274

THE CHRISTIANS DESIRE TO ESCAPE.

'Who is our father, mother, sister, or brother, but those who hear the word of God and keep it?' We therefore explain to you what our condition is, that, if possible, you may do something to relieve us. We say, if possible, for our Saviour himself employed that expression in his prayer to his Father: If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.'

"That you may know our wish, read Matt. x. 23, 'When they persecute you in this city, flee ye to another;' and 1 Sam. xxvii. 1, 2; David said, 'There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me to seek me any more in any coast of Israel,' &c. We leave it with you to decide, for you know best, whether you can do anything for us in that way or not.

"P.S. Please to send us some Spelling Books, and farewell till death."

To such an appeal there could be but one response— a resolution to assist them in effecting their escape. The attempt was made; and on behalf of a few it has happily proved the means of preserving a portion of the "leaven,' by which a large part of Madagascar is yet, it may be hoped, to be leavened.

66 THE BUSINESS IS OVER."

275

CHAPTER XI.

From the Embarkation of the Refugees at Tamatave to their Arrival in England. -Reception there, and Residence to the present time.-Condition of the Christians remaining in Madagascar.-Letter from the Refugees in England to their suffering Brethren in Madagascar.-Conclusion.

No sooner were our friends safely on board the vessel destined to convey them from the shores of Madagascar to Mauritius, than the captain congratulated them on their escape in the well known native phrase, most expressive and heart-cheering to a Malagasy, "Efa Kabary," "the business is over,"-" 'tis all safe." They were now beyond the reach of their pursuers and the grasp of the Queen. Filled with indescribable emotions of devout gratitude, they asked the captain if they might be permitted on board his ship to unite in offering a song of praise to God for their deliverance. Their request was immediately complied with, and the captain and crew listened with evident pleasure to this simple but sincere expression of their devout feelings.

The vessel was bound in the first instance to the island of St. Mary, lying a few miles off the north-eastern coast of Madagascar, opposite to the Bay of Antongil. They remained there ten or twelve days, and received great kindness from many of the French residents.

They reached Port Louis, Mauritius, on Sunday, 14th of October, 1838, were kindly permitted to land at once,

276

MALAGASY IN MAURITIUS.

without any local or official impediments, and found themselves in the midst of those who delighted to express their sympathy with them, and to show them hospitality. Joseph suffered severely from an attack of fever, which lasted about a fortnight, during which time he was promptly and gratuitously attended by Dr. Montgomery, a medical friend in Port Louis.

It is believed that there are not fewer than 10,000 of the natives of Madagascar living in Mauritius, most of whom were either originally imported as slaves, or brought there by ships as "prize negroes," or are the descendants of such. They now form a valuable and important class of free labourers on the island. Many of them came daily to visit our Christian refugees, and expressed the kindliest feelings towards them. Our friends embraced the opportunity of conversing with them on the great subjects of religion, and could not be otherwise than gratified and encouraged by the attention with which they were listened to.

The expenses attending their passage from Madagascar to Mauritius were kindly and spontaneously met by the Christian friends of the latter island, among whom it is but just to specify Colonel Jones and his Lady, Colonel Buckler, Colonel Haslewood, Captain Fitzgerald, T. S. Kelsey, Esq., Rev. L. Banks, Rev. J. Le Brun, Mr. Icery, Mr. Baker, and many others; and especially Lieutenant Turner, by whom the sum of nearly 901. sterling was collected for the above objects, and to assist in meeting the expenses of their voyage to England.

After remaining some time in Mauritius, it was suggested and recommended by several pious and intelligent

VOYAGE TO THE CAPE.

277

friends there, that it was desirable to take the refugees forward to England, where they might have an opportunity of acquiring the English language and obtaining much general knowledge to qualify them for future usefulness in Madagascar, as native teachers, should Providence open a door for their return to their native country. With their moral and spiritual qualifications for such service, our friends at the Mauritius were daily more and more satisfied, by all the interviews and conversations they had with them through the medium of the Missionaries. They saw them after being tried by the fires of persecution, and cherished the hope that they were spared for some eminent good to Madagascar, in days yet to

come.

After much deliberation, it was resolved to take them forward, at any rate, as far as the Cape of Good Hope, and there to be guided by the advice of the Rev. Dr. Philip. Before finally arranging for their departure, Andrianilaina and Razafy (Sarah) came to the resolution, however painful might be the execution of it, of separating for a season, in attempting to accomplish important objects on behalf of the persecuted Christians yet in Madagascar. They proposed that the husband should remain in Mauritius and the wife go forward with the party to the Cape or England. It was faithfully explained to them, and repeatedly too, that such a separation would prove a great additional trial to them, and a very painful one. They replied, that they had carefully deliberated on the whole affair; that they had earnestly prayed for Divine direction, and had come finally to the resolution stated, especially on the ground that it was Andrianilaina's

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ANDRIANILAINA REMAINS.

intention not to remain long at Mauritius, but to embrace an early opportunity of attempting to assist in rescuing some of his persecuted friends, by means which it would, for obvious reasons, be unadvisable to specify at present. He urged this as a reason why he thought it much better that his wife should go forward than remain with him for the time, since, in the attempt he was contemplating, she would not be able to accompany him; and as they must then separate for an indefinite period, they preferred separating at once, while she could continue in the company of Rafaravavy. It seemed desirable too, that in so long a voyage, Rafaravavy should not be without a female companion; to which it was added, that these two pious women had been all along partakers of each other's trials and sufferings; they had wandered about together in their places of concealment, and, without the most imperative necessity, would be unwilling to part from one another till some favourable change should transpire in reference to their country. Andrianilaina observed also, that he thought it would be sufficient if one of them only went to England, because that one could learn the language, and on returning, might teach the other.

Their wish was at length complied with, and it was arranged that six of the refugees, in company with the Rev. D. Johns, should proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, and that Andrianilaina should remain. The latter accordingly made Mauritius his home for a time, devoting himself to the instruction of his countrymen there in the way of salvation. He has since been busily employed in trying to accomplish the scheme referred to, the result of which is not yet known.