scattered members, their patience, their fidelity, have drawn to its
churches the love, the confidence, the reverence of all christian
hearts. Its history is a very simple one. Founded in 1818, it was
between 1820 and the death of Radama in 1828, that the Mission Schools,
the printing press, and instruction in the industrial arts, laid deep
the foundation of that education and enlightenment which have so
greatly benefited the population at large. And it was during those
brief years the seeds were sown of that true spiritual life and
christian principle which produced a native christian church, and
enabled it, nourished by Divine grace, to bear the bitter persecution
of twenty-six years. No fiercer resolve to maintain an old national
idolatry has been witnessed in modern days, than that from which this
persecution sprang. It was steadfast, uncompromising, and
unrelenting. Maintained throughout the lifetime of the persecutors,
it was especially bitter and violent on three occasions. _a_. In July,
1837, when the profession of christianity was forbidden, when all
christian worship was stopped, and all books were ordered to be given
up, our first martyr, a true christian woman, RASALAMA, was speared.
RAFARALAHY followed her, a year after. In 1840 nine were speared;
many hundreds were made slaves; two hundred at least became fugitives.
In 1842 the persecution extended to VONIZONGO, and, of five brethren
who suffered, two were executed, and three were poisoned. By this
time seventeen had lost their lives: and both christian and heathen
had learned the great lesson, that a true faith in Christ enables
its followers without fear to meet all penalties for conscience' sake,
and even with gladness to lay down life itself. _b_. The second great
trial, intended to be more severe, fell on the scattered church with
the year 1849. Nineteen confessors were seized, but they answered
their persecutors bravely, and looked on death without fear.
Fourteen were thrown over the lofty precipice; the four nobles sang