5. POLYCARP.

POLYCARP was the hearer and pupil of John the Evangelist; and by him was constituted bishop of Smyrna. He was venerable for years, as well as for long and distinguished service in the cause of Christ, having been a follower of Christ for eighty-six years, and active in the ministry about seventy. During the fourth primitive persecution, this eminent servant of God was called to wear the crown of martyrdom. Germanicus, a young and true Christian, when delivered over to wild beasts on account of his faith, behaved with such astonishing courage, that several Pagans became converts to Christianity. This so enraged the persecutors that they began to cry out, "Destroy the wicked men; let Polycarpus be sought for." A great uproar and tumult then ensued. Polycarp, hearing that persons were after him to apprehend him, escaped; but he was discovered by a child. From this circumstance, and having dreamed that his bed had suddenly taken fire and was consumed in a moment, he concluded that it was God's will that he should suffer martyrdom. He therefore did not attempt to make a second escape when he had an opportunity of so doing. Those who arrested him were amazed at his serenity of countenance and gravity. After supplying food to the soldiers who had arrested him, he requested that he might have an hour for prayer; which being granted, he prayed with such fervency and power, that his guards began to repent that they had been instrumental in taking him.

When he was brought before the tribunal, the proconsul, struck with his great age and venerable appearance, besought him, saying, "Have pity on thine own great age; swear by the fortune of Cæsar; repent, ab

jure the atheists,"-meaning Christians. Polycarp, casting his eyes solemnly over the multitude, waving his hand towards them, and looking up to heaven, said, "Take away these atheists,"-meaning the idolaters and persecutors around him. The pro-consul still continued to urge him: "Swear, and I will release thee; reproach Christ." The venerable bishop calmly replied: "Eighty and six years have I served him, and he hath never wronged me; and how can I blaspheme my God and King who hath saved me!" "But I have wild beasts," said the pro-consul, “and I will expose you to them unless you repent." "Call them," said the martyr. "I will tame your spirit by fire," said the Roman. "You threaten me," said Polycarp, "with the fire which burns only for a moment, but are yourself ignorant of the fire of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly." The pro-consul, finding it impossible to shake his steadfastness, adjudged him to the flames. But in their midst. he sung praises to God, and exclaimed, "O Father of thy beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ! O God of all principalities and of all creation! I bless thee, that thou hast counted me worthy of this day and this hour, to receive my portion in the number of the martyrs-in the cup of Christ."

6. JUSTIN MARTYR.

He was

He had

THIS celebrated Christian philosopher and martyr suffered not long after Polycarp. He had been favoured with the best education the times could afford. a great lover of truth, and a universal scholar. investigated the different systems of philosophy then in vogue; and had also travelled into Egypt, where the polite tour for improvement was made in that age. was especially conversant with the Platonic philosophy,

which he had embraced, and in which he took great delight. When about thirty years of age, he became a convert to Christianity, and soon after wrote an elegant epistle to the Gentiles, to convert them to the Christian faith. He likewise employed his talents to convince the Jews of the truth of the Christian doctrines. After travelling for some time, he at length fixed his residence in Rome. Here he addressed to the emperor Antonius, to the Senate and people, an apology in favour of the persecuted Christians. This apology, it is said, displays great learning and genius, and induced the emperor to publish an edict in favour of the Christians.

A short time after, he entered into a controversy with. Crescens, a person of vicious life, but a celebrated cynic philosopher. His arguments only exasperated the philosopher, and he determined upon his destruction. An occasion to accomplish this was soon offered. Two Christians being put to death, Justin wrote a second apology, commenting upon the severities exercised towards them. His cynic antagonist seized upon the opportunity to prejudice the mind of the emperor against him. He was accordingly apprehended, and commanded to deny his faith and to sacrifice to the gods. This he firmly refused to do; and, after being scourged, he was finally beheaded, and thus suffered martyrdom for the truth.

7. EPIPODIUS AND ALEXANDER.

AMONG the martyrs of Lyons, in the year of our Lord 177, were Epipodius and Alexander, celebrated for their strong Christian affection for each other. When the persecution began first to rage at Lyons, they were in the prime of life, and to avoid its severities they thought proper to withdraw to a neighbouring village. Here they were for some time concealed by a Christian

widow. But their malicious persecutors sought after them with indefatigable industry, and pursued them to their place of concealment, whence they were committed to prison without examination. At the expiration of three days, when brought before the governor, they were examined in the presence of a crowd of heathen: here they boldly confessed Christ, upon which the enraged governor exclaimed, "What signifies all the former persecutions, if some yet remain who dare to acknowledge Christ."

"They were then separated, that they should not console with each other, and he began to tamper with Epipodius, the youngest of the two. He pretended to pity his condition, and entreated him not to ruin himself by obstinacy. Our deities,' continued he, ‘are worshipped by the greater part of the universe, and their rulers; we adore them with feasting and mirth, while you adore a crucified man; we, to honour them, launch into pleasures-you, by your faith, are debarred from all that indulges the senses. Our religion enjoins feasting, yours fasting; ours the joys of licentious blandishment, yours the barren virtue of chastity. Can you expect protection from one who could not secure himself from the persecution of a contemptible people? Then quit a profession of such austerity, and enjoy those gratifications which the world affords, and which your youthful years demand.' Epipodius, in reply, contemning his compassion: Your pretended tenderness,' said he, is actual cruelty; and the agreeable life you describe, is replete with everlasting death. Christ suffered for us, that our pleasure should be immortal, and hath prepared for his followers an eternity of bliss. The frame of man being composed of two parts, body and soul, the first, as mean and perishable, should be rendered subservient to the latter. Your idolatrous feasts may gratify the mortal, but they injure the immortal part: that cannot,

therefore, be enjoying life which destroys the most valuable moiety of frame.

"Your pleasures lead to eternal death, and our pains to eternal happiness.'

"For this rational speech, Epipodius was severely beaten and then put to the rack, upon which being stretched, his flesh was torn with iron hooks. Having borne his torments with incredible patience and fortitude, he was taken from the rack and beheaded. Alexander, his companion, was brought before the judges two days after his execution; and on his absolute refusal to renounce Christianity, he was placed on the rack and beaten by three executioners, who relieved each other alternately. He bore his sufferings with as much fortitude as his friend had done, and at length was crucified."

8. VIVIA PERPETUA.

MR. MILMAN says, that "of all the histories of martyrdom, none is so unexaggerated in its tone and language

-so entirely unencumbered with miracle; none abounds in such exquisite touches of nature, or, on the whole, from its minuteness and circumstantiality, breathes such an air of truth and reality, as that of Perpetua and Felicitas," who suffered martyrdom at Carthage, about the year of our Lord 202.

Vivia Perpetua was a woman of good family, liberal education, about twenty-two years of age, honourably married, and her first-born child still an infant at the breast. When her father, who alone of all the family continued a heathen, heard that his daughter was informed against, he sought, by every art of persuasion, and even resorted to compulsion, to induce her to surrender her faith. Soon after, she was thrown into prison. Here the darkness of the prison, the dreadful heat occa