The Martyr of the Catacombs / A Tale of Ancient Rome

ive godly in Christ Jesus

had been to him; days full of infinite importance. Endless weal or woe had hung upon

t, and woe; yet he had made his choice, and turned to the latter without a moment's hesitation. He cho

he had been among the Christians, that he could not execute his commission, and wa

he issue of all this, he was interrupted by the entrance of Lucullus. His

sent for me to give me a message for you. But

aling nothing whatever. His deep earnestness showed how strong and true the impress

ing. I was about to commit an act of virtual treason, a crime wh

and from what I had seen of them I had been forced to change my feelings toward them. I had thought that they were enemies of the state and worthy of death, but

aid he, 'have no right to

who made me are stronger th

tians made you mad?' said he. 'Do

that I would take

'go to your quarters, and I wil

have been here ever since then,

rd or even a gesture. An expression of sad surprise upon his face told

nary times, can never be trifled with, but now the feelings of the government are excited to an

d you all m

. You have loved the noble teachings of philosophy. Can you not satisfy yourself with t

that there is nothing certain in it on which the soul may trust. But the Christian re

ak about yourself. You are in danger, my dear friend; your station, your honor, your office, your very life is at stake. Consider what you have done. An important commission was intrusted to you, upon the execution of which you set out. It was expected that you would return bringing important info

re, Lu

see that it is impossible for you to be a soldier and a Christian at the same time. One of the two must be given up. And not only so, but if you decide upon being a Chris

o doubt th

our enthusiastic nature, and I have pleaded with the general for you. He too respects yo

are

ten. Banish them from your memory. Resume your commission. Take your s

on. Never can I forget it. But I have that within me to which you are a stranger, which is stronger than all honors of state. It is

ns had failed. At length he spoke again. He used every argument that he could think of. He brought forward every motive that might influence him. He told him of the ter

rtune can bestow is before you, but you turn away from all to cast your lot among wretched outcasts. I h

zed and handed over to punishment. But many hours are yet before you, and I may still have the mournful satisfaction of assisting you to escape.

d laid them down, sadly he unfastened his gorgeous armor which he h

dship. Would we were flying together, that your prayers might asce

in life again. If you are ever in want

ced, and Marcellus hast

lace reared its gigantic form on high, rich in stately architecture, in glorious adornments of precious marbles, and glowing in golden decorations. On one side the lofty walls of the Coliseum arose; beyo

afar onward to the Mediterranean. On every other side the city spread its unequaled extent, crowding to the narrow walls, and over-leaping them to throw out its radiating streets far away on every side into the country. Temples and columns and monuments reared their lofty head

t verdure, the dwelling-place of peace and plenty. On one side arose the blue outline of the Apennin

, with emaciated face and frenzied gesticulation, was shouting out a strain of fear

great is fal

the habitati

d of every

very unclean an

remembered he

ven as she r

her double accor

lorified herself an

l her plagues

mourning,

be utterly bur

the Lord God w

gs of t

wail and

smoke of

off for fear o

alas, that gre

hty city

our is thy j

ants of t

off for fear o

weep a

alas, that gre

n fine linen, and

ld, and precious s

so great riches

aster, and the

s and trad

hey see the smok

off for fear o

like unto th

t on their head

g and

s, that g

e rich all that

ur is she bro

ver her t

apostles a

h avenged y

zement, but scarcely had he ceased when

Marcellus. As the man was led away he still shouted out his terrific denunciations, an

e. I must go," said Marc