HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
449 
were present at these meetings, at other times they were 
attended by the native teachers. Through the Divine 
blessing on these and other means, the numbers who 
appeared to be earnestly seeking religious instruction, 
greatly increased; and by the end of the year the members 
in one of the churches amounted to nearly seventy, while 
the other also had received large additions. 
The period now under review, though one of great spi¬ 
ritual prosperity, was also one of peculiar trial to the 
Mission. Whether the government became alarmed at the 
rapidity with which the profession of Christianity was 
extending, or at the powerful influence which its principles 
exerted over those by whom they were professed; or whe¬ 
ther the counsels of those in the government favourable to 
Christianity, prevailed only for a short season,—is not known ; 
but religious liberty had scarcely been publicly guaranteed 
by the order of the sovereign, before it was indirectly, but 
effectually, violated. Among those who were desirous of 
uniting themselves with the Christians, were some who held 
important offices under the government, and others nearly 
allied to the royal family: six or eight of the latter were 
among the earliest applicants for baptism; and, the Mis¬ 
sionaries, satisfied of their religious character, intimated 
their willingness to receive them into the church; but on 
the day before that on which they were to make a public 
profession of the Christian faith, intimation of disapproba¬ 
tion in a high quarter was sent to them; in consequence of 
which, though they continued to attend public worship, they 
did not deem it safe, at that time, to present themselves for 
baptism. 
Radama had, in the early part of his reign, established 
a law, prohibiting the use of wine or spirituous liquors in 
Imerina. This law had not been repealed, and—though 
2 G 
ii. 
