but, in repassing, they were apprehended by the guardian or land-watchman; and being closely questioned by him, the woman, as it afterwards appeared, disclosed all she knew respecting the plans of Obadia and Ralaijao, and the visit of the two men to Ilavantsikindahy, and wrote immediately to the Queen and Officers at Antananarivo on the subject. In the mean time, the two men returned from their visit, and finding that the woman had fled, they instantly set off in pursuit of her, fearing she would be caught and inform against them. They fell thus into the hands of the land-watchman, who was, no doubt, looking out for them. They were taken up to the village as prisoners, and subsequently sent to Antananarivo for judgment. There they were subjected to similar tortures and questioning to urge them to impeach others, as the former martyrs had to undergo; such as, "Who sent you on this errand, and what was your design?" "We went," said they, "of our own free will, not being constrained by any one; and our design was to try and soften by instruction in the word of God, the hearts of those robbers beyond the border country who steal our cattle, and commit violence against our country (Vonizongo). That was why we took these books." Again they were asked, "Who are that great number of people who were to follow you; and did you not intend to take up arms against the Queen?" They replied, "As to our designs, we do not deny that we prayed, or followed the practices of the praying people; we did so, as the books found upon us testify; but as to taking up arms against Ranavalona, we never intended that. We demand the water* to try if any thought of bearing arms against the Queen was ever entertained by us.' They were condemned to death, and ordered to be executed in their own country, one upon the Sunday, and the other on the Monday in the market-place. These days fell, I believe, upon the 19th and 20th of June last. To a messenger of the Christians, who took them food during the interval, they on one occasion whispered an affectionate farewell to all the Christians; saying, "Let them not fear that we shall disclose their names: we shall do them no harm; but say farewell. If we do not meet again here on earth, we shall meet in the future life." With unflinching fortitude they kept this noble promise to the last; and seem to have been even cheerful in death. Obadia speaks of them as having only ascended into heaven before their companions. Their heads were cut off after execution, stuck on poles, and left to bleach in the scorching sun of Imerina, as an intended warning to the people, but really serving as an additional evidence of the unmitigated cruelty of the Queen, and the sustaining power of that grace which kept our departed friends faithful unto death. The above particulars are taken from various letters addressed to myself, Mr. Griffiths, and the refugees at Mauritius. These contain the entire details in the words of the surviving sufferers; but I have thought it desirable to send this brief summary of the whole. LETTERS FROM NATIVE CHRISTIANS IN MADAGASCAR. 1. Antananarivo, July 8th, 1842. May you live and be blessed of God, O beloved friend! and how are you? for we are in the enjoyment of health through the blessing of God, and we now inquire after your welfare in a letter. I tell you that our trials are greater now than ever, because the number of the persecuted Christians is increasing daily. The officers of the Queen are searching for them everywhere to put them to death. We do not know what to do, as the road for escape in all directions is almost impassable, and our hiding-places are nearly all known to our enemies, so that the persecuted Christians are at present truly afflicted. If you can fix upon any plan, or find any way for us to escape, write to us immediately in answer to this letter. And may you live and be blessed of God, O beloved friend! 2. Antananarivo, July 16th, 1842. May you live and be blessed of God, O beloved friend! How are you and your family? I am in the enjoyment of health through the blessing of God, and am alive to inquire after your welfare in a letter. And I tell you, my dear friend, that the present trials of the Christians are very heavy to be borne by flesh and blood, but they are even light to be borne by the mind and soul that lean on the Lord. I tell you that two of our number have been accused and condemned (as the others had been before,) to perpetual slavery. Four brothers have been recently accused and pursued. Obadia and Ralaijao they could not find, as their friends succeeded in concealing Tangena ordeal. them, but Rabearahaba and Ratsitahina were caught and put to death,' in Vonizongo, on Sunday and Monday markets, and their heads were cut off and fixed on poles. The persecutions are carried on with such vigilance at present as to make concealment extremely difficult. Leaning on God's mercy is our only hope of existence here. I received letters twice from you; one from Tamatave, and another from Mauritius, in which you have truly sympathized with us, and given us excellent counsel. I told you in a former letter, that the Queen ordered the "tangena" to be given me, but by the blessing of God I got over it. Join me, O my beloved friend! to bless the Lord who hath blessed and preserved me alive. Five of our friends are hiding themselves with me, and I shall take particular care of them; but the others go from place to place to seek for something to support nature. I assure you that I shall pay the strictest attention to what you have told me, and shall do all that lies in my power, by the help of God, to commiserate our distressed and persecuted friends, even after every farthing that you have placed in my hands is spent. May you live and be blessed of God, saith your friend. 3. Antananarivo, July 21st, 1842. May you live and be blessed of God! And how are you and your family? I tell you, O my beloved friend, that our troubles are still increasing-a letter arrived yesterday to inform us that the robbers, on the 12th instant, discovered two of our sisters in the deserts -Rafaravy and Razafitsaroana, and took them away from their concealment. These five robbers went up to the village in the night, after all the people were gone to sleep, and found two women in one house. They tied their hands and feet, and carried away their clothes, and every thing they found in the house. They returned to the house to seek for tobacco, and, in searching for it, they discovered our two sisters concealing themselves in the rice cellar, and carried them off. As to the little money you have placed in my hands, I shall pay the strictest attention to distribute it among the most needy and distressed Christians. Remember me to all friends, and may you live long, and be blessed of God, O beloved friend! MALAGASY REFUGEES AT MAURITIUS. THE numerous friends who had opportunities of intercourse with the Malagasy refugees, by whom Mr. Johns was accompanied to this country, and who returned to Mauritius, after receiving suitable instruction, with a view of labouring for the spread of the Gospel among their own country-people in that island, and finally in Madagascar, will be particularly interested by the following communications from two of their number, addressed to the Rev. J. J. Freeman, under date of April last :— LETTER FROM RAFARAVAVY. MY DEAR SIR, YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN, — May you live long and be happy! I thank you sincerely for the kindnesses you have snown us—father or mother could not have done more. May God be with you, and may he direct your designs concerning Madagascar ! When we came to this place, we did not meet Mr. Johns, for he was still in Madagascar, suffering under great sickness, the news of which made us very sorry; but in about ten days afterwards he came, though in a little time he was again taken very ill. Oh, how great was our sorrow then! for he is to us here in the place of a father and a mother, and I hope God will prolong his days that he may work again in Madagascar, for the people are miserable. Oh, how many of them are running to the everlasting death for lack of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Mr. Johns is better now, and this makes us very glad, and calls forth our praise to God. He purposes going again to Madagascar, where he left Adrianiliana. I assure you, dear sir, that I wish very much to go to the coast of Madagascar to teach, for my heart is there, and to finish my days in serving God according to my ability. Alas! how many are in the valley of the shadow of death! who do not hear any thing of the Saviour, and no wonder, when we remember what the word saith, "How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Believing arises from hearing the word of God. I have been asking Mr. Johns to allow me to go with him to Madagascar, but he said, "You are a woman, and therefore you had better stay, for I cannot take you unless I have a place for you." But were I to go with him, I am sure he would be able to find a king that would consent to have me placed there; for I know that many of the coast people of Madagascar are fond of him. This is the condition of the Malagasy in Mauritius. Those that are settled in the country, I chiefly talk with concerning the word of God. There are many also who come to me, whom I teach reading and spelling. Several Betsimisaraka come with them, and I ask God's help that I may do my best in visiting and teaching until the arrival of Mr. Johns. For the next time he goes away he will, God willing, take me with him; and in that case, praise shall follow and prayer shall be offered. To warfare we are bound by our Captain, and I must not turn back, but go on in the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. And though I should be the only Hova on the coast of Madagascar, I am content if I do but get a place to go to. Still it would be much more delightful to have a companion. As for the enemy and disease the Lord will protect us, for there is nothing that can hinder Jehovah to save, whether with many or few. Dear sir, present my thanks to the Directors, your companions, and the congregated Society. It is really pleasing what you do to Madagascar, for it is not little, but much, and cannot be counted. May God be with you! Tell the ladies in your congregation that I present my salutations to them, for I have not forgotten them. I also salute those that are at Gravesend. Adieu to you all, saith MARY RAFARAVAVY. LETTER FROM JOSEPH. May I ask of you, my dear sir, to present my salutations and respects to the Directors and the Christians in England, who do not change, but increase in their love to us and our country; especially your congregation at Walthamstow, who made us like one family indeed in Christ. It was the first place at which we enjoyed the society of God's people, and they were to us like fathers and mothers, and the leaders of our footsteps wheresoever we went when we were in England, and more especially to myself, for there, and only there, was my home. I therefore thank them for all the assistance they gave to me and my friends, and I shall not forget them in my prayers. I wish that God may bless and protect their exertions to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Our passage in the Thomas Snook was very comfortable indeed. The captain and the mate were very kind to us; and because what you gave them was sufficient and plentiful, they did their utmost to please us; our food being so abundant and so good that it was almost like a feast every day. The sailors also paid us great respect, and behaved very well to us the whole way. We were allowed to keep up meetings as we used to do in Madagascar, every Tuesday evening; ; every Thursday we held a Bible class with Mrs. Johns; the captain and carpenter joined us in our family prayers very often; and on Sunday, when it was fair weather, the sailors, &c., joined us in divine service on the deck. That was the way we passed our time at sea. Great was our joy on the return of Mr. Johns from Madagascar, and we were full of praise to our God, who brought him to meet us in health. We were glad not only because we saw his countenance, but also because of the protection of God over him whithersoever he went. The cause of his leaving the Mauritius was to look for the persecuted Christians, and for a place for us, according to his agreement and our desire from the beginning; for we had told him, "Be it where it may, if there is but a place for us, we will go there to teach those of our country." But when he went there he did not see the Christians whom he sought for, nor did he hear any good report. The government, though changeable, still continue to increase more and more in tyranny and slavery; and all the people endure great miseries and torments, and the door is still shut. But the Lord be praised! for behold he hath opened a door in Nosimitsio; for the king of that place asks for teachers, and has sent a letter to the Governo: of Mauritius by Mr. Johns. When I heard of that I was exceedingly glad, because they are people of the same language as I am. I think that God in his mercy has answered my prayers; for I have been for a long time wishing and promising myself to do what lies in my power to teach and spread the Gospel and extend the kingdom of Christ all my days; and now, as there is a vineyard opened by the Lord, and only labourers are wanting, I offer myself to work in that vineyard. And although I know that I shall have to encounter much tribulation in this battle of faith, yet, as a true soldier, I must needs do what the one who has chosen me wishes. And as I told you when I bade you my last farewell at Walthamstow, "There is nothing that can make my mind so easy and my life so pleasant, as to be engaged in the service of Christ, and in preaching the gospel of the grace of God." This I do now, and also wish to do much more, that my sojourn on earth may be one of rejoicing to me. I am in hopes that you will think of me Contributions in aid of the Society will be thankfully received by Thomas Wilson, Esq., Treasurer, and Rev. John Arundel, Home Secretary, at the Mission House, Blomfield-street, Finsbury, London; by G. Yule, Esq., Broughton Hall, Edinburgh; J. Risk, Esq., Cochran-street, Glasgow, and at 7, Lower Abbeystreet, Dublin. Tyler & Reed, Printers, 5, Bolt-court, London. |