The native American., 1838-09-22
pRoBUs, OR ROME IN THE THIRD CENTURY.


Rome at the period of the introduction of Chris
tianity. 1t is by the author of the Letters of Pal
myra, which have been received with such de-
served admiration. Itappears, SO far as we have
had time to look it over, to be written with the
same beauty of style, the same briancy of de-
scrptlon, the same depth of philosophy, and with
perhaps more dramatic skill. We lay the fol-
lowing specimen before our readers. Macer, a
Christian, man Of vast frame and immoveable
resolution, is seized, brought before the Prefect,
and required to renounce his religion. He reiil-
ses, and is put to the rack. The Prefect then
says to him:
''Ihink, Macer of thy wife and Children
At those names, Macer bent his head and fold
ed his hands upon his breas., and tears rolled
down his cheeks. Till then there had. as it
seemed, been blessed forgetfulness of all but
himself and the scene before him. Varus, misin-
t3rpreting his silence, and taking it for the first
sign Of repentance, hastily cried ont,
''Ihere is the altar, Macer. Slave! hold to
him the sacred libation; he will now pour it out"
Instantly slave held out to him silver ladle
filled with wine.
Macer at the same instant struck it with his
long arm, and sent it whirling to the ceiling.
"Blnd him again to the rack" cried the Pre-
feet, leaping from his seat, land let him have it
till the nerves break"
Macer was again seized and stretched upon the
IRON frame; this time upon another, of different
construction and greater power. Again the in
ernal machine was worked by the ministering
servants, and as it was wound up, inhicting all
that it was capable Of doing without absolutely
destroying life, groans and screams of fierce ago
ny broke from the suffering Christian. How
long our were assailed by these terrific cries
| cannot say. They presently died away, as |
doubted not, only because Macer himself had ex-
pired under the torment. When they had wholly
ceased, the engine was reversed, and Macer again
unbound. He fell lifeless upon the floor Varus,
who had sat the while conversing with Fronto,
now said,
"Revive him, and return him hither.'
Water was then thrown upon him, and power
ful drinks were forced down his throat They
produced, III little while their intended effect,
and Macer gave signs Of returning life. He pre-
sently gazed wildly round him, and came gradu-
ally to consciousness of where and what he
was. his limbs almost refused their office, and
he was supported and partly lifted TO the presence
of Varus.
"Now. Galilean,'' cried Varus, "how is it
with thee?''
"Better than with thee, I trust in God.''
= w LII luOu now SaCrlncc!
Il am myself, O Varus, this moment sacri-
flee, well pleasing and acceptable to the God
whom worship, and the Master whom serve.''
'Why, Varus,'' said Fronto, ''do we bear
longer his insults and impieties? Let me strike
him dead" And he moved his hand as if to
grasp concealed weapon with which to do it..
"Nay, nay, hold, Fronto! let nought be done
in haste or passion, but all calmly and in order.
We act for those who are present as well as for
ourselves"
A voice from a dark extremity OF the room
shouted out,
''lt is Macer, O Prefect, who acts for u.s.
The face of Macer brightenedup, as if he had
suddenly been encompassed by legion Of friends.
| 1t was the first token lie had received, that so
much as one heart in the whole assembly was
beating with his. He looked instantly to the
quarter whence the voice came, and then, turning
to the Prefect, said,
Eyes, Varus, | am now and here preaching to
the people Of Rome, though speak never a word
'Tis sermon that will fall deeper into the heart
than ten thousand spoken ones.'
| The Prefect commanded that he who had spo-
ken should be brought before him. But upon the
most diligent search he could not be found.
"Christian," said Varus, 81 have other pains
in store, to which what thou hast as yet suffered
| is but as the scratching of the lions paw. II
were better not to suffer them. They will leave
no life in thee. Curse Chrst-'ts but word
and live"
Macer bent his piercing eye upon the Prefect,
but answered not.
"Curse Christ and live
Macer was still silent.
"Bring in then," cried the Prefect, s'your pin
GERS, rakes, and shells; and we will see what they
may have virtue 10 bring forth"
The black messengers of death fastened at the
word from their dark recesses, loaded with these
new instruments of torture, and stood round the
miserable man.
"Now, Nicer" said Varus once more, SAC
knowledge Jupiter Greatest and Best, and thou
shalt live.'
| Macer turned round to the people, and with
his utmost voice cried out,
''There is. 0 Romans, but one God; and the
God Of Christ is he"
No sooner had he uttered those words than
Fronto exclaimed,
"Ah, ha! have found thee then! This is the
voice, thrice accursed! that came from the sacred
Temple Of the Sun! This, Romans, is the god
whose thunder turned you paen'
"Had it been my voice alone, priest, that was
heard that day, had been accursed indeed. II