HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
503 
the causes which induced several of the heathen officers 
of the government to seek the overthrow of Christianity in 
the country, the following may be specified. 
1. The deep and inveterate depravity of the heart, and 
the enmity of the unrenewed mind against the moral purity 
inculcated in the Bible, and the uncompromising require¬ 
ments of the living God to the homage of heart and the 
obedience of the life. 
2. The determination was a measure of policy on the part 
of some, and superstitious infatuation on the part of others, 
to uphold the idols, superstitions, and heathen customs of 
the country. Between these and Christianity they perceived 
the impossibility of any amalgamation; the latter they found 
admitted of no equal, and would be satisfied with nothing 
short of supremacy; its extinction was therefore deemed 
necessary, even to the continuance of that which they were 
determined should be paramount. 
3. The recognition, on the part of the Christian natives, 
of any authority over either body or mind, above the queen, 
whom the people generally regarded as God—whom they 
addressed, if they did not worship as God. # The acknow¬ 
ledgment of any power superior to this, is regarded by the 
idolaters as most dangerous, and on no account to be tole¬ 
rated. Hence the Lord Jesus Christ is ever a rock of 
offence to them. His name is peculiarly obnoxious to the 
heathen in power. They often say, he is some renowned 
* In illustration of this, it may he mentioned, that soon after the edict of 
the queen, one of the workmen came to Mr. Cameron, and asked, if they, 
the Europeans, could eat their food, from consternation and fear. On 
being answered, that however much they regretted the course the queen 
had pursued, they were only conscious of having done good, and conse¬ 
quently did not fear; the man observed, “ Perhaps you are not aware that 
we can do nothing of which the queen does not approve—we know of no 
higher power ;—and therefore, when she is displeased, we are people soon 
dead.” 
