The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-04-09
Madu2.aScaP.

Late intelligence from this large and Beautiful
island of the indian Ocean, inhabited by a fierce
and warlike race of semi-Arabs, and which has
been the scene of persistent but almost unavail-
ing Christian effort for many years, shows that a
great change has lately taken place among that
formerly idolatrous but interesting people. Our
readers cannot fail to remember the book upon
Madagascar and its inhabitants which appeared a
few years ago, written by the Rev. Mr.. Ellis, who
visited and remained for some time on Hawaii,
during the earlier years of the American mis-
sion. He labored at Madagascar some years,
with varying success, according as he was per-
mitted or intcrdicted from teaching by successive
arbitrary rulers.
The London Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel has never, however, under the most dis
couraging circumstances, ceased it's efforts for the
Outstanding of the people, and latterly they
have received great aid from the agents sent out
by the .' Friends Foreign Mission Association -
who are employed mainly in the work of educa-
ton at Antananarivo, the capital of the island, a
town of no less than so 900 inhabitants. a let
ter written from there last year states that the
Queen (the sole and supreme ruler) had embraced
Christianity, and had built a royal chapel in her
private grounds. 1t is said to be the finest build
ing on the island, and the first ever rooted with
slate, OF which there are extensive quarries there,
and no less than 3 900 men We're employed in one
i'll getting out the states for the Queens chapel.
The corner stone was laid July Goth, with great
formality, in presence Of the Government. Sub
sequently the Queen had the enclosure surround
ing the house Of .Kelimalaza," the principal
idol, removed. The priests of the idol, who are
also mobiles of the realm, offered serious resist
ance but by order Of the Queens council, on
September Sth, the house or temple of the idol
was seized, and in the presence of great crowds
of the people the test of fire was applied. 1t
was an impressive spectacle, and brings to mind
the destruction Of idols which followed the preva-
lence Of Christianity at Tahiti and at these isl
ands. All the furniture and ornaments of the
temple were first destroyed. and then the idol-a
niece of wood as large as n mans thumb, with
scarlet elk attached-was dropped into the flames,
and contrary to the predictions of the priests was
speedily consumed. Then followed a general
holocaust of the remainder of the idols, and the
people, thus bereft Of their gods, sent to the
Queen to ask what they were to worship. The
converted ruler could of course give but one an
swer, and so to-day Madagascar is, at least
nominally, thoroughly Christianized. The Gov
eminent has applied to the missions and the ma
tive Christians to send teachers among the people,
and they at once responded.
In its outward appearance as regards religion,
the capital with its teeming thousands, will, 1t
is said by one of the missionaries, compare favor
ably with any town in England. Not less than
ten thousand attend church every Sunday in the
thirteen Protestant places of worship in the city
and ite suburbs. On that day the city is quiet,
but few people to be found in the streets One
writer says that during a residence of two years
he has seen but two persons drunk, which is a
remarkable record for a town of sc, 1900 inhabi-
But it may be added that the temperance
of the people is largely due to a strictly enforced
prohibitory law. The authority of the rulers