Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-10-26
A MARTYRDOM.

they possess.
A MARTYRDOM.
1t is not generally known, perhaps,
that under the Mahomedan law, Ma
homedan who turns Christian, is liable
to be put to death. Cases Of this kind
do not, however, often occurscf late.
| TIT. I he case Of AAttfflanasins which occur
red some sixteen or eighteen years ago,
It Smyrna, was not long afterwards
noticed in various publications; but
most likely, many of your readers may
not have seen it. The following ac-
count is given by the Rev. Mr.. Jewett,
who not long afterwards visited Smyr-
ma, and made particular inquiries of
many persons, and especially of Mr..
Williams, the English chaplain at that
place. / think it deserves place in
your journal.
Athanasius, fine young man, about
four and twenty yeaas of age, was the
son of boatman, who carried on a
small trade in the Archipelago. The
business of the father being insufficient
to require the assistance of his son, he
was obliged, like thousandsofhis coun-
trymen, to leave the land Of his birth
in search of livelihood.
Athanasius fell at length into the SER
vice of a Turk, in decent circumrtan-
ces, and something above the common
rank. The master, pleased with the
conduct ofahe servant, and in reward
of his fidelity, often proposed with
great offers, to elevate him from the
degrading bondage of Greek to the
privileges Of a Turk.-Every tempta-
ton was manfully resisted, till one IA
talfestival night he was overcome. The
words of abjuration once spoken, the
deed is done. The next morning made
the man Tnrk.
He remained with his master about
twelve months, suffering many pangs Of
conscience, and having no alternative
but to die, since he could not live .
Christian. Thus circumstanced, and
no doubt, regard for his own people,
whose practice it is not to receive hack
ITO their communion any one who apIos-
| tatizes, Athanasius received to sacrii.
Soc hissJsl q ssaan atoircment for his
CRIME. There Is mistake here. The
Greeks do receive back apostates, but
with so much difficulty, 50 long pen
ance, that few are received. With
this intention he quilted his master,
and went on pilgrimage to Mount
Athos. At this place, sacred among
the Greeks, heremained some months,
receiving instructions and preparing
for death. On the expiration of his
pilgrimage he quilted Athos, with the
congratulations Of the whole body of
Greek monks who reside there, on the
prospect Of becoming distinguished
saint. He arrived at Smyrna, in the
habit of a monk, and went immediate
!y with his recantation to the Turkish
Judge, declaring his resolution to die a
Christian rather than to live an apos-
tate. The judge wished to save his
life by persuading the Turks that he
was mad: but he persisted in publicly
abjuring Mahomedanism, and attesting
his readiness to die. He was confined,
therefore, in dungeon, and tortured
which he endured with great frmness
and patience.
The Greeks were afraid that during
his confinement, the torture and extra
VACANT promises and allurements Of the
Turks would shake his resolution, and
sent priest to strengthen him to suffer
death.
On the day ofhis execution, Athana-
sius was lead out Of the prison. with
his hands tied behind him. He walk
ed firmly to the square, very public
place, before the large Mosque. There
he was again offered his life, with rich.
es, heaven, land andhouses, if he would
remain Turk, but nothingcould tempt
him from his purpose. Aflast Turk
lsh blacksmith vas ordered by the cap
tain Of the guard to strike Off his head.
but as last attempt to indi,ce the snf,
ferer to live Turk, the; executioner11
was desired to cut little 81 the skin
Of his neck, thathe might feel the edce
Of the sword, This last attempt hay-
ing failed, and Athanasius on his knee.
declaring with 4 calm and resigned
countenance, that he was horn with L.
'us, and would die with Jesus, his head
was struck off at ! single blow. The
Turkish guards Immediately threw
buckets OF water on the neck of the
corpse and discovered his head, to pre.l
eent the :: multitude Of expecting Creeks
rom dipping their handkerch;.f. =