 Chapter 8 of Martyr of the Catacombs, author unknown. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Chapter 8 Life in the Catacombs Oh, dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon. It revocably dark, total eclipse, without a hope of day. Upon his return to the Catacombs, he was welcomed with tears of joy, most eagerly they listened to the account of his interview with his superiors, and while they sympathized with his travels, they rejoiced that he had been found worthy to suffer for Christ. Amid these new scenes, he learned more of the truth every day, and saw what its followers endured. Life in the Catacombs opened around him, with all its wondrous variety. The vast numbers who dwelt below were supplied with provisions by constant communication with the city above. This was done at night. The most resolute and daring of the men volunteered for this dangerous task. Sometimes also women and even boys went forth upon this errand, and the lad Paulio was the most acute and successful of all these. Amid the vast population of Rome, it was not difficult to pass unnoticed, and consequently the supply was well kept up. Yet sometimes the journey met with a fatal termination, and the bold adventurers never returned. Of water there is a plentiful supply in the passageways of the lowermost tier. Wells and fountains here supplied sufficient for all their wants. At night too were made the most mournful expeditions of all. These were in search of the dead which had been torn by the wild beasts or burned to the stake. These loved remains were obtained at the greatest risk and brought down amid a thousand dangers. And the friends of the lost would reform the funeral service and hold the burial feast. After this they would deposit their remains in the narrow cell and close the place up with a marble tablet graven with the name of the occupant. The ancient Christian, inspired by the glorious doctrine of the resurrection, looked forward with ardent hope to the time when corruption shall put on incorruption and the mortal immortality. He was unwilling to the body which so sublime a destiny awaited should be reduced to ashes and thought that even the sacred funeral flames were dishonored to that temple of God which had been so highly favored of heaven so the cherished bodies of the dead were brought here out of the sight of man where no irreverent hand might disturb the solemn stillness of your last repose. To lie until the last trump should give that summons for which the primitive church waited so eerily in daily expectation and the city above the Christian religion had been increasing for successive generations and during all this time the dead had been communing here in ever-increasing numbers so that now the catacombs formed a vast city of the dead whose silent population slumbered in endless rages rank above rank waiting till the wakeful trump of doom should thunder through the deep. In many places the arches had been knocked away and the roof heightened so as to form rooms. None of them were of very great size but they formed areas where the fugitives might meet in larger companies and breathe more freely. Here they passed much at the time and here too they had their religious services. The nature of the times in which they lived will explain their situation. The simple virtues of the older public had passed away and freedom had taken her everlasting flight. Corruption had moved over the empire and subdued everything beneath its numbing influence plots rebellions and treasons cursed the state by turns but the fallen people stood by in silence they saw their bravest suffer their noblest die all and moved the generous heart the soul of fire awakened no more only the basest passions aroused their degenerate feelings into such a state as this the truth came boldly and there such enemies as these it had to fight its way over such obstacles to make it slow but sure progress they who enlisted under her banner had no life of ease before them her trump I gave forth no uncertain sound the conflict was stern and involved name and fame and fortune and friends and life all that was most dear to man ages rolled on if the followers of truth increased in number so also did vice intensify her power and her malignity the people sank to deeper corruption the state drifted on to more certain ruin that arose those terrible persecutions which aimed to obliterate from the earth the last vestige of christianity a terrible ordeal awaited the christian if he resisted the imperial greed to those who followed her the order of truth was inexorable oh when a decision was made it was a final one to make that decision for christianity was often to accept instant death or else to be driven from the city banished from the joys of home and from the light of day the hearts of the romans were hardened and their eyes blinded they did childhoods innocence nor womanly purity nor noble manhood nor the reverent hares of age nor faith and movable nor love triumphant over death could touch them or move them to pity they did not see the flat cloud of desolation that hovered over the doomed empire nor know that from its fury those whom they persecuted alone could save them yet in that reign of terror the catacombs opened before the christian like a city of refuge here lay the bones of their fathers who from generation to generation had fought for the truth and their warm bodies waited here for the resurrection one here they brought their relatives as one by one they had left them and gone on high here the son had borne the body of his aged mother and the parent had seen his child committed to the tomb here they had carried the mangled remains of those who had been torn to pieces by the wild beasts of the arena the blackened corpses of those who had been given to the flames or the wasted bodies of those most wretched who had sighed out their lives and then the lingering agonies of death by crucifixion every christian had some friend or relative lying here in death the very ground was sanctified the very air hallowed it was not strange that they should seek for safety in such a place moreover in these subterranean abodes they found their only place of refuge from persecution they could not seek foreign countries nor fly beyond the sea because for them there were no countries of refuge and no lands beyond the sea hallowed to hope the imperial power of Rome grasped the civilized world in its mighty embrace her tremendous police system extended throughout all the lands and then might escape her wrath so resistless was this power that from the highest noble down to the mean slave all were subject to it but if thrown emperor could not escape revengeance remember such an escape even hoped for when nero fell he could only go and kill himself in a neighboring villa yet here amid these infinite labyrinths even the power of rome was unavailing and her baffled emissaries faltered at the very entrance here then the persecuted christians tarried and their great numbers peopled these paths and grottoes by day assembling to exchange words of cheer and comfort or to bewail the death of some new martyr by night sending forth the bullish among them like a forlorn hope to learn tidings of the upper world or to bring down the bloodstained bodies and some new victims they're the different persecutions they lived here so secure that although millions perish throughout the empire the power of christianity at rome was but slightly shaken their safety was secured in life reserved but on what terms for what is life without light or what is the safety of the body in gloom that depresses the soul the physical nature of man shrinks from such a fate and his delicate organization is spatially aware of the lack of that subtle renovating principle which is connected with light only one by one the functions of the body lose their tone and energy this weakening of the body affects the mind predisposing it to gloom apprehension doubt and despair it is greater honor for a man to be true and steadfast under such circumstances than to have died a heroic death in the arena or to have perished unslinchingly at the stake here where they're closed around these captives the thickest shades of darkness they encountered their sores trial fortitude under the persecution itself was admirable but against the persecution blended with such horrors as these it became so blind the cold blast that forever drifted through these labyrinths killed them but brought no pure air from above the floors the walls the roofs were covered over with the foul deposits of damp vapors that forever hung around the atmosphere was thick with impure exhalations and poisonous miasma the dense smoke from the ever-burning torches might have mitigated the noxious gases but it oppressed the dwellers here with its blinding and suffocating influence yet amid all these accumulated horrors the soul of the martyrs stood up unconquered the roman spirit that endures all this rises up to grander proportions than were ever attained in the proudest days of the older public the fortitude of regulus the devotion of courteous the caustruity of brutus were here surpassed now by the strongest man by the tender virgin and the weak child thus scorning to yield to the fiercest power of persecution these men went forth the good the pure in heart the brave the noble for them death had no terrors nor that appalling life and death which they were compelled to endure here in the dismal regions of the dead they knew what was before them and they accepted it all willingly they descended carrying with them all that was most precious to the soul of man and they endured all this for the great love wherewith they were loved the constant efforts which they made to diminish the gloom of their boats were visible all around in the ancient world art was cultivated more universally than in the modern wherever any large number of men was collected a large proportion had the taste from the town for art when the christian's pupil the catacombs the artist was here too and his art was not unemployed in these chapels which is a population here but like what public squares are to the inhabitants of the city every effort was made to lessen the surrounding cheerlessness so the walls were in some places covered with white stucco and in others these again were adorned with pictures not of deified mortals for idolatrous worship if those grand old heroes of the truth who in former generations had through faith subdued kingdoms wrought righteousness obtained promises stopped the mouths of lions quenched the violence of fire escaped the edge of the sword out of weakness were made strong wax valiant in fight turned to fly in the armies of the aliens if in the hour of bitter anguish they sought for scenes or thoughts that might relieve their souls and inspire them with fresh strength for the future they could have found no other objects to look upon so strong to encourage so mighty to console such were the decorations of the chapels the only furniture which they contained were a simple wooden table upon which they placed the bread and wine at the sacrament the symbols of the body and blood of their dying lord christianity had struggled long and it was a struggle with corruption it will not be thought strange then if the church contracted some marks of a two cloth contact for their foe or if she carried some of them down to her place of refuge yet if they had some variations from the apostolic model they were so trifling that they might be overlooked altogether word not that they opened the way to greater ones still the essential doctrines of christianity knew no pollution no change the guilt of man the mercy of the father the atoma of the son the inspiration of the holy spirit salvation through faith in the redeemer all these foundations of truth were cherished with a fervor and an energy to which no language can do justice theirs was that heavenly hope the anchor of the soul so strong and so secure that the storm of an empire's wrath failed to drive them from the rock of ages where they were sheltered theirs was that lofty faith which have held them through the source trials a sincere trust in god that could not doubt there was no need here either of discussions about the theological term faith or of formal prayers that regarded it as some immaterial essence faith with them was everything it was the very breath of life so true that it upheld them in the hour of cruel sacrifices so lasting that even when it seemed that all the followers of christ had vanished from the earth they could still look up trustfully and wait theirs was that law which christ on earth to find is comprising all the law and the prophets sectarian stripe denominational bitterness were unknown they had a great general photophyte how could they quarrel with one another here rose love to man which knew no distinction of race or class but embraced all in its immense circumference so that one could lay down his life for his brother pure rose love to god would stop not as a sacrifice of life itself the persecutions which ranged around them gave them all that feel faith and love which glowed so brightly amid the darkness of the age it can find their numbers to the true and the sincere it was the antidote to hypocrisy it gave to the brave the most daring heroism and inspired the faint hearted with the courage of despair they lived in a time when to be a christian was to risk one's life they did not shrink but boldly proclaimed their faith and accepted the consequences they drew a broad line between themselves and the heathen instead of manfully on their own side to utter a few words perform a simple act often saved from death but the tongue refused to speak the formula and the stubborn hand refused to pour the libation the vital doctrines of christianity met them from far more than a mere intellectual response christ himself was not to them an idea of thought but a real existence the life of jesus upon earth was to them a living truth they accepted it as a proper example for every man his gentleness humility patience and meekness they believed were offered for imitation where do they ever separate the ideal christian from the real they thought that a man's religion consisted of much in the life as in the sentiment and had not learned to separate experimental from practical christianity to them the death of christ was a great event to which all others were best secondary that he died in very deed and for the sons of men none could understand better than they among their own brother they could think of many a one who had hung upon the cross for his brother or died at the stake for his god they took up the cross and followed christ bearing their approach that cross and that reproach were not figurative witness these gloomy labyrinths fit home for the dead only which never the less for years open to shelter the living witness these names of martyrs those words of despair the walls carry down to later ages the words of grief of lamentation and of ever-changing feeling which were marked upon them during successive ages by those who were banished these catacombs they carry down their mournful story of future times and bring to imagination the forms the feelings and the deeds of those who were imprisoned here as the forms of life were taken upon the plates of the camera so has the great voice once foreshadowed suffering by the very soul of the martyr become stamped upon the wall humble witnesses of the truth poor despised forsaken in vain their calls for mercy went forth to the ears of man they were stifled in the blood of the slaughtered in the smoke of the sacrifice yet were their own race only answered their cry of despair with fresh tortures these rocky walls prove more merciful they heard their sighs they took them to their bosoms and so their cries of suffering lived here treasured up and graven in the rock forever the conversion of myself to christianity had been set in he had such quick transitions from error to truth were not infrequent he had tried the highest forms of pagan superstition and he the philosophy but i found them wanting and as soon as christianity appeared before him he beheld all that he desired it possessed exactly what was mean to satisfy the cravings of his soul and fillet them to heart with the fullness of peace and if the transition was quick it was nonetheless thorough having opened his eyes and seen the light of the sun of righteousness he could not close them rather than relax into his former blindness he gladly welcomed his share in the sufferings of the persecuted conversions like these distinguish the first preaching of the gospel throughout the heathen world the recountless souls who felt as marsalis did and had gone through the same experiences and needed only the preaching of the truth accompanied by the power of the holy spirit to open their eyes and bring them to see the light apart from divine influence over human reason we see here a cause for the rapid spread of christianity living and moving and conversing with his new brethren marsalis soon began to enter into all their hopes and fears and joys their faith and trust communicated themselves to his heart and all the glorious expectations which explained them became the solace of his own soul the blessed word of life became his constant study and delight and all his teachings found in him an ardent disciple meetings for prayer and praise were frequent throughout the catacombs cut off from ordinary occupations of worldly business they were thrown entirely upon other and higher pursuits deprived of the opportunity to make efforts for the support of the body they were forced to make their chief business the care of the soul they gained what they saw earth with its cares its allurements and its thousands of attractions lost its hold upon them heaven drew nearer their thoughts in their language were of the kingdom they loved to talk of the joy that awaited those who continued faithful unto death to converse upon those departed brethren which of them were not lost but not before to anticipate the moment when their own time should come above all it looked every day for that great final summits which should rouse the quick and dead and arraign all for the great white throne thus marcella saw these dismal passages not left to the silent slumber of the dead but fell the thousands of living wand and pale and oppressed they found even amid this darkness a better fate than that which might await them above busy life animated the haunts of the dead the pathways rang to the sound of human voices the light of truth and virtue banished from the upper air burned anew with a pure radiance amid the subterranean gloom the tender greetings of affection and friendship of kinship and of love arose amid the moldering remains of the departed here the tear of grief mingled with the blood of the martyr and the hand of affection wrapped his pale limbs in the shroud here in these grottoes the heroic soul rose up superior to sorrow hope and faith smiled exultingly and pointed to the light of immortal life and the voice of praise breathed forth from the lips of the mourner end of chapter eight of martyr of the catacombs author unknown this is a liberbox recording all liberbox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liberbox.org chapter nine the persecution you have need of patients that after you have done the will of god you might receive the prompts the persecution raged with greater fury and the few weeks that passed since marcellus had lived here great numbers had sought refuge in this retreat never before had so many congregated here generally 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 which embraced all and such indiscriminate rage had been shown only under a few emperors but now there was no distinction of class or station the homeless follower as well as the highest teacher was hurried away to death until this time the communication with the city was comparatively easy for the poor christians above ground never neglected those below or forget their wants provisions and assistance of all kinds were readily obtained but now the very ones on whom the fugitives relied for help themselves driven out to share their fate and become the partakers instead of the bestowers of charity still their situation was not desperate there were many left in Rome who loved them and assisted them although they were not christians in every great movement there will be a class of neutrals who either from interest or indifference remained unmoved these people will 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 had too much regard for their own safety to cast in their lot with them they attended the temples and assisted at the worship of the heathen gods as before and were nominally adherents of the old superstition upon these now the christians were forced to depend for the necessaries of life the expeditions to the city were now accompanied with greater danger and only the boldest dared to venture such however was the contempt of danger and death with which they were inspired that there was never any scarcity of men for this perilous duty to this task Marcelus offered himself glad that he could in any way do good to his brother his fearlessness and acuteness which had formerly raised him so high as a soldier now made him be inspicuous for success in this new pursuit numbers were destroyed every day their bodies were sought for and carried away by the christians for purposes of burial this was not very difficult to accomplish since it relieved the authorities of the trouble of burning or burying the corpses one day tidings came to the community beneath the appian way that two of their number had been captured and put to death Marcelus and another christian went forth to obtain their bodies the boy polio also went with them to be useful in case of need it was dusk when they entered the city gate and darkness came rapidly on soon however the moon arose and illumined the scene they threaded their way through the dark streets and at length came to the colosseum the place of martyrdom for so many of their companions its dark form towered up grandly before them vast and gloomy and stern as the imperial power that reared it crowds of keepers and guards and gladiators were within the iron gates where the vaulted passageways were illuminated with the glare of torches the keepers knew their errant and rudely ordered them to follow they led them on till they came to the arena here we had a number of bodies the last of those who had been slain that day they were fearfully mangled some indeed were scarcely distinguishable as human beings after a long search they found the two whom they saw their bodies were then placed in large sacks in which they prepared to carry them away Marcelus looked in upon the scene all around him rose the massive walls ascending by many terraces back to the outer circle its black form seemed to shut him in with a barrier which he could not pass how long will it be he thought before i too shall take my place here and lay down my life for my savior when that time comes shall i be true lord jesus and that hour sustained me the moon had not yet risen high enough to shine into the arena within it was dark and forbidding the search of a made with torches obtained from the keepers at this moment Marcelus heard a deep voice from some of the vaults behind them its tones rang out upon the night air with startling distinctness and were heard high above the rude clamor of the keepers now is come salvation and strength in the kingdom of our god and the power of his christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accuse them before our god day and night and they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of his testimony and they love not their lives unto the death who is that said marcellus do not notice him said his companion it is brother sinna his griefs have made him mad his only son was burned at the stake at the beginning of the persecution and since then he has gone about the city denouncing whoa hitherto they have let him alone but now at last they have seized him and is he a prisoner here he is a game the voice of sinna arose fearfully menacingly and terribly how long oh lord holy and true does thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell upon the earth this then is the man that i heard in the capital yes he has been all through the city and even in the palace uttering his cry let us go they took their sacks and started for the gates after a short delay they were allowed to pass as they went out they heard the voice of sinna in the distance that along the greatest fallen is fallen and has become the habitation of devils and a hold of every foul spirit and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird come ye out of her my people none of them spoke until they had reached a safe distance from the coliseum i felt afraid said marcellus that we should be kept in there your fears were reasonable said the other any sudden whim of the keeper might be our doom but this we must be prepared for in times like this we must be ready to meet death at any moment what says our lord be also ready we must be able to say when the time comes i am now ready to be offered yes said marcellus our lord has told us what we will have in this world you shall have tribulation and he also says be a good cheer i have overcome the world where i am there ye shall be also through him said marcellus we can come off more than conquerors over death the afflictions of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed to us thus they saw us themselves with the promises of that blessed word of life which in all ages and under all circumstances can give such heavenly consolation bearing their burdens they finally reached their destination in safety thankful that they had been preserved a few days afterward marcellus went up for provisions this time he was alone he went to the house of a man who was friendly to them and had been of much assistance it was outside of the walls in the suburb nearest the appian way after obtaining the requisite supply he began to inquire after the news the news is bad for you said the man one of the praetorian officers was recently converted to christianity and the emperor is enraged he's appointed another to the office which he held and has sent him after the christians they're catching some every day no man is too poor to be seized in these days uh do you know the name of this praetorian officer who is seeking the christians lucullus lucullus cried marcellus how strange he is said to be a man of great skill and energy i have heard of him this is indeed bad news for the christians the conversion of the other praetorian officer has greatly enraged the emperor a price is now set upon his head if you chance to see him or be in his way friend you'd better let him know they say he's in the catacombs he must be there there is no other place of safety these are indeed terrible times you have need to be cautious they cannot kill me more than once said marcellus ah you christians have wonderful fortitude i admire your bravery yet still i think you might conform outwardly to the emperor's decree why should you rush so madly upon death our redeemer died for us we are ready to die for him and since he died for his people we also are willing to imitate him and lay down our lives for our brethren you are wonderful people said the man raising his hands marcellus now bait him for well and departed with his load the news which he had just heard fill his mind so lucullus has taken my place saw he i wonder if he has turned against me does he now think of me as his friend marcellus or only as a christian i may soon find out it would be strange indeed if i should fall into his hands and yet if i'm captured it will probably be by him yet it is his duty as a soldier and why should i complain if he is appointed to that office he can do nothing else than obey as a soldier he can only treat me as the enemy of the state he may pity or love me in his heart yet he must not shrink from his duty if a price is put on my head they will redouble their efforts for me my time i believe is at hand let me be prepared to meet it with such thoughts as these he walked down the appian way he was wrapped up in his own meditations and did not see a crowd of people that had gathered at a corner of the street until he was among them then he suddenly found himself stopped oh friend cried a weird voice not so fast who are you and where are you going away cried marcellus in a tone of command natural to one who had ruled over men and he motioned the man aside the crowd were awestruck by his authoritative tone and imperious manner but their spokesman showed more courage tell us who you are or you shall not pass fellow cried marcellus stand aside do you not know me i am vapor torian at that dreaded name the crowd quickly opened and marcellus passed through it but scarcely had he moved five paces away than a voice exclaimed seize him it is the christian marcellus a shadow rose from the crowd marcellus needed no further warning dropping his low he started off down the side street toward the tiber the whole crowd pursued it was a race for life and death but marcellus had been trained to every athletic sport and increased the distance between himself and his pursuers at last he reached the tiber and leaping in he swam to the opposite side the pursuers reached the river's brink let's follow no further end of chapter nine chapter 10 of the martyr of the catacombs author unknown this is a liberivox recording all liberivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liberivox dot org chapter 10 the arrest the trial of your faith work with patience on orius was seated in the chapel with one or two others among whom was the lady sestelia the feeble rays of a single lamp but faintly illuminated the scene they were silent and sad a deeper melancholy than usual rested upon them around them was the sound of footsteps and of voices and a confused murmur of life suddenly a quick step was heard and marcellus entered the occupants of the chapel spring up with cries of joy where is polio cried sestelia eagerly i have not seen him said marcellus not seen him said sestelia and she fell back upon her seat why is he beyond his time he ought to have returned six hours ago and i'm sick with anxiety oh there is no danger said marcellus soothingly he can take care of himself he tried to pass it off with a careless tone but his looks belied his words no danger said sestelia alas we know too well what new dangers there are never has it been so dangerous as now what has delayed you marcellus we had begun to give you up i was stopped near the via alba said marcellus i dropped my load and ran to the river the crowd followed but i jumped into the river and swim across there i took a circuitous route among the streets on the opposite side after which i came across again and reached this place in safety you had a narrow escape a price is on your head have you heard it yes and much more we have heard of the redoubled efforts which they are making to crush us all through the day tidings of sorrow have been reaching us we must rely more than ever on him who alone can save us we can baffle them still said marcellus hopefully they watch our principal entrances said anorias then we can make new ones the openings are numberless they have offered rewards for all the prominent brethren what then you will guard those brethren more carefully than ever our means of living are gradually lessening but there are as many bold and faithful hearts as ever who is afraid to risk his life now there will never cease to be a supply of food as long as we live in the catacombs if we escape pursuit we bring help to our brethren if we die we receive the crown of martyrdom you are right marcellus your faith puts my fear to shame how can those who live in the catacombs be afraid of death it is but a momentary gloom and it will pass but this day we have heard much to distress our hearts and to fill our spirits with dismay alas continued anorias and a mournful voice how are the people scattered and the churches left desolate but a few months ago and there were 50 christian churches within this city where the light of truth shone and the sound of prayer and praise ascended to the most high now they are overthrown the people dispersed and driven out of the sight of men he paused overcome by emotion and then in a low and plaintive voice he repeated the mournful words of the 80th song how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people thou fetus them with the bread of tears and give us them tears to drink in great measure thou makest us a strife unto our neighbors and our enemies laugh among themselves turn us again oh god of hosts and cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved thou hast brought a vine out of egypt thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it thou prepared a strewn before it and just cause it to take deep root and it filled the land the hills were covered with the shadow of it and the bowels thereof were like goodly cedars she sent out her bowels to the sea and her branches unto the river why hast thou broken down her hedges so that all who pass by the way do pluck her the bore out of the wood death wasted and the wild beast of the field death devour it return we beseech thee oh god of hosts look down from heaven and behold and visit this vine and the vineyard which thy right hand planted and the branch which thou made us strong for thyself it is burned with fire it is cut down they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance you were sad and aureus said marcellus our sufferings it is true increase upon us but we can be more than conquerors through him who loved us what says he to him the overcomeeth will thy give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of god be thou faithful unto death and i will give thee a crown of life he that overcomeeth shall not be hurt of the second death to him the overcomeeth will i give to eat of the hidden manna i will give him a white stone and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth saving he that receiveeth it he that overcomeeth and keepeth my words unto the end to him will i give power over the nations and i will give him the morning star he that overcomeeth the same shall be clothed in white raiment and i will not blot his name out of the book of life but i will confess his name before my father and before his angels him that overcomeeth will i make a pillar in the temple of my god and he shall go no more out and i will write upon him the name of my god and the name of the city of my god which is new jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my god and i will write upon him my new name to him the overcomeeth will i grant to sit with me on my throne even as i also overcame and am set down with my father in his throne as marsalis spoke these words his form grew erect his eye brightened and his face flushed with enthusiasm his emotions were transmitted to his companions and as one by one these glorious promises fell upon their ears they forgot for a while their sorrows and the thought of their approaching blessedness the new jerusalem the golden streets the palms of glory the sun of the lamp the face of him who sit at the pawn of throne all these were present to their minds marcellus said anorias you have driven away my gloom by your words let us rise superior to earthly troubles come brother lay aside your cares the youngest born into the kingdom puts our faith to shame let us look to the joy set before us for we know that if this earthly tabernacle be destroyed we have a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens death comes nearer he continued our enemies encircle us and the circle grows narrower let us die like christians why these gloomy forebodings said marcellus is death nearer to us than it was before are we not safe in the catacombs have you not heard then what of the death of chrysopus chrysopus dead no how when the soldiers of the emperor were led down into the catacombs by someone who knew the way they advanced upon the room where the service was going on this was in the catacombs beyond the tiber the brethren gave a hasty alarm and fled but the venerable chrysopus either through extreme old age or else through desire for martyrdom refused to fly he threw himself upon his knees and raised his voice in prayer two faithful attendants remained with him the soldiers rushed in and even while chrysopus was upon his knees they dashed out his brains he fell dead at the first blow and his two attendants were slain by his side they have gone to join the noble army of martyrs they have been faithful unto death and will receive the crown of life said marcellus but now they were interrupted by a two-month without instantly everyone started upright the soldiers exclaimed all but no it was not the soldiers it was a christian a messenger from the world above pailing and trembling he flung himself upon the floor and ringing his hands cried out as he panted for breath alas alas upon the lady cecilia the sight of this man produced a terrible effect she staggered back against the walls trembling from head to foot her hands clenched each other her eyes stared wildly her lips moved as though she wished to speak but no sound escaped speak speak tell us all cried in aureus polio gasped the messenger what's of him said marcellus sternly he is arrested he is in prison at that intelligence a shriek burst forth which sounded fearfully amid the surrounding horrors it came from the lady cecilia the next moment she fell heavily to the floor the bystanders hurried to attend her they carried her away to her own quarters there they applied the customary restoratives and she revived but the blow had struck heavily and no sense in feeling returned yet she seemed like one in a dream meanwhile the messenger had recovered strength and told all that he knew polio was with you was he asked marcellus no he was alone on what errand finding out the news i was on one side of the street a little behind he was coming home we walked on until we came to a crowd of men to my surprise polio was stopped and questioned i did not hear what passed but i saw they're threatening justice and at length saw them seize him i could do nothing i kept at a safe distance and watched in about half an hour a trooper patorians came along polio was handed over to them and they carried him away patorians said marcellus do you know the captain yes it was luculis it is well said marcellus and he fell into a deep fit of musing end of chapter 10 chapter 11 of the martyr of the catacombs are there unknown this is a liberivox recording all liberivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liberivox.org chapter 11 the offer greater love has no man than this that a man laid on his life for his friends it was evening in the praetorian camp luculis was in his room seated by a lamp which threw a bright light around he was roused by a knock at the door at once rising he opened it a man entered and advanced silently to the middle of the room he then disencumbered himself of the folds of a large mantle in which he was dressed and faced luculis marcellus cried the other in amazement and springing forward he embraced his visitor with every mark of joy dear friend said he to what happy chance do i owe this meeting i was just thinking of you and wondering when we should meet again our meetings i fear said marcellus sadly will not be very frequent now i make this one at the risk of my life true said luculis participating in the sadness of the other you are pursued and there is a price on your head yet here you are as safe as you ever were in those happy days before this madness seized you oh marcellus why can they not return again i cannot change my nature or undo what is done moreover luculis although my lock may appear to you a hard one i never was so happy happy cried the other in deep surprise yes luculis though afflicted i am not cast down though persecuted i am not in despair the persecution of the emperor is no slight matter i know it well i see my brother and fall before it every day every day the circle that surrounds me is lessened friends leave me and never appear again companions go up to the city but when they return they're carried back dead to be deposited in their graves and yet you say you can be happy yes luculis i have a peace that the world knows nothing of a peace that cometh from above that passeth all understanding i know marcellus that you are too brave to fear death but i never knew that you had sufficient fortitude to endure calmly all that i know you must now suffer your courage is superhuman or rather it is the courage of madness it comes from above luculis once i wasn't capable of feeling it but now old things have passed away and all has become new sustained by this new power i can endure the utmost evils that can be dealt upon me i expect nothing but suffering in life and know that i shall die in agony yet the thought cannot overcome the strong faith that is within me it pains me said luculis sadly to see you so determined if i saw the slightest sign of wavering in you i would hope that time might change or modify your feelings but you seem to me to be fixed unalterably in your new course god grant that i may remain steadfast unto the end said marcellus fervently but it is not of my feelings that i come to speak i come luculis to ask your assistance to claim your sympathy and help you promised me once to show me your friendship if i needed it i come now to claim it all that is in my power is yours already marcellus tell what you want you have a prisoner yes many this is a boy i believe my men captured a boy a short time since this boy is too insignificant to merit capture he is beneath the wrath of the emperor he is yet in your power i come luculis to implore his delivery alas marcellus what is it that you ask have you forgotten the discipline of the roman army or the military oath do you not know that if i did this i would violate that oath and make myself a traitor if you asked me to fall upon my sword i would do it more readily than this i have not forgotten the military oath or the discipline of the camp luculis i thought that this lad being scarcely more than a child might not be considered a prisoner do the commands of the emperor extend to children he makes no distinction of age have you not seen children as young as this lad suffered death in the coliseum alas i have said marcellus as his thoughts reverted to those young girls whose death song once struck so painfully and so sweetly upon his heart this young boy then must also suffer yes said luculis unless he abures christianity and that he will never do then he will rush upon his fate the law does this not i marcellus but i am the instrument do not blame me i do not blame you i know well how strongly you are bound to obedience if you hold your office you must perform its duties yet let me make another proposal surrender of prisoners is not allowed but an exchange is lawful yes if i could tell you of a prisoner far more important than this boy you would exchange would you not but you have taken none of us prisoners no but we have power over our own people and there are some among us on whose heads the emperors placed a large reward for the capture of these a hundred lads like this boy would be gladly given is it then a custom among christians to betray one another ask luculis in surprise no but sometimes one christian will offer his own life to save that of another impossible it is so in this instance who is it that is offered for this boy i marcellus at this astounding declaration luculis started back you he cried yes i myself you are jesting it is impossible i am serious it is for this that have already exposed my life and coming to you i have shown the interest that i'd taken him by this great risk i will explain this boy polio is the last of an ancient and noble roman family he is the only son of his mother his father died in battle he belongs to the cerveli the cervelia is his mother the lady cecilia yes she is a refugee in the catacombs her whole life and love is wrapped up in this boy every day she lets him go up into the city a dangerous adventure and in his absence she suffers indescribable agony yet she is afraid to keep him there always for fear that the damp air which is so fatal to children may cut him off so she exposes him to what she thinks is a smaller danger this boy you have a prisoner that mother has heard of it and now lies hovering between life and death if you destroy him she too will die and one of the noblest and purest spirits in rome will be no more for these reasons i come to offer myself an exchange what am i i am alone in the world no life is wrapped up in mine no one depends on me for the present in the future i fear not death it may as well come now as at any other time it must come sooner or later and i would rather give my life as a ransom for a friend then lay it down uselessly for these reasons ukulis i implore you but the sacred ties of friendship by your pity by your promise to me give me your assistance now and take my life in exchange for him ukulis rose to his feet and paced the room in great agitation why oh marcellus he cried at last do you treat me so terribly my proposal is easy to receive you forget that your life is precious to me but think of this young lad i pity him deeply but do you think i can receive your life as a forfeit it is forfeited already it will be surrendered sooner or later i pray you let it be yielded up while that may be of service you shall not die as long as i can prevent it your life is not yet forfeited by the immortal gods it will be long before you take your place in the arena no one can save me once i am taken you might try your utmost what could you do to save one on whom the emperor's wrath is falling i might do much to avert it you do not know what might be done but even if i could do nothing still i would not listen to this proposal now if i went to the emperor himself he would grant my prayer he would take you prisoner at once and put both of you to death i could send a messenger with my proposal the message would never reach him or at least not until it would be too late there is then no hope said marcellus mournfully none and you absolutely refuse to grant my request alas marcellus how can i be guilty of the death of my friend you have no mercy on me forgive me if i refuse so unreasonable a proposal the will of the lord be done said marcellus i must hasten back alas how can i carry with me this message of despair the two friends embraced in silence and marcellus departed leaving lecolas overcome with amazement at this proposal marcellus returned to the catacombs in safety the brethren there who knew of his errand received him a game with mournful joy the lady cecilia still lay in a kind of stupor only half conscious of surrounding events at times her mind would wander and in her delirium she would talk of happy scenes in her early life but the life which she had led in the catacombs the alternating hope and fear joy and sorrow the ever present anxiety and the oppressive air the place itself had overcome both mind and body her delicate nature sank beneath the fury of such an ordeal and this last heavy blow completed her prostration she could not rally from its effects that night they watched around her couch every hour she grew feebler and life was slowly but surely passing away from that descent unto death not even the restoration of her son could have saved her but though earthly thoughts had left her and earthly feelings had grown faint the one master passion of her later years held undiminished power over her her lips murmured still the sacred words which had so long been her support and consolation the name of her darling boy was breathed from her lips though his present danger was forgotten but it was the blessed name of jesus that was deepest fervor at length the end came starting from a long period of stillness her eyes opened wide a flush passed over her wand an emaciated face and she uttered a faint cry come lord jesus with the cry life went out and the pure spirit of the lady cecilia had returned onto god who gave it end of chapter 11 chapter 12 of the martyr of the catacombs author unknown this is a liberivox recording all liberivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liberivox.org chapter 12 polio's trial out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou has ordained praise it was a large room in a building not far from the imperial palace the pavement was of polished marble and columns of periphery supported a panel dome an altar with a statue of a heathen deity was at one end of the apartment magistrates in their robes occupied raised seats on the opposite end in front of them were some soldiers guarding a prisoner the prisoner was the boy polio his face was pale but his bearing with erect and firm the remarkable intelligence which had always characterized him did not fail him now his quick eye took in everything he knew the inevitable doom that impended over him yet there was no trace of fear or indecision about him he knew the only tie that bound him to earth had been severed earlier that morning the news of his mother's death had reached him it had been carried to him by a man who thought that the knowledge of this would fortify his resolution that man was marcellus the kindness of the callus had gained him an interview his judgment had been correct while his mother lived the thought of her would have weakened his resolution now that she was dead he was eager to depart also in his simple faith he believed that death would unite him at once to the dear mother so fondly with these feelings he awaited the examination who are you marcus surveillance polio what is your age 13 years at the mention of his name a murmur of compassion went round the assemblage but that name was well known in rome you are charged with the crime of being a christian what have you to say i am guilty of no crime said the boy i am a christian and i am glad to be able to confess it before men it is the same with them all said one of the judges they all have the same formula do you know the nature of your crime i am guilty of no crime said polio my religion teaches me to fear god and honor the emperor i have obeyed every just law and am not a traitor to be a christian is to be a traitor i am a christian but i am not a traitor the law of the state forbids you to be a christian under pain of death if you are a christian you must die i am a christian repeated polio firmly then you must die be it so boy do you know what it is to suffer death i've seen much of death during the last few months i have always expected to lay down my life for my religion when my turn should come boy you are young we pity your tender age and inexperience you have been trained so peculiarly that you are scarcely responsible for your present folly for all this we are willing to make allowance this religion which infatuates you is foolishness you believe that a poor jew who has executed a few hundred years ago is a god can anything be more absurd than this our religion is the religion of the state it has enough in itself to satisfy the minds of young and old ignorant and learned leave your foolish superstition and turn to our wiser and older religion i cannot you are the last of a noble family the state recognizes the worth and the nobility of the civilly your ancestors lived in pomp and wealth and power you are a poor miserable boy and a prisoner be wise polio think of the glory of your forefathers and throw aside the miserable obstacle that keeps you away from all their illustrious fame i cannot you have lived a miserable outcast the poorest beggar in rome fares better than you his food is obtained with less labor and less humiliation his shelter is in the light of day above all he is safe his life is his own he need not live in hourly fear of justice but you have had to drag out a wretched existence and want and danger and darkness what has your boasted religion given you what has this deified jew done for you nothing worse than nothing turned then from this deceiver wealth and comfort and friends and the honors of the state and the favor of the emperor will all be yours i cannot your father was a loyal subject and a brave soldier he died in battle for his country he left you an infant the heir of all his honors and the last prop of his house little did he think of the treacherous influences that surrounded you to lead you astray your mother's mind weakened by sorrow surrendered to the insidious wiles of false teachers and she again ignorantly wrought your ruin had your noble father lived you would now have been the hope of his ancient line your mother too would have followed the faith of her illustrious ancestors do you value your father's memory has he no claims on your filial duty do you think it no sin to heap dishonor on the proud name that you bear and throw so foul a blot upon the unsullied fame handed down to you from your father's away with this delusion that blinds you by your father's memory by the honor of your family turned from your present course i can do them notice honor my religion is pure and holy i can die but i cannot be false to my savior you see that we are merciful to you your name and your inexperience excites our pity were you but a common prisoner we would offer you in short words the choice between retraction or death but we are willing to reason with you for we do not wish to see a noble family become extinct through the ignorance or obstinacy of a degenerate heir i thank you for your consideration said polio but your arguments have no weight with me besides the higher claims of my religion hmm rash and thoughtless boy there is another argument which you will find more powerful the wrath of the emperor is terrible yet more terrible is the wrath of the lamb you speak an unintelligible language what is the wrath of the lamb you do not think on what is before you my companions and friends have already endured all that you can inflict i trust that i may have like fortitude can you endure the terrors of the arena i hope to have more than mortal strength can you face the savage lions and tigers that will then rush upon you he in whom i trust will not desert me in my time of need you are confident i can find in him who loved me and gave himself one have you thought of the death by fire are you ready to meet the flames at the stake alas if i must bear it i will not shrink at the worst it will be soon over and then i shall be forever with the lord fanaticism and superstition have taken complete possession of you you know not what awaits you it is easy to face threats it is easy to utter words and make professions of courage but how will it be with you when the dread reality comes upon you i will look to him who never deserts his own in their hour of need he has done nothing for you thus far he has done all for me he gave his own life that i might live through him i receive a nobler life than this which you take from me this is but a dream of yours how is it possible that a miserable jew can do this he was the fullness of the godhead god manifest in the flesh he suffered death of the body that we might receive life for the soul can nothing open your eyes is it not enough that thus far your mad belief has brought you nothing but misery and woe must you still hold on to it when you see that death is inevitable will you not turn away from your errors he gives me strength to overcome death i fear it not i look upon death itself as but a change from this life of sorrow to an immortality of bliss whether i die by the wild beast or by the flames it will all be the same if i continue faithful he will support me and lead my soul at once to immortal life in heaven the death which with which you threaten me has no terrors but the life to which you invite me is more terrible to me than a thousand deaths for the last time we give you an opportunity rash youth pause for one moment in your mad career of folly forget for an instant the insane councils of your fanatical teachers think of all that has been said to you life is before you life full of joy and pleasure a life rich in every blessing honor friends wealth power all is yours a noble name and the possessions of your family await you they're all yours to gain them you have but to take this goblet and pour the libation on yonder altar take it it is but a simple act perform it quickly save yourself from a death of agony every eye was fixed upon paulio as his last offer was held out to him amazement had filled the minds of the spectators to find him thus far so unmoved they could not account for it but even this last appeal had no effect pale but resolute paulio motioned away the proffered goblet i will never be false to my fate at these words there was a moment's pause then the chief magistrate spoke you have uttered your own doom away with him he continued addressing the soldier end of chapter 12 13 of the martyr of the catacombs author unknown this is a libero box recording all libero box recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librevox.org chapter 13 the death of paulio be thou faithful unto death and i will give thee a crown of life the sentence of paulio was swift and sure on the following day there's a spectacle at the coliseum crowded to its topmost terrace of seeds with the bloodthirsty rowan multitude it displayed the same sickening succession of horrors which has been before detailed gladiators again fought and slew one another singly and in multitudes there was every different mode of combat known in the arena and of these the most deadly were sure to find the most favored again were the ever-recurring scenes of blood and agony presented the fierce champion of the day received the short-lived congratulations of the fickle spectators again man fought with man or waged a fiercer contest with the tiger again the wounded gladiator looked up despairingly for mercy but received only the signal of death from the pitiless spectators the satiated appetites of the multitude now demanded a larger supply of slaughter the combats between men who were equally matched had lost their attraction for that day it was known that christians were reserved for the concluding spectacle and the appearance of these was impatiently demanded the callus stood among the guards near the emperor's seat it is brow is more thoughtful and his olden gait he had all departed high up among the loftier seats behind him was a pale stern face that was conspicuous among all around it for the concentrated gaze which affixed upon the arena there was an expression of deep anxiety upon that face which made it far different from all within the vast enclosure now the harsh sound of the greetings arose and a tiger leaped forth into the arena throwing up its head and lashing its sides with its tail it stopped about glancing with fiery eyes upon the vast assemblage of human beings which hemmed it in soon a mirror arose a boy was thrust into the arena pale in face and slight in limb his slender form is nothing before the huge bulk of the furious beast as if in derision he was dressed like a gladiator yet in spite of his youth and his weakness there was nothing in his face or manner that betrayed fear his glance was calm and abstracted he moved forward quietly to the center of the arena and there in the sight of all he joined his hands together and lifted up his eyes and prayed meanwhile the tiger moved around as before he had seen the boy but the sight had no effect he still raised his bloodshot eyes towards the lofty walls and occasionally uttered a savage growl the man with the stern sad face looked on with all his soul absorbed in that gaze there appeared to be no desire on the part of the tiger to attack the boy who still continued praying the multitude now grew impatient murmurs of rows and cries and shouts with the intention of maddening the tiger and urging him on but now even in the midst of the tumult there came forth this sound of a voice deep and terrible oh how long oh lord holy and true does thou not have inch hard blood on them that dwell upon the earth a deep stillness followed everyone in surprise looked at his neighbor but the silence was soon broken by the same voice which rang out in terrific emphasis behold he cometh in the clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him he was so amen thou art righteous oh lord which art in west and shall be because thou hast judged us for they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to drink for they are worthy even so lord god almighty true and righteous are thy judgments but now murmurs and cries and shouts passed around soon the cause of the disturbance became known it is an accursed christian it is the fanatic sinner he's been confined four days without food bring him out throw him to the tiger shouts and execrations arose on high and mingled in one vast roar the tiger leaped and frenzy around the keepers within heard the words of the multitude and hurried to obey soon the greetings opened the victim was thrust in fearfully emaciated in ghastly pale he tottered forward with tremulous steps his eyes had an unearthly luster his cheeks a burning flush and his neglected hair and long beard were matted in a tangled mass the tiger saw him and came leaping toward him then at a little distance away the furious beast crouched the boy arose from his knees and looked but senosano tiger he fixed his eyes on the multitude and waving his withered arm on high he shouted in the same tone of menace whoa whoa whoa to the inhabitants of the earth his voice was hushed in blood there was a leap a fall and all was over and now the tiger turned toward the boy his thirst for blood was fully aroused with bristling hair flaming eyes and sweeping tail he said facing his prey the boy saw that the end was coming and again fell upon his knees the crowd was hushed to stillness and awaited in deep excitement the new sena slaughtered the man who had been gazing so intently now rose upwards to direct still watching the scene below loud cries arose from behind him which increased still louder down sit down you obstruct the view but the man either did not hear or else purposely disregarded it at length the crowd grew so noisy that the officers below turned to see the cause lecolas was one of them turning around he saw the whole scene he started and grew pale as death marcellus he cried for a moment he staggered back but soon recovering he hurried away to the scene of the disturbance but now a deep murmur wrote forth from the multitude the tiger who had been walking round and round the boy lashing himself to greater fury now crushed for a spring the boy arose a seraphic expression was upon his face his eyes being with a lofty enthusiasm he saw no longer the arena the high surrounding walls the far extending seats with innumerable faces he saw no more the relentless eyes of the cruel spectators or that gigantic form of his savage enemy already his soaring spirit seemed to enter into the golden gates of new jerusalem and the ineffable glory of the new day of having gleamed upon his sight mother i come to thee lord jesus receive my spirit his word sounded clearly and sweetly upon the ears of the multitude they ceased in the tiger's spring the next moment these were nothing but a struggling mass half hidden in clouds of dust this struggle ended the tiger shuddered back the sand was red with blood and upon it lay the mangled form of the true hearted the noble polio then amid the silence the father came for the shout that sounded like a trumpet peel and startled everyone in the assembly oh death where is thy sting oh grave where is thy victory thanks be to god who give us the victory through our lord jesus christ a thousand men rose with a simultaneous burst of rage and indignation ten thousand hands were stretched toward that bold intruder a christian a christian to the flames with him throw him to the tiger hurl him into the arena such were the shouts that answered the cry the colas reached the spot just in time to rescue ourselves from a crowd of infuriated romans who were about to tear him in pieces the tiger below them was not more fierce more bloodthirsty than they the colas rushed among them dashing into the right and left as a keeper among wild beasts override by his authority they fell back at soldiers approached the colas gave ourselves in charge of them and led the company out of the amphitheater outside he took charge of the prisoner himself the soldiers followed them alas marcellus was it well to throw away your life i spoke from the impulse of the moment that dear boy whom i loved died before my eyes i could not restrain myself yet i do not repent i too am ready to lay down my life for my king and my god i cannot reason with you you are beyond the reach of argument i did not intend to betray myself but since it is done i am content nay i am glad and i rejoice that it is my lot to suffer for my redeemer alas my friend have you no regard for life i love my savior better than life see marcellus the road before us is open you can run quickly fly and be saved lecolas spoke this in a hurried whisper the soldiers were some 20 paces behind the changes were all in favor of escape marcellus pressed the hand of his friend whoa whoa whoa to the inhabitants of the earth lecolas sighed and walked on in silence end of chapter 13 chapter 14 of the martyr of the catacombs author unknown this is a libra box recording all libra box recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra box dot org chapter 14 the temptation all this i will give you if thou wilt fall down and worship me that night lecolas remained in the cell with his friend he sought by every possible argument to shake his resolution he appealed to every motive that commonly influences men he left no means of persuasion unused all in vain the faith of marcellus was too firmly fixed it was founded on the rock of ages and neither the storm of violent threats nor the more tender influences of friendship could weaken his determination no said he my course has taken and my choice is made come wheel come whoa i must follow it out to the end i know all that is before me i have weighed all the consequences of my action but in spite of all i will continue as i have begun it is but a small thing that i ask said lecolas i do not wish you to give up this religion forever but only for the present a terrible persecution is now raging and before its fury all must fall whether young or old high or low you have seen that no class or age is respected polio would have been saved if it had been possible there was a strong sympathy in his favor he was young and scarcely accountable for his errors he was also noble the last of an ancient family but the law was inexorable and he suffered its penalty sinna too might have been overlooked he was neither more nor less than a madman but so vehement is the zeal against christians that even his evident madness was no security whatever for him i know it well the prince of darkness struggles against the church of god but it is founded on a rock and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it have i not seen the good the pure the noble the holy and the innocent all suffer alike do i not know that there is no mercy for the christian i know it well long ago i have always been prepared for the consequences hear me marcellus i have said that i asked but a small thing this religion which you prize so highly need not be given up keep it if it must be so but make allowance for circumstances since the storm is raging bow before it take the course of a wise man not of a fanatic what is it that you would have me do it is this in the course of a few years a change will take place either the persecution will wear itself out or a reaction will take place or the emperor may die and other rulers with different feelings may succeed it will then be safe to be a christian when these people who are now afflicted may come back from their hiding places to occupy their old places and to rise to dignity and wealth remember this do not therefore throw away a life which yet may be serviceable to the state and happy to yourself cherish it for your own sake look about you now consider all these things leave aside your religion for a time and return to that of the state it need only be for a time thus you may escape from present danger and when happier times return you may go back and be a christian again it is impossible luculus it is abhorrent to my soul what can i thus be doubly a hypocrite would you ask me to procure my immortal soul to the world and to my god better to die at once for the severest tortures that can be inflicted you take such extreme views that i despair of saving you will you not look at this subject rationally it is not perjury but policy not hypocrisy but wisdom god forbid that i should do this thing in sin against him look further also you will not only benefit yourself but others these christians whom you love will be assisted by you far more than they are now in their present situation you know well that they are enabled to live by the sympathy and assistance of those who profess the religion of the state but in secret prefer the religion of the christians do you call these men hypocrites and perjurers are they not rather your benefactors and friends these men have never learned the christians faith and hope as i have they have never felt the new birth of the soul as i have they have not known the love of god springing up within their hearts to give them new feelings and hopes and desires for them to sympathize with the christians and to help them as a good thing but the christian who could be base enough to obscure his faith and deny the savor that redeemed him could never have enough generosity in his traitorous soul to assist his forsaken brethren then marcellus i have but one more offer to make and i go it is a last hope i do not know whether it will be possible or not i will try it however if i can but gain your consent it is this you need not abjure your faith you need not sacrifice to the gods you need not do anything whatever of which you disapprove let the past be forgotten return again not in heart but in outward appearance to what you were before you were then a gay light-hearted soldier devoted to your duties you never took any part in any religious services you were seldom present in the temples you passed your time in the camp and your devotions were in private you gathered your instruction from the books of the philosophers and not from the priests be all this again return to your duties appear again in public in company with me again join in pleasant conversation and devote yourself to your old pursuits this will be easy and pleasant to do and it will not require anything that is base or distasteful the authorities will overlook your absence and your misconduct and if they are not willing that you should be restored to all your former honors then you can be placed in your former command in your old legion all will then be well a little discretion will be needed a wise silence an apparent return to your former round of duties if you remain in Rome it will be thought that the tidings of your conversion to Christianity was wrong if you go abroad it will not be known i do not think luculus that the plan which you propose would be possible for many reasons proclamations have been made about me rewards have been offered from my apprehension and above all my last appearance in the Colosseum before the emperor himself was sufficient to take away all hopes of pardon yet even if it were possible i could not consent my savor cannot be worshiped in this way his followers must confess him openly whosoever he says is ashamed to confess me before men of him will i be ashamed before my father and the holy angels to deny him in my life or in the outward appearance is precisely the same as denying him by the formal manner which the law lays down this i cannot do i love him who first loved me and gave himself for me my highest joy is to proclaim him before men to die for him will be my noblest act and then martyrs crown my most glorious reward luculus said no more for he found that all persuasion was useless the remainder of the time was passed in conversation about other things marcellus did not waste these last precious hours which he passed with his friend filled with gratitude for his noble and generous affection he sought to recompense him by making him acquainted with the highest treasure that man can possess the religion of christ luculus listened to him patiently more through friendship than interest yet some at least of marcellus's words were impressed upon his memory on the following day the trial took place it was short and formal marcellus was immovable and received his condemnation with a calm demeanour the afternoon of the same day was the time appointed for him to suffer he was to die not by the wild beasts nor by the hand of the gladiator but by the keener torments of death by fire it was in that place where so many christians had already borne their witness to the truth that marcellus sealed his faith with his life the stake was placed in the center of the coliseum and the faggots were heaped high around it marcellus entered led on by the brutal keepers who added blows and ridicule to the horrors of the approaching punishment he looked around upon the vast circle of faces hard cruel and pitiless he looked upon the arena and thought of the thousands of christians who had preceded him in suffering and had gone from thence to join the noble army of martyrs who worshiped forever around the throne he thought of the children whose death he had witnessed and recalled once more their triumphant song and to him that loved us to him that washed us from our sins now the keepers seized him rudely and led him to the stake where they bound him with strong chains so that escape was impossible i am now ready to be offered murmur he and the time of my departure is at hand henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day now the torch was applied and the flames rose up and dense volumes of smoke concealed the martyr for a while from view when it passed away he was seen again standing amid the fire with upturned face and clasped hands the flames increased around him nearer and nearer they came devouring the faggots and enveloping him in a circle of fire now they threw over him a black veil of smoke again they dashed forward and licked him with their forked tongues but the martyr stood erect calm amid suffering serene amid his dreadful agony by faith clinging to his saviour he was there though they saw him not his everlasting arm was round about his faithful follower and his spirit inspired him nearer grew the flames and yet nearer life assailed more violently trembled in her citadel and the spirit prepared to wing its way to its mansion of rest at last the sufferer gave a convulsive start as though some sharper pang flashed resistlessly through him but he conquered his pain with a violent effort then he raised his arms on high and feebly waved them then with the last effort of expiring nature he cried out in a loud voice victory with the cry life seemed to depart for he fell forward amid the rushing flames and the soul of marcellus had ascended to the bosom of the father end of chapter 14 chapter 15 of the martyr of the catacombs author unknown this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org chapter 15 Luculus the memory of the just is blessed at the scene of torture and of death there was one spectator whose face full of agony was never turned away from Marcellus whose eyes saw every act and expression whose ears drank in every word long after all had departed he remained in the same place the only human being in all the vast extent of deserted seats at length he rose to go the old elasticity of his step had departed he moved with a slow and feeble gate his abstracted gaze and expression of pain made him look like a man suddenly struck with disease he motioned to some of the keepers who opened for him the gates that led to the arena bring me a cinerary urn said he and he walked forward to the dying embers a few fragments of crumbled bone pulverized by the violence of the flames were all that remained of Marcellus silently Luculus took the urn which the keeper brought him and collecting what human fragments he could he carried away the dust as he was leaving he was accosted by an old man he stopped mechanically what do you wish of me he said courteously i am a norious an elder among the christians a dear friend of mine was put to death this day in this place i have come to see if i could obtain his ashes it is well that you have addressed yourself to me venerable man said luculus had you proclaimed your name to others you would have been seized for there is a price on your head but i cannot grant your request marcellus is dead and his ashes are here in this urn they will be deposited in the tomb of my family with the highest ceremonies for he was my dearest friend and his loss makes the earth a blank to me and life a burden you then said honorius can be none other than luculus a fume i have so often heard him speak in words of affection i am he never were there two friends more faithful than we if it had been possible i would have saved him he would never have been arrested had he not thrown himself into the hands of the law oh hard fate at a time when i had made arrangements that he should never be arrested he came before the emperor himself and i was compelled with my own hands to lead him whom i loved to prison and to death what is your loss is to him immeasurable gain he has entered into the possession of immortal happiness his death was a triumph said luculus the death of christians i have noticed before but never before have i been so struck by their hope and confidence marcellus died as though death were an unspeakable blessing it was so to him but not more so than to many others who lie buried in the gloomy place where we are forced to dwell to their numbers i wish to add the remains of marcellus would you be willing to part with them i had hoped venerable honorius that since my dear friend had left me i might have at least the mournful pleasure of giving to his remains the last pious honors and of weeping at his tomb but noble luculus would not your friend have preferred a burial with the sacred ceremonies of his new faith and a resting place among those martyrs with whose names his is now associated forever luculus was silent and thought for some time at length he spoke of his wishes there can be no doubt i will respect them and deny myself the honor of performing the funerial rites take them honorius but i will nevertheless assist at your services will you permit the soldier whom you only know as your enemy to enter your retreat and to witness your acts you should be welcome noble luculus even as marcellus was welcome before you and perhaps you will receive among us the same blessing that was granted to him do not hope for anything like that said luculus i am far different from marcellus in taste and feeling i might learn to feel kindly toward you or even to admire you but never to join you come with us then whatever you are and assist in the funeral services of your friend a messenger will come for you tomorrow luculus signified his assent and after handing over the precious earned to the care of honorius he went sadly to his own home on the following day he went with the messenger to the catacombs there he saw the christian community and beheld the place of their abode but from the previous accounts of his friend he had gained a clear idea of their life their sufferings and their afflictions again the mournful wail arose in the dim vaults and echoed along the arched passageways that wail that spoke of a new brother committed to the grave but the grief that spoke of mortal sorrow was succeeded by a loftier strain that expressed the faith of the aspiring soul and a hope full of immortality honorius took the precious scroll the word of life whose promises were so powerful to sustain amid the heaviest burden of grief and in solemn tones read that chapter in the first epistle to the carinthians which in every age and in every climb has been so dear to the heart that looked beyond the realms of time to seek for refuge in the prospect of the resurrection then he raised his head and in fervent tones offered up a prayer to the holy one of heaven through christ the divine mediator by whom death and the grave had been conquered and immortal life secured the pale sad face of luculus was conspicuous among the mourners if he was not a christian he could still admire such glorious doctrines and listen with pleasure to such exalted hopes it was he who placed the loved ashes within their final resting place he whose eyes took the last look at the dear remains and he whose hands lifted to its place the slab were on the name and the epitaph of marcellus was engraven luculus went to his home but he was a changed man the gaiety of his nature seemed to have been driven out by the severe afflictions that he had endured he had rightly said that he would not become a christian the death of his friend had filled him with sadness but there was no sorrow for sin no repentance no desire for a knowledge of god he had lost the power of taking pleasure in the world but had gained no other source of happiness yet the memory of his friend produced one effect on him he felt a sympathy for the poor and oppressed people with whom marcellus had associated he admired their constancy and pitied their unmerited sufferings he saw that all the virtue and goodness left in Rome were in the possession of these poor outcasts these feelings led him to give them his assistance he transferred to them the friendship and the promise of aid which he had once given to marcellus his soldiers arrested no more or if they did arrest any they were sure to escape in some way his high position vast wealth and boundless influence were all at the service of the christians his palace was well known to them as their surest place of refuge or assistance and his name was honored as that of their most powerful human friend but all things have an end and so the constant sufferings of the christians and the friendship of lakullus at length were brought to a termination in about a year after the death of marcellus the stern emperor deces was overthrown and a new ruler entered into the imperial power the persecution was stayed peace returned to the church and the christians came forth from the catacombs again to dwell within the glad light of day again to sound in the ears of men the praises of him who had redeemed them and again to carry on their never-ending contest with the hosts of evil years passed on but no change came to lakullus when honorius came from the catacombs he was taken by lakullus to his own palace and maintained there for the rest of his life he sought to repay his debt of gratitude to his noble benefactor by making him acquainted with the truth but he died without seeing his desires gratified the blessing came at last but not till years had passed away far on beyond the prime of manhood even upon the borders of old age lakullus found the savior for years the world had lost all charms wealth and honor and power were nothing to him his life was tinged with sadness that nothing could cure but the spirit of god at length entered into his heart and through his divine power he at last was enabled to rejoice in the love of that savior of whose power over the human heart he had witnessed so many striking proofs fifteen centuries have rolled over the city of the caesars since the persecutions of desius drove the humble followers of jesus into the gloomy catacombs let us take our stand upon the apian way and look around before us goes the long array of tombs up to the ancient city here the mighty men of rome once found a resting place carrying with them even to their graves all the pomp of wealth of glory and of power beneath our feet are the rude graves of those whom in life they cast out as unworthy to breathe the same air of heaven now what a change around us lie these stately tombs all in ruins their sanctity desecrated their doors broken down their dust scattered to the winds the names of those who are buried here are unknown the empire which they reared has fallen forever the legions which they led to conquer have slept the sleep that knows no waking but on the memory of the persecuted ones who rest below a world looks back adoring their sepulcher has become a place of pilgrimage and the work in which they took such a noble part has been handed down to us to be perpetuated forever more humbled despised outcast afflicted fame may not have written their names upon the scroll of history yet this much we know these are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb therefore are they before the throne of god and serve him day and night in his temple and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them they shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat for the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them under living fountains of waters and god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes the end end of chapter 15 end of the martyr of the catacombs