ree. The annual consumption in the province is about eight million two hundred thousand pounds; and two or three times that quantity is exported to Chittagong on account of the East India Company, by whom this article is monopolized.

Vessels rarely visit Arracan, except those above mentioned as coming for rice and salt. A considerable trade is carried on with Bengal, by large native boats, and with Burmah, principally over land. The boats are manned by twenty, thirty, forty or more oarsmen, according to their size, and make only one trip a year; they sail when the wind is favorable, and at other times are propelled by the oar. The overland trade with Burmah is carried on through passes in the Yoma mountains, of which the principal one is at Aing, the merchandize being usually carried on the backs of bullocks; but when of little weight, by men. The carriers in this trade are principally Burmese and Shans. The natives of Arracan own no vessels, I believe, and none of them are engaged in trade to a large amount. A somewhat extended traffic is carried on within the province, the centres of which are Akyab, Aing, Kyouk Phyoo, and Ramree; perhaps Sandoway also should be included, but I believe its trade is very inconsiderable. The whole stock of many of the petty shopmen is not worth ten rupees, and some, I presume, begin their business with a much smaller capital than that. A few individuals invest two or three thousand rupees in trade; and perhaps the average value of stock on hand at any one time among all the traders in Arracan is about fifty rupees. In the large towns are fish and vegetable markets.

The commerce of this province is evidently far less extensive and valuable than it might be, and speedily would be, were it prosecuted with skill and enterprise.

A few

There are no manufactures, except that of coarse cotton cloths for home consumption. These are made in nearly every house, and constitute the chief clothing of the people. Mechanics and artizans of every sort are very scarce. blacksmiths, whose chief employment is to make and repair the dahs, or knives, owned in their respective neighborhoods; a few silversmiths employed chiefly in making the uncouth ornaments universally worn by women and children on their ancles and wrists, and occasionally in making idols; and a few carpenters and carvers, who make book-cases, ornamented with stick lac, colored glass and gold leaf, for the kyoungs, and carve idols to place upon them, are the principal artizans in the province. A small number are engaged in making the shoe or sandal, usually worn by the Burmese and Mugs; and a very few in manufacturing umbrellas of paper, coated with Burmese varnish, which are in general use among the natives. A few oil-mills of the simplest construction are found in the province, and three or four saw-pits. The natives generally understand how to make boats, with the necessary rigging, and almost every thing else required by their rude state of society, except the articles above mentioned, for which they are indebted to special artizans.

Astrologers and conjurors are numerous, and there is a sufficient number of musicians, actors, dancers, etc.

The professional men are doctors, lawyers and priests. Doctors require no license, nor is any fixed term of study, or certain amount of medical knowledge, requisite to commencing practice in the healing art. A few medical books, briefly mentioning the symptoms of different diseases, and giving prescriptions for them, are found in the country; and public sentiment demands that a person have some knowledge of these before declaring himself a doctor.

The principal medicines used are the roots, bark and seeds of different vegetables, which do not appear to be active or thorough in their operation either as cathartics or emetics, nor indeed for any other valuable purpose. Neither bleeding, nor any other surgical operation is ever performed.

It will be convenient to speak of the lawyers of the country in connection with what I have to say of its courts; and so of the priests, when its religions are considered.

(To be continued.)

PERSONAL DUTY TO THE HEATHEN:

A WORD TO THE RISING MINISTRY, IN BEHALF OF MISSIONS;—

By a Missionary.

Numbers that have entered the gospel ministry in years past, appear to have given the subject of their personal duty to the heathen scarcely a moment's consideration. They have taken it for granted that the Head of the church had nothing for them to do among the unevangelized nations, but without doubt had designed them for some station at home. The primitive ministers evidently did not thus; and it is our solemn conviction that a large proportion of the rising ministry at the present day ought to go to heathen lands.

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The last injunction of our Lord requires us to go. It is plain and authoritative, “GO YE." Look at the unequal distribution of the gospel ministry. In America there are 9000 gospel ministers, or one to every 2000 souls; while the 700,000,000 of perishing heathens have only 700 ministers of all denominations! Brethren, why should this inequality exist longer? Are you willing to bear your individual responsibility in this matter? If it is your duty to enter the field as a gospel minister, is it not your duty to go where you are most needed? Is it so much easier to preserve these feeble churches from idolatry, and to spread the gospel amid discouragements and opposition of every kind, as to warrant your standing aloof from the work? Our Lord informs us the field is the world; and shall we please him, if, gathering around the better supplied portions of the field, we neglect the more extensive and destitute portions, to which we are invited by the earnest entreaties of dying millions?

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Perhaps you reply, the home interests would suffer by such a course. am aware the wants of our own country are represented as though the men could not be spared;-but has not God always blessed the church in proportion as she has been disposed to lengthen her cords and strengthen her stakes? Does not the practice of the Apostles substantiate the same truth? Had they understood the great commission as many at the present time seem to understand it, would they have ever extended their labors beyond Palestine? Doubtless many important posts were vacant near to Jerusalem, but they were told to "go into all the world ;" and they acted as though they understood the commission. Who will say that the interests of the church would have been better subserved by their remaining at home? or who can tell but that our American Zion would have been far more prosperous, had a greater proportion of her ministry gone to the perishing Gentiles? There is a withholding more than is

meet, which tendeth to poverty. The true gospel philosophy is, "Whoso scattereth, increaseth."

Again:-Are not many of you resting at ease on the subject from considerations like the following?" I have had no particular impressions that it is my duty to become a missionary:" Or "They have not been sufficiently deep and abiding" Or "I lack piety." Do you then take it as an established principle, that you must be guided to your field of labor by some peculiar impressions aside from, or which do not grow out of, a prayerful view of the gospel commission? If this is acknowledged, it becomes a legitimate inquiry whether you have such impressions that you ought to remain at home? Oh, no. That you ought to remain at home, is, I fear, too generally taken for granted. But can you tell on what principle of reason? As to want of piety, are not the fountains of grace accessible to all God's children, and is not He pleased to bestow, when we ask it for the promotion of his own dear cause? And as to want of ability, whoever has talents to be useful at home, can be useful abroad; so that, in ordinary circumstances, there is no excuse for not entering the foreign field, that will not equally apply to a station at home.

And now, dear brethren, while you freely admit that many more ought to go to the heathen than do go, let me entreat you prayerfully to examine and settle at once the question of your own duty on the subject. I know that the frequent advice is, "Make no decision until your studies are completed." But as such a course vitally affects the dearest interests of the mission cause, 1 am compelled to dissent from it. Neither would I encourage in any one that sickly sensibility which would hurry him rashly forward to make resolutions which more mature judgment and cool reflection might lead him to set aside. But it is the duty of every candidate for the gospel ministry to examine prayerfully his duty to the heathen, and fully to decide the question as soon as possible. By a full decision I do not mean an unconditional determination. We are not at liberty to form such a decision. "If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that." But the question should be thus far settled fully, that unless the special providence of God shall actually forbid, our life shall be sacred to the missionary cause. If the mind of a student is settled as to his future course, he can make a much more thorough and efficient preparation for his particular work. In order to the successful pursuit of any object, that object must be kept distinctly before the mind. With the candidate for missionary labor, this principle will hold true in its full extent. Who can tell the advantage it will be to him, to carry about daily in his reflections, and to his closet, the conviction, that he is eventually, if the Lord permit, to assume the responsibilities of a missionary of the cross?

Besides, there is very little hope that those individuals will ever go to the heathen, who defer their decision to the close of their studies. Some, it is true, have gone under such circumstances; but out of scores of instances that I now have in my mind, the number has been very small. Indeed, it can hardly be expected that at the time of graduating from a college or theological seminary an individual should, for the first time in his life, come to the conclusion to leave his native land. It is not the time favorable to an unbiassed decision. A thousand voices are calling and inviting his stay on every hand; and we may confidently expect that not one in a hundred who graduate undecided, will bless the heathen world with his labors.

You may hesitate to make an immediate decision, on the ground that you cannot tell what will be your circumstances at the close of study. But will

not your circumstances at that time depend very much on the course you pursue during the time of your study? The proposed decision contemplates the condition, "if the Lord will ;" and is not this all the condition that is necessary? Have we not the world spread out before us, and is not the language of the commission imperative and plain? Is it not, then, your imperative duty to take an enlightened view of the subject without delay, and, when decided, labor to conform your circumstances to what duty has prescribed? I beg that you will not pass by this point without the most serious and prayerful consideration; for just here lies the secret cause of the failure of so many students who were early impressed in regard to their duty to the heathen. Without any fixed purpose or decision on the subject, they begin to enter into active service at home. Vacations are spent in laboring for destitute churches. Attachments between them and the churches are formed; and, finally, the course of study being finished, can it be his duty to become a missionary? His friends often cluster around him, and suggest that he is admirably qualified for a pastoral charge; that enlightened and educated pastors are greatly needed to sustain the cause at home. Added to this, another difficulty presents itself. Having never been decided as to his future course, he has felt at liberty to make his private arrangements for life just as inclination dictates; and the companion whom he has chosen shrinks at the thought of a missionary life; or perhaps her health will not admit of her going abroad. Now he congratulates himself how wise was it to form no hasty decision! How true that I could not tell in what circumstances Providence would place me at the end of my studies! He fancies that the providence of God detains him from the field, while the true cause is, that he neglected to decide the question of duty, and to conform his personal arrangements thereto. Will eternity approve such a course? Will it ratify such a conclusion?

Dearly beloved brethren, be entreated to take this subject into serious and prayerful consideration. On whom is the desire of Israel, but on you? Who are to fill the ranks of falling missionaries, but you? Yes, to you is the honor given, of unfurling the banner of the cross, extending its bloodless victories, and beholding more wonderful displays of its magic power than have been witnessed since the times of the Apostles. Gird yourselves to the work. Understand the high ground you are to occupy, and the responsibilities you are called to sustain. Settle at once the question of your duty to the heathen, and whatever your hands find to do in this cause, do it with your might. May the Lord bless you, and keep you in the right way,—lift upon you the light of His countenance, and grant you peace. PHILOS.

A WORLD BEFORE US.

The spectator who occupies the mountain-top, has a much more extensive and commanding prospect than he who dwells at its base. In like manner should the Christians of our day ascend into "the Mount of Vision," that they may survey the wide moral landscape, and take the dimensions of the whole mighty territory which they are summoned to invade and conquer. While remaining at a low point, we are apt to confine our aims and efforts within a narrow circle, and to think little of the far-spreading fields which distance and interposing heights shut out from our view. It is, therefore, necessary that we

should attain a loftier post of observation, whence our eye may range over a broader compass, and where we may enlarge our calculations in proportion to the enterprise to be achieved. Planting our feet on that bright eminence, let us throw our glance over the immense regions that lie beneath, stretching away in illimitable perspective. A world is before us, with all its peopled continents, its crowding millions, its darkness and woe. Upon the whole boundless expanse Guilt and Death, with raven wings, "sit brooding." Here, close at hand, we see our own favored country,—where the free word of God, proscribed or trammelled in all other lands, has found its refuge, and wrought its most signal results,sinking into the gulf of degeneracy; menaced with the fearful domination of "the man of sin;" sapped and convulsed by giant vices; its rulers, its politicians, and its insane population, casting off the laws of Jehovah ; while the church is at ease, her sentinels asleep, and the beacon-lights burning dimly on her towers. Yonder, we see Europe, the proud home of arts and civilization, one half of it shrouded in the blackness of Papal night, and the other, a solitary kingdom excepted, covered with the huge corpse of a dead Protestantism, and its monstrous emanation, a baptized Infidelity. And even in that single nation where vital Christianity still lives, we witness a concerted and vigorous attempt to pollute or destroy it, and substitute, in its room, the exploded mummeries of a darker age. On this side, we behold Africa,—wronged, bleeding Africa,-sitting in the dust, and mantled with one wide pall of barbarism. We see her vast interior thronged with savage hordes, scarce raised above the level of the brute, and given up to the most degrading idolatry. We see the slave-ship hovering on her coasts; and hear the clanking of her fetters, the shrieks of her children, the shouts of rapine and violence, echoing along her plundered shores. And there, far in the dim and ancient East, the hoary cradle of the world,-we look on the unnumbered myriads of Asia, plunged in heathenism, a prey to debasing passions, strangers to hope, and hurrying blindly into the abyss. Every where, we perceive the presence and the power of that relentless enemy of God and man, whose throne is on the high places of the earth, and whose trophies are murdered souls. We see Romanismi deluding its countless votaries; Paganism enthralling two-thirds of our species; and the fell imposture of Mohammed blasting the fairest portions of the globe, and even lifting its foul crescent above the hallowed scenes which the Redeemer trod. We see governments, laws, society,—both in lands benighted and civilized,— constructed on principles alien to the gospel; and the spirit of ungodliness diffused through all ranks and classes of mankind; while the few, who cleave to the cause of truth and heaven, are, in comparison, but as the three bands of Gideon to the dense host of the Midianites, or as the lonely spots of verdure that gem an otherwise unbroken desert.

Such is the spectacle which, from the "high mountain," presents itself below and around us. The work which we are called to accomplish, is the moral renovation of this entire extent of sin and misery, its complete subjection to the authority of Christ, and its universal transformation into beauty and holiness. Not a corner of it is to be left unreclaimed; not a dark recess forgotten; not a remote isle of the sea unevangelized; not a wanderer of the wilderness unillumined; not a solitary child of Adam unblessed with the tidings of peace and pardon. Over all, the loveliness and purity of Eden are again to return. Over all, Christ is to reign, and to reign through the instrumentality of his people. Here, then, let us stand, and devise our plans, and form our resolves, with a vigor and a scope commensurate with the greatness of the undertaking which devolves upon us. To this all-viewing height, let the whole church come up, and estimate the task to be performed, the evils to be removed, the obstacles to be encountered, and lay out her schemes of effort with an amplitude that shall embrace the world.

The real strength of the church has never yet been developed. Sluggish and supine, she is ignorant of her own power. She little dreams what mighty exertions are within the compass of her ability. A few efforts, feeble and uncertain as those of a sleeping man, she has, indeed, made; and a small band of missionaries, scantily sustained and slowly reinforced, has been despatched to heathen shores. But her contributions for this purpose have been only as a "drop in the bucket," to the overflowings of her abundance; and the men whom she has supplied are as nothing to that army of Christian heralds which she might and ought to have sent into all the earth. She has scarcely