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became more decided and took a bolder part with the Christians, and for the last year or two of his life, his whole mind was turned to the relief of his brethren in tribulation, and to promote the welfare of others. Rafiakarana, on the suppression of Christianity, became one of its greatest enemies, and attempted more than once to accuse the missionaries of printing things at the press which the queen had made unlawful. He addicted himself to vices which brought on him a disease under which it is said he labours, and probably will, to the end of life. Rafaralahy feeling himself under great obligation to Rafiakarana for the advice and religious knowledge which he had formerly communicated to him, was much concerned respecting his condition, and determined to converse with him on the subject. He put him in mind of his own former advice, and endeavoured to impress on his mind the awful situation in which he would be found if, after teaching others, he himself should be found destitute of the one thing needful. This seemed to have some effect, he confessed his errors, but complained of poverty, and urged that as a reason for acting the part he had done. "I am obliged," said he, "to be at my fanompoana from morning till evening and receive nothing for my service; yet I have a wife and children to support." He requested Rafaralahy to admit him into partnership with him in trade as a huckster. Rafaralahy thought him sincere, rejoiced that he had gained his brother, and received him into partnership, on condition of not selling on the Sabbath. The new partner most willingly consented to this, and pretended he was as anxious to keep the Sabbath as a day of rest as Rafaralahy himself. They continued friendly

RENEWED CHARGE AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS. 211

for some weeks; Rafiakarana gained the confidence of Rafaralahy, and the latter told him how the Christians were still in the habit of meeting at his house, which he had built at a distance from the village for their accommodation. They kept respectively a portion of the goods on sale. Rafiakarana lost a part of what was under his care, or pretended he had. His companion of course was obliged to bear part of the loss and of what was sold, Rafiakarana kept the money and spent it. He now owed fifteen dollars to Rafaralahy, and when the latter asked him for the money, he hastened to Rainiharo, and accused Rafaralahy of holding religious assemblies at his house."It is thought," said he, "that the Europeans have gone home, but it appears their persons only are gone, their spirit and customs still remain; there are religious assemblies still held in Imerina." Are you sure of what you affirm?" said Rainiharo, "so that I may tell the queen of it, for when your statement is once before her, you cannot withdraw it." The accuser replied, "Do you imagine, Sir, I would dare to mention it if I were not sure? Are not you as the queen herself? Many of a certain class (Tsimiamboholahy) assemble frequently at Rafaralahy's house, who has removed for that very purpose out of the village to a private spot, and erected a high wall around it, and a gate that no one might get in and take them by surprise." "If what you state is true," Rainiharo replied, "say who they are, that their names may be taken to the queen.' He then mentioned Rafaralahy, Ratsimindrana, Tsimosarena, Tsimanova, Tsindramina, Ravahiny. All these were living in the family of Rafaralahy, and in addition to these were discovered

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212

A MARTYR'S CALMNESS.

Andriamadio, Rasata, Ramahazo, Rabodomanana, Ralaingomanga, Ratsaramiarana, and Andriantsalama.

Rafaralahy was immediately seized and put in irons, and every thing was done to extort the names of his companions from him; but he remained inflexible, saying, "Here am I; let the queen do what she pleases with me; I have done it, but I will not accuse my friends." After being in irons for two or three days, he was taken to Ambohipotsy, the place of execution, where he was speared to death. The calmness and tranquillity with which he met death made a deep impression on the minds of the executioners. When they came to the door of the house where he was bound, they asked, “Which is Rafaralahy?" He replied very calmly, "I am, Sir." They approached him and took off the irons, and told him to go along with them; he arose immediately, went with them, speaking to them all the way of Jesus Christ, and how happy he felt at the thought of shortly seeing Him who had loved him and died for him. On arriving at the place of execution, he requested them to allow him a few moments to commit his soul to the Saviour; this being granted, he offered a most fervent prayer for his country, for his persecuted brethren, and commended his soul to his Saviour. He then rose from his knees, and the executioners were preparing to throw him down on the ground; he said there was no need for that, as he was now ready to die; he laid himself down, and was immediately put to death. His friends were allowed to bury the body in the grave of their ancestors.

After Rafaralahy's death, his property was of course confiscated. Rafiakarana put in a claim, insisted that

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Rafaralahy owed him a sum of money, and took possession of the rice till the amount should be paid. This led to an investigation of the affair, and it was proved that Rafiakarana owed fifteen dollars to Rafaralahy; and had it not been for the influence he had with Rainiharo, he would have been then reduced to slavery. A great portion of his property was taken to pay the fifteen dollars; so that the accuser was, after all, greatly disappointed and mortified in the business.

Not any of the persons above mentioned had been previously accused, and this contributed to save them from capital punishment. They were dealt with more leniently than those who had been accused six months previously. Their friends were allowed to redeem them from the nominal slavery to which they were reduced, owing probably to their being Tsimiamboholahy, the same clan as Rainiharo's, and because there were among them some of the best workmen in the government musket manufactory at Ilafy. Besides this, the number of the accused was now so considerable, the government seemed unwilling to reduce any more to perpetual slavery; and it was thought that, as several among those now accused had been accused once or twice before, it would be sufficient to punish them capitally, and that this would deter such as were accused for the first time, from a second offence.

The first step taken by the government after the death of Rafaralahy was the apprehension of his wife, and another young Christian, Andriantsalama; they were confined together, flogged and threatened with cruelty, unless they would tell the names of all who had been

214

INTIMATION OF DANGER.

in the habit of visiting Rafaralahy for religious purposes. Fear at length compelled them, and though as yet none of those who had been formerly accused had been again accused, they were now. Among them were Rafaravavy, Paul, Andrianantoandro, Andrianomanana, Joseph, &c. Some of their friends at the capital, who were anxiously on the watch, heard that the names of these persons had been again given in to the queen, and as they knew there could be no hope of their lives being saved this time but by immediate flight, they immediately conveyed to them intelligence of the imminent danger to which they were exposed.

The measures which they adopted in seeking safety by flight, and the many providential interpositions by which they were preserved, will be detailed in the following chapter.

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