The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-02-19

a iaitn winch invites not to virtue, rs it prom
iSes to reward, and leaves 10 the guidance OF
! IA OHnd, corrupted nature. Lite passes in the
pleasures OF II low and sordih sense, and the
hour OF death is unsupported 10y the assurance
OF happiness, or the promises of an revealed
God. Choose then, between the God Of the
Christian, whose laws are appointed, who hath
declared his reward and punishment, or the Idol
OF thy creed, whose very affairs now trem-
bling before the weak and despsed followers Of
the Cross
Iita was silent, her hands were locked and
her eyes were turned to that heaven where rest
The Hope and Reward Of the Christian. Clau-
dius wept with graudea las his ardent hope con
strued the motion of her lip into prayer
Speak, Tita,' he said, after pause, sand lei
me hear thee say thou arta Chris;ain'
81 will worship thy God replied the maiden
but who will teach me to pray?
Thou shalt this night he replied, become
one of his children. Thou shalt pray among
faith are poor and humble, even as He who
preacheth it, affairs have we, nor costly sacri-
flee. Its priests are the prosecuted Christians
but the faith we follow is rich in the promises of
Eternity. Come with me, then, maiden, and
the hymn of praise we sing shall be echoed
by angels who Joy in the repentance of sin
ncr.
CHAPTER HI-THE ASSEMBLY,
The Christians of whom Claudius spoke were
that night assembled within the walls OF prison
Paul. the Apostle, had been seized by the En-,
peror, and was appointed to die. Day and night
his cell was filled with those who had been train
ed 10y his teachings and example, aud the pa
tence and foritude which supported his lasts
moments, illustrated II e faith he taught
The apartment in which they met, was a
small cell connected with the prison. Rude,
bare aud desoate, it was The last house of the
Apostle of Him "who had not where TO lay his
head AT the head of the apartment stood Il
rudey carved cross, which the fearless zeal of
the Christian had conveyed within the walls
of Roman Prison. His followers knew not
the moment the Emperor might order his
execution, and each night was spent in the
prison OF their pastor, hearing his Instructions
in the articles of their faith.
Claudus and Tita, as they approached the cell,
heard the low and solemn murmur of PRAYER.
Thine must be a blessed fifth said the
maiden, she paused and listened, (which
finds inshe prosecuted spirit repose even
amid the horrors of prison. The sign being
answered from within, the door was opened,
and the Christian stood in the presence ofthe A
pose.
Caudius was in moment at the feet of Paul,
and the tear which fell upon the hand of his
teacher, Cvnced The sorrow and affection of the
disciple. Rise, rise, my child said Paul. If we
part lis but tor season, and in the body; while
rise 10 lie 6 w tfn" i've item i moi then
for me- but rather rejoice that the prosecutor of
Gods church hath been called TO support il, |
and testify to the truth OF laith he disbe.
lieved'
Reioice with me, Father said Claudius,
risiur and approaching Tna. He removed the |
mantle in which she had been disguised. ]
have led one moie from the of false |
creed to the fold of Christ. Bless aud haptze
her.
The Apostle approached, and laid his hand
on her head, while the assembly kneellng, fer |
venlly repeated the blessing he asked upon her, |
snn To- m dam
TO our blessed iaith,' said Paul, rising from !
prayer; thou art now one otthose whom the arm |
of the flesh is raised to smile to the earth; |
but be of good hope and fear not, for ours is Il
creed in which life, its Joys and tears are even
as the mists of morning, while the tuttne for
which they prepare us, shines with the strength
and br ghtness OF the sun. Then fear not maid |
en-, the hand of The strong man triumphs over
the body and the very trials endure below
but makes us filter for the perfect company of
Heaven The Apostle paused, and as he stead
lastly gaZed young and beautiful girl devo-
ting herself to creed whose adherents We're
the victims of unparalleled cruelty, the tears fell
quickly, and his voice taItered with emotion.
MY daughter thou art now surrounded Ivy enc
mics, who may doom thee to the cross, or
the horrors of the arena, but fear not His voice
became more indistinct his mind reverted to
the death which awaited him. The moments
| have yet TO number are but few; Tyrant is
my Judge, and his will is my punishment; yet
would see thee many times in this humble place
OF worship, and endeavor to seal thy faith by the
words OF dying man. His head sank upon
her bosom, and she felt his tears, her first
prayer to the God of the Christian was breathed
for The deliverance ofhs Apostle.
The last echo Of their hymn had scarcely died
through the prison, when Il istant shouts mingled
with cries Of horror and supplication TO the Gods
were heard approaching, and CLEANS OF fire
flushed through the grating of the cell. ltis
the hand of God,' exclaimed the Christians.-
lie hath come to the rescue ct his servant
| it is a fearful fame said the Apostle, bnt
Whatever it abodeth, servants to the faith, we
must bow to the will of Cod
| Still brighter grew the flames, and more III
multuous the clnnors without The assembly
| Frustrated themselves before the cross l'Ita
chung to Claudus, and firmly repeated the pray
er he offered up for protection, while the Apps
! tie, as one whose heart was unaffected ny the
dangers or accidents Of life, stood in an attitude
of conposure, his arms folded on his breast