"nominal Christians" or so-called "rice Christians" (according to the quantity of rice, which they received for their conversion). Baldaeus had a good understanding of the culture and religion of the Tamils, and Sinhalese. Although primarily interested in proselytizing the Hindus and Catholics, he also strove for a better education for the natives, and as a result at the time of his departure, there were 18,000 school children whom he was responsible for as a religious teacher. With his zeal, however, he came into conflict with the profit-oriented Dutch East India Company (VOC). VOC did not want to spend money on Christianity or education of the natives. VOC was greedy and overruled the Calvinistic preachers on ecclesiastical matters ("confusion breeds over godsvrucht", "greed over fear of God"). VOC furnished financial aid for Collegium Indicum in Leiden. VOC expected that the voluntary service missionaries would grow. A governor-general complained that VOC was deceived, "with these young Fanten we have more annoyance than with other ministers and subordinates,". The preacher had to turn on all sorts of ills - alcoholism, corruption, lax morals, slave trade and husbandry, abuse, etc. Preachers were also dependent on their ecclesiastical superiors in Batavia and they were able to put in complaints to the authorities at any time. The company objected to Baldaeus' suggestions for improving religious education and converting the Tamils, and ruled that funds should be raised from fines levied in the enforcements of school rules. Baldaeus refused to conform and was nearly accused by the Governor of dishonest financial dealings. He could not continue his linguistic studies because the Church, bound by the state, thought it a waste of time. Return to the Dutch Republic During 1665-1666 Baldaeus travelled via the Cape of Good Hope and returned to the Dutch Republic. Apparently he had committed in 1654 for ten years foreign service (Jong, S. Afgoderey). In 1667, he wrote a detailed petition to the Dutch government, complaining about the greed of Dutch East India Company and also about how badly it affected the ecclesiastical affairs in Ceylon. He was not offered a place at the Collegium Indicum as contrary to his expectations. He preached in Geervliet from 1669 until his death at the age of 39 or 40, probably in 1671, as the widow remarried in June 1672 with Pieter Baelde. He left behind a full and faithful account of the civil, religious, and domestic