HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
513 
deliberation with the native Christians, felt it their duty to 
retire to Mauritius, at least for a season. 
Influenced by these considerations, Messrs. Johns and 
Baker, with feelings of poignant anguish, left the capital 
in the month of July, 1836. 
Their sorrows were deeply shared by the native Chris¬ 
tians, though both parties deemed it best that they should 
remove. The Mission families, who were accompanied 
part of the way by some of the native Christians, pursued 
their mournful journey towards the coast, where they 
embarked for Mauritius, cheered by the assurance that 
ultimately the Gospel would have free course in Mada¬ 
gascar, and consoled by the hope that in the wise arrange¬ 
ments of Divine mercy, the way might be speedily opened 
for their return to the loved field of labour, from which the 
malevolence of ignorance and superstition had obliged them 
to retire. The feelings of the native Christians who re¬ 
mained, may be inferred from the letters they sent to their 
teachers. 
Madagascar, July, 1836. 
To Mr. Johns, Mr. Canham, Mr. Cameron, Mr. Chick, and Mr. 
Kitching:— 
“ Health and happiness to you, your wives, and your children, 
say the few sheep here in Madagascar. We salute you all. We 
could not write to you separately, being restrained from doing so ; 
therefore do not censure us, beloved friends! We now conduct 
Mr. Johns, who is on his way home, according to the law of the 
land. We are now stared at, and opposed by the people, whose 
eyes are upon us. With great difficulty we obtained permission 
to conduct Mr. Johns, when he left us: but, notwithstanding we 
are thus afflicted with sorrow, do not be afraid, for we love and 
obey the law of Christ. When the apostle Paul preached to the 
disciples, and exhorted them and encouraged them to continue in 
the faith, he told them that through much tribulation we must 
enter the kingdom of God. We are even like this ourselves, for 
2 L 
II. 
