The Martyr of the Catacombs / A Tale of Ancient Rome

ut rather da

to discover

sorrow, dol

passage widened and they came to steps which led bel

Yet such was the impression which he had formed of their gentleness and meekness that he had no fear of harm. It was in the power of this boy to lead him to death in the thick darkness of these impenetrable labyrinths, but eve

vaulted chamber which was lighted from the faint glow of a furnace. The boy had walked on with the unhesitating step of one

earth, but a certain subtle influence which unites with them and intensifies them. The spell of the dead is there, and it rests alike on mind and body. Such was the

No beam of day, no ray however weak, could ever enter here to relieve the thickness of the oppressive gloom. It

and pointed downward. Peering through the gloom, Marcellus saw an opening

oes this

el

more pass

been in three different stories of these paths, and some of the old

loom departed he looked more particularly upon what he passed, and regarded more closely the many wonders of this strange place. All along the walls were tablets which appeared to cover long and narrow excavations. These cellular niches were ranged on

SHE SLEEP

A--IN

thought Marcellus; "what wonderful people are these Christians, who eve

more slowly. The walls were rough and rudely cut as the workmen left them when they drew along here their last load of sand for the edifices above. Subterranean damps and fungous

branching off in different directions. These innumerable paths showed Marcellus how h

ver lose

ft

ecomes

e never heard of again. But at present, most of us know the place so

e preponderance of small tombs. Pollio told him that they were the grave

over their graves? Did they tread such dark paths as these on their way through life? Did they bear their part in the sufferings of those that lingered here flying from per

on the way," said Marcellu

that all attempts to do so must be in vain. An army of men might enter here and never come in sight of the Christians. The further they

eet beyond all description, low and musical, it came down the long p

ys into the darkness. The sounds grew louder, now swelling into a m

a turn in the path, and then a

the leader among them. The walls of the room seemed to have been rudely decorated with coarse pictures. The place was illuminated with the glare of torches which threw a lurid glow upon the assembly. The people were careworn and emaciated, and their faces were characterized by the same pallor which Marcellus had observed in the fossor. But the expression which now rested upon them wa

marvelous a

od Alm

true ar

ing of

thee, O Lord, and

u only

hall come and wor

ments are ma

ough they were the words of life. Finally, the reader came to a burst of joyous exclamation which drew murmurs of gratitude and enthusiastic hope from the audience. The words thrilled upon the heart of the listener, though he did not u

all the infinite train of ideas that rested upon them, arose dimly before his awakening soul. T

guilt. He plead for pardon through the atoning death of Christ. He prayed for the Spirit from on high, so that they might become holy. Then he enumerate

another chant whic

abernacle of G

ll dwell

shall be

self shall

e the

pe away all tear

no more death, nor

l there be a

things are pa

and glory,

, and honor, and

to ou

and eve

At the sight of his martial figure and glittering armor they all started backward,

ians, I am alone

m with anxious curiosity. The aged man who led t

k us out in the last resting-pla

il. I come alone, unatte

an wish of us? Are you pursued? Are y

ing anxiously after the truth. I have heard much of you Christians, but in these

th the new comer. The others readily did so, and retired by different ways, feelin

you were

officer, dear mother

u are safe. B

man," said the boy, "se

o away for a little time." The lady re

humble elder in the Church of Christ. I believe that you a

and I am a captain in

in his seat. The others looked at Marcellus with mournful

w have you