chap. vi. CLAIMS OF THE CHRISTIANS TO SYMPATHY. 169 present rulers of those nations; the converts to Christianity are therefore regarded as guilty of the double crime of apos tasy and treason. And to persuade their countrymen to be lieve in the Lord Jesus, to obey His word, or to love Him, is regarded as alienating the confidence and affection of the people from their lawful rulers and transferring them to the ancestors of the rulers of foreigners. Many of the people are probably too much enlightened to believe that their early ancestors were anything more than men, but others believe what the supporters of idolatry teach, and use the popular delusion as a ground of impeachment against the Christians. The immediate future of Madagascar is known only to the Almighty, whose attribute it is to behold the end from the beginning. But whatever that future may be, there is in the past much, very much, to ponder over most profoundly, much also to enkindle earnest and hearty desires that a happier day may soon dawn upon that important country and its deeply interesting inhabitants, and that the minds of the rulers may be enlightened to see that Christianity affords the surest foundation for the greatness and glory of sovereigns as well as for the prosperity, loyalty, and happiness of nations.