Martyrs of the Catacombs - Anonymous

More documents

Recommendations

Info

the arena." "No one can save me when 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 Lucullus overcome with amazement at this proposal. 99
Marcellus returned to the Catacombs in safety. The brethren there who knew of his errand received him again with mournful joy. The lady Caecilia 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 of 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 uttered with the deepest fervor. At length the end came. Starting from a long period of stillness, her eyes opened wide, a flush passed over her wan and emaciated face and she uttered a faint cry, "Come, Lord Jesus!" With the cry life went out, and the pure spirit of the lady Caecilia had returned unto God who gave it. 100
Page 1 and 2:
MARTYRS OF THE CATACOMBS Anonymous
Page 3 and 4:
loud and as eager as that of the pl
Page 5 and 6:
These two again attacked each other
Page 7 and 8:
"Without doubt he has been fighting
Page 9 and 10:
kill." Whereupon a mighty murmur ar
Page 11 and 12:
An old man entered upon the scene.
Page 13 and 14:
Chapter 2 The Pretorian Camp "Corne
Page 15 and 16:
"How have they produced this?" "By
Page 17 and 18:
"You do not seem very glad." "I con
Page 19 and 20:
"Are none resolute enough to contin
Page 21 and 22:
and the Sarvilii. Still further his
Page 23 and 24:
At length his search was rewarded.
Page 25 and 26:
"Now, boy, tell me the truth. Do yo
Page 27 and 28:
"You would not dare to go down alon
Page 29 and 30:
Chapter 4 The Catacombs "No light,
Page 31 and 32:
Christian Tomb The passage wound al
Page 33 and 34:
"Very soon," said the boy. Whatever
Page 35 and 36:
prayer. Addressing the invisible Go
Page 37 and 38:
us now what you want with us." "My
Page 39 and 40:
studied all the writings of the phi
Page 41 and 42:
"What you have sought for all your
Page 43 and 44:
"'Him who loved us, Who washed us f
Page 45 and 46:
the song of the Christian: "Unto Hi
Page 47 and 48:
VALIANT MARTYR. HE LIVED ABOUT THIR
Page 49 and 50: monster?" "That is Jonah, a prophet
Page 51 and 52: Valeria Dormit in Pace THE SLEEPING
Page 53 and 54: of more tender affection to his fri
Page 55 and 56: MY WIFE LAURENTIA MADE ME THIS TOMB
Page 57 and 58: elentless persecutors, now associat
Page 59 and 60: "All the persecutions which we have
Page 61 and 62: eturn, concealing nothing whatever.
Page 63 and 64: he will fight what becomes of disci
Page 65 and 66: The two young men embraced, and Mar
Page 67 and 68: For in one hour so great riches is
Page 69 and 70: were in search of the dead which ha
Page 71 and 72: like a city of refuge. Here lay the
Page 73 and 74: knew what was before them, and they
Page 75 and 76: line between themselves and the hea
Page 77 and 78: efforts for the support of the body
Page 79 and 80: attended the temples and assisted a
Page 81 and 82: And they loved not their lives unto
Page 83 and 84: After obtaining the requisite suppl
Page 85 and 86: "Away," cried Marcellus in a tone o
Page 87 and 88: "What has delayed you, Marcellus? W
Page 89 and 90: And her branches unto the river. Wh
Page 91 and 92: "Of the death of Chrysippus!" "Chry
Page 93 and 94: him away." "Pretorians?" said Marce
Page 95 and 96: "Yes, Lucullus, though afflicted I
Page 97 and 98: girls whose death-song once struck
Page 99: "This boy you have a prisoner. That
Page 103 and 104: "What is your age?" "Thirteen years
Page 105 and 106: existence in want and danger and da
Page 107 and 108: words and make professions of coura
Page 109 and 110: Chapter 13 The Death of Pollio "Be
Page 111 and 112: But now, even in the midst of the t
Page 113 and 114: cause. Lucullus was one of them. Tu
Page 115 and 116: "I did not intend to betray myself,
Page 117 and 118: God, but it is founded on a rock, a
Page 119 and 120: your misconduct, and if they are no
Page 121 and 122: smoke concealed the martyr for a wh
Page 123 and 124: "It is well that you have addressed
Page 125 and 126: arched passage ways, that wail that
Page 127 and 128: of whose power over the human heart
show all

Martyrs of the Catacombs - Anonymous

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?