private virtues endeared him to his friends and commanded the respect and admiration of all who knew him. There was a freshness and a raciness in his writings, a rich vein of wit and humour running through them, and a perspicutary and masculine vigour of style that showed as a great promise in him as a writer as he had then given as a scholar.

Shortly after he gained the profession he entered the list of public journalists. His clear perception of his subjects and close powers of arguments always commanded respect. Whilst the rich vein of fun and humour which ran through his writings secured the attention and delight of his readers. There was hardly any pursuit to which he applied himself in which he did not achieve success, whether we view him as a scholar, a writer, a speaker or a lawyer. Not alone to his friends and dependents were his sympathies and charities extended. He was without exception the brightest ornament in legal circles. It was while in the midst of this bright and useful career-happy himself, and making others around him happy - that he was suddenly stricken down.

His unceasing exertions in the exercise of his profession and in his pursuits as a journalist proved a drain upon him which not even his strength naturally great, his spirits ever buoyant, could withstand. His brain and energies were always in a state of tension. From the commencement there was reason to fear that his illness would prove fatal, but he clung to life and after some months of suffering, seemed to rally for a while, and became able to attend to business. Some of the most painful and yet not altogether unpleasing recollections of my life are associated with my interviews with him during the long interval between his illness and death.

He used to speak feelingly of his past, the plans he had formed for the future, and his bitter disappointment that he could not live to carry them out. We felt that we have lost a very dear friend, a loss which never could be compensated for or adequately supplied.'' Towards the evening of his short life he purchased a large and airy house in Borella which was later occupied by the then Principal of Wesley College. He called it ``Karlshrue'' meaning ``Charles Rest''. He passed away in this bungalow on August 9, 1871. A grateful public will remember him and say in one voice: Out of the storied past, their forms arise And look friendly glance deep in our eyes, Into our eyes they came with gentle tread,

Telling us what they did, and what they said.''

Charles Ambrose Lorensz 1829-1871
Born: 8 Jul 1829 at Matara Youngest of nine children. Son of Johanna Frederick Lorensz & Euna Petronella Smith Education: Royal Academy, Colombo, 1842. Won Turnour Prize, 1846 Apprentice in Law under John Drieberg, Journalist, Proctor SC, 1849 Coined the expression ‘Ceylonese’ Member Royal Asiatic Society - RAS (CB) 13 Aug 1830 Married Eleanor Nell, sister of Louis Nell, 19 Dec 1850 Sailed for England on 10 Feb 1855 and returned the same year Barrister at Law Lincolns Inn District Judge Chilaw, 26 May 1855 Reverted to the Bar Dec 1855 Supported Dr Christopher Elliott for a more representative Council and for an unofficial majority in the Legislative Council Burgher Member LC 1856-1864 Resigned his seat from LC with six others in 1864 Purchased ‘Examiner’ newspaper by a syndicate and renamed it to ‘Ceylon Examiner’ and took up the challenge of Managing Editor & Editor Member MC Colombo Jan 1860 to Jan 1870 Works: Provisional Payment, 1856 – Editor Law Reports, 1856-1870 – Notes on Kovil Practice, 1860
Passed Away: 9 Aug 1871

The Burgher intelligentsia in the 1860s was led by a young man who hailed from Matara - Charles Ambrose Lorensz. Being a brilliant lawyer he was popularly known as the "morning star of Hulftsdorp".

Together with a group of young Burghers like Leopold Ludovici, Francis Bevan, Samuel Grenier and James Stewart Drieberg they produced a leading local literary journal called Young Ceylon.

In 1859 Lorensz and a syndicate purchased the Ceylon Examiner which became the first Ceylonese newspaper. Until his death in 1871, at the age of forty two, Ambrose Lorensz wielded the powerful influence of his pen for social reform, championing democratic causes and courageously criticising the British colonial government, the Governor and his Executive Council.

In the true traditions of 19th century Burgher leaders, like C. A. Lorensz there came a few years later - George Alfred Henry Wille, who was also of the legal fraternity in that he was a proctor by profession. A keen student of history and politics from his young days, Wille was alive to his responsibilities as a citizen.

His interest in public affairs was such that there was hardly a public movement in the early 20th century in which he did not play a part. He was well-known for his knowledge in constitutional matters and when the Ceylon Congress came into existence, Wille had the sagacity to foresee the political reform in Ceylon which could not be postponed. Alone among minority men, George Wille joined the Congress and took a prominent part in its affairs side by side with its foremost leaders from the other communities.

The present site on which Wesley College stands and the surrounding land was once owned by Charles Ambrose Lorensz and used by the school since 1902.

Charles Ambrose Lorensz, of whom it was said, "the most versatile and gifted member the community ever produced," followed James Martensz succeeded him and then came C. L. Ferdinands. When the latter accepted government office as District Judge, Colombo, Advocate James van Langenberg Sr. was appointed to fill his place. On his death, Dr. P. D. Anthonisz of Galle, was appointed breaking the tradition of lawyer members. The appointment again of H. L. Wendt revived the legal link.

Lorensz was a proud product of Royal College, Colombo.

Laying of the Foundation Stone of Wesley College, Karlshrue

The following account of this interesting function is taken from the “Ceylon Independent,” November 6th, 1905.
Thirty years ago, on November 4th 1905, the foundation stone of the buildings which Wesley now occupies was laid by the then Lieut. Governor A. Murray Ashmore, Esq. “Karlsrhue” Grounds, opposite Campbell Park presented quite a festive appearance on Saturday afternoon, (Nov 4) when His Excellency the Lieut. Governor laid the foundation stone of the new Wesley College, in the presence of a large and sympathetic gathering of friends. The entrance to the premises was spanned by a handsome archway, bearing the inscription “Welcome to the H.E. the Lieut.Governor”. Immediately above this was the shield of the College and the words “Wesley College” – Ora et Labora. A very handsome little cadjan structure, octagon in shape and elaborately decorated, accommodated His Excellency, the Lieut Governor, the Rev. Robert Tebb who presided, and a distinguished few, while the rest of the gathering were accommodated with chairs on the right and left of the building. The roadway opposite, and the grounds looked gay with flags and bunting, and the Coronation Orchestra under the guidance of Mr J Fernandez, help greatly to enliven the proceedings. The Lieut.Governor, who was accompanied by Capt. Tarbot, ADC was received by a guard of honour of the Cadet Corps of the College under the command of Capt. C.V. Honter, with Lieuts. Foenander and Zilwa. His Excellency having inspected the guard, walked up the drive, and was received at the entrance to the marquee by the Revs. Robert Tebb, P.M. Brumwell, H.J. Philpott, J.H. Darrell, Messrs John Ferguson, F Dornhurst and J Harvard.

Wesley College in January 1907

It is said you should be able to read a building and it should say what it does. I am certain it must be clear to all Wesleyites what it reads. This is how the school looked when it first opened having moved from Dam Street Pettah. Even the drive is not quite ready. I wonder what has happened to the structures seen above the two towers in the picture on your left? I must have looked out from every window seen in this photo specially the top left corner which is the chemistry lab. Those corridors are full of memories and varying emotions of elation and depression as life unfolded. I recall the long trek back from the Principals office after 3 "cuts" from Oorloff for using un-parliamentary language. I remember the happiness and the spring in my step on receiving my exam results which were better than my wildest dreams. We always lived in hope and on many occasions when it rained in the morning I have looked out from the porch wishing for a "rain holiday".

The following account of the school from a Ceylonese Journal in 1906

The institution is under the management of the Wesleyan Mission in Ceylon and was opened for the purpose of higher education on March 2nd 1874, in the premises still occupied in the Pettah adjoining and in fact with the Girls' High School enveloping the Pettah Church, the oldest of the Missions Churches in the island, having been built in the year 1815. The first Principal of the College was the Rev. S.R.Wilkin, now engaged in ministerial work in England. Although at first only able to receive a few day scholars, the College rapidly increased in numbers, and for the last ten years has had about five hundred scholars annually. With this number the limit of accommodation has been reached, and the erection of larger premises on another site has become necessary.

New Premises - Foundation stone laid 4th November 1905 Opened 25th January 1907

In its educative work the College is subject to the Departmental Code of Government and annual inspection by the Government Inspector. It was, during its earlier history, affiliated with the University of Calcutta, and a respectable number of its students figure honourably in the records of that Alma Mater. When the Cambridge Local Examinations were established in Ceylon, Wesley College was among the earliest educative institutions to send pupils to undergo these tests, and for the past twenty years some of its scholars have not failed to pass both the Senior and the Junior examinations held annually, while Wesley College students have frequently gained places in the Honours Classes or other distinctions.

It was not till 1896, however, that the Ceylon Government Scholarship first came to the Wesley College ; but since that date that coveted prize has twice fallen to its pupils, and the Gilchrist Scholarship, one of almost equal value, has been won once by an alumnus of this College. In the year 1900 a determined effort was initiated to secure a more suitable locality an superior buildings for the College, and gradually a scheme was formulated, and subsequent adopted by the Governing Committee at Horn by which a great advance in the desire direction was made possible. In 1902 a new site within the municipal limits of the city, purchased.

Here, during the years 1905 and 1907 a very handsome set of college buildings have been erected, having a frontage of over 300 ft, and with dormitory and other accommodation for a hundred resident pupils. The new premises are expected to be fully ready for occupation in January, 1907- To keep pace with the great advance in science study required by the affiliation with London University, chemical laboratories are included in the design of the new buildings.

The School Crest

We grew up with it and like the school flag it is an integral part of the school. The school crest is a visual symbol of identity for a school, a rallying cry, a focus of its pupils' pride and loyalty. Emblazoned on a flag, embossed on a metal badge, monogrammed on school blazers and sports jerseys, printed on exercise book covers and certificates, or integrated into official letterheads, the school crest proclaims the school's identity far and wide. - By Nihal D Amerasekera

The College Crest - How it evolved by Shelton Peries

In this note an attempt is made to trace the evolution of the College Crest which has adorned every school boy's exercise books, blazer and nearly every document originating from Wesley College. There appears to be two stages in the development of the crest. The cross and the shells are derived from the Coat of Arms of none other, and indeed quite appropriately from that of John Wesley. On the other hand the origin of the shield of the crest is not known, as it is not featured even in any of the designs of the College of Heraldry.The Motto, "Ora et Labora" which is an integral part of the crest was originated by Rev. Arthur Shipham (1880-1883), and John Dalby, commenting in a later time said Worship & Prayer are the salt of life. There is a generally accepted interpretation of the crest. The twelve (12) shells are symbolic of the journeying Pilgrim, seeking and searching ahead, with no complacency. One could compare them to the twelve wandering tribes of Israel. Within the Shield of Faith is placed the rugged Cross of Sacrifice. This was the first arrangement which composed Wesley's crest, and included Shipham's motto. It is not certain when this design of the crest was first introduced, but it is evident on stationery used by Rev. Henry Highfield. In our archival section we feature a document of the 1900, on which this same crest is placed. This same crest is incorporated into the art frame of the Farewell Scroll presented to Rev. Henry Highfield by staff and students, on his departure from Wesley in 1925. We have evidence of the continued use of this crest during Rev. Albert Hutchinson's time (1925-1928) when he commissioned the Head Baas - Cornelius - to construct the time hallowed stately chair, used by Wesley's Principals, and on the back head Is carved the College crest This chair still adorns the stage of the hallowed College hall.

It then becomes clear that during the Headship of Rev. John Dalby (1929 - 1934) a further addition was made to the crest, when it was embellished with the scallops circularly fringed around the shield, giving the present form of the shield. Prize books and College exercise books of 1933 have this crest. Thus we see how the crest, a means of readily identifying Wesley has truly a rich inheritance, and Wesleyites of all generations will continue to be inspired by this remarkable crest, and will proudly wear it as the occasion demands.

The Highfield Block as it was in 1959 -An account from the School Magazine

The Highfield Memorial Building: The work commenced by Mr. C. J. Oorloff as Principal has now been completed, and Wesley is now able to have not only a fitting Memorial to the Revd. Henry Highfield, but a set of modern, and well equipped class-rooms, including a much needed Art Room. The Geography Room which was also housed here has now been shifted to the Library end of the College. We would remind those boys who use this building, to use it well. The present boys greatly appreciate the work done in this connection by The Old Boys' Union. The building itself was not formally declared open, though the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir O. E. Goonetilleke was to do so, on the Prize Day, last year. This was because of the State of Emergency that was declared in Ceylon, in June 1958, which resulted in the Governor General cancelling all his public appointments.

The School Chapel

Mr. Dunstan Fernando will always be remembered as a great builder. The Rev. Daniel Pereira block of classrooms, extensions to the Labrooy Block, chaplain’s quarters, and for the first time a much needed Chapel came to be built during his period as Principal.

The Chapel is a recent but a welcome addition to our School. For those living abroad like myself, It is situated at the Karlshrue end of the Principals garden.

After 12 years in the school and half of it in the boarding I never realised the rich history we have inherited from its lowly beginnings in Dam Street Pettah, until I gave myself time to compile these documents. They are a fascinating read which gives a clear insight into the politics of the period and the men of grit and industry our school has produced. I firmly believe that the documents like the school magazines and the souvenirs should be in the public domain like the internet for the benefit of the vast numbers of Wesleyites who are now scattered in all corners of the globe. Presently these valued magazines are in the hands of a few some of whom have let them gather dust only to be thrown away with the passage of time. These articles are of immense nostalgic interest to numerous Old Boys but have little or no commercial value. In all the articles published in this website I have given credit to the author and the journal by including their names. I take no personal credit for them. This is a non-profit making, free website, done in my own time, in deep gratitude to the teachers and fellow students of Wesley who helped to mould my life. I sincerely hope it will achieve its objective

The New Primary Block

The New Primary School building was opened in July 2000

The 125th anniversary Primary School Building was opened at Wesley College at a ceremony held in the school premises. The funds for the building were raised by the school Welfare Society, expatriate old boys unions, the Old Wesleyites Sports Club, well-wishers and parents. The block with facilities which is on the Karlshrue Gardens end of the school will be used by the primary. The chief guest at the ceremony was Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Hatton National Bank, Rienzie Wijetilleke. Other guests were the Chairman of the Methodist Church Duleep Fernando and Tyronne Maye, President of the Welfare Society of the school. Despite some setbacks Wesley's students past and present remain a vibrant community deeply loyal and ever willing to help the school in distress.

The Labrooy Memorial Building

The Shelton Wirasinha Memorial Building

SHELTON WIRASINHAMEMORIAL BUILDING
2nd March 2004 - the 130th Anniversary of Wesley College began with the foundation laying ceremony of the Shelton Wirasinha Memorial Building. Rev. Noel Fernando, Manager of Wesley College and President ofthe Methodist Church of Sri Lanka laid the foundation stone amidst a representative gathering of Students, Teachers, Old Boys and Parents.
Mrs. Manel Wirasinha, wife of Late Mr. SheltonWirasinha and her daughter Mrs. Dushyanthi Wirasinha were the special guests.
Rev. Noel Fernando and the Principal in their address referred to the sacrificial contribution by Late Mr. Shelton Wirasinha in guiding the school through a dark periodof her history.
The new building will provide a new canteen, a Junior Science Room, a Technical Skills Room, and classrooms to conductAdvanceLevel classes from January each year.
The building will cost approximately Rs. 12 million. The project started with a donation given by Old Boys Union London Branch and the money generated by the Wesley Walk.
The Welfare Society, PTA, and the Methodist Church have pledged to finance the balance cost.
The new building fulfills along felt need of providing better facilities to improve the quality for education. It isour hope and prayer that the building could be released for students by January 2005.

125th Anniversary Primary Building

New Look for the 21st Century

Statue of Rev Henry Highfield at the front of the school

100 Years at Karlshrue by Miss O D Fernando

Wesley College, Colombo 09 celebrated 100 years at Karlshrue on the 10th of February 2007. A number of events were organized to commemorate this historic occasion. A thanks giving service was organized on the 3rd of February 2007 and the guest speaker was Rev. Ebenezar Joseph, President of the Methodist Church and Manager of the school and 2 other distinguish old boys Mr. Shelton Peiris, M. A. K. David. In collaboration with this the Wesley Walk was held in Mar c h 2007. It became a very popular event in school. Many old boys, present boys and well wishers participated. After the walk a mini fair was organized by the PTA, at Campbell Park, with many trade & games stalls.

Wesley - Will Grow but Never grow old - Development from 2005-2008 by Shanthi de Silva

Like a tree planted by the water Wesley has grown, spreading out its branches, reaching out and bearing fruit in its service to humanity. Though Wesley has reached a high mark in so many ways, this article will highlight only the most outstanding aspects of its development and growth.

Shelton Weerasinghe Memorial Building
This memorial building has been constructed mainly for the use of the students of the middle school. The foundation stone for the building was laid by Rev. Noel Fernando, the President of the Methodist Church on 2nd March, 2004. The two storied building was declared open on 2nd March (founders day) 2005 by Mrs. Manel Weerasinghe the wife of late Mr. Shelton Weerasinghe in the presence of old boys, parents, staff members and well wishers of the college.
The building consists of class rooms, a junior science lab, and a conference room, with audio visual equipment, a well laid out canteen and staff room. The cost on completion of this project was around Rs. 12 million. The OBU of the London branch, the Korean Methodist Church, the staff and the Welfare Society of Wesley were the main contributors of this endeavour.

Havelock Town- Primary Campus of Wesley College
This indeed is growth. A well planned campus to house the entire primary school is taking shape at Havelock Town, Colombo 06. This ambitious new venture was initiated by Mr. M.A.P. Fernando, our present Principal, who possessed the drive and the vision to expand and develop Wesley to face any competition, as well as serve society in the best way possible.
The initial stage of this project was completed by the end of 2007. Two, Grade 1 classrooms were opened in January 2008, in a beautifully laid out compound. These classrooms were housed in a renovated building in the compound. These refurbished buildings consist of an assembly hall with piano, IT room, a small canteen and office room for administrative work. The adjoining, shady park with play equipments for the young ones makes the picture complete.
A well attended service of dedication and blessing was held in the Chapel of the compound. Rev. Ebenezer Joseph - Manager unveiled a plaque, and the principal, Mr. M.A.P. Fernando joined him in declaring this new campus open amidst a representative gathering.
The staff pioneers who accepted the challenge of guiding the destinies of the new Wesley primary were Miss. Oneetha Fernando (sectional head) and Mrs. Lalani Dias, a senior teacher, both having completed 25 years of dedicated service to the college.
As continuation of this development another old building in the new campus has been refurbished and adjusted to house the year two classes, which would move in January 2009. A new entrance, giving direct access to the primary campus from the southern boundary is being constructed, giving a full view of the beautifully sculptured landscape with its paved pathway.

Cartman Library
The library which was named after the Rev. Cartman in recognition of his invaluable service to , Wesley is now 60 years old. Cartman Library was declared open by the Hon. D.S. Senanayake
in July 1949. . The Cartman Library which houses nearly 8000 books needed renovating, as it was structurally in a poor condition. The leaking roof and the dilapidated ceiling was not a pleasing sight. Though repairs were done many times before, the structural condition was poor.
In the year 2007 the Double Blue Trust of Wesley College, identified the Library area as needing an immediate and complete renovation and refurbishment. A master plan for change was drawn up, and as the initial stage the entire roof of the library area was. taken care of. A beautiful new wooden ceiling with fans and modern lighting replaced the old one. The adjoining library corridor too was renovated and painted. A new wooden stair case leading to the library and classrooms replaced the damaged old stairs.
The complete master plan of the Cartman Library includes the replacing of book cupboards with open shelves, separate computer and IT section for the Library and the connection of the Junior Library to the main Library making it one sprawling reading room for the students.

The Junior Computer Laboratory
A computer laboratory was declared open in the 125thAnniversary building in 2006/07 fulfilling the need of IT education of the primary and middle school. Therefore one could assume that due importance has been given to modern standards in the field of education, where future minds of Wesley would carry this knowledge for the betterment of their careers.

Computers and office space for the sectional heads
2007/08 period could be mentioned as the time where due recognition was given to sectional heads and their work. The sectional heads were provided with partitioned office rooms withcomputers installed to encourage organized and efficient work in their own sections. The Welfare Society of Wesley has contributed to this venture, for the sake of achieving high standards in education.

Renovation and upgrading of the hostel 'kitchen
The college hostel which accommodates outstation students of Wesley, was badly in need of a well equipped modern kitchen, which could provide clean and wholesome meals for the hostelers. This need too was taken care of by the Double Blue trust and Welfare Society of the College. The floor and table tops were tiled and new kitchen equipment installed, giving it a new look, with many other structural changes.

Land purchased for expansion of Wesley
A valuable land adjoining the Vice Principals bungalow with a two storied building was purchased by the college for Rs. 24 million, with a loan of Rs. 14 million from the Methodist Church, to expand and develop, in the future. Preparations are also being made to open a branch school in Katunayaka too, which is scheduled to be opened in January 2009.

In conclusion it should be noted that many other aspects of growth were observed at Wesley from 2005-2008. Re-plastering ofthe main building with the exact sculpture was a time consuming repair, while purchasing new furniture, repairing the hostel block and renovating the pavilion are a few instances where Wesley has shown its keenness - never to grow old. The Welfare Society, PTA, The OBU, the Double Blue Trust, the Principal and staff should be congratulated for their dedication and effort, in keeping Wesley forever young and growing.

The History of Wesley College (1874 to 2007) From Dam Street to Karlshrue Gardens by Alfred K. David

- Member Governing Board

Alfred was a brilliant student at Wesley College and a talented all round sportsman during the 1950's. My sincere thanks go to Alfred David for this most comprehensive and complete account of the history of the school written with such great accuracy, panache and style. When it comes to writing about the school no one does it better than Alfred. On behalf of the brotherhood of Wesleyites spread all over the world I wish him a long and happy retirement. God Bless - Dr Nihal D Amerasekera (Editor Double Blue International.)

Wesley College, Colombo celebrates the centenary of its shift from Dam Street to Karlshrue Gardens in February this year. A number of events have been arranged to celebrate this event. A Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the occasion was held on 3rd February at the College Chapel.
It was Rev. Joseph Rippon ( a great uncle of Rev. Henry Highfield) who in 1858 mooted the idea of the establishment of a superior educational institution for the Wesleyan Methodist Mission in South Ceylon. As a result Wesley College was founded on 2nd March 1874 (the death anniversary of Rev. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism) in the City Mission buildings at Dam Street, Pettah. In fact, a few years earlier Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira had started a private school in the Dam Street premises and this was eventually absorbed in the school that came to be known as Wesley College. Rev. Samuel Wilkin was Wesley’s first Principal and Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira, the first Vice Principal. Wesley was envisaged to be a distinctly Christian school, providing a high standard of secondary education. From 1874 onwards, Wesley has maintained her position as a premier Christian educational institution in Sri Lanka.

The Early Years  - 1874 to 1895
Rev. Samuel Wilkin was Principal from 1874 to 1879. Wilkin was described as “one eminently fitted for the role of a school master and a college Principal”. From the outset, Wilkin was ably assisted by Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira, an experienced educationalist. Both Wilkin and Pereira were hard working, devoted men and together they laid the foundation upon which subsequent Principals and teachers built. Rev. Wilkin had said that the main aim of the school was to give the boys a substantial education to make them useful members of society. During the period of Rev. Wilkin, the attendance had increased to about 200 boys.
Rev. Arthur Shipam (1880 to 1883) who succeeded Rev. Wilkin was responsible for the Wesley motto “ora et labora” (pray and labour on) which has meant so much to generations of students at Wesley. The third Principal Rev. Samuel Hill (1883 to 1885) came to Wesley from Richmond College, Galle where he had been Principal. His stay at Wesley was short, as he died suddenly at the early age of 32. Rev. Hill’s name is associated with Wesley’s highest award, the Hill Medal, given annually to the best student in the school. The next Principal Rev. Thomas Moscrop (1886 to 1888) was greatly revered. He was very conscientious and hard-working. He possessed considerable administrative ability and organizing skill. He planned and arranged for the construction of a new college hall, which was opened later by his successor. Rev. Moscrop was also responsible for the construction of a new church and the Methodist Mission House in Kollupitiya. Rev. Thomas Coke Hillard (1889 to 1892), who followed Rev.Moscrop came from a very talented family. He was a graduate of the University of London and represented the University as an oarsman and was a member of the soccer team. It was during the time of Rev. Hillard that the upper classes at Wesley began to prepare students for the newly introduced Cambridge Local Examinations. The first passes, Junior and Senior, are found in the 1892 lists. Hitherto, the school curriculum “aimed at satisfying the Government inspectors”. The brighter students had worked for the Entrance and First Arts Examination of the Calcutta University. Sometime later the Indian Universities’ Commission decreed that Ceylon’s connections with the University of Calcutta should cease. However, as far as Wesley was concerned, the Cambridge Local examinations had replaced the Calcutta examinations even before the decree was enforced. The Rev. Joseph Passmore (1893 to 1895) like Rev. Hillard before him pursued a clear sighted policy for Wesley. Both Hillard and Passmore improved the standard of work at Wesley and prepared the way for many of the scholastic successes which came in 1895 and the years immediately afterwards. It was during Rev. Passmore’s regime in 1893 that the inter-collegiate cricket matches against both St. Thomas’ and Royal began. Wesley’s first cricket captain was P. de Bruin.

Wesley under Highfield
The most significant contribution made by any Missionary Principal to Wesley was that of Rev. Henry Highfield (1895 to 1925). His coming to Wesley marked a new era. A tribute paid to him said “He was a born teacher with a faculty of lucid exposition. There was the delicate precision of the scholar and the charming simplicity of the clear thinker. In his teaching his exact scholarship and careful preparation gave to a lesson something of the finish of a work of art”. From its inception in 1874, until the early years of the 20th century, Wesley continued to function in Dam Street, though the need for a another more adequate site was increasingly felt. Long before the end of the 19th century, the buildings in Dam Street were most inadequate for the purposes of a progressive educational institution. So Rev. Highfield began to see another home for Wesley. In 1902, a site of five and a half acres of land at Karlshrue on the west side of Baseline Road, near Campbell Park was acquired. A campaign to raise funds to put up buildings then followed. Rev. Highfeild relieved from school duties for twelve months, cycled around the country making personal appeals to old boys and friends for contributions to the new college building fund. A pamphlet published at the time of Highfield’s departure in 1925 stated “with his gentle persuasiveness, vital energy and indomitable zeal, he covered the length and breadth of the island, and secured what he wanted from high and low, rich and poor, Christian and non Christian……. Today the magnificent pile of buildings at Karlshrue is an enduring monument to his untiring and selfless devotion to a good cause.” Rev. Highfield was able to collect over Rs 38,000.00 The Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in England, having previously promised to give five rupees for every rupee collected in Ceylon added a sum of more that Rs. 180,000.00. Thereby, the new college and hostel building in Karlshrue were erected. The foundation stone was laid on 4th November 1905 and the new premises at Karlshrue were opened in February 1907. The Vice Principal Rev P.T. Cash wrote “The new buildings were a monumental record of the energy and devotion of Rev. Highfield. In airy and commodious classrooms and in the beautiful even if ill ventilated great hall the work of teaching proceeded happily.” For some years a branch school has continued in Pettah but henceforth Wesley College was to grow and develop at Karlshrue. Rev. P.T. Cash came to Wesley as Vice-Principal in December 1906 and continued until 1920, when he became Principal of Central College, Jaffna. Rev. Cash and his wife most ably assisted Rev. Highfield during this period. Rev. Cash was keenly interested in the science section of the college and was responsible for the provision of equipment for the Physics and Chemistry laboratories. By becoming lecturer in Zoology at the Colombo Medical College Rev. Cash was able to collect sufficient money to provide facilities for the Chemistry, Botany and Physics laboratories at Wesley. In the new college, Highfield and Cash organized the more specifically Christian activities. In 1907, a Wesley Meeting held on Wednesday at 4 p.m. was known as the Christian meeting for several years. Later, it was renamed the College YMCA and there was subsequently added a junior section which had a large membership. The College boarding was opened in February 1910.

Rev. Highfield was held in high esteem by the general public. On questions of policy in education, he was a fearless critic. He was equally fearless in his criticism of government policy. In 1915 during the riots, when a number of leading Buddhist leaders were arrested, Highfield strongly protested against the British action and he played no small part in securing the release of these leaders. At the Wesley College, prize giving in 1948, Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake said “We Sinhalese leaders were over there (in the Welikada jail). Highfield was here and he was the only man in the island to have the courage to say to the British Governor, ‘release these men at once. They are innocent and I can vouch for them!’ We Ceylonese will never forget the courage of the missionaries standing up for us against the Imperial Government and in wartime”. When Ceylon celebrated its independence in 1948, Rev. Highfield was invited as a distinguished guest of the Government but he was unable to undertake the long journey. However, the invitation was an expression of appreciation and gratitude for his service and goodwill for the country. P. de S. Kularatne an old boy during Rev. Highfield’s time, who became a Buddhist leader, wrote in the Wesley  College magazine at that time “What we are grateful to missionaries is not for their intellectual brilliance although there were many gifted men among them. The debt we owe them is how they befriended us and molded our lives by their integrity”.

Rev. Cash left Wesley in September 1920 after many years of most devoted service. Rev. E.C. Horler joined the school as Vice Principal in 1921. Rev. Horler re-organized the lower school work and was responsible for starting the kindergarten in July 1922.The 50th anniversary of the school was celebrated from 29th February to 3rd March 1924. Rev. Highfield had started a Jubilee fund and the original aim was to raise Rs.75,000.00 for additional buildings. Later this was considerably modified and the target was fixed at Rs. 25,000.00.

Rev. Highfield completed thirty years of dedicated service at Wesley in 1925 and returned to England to take up pastoral work there. Throughout the whole period of his stay at Wesley Rev. Highfield was assisted by a very loyal staff. His headmaster Mr. C.P. Dias joined the staff in 1876 and remained until his retirement at the end of 1926. Rev. Highfield expressed his appreciation of the valuable work done by Mr. Dias, in his Jubilee report in 1924. He said “Mr. C.P. Dias is still going strong, has helped us and advised us all; and what the college owes to him is quite beyond words to express”. Closely associated with Mr. C.P. Dias was another esteemed member of the staff, Mr. W.E. Mack who joined Wesley in 1884 and retired at the end of 1926.Mr. Mack was a good history teacher. Rev. J.S.B. Mendis (an old boy) wrote “the great subject that Mr. Mack interested me was in History. I have discovered, both in actual life and modern thought on this subject, that he anticipated much of what is now declared as discoveries in the way in which the subject ought to be taught. He made it fascinating”. In his report at the Jubilee Prize-Giving 1924, Rev. Highfield stated that in addition to Mr. C.P.Dias,  Mr.W.E. Mack and himself, four others had joined the staff before 1900 making a total of 7 teachers who had served over 25 years. The other four teachers were Messrs. C.V. Honter, James S. Ratnayake, F.J. Lemphers and A.H.de Silva.

Post Highfield period upto the 75th Anniversary of 1949
Rev. Albert Hutchinson (1925 – 1928) was Rev. Highfield’s successor. He was a keen disciplinarian, stressing particularly the importance of character building. It was no easy task to follow a Principal like Rev. Highfield, but those who knew Hutchinson speak of the valuable contribution he made to the life and wellbeing of the college. The present House system in Wesley together with Inter-House competitions was introduced during the time of Rev. Hutchinson. The suggestion to introduce the House system was made by Rev. Highfield but it was his successor who began it. The college was divided into four houses, three were named after the earlier Principals Wilkin, Hillard and Passmore, while the Boarding formed the fourth House  (in 1947 its name was changed to Moscoop House). The new venture was enthusiastically taken up by the students and keen inter-house rivalry followed. During his term of service, Rev. Hutchinson introduced into the college the Prefect system, which Rev. Cash had earlier started at the hostel. The Prefect system has since worked well and many prefects were trained for leadership. Rev. Hutchinson built a new Primary School block of five classrooms on the extreme north of the main building, and soon afterwards was responsible for the construction of the new kindergarten building near the Boarding Block on the Karlshrue side. In 1928 Rev. Hutchinson improved the Science laboratories. The two classrooms beneath the Chemistry laboratory were adapted to make the present Physics laboratory. The Chemistry laboratory itself was re-fitted in the same year. By his sound business acumen, Rev. Hutchinson placed the college which had been in debt, in a good financial position and provided the funds for the new buildings and other improvements.

Rev. John Dalby (1929 to 1940) succeeded Rev. Hutchinson as the next Principal. He had earlier been Vice-Principal during Rev. Hutchinson’s time. Rev. Dalby was a Methodist laymen (he joined the Ministry later). He was a graduate of two universities, Leeds and Oxford. Rev. Dalby was responsible for the formation of the Wesley College Teachers’ Guild. In February 1929 was formed the Wesley College Social Services League. The Social Services League did not continue long in existence  but its work was largely taken over by the Student Christian Union, and many of its activities, particularly inside the college, were made part of the normal routine of the College. While Rev. Hutchinson was on furlough, Mr. F.A.J. Utting was Acting Principal from July 1931 to December 1933. In 1931 Mr. P.H. Nonis was appointed as Vice-Principal and he was the first Ceylonese appointed to this post. He was also an old boy. During the years between 1931 and 1942, Mr. Nonis played an important role at Wesley as Vice-Principal. From March 1938 to March 1940, Mr. Nonis as Acting Principal guided the affairs of the college. In 1940 Mr. Nonis rendered the college great service when he  was able to purchase the present pavilion in Campbell Park from the Tamil Union for a sum of Rs.10,000.00. The pavilion was officially opened on 19th January 1940 by Hon. Mr. G.C.S. Corea (an old boy) who was then the Minister of Labour, Industry and Commerce. On the same occasion, Mr. P. Saravanamuttu, the President of the Ceylon Cricket Association, unveiled a portrait of the late Mr. C.E. Perera, an old boy, whom he described as “Ceylon’s greatest batsman, perhaps for all time, and a perfect gentleman and sportsman”. Mr. P.H. Nonis continued as Vice-Principal of Wesley until early 1942 when he became Principal of Kingswood College, Kandy. 1940 was to mark the end of Rev. John Dalby’s long connection with Wesley. During Rev. Dalby’s second term at Wesley (1934 to 1940) there was progress in several departments in the school. He transformed the teaching of the Junior School, introduced several new features in the curriculum to meet the needs of modern education tendencies while the study of Sinhalese received a great impetus under his regime. Although no expert at games, he followed all the activities of this department with enthusiasm. This interest of his was rewarded by the uniform improvement maintained in Wesley’s cricket since 1935.

The next Principal Rev. David S.T.Izzett (1941 to 1943) assumed office in January 1941. One of Rev. Izzett’s first duties was to re organize the House system in the school extending it to all departments of the school curriculam. Hitherto, the House trophy had been awarded on results in sports alone, but now points were awarded not only for sports but for debating, attendance and for scholastic achievement. Rev. Izzett’s first year at Wesley was marked by considerable advances in respect of numbers, examination passes and sports achievements. In his second year, Wesley suffered dislocation along with other schools in Colombo due to the war. In April 1942, the College buildings were commandeered by the military authorities who gave the college very little time to remove its properties. In consequence, considerable losses were incurred both in the college buildings and the hostel, including valuable furniture and science equipment. The college went into exile, first at Carey College, where in May 1942, the second term opened with only 45 students. Later, the college was removed to Kittiyakkara in Campbell Place, where a number of cadjan classrooms were erected. Soon after the commandeering of the college building, many members of the staff volunteered for civil defense work. Some of them were able to return to school after a few months but others were retained for a much longer period. During the following years, the number of students gradually increased again but the conditions under which the college had to work was most distressing. By the end of 1942, Rev. David Izzett joined H.M. Forces as a Chaplain. After Mr. F.J.Lemphers retired in April 1933, there was no Headmaster until Mr. Eric A. Gunasekera was appointed in 1943. Mr. Eric Gunasekera began his connection with Wesley as a student in 1896 and became a member of the staff in September 1908. During the 35 years he served Wesley, he rendered valuable services to the school. Between September 1944 and March 1945, Wesley was without a Principal and the burden of running the school rested on Mr. Gunasekera.

Rev. W.A. Holden (1943 to 1944) came to Wesley as Principal in March 1943. He steered the school during the war years, since the school had to be content with temporary accommodation in Kittiyakkara. In fact Rev. Holden was not able to do more than keep the college “going”. The prevailing conditions greatly restricted advancement or improvement. The number of students dropped to less than 100 but Wesley continued to function. In his report in 1944, Rev. Holden said “Wesley has a purpose, it enshrines much that is fine in educational life in Ceylon. Such institutions cannot be lightly set aside, they have their roots deep in the life of this land and to seek to tear them up, root and branch, is tear out much of what is noble. It is to throw their traditions to the wind as no value. But that cannot be done without very great and serious loss”.
In September 1944, Rev Holden bade farewell to Wesley. Rev. G.A.F. Senaratne acted as Principal until Rev. James Cartman (1945 to 1949) arrived in March 1945. Rev. Cartman had a formidable task of re-building Wesley. In 1945 the roll was down to 350 boys and little over 20 teachers. Before the school closed at the end of 1945, a long procession of staff left the temporary buildings at Karlshrue where once again the college buildings were occupied. The college premises which were under military control from April1942 to the end of 1945, required extensive repairs and alterations, but it was a proud moment when the staff and boys once more took full possession of the school. Then under the guidance of Rev. Cartman the process of settling in began together with the building up again of the old traditions of the school. Due to the evacuation, the school lost considerable property and, on returning it was found that the wall panels, containing college records had been destroyed. Compensation was received for all external damage and structural alterations to the buildings, but not for the movable properties that were lost or destroyed.       
The arrival of Rev. Cartman at Wesley also coincided with the adoption of a new Education policy by the Government. At that time Government Central Schools were opened in many parts of Ceylon and a large number of special posts, on a comparatively higher salary scale, were available for graduates and first class trained teachers. In view of these opportunities, together with the then fears regarding the future of the denominational schools, many well qualified and long experienced teachers accepted posts in the new central schools. Wesley like many other denominational schools experienced this exodus of teachers. Most of these qualified teachers who left were responsible for work in the upper School and to replace them was extremely difficult. Thus the college was called upon not only to fill the vacancies created by the resignation of teachers, but also to find additional teachers, including several specialist teachers.

After October 1945, the new education policy created several problems for Wesley. The Government made it obligatory for Christian schools to restrict their Christian religious teaching and training to the children of Christian parents. All non-Christian children, whether their parents desired it or not, were no longer permitted to attend a Christian Assembly, prayers, scripture classes or specifically Christian meetings. For these children, moral instruction classes were arranged.
Another state requirement was the insistence upon the mother tongue as the medium of instruction for children in the Primary School. Wesley was thus obliged to create parallel classes for standards 2, 3, 4 and 5: one stream for the Burghers and Muslims taught through the medium of English, the other for Sinhalese taught through the medium of Sinhalese. Along with the mother tongue requirement, came the regulation that all Ceylonese students must pass in either Sinhalese or Tamil at the Senior School Certificate. This sudden change caused much difficulty for many senior boys, especially Burghers who had taken Latin as their Second language.

In 1945 the Government made another far reaching decision when it adopted free education from the Kindergarten up too, and including the University: Denominational schools which hitherto levied fees were given three years to enter the free education scheme. Many schools joined immediately, fearing that if they remained outside the scheme, the State would open free state schools and draw away their students. Wesley was one of the denominational schools that decided to continue as a fee levying school for three years. It was soon evident that instead of a decrease in attendance, there was an increase in students seeking admission to Wesley. Eventually, the time came when Wesley, like all other Colombo denominational schools was unable to take the greater number of those seeking admission. At the end of 1945, 350 students were in attendance. By 1949, there were 800 on the roll and this unprecedented increase had necessitated the purchase of large quantities of school furniture and equipment. By October 1948, the Government was unable to insist on all the remaining denominational schools joining the Free Scheme and a further two years’ grace was allowed. In 1948, it was imperative that more accommodation be provided at Wesley, and plans were made for a Building Scheme to mark the 75th Anniversary of the College. Two new classrooms were built on the north side adjoining The Primary School buildings. The Diamond Jubilee Scheme included the completion of Rev. Highfield’s original plans for the college buildings. These included (i) an adequate college library (ii) a biology laboratory and (iii) two new classrooms. The new extensions were opened on July 8th,1949 by the Prime Minister Hon. D.S. Senanayake. The opening was part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations which were held from July 1st to July 10th, 1949.

Rev. Cartman restored Wesley’s image and helped in restoring the school to conditions prevailing before the war. Rev. Cartman worked hard to restore Wesley’s credibility and stability. In order to cope with the increase of the number of students to 800, he was able to organize a 40 strong, loyal, efficient and well-knit staff despite the fact that many senior teachers had left as a result of the changes in the educational policy referred to earlier. He spent a great deal of his time and energy in organizing the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, in the collection of funds for the extension of the college buildings and in the compilation of an excellent history of the school. Rev. Cartman was undoubtedly The Apostle of Restoration, striving for excellence in whatever he attempted. His name has been fittingly given to the handsome library built during his time. Rev. Cartman’s era, though short-lived, witnessed rapid growth in the school. Wesley’s studies and sports developed tremendously.In particular, Rev. Cartman will be remembered by students of his time and succeeding generations for giving Wesley its war cry; “Zum Zum Zake, Zum Zum Ze, Ishuba Ishuba Ooh Ay Ey”.

The Post Independence Period  
When Rev. Cartman left Wesley in 1949, the ardous task of acting as Principal fell on Mr. Kenneth M. de Lanerolle, the Vice-Principal. He carried out his duties with finesse. Then at the beginning of 1950, Mr. Cedric J. Oorloff (1950 to 1957) was appointed Principal. He was not only the first layman but also the first Ceylonese Principal of Wesley. He brought with him the richness of a classical education and undoubtedly the efficiency of the Civil Service, in which he served before coming to Wesley. His experience was valuable at a time when there were far-reaching changes in the country’s educational policy. It was under the guidance of Mr. Oorloff that Wesley was registered as an Assisted School in 1951. This was a very significant stage since Wesley ceased to be a private school and was provided funds by the Government for running the school. Then from January 1953, the mother tongue was progressively introduced as the medium of instruction in the school. Mr. Oorloff helped Wesley to cope with all these compulsory changes in the educational policy of the country. Mr. Oorloff was also responsible for launching an Extension Fund to provide new buildings to accommodate swelling student numbers. Mr. Oorloff was greatly assisted in his work by his wife Mrs. Christobel Oorloff, a woman of charm and simplicity. Both contributed enormously to enrich Wesley’s spiritual life, promote her academic claims and successes, and last but not least, rightfully place sport as a discipline to mould the character of numerous youngsters. In the early 1950’s Wesley gained much prominence in Sri Lanka’s education and sports landscape. Mr. Oorloff was not only an outstanding administrator but an equally committed Christian teacher, who had a deep rooted respect for the young and the family unit as the core of society. Mr. Oorloff was indeed a product of his time, the values of which he vigorously upheld with a sincerity which only people of strong conviction can comprehend and admire.

When Mr. Oorloff left Wesley to join Trinity in 1957, he was succeeded by Mr. P. Harold Nonis (1957 to 1961). Mr. Nonis had been an outstanding student of Wesley who had come under the influence of Rev. Henry Highfeild. He won the Hill medal, captained the cricket team and was Senior Prefect. After graduating in 1924, he joined the Wesley staff and was appointed Vice-Principal in 1930. He was the first Ceylonese to hold this post. He continued to serve Wesley until early 1942. From March 1938 to March 1940, Mr. Nonis was Acting Principal. Mr. Nonis served as Principal of Wesley from 1957 to 1961, which was a critical period in the life of the school. Mr. Nonis was the first Wesleyite and the first Sri Lankan Methodist to head Wesley College. As a Principal, he took over the role earlier played by a Methodist missionary. During his period at Wesley, Mr. Nonis strove hard to maintain high academic standards. A large number of students gained admission to the University of Ceylon. Many of these persons went on to serve the country in eminent positions in the public service and in other professional fields. Wesley maintained high standards in sport while Mr. Nonis was at its helm. Within a brief period of his arrival at Karlshrue, Mr. Nonis worked untiringly to collect money for the Highfield Memorial Fund.

In 1961 Mr. Nonis had to cope with the situation created by the Government’s decision in January 1961 to take over schools. During the controversy created by this decision, Wesley had to make a difficult choice – either to go over to the Government or continue as a private non-fee levying school. Wesley decided on the latter. Wesley’s decision to become an unaided school in no way shows her dislike for a national system of education. She always supported such a system. Wesley being the premier boys Methodist institution in the island, together with Methodist College, Colombo (the leading girls Methodist institution), decided to go unaided. All other Methodist schools in the island were handed over to the Government. Mr. Nonis helped to nurture Wesley during these difficult years and perform the demanding tasks of the age. Mr. Nonis was assisted in his task of maintaining high standards of education at Wesley by Mr. L.A. Fernando, the Vice-Principal. He took over this post from Mr. Kenneth M. de Lanerolle. Mr. Fernando made a tremendous contribution to the school during the 18 years he served it. Mr. Fernando was an integral part of the school. He was not only an accomplished educationalist but a person who believed in the student’s rights for freedom and responsibility. Apart from the time he spent in the classroom, he spent many hours in the playing field encouraging the cricketers, athletes, hockey players and other sportsmen.

Mr. Nonis retired in 1962 and he was succeeded by Mr.  Shelton Wirasinha (1962 to 1983). Mr. Wirasinha had been Principal of Richmond College. He was also educated at Richmond where he excelled as an outstanding scholar and a talented sportsmen. With the exception of Rev. Henry Highfield,
no other Principal guided Wesley for more than 20 years. Mr. Wirasinha’s spell of 22 years saw Wesley through one of the “darkest” and “bleakest” periods of its history. Mr. Wirasinha had to manage the affairs of Wesley which in 1961, had become a private non-fee levying school. Wesley had now to depend on the donations of parents to maintain the school. The  Wesley College Welfare Society which was established in December 1960 helped in this connection. The Welfare Society had to interview prospective parents and obtain donations from them to maintain the school. Unfortunately, during Mr. Wirasinha’s era, Wesley had to sell two valuable properties – the flats along Campbell Place and the small park on Karlshrue Gardens to raise funds to run the school. Wesley’s image changed quite drastically during these difficult years. A school which was a predominantly Christian school had now to make various changes and to keep pace with the changing times. Mr. Wirasinha, a staunch Methodist, was backed by the Methodist Church and he continued to steer Wesley through the difficult times.  When Mr. Wirasinha left Wesley in 1983, Mr. Kenneth M. de Lanerolle came to Wesley’s aid as acting Principal. He had on previous occasions functioned in this capacity and once again steered Wesley during difficult times.

The next Principal of Wesley was Dr. Lou Adhihetty (1984 to 1988) who came to serve the school from Switzerland. Dr. Adhihetty was an outstanding student at Wesley excelling in sports. He captained the cricket, athletics, soccer and hockey teams. He represented Wesley in seven games. Though he did not excel in his studies in school, he was successful in entering the University of Cambridge. During the years he spent at Wesley, he tried to maintain high standards in both studies and sports. He strove hard though the Wesley he served as Principal had changed much since his student days in the 1950s. The school faced much financial strain and stress but Dr. Adhihetty managed to keep Wesley on an even keel.   During the period that Dr. Adhihetty served Wesley, he was assisted by Mr. M.A.P. Fernando. Mr. Fernando, another old boy, became Vice-Principal in 1983.

When Dr. Adhihetty left Wesley in 1988, Mr. Kenneth M. de Lanerolle came to Wesley’s rescue once again and became the Principal for a year. Mr. Lanerolle is considered as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost educationalists. He was indeed a colossus in the educational field. It was Wesley’s good fortune that Mr. Lanerolle was associated with the school during difficult times.

Mr. Dunstan Fernando (1989-1995) succeeded Mr. Lanerolle as Principal in 1989. During Mr. Fernando’s period as Principal, there was a great deal of building activity. The Rev. Daniel Henry Perera Building was opened during this time. This resulted in the school being provided adequate classrooms since earlier certain classes were conducted in the college hall. Another very important development was the opening of the college chapel, which greatly benefited the religious life of the school. The chapel building was put up largely due to donations of old boys. During Mr. Dunstan Fernando’s period as Principal, Mr. M.A.P. Fernando continued to be the Vice-Principal. 

   
Dr. N.A. Ben Fernando (1995 to 2001) the next Principal was a person who had a long association with Wesley. He had his complete school education at Wesley before joining its staff in 1960, which he served until 1965 when he proceeded to England. Dr. Fernando was able to maintain the traditions of Wesley with which he was very familiar. The highlight of Dr. Fernando’s period as Principal was Wesley’s 125th Anniversary Celebrations. During the Celebrations, the 125th Anniversary Building was dedicated on 29th June 2000. The vision for this new building had started in 1996, within 12 months of Dr. Fernando assuming duties as Principal of Wesley. The foundation for this building was laid on 27th March 1998. The new building also contained a Junior School Resources Centre, whose aim was to improve the quality of English of the students. Dr. Fernando was largely responsible in obtaining finances to build the centre. He visited many parts of England and obtained contributions from persons in England whose support he enlisted. During the period that Dr.Fernando served the school, Wesley maintained high standards in both studies and sports. Dr. Fernando was greatly assisted by his Vice-Principal Mr. M.A.P. Fernando and in particular to make the 125th celebrations the success it proved to be. Mr. Fernando also played a vital role in many areas of the schools activities such as the school clubs and societies. Mr. Dunstan Fernando ascted as Principal of Wesley for a short time after Dr. N.A.B. Fernando left in 2001.

Mr. M.A.P. Fernando became the Principal of the school on 10th July 2001 after the short period the school was in charge of Mr. Dunstan Fernando. Mr. M.A.P. Fernando was an old boy of Wesley College and later graduated from the University of Ceylon. He had been earlier associated as Vice-Principal of the school since 1983. Mr. Fernando was associated with certain note worthy features introduced in the school. The facility was provided to educate a child in the English medium, commencing with Grade 1 to 3 and the Advanced Level Science classes. The new Resources Centre set up by his predecessor Dr. Ben Fernando provided audio and video education tools for the Primary section of the school. Mr. Fernando initiated a new building project to provide better facilities to students in the G.C.E. Advanced level classes and the middle school. This building was opened on 2nd March 2004. The present Vice-Principal Rev. Shihan Fernando joined Wesley in January 2001. He has been a tremendous asset to the school particularly since he was an old boy. He was of great assistance both to Dr. Ben Fernando and to Mr. M.A.P. Fernando by participating in the varied activities of the school. Rev. Shihan Fernando has also contributed greatly to the religious activities of the school by being its Chaplain.

This narrative has largely dealt with the Principals of the School. It is necessary to remember the role of succeeding generations of teachers who were devoted to the school and had a consuming passion for its welfare. They not only helped students to learn their classroom lessons but also helped them to cope with the important questions in life. Wesley is what it is today, due to their dedicated and loyal service. The present generation of teachers and students have the responsibility of carrying on their good work. In the spirit of “Ora et Labora”, Wesley has to face the challenges of the new millennium, in the same way that it coped with those of the 20th century. Therefore let all of us who are associated with Wesley, wave our colors high and free and take Wesley to the fore steadily!
                                               

Growing up at Wesley in the 1950's by Alfred K David

The Historic Journey of Wesley College by Shanti McLelland

Wesley College, a Methodist missionary school was founded in 1874.  The school is named after Rev. John Wesley (1703-1791) the founder of the Methodist Church. Wesley was founded by Rev. Daniel Henry Pereira on March 2, 1874 on the dusty streets of Dam Street, Pettah, initially with about fifty students.  The first Principal was Rev. Samuel Wilkin.  In 1906, Rev. Henry Highfield (1903-1939) moved Wesley to Karlsruhe Gardens.

The Motto “Ora et Labora – Pray and Labour On” an integral part of the crest was originated by Rev. Arthur Shipham (1880-1883). The generally accepted interpretation of the crest is that the twelve shells are symbolic of the twelve apostles. The Dark Blue and Light Blue are the hard and soft colours of the Lion Hearted “Men of Grit” of Wesley.
The Senior Houses are named as a tribute to four past principals, Rev. Thomas Coke Hillard (1889-1892), Rev. Thomas Moscrop (1886-1888), Rev. Joseph Passmore (1893-1895) and Rev. Samuel Wilkin (1874-1879). While, the Junior Houses are named to honour four Head Masters for their invaluable service to the school.  They are Mr. C. P. Dias (1882-1926), Mr. C. V. Honter (1896-1928), Mr. F. J. Lemphers (1899-1933), and Mr. W. E. Mack (1884-1926).

The landmark buildings, both historic and contemporary, at Wesley College campus include the grandeur of the Main Block aesthetically built by Rev. Highfield consisting of the Assembly Hall, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology Laboratories, the opulent Cartman Library, and the impressive College Hostel. The elegant Highfield Memorial Block was built in 1959. The more recent buildings are the D. H. Pereira primary building (1990), Labrooy block (1998), Rev. Shelton Wirasinha memorial building (2000), and the Majestic 125th Anniversary Edifice (1999) accommodating the “Centre for Performing Arts”. The Sports Pavilion at Campbell Park was acquired in 1936 and the splendid “John Wesley Chapel” was built in 2001.
The architecturally and aesthetically magnificent College hall elegantly sculptured in Burma teak with intricate carvings Anglo-Saxon era and windows splashed with stained glass were constructed as a monumental Church.  The stately arm chair majestically used by the Principal during morning assembly has been intricately carved and expertly hand crafted in teak, and beautifully woven in finely trimmed rattan. The prize procession was presented during the time of Rev. Albert Hutchinson (1925-1928) was principal.  In 1929, can be carved as a landmark year when fine cricketer Mr. D. Rajapaksa grand uncle of the current President of Sri Lanka Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa joined Wesley from Richmond Galle.
The lyrics of the College Song was written by Mr. H. J. V. I. Ekanayake to the music of the Scottish National Song “Scotts Wae Hae”. He was an old boy of the school and grand uncle of the present Principal. Lawyer HJVI known as the Lion of Ambalangoda for his Grit during the riots at that time. He was greatly honoured by the then British Governor Edward Scott and later Old Wesleyite Sir Oliver Goonetilleke Hill Medal winner a brilliant scholar had the distinction of being appointed the First Governor General of Independent Sri Lanka. Fellow Wesleyite  Sir Claude Corea was hounoured as the first High Commissioner to the United States of America.

Extraordinary HJVI and another distinguished Wesleyite Sir Baron Jayatillke are remembered proudly for being the architects of the Sinhalese Sports Club. Later Sir D.B. went on to become Principal of Dharmarajah College and Ananda College; while Wesleyite P de S. Kularatne founded Nalanada College and Mrs Kularatne had the distinction of being invited to be the Principal of Vishaka Vidyalaya. One of Sri Lanka’s finest sons Mr. Terrence de Zylva known as one of the leaders of the Suriyamal campaign founded Kolonnawa Maha Vidyalya. 

From its inception, until we gained independence in 1948 the Principals at Wesley College were all Christian missionaries from England. The College Library is named after the last missionary Principal Rev. James Cartman.  Rev. Cartman is gratefully remembered for literally raising Wesley from ashes to grandeur after World War II with his distinguished service from 1945 to 1949. From 1939-45 Wesley served as a Military Hospital and the cross is yet visible on the roof as much as Adam’s peak is visible on a clear day from the monument Rev. Henry Highfield built in 1905 after collecting funds cycling around Sri Lanka. 
The first Sri Lankan Principal of our school was Mr. Cedric J. Oorloff a civil servant. Mr. A. Shelton Wirasinha an old boy of Richmond College was the longest serving Sri Lankan Principal at Wesley with a term of 23 years (1961-1984).  Wesley has been fortunate to having five other old boys serving as Principals in the past five decades; Cricket captain and Senior Prefect Mr. Harold Nonis (1958-61), all-round sportsman and Cambridge Blue Dr. T. Louis de Z. Adhihetty (1985-1987), Dr. N. A. B. Fernando (1988-2000), and long standing teacher Mr. M. A. P. Fernando (2000-2009) who had the privilege of linking with Wesley for nearly 42 years as student, teacher, Prefect of Games, Vice Principal and Principal. The best ye to unfold!
-           Ora et Labora   -

From the OBUA Newsletter June 2011

Have we lost an important part of our identity by not representing the Coat of Arms of Wesley College in full colour and as it was meant to be? By Keith De Kretser

answer to this question is YES. For many generations, one's first impression of the College crest has either been a single colour image or a two tone blue image. We have lived with this image not knowing that the College Coat of Arms once had a colourful presentation depicting the symbolic elements that had a specific interpretation, Sadly this has been lost and it is a terrible oversight that must be rectified.

In our last issue of the Wesley Times we carried an image of the blazer pocket bearing the Coat of Arms of Wesley College that belonged to the late Henry Duckworth who captained the Wesley cricket team in 1936. It is important to note the colours in the Coat of Arms but they no longer appear on the crest and they have been lost along the way for many years. In heraldic Coats of Arms, colours and symbols are elements that symbolise something associated to the roots of the family or in this case Wesley College. It says something about our heritage. However this has not been the case and we have failed to acknowledge, respect and retain the actual colours of the Coat of Arms as designed from our inception by our founding fathers. It was good enough during the era of Principals Wilkin, Shipham, Hill, Moscrop, Hillard, Passmore, Highfield, Hutchinson and Dalby and then no more?

St Thomas' Mt Lavinia- Crest

To this day St Thomas's College(above) and Trinity College(below) have their College Coat of Arms displayed in full colour in traditional format where as Wesley College no longer represents it in its original form The question I pose is why have we forsaken such an important part of our identity and tinkered with altering the Coat of Arms which through history is respected and revered and never changed as a rule.

Trinty College Kandy- Crest

Since receiving the blazer pocket of the late Mr Duckworth I have been puzzled as to why we have ceased displaying the correct Coat of Arms in full colour when the Coat of Arms should represent our very being.

De Kretser - Crest

Many of the Burgher boys who went to Wesley would have their family Coat of Arms which has not changed over centuries. Take for instance my own family - DE KRETSER. The Coat of Arms goes back to the earliest records of the family from the 1400's in Bavaria before moving to Holland. In the article on the origins of the College Crest by Shelton Peiris he covers a broad interpretation of the symbolic representation contained in the Crest that has been gathered over time but sadly missing is the significance of the red cross on a white shield which was in the original Coat of Arms and the colours. There appear to be no records of the true meaning and significance of the colours and neither any records of why Rev John Dalby altered the presentation or for that matter the removal of the colours. In this article I have done my own research and try and provide more explanations for this wonderful Coat of Arm

which relates its own story. It is interesting to note that Wesley College being named after John Wesley has as its core the shield, cross and scallop shells as depicted in the Wesley family Coat of Arms in the image on the right. The origin of the shield in the Coat of Arms with the cross whilst unknown, takes on a couple of possible interpretation not withstanding it's link to the Wesley family. We need to bear in mind that the Methodist Missionaries who brought the message of Christianity to the East through Methodism were our founding fathers.
THE CROSS(Red Cross on white shield)

1. The cross represents Christianity and Christ as the focal point of our being which goes along with the Wesley family motto – "God is love". 1 John chapter 4 verse 8 …"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
2. The cross represents the four compass points of North, South, East and West – the four corners of the world which cover the spread of the Christian message,
3. The cross represents the cross of sacrifice on which Christ died.
Wesley Times June 2011 page 12/24
4. The red cross is very important as it is similar to the symbol used in the Crusades by Richard the Lion Heart in battle. In medieval times the Crusades were lead by Christians and if you look at the images of that era, you will see that the shields protecting the Crusaders in battle were white with a red cross.
5. The red cross is also in the origins of the English flag which is represented by a red cross (the Cross of St George) on a white background.
It should be noted that the St Thomas' and Trinity College Coats of Arms have the red cross, both being Christian schools formed by the Church of England in Sri Lanka. Given that the Methodist Missionaries came across the oceans to spread the Christian message in the East, it is not only symbolic that the College Coat of Arms represented the Wesley family but its Christian and English origins.

THE SCALLOP SHELLS(in Gold)
The explanation of the twelve scallop shells may also have more than one interpretation.
1. The twelve (12) shells are symbolic of the journeying Pilgrim across the seas, seeking and searching ahead, with no complacency.
2. The scallop shells could also represent the twelve wandering tribes of Israel and
3. The scallop shells could also represent the twelve Disciples of Christ spreading the Christian message to the people.

THE MOTTO
1. The words "ora et labora" can be attributed to Saint Benedict (500 AD) an ascetic monk who prescribed the rules referred to as "The rule of Benedict" which is a set of precepts. The Rule of Saint Benedict has been used by Benedictines for fifteen centuries, and thus St. Benedict is sometimes regarded as the founder of Western Monasticism. The spirit of St Benedict's Rule is summed up in the motto of the Benedictine Federation which is ora et labora ("pray and work").
2. The Methodist Missionaries who set sail for the Far East had as their charter to spread the message of Christianity. When one considers the Wesley family motto of "God is Love", the brothers John Wesley and Charles Wesley were both ordained as Anglican Priests like their father and led an evangelic revival within the Anglican Church at the time that came to be known as Methodism. It is only natural that the motto reflects that sense of order and priority prescribed in John Wesley's teachings in how one should conduct one's life, i.e devotion to God and work. Therefore "ora et labora" defines man's true function - to pray and to work. Rev Arthur Shipham gave Wesley her motto

THE CHANGES TO THE CURRENT CREST AS WE KNOW IT
In examining the symbolic elements contained in the College Crest, I find it difficult to accept the need for the embellishment that was proposed by Rev John Dalby (Principal 1929 - 1934) and subsequently implemented. Having no records to support the proposed changes other than that it was commissioned by Rev John Dalby, I have conducted some research in to what possibly made him propose this change. The College Crest as we know it today is represented by the Coat of Arms at the centre surrounded by outer concentric circles bearing the name of Wesley College and contained within an outer circle with a scalloped edge. The Coat of Arms represents Wesley College for over 50 years and is a traditional symbol. It raises the question "Why did Rev John Dalby who is accredited with the change, modify the Coat of Arms or embellish it ?"
In the period 1920 – 1940, (post World War 1), there was a new trend for stylizing architecture, symbols, fittings and a host of structures. It is referred to as the "Art Deco" era where themes were often classical motifs reduced to geometric stylisations. It was very popular in the period and perhaps as a sign of the times, Rev Dalby felt it was important to translate the College Coat of Arms into an Art Deco style. It has made the Coat of Arms very busy, the scalloped outer circle is typical of the geometric curves(arcs) introduced to embellish things in that period. In modern speak we would refer to it as "Corporatising" the Coat of Arms to effectively a logo. I believe in so doing it has lost the symbolism of what the College Coat of Arms was meant to represent and I would guess that at the same time, the Coat of Arms took on a single colour losing its true identity. I may be wrong but there are no records that refer to this and the reason for the changes.

THE ABSENCE OF THE COLOURS FROM THE COAT OF ARMS
Having spoken to many Old Wesleyites of the "war " years (1939 -1945) and beyond, they can recall the "Dalby" crest as being in single colour. Perhaps circumstances at the time of the War and recovery from the great depression of that time may have influenced the introduction of a single colour image. The following are possible reasons for the single colour:

1. Availability of coloured threads to embroider the crest in full colour.
2. Cost of materials to embroider the crest in colour.
3. Wesley College campus was used for other purposes at the time of the war and with the many distractions and re-location that was around at the time and the introduction of the embellishments by Rev Dalby to the coat of arms, having the "Dalby" Crest in a single colour may have been practical and cost effective at the
time. However it never returned to the colours of the original coat of arms as it was meant to be and has been lost to generations of Wesleyites since then.

WE MUST RETAIN OUR HERITAGE AND ORIGINS
I believe it is important that the symbolism and the colours in the College Coat of Arms are not lost to our history. The Coat of Arms in its original colours and the College Crest with the core(the Coat of Arms) in full colour would look terrific when you consider that the photo of the blazer pocket it is faded having been embroidered over 80 years ago and using threads that lacked lustre and sheen.
I have had the College Coat of Arms and the College Crest re-done by a graphic artist in its original colours. What do you think?

SCROLL IN GOLD
SCALLOP SHELLS IN GOLD
College Coat of Arms College Crest
It is not too late to restore our Coat of Arms to its full colours and maintain our heritage. If we do not it will be lost forever and that would be a terrible tragedy and disrespect for the efforts of founding fathers. Had it not been for Mr Duckworth bequeathing his blazer pocket to the Old Boys Union in Australia, we would never have known this part of our historic identity.

When our founding fathers were considering matters of significance like our Coat of Arms, the College motto and our college colours, they were mindful that they vested with the responsibility of educating and developing the lives of your boys to turn out to be young men, gentlemen, decent, educated and upstanding in society. Men of grit and industry as our College song states. Therefore like the Coat of Arms, when picking the College colours, they symbolised a meaningful statement connected with what they were hoping to achieve. The light blue and dark blue were not selected because they were pretty colours.

THE COLLEGE COLOURS
To some of you who may not know, the College colours – Light Blue and Dark Blue may also have symbolic links representing
1. Cambridge University (light blue) and Oxford University (dark blue) the oldest seats of learning in England. You would note that many of the Missionary Principals were either graduates of Oxford(Oxon) or Cambridge (Cantab).
2. The two blues also represent the sky and the ocean - what you would see if you gazed at the horizon. We joined Wesley College and began a journey of learning and development which has no boundaries very much a kin to the horizon which goes on and on as far as our eyes can see. When we joined Wesley College it was the start of a journey of learning and development which presented fresh challenges every day and searching for limitless knowledge. It will be the same tomorrow as it was on our very first day at Wesley, as we journey through our days endeavouring to reach those goals we have set ourselves in our daily life.
3. Another interpretation is that the colours represent our destiny. The Light Blue the tranquillity of heaven – the sky, celestial space and Dark Blue the tempest, the depths of darkness, despair and hell.

In conclusion, I believe that all of the above interpretations could add credence to what the Wesley Coat of Arms represents the values they have stood for all these years will remain unchanged regardless of shape, colour or form. That's Wesley College.