to be inquirers. Several of these have given evidence of piety for some time, and will probably be baptized when br. Mason comes again. About 150 were present at evening worship; besides which, I have had about 20 sick ones to attend. Some of them are very ill indeed of fevers. I am, of course, much fatigued this evening, but think I never spent a happier day. Wednesday eve. 4. Have enjoyed a pleasant season with the Karen sisters in a prayer meeting this morning, and hope the truths we read together may be blessed to them. The number of inquirers increases from week to week, especially among the children. May their good desires not prove to be like "the morning dew." Thursday eve. 5. Was called from my bed last night, to attend a man who was very ill, but is better to-day. I have to be nurse and physician both, to these dear Christians, when they are very ill, as they know nothing about nursing each other. This often renders my task laborious, but it is pleasant, and I sing, as I walk a retired path, from one of their books, relating to the rewards obtained by making offerings, will be read with the prayerful and compassionate feelings which a knowledge of their blindness and ignorance is calculated to awaken. "In one of our books we have a conversation between Thegya, king of the second Nat country, and Shen Mala, an ancient Boodhist saint, who, having become a Rahanda, possessed the power of visiting other worlds, by virtue of which he ascended to Ta-wa-ding-tha, the kingdom of Thegya, and afterwards returned to earth and wrote this book, I suppose. Previous to his leaving this world he received eight lilies from a poor man, when he was out one morning with his begging dish, accompanied by a prayer from the poor man that this deed might be rewarded. These lilies Shen Mala took in his hand to offer at a celebrated pagoda in the Nat country. While offering these and worshipping, he saw a Nat approaching with one hundred attendants to worship at the same pagoda. Shen Mala inquired of Thegya, what meritorious deeds this Nat had done that he had so many attendants. Thegya replied, "He was formerly poor hay-maker, that fed crows from his daily allowance of rice." After him came a second, surrounded by one thousand And serve the royal heirs of heaven." attendants, and Shen Mala again inquirFelt somewhat agitated this evening, by ed of Thegya, What has this Nat done? the appearance of three large savage to which Thegya replied, "He was an looking Siamese. After looking about herdsman and obtained this reward by here for some time without any business, giving his rice to another man similarly they went back into the woods, from employed." The third Nat had attained whence they came. These people have to the honor of being surrounded by in former years been the terror of all ten thousand attendants, with whom he this part of the country, robbing, murwas coming to worship, by giving rice to dering, and carrying off every Burman a noviciate for the priesthood. The or Karen they could catch, for slaves. fourth Nat's body was so luminous as to The English Government have made light up the heavens, and he had twenty every exertion to put a stop to these thousand attendants, which reward he barbarities, but the poor Karens still obtained for giving away the rice he refeel timid. I have, however, committed ceived to another noviciate. The fifth the case to my Heavenly Father, and Nat had, by meditating on death, been feel at peace. Though alone and un-induced to make great offerings to virprotected, I feel that he is with me: He tuous persons, as Rahans, Thengas, and that keepeth Israel never slumbers nor Areyahs, and was now surrounded by sleeps." thirty thousand attendants. "O, that the Lord would count me meet (To be continued.) The sixth was a rich man who had made offerings of medicine, cloth and provi-sions to priests, and was now enjoying the reward of his good deeds. He,. with his forty thousand attendants drew near to worship at the great pagoda. The seventh, who had fifty thousand attendants, was formerly king of Ceylon. He had respected the god, the law, the priests, and been very strict in the observance of the worship days, was free from covetousness, and had made great offerings. The eighth that drew near to worship, had in this world paid homage to the god, the law, the priest, made images, built pagodas, planted banyan trees, supported his parents and made offerings to Rahans, and in reward had sixty thousand attendants. The ninth Nat, that drew near to worship with seventy thousand attendants, was, in this life, a noviciate, who, besides worshipping the god, the law and the priests, cleaned the monastery and trimmed the lamps. The tenth Nat, that came up to worship while Shen Mala was standing by, was in this world a poor man that subsisted by alms; on one occasion he saw a priest stand waiting at a door to receive rice, while the people within knew nothing of it, and he called out and informed them, for which meritorious act he now had eighty thousand attendants. The eleventh Nat was a Ceylonese, who worshipped at a pagoda and offered flowers; for which he obtained the reward of a residence in this happy country, and ninety thousand attendants. The twelfth was a hay-maker, who worshipped the god, the law, the priests, and saved persons from death. While walking near a river one day, he observed that the sand looked like gems; this he scooped together and made a pagoda, at which he offered flowers and worshipped, in reward for which he obtained a residence in this country, and one hundred thousand attendants. After the above-mentioned twelve personages had worshipped at the great pagoda another appeared, beautiful as the November full moon when bursting from a thick cloud, having in his hand a collection of flowers, descending from Tok-the-ta, the fourth Nat country, with a body so luminous as to light the pagoda and all the region about. As he approached with his ten million attendants, male and female, appearing more beautiful than the moon when surrounded by | her retinue of stars, Shen Mala inquired, Is this Areemadaya ?* "This," replied Thegya, "is the embryo Boodh who is to appear on earth. The one hundred females that precede him, when on earth observed the worship days, the five du Areemadaya, who is to be the next Boodh occupies a prominent place in the prayers of the people; from him they look to be benefited. Few, if any, expect to arrive at nigban until he appears, but hope to be found in his train and annihilated with him. His appearance is anticipated with much pleasure. ties binding on all mankind, made offerings of white cloth, white flowers, white odoriferous substances, and white rice, for which they are rewarded by being attendants of Areemadaya. Those on his right, arrayed in gold-colored garments, are those, who, when on earth, kept the worship days strictly and made offerings of gold-colored cloth and flowers to Rahans. Those on his left hand kept the worship days and listened to the law with rejoicing minds and made offerings from pure motives. The hundred who followed him had, in this world, listened attentively to the law on worship days; and made offerings of dark colored cloth and many other things, for which they obtained this great reward." Shen Mala then inquired what Areemadaya himself had done; to which Thegya replied, “It would be as difficult to tell as for a hare to cross the sea, or for a blind person to climb a mountain. By his own wisdom he knew all that related to affection, diligence and wisdom; and for many worlds had treasured up prayers and good deeds; had given away his son, his wife, the members of his body, and his life; practised the virtue of going into the jungle, and all other virtues, until he attained perfection. During sixteen millions of worlds he was complete in every virtue ; and in reward for this, when he has enjoyed the happiness of Tok-the-ta country all the term of life for a Nat, he will die there and become a god on earth." Areemadaya then approached Shen Mala, and having made obeisance the following conversation ensued Areemadaya. From whence do you come, my Lord? Shen Mala. From Zebu, O Nat, who art the embryo Boodh. Areemadaya. What meritorious deeds do the people there perform? Shen Mala. According to their fate are their lives. Some enjoy happiness, and some are poor and miserable. Some are handsome and enjoy life, and others are ugly and live but a short time. There are few who are happy in body and mind, but the distressed are numerous. There are but few of the human species, but brutes are numerous. Thus they exist according to the fate of their previous actions. Areemadaya. Are there many that perform meritorious deeds? Shen Mala. There are but few, my Lord. Areemadaya. What are their meri torious works? Shen Mala. They make offerings; some listen to the law, observe the days of worship, keep the five laws enjoined upon all, and some keep the eight laws; some make images, build monasteries in which to keep Lent, give garments, rice, medicine and other things to priests, plant banyans, build pagodas, pave walks in the enclosure round the monasteries, dig wells, build bridges, and dig tanks. Some nourish their parents; some meditate on the death of their friends, and make offerings to increase their happiness; some worship the god, the law, and the priests; some give their children, wife, brethren, grandchildren and slaves to be Rahans; some build zayats for travellers; and some give priests all the articles they are allowed to possess. They give and do according to their ability and disposition. Areemadaya. When they make of ferings what do they pray for? Shen Mala. They pray that they may meet the next Boodh. Areemadaya. If those who live in Zebu wish to meet me, let them read the account of Wathandria in one day; make an offering of a thousand lights, a thousand water lilies, a thousand dark colored lilies, a thousand of whatever flowers are to be had, a thousand flags, a thousand handfuls of rice and listen to the law; and they shall become Rahans. Those who are not worthy of deliverance, are the angry, the harsh, revilers, talebearers, persecutors, parricides, matricides; those who cause the blood of a Boodh to start out; who do not worship images or pagodas; who break or destroy a banyan; who kill a Boodh; who steal from priests; who are too covetous to make offerings, or forget to do so: and none of these will meet with me when I am God. Shen Mala. When will you become God? Areemadaya. Five thousand years from Gaudama's * appearance. When I am God, the valleys shall be raised, and the earth perfectly level. There shall be neither hill, valley nor forest; but the earth shall be covered with towns and villages, and the countries abound in riches. The inhabitants shall be exempt from poverty, and shall be as rich as they please; while, day and night, they will be engaged in re ligious exercises. Ignorance, vice, and This is a specimen of the books we find in the hands of the people, and the errors inculcated in them are what we have to contend with in our labors. Can you do less than to pray, that the Spirit may be poured out from on high, to convert this people, and prepare them to stand before the throne of God? Arracan. LETTER OF MR. COMSTOCK. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock arrived at Kyouk Phyoo, in this province, the 4th of March last. In a letter to the Corresponding Secretary, Mr. Comstock gives the following Description of the Province. As this province is a new field of labor, perhaps a short account of it will not be uninteresting. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Bay of Bengal, and extends from 15° 54' to 20° 51' North lat. Its width is very variable. At the northern part of the province, it is about 90 miles wide, while the width at the extreme southern point is but 2 or 3 miles. Probably the average width is something less than fifty miles. It is bounded on the north by the province of Chittagong, on the east by the Burman empire, and on the south and west by the Bay of Bengal. An extensive range of mountains is the boundary between Arracan and Burmah, over which are several passes-one to Ava, one to Prome, another to Bassein, &c. Only the first, is very much travelled. By this we are only six or eight days' journey from Ava. A good deal of this province is mountainous, and much of the rest is jungle or uncultivated land. The people live in small villages, which are scattered over the whole province. The population according to the government census, I do not exactly know, but it must be something less than 250,000. It is very difficult, however, to ascertain the population, as the people will deceive all they can, to avoid taxes, which were very oppressive under the Burman government, and are not very light now. A great deal of itinerant labor must be performed here, as the inhabitants are so scattered; and much must be done by tracts. Two or three | people. The village contains some three or four thousand inhabitants, "wholly given to idolatry." Here are the first pagodas I have seen in the province. laborers beside br. Simons and myself, I think should enter this field as soon as may be. The province is subdivided into four subordinate jurisdictions, called districts. The northern one, Akyab, is the largest. Here is br. Fink, with his native church, and here I believe br. Simons intends to settle. The Ramree district is the next in size. It consists of Ramree Island, about forty miles long, and on an average about fitteen wide, extending from 18° 51' to 19° 24′ N. L., of Cheduba Island, lying a short distance to the S. W. of Ramree, which is 18 miles long, and 14 wide, and of several smaller islands. There are in the district 374 villages, and about 70,000 inhabitants. This is the field of labor I occupy. Kyouk Phyoo is on the northern point of Ramree Island, and, though not as central or as large as some other places, is on some accounts a very desirable station. It is very healthy, is visited by a good many natives from other places, who bring articles to sell to the English, troops, &c., and the harbor is an anchoring ground to the numerous native boats belonging to Rangoon, Bassein, &c., on their way to and from Calcutta. I do not, however, feel decided in reference to a permanent location. The Sandoway, and Aeng districts are important fields of labor; but very little can be done for them, till more missionaries are sent to Arracan. 12. At morning, returned to Kyouk Phyoo. Found the school-room, (a small building which is to be fitted up for my dwelling,) in the same state in which I left it. The man to whom I had entrusted the repairing of it, had found employment which he thought would be more profitable elsewhere. There is very little honesty among the heathen. 15. Sabbath. Visited two villages about a couple of miles distant. Found the people entire strangers to the Christian religion. They stared, when asked who created the earth, &c., as if the subject was altogether beyond their comprehension. They listened, however, quite attentively to the catechism, which I think is well adapted to the circumstances of those who know nothing of "God and his Christ ;" and a few, who could read, took tracts. 18. We were cheered to day by the arrival of a packet of letters from our dear native land. Separated so far from our best earthly friends, we were prepared to feel the force of the scripture, "as cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." 22. At one time during the last week quite a large collection of natives from some distance were at the house of Mr. Adams, (who very kindly entertains us till we can get into our own house, which is now fitting up;) and while they were waiting to transact their business I improved the opportunity to read and talk to them about Christ. Several of them could read, and took tracts. To-day is the Lord'sday, and I have been out trying to do good. Spent the forenoon at the village I first visited, (the 8th). The peo March 8, Sunday. Went out in the morning with a bundle of tracts, to commence my missionary labors among the heathen of this vicinity. At two or three different places, collected the people around me, and read from the Catechism, making such comments as I was able. Had no tracts but the In-ple knew me, and seemed quite eager vestigator at command-distributed several of these. But few of the villagers appeared to have heard of the religion of Christ. Toward evening, visited another village, and left several Investigators, after having read the Catechism, and talked some to the people about the eternal God and his son Jesus Christ. 9. Left for Ramree, a large village about thirty miles distant. Reached there the next day at evening. The succeeding morning went to the market, and distributed several tracts, after having read and talked a little to the to hear. I was soon invited into a house, and a very respectable congregation assembled and listened attentively, and with a good deal of apparent interest, to parts of the View, Catechism, &c. While I was reading, two men commenced a quarrel near by, (which, according to the custom of the country, was confined to words,) and very plainly exhibited the wickedness of their hearts. This furnished a good opportunity to speak of depravity, and the necessity of a change of heart. I told my hearers that their natural hearts were not good, and were made no bet ter by their offerings, &c., but that the | tions and obviate objections. My main disciples of Gaudama, after all their object was to show them their sin, the "good works," would get angry and need of an atonement, and that the abuse each other, as those old men did. name of Christ is the only one "under They seemed to feel the force of this; heaven given among men," whereby a and when I told them of the new heart, sinner can be saved. During nearly which the disciples of Christ had, and the whole day, more or less hearers which enabled them to bear insult and were present-sometimes many, somepersecution without retaliation, they times few. Towards evening, went a smiled an approval. Collected two or short distance, to witness one of the three other congregations, to whom I abominations of beathenism, which I did endeavored to communicate enough of not expect to behold in this province-a the truth as it is in Christ, to save their poor wretch, a Hindoo, swung for caste, souls, if believed. Distributed a good i. e. to obtain a higher grade. He was many tracts, Catechisms, Balances, &c. supported only by two iron hooks, thrust 29. A little after sunrise, started through his back. I saw one of them for two villages a few miles distant. inserted. A vast multitude were presMost of the men had left, through fearent, and seemed to regard the act as of the small-pox, which is now prevailing throughout this region-trusting for safety to flight, rather than to a small string of bark, which they had fastened a few feet above the ground, to prevent the disease from entering their borders. At each village, however, I was able to collect a small congregation, to whom the news of Christ were strange, if not glad tidings. I left a few tracts at each place, and hope ere long to hear from some of those who received them. The Lord can make the feeblest effort the means of great good. April 3. Took possession of our house, I trust with some emotions of sincere gratitude. The Lord has kindly supplied the necessary materials, laborers, &c., with but little trouble on my part. Now this care is off my hands, and we are brought near to the natives, I hope my own soul, and the souls of the heathen will thereby be benefited. We tried to consecrate our house to God; and, dedicating ourselves anew to his service, besought him here to grant us his presence and blessing. 5. Unwell, at home,-and, although it is the Sabbath, unable to go out among the heathen. Have been praying for sanctification, that I may do much for the glory of God. 12. Lord's-day. During the past week have conversed with a few, and This morngiven away some tracts. ing two men came to hear and get books as it was already very hot, I sent word to the villagers, that if they wanted to hear about the religion of Christ, they might come to my house, This was an experiment, and it has succeeded admirably. Soon after breakfast, the people began to gather around my door. I read from the Catechism, View, Investigator, New Testament, &c., endeavoring thus to answer ques one of extraordinary piety and merit. (To be continued.) Chinese Mission. Most of our readers are probably aware that Mr. Dean, who has been residing temporarily at Singapore, was appointed missionary to the Chinese, to be stationed at Bankok, the seat of the Siam mission. He has accordingly been for the most part employed, while at Singapore, in the study of the Chinese language, particularly the Tiochew dialect, the Tio-chew being the most |