The Martyr of the Catacombs / A Tale of Ancient Rome

after ye have done the will of G

the authorities had been content with the more conspicuous Christians, and the fugitives to the Catacombs were consequently composed of this class; it was a severe persecution indeed which embraced all,

below or forgot their wants. Provisions and assistance of of all kinds were readily obtained. But now the very ones on whom the fug

invariably join the strongest side, and where danger threatens will evade it by any concessions. Such was the condition of large numbers in Rome. They had friends and relatives among the Christians whom they loved, and for whom they felt sympathy. They were always ready to assist them, but

ldest dared to venture. Such, however, was the contempt of danger and death with whic

to his brethren. His fearlessness and acuteness, which had formerly raised him

the Christians for purposes of burial. This was not very difficult to accomplish,

lus and another Christian went forth to obtain their bodies. The boy Pollio also went with them, to be useful in case of need. I

mpanions. Its dark form towered up grandly before them, vast and gloomy and stern as the imperial power that reared it. Crowds of ke

mangled; some indeed were scarcely distinguishable as human beings. After a long search they found the two whom they sought. Their bodies were then placed in large sacks, in which they prepared to carry them

place here and lay down my life for my Saviour? When that tim

he arena. Within it was dark and forbidding. The searc

behind them. Its tones rang out upon the night air with startling di

salvation a

ingdom of

ower of h

of our brethre

em before our Go

me him by the b

word of his

not their lives

at?" said

ly son was burned at the stake at the beginning of the persecution, and since then he has gone abou

e a priso

e

na arose, fearfully, m

dost thou not avenge our blood o

he man that I hea

gh the city, and even in th

us

r a short delay they were allowed to pass. As they we

great is fall

the habitati

d of every

every unclean

t of her,

they had reached a safe d

Marcellus, "that we sh

s we must be prepared for. In times like this we must be ready to meet death at any moment. What says o

s told us what we will have: 'In th

er, I have overcome the world. Whe

erors over death. The afflictions of this present time are not

ages and under all circumstances can give such heavenly consolation. Bearing their burden

. He went to the house of a man who was friendly to them and had been of much

etorian officers was recently converted to Christianity, and the emperor is enraged. He has appointed another to the office which

f this Pretorian officer wh

cul

ied Marcellus.

a man of great s

This is indeed bad new

or. A price is now set upon his head. If you chance to see him or to be in h

There is no other

rible times. You have

me more than onc

bravery; yet still I think you might conform outwardly to th

And since he died for his people, we also are willing

eople," said the man

departed with his load. The news wh

think of me as his friend Marcellus, or only as a Christian? I may soon find out. It would be str

office he can do nothing else than obey. As a soldier he can only treat me as an enemy

uble their efforts for me. My time I believe

his own meditations, and did not see a crowd of people that had gathered at a c

oice, "not so fast. Who are

ommand natural to one who had ruled ov

ritative tone and imperious manner, bu

u are, or you s

"stand aside! Do you not

nd Marcellus passed through it. But scarcely had

is the Christ

Tiber. The whole crowd pursued. It was a race for life, and death. But Marcellus had been trained to every athletic sport, and in

the river's brink, bu