HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
533 
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. I count not 
myself to have apprehended ; but this one thing I do, forgetting 
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things 
which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the 
high calling of God in Christ Jesus/ Phil. iii. 9—14. 
u Pray for us, that the Lord may open the door for his word 
among us.” 
These are statements on which it would be superfluous to 
offer lengthened comment. And yet it is impossible to 
contemplate without devout admiration, such bright, such 
impressive evidence of the reality and efficacy of the Gospel. 
Here is a converted idolater brought to the martyr’s test, 
and nobly “ refusing to accept deliverance, that she might 
obtain a better resurrection; out of weakness waxing strong,” 
and counting not even life itself worth possessing, without the 
confession of the Saviour’s name ! This honoured martyr has 
left to the care of the church in Madagascar, under the great 
Shepherd, one orphan little girl, a martyr’s child, for whose 
welfare the deepest solicitude is felt, and tidings respecting 
whom are most anxiously desired. 
Fifteen others had been apprehended, and condemned to 
the utter and final loss of liberty, never to be redeemed by 
their friends; and with the further stipulation, that, if trans¬ 
ferred to other masters, it shall be on the condition of their 
being compelled to labour from morning to night, to the 
utmost limits of their strength. Their property has also 
been confiscated.* Of those who were married, their wives 
and children, whether professing Christianity or not, have 
* According to the custom of Madagascar, when the property of a cri¬ 
minal is confiscated, a certain portion—one-tenth—is distributed among the 
civil officers. It is a circumstance of considerable interest, that in the 
present instance, when the legal portion of the confiscated property was 
offered to the parties above referred to, few could be induced to accept it,— 
only some of the most profligate would touch what appeared to have some¬ 
thing sacred about it. 
