Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-10-09
interest in the Christian

Ii d now rather more than four years
since The direct persecution OF the MAZDA
cash Government against Christianity
Commenced. There had been previous 1
Indications Of opposition 70 the ordinances
~ Chr;slianitv. But il was not till about
hat oeriod. March 1885, that the Queen
published her edict, making the profession
ana teaching Of Christianity in any way I
: cauital offence. At that time the pros
meets OF the mission appeared to be high
IL satisfactory and encouraging. There
were about 5000 children enrolled In our
mission schools, and some few thousands |
OF the natives, including vast multitude
Of adults. were also, by their own volun-
tary application, acquiring the art OF read
ing, so that many thousands had become
capable Of perusing the Holy Scriptures.
which were in circulation among them.
Two places of worship had been erected,
and were well filed with native congre-
cations. About 200 natives had submit
ted to the rife Of Christian baptism, near
ly all Of whom were received into Chris
tan fellowship About twenty meetings:
for prayer were established by the natives
themselves, in their respective houses, in
various parts ofihe capital and the imme-
date vicinity. Nearly the whole volume
ofthe scriptures was translated, revised,
printed, and put into circulation; but es-
peciaIly the New Testament and the
book OF Psalms.
Al The time Of the suppression of Chris
tianity. all who had made a profession of
il fell under the condemnation of the Sc
we're measures Of the government. Sew
eral hundreds of officers in the army were
reduced in rank, and the whole of those
who had voluntarily acquired the art Of
reading, and attended our chapels. and es
pecially those who had instituted yolun
tary prayer-uneetings, were placed under
penalties; so that, perhaps, from 1000 L
5000 natives suffered a. once, in conse
quence of the publication of that edic
against Christianity. The first direc
measures Of persecution fellupon that EN-
inent woman, of whom we have all heart
with deepest feelings of sympathy-Ra
! farayavy. She had been a convert prio
TO the suppression of Christianity. Pre-
vious 10 her conversion she was mos
devoted idolater--one Of the most zealou
Of the Jealous there In sustaining the wor
ship Of idols and it is well known tina
often her relations, in their attachment d
idoIatFy, had sacrificed not merely tn,
comforts and conveniences, but even the
absolute necessaries OF life. She then be
came one Of the most jealous converts
she obtained one ofthe largest houses sh,
could in the capital, for the purpose of in
.3st.,t:.r. q. 1890. VIZ.
tended there on various occasions B,
her simplicity, feIEor. and consistency
she became the means of inducing tn
regular attendance Of many on the mean
Of grace. This awakened the enmity
some around her, and three of her ow
servants accused her to the government
NJ She was charged with encouraging meet
ings for prayer, having the scriptures i
her possession, and keeping holy the Sab
bath day. At that time her person an
property were valued, and fine impose
TO halfthe estimated amount. Her father
who was not a converted man, filled wit
indignation against the servants who ha
accused her, put them in irons TIL
moment she was released, her hear
cherished burning desire to become tn
instrument of their conversion; she OF
tanned a house at some distance from tina
IN which her father lived, for the yer
purpose Of having them Immediately ur
der her care, direction, and instruction
Her earnest and persevering efforts wer
devoted to effect the conversion of her &C
cusers. She prayed with them, she wer
over them, till at last they wept for them
selves, and confessed" We thoughtther
was something in this religion, when W
saw you. instead OF reproaching, pityin,
Us; and we now begin to feel in our ow
hearts what this religion is" There j
reason to hope that two Of these servant
became savingly converted to God by he
means One OF them has since been sui
iected to severe punishment for attachmer
10 the gospel, and she is not without hop
that the whole three have become lover
of the Savior. After this, she was agai
accused, with several others, of continl
ing to read and pray in consequence
which her house was stripped of its COZ
tents, and she herself was put in IRONS
Her friends reapprehended. and Rafai
away wns ordered for execution, simpl
because she retained her faith IN Chris
Il was declared publicly that she had bee
put 10 death. and the news reached US th,
she had suffered martyrdom. In I'll
providence Of God. however, il occurre
that onthe very night preceding the morI
ing on which she was TO have been L
forth at cock-crow to be executed, a
alarming FIRE burst out in the capital whel
she was prisoner. The confusion BEGAN
general the soldiers who had her und,
guard, and the very executioners, forg
q the moment their duty, and the ord,
for execution remained in suspense
counsermaadcd By higher authority, q,