Fifty Years in Madagascar by James Sibree
James Sibree [1836-1929] began his missionary work with the London Missionary Society in Madagascar in 1863 as an architect. He later overtook theological training before returning to the country. Apart from a short time in south India, he served there until 1915. He wrote 16 books in English, including this one (his autobiography) on a wide range of subjects, many of which are still be reprinted even today. I plan to make available as many of these as possible.
My thanks to the Cambridge Centre of Christianity Worldwide for providing a copy of this book for digitisation. This title is in the public domain.
James Sibree [1836-1929], Fifty Years in Madagascar. London: George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1924. Hbk. pp.359. [Click to download complete book in PDF]
Contents
- Preface
- Mostly Autobiographical
- Church Building Amid Difficulties
- Malagasy Idolatry and Religious Belief
- Church and Social Life in the Re-established Madagascar Mission
- Life as a Country Missionary
- Thirty Years’ Work as College Principal and Tutor
- A Missionary Exploratory Journey to the Sihanaka or Lake People
- Church Institutions and Observations Among the Malagasy
- Church System and Government; and Sects and Parties in the Malagasy Church
- Christian Life Among the Malagasyl Its Reality and Proofs
- The Bible and its Influence on Christianity in Madagascar
- Native Preachers, Preaching, and Sermons
- A Sunday in Antananarivo; and Some Strange Sundays in Madagascar
- Women in Madagascar; Her position ad Influence, Especially in Christiam Effort
- The French Conquest of Madagascar, and Its Effects Upon Missions and Christianity in the Island – Part I
- The French Conquest of Madagascar, etc. – Part II
- Protestant Missions in Madagascar Other Than That of the London Missionary Societyl L.M.S. Mission Staff; Industrial and Medical Mission Work
- My Experiences as a Missionary Deputation
- My Work in Madagascar in Books and Building; Centenary Celebrations; Hopes for the Future
- Index
Preface
This is not my first book about Madagascar, but none of the dozen or so, large and small, which I have already written, take up exactly the points which form the chief subjects of the following pages, nor do any of the books written by some of my brother missionaries.
I believe, therefore, that the facts here given will be considered interesting, and as throwing light, not only on Christian and Church life among the Malagasy people, but also as a slight contribution to a wider history of missionary effort as a whole during the past fifty or sixty years.
The year 1920 was the hundredth anniversary of the commencement of Christian work in the great African island; and its history during the past century is another proof that the Gospel is still “the power of God unto salvation” wherever it is faithfully proclaimed. [Continue reading]