MADAGASCAR is that big island on the east coast of Africa and is twice the size of Britain, The British first visited there in 1816 during the reign of a good king, Radama I. The people were idolaters, but in 1818 Christian missionaries came to the land, and in ten years’ time there were 30,000 people who could read.
During the reign of Radama I, the preaching of the gospel went on rapidly, but when he died in 1827, a wicked queen, Ranavalona put a stop to the missionaries’ work. She ordered all missionaries to leave the country, but before leaving, they left seventy Bibles for the Christians. Those who had them used to put them into boxes, bake them in the oven, or bury them in the ground. One of these native Christians wrote to a missionary: “Tt is thought that we shall forget the Word of God as we have no teachers now. The queen does not understand that the best teacher is with us still, the Holy Spirit.”
There was a brave young Christian girl of high degree named Rasalama. One day officers from the queen came to her house, bearing a long silver spear with the queen’s name on it. She knew she was to be imprisoned for being a Christian, but she was not afraid; rather she rejoiced to suffer for the name of Christ. We read that the apostles rejoiced. “that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Acts 5:4141And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts 5:41). She was taken to the town prison where other Christians were.
The prison officers wanted to find out the names of everyone who met for prayer and Bible reading, and after trying several Christians they came to Basalama, and told her that they already knew the names, so it was no use for her to refuse to tell. Poor, deceived Rasalama spoke of seven of her friends, thinking they were already arrested. They were not, however, but the information enabled the officers to find them.
Rasalama was very, very sad over that, and she spoke about it to the other prisoners, and said she could not understand why people who behaved so well and so quietly, who never stole, and never spoke evil of any, should be arrested. This was overheard by an officer, and Rasalama, who was singing hymns nearly always, was put into irons and beaten.
At last they carried her away, on Aug. 14, 1837, and as they went she was singing and saying how joyful she was that she had heard and obeyed the gospel.
On the way they passed the place she had often attended, and she cried, “Oh, there I heard the words of the Saviour!” A mile farther they came to a kind of dry moat, but Rasalama’s eyes of faith were looking at the Land that is far off, and the Saviour ready to receive her.
The executioners gave her permission to pray, so she knelt down, and, like Stephen, the first martyr, she said, “Lord Jesus, into Thy hands I commit my spirit.” In a few moments she was in the presence of her Lord. What would the bystanders have said if they could have seen her happy spirit on its Homeward flight. Even the heathen executioners said: “There is some charm in this Christian religion which takes the fear of death away.” Yes, for God has said He will ransom them from the power of the grave, and the believer can say, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor. 15:5555O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55). The Lord Jesus has conquered death. And this was how Rasalama, the first martyr of Madagascar, glorified Him.
Dear reader, are you ready to meet the Lord?
ML-07/31/1960