6 RETURN HOME. The following day was market day, when about five hours were spent in preaching, conversing, and selling books. Many people were met with who had attended the preaching in the Chapel at Tientsin. "On inquiring the road to Tientsin we learned that the direct road was impassable. About seven miles on was a river, or confluence of a river, about two miles wide. At this season the ice had just formed, and was too strong for boats to get through, but not strong enough for carts to cross. So instead of going south-east, we turned north, starting on the 26th, and once more had to cross that horrible Hun River. At sunrise we were within one mile of the bank, and on reaching it found the river all frozen across except one channel, and the men were then breaking the ice which had formed in the night. This proved not to be a regular cart ferry; but the villagers had fastened three small boats together with planks, and in this way one cart at a time could be got across. But first, before getting to the boat, some ice had to be crossed; and to make this practicable for the animals, a quantity of earth had to be brought from the opposite bank. By degrees the channel was made wide enough for the big boat to be poled over. Then one cart was taken on board, ferried across, and landed; then the next was fetched, and finally a third voyage brought the animals over. But it would weary you to tell of all the little delays and difficulties; suffice it to say that thus two hours went by before we were ready to start. "From there our course was still north, and north-east, in order to get around the head of some ice, the water being an outflow during the summer from the river Hun. At one time we saw, about three-quarters of a mile in front of us, a village which we must reach. After wandering round for some time we reached the village, only on the east side instead of the west. The latter was the direction we had been coming from. We found an inn here where we got some eggs and flour cakes for our breakfast. It was now past noon. We had travelled six hours, and still found ourselves seventeen miles from Tientsin. After ourselves and the animals were fed, we started off on a good road and made rapid progress towards our destination. But yet the darkness came upon us at the entrance to a large village outside the north suburb of Tientsin. Our progress was slow through the narrow streets of the north and east suburbs of Tientsin, and it was about eight P.M. before we reached the foreign settlement, and received a very hearty welcome from the various members of our mission there. After two days we returned straight to Peking, reaching home December 1st. "As the result of our trip we sold over 2,100 books, about half being portions of Scripture, the rest tracts. Our decided opinion was, too, that the mind of the people was changing and becoming more favourable to the cause of truth. We cannot but believe that the seed thus sown is working towards the glorious end we hope for. Though few and feeble now, the time is coming when a little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation.' More living faith will hasten that time. God's time is now, and He has said, 'I the Lord will hasten it in his time." T III. –Madagascar Congregational Union. HE ISAN ENIM BOLANA, is a Union of the Malagasy Churches in the Province of IMERINA, meeting, as the name imports, "every six months." Its object is, by mutual counsel and assistance in all matters pertaining to work and worship, to promote the strengthening of the native churches, and the extension of Christ's kingdom throughout the island. The UNION, which was formed in December, 1868, is composed of the English missionaries, the native pastors, and representatives from the native churches, both in town and country. Its meetings are held twice a year, when, as in England, papers are read, addresses are given, and discussions are carried on by the members present, both European and native The last half-yearly meeting took place in January, at which the interest awakened was intense and varied, while the results which followed were of unusual significance and importance. For some time past the churches have had under serious consideration the best means of providing for the spiritual necessities of those parts of the island which are still heathen. Among the visitors at the meeting were two chiefs from the IBARA country, lying far in the south, whose earnest efforts to secure teachers for the dark and degraded inhabitants of their district, have already been referred to in our pages. The result of the renewed appeal of these chiefs to their Christian brethren in the Capital, has been the formation of the first Missionary Society in Madagascar, and the despatch of two native missionaries to the scene of their future labours. The Rev. JAMES WILLS has kindly furnished the Directors with a full report of these proceedings, the details of which will, we feel assured, be read with deep interest by the friends of the Society throughout the country. Under date, February 3rd, Mr Wills writes: "Our Isan Enim Bolana meeting has just been held for the fifteenth time. The Memorial Church at Ambatonakanga was crowded by delegates from all our churches. More than two thousand must have been present. The Rev. J. RICHARDSON acted as chair man, and gave a stirring address on the dangers and difficulties which the churches are being called on to encounter, and he directed a pretty heavy discharge of his artillery against the Roman Catholics. "Three subjects were successively brought before the meeting by written papers. "1. The desirability of organised visitation with a view to lead people to the house of prayer. "Rev. E. H. STRIBLING led off, and proposed that the preachers and deacons and their wives should be appointed as visitors; that the hamlets joined in one church should be divided amongst them; and that regular and systematic visitation should be kept up with spiritual objects in view; and that cottage meetings should occa sionally be held at these hamlets. The subject excited a great deal of interest, the discussion was most lively, and some practical results are likely to follow. "2. RABE, pastor at Ankadibevava, read an excellent paper on 'The Conversation befitting the Christian,' a paper likely to be very useful when read, as it will be, in the various churches. "3. ANDRIANAIVORAVELONA read a paper on the Trickery practised by some in reference to Marriage.' No subject is so exciting to Malagasy Christians as that of marriages, and the feelings aroused by this address were of the liveliest description. The peculiarity out here is that the people involved in these discreditable affairs are either church members or are moving every influence they can think of to get into the church. The thesis of the address was, that inasmuch as the servants of the devil are advancing in cunning, it behoves the soldiers of Christ to meet them with deeper wisdom. "The interesting incident of the meeting, however, and its results remain to be told. I gave you a long account of the missionary efforts inaugurated by the Isan Enim Bolana in connection with my last report as secretary. I now carry on the subject to a most important stage, namely, the actual departure of the first two native missionaries to the heathen tribe of the Bara, and the uniting of the Queen and Prime Minister and the Palace Church in this Malagasy Missionary Society. "The Bara prince, whom I men. tioned in former letters as having been brought up here by Ravoninahitriniarivo after his war expedition, and sent home again, has again come up to the Capital, accompanied by two chiefs and about a dozen followers. They were introduced to the meeting in the most approved Exeter Hall style, the chairman shaking hands with them, and addressing them amidst the breathless interest of the assembly. "The reply of Itsikora (the Bara prince) was, however, of a most pointed and practical turn. It was to this effect-That is all true that you have said; but show us the teachers to go home with us, and that will please us best.' "The two missionaries were asked after the meeting whether they would go with this party on their return, and be guided by circumstances as to going on farther south, as originally intended. As they were willing, and as it appeared that Itsikora's authority is very extensive, and that his ter ritory joins that of the people to whom we intended to send, and that they were on terms of friendship, it was decided to send them at once with the returning Bara." 2.-VALEDICTORY SERVICE. A public meeting (the first missionary meeting in Madagascar) was held at AMPAMARINANA Church, on Tuesday, the 25th of January. It was well attended by natives, both male and female, of all classes. "RAVONINAHITRINIARIVO described the country and people to whom the missionaries were going. The picture he drew was black indeed, and he more than once turned round to point at the Bara who were present, to say that they had become far too polished by their visit here to be regarded as fair or average specimens. (His paper is to be printed in full in the Isan Enim Bolana report.) "The two missionaries then briefly stated their motives in undertaking this mission, and asked for the prayers of the churches. "ANDRIAMBELO and Mr. RICHARDSON (as chairman of Isan Enim Bolana) then addressed some advice and exhortations to the missionaries. "ITSIKORA also addressed the meeting at greater length than before, but not to so much purpose, inasmuch as he could not be understood for any connected sentences; proving that any Hovas or missionaries from Imerina will have almost to learn a new language when they get among the Bara. "The Financial Statement' was as follows, including only what had been brought up in December, 1874, and June, 1875, as the money brought up 3.-INTERVIEW WITH THE PRIME MINISTER. On the Thursday after the meeting above described, the BARA and the native missionaries were called up to the Palace. The following is a translation of an account of the interview, written by ANDRIANAIVORAVELONA, who was present : "On Thursday, 27th January, 1876, the QUEEN and PRIME MINISTER called at the palace. ITSIKORA and his companions, and RAINISOAMANANA and RAINIAMBOAZOFY (the two native missionaries), and the pastors of the churches in ANTANANARIVO and RAINIDIMY, 10 honours, and governor at Modongy, and they met the Prime Minister west of Itsarahafitra. And when Itsikora and his companions saw the Prime Minister, they presented hasina for the Queen on account of the meeting with the Prime Minister and their being invited to the palace. "And the Prime Minister spoke thus-You, ITSIKORA, when you came here to Antananarivo, first met with the Queen at Imahamasina, and you asked for preachers; and when you met with me at Antranovola you asked again for preachers, and also said that you would come back to Antananarivo again. And you have kept your word, and are come back, and again you ask for teachers. Therefore, behold RAINISOAMANANA and RAINIAMBOAZAFY, sent by the Queen, and by me, and by all the churches, to teach the Word of God among you. Be diligent to learn, for we were as ignorant as you are, and we were idolators, even as you are, formerly; but when the Word of God came we learnt the evil of these things, and gave them up and cast them away; for the Word of God alone is true wisdom, and the service of God and Jesus Christ is the best of all things. So behold these two men who are to go with you, and be diligent to learn, and take good care of these men; for if you look after them well, and are diligent to learn, then be assured that you will prosper; but if you treat them badly, and are careless, and especially if you injure these men, you may be assured of punishment from me. But I have every confidence that you will do all that is right.' "And when the Prime Minister had spoken, one of the Ibara chiefs, Raivelo, answered, 'Confide in us, sire, and let the Queen be assured that we will learn with all earnestness. And take our word in reference to these two men. No human beings shall kill them; if anyone attacks them we are the ones to fight instead of them. They shall not know hunger, for our food shall be their food.' "And Itsikora also spoke, and gave the strongest assurances of protection. "And the Prime Minister was delighted with the speeches of the Bara, and he took off a gold ring from his finger and put it upon the finger of Itsikora, and said, 'Behold this ring from my own hand, which I put upon yours, Itsikora, and I give it you as a keepsake, and to remind you to look at these two teachers, for they are our messengers.' On the ring there was engraved, Isaiah iii. 10, 11. And the Prime Minister ordered that the words of that text should be read from the Bible there in the hearing of the Bara, and they were pleased when they heard them. "And many other good and kind words were said by the Prime Minister on the occasion, and every one was delighted-the Bara, the two 6 (Autograph) RANAVALOMANJAKA, 'Queen of Madagascar, &c., &c., &c. [Government seal.] (Autograph) RAINILAIARIVONY, 'Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief." "And Ramaka, pastor at Andohalo, wound up by saying, 'We thank God that here, in the palace of the Queen, the words of the Saviour (Matt. xxviii. 19, 20), "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature," are being accomplished. And we thank the Queen and Prime |