458 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
afterwards heard that it was not only without the authority., 
but even knowledge of the queen, that the members of the 
government, who were opposed to Christianity, had sent 
them away. It was said that, when they were half-way 
towards the coast, the queen was told they did not like the 
country, wished to return, and were then on their journey 
to the coast. 
Though thus discouraged by the government, the Mis¬ 
sionaries were stimulated to every possible exertion, and 
greatly cheered in their labours, by the earnest desires of 
numbers of the people after instruction, and the solicitude 
shown by many to obtain books, and learn to read. To 
meet this demand, 21,000 copies of small books, of different 
kinds, were printed in the course of the year* 
Other kinds of evidence that the great Head of the church 
was accomplishing his purposes of mercy by means of the 
Mission, were also afforded, in the tranquil and happy 
deaths of several, who departed from this world under the 
cheering influence of a hope full of immortality. The fol¬ 
lowing brief narrative selected from amongst several of a 
similar kind, was communicated by Mr. Baker in the month 
of March, 1832; and may be noted more at length than 
might otherwise be suitable, on account of its satisfactory 
character, and its referring to the first death that occurred 
amongst those who had publicly professed the name of 
Christ. The subject of the narrative was a young slave, of 
sluggish mind and indolent habits; the son of his master 
was a scholar, and this young slave was appointed to the duty 
of attending him at school. Here he, as well as a number of 
other slaves sent with their young masters, was taught by 
the Missionaries to read the Scriptures. These, by the divine 
blessing, were the means of producing a delightful change in 
nis entire character, to which Mr. Baker thus refers: 
