544 LIFE OF DA VID LIVINGSTONE, LL.D. 



to the present time. Her Majesty therefore wishes me to assure you that 

 the missionaries and teachers sent by you to labour in Madagascar shall con- 

 tinue to enjoy her protection, and be allowed full liberty to preach the Gos- 

 pel, and to impart useful knowledge, in accordance with the laws of the 

 kingdom. 



"Our friends, the Rev. Dr. Mullens, and the Rev. J. Pillans, have been 

 allowed perfect liberty to travel wherever they have pleased to visit the 

 churches of Madagascar; they have had full opportunities of making their own 

 observations, and will be able to bring you a reliable report of the state of 

 things here. May God protect them to reach you in safety ! What they 

 have done here has been good, and has given us much pleasure. They are 

 worthy men, and well fitted to act as the representatives of you, our friends, 

 across the seas. We are especially pleased with their words, saying — ' We 

 do not trade nor desire to gain anything for ourselves, but only that the peo- 

 ple may know Jesus Christ.' These are indeed very good words, for they 

 show both the excellence of your views, and also what will be sought by your 

 good brethren the missionaries in Madagascar. 



" Her Majesty thanks you very much for you kind message, and the good 

 wishes for the prosperity of her kingdom ; and she prays God that they may 

 be fulfilled. She also thanks you for the presents you sent her, and accepts 

 them as a mark of your friendly feeling towards her. 



" And I, too, thank you very much for the nice presents you sent to me. 



"Her Majesty also desires me to thank you for the very kind care you 

 have taken of Rapenoelina, for he was sent by her Government that he might 

 obtain a good English education. What you have done for him has given 

 Her Majesty great satisfaction, as his progress is already manifest from his 

 letters to me. Her Majesty will be pleased if you convey to Rapenoelina's 

 teacher the thanks of herself and her Government, for his instruction and kind 

 care has given her very much pleasure. 



" May the Almighty God bless you in your useful labours for the evange- 

 lising of mankind, and may He give to the people earnest hearts to help you 

 to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ among all nations. 



" That, dear Mends, is the wish of Her Majesty, the Queen of Mada- 

 gascar, and myself for you all. 



" I am, Gentlemen, 

 " In the name of Her Majesty the Queen of Madagascar, 



" Your Sincere Friend, 



" RAINILAIARIVONY, 

 " Prime Minister. 



" Given at the Court of Her Majesty, the Queen of Madagascar, at 

 Antananarivo, this 18th day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1874." 



