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THE

SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN HERALD,

CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH.

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THE TRIAL OF THREE PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS. *
BY THE REV. ROBERT JAMIESON,
Minister of Currie, Mid-Lothian.

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No general description of the instruments of against the emperor, and contempt of the laws, torture and modes of capital punishment, can by having joined the forbidden worship of the convey so vivid a picture of the ordeal through Christians. Three of them in particular, Tharawhich the primitive Christians were made to pass, cus, Probus, and Andronicus, have distinguished as an unvarnished and circumstantial detail of a themselves by their opposition to the gods of the particular case: and to the reader, who feels an empire, and seem to be leaders of the odious sect. interest in tracing the history of the early be- Is it the pleasure of your excellency that they lievers, an important and grateful service may be shall be called?" Maximus having signified asrendered by giving an authentic account of the sent, Tharacus, as being the eldest, and the examination of some ancient confessors such as highest in rank, was first placed at the bar. may afford a specimen of the conversations that the appearance of the prisoner, the judge thus were carried on respecting Christianity before the addressed him :-"What is your name?" "I Roman tribunals, and the numberless barbarities am a Christian." "Away with that detestable inflicted on its stedfast disciples. The following slang, and answer me, What is your name?” “I narrative of the trial and sentence of three Asiatic am a Christian." "Smite him on the mouth Christians, who, in the persecution of Diocletian, and now, Sir, I hope you will learn not to answer were arraigned before the Proprætor at Tarsus, one thing for another. I ask, for the third time, for the crime of professing the Christian faith,- What is your name?" "If you mean what name and who, among a vast multitude, sealed their I am called by in the world, my parents gave me testimony to the truth, with their blood, in that the name of Tharacus, and when I was in the place is selected, not only from the minuteness ranks, they called me Victor." "What is your with which the proceedings have been recorded, condition in life?" "I was bred to the military but from its affording examples of almost all the profession. I am descended of a Roman family, different modes of punishment then resorted to and I am now a Christian." "You still avow against the Christians. We give it at large, not that name? In consideration of your grey hairs, from any fondness for such scenes of barbarity, I am anxious to favour you, and to procure for but in order that the modern reader may know you good-will and honour from the emperorssomething of the terrible ordeal through which provided you will obey them. Go forward to the the early Christians had often to pass, in con- altar, and sacrifice, as the emperors themselves do tending for the faith once delivered to the saints. in every quarter of the world." " They are under When the assizes were held, and the governor, a gross delusion of the devil." "Knock out his Maximus, had taken his seat on the bench, the foreteeth, for his impertinence in saying the emcenturion, who was also the principal officer of perors are under delusion." THARACUS,-(Bleedthe court, rose and said, " May it please your ex-ing at the mouth, and speaking with an altered cellency, we have a vast number of prisoners now in custody, and waiting to stand trial for treason

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voice) replied, after a pause, "What I said be-
fore, I say again, that, as men, they are liable to
err. The JUDGE rejoined, "Sacrifice to the
gods of your fathers, and quit this folly."
"I do
serve the God of my fathers, not, however, by
[SECOND SERIES. VOL. I.

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"That name

bloody sacrifices, for he has no need of such sa- | your folly ?" PROBUS.-"I am guilty of no crifices, but by purity in heart and in life." "I pity your old age. I perceive you are in your dotage, and I advise you, as a friend, to leave off this nonsense, to respect the emperors, and observe the laws of our fathers." "I do not depart from the law of my fathers." Approach the altar, then, and offer incense." "I cannot be guilty of impiety; I told you that I honour and respect the law of my ancestors." "What other law is there, you wretched old man, than that which requires you to sacrifice ?" "The law which you are violating, in giving worship to blocks of stone and wood." 66 Give him a blow on the back of the neck. Now, Sir, will you quit this folly ?" THARACUS."I cannot; what you call foolishness, I count the highest wisdom." MAXIMUS." I shall make you quit it, and show you the way to be wise." "Do your utmost. I am in your power." Strip him, and scourge him on the back." THARACUS.(Speaking with a low voice, and faint through loss of blood,) "Now you have indeed made me wiser than I was before; your blows have made me feel more of the supporting power of grace, and given me more confidence in the name of God and of his Christ." "Wretched man, will you abjure the gods, and yet confess that you serve two gods? You just now named as your God one Christ, a man that died on the cross." "He was indeed a man, but he was also the Son of the living God: he is the hope of us Christians. It is through him we hope to be saved from sin and suffering." "Are you lost to all reason? have done with this absurdity; take my advice and sacrifice." "It is now sixty years ago since I was educated in the religion of Jesus. I have long clung to it as the truth by which I am to| be saved, and I cannot abandon it in my old age." "My friend, have pity on yourself, take my advice, sacrifice like the rest of your countrymen." "Get thee behind me, Satan," was the indignant reply of Tharacus; "keep your own counsel for yourself." "Put the prisoner in close irons, and take him back to his cell. Bring out the next."

folly; I am wiser than you, I don't worship devils as you do." "Turn him and lash him on the belly." "Lord, stand by and support thy servant." JUDGE." Look at your wretched carcass, the ground is deluged with your blood." PRISONER." The more that my body suffers, the more my soul is strengthened." "Put him in irons; stretch his legs to the fourth hole, and let no one visit him. Bring in the third prisoner." ANDRONICUS being placed at the bar, MAXIMUS addressed him in a stern voice,-"Tell me, without any slang, what is your name?" ANDRONICUS." I am a Christian." has been of no use to your accomplices, and you had better have done with it. Once more, Sir, and in plain language, what is your name?" "If my ordinary name among men is what you want, it is at your service. I am called Andronicus; I am a patrician by birth, and the heir of a large patrimonial estate." Young man, I wish to speak to you as a father: believe me, those who have been here before you have gained nothing by their mad freaks; do you honour the emperors, sacrifice to the gods, and you will leave our presence with honour." "To sacrifice to your gods, is to sacrifice to devils." "Your youth renders you forward, and I wish to bear with you; but carry this presumption of yours no farther." "I am young in age, but my mind is ripe, and prepared for the worst." "Be persuaded, while you have it in your power, to leave off your fanaticism, and sacrifice, otherwise I must put you on the rack." "Believe me, I am as courageous as those who went before me. I defy your rack." JUDGE."Strip him, and bind him hand and foot on the horse.-I give you one opportunity more,—sacrifice, and all will be well." "I thank you for your counsel. It is well meant; but I have never, and I cannot now, sacrifice to devils." "Wretch, are you insensible to torments? Have pity on yourself, and do not throw away a life so young, foolish a cause." "What you call a foolish cause is the way to heaven and eternal life.” "Do quit this folly, which, by the law of the empire, is trea The centurion removed Tharacus, still bleed- son, otherwise I must order the torture in the ing at the mouth, and suffering severe pain from severest form." "Do as you please." The the deep furrows that the scourge had made on Judge made a signal to the executioner to step his back. In a few moments the officer returned, forward, and then said with a loud voice,-" Put leading in Probus. JUDGE. "What is your both legs in the boot." * May God plead the name ?" PRISONER.-66 "The name in which cause of his servant. (To the Judge) I have above all I glory is that of Christian, but among done no ill, and yet you torment me as a murderer." men I am commonly called Probus." "What is "You show impiety to the gods-you despise the your condition in life ?" "I am a Thracian by emperors and my tribunal, and yet you have the birth; I was a tradesman, and am now a Chris- audacity to say, you are guilty of no crime?" tian." "That name is of no use to you; sacri- "All I wish to do is, to maintain piety towards fice to the gods, and that will be of use." "Im-God." "If you were pious you would honour the possible; I had amassed a large fortune by trade. I allowed it to be forfeited. I took joyfully the spoiling of my goods for the sake of Christ." Strip him of his upper garment; lay him on his face on the ground, and lash him till I tell you to stop." MAXIMUS.-(Giving a sign to the lictors to stop,) "Will you now, Sir, quit

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in so

gods whom the emperors honour." "That would be impiety-not piety-to forsake the living God, and worship wood and stones." "Do you presume to say that the emperors are impious?" Yes; in my opinion, they are." "Harrow his

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The word "boot" is not the exact translation, but the instru ment used, was an engine made for the whole leg, from the thigh

down to the toes, every part of which was most violently compressed.

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sides with the flesh hooks." "Do your worst." |
Plange them into his ribs, and then sprinkle salt
on the red flesh. I will make you perish by inches,
you odious wretch." "I am not moved by your
menaces. My resolution will bear me out against
all the inventions of your malice. I can smile on
your tortures!"
After the horrid order had been
executed, the judge said, "Put him in irons from
head to foot, and remove him to his cell."

After lying for a considerable time in prison, the three Christians were again brought before the governor to answer for their religion in the same order as before. MAXIMUS. "In the minds of most men there is a feeling of respect for old age, as it is generally accompanied with good sense. I wish, Tharacus, to respect your grey hairs, and hope you will enable me, by making a public recantation of the foolish notions of the Christians. Sacrifice to the gods of your country, and your conduct will meet the applause it deserves." THARACUS, (In a calm and respectful manner,) May it please your excellency, I am a Christian. As for the applause you speak of, I care not for it. I pray earnestly that you and the emperors may be delivered from your present blindness." Strike him on the mouth,-dash out his teeth with a stone. (After a pause,)—Are you prepared now, Tharacus, to abandon your folly ?" "If I were to sacrifice I should be chargeable with folly as you." "Look at your scattered teeth on the ground, and take pity on yourself, miserable old man." "You could not afflict me, though you should deprive me of every member, one after another. I stand stedfast and immoveable in the strength of Jesus Christ."

Tharacus, after this, remained silent, and to several questions of the judge made no reply. Maximus at length exclaimed hastily," Strike him across the mouth until he cry;" upon which Tharacus said," My teeth are all out, my jaws are broken,—I cannot speak to be understood." "And, in that wretched state, the consequence of your obstinacy and folly, will you not yet obey? Approach the altar and sacrifice." "Though you have deprived me of the power of speech, you cannot change the sentiments of my mind; on the contrary, you have made me more firm by your torments." "I could easily conquer your firmness, miserable man." "I am ready for your worst assaults. I will surmount them all through the grace of God." "Open his hands, and put live coals on them from the fire of the altar." "I am not afraid of your temporal fire; I dread only the everlasting fire of hell, if I obey you." Now, Sir, both your hands are useless by the fire-quit your folly, madman, and sacrifice." "You speak to me as if I refused to submit to your cruel usage. Learn now, at least, that I cannot be moved by any pains the most exquisite you can inflict." "Tie him up by the feet, and put a smart smoking fire near his face." "I don't fear either your fire or your smoke." "While he is hanging with his head downmost pour a mixture of salt and vinegar into his eyes and nostrils.

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Mix some mustard with the vinegar. And, Sir, if these have no effect in subduing your obstinacy, I shall have some new tortures awaiting you at your next appearance."

Tharacus was hung up by the feet,-the most pungent drops were poured on every part of his wounded body,-but his faith never faltered; or, if nature winced under each fresh application of the torture, his mind seemed fortified with stronger resolution, till, at length, he wearied out the patience of the court. Maximus, in a fury, exclaimed, "Away with the prisoner. Deliver him to the jailer; and bid that officer shut him in the inner ward. Bring one of his comrades."

Probus forthwith reappeared for his second examination. MAXIMUS. "Tell me, Sir, are you resolved to encounter the rack, or are you now prepared to renounce your folly? I advise you, without delay, to go up to yonder altar and sacrifice to the gods, otherwise your doom is sealed." PROBUS.-"I come to-day before you, better prepared and fortified than I was the last time you put me on the rack; try me with all your cruel inventions, neither you nor the emperors, nor the devils you serve, nor your father Satan, will ever persuade me to adore as gods those that are not I worship God, the living God, who made heaven and earth." "And do you mean to say, that these are not gods, whom the emperors, whom I, and all the Roman people worship?" "No; they are only wood and stones, the workmanship of men's hands; how can they be living gods? You only deceive yourself, Proconsul; it

gross ignorance to serve these." "Wretch, have you the impudence to tell me to my face, that I deceive myself by serving the gods?" "Perish all the gods of wood and stone, and all those who serve them!" MAXIMUS.-"Leave off your folly, sacrifice to the gods, Probus, and save yourself." "I will not serve the gods, but I serve the one God, whom I know to be the living and true God." "Go forward to the altar of Jupiter and sacrifice, serve him at least, if you will not serve more gods than one." "I have only one God in heaven, who cannot be represented by any graven image." "I have said to you already, and I once more repeat it, sacrifice to Jupiter, the great invincible father of gods, who sees all things; and by doing so, I shall release you." "What! sacrifice to the husband of his own sister, an odious adulterer, as all the poets describe him! you are very unreasonable to oblige me to sacrifice to so disreputable a character." "Smite him on the mouth for blaspheming." "Wherefore do you smite me, I have said nothing of your Jupiter, but what you all well know. I do not lie, I speak the truth, as you well know." "Make his chains red hot in the fire, and then put them on his hands and feet." "Your fire is quite cool and does not annoy me." "Apply some hot irons also, to both his sides." "Your fire is cold, I scarcely feel it." Lay him on his face and scourge him to the backbone." "If you have invented any other punishment, order it to be put

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in execution, that I may show you the power of
God, that worketh in me mightily." "Tear off
the hair from his head, and put burning coals upon
it."
"You have already burned my feet and head,
and you see that I am still a servant of God."
Scoop out his right eye, for saying God, instead
of gods."
"You torment me for speaking the
truth." "Take him back to prison, and bring
Andronicus."

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On his appearance, Maximus, whose countenance wore the darkest frowns, thus addressed him from the bench,- "Your comrades, who have just left our presence, Andronicus, have suffered not a little, in the vain parade of their fanaticism before the court. They have at length been constrained to honour the gods, and will in consequence be loaded with marks of imperial favour. Spare yourself the painful course they have gone through, follow their example by sacrificing, and you will be suitably rewarded; otherwise, I swear by all the gods and the emperors, I will make you repent of your rejection of my liberal offers."To which Andronicus calmly replied: "Don't falsely accuse my friends of a weakness and apostasy to which I know them to be strangers, nor think I am to be deceived by your snares; I continue in the same mind as when last here. I will not sacrifice; and I neither fear you nor your tribunal." "Executioner, bind him tightly, and scourge him with untanned thongs."- "Wretch," exclaimed a bystander, "your whole body is still covered with wounds, and will you provoke more?" "Those," said the confessor, "who love God, do not mind that." "Turn him," was anew thundered from the judges' seat, "and let the heaviest blows of your scourge be directed to his face and belly." "He who has healed me before will heal me again." MAXIMUS, (Speaking to the guards,) "Did not I give positive orders to let no one have access to the prisoners?" GUARD.-"Not a foot has crossed the threshold of their cell; my head shall answer for it, to your highness, if there has." "Who has cured his wounds, then?" ANDRONICUS." I was speaking only of my Saviour, my physician in heaven. Blame none of these, my guards have faithfully executed your commands." "Have done with such slang in my presence. Remove the prisoner; in the meantime put him in irons, and let all the three wait our further pleasure."

condition might exempt me from such modes of
punishment, but I will not plead it,-do your
worst; I thank my Lord that I am counted wor
"Executioner, take
thy to suffer for his name."
your razor, cut off both his ears, and tear off a
"Do thou, Lord, from hea-
handful of his hair."
"Don't flatter

|
ven see and judge my cause.”
yourself you shall die soon, and that women will
come and gather and embalm your remains; that
object of ambition with you Christians, I shall
effectually prevent." "Do what you please, my
body is in your power; my spirit is beyond your
reach, it is neither intimidated by menaces nor
moved by your tortures." "I doom Tharacus,
as an incorrigible enemy of the gods,
posed to-morrow to the wild beasts; keep him
closely confined in the dungeon till then, and
bring forward his associates."

be ex

Probus and Andronicus underwent a similar examination, for the last time, and after being subjected to a variety of tortures, of which the humane reader will probably think he has already had more than enough, the three Christians were Terentianus, the Pagan high priest of the place, sentenced to fight next day in the amphitheatre. was charged with the duty of seeing the sentence carried into execution, and left the court immediately, to give orders to the keepers of the mena gerie to have every thing prepared for the approaching spectacle. Early the next morning, the whole inhabitants of the town, even to the women and children, were seen flocking to the amphitheatre, which was situated about a mile from the city. The early part of the day's sport consisted, as usual, of shows of gladiators, numbers of whose maimed or lifeless bodies lay strewed on the sand. At length, when the enthusiasm of the spectators seemed to have reached its height, Maximus, who honoured the occasion with his presence, gave the signal for introducing the mar tyrs. Disabled from walking, by the fire, and their previous sufferings, they were carried on the shoulders of the guards. The moment of their appearance was hailed with the loudest acclamations by the crowd. Some, indeed, there were even among the admirers of those brutal shows, tion at the cruel injustice of Maximus; and a fe who gave vent, in loud murmurs, to their indignacarried their displeasure so far as to leave the place of amusement altogether.* But by far the greater part rent the air with vociferous applause, and waited with impatient curiosity till the var ous beasts should be unkennelled. At the sound of a trumpet, an iron grating was withdrawn on different sides of the amphitheatre, and from their respective dens several enormous lions rushed forth, with an impetuosity and yells that struck a panic into the ranks of the spectators, albeit standing beyond the reach of attack by these savage monsters. Several times, indeed, with eyes I declared myself a Christian,-I now do so for the third time." "I know, Sir, how to sub-flashed lightning, they seemed as if they meditated due your obstinate spirit,-you shall be horsed, to spring, by a gigantic leap, over the lofty paraand tormented while on it, a thousand times more severely than you were before." "My military

The next examination took place at a neighbouring town where the governor held his court. As formerly, Tharacus was summoned first, to whom the judge said,—" Prisoner, appreciate my clemency in allowing you a third opportunity to abandon your detestable and criminal courses." "I cannot do what you require; that would be a detestable and criminal At my first and second examinations

course.

that

Those who left the theatre were marked, and summoned to the tribunal next day, to undergo an examination, on suspicion of being Christians,

pet, and rush among the thickest of the assembled multitude; but feeling it beyond their power, they ran furiously up and down the sand, tossing clouds of dust in all directions, so that some moments elapsed ere they perceived the three human antagonists that were enclosed in the arena along with them. A lioness and a bear, both of which bad often combated with gladiators on the same spot, and the latter of which had already that day killed three men, were the first whose attention was drawn to their presence,-each in an instant chose, and prepared to make a simultaneous dash at its victim; but, strange to say, at the moment when every ear was anticipating the sound of bones breaking, and every eye was strained in expectation of seeing the Christians stretched lifeless on the sand, or rising only with the stump of an arm or a leg on their mangled bodies-the monsters moved not a jaw! When they saw the men encountering them neither with the sword nor the spear, (the usual reception they met with on that field of blood,) but remaining calm, motionless, with a dignified mien, and awaiting them with a fixed eye, on a sudden their fury ceased, and they crouched like lambs at the feet of the martyrs, while the rest of the savage herd slunk back into their kennels. No language can describe the disappointment that pervaded the immense. circle of lookers-on. Maximus, the governor, in particular, stormed with uncontrollable fury; and after some unsuccessful efforts to provoke the beasts to renew the attack, he issued orders for a troop of gladiators to come to the spot, and despatch the Christians with the sword. The speedy execution of this sentence terminated the memorable scene of martyrdom.

THE PROPHECY OF BALAAM.
BY PROFESSOR TENNANT.

FROM Aram's stream-nursed lofty land
I come, at Balak's high command;
Me, from the mountains of the East,
The son of Zippor calls in haste,
And says, Come, curse me Jacob well,
And come, defy me Israel!
O son of Zippor! how can I
These children of the Lord defy?
How may I Jacob's peace molest?
How may I curse whom God hath blest?
The baneful ban would backward fly,
And blast me with its blasphemy!
I see him from high places old,
And from the hills I him behold;
Clear, clear I see him spread afar,
And bright as is the morning star,
Spread in his beauty near the streams,
Basking in heaven's eternal beams.

Lo! Jacob's tents how bright they shine!
Israel! thy dwellings how divine!
Wisdom and Joy,-a glorious pair-
I see them, twined in triumph there!
While Glory hovers o'er their host,
Dimming proud Peor, Moab's boast!
In him his God cannot behold
A vanity of stone or gold;
Things of dead wood, and lies, and dust,
Wherein the blinded nations trust,

Are not in his pavilions known ;—
The living God is his alone!
His God is with him; and a shout
Precedes him as he marches out;
He smites the heads of Agag's sons;
He crushes Moab's mighty ones;
Up-riven shall be the Kenite's nest;
And Canaan be his place of rest!
He smites the heathen-folks in ire;
Terror before him danceth dire;
Canaan is now the Lion's food;
He eats the prey, he drinks the blood;
He champs the bones of hostile men ;
Who may up-stir him in his den?

Yet these are triumphs short and small
Compared with what shall yet befall;
The gloomy world o'erlaid with night,
By thee shall be relum'd with light;
And, through her hundred climes abroad,
Earth shall from thee receive her God!
Tranced into distant times, I spy
The long, deep, grand futurity;
Isles of the west enchased in light;
East, north, and south, forth-bursting bright;
Salvation's banner broad unfurled,
And waving o'er a ravished world!
Great people! armed with righteousness;
Blest people! whom the Lord doth bless!
Arise, O Israel!-Jacob!-Rise!—
March onward to thy destinies !
No magic charms or words have force
To stop thee in thy glorious course!
Bless'd is the man that blesseth thee,
But whoso curseth, cursed be!
For me-oh! could I spend my days
Amid their happy hymus of praise,
And share with them the life from high
That feeds their spirits when they die!
The son of Beor spoke; and high
And fierce was Zippor's son's reply:
I called thee from thy mountain-land
To curse yon Egypt-banished band,
But lo! thou dost reverse my mind,
And blessest those for curse designed!

O son of Zippor! how can I
These children of the Lord defy?
How may I Jacob's peace molest?
How may I curse whom God hath blest?
The causeless curse would backward fly,
And blast me with its blasphemy!

THE INFIDEL RECLAIMED;

OR THE CONVERSION AND DEATH OF COUNT STRUENSEE.

PART I.

BY THE EDITOR.

To an intelligent and reflecting Christian, no picture can be presented of a more melancholy description than that of an individual who, with all the advantages of a refined and liberal education, a well stored and well cultivated mind, has nevertheless been seduced into the snares of a proud and determined infidelity. He speaks in the most glowing terms of the dignity of human reason, he supplies himself with arguments whereby to overturn, as he foolishly imagines, the claims of revelation, and he wraps himself up in the fatal delusion that religion is nothing better than a fanatical dream,

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