510 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
guilty, were barbarously murdered, the rest escaped with 
no other injury than that which usually follows the poison, 
even where it does not prove fatal. 
Messrs. Baker and Johns continued their labours at the 
press. Mr. Johns was also employed in instructing more 
fully the twelve senior teachers, under whose care the 
schools established by the government were placed. Besides 
this, Mr. Johns commenced a translation of the “ Pilgrim’s 
Progress,” but was not allowed to hold any intercourse 
with the native Christians, or even to speak with any 
of the people on the subject of religion. He was, however, 
happy to soothe, by his sympathy and presence, as far 
as practicable, the faithful disciples of Christ in the 
capital, and to cheer and encourage those who found 
means of intercourse with him. A number, there is 
reason to believe, were able, even though threatened with 
death if detected, to secure after the hour of midnight, the 
privilege and comfort of reading a portion of the Holy 
Scriptures, which some, in order to preserve, had buried 
in the earthen floors of their houses, beneath the mats on 
which they slept. 
The determination of the heathen rulers to suppress the 
profession of Christianity, though it induced many, who had 
once declared themselves Christians, to renounce such pro¬ 
fession, and to return to many of the superstitions and abomi¬ 
nations of heathenism, did not deter the little band, that 
remained faithful amidst accumulated trials, from using 
every means for promoting their own comfort and edifica¬ 
tion, and inducing others to receive the truth. These efforts 
were not unattended by the Divine blessing, though the 
vigilance of their enemies, and the encouragement given to 
all who united in opposing Christianity, often brought them 
into circumstances of imminent peril. 
