Madagascar's Queen Converted to Christ 1869
Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia The efforts of the London Missionary Society to introduce Christianity into Madagascar began in 1818 and were met with a decade of modest success followed by a violent reaction. Queen Ranavalona I took the throne in 1828. She loathed and feared foreigners. As the mission society gained converts, she lashed back with edicts that forbade baptism, communion, Christian marriage rites and public worship. From her throne she poured persecution upon the heads of Christian converts. In 1835, the missionaries threw in the towel. Thwarted at every turn, they buried their Bibles, books, and tracts and left Madagascar. Two years later, Ranavalona I expelled all remaining foreigners. Turning on her own subjects, she was merciless in her measures and much blood flowed. The return of the London Missionary Society to Madagascar was largely through the efforts of Rev. William Ellis . Having witnessed how greatly printing impressed the Polynesians he thoug