Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-02-22
FOREIGN NEWS.
From the " Y. Obserrer, Feb. G.

MARTYRDOM OF NINE CHRISTIANS.
we have, III a former number, mentioned the
fact that several Christians had recently suffered
niaryrdom AT Madagascar, hut The details of that
event will he read with painful interest.
Ertrocis q letter from Req. d. Jones, Tdnama-
rico, July 90 1907
After my arrival at The capiial, on the al of
July, was told that there were on The eastern
side of The town. near Ilalinrivo sixteen OF the ma
i've CHRISTMAS IN bonds, waiting their trial. HAY
ing succeeded in hiding themselves from their
Prosecutors for nearly two yenrs, they made up
their minds some months ago to escape from, tho
island, il possible, and take refuge in Naurius:
but aims after they bad proceeded safely within
three or four days journey of Tamalavc, on the
eastern coast, they were caught, bound, and car
ried back to the caTital. 1t is said that two of
them, man and n woman, made their escape in
the night while the guards were asleep, and have
not yet been retaken. The others were brought
TO trial and separately examined, each apart from
the rest, but all stood firm n rock. OF the four
teen, nine tcre condemned 10 draih ard the 9th of
July was fixed rs the day for their execution
On the morning OF that day, the preparations
for the dreadful scene were commenced by ire
mencous roar Of cannon, and thousands of SOL
diers appeared marching towards the parade
ground. About noon, The first officers went
forth 10 deliver the kal'ary respecting the sixteen
Christians who had been taken in attempting ~
ice 10 the Nlnnrtus, and to make proclamation
that The Queen had ordered nine of Them 10 I've
put to death in the afternoon. The firing of can
non was kept up at intervals all day, but the mean
ing OF this ceremony was not generally under
stood. Between three and four o'clock, the Chris.
tnns = each tied 10 pole, and quite naked-were
horne by men nong the western side of the town
TO Anlbohipotsy, the place Of execution. After a
short interval, cannon was fred as n signal the
executioners approached The nine were Instantly
spenred to death and their spirits fled to eternal
glory.
Paul and his vile, Joshua and his wife, and Flo
ra or Raminahy, (wife OF David, now in England,)
were of The number Of these martyrs. The
names of the others have not vet been able TO
ascertain. The head of Paul, and that of another
man, were cut off and lixed on poles. II is wor-
thy OF remark, that The cannon which was fred
ns signal to the execloners, burst into pieces Mt
the moment, aud the gunner WINS seriously burnt
Ivy the explosion. This circumstance was consd-
cred by many bad omen. do nor vet know
correctly how the other FIVE have been disposed
nj some say they are in slavery, but this is NOT
certain.
Thus il ia seen that the spirit of persecution a
gainst the Christians continues 10 rage with una
hated rancor and malignity, and that the hostility,
manifested by the Queen and her couseors to the
gospel and the work Of missions, IL such US to
preclude the least hope Of the door being opened
for us to resume our labDrs in this country, until
some change takes place in the present system.
" hen leaving Maurilus, | little thought that
such n number Of eminent Christians weud suf-
ter mariyriom during my s,ny Mt the capitnl. The
event has male deep impression on my mind,
hut my feelings can he much more easily conceiv-
eel Than described. that God would arise and
pend his own cause, aud deliver his people from
the hunds Of the opprcssor -