The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Page 131

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. 131

upon them; others were stoned to death and their
heads then fixed on poles to terrify the others. Still
others were literally hacked to pieces. Hundreds
were poisoned; many were sold into slavery. They
were hunted down like the wild beasts of the forest.
They no longer dared to associate in public. They
hid in jungles, in rocky places, and in the tall grass
growing on the flat tops of ancient sepulchers. They
met for services in almost inaccessible places, whence

they could see from afar the approach of the enemy.
Yet, with all this staring them in the face, the Chris-
tians increased from hundreds to thousands. The
number of Christians ‘put to death was greater than
the number of confessors on the island when the
persecutions began!

A Miracle of Christian Firmness.

The firmness of the Malagasy Christians is the
more remarkable because of the fact that they had
no pastors and teachers during the years of persecu-
tion, since all these had been driven from the island.
Other persecuted Christians, such as the Christians
of the early Church, the Waldenses, the Covenan-
ters, and others, had their faithful pastors to coun-

’ sel and strengthen them; but the Christians of

Madagascar were without a shepherd. All they had

was the few copies of the Bible which they had se-
creted and the powerful weapon of prayer. And yet,
not only were the cases of renunciation very few,
but the poor hunted Malagasy gained victories upon
victories among those who tormented and persecuted
them. Among those who became Christians during
these years of persecution were also people of high
rank, and because of these the persecutions finally
came to an end.

Interior of Court Church of Queen Ranavalona II.

The End of the Persecutions.

The prime minister’s favorite nephew had been
sent to spy upon the Christians. He attended the
meetings of the Christians and became one of them.
So, instead of betraying the Christians, he warned

- them whenever his uncle sent soldiers out to arrest

them. When his uncle learned of his conversion,
he sent for him and said, “Young man, your head
must fall, for you have disobeyed my orders. You
show that you are a Christian.” “Yes, I am a Chris-
tian,” replied the nephew; “and if you will, you
may put me to death; for I must pray!” But the
minister let him go.

The queen’s only son was very dear to her. As.
he grew up, he became interested in the Christians.
and their religion. This being learned, the queen
was told of her son’s attitude. She was told, “Your