ENLIGHTENED STATE POLICY. 367 



interest to the Christian and the philanthropist. By a series 

 of political changes the Hovas, the most intelligent and energetic 

 of its numerous tribes, have gradually obtained the supremacy 

 over all the rest. The central province of Im^rina, occupied 

 by them, and especially its capital city of Antananarivo, has 

 for several years past been a centre of intelligence, civilisa- 

 tion and Christianity, from whence these blessings are slowly 

 spreading to distant portions of the great island. The capital 

 and its neighbourhood have been largely Christianised, but 

 even in the central province there is still (can we wonder at 

 it ?) much darkness and superstition ; and while in some of 

 the other tribes Christian work has only just been commenced, 

 many others are yet entirely untouched by the elevating in- 

 fluences of the gospel. But the history of the past gives 

 hope and promise for the future, and the church in Madagas- 

 car is being aroused to a sense of its duty and responsibility 

 to its heathen fellow-countrymen. 



As already pointed out, the policy of the present Govern- 

 ment has in many points been greatly in advance of that of all 

 preceding ones. In their anxiety for education, in the repres- 

 sion of the traffic in intoxicating drink, in the upholding of 

 the Sabbath, and in the amelioration of cruel customs and 

 laws, and warlike usages, they deserve the praise of all ; and 

 in what they do to extend Christianity, although they do 

 not always see the possible difficulties this may involve, the 

 personal influence of the highest personages in the state has 

 been exerted from the best motives, and from a deep and 

 sincere interest in the extension of the gospel. 



Civilised and Christianised, a great future lies before Mada- 

 gascar; and as it has already become famous for the faith 

 and devotion of many of its sons and daughters, so also from 

 its commercial importance, its inexhaustible fertility, and the 

 mental capabilities of its people, it will eventually take an 

 important and honourable place among the nations of the 

 world. 



