sioned by the crowd of the prisoners, and the rude insults of the soldiers, greatly terrified her. She was also wrung with solicitude about her infant. Through the kindness of those who had charge of her she was permitted to inhale the fresh air, and to nurse her infant for several hours each day. She addressed a letter of consolation and encouragement to her mother, and commended her infant child to the care of her brother. Upon her examination, her faith and constancy were subjected to a most fearful trial. After her fellow-prisoners had all confessed that they were Christians, and before Perpetua had opportunity to do it in the customary form, her father appeared before her with her infant in his arms. He drew her down the step, and besought her, for his sake, for the sake of her mother, for the sake of her helpless offspring, and for the sake of the whole family, to abjure Christ. Hilarianus, the procurator, moved by the deeply affecting scene, joined in the entreaties of the father. "Spare," said he, "spare the gray hairs of your parent; spare your infant; offer sacrifice for the welfare of the emperor." Great was the struggle in her breast; but grace triumphed over nature, and she said, "I am not in my own power, but in that of God." Then said the procurator, "Art thou a Christian?" Calmly and distinctly she answered, "I am a Christian." She was then condemned to be given up to the wild beasts. But she returned to her prison filled with joy. Her child was now taken entirely away from her, but she bore the privation with uncommon fortitude. In her confinement, she was filled with unspeakable comfort, and her soul often ravished with visions of coming glory.

As the day of execution drew near, her father again visited her. He was haggard with affliction, he plucked out his beard, fell before her with his face in the dust, and with the most pathetic and heart-rending exclama

tions, besought her to save her life by renouncing Christ. But her determination was unalterably fixed. She had counted the cost, and she could say, "None of these things move me." When the day of execution arrived, the prisoners, consisting of Perpetua and Felicitas, and three men who had been condemned, walked forth with erect and cheerful countenances. On reaching the gate of the amphitheatre, the officers, according to custom, began to clothe the men in the dresses of the priests of Saturn, and the women in those of the priestesses of Ceres. But when they remonstrated against the injustice of being compelled by force to do that, for refusing which they were willing to lay down their lives, the tribune granted them the privilege of dying in their own habits.

They then entered the amphitheatre; when Perpetua advanced singing hymns, and her three male companions solemnly exhorting the people as they went along. Coming in view of the pro-prætor, they said, "You judge us, but God will judge you." This so enraged the populace, that, at their request, all the three were scourged; but in this they rejoiced, as having the honour to share in one part of the sufferings of their Saviour.

When the wild beasts were let loose upon the three men, the first was instantly killed by several rushing upon him at once; the second was killed by a leopard and a bear. The third was first dragged about by a wild bull, then delivered over to a leopard; and when a stream of blood gushed out at one of his bites, the multitude ridiculed him, and cried out, that he was baptized with blood! Not being quite killed he was taken away and was next day beheaded, continuing steadfast to the end.

The two females were stripped naked and enclosed in nets to be gored by a wild cow. But even the excited

populace shrank with horror at the spectacle of two young and delicate women in that state. They were recalled by acclamation, and brought forward again in loose robes. Perpetua was first tossed in the air by the beast; but her injuries were not mortal, and she soon arose, adjusted her dress, and then raised up her fainting and mortally wounded companion. She seemed now to be in an ecstacy of soul, and inquired how long before the scene would close. Her last words were tenderly addressed to her brother, exhorting him to be steadfast in the faith. She and her companion then gave to each other the kiss of charity, and resignedly submitted themselves to the stroke of the executioner.

Who can behold young and delicate women passing unmoved through such a scene as this without being filled with wonder and astonishment? What courage of the hero upon the battle-field can compare with this? Moral heroism is always sublime, but this is the most sublime form of its manifestation. How inestimable and glorious the riches of that grace that can effect such signal triumphs!

9. BLANDINA.

THE following account of the martyrdom of Blandina of Vienne, about the close of the second century, is taken mainly from Lardner's translation of the history of the sufferings of the martyrs of that time. "When her friends and fellow-pilgrims in the kingdom and patience of Christ were all in pain for her, lest, upon account of the infirmity of her body, she should not be able to make an open confession, she was furnished with such strength, that they, who by turns tortured her all manner of ways from morning to evening, became feeble and faint, and acknowledged themselves overcome, there

being nothing more that they could do to her. And they wondered that she had any breath left, her whole body having been torn and mangled; declaring that any one kind of torture, used by them, was sufficient to deprive her of life, much more so many and so great. But she seemed to renew her strength; and it was a refreshment and an abatement of the torments inflicted upon her to say, 'I am a Christian: nor is there any wickedness practised among us.'

"Afterwards she was brought into the amphitheatre; and having been hung upon a stake, was left for a prey • to wild beasts, which were let out upon her. Here she seemed like one hanging upon the cross, and earnestly prayed unto God. None of the wild beasts touching her at that time, she was taken down from the stake, and sent again to prison, being reserved for another combat; that, having overcome in many encounters, she might be an encouragement to the brethren, when she, who was of little account, infirm, and despicable, being clothed with the great and invincible champion, having often overcome the enemy, obtained an incorruptible crown of glory.

"After all these, on the last day of the shows, Blandina was again brought in, with a young man named Ponticus, about fifteen years of age; who had also been every day successively brought in to see the sufferings of the others. They now were required to swear by their idols; but, as they remained firm, and set their gods at naught, the multitude was greatly incensed against them, so that they had no compassion on the age of the young man, nor any respect for the sex of the other, but exposed them to all manner of sufferings, and made them go through the whole circle of tortures, at times calling out to them to swear, without being able to effect it. For Ponticus, animated and established by his sister, as the Gentiles also perceived, after having

courageously endured every kind of torment, expired. But the blessed Blandina, the last of all, having, like a good mother, encouraged her children, and sent them before her, victors to the King; after having again measured over the same course of combats that her sons had passed through, hastened to them, rejoicing and exulting at her departure, as if she had been invited to a weddingsupper, and not cast to wild beasts. After she had been scourged, after she had been exposed to wild beasts, and after the iron chair, she was enclosed in a net, and thrown to a bull: having been often tossed by the beast, she was at length run through with a sword.

10. LAURENTIUS.

LAURENTIUS, generally called St. Laurence, the principal of the deacons, who taught and preached under Sextus, followed him to the place of execution,* when Sextus predicted that he should meet him in heaven three days after. Laurentius considering this as a certain indication of his own approaching martyrdom, at his return collected all the Christian poor, and distributed among them all the treasures of the Church, which had been committed to his care, thinking the money could not be better disposed of, or less liable to fall into the hands of the heathen. His conduct alarmed the persecutors, who seized on him, and commanded him to give an immediate account to the emperor of the Church treasures.

Laurentius promised to satisfy them, but begged a short respite to put things in proper order; when three days being granted him he was suffered to depart; whereupon, with great diligence, he collected together a great number of aged, helpless, and impotent poor, and

Sextus, bishop of Rome, suffered martyrdom, A. D. 258.