Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-02-17
Martyrdom of nine Christians.

tk@H DeCIetU'y' .s....
Martyrdom OF nine Christians.
We have, in former number, men,
toned the fact that several Christians had
recently suffered martyrdom at Madagas-
ear, but the details of that event will be
read with painful interest.
Extract of a teller from Req. D. Jones,
Tanana7iro, July 20, ls4OJ
safer my arrival at the capital, on the
Sd OF July, was told that there were on
the eastern side of the town, near lflliari-
yo, sixteen ofthe native Christians in bonds,
waiting their trial. Having succeeded in
hiding themselves frem their prosecutors
for nearly two years, they made up their
minds some months ago to escape from the
island, If possible, and take refuge in the
Mauritius; but, alas after they had pro-
ceedel safely within three or four days
journey of Tamatave, on the eastern coast,
they were caught, bound, and carried back
to the capital. 1t is,said that two oil them,
man and woman, made their escape
in the night while The guards were asleep,
and have not yet been retaken. The 9TH
ers were brought 10 trial and separately
examined, eachapart from the rest, but
all stood firm as rock. Ofthe fourteen.
! NINE WERE CONDEMNED TO DEATH, and
the 9th OF July was fixed as the day for
their execution. .>-
On the morning ofthat day, the prepa-
rations for the dreadful scene were COM
menced by tremendous roar of cannon,
and thousands of soldiers appeared, mar
ching towards the parade ground. About
noon, the first officers went forth to
deliver the kabary respecting the sixteen
Christians who had been taken in attempt
| ing TO fee to the Mauritius. and to make
proclamation that the Queen had ordered
nine of them TO be put to death in the af-
ternoon. The firing of cannon was kept
up at intervals all day, but the meaning of
this ceremony was not generally under.
stood. Between three and four o'clock,
the Christians-each lied 10 pole, and
| quite naked-were borne by men along
( the western side of the town to Ambohi-
potsy, the place ofexecution. After short
interval, cannon was fired as a signal
the executioners approached-the nine
were instantly speared to death-andtheir
spirits fled to eternal glory.
7 Paul and his wife, Joshua and his wife,
and Flora, or Raminah, [wife of David
now in England were of the number oil
these martyrs. The names of the others
have not yet been able to ascertain. The
head Of Paul, and that of another man.
were cut off and fixed on poles. 1t is
worthy of remark, that the cannon which
was fired as a signal to the executioners,
burst into pieces at the moment, and the
gunner was seriously burnt by the explo
sion. This Circumstance was considered
by many as bad omen. | do not YET
| know correctly how the other five have
been disposed of; some say they are in
. slavery, but this is not certain
l Thus it is seen that the spirit of persecu
: ton against the Christians continues te
2 rage with undated rancor and mallgnity
5 and that the hostility, manifested by the
| Queen and her counsellers TO the gospe
5 aud the work Of missions. is such as tc
: preclude the least hope of the door being
!, opened for us to resume our labors in this
S country, until some great change take
:. place 10 the present system.
When leaving Mauritius,I little though
that such number of eminent Christians
: would suffer martyrdom during my stay
at the capitol. The event has made a
!, deep impression on my mind, but my feel
f ings can be much more easily conceived
n than described. o that God would arise
! and plead his own cause, oud deliver hi:
d people from the hands of the oppressor =
o " Y. Observer