484 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
other public works. They could not, therefore, but regard 
with pleasing hopes the proposal of the government to enter 
into fresh engagements with Mr. Cameron, thus affording the 
prospect of their being permitted to labour without inter¬ 
ruption, at least for several years to come; an object for 
which they were ready to make almost any sacrifice, as 
their continuance among the people had never seemed 
more desirable than now, when they were beginning to reap 
the fruits of the labours of many anxious and toilsome 
years. 
Cheered by these expectations, the Missionaries applied 
themselves with fresh courage to the work, and in describ¬ 
ing to their friends at home, the progress and prospects of 
the Mission, under date, Nov. 6th, 1834, expressed them¬ 
selves as follows: 
“We have been exceedingly gratified with the personal conduct 
of many. There is a seriousness and steadiness, and perseverance 
and diligence about them, which constrain us to hope that their 
hearts have been opened by Him, by whose sovereign grace 
“ Dry bones are raised and clothed afresh. 
And hearts of stone are turned to flesh.” 
We look on with wonder and surprise, and are often prompted to 
exclaim, This is the finger of God. The difficulty still remains, 
as intimated in our last report, of ascertaining the numbers under 
religious impressions. But we have reason to think that several 
are savingly converted to God; that many more are perfectly con¬ 
vinced of the folly of idolatry and divination ; and that great num¬ 
bers are awakened to think and inquire. The force of error is 
subdued, and the power of truth acknowledged. The preached 
word is listened to attentively, and the Scriptures are earnestly 
sought, and diligently examined. There are also several prayer- 
meetings held in the town during the week-evenings. The two 
principal circumstances which we wish to notice in connexion with 
these meetings are, first, that a spirit of prayer actually exists and 
increases among the natives ; and second, that these meetings are 
