The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

were put to the most cruel tortures and were condemned to meet death in the most
barbarous forms, notwithstanding their perfect innocence, and their persevering and
solemn denial of the horrid crimes laid to their charge. The imperial edicts were so
positive and express against inflicting punishment upon such of the Christians as were
guilty of no crime, that the corrupt judges, who, through motives of interest or popularity,
desired their destruction, were obliged to suborn false accusers to charge them with
actions that might bring them within the reach of the laws. Hence many fell victims to
cruel superstition and popular fury, seconded by the corruption of a wicked magistracy,
and the connivance of a prince [Marcus Aurelius], who, with respect to one set of men,
forgot those principles of justice and clemency which directed his conduct toward all
others. Among these victims, there were many men of illustrious piety, and some of
eminent learning and abilities, such as the holy and venerable Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna,
and Justin Martyr, so deservedly renowned for his erudition and philosophy."
Amongst the many martyrs of the third century were Vivia Perpetua and Felicitas; the
former being only about twenty-two years of age, and Felicitas even younger. Both were
young in the faith, of good family, liberal education, and honorably married. The history
of Perpetua's martyrdom, except the closing death scene, is related by herself, and is said
to have been written by her own hand. The Historian Milman has given a long account of
the sufferings of Perpetua. From her own account we give a brief extract:
"'When we were in the hands of the persecutors, my father in his tender affection
persevered in his endeavors to pervert me from the faith [to persuade her to give up her
faith in Christ].' Her reply, in the face of a terrible death, was: ' "My father, this vessel
[pointing to one near], be it a pitcher or anything else, can we call it by any other name?"
"Certainly not," he replied. "Nor can I call myself by any other name than that of
Christian?" My father looked as if he could have plucked my eyes out; but he only
harassed me, and departed, persuaded by the arguments of the devil. Then, after being a
few days without seeing my father, I was enabled to give thanks to God, and his absence
was tempered to my spirit. After a few days we were baptized, and the waters of baptism
seemed to give power of endurance to my body. Again in a few days and we were cast
into prison. I was terrified; for I had never before seen such total darkness. O miserable
day! from the dreadful heat of the prisoners crowded together and the insults of the
soldiers. But I was wrung with solicitude for my infant. Two of our deacons, however, by
the payment of money, obtained our removal for some hours in the day to a more open
part of the prison. Each of the captives then pursued his usual occupation. In my anxiety, I
addressed and consoled my mother, and commended my child to my brother; and I began
to pine away at seeing them pine away on my account. And for many days I suffered this
anxiety, and accustomed my child to remain in the prison with me; and I immediately
recovered my strength, and was relieved from my toil and trouble for my infant, and the
prison became to me like a palace; and I was happier there than I should have been
anywhere else. . . .
"'After a few days there was a rumor that we were to be heard. And my father came from
the city, wasted away with anxiety, to pervert me; and he said, "Have compassion, O my